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.
Latest from Clair McFarland
West Point Professor Sues UW President, Says He Lost Job Over Global Warming
A West Point professor who claims he was stifled, then had his contract canceled for teaching humans are a major cause of climate change, is suing new University of Wyoming president Shane Reeves, a former dean of the school, and other officials.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2026
High-Profile Wyoming Moms Condemn Baby-Killing Jokes During Lindsay Clancy Trial
Three high-profile Wyoming moms condemn the dark, baby-hurting jokes surfacing during the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. But they also urge thoughtful reflection on the trial, and some said they're grateful for the spotlight on post-partum conditions.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2026
Reservation Pastor Files For Protection Orders Claiming Threatening Behavior
The Arapahoe-area pastor who made headlines for a controversial sermon describing Northern Arapaho Tribal sundance rituals as idolatry, and urging fidelity to Jesus, has filed petitions for protection against two women who have led protests against her.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2026
Wyoming Court System Hacked, Could Have Exposed 10 Years Of Personal Data
The Wyoming Judicial Branch’s former operating system fell prey to a hack that could have lifted personal data about people involved in court cases from 2015-2025.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Push Rules On How To Round Up — Or Down — Without Pennies
Now that pennies are going extinct, Wyoming legislators are considering rules outlining how to round up — or down — to the nearest nickel. Some states have a Wild West approach, letting businesses choose for themselves as long as they’re consistent.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 02, 2026
Family Of Inmate Who Died In Campbell County Restraint Chair Sues
A lawsuit by the family of a Campbell County inmate who died in custody nearly four years ago says the inmate, Kenneth Durrah, swallowed a baggie of meth, endured two alleged use-of-force incidents and died in a restraint chair after begging and shouting for help.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Wyoming Trans Activist Loses Self-Defense Bid, Can Still Claim It At Trial
A judge declined Monday to drop charges against transgender activist Rihanna Kelver, after Kelver claimed self-defense for pointing a pistol at a man last September. Kelver wasn't "in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury," the judge ruled.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Hot Springs County Republicans, Democrats Have Highest Voter Turnout In State
Wyoming's Hot Springs County had the highest voter turnout of Republicans and Democrats in the primary election, nearly 20 points above the statewide average. Campbell County Democrats and Teton County Republicans were the least motivated groups.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Riverton Woman Tempted To Set Her Car On Fire After Snake Climbed Through Frame
After a 3-foot bull snake slithered into the frame of a Riverton woman's car at the bank drive-through Monday, she was tempted to just set her car on fire. "Anything that slithers and doesn’t have legs is the devil, in my book,” she said.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Wyoming Clerk Warns Other Red States Of "Aggressive" DOJ Action At Elections
In the wake of reportedly “aggressive” federal agents monitoring Wyoming’s election, Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee warned other red state election officials, “Don’t think this won’t happen to you .” She praised the governor’s move to review the operation.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2026
Kevin Christensen No On Write-In Campaign, May Endorse But Not Chuck Gray
Kevin Christensen, who rocketed to third in a crowded U.S. House race while spending at least 50 times less than each top-two finisher, will not wage a write-in campaign but is looking at a 2028 run. He also said he won't endorse Chuck Gray.
Clair McFarlandAugust 31, 2026
At Least Five Lawmakers Walk Out Of ‘Absurd’ Joint Committee Meeting
At least five Wyoming senators walked out of a joint legislative meeting Friday claiming it was a waste of taxpayers’ money and time. Sen. Tara Nethercott and Rep. John Bear sparred over whether the meeting was appropriate.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2026
Holy Cow: Man Clocked At 92 MPH Through Town Of Shoshoni
Shoshoni has the reputation as the worst place to speed in Wyoming. A Wisconsin man apparently didn't know that and was clocked at driving 92 MPH in a 30 MPH zone Thursday. He could have been arrested, police say, but they gave him a $556 ticket instead.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2026
Gordon 'Shocked' At Federal Agents Monitoring Wyoming Election, Sends Concern To AG
Gov. Mark Gordon said reports of "aggressive" behavior by federal election monitors at polling places in Cheyenne last Tuesday have left him "shocked." He alerted the Wyoming Attorney General, but said it's too early to know if litigation is in order.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2026
Judge Dismisses ACLU Immigration Case Against Sheriff Kozak
A judge on Tuesday dismissed the ACLU's lawsuit against Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak, saying the plaintiffs' complaints didn't match the laws in the case. One plaintiff, a barbershop, noted that deputies had worked with ICE to deport its employee to Nicaragua.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2026
After Election Loss, Reid Rasner Sues A Sixth Person For Defamation
Reid Rasner, who placed fifth in last Tuesday’s Republican primary election for Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat, is suing a sixth person for defamation. This one, against a Missouri-based civil rights attorney, was filed in federal court on Monday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2026
Trans Protestor Has Self-Defense Hearing Over Drawing Gun In Laramie Street
Rihanna Kelver, an outspoken transgender activist, asked a court Wednesday to drop the aggravated assault charge Kelver faces for pointing a gun at a man who’d shoved the activist to the ground outside of a Laramie bar.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2026
Chevron Plans To Blow Up Wind Turbines With Explosives This Week Near Casper
Residents could notice a brief loud noise and temporary vibration when Chevron uses explosives later this week to remove 11 defunct wind turbines outside of Casper. The fire department says portions of the base will be blown up to bring down the towers.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2026
Wyoming State Agencies Spend Millions On Commercials, Lawmakers Split On Appropriateness
Wyoming state agencies spend millions annually on commercials - some for required notices, some to influence driver behavior and some to promote vaccines. Legislators vary on where they draw the line with funding government ads.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2026
Shots Fired: Nevada Sues Over Water Cuts, Could Drag Wyoming Into Court
Nevada sued the federal government Monday to dispute a water usage plan that it calls unfair to the economy of Las Vegas and surrounding areas. The act could drag Wyoming and other states into litigation, after they spent years negotiating outside court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026
Polls: Wyoming Has Highest Approval Rating Of President Trump In The Nation
President Trump’s approval rating may be dropping nationally but remains the highest in Wyoming. Two national polls say Wyoming has the highest approval rating for the president. Wyoming gives Trump a 14% net approval in The Economist poll and 22% in Newsweek.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026