Crime and Courts Reporter

Clair McFarland

Clair McFarland is a general assignment reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Riverton, Wyoming. She specializes in crime and court reporting and social issues coverage. Clair also writes a twice-monthly column on motherhood and country living.

Previously, Clair wrote for The Ranger, the Lander Journal and the Wind River News. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist and poet, who joined Cowboy State Daily on Valentine's Day, 2022.

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Latest from Clair McFarland

Demonstrating a suppressor attached to a Traditions 350 Legend.

ATF Rolls Back Restrictions On Silencers, Short-Barreled Shotguns And Rifles

The ATF said Friday it won't enforce the National Firearms Act on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns, though background checks still apply. "It’s one of the biggest victories against federal gun control in American history," said a gun advocate.

Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2026

The bartender at Parkman Bar and Grill in Sheridan holds the bar’s sign announcing a farewell to shake a day, as state gambling laws tighten

Many Wyoming Prosecutors Reluctant To Prosecute Bar Owners Over Shake-A-Day

Yes, shake-a-day is technically illegal gambling in Wyoming. But many prosecutors told Cowboy State Daily on Friday they're reluctant to prosecute anyone for it. That is "going to be very, very low on my priority list," said the Uinta County Attorney.

Clair McFarlandOctober 09, 2026

Former Wyoming Reporter Arrested In Pepper Spray Grenade Clash At Cheyenne Home

April Marie Hamilton, the former Wyoming reporter charged with forgery and perjury, was arrested on an outstanding warrant Tuesday after allegedly hiding from deputies. They lobbed pepper spray grenades into her basement, then arrested her.

Clair McFarlandOctober 09, 2026

A recreation board is asking Fremont County to donate 30 acres of an alfalfa road sitting on a rural Riverton road, for a $30 million sports complex.

Rec Board Asks Fremont County To Donate Alfalfa Field For $30 Million Rec Center

The Fremont County Commission is weighing whether it can donate 30 acres of a Riverton alfalfa field to a group that wants to build a $30 million sports complex on a rural road. The town's growth has been immense, with a second hospital, and Amazon facility.

Clair McFarlandOctober 08, 2026

State Sen. Cale Case praised a bill that would impose a near-ban on parents, clergy, medical providers and spouses giving alcohol to people under 21

Wyoming Lawmakers Push For A Near Ban On Parents Giving Alcohol To Their Children

Because of youth alcohol abuse in Fremont County, some local lawmakers are pushing for a statewide near total ban on parents giving alcohol to their children. In Wyoming, it's currently legal for immediate family members to give alcohol to their kids.

Clair McFarlandOctober 08, 2026

Wyoming Border Control, a clothing store that makes comedy videos about meandering Coloradans, has entered the political arena with Sheriff Bufford "endorsing" a candidate.

Wyoming Border Patrol’s Sheriff Buford ‘Endorses’ First Political Candidate

Wyoming Border Patrol, a clothing store that makes comedy videos about meandering Coloradans, has entered the political arena with Sheriff Buford "endorsing" a candidate. “I put his campaign priorities through the official Buford test,” says the ad.

Clair McFarlandOctober 07, 2026

Sheridan's "No Name Bar" employee Tierney Clark holds up shake a day cups

Wyoming Bars Shutting Down Shake-A-Days And Football Pools After New Law

Many Wyoming bar owners are shutting down their shake-a-days and football pools because of a new law tightening gambling restrictions. One bar owner said lawmakers have “tilted the favor completely to casinos,” and leave little bars struggling to compete.

Clair McFarlandOctober 07, 2026

"Victory For Everyday People": After Six Years, Teton County OKs Affordable Housing

After six years of permitting wars, the Teton County Commission on Tuesday approved an affordable housing project on private land. “This is a victory for snowplow drivers, teachers, mechanics, janitors, and everyday people,” one proponent said.

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2026

Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan (left) endorsed former state legislator Lisa Kinney for U.S. House on Tuesday.

Former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan Endorses Lisa Kinney For U.S. House

Former Gov. Mike Sullivan endorsed Democrat Lisa Kinney for U.S. House on Tuesday. “It's important Wyoming have somebody dedicated to public service, who works well with people and has proven their leadership like Lisa has, and Chuck hasn’t," he said.

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2026

President Donald Trump endorsed Secretary of State Chuck Gray for Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat Tuesday.

Trump Endorses 'True Friend Of MAGA' Chuck Gray For Wyoming's U.S. House Seat

President Trump endorsed Chuck Gray for U.S. House on Tuesday, describing him as "an America First Patriot and a true friend of MAGA." Trump said Gray, who won the GOP nomination with about 25% of the vote, has been a "tremendous Secretary of State."

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2026

Rock Springs Teen Agrees To Boot Camp In Shooting Of Two Men At Bonfire

A Rock Springs teen accused of shooting shooting two men at bonfire last year agreed to boot camp while pleading no contest Thursday. Her deal urges 5-7 years in prison, which can be cut to about a year if she completes Wyoming's "boot camp" program.

Clair McFarlandOctober 05, 2026

A 50-seat SkyWest flight from Denver collided with a mule deer while landing in Sheridan on Wednesday. No passengers were hurt and the plane wasn't damaged, but the deer was killed.

50-Seat SkyWest Plane From Denver Smashes Into Deer While Landing In Sheridan

A 50-seat SkyWest flight from Denver collided with a mule deer while landing in Sheridan last week. No passengers were hurt and the plane wasn't damaged, but the deer was killed. Such incidents are "extremely rare," an airport official said.

Clair McFarlandOctober 05, 2026

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Cowboy State Daily's Clair McFarland shows off Taco Bell's "LIve Más" slogan at The Loco Strikes Back Taco Bell 50K ultramarathon in Denver on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. That was right before eating the first of multiple tacos and running 31 miles.

From Wyoming, With Love: The 50k Ultramarathon That Made Me Barf On Denver

We were somewhere between Mile High Stadium and Taco Bell No. 6 when the Chalupa began to take hold. I wondered if this was why I was assigned to run in the Taco Bell 50K ultramarathon on Saturday: to throw up bits of Wyoming all over Denver.

Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2026

A former Wyoming Boys' School resident strapped down to a restraint chair with a mask over his head. A court filing claims he was put in the chair with a mask for up to eight hours a day.

Judge: Worland Boys' School Solitary Confinement Case Should Go To Trial

A federal judge ruled Friday that, for one of the young men suing the Wyoming Boys’ School, there’s at least enough proof that staffers violated his rights with unconstitutional solitary confinement and physical force to send the case to trial.

Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2026

The Taco Bell Ultramarathon 50K: Where Runners Eat 10 Taco Bell Items In 31 Miles

The 31-mile Taco Bell ultramarathon Saturday in Denver that requires runners to eat Taco Bell throughout is almost the worst idea in America. "We’re hoping so,” said race organizer Dan Zolnikov with a laugh Friday morning.

Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2026

Wyoming state Sens. Charlie Scott, left, and Lynn Hutchings.

Lawmakers Trying For The Third Time To Get Foreign-Licensed Doctors To Wyoming

Legislators are hoping for success this time as they advance a bill to bring foreign-licensed doctors to Wyoming, to ease a severe shortage. That bill has died in two different legislative sessions, both times in the Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner's drawer.