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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

Wyoming U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner, left, and Iowa resident Michael “Mike” Leonard Cooley Jr.

One Of Rasner's Four Defamation Cases Settles, Iowa Dad Apologizes

One of congressional candidate Reid Rasner's four defamation cases has settled and the Iowa dad he sued has apologized. “I regret making social media posts accusing Mr. Rasner of misconduct and recognize that the posts were wholly false," the man said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2026

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Mexican Trucker Accused Of Furious Canyon Rampage Trying To Stay In U.S.

A Mexican national who faces eight felonies is attempting to stay in the country after he allegedly chased down and tried to ram travelers off the road in Snake River Canyon. He "deliberately crossed the centerline and targeted our vehicle," one victim said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2026

David Giralt with Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Another Day, Another Huge Endorsement For U.S. House Candidate David Giralt

David Giralt acknowledges that he has less name recognition than some of the nine other Republicans he's running against in the GOP race for U.S. House. He's also touting endorsements by six sitting U.S. House members — plus rocker Ted Nugent.

Clair McFarlandJuly 10, 2026

Work at the $1.2 billion Related Ditigal campus in east Cheyenne.

Wyoming Local Officials Say They Never Signed Data Center Nondisclosure Agreements

Wyoming local government leaders in data center-heavy areas who spoke with Cowboy State Daily on Thursday say they've never signed nondisclosure agreements with data center companies. The agreements can be legal if built correctly, however.

Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2026

Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman in a Thursday letter is demanding answers from Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg about how its Cheyenne data center contaminated the city’s wastewater system. “I am deeply concerned,” she wrote.

Hageman Demands Answers From Zuckerberg About Cheyenne Data Center Contamination

Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman in a Thursday letter is demanding answers from Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg about how its Cheyenne data center contaminated the city’s wastewater system. “I am deeply concerned,” she wrote.

Clair McFarlandJuly 09, 2026

Several Northern Arapaho Tribal members are outraged at a Christian pastor who spoke against their religious customs that honor a pipe artifact as a link to the Creator. "We know that Jesus is enough," she said. One Arapaho countered, "(She) can leave."

Arapaho Members Furious At Christian Preacher Who Spoke Against Rituals

Several Northern Arapaho Tribe members are outraged at a Christian pastor who spoke against their religious customs and encouraged worship of Jesus instead. One Arapaho member told Cowboy State Daily that the church is "not welcome here anymore."

Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2026

A vocal crowd converged Tuesday on the Green River City Council meeting and opposed a $112,000 federal grant for the police department to install license plate reader cameras. Then the City Council and mayor voted 6-1 against finalizing the grant.

Green River Residents Shut Down License Plate Reader Camera Project

A vocal crowd converged Tuesday on the Green River City Council meeting and opposed a $112,000 federal grant for the police department to install license plate reader cameras. Then the City Council and mayor voted 6-1 against finalizing the grant.

Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2026

Voter-Rights Groups Gets New Trial Over Investigation Into 2020 Election Fraud Wyoming, Montana and Colorado voter-rights groups can get a new civil trial against a group that went door-to-door to investigate whether the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent, a three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday.

Voter-Rights Groups Get New Trial Over Investigation Into 2020 Election Fraud

A court ruled Monday that voting-rights groups in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado can wage a new lawsuit against a private group that canvassed voters about potential voter fraud in the 2020 election. Their methods were intimidating, the groups allege.

Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Sam Mead (left), Bernie Sanders (right)

Hageman Opponent Sam Mead Defends $27 Donation To Bernie Sanders

A Washington, D.C., super-PAC is attacking U.S. Senate candidate Sam Mead for a $27 donation Mead made in 2019 to then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Mead defended the move Tuesday, saying it was about solving health care policy problems.

Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

The Green River Police Department is asking the city approve a $112,000 grant it’s secured to install about four license plate reader cameras around the city.

Town Of Green River Considers Installing License Plate Readers To Curb 'Terrorism'

The Green River City Council is considering finalizing a $112,000 grant it's been awarded to install license-plate readers in the city. The mayor said the cameras could curb terrorism while former Libertarian lawmaker Marshall Burt says it's all "bullshit."

Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Wyoming's most famous diesel “delete" mechanic Troy Lake, who was pardoned by Trump after a prison stint, advocated for the president to pardon at least six more. On Friday, Trump pardoned them, and three others.

Wyoming's Famous Diesel Mechanic Gets Presidential Pardons For Others

Wyoming's most famous diesel “delete" mechanic Troy Lake, who was pardoned by Trump after a prison stint, advocated for the president to pardon at least six more. On Friday, Trump pardoned those six, plus three others.

Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Jose A. Gonzalez

No Charges From Feds 14 Months After Man Found Dead On Rez

Fourteen months after a man was found in an abandoned red truck in a remote region of the Wind River Indian Reservation with two gunshots in his head, prosecutors have no ongoing, public murder cases in the December 2024 death of Riverton man Rex Lofts.

Clair McFarlandJuly 06, 2026

Other Authors

A contractor is suing the two irrigation districts connected to the Wyoming-Nebraska tunnel system that suffered a catastrophic failure in 2019, alleging the districts chose who would win the more than $100 million in repair contracts behind closed doors.

Judge Says $100M Goshen Tunnel Project Won’t Stop For Company That Couldn't Bid

A federal judge declined Thursday to pause the $100 million Goshen Tunnel project for a company that missed out on a chance to bid on the work. He also ruled the company has a valid case against two irrigation districts in charge of the tunnel.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026

Other cities in Wyoming have clashed over license plate reader cameras. Meanwhile, Glenrock's Flock system has gone without drama for the roughly two years it's been in place. But a local legislator worries about fewer rights and more surveillance.

Unlike Other Areas In Wyoming, Glenrock's Flock Cameras Bring Little Drama

Other cities in Wyoming have clashed over license plate reader cameras. Meanwhile, Glenrock's Flock system has gone without drama for the roughly two years it's been in place. But a local legislator worries about fewer rights and more surveillance.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026

The Wyoming Board of Equalization was set for a July 6 hearing to fight against having to enforce a 4% cap on annual property tax increases, which it calls unconstitutional. But it agreed this week to honor the cap during its lawsuit challenging it.

Wyoming Board Of Equalization Agrees To Honor 4% Property Tax Cap For Now

The Wyoming Board of Equalization was set for a July 6 hearing to fight against having to enforce a 4% cap on annual property tax increases, which it calls unconstitutional. But it agreed Thursday to honor the cap during its lawsuit challenging it.

Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026

The Wyoming Business Council's biggest critic in the Legislature, Rep. Ken Pendergraft, right, was mostly relieved at a Wednesday audit report showing the Wyoming Business Council isn't hiding any bank accounts. But he still has questions, he says. Left, Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell.

Wyoming Business Council's Toughest Critic Relieved It Isn't Hiding Bank Accounts

The Wyoming Business Council's biggest critic in the Legislature, Rep. Ken Pendergraft, was mostly relieved at a Wednesday audit report showing the Wyoming Business Council isn't hiding any bank accounts. But he says he still has questions.

Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

An immigration advocacy firm is suing the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office claiming the agency is withholding important evidence in a deportation case. The Cheyenne Police Department confirmed Wednesday that the sheriff's office had issued an inaccurate report.

Colorado Immigration Firm Accuses Sheriff Kozak Of Blocking Vital Evidence

An immigration advocacy firm is suing the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office claiming the agency is withholding important evidence in a deportation case. The Cheyenne Police Department confirmed Wednesday that the sheriff's office had issued an inaccurate report.

Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

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Wyoming Board Of Equalization Asks Judge To End Property Tax Cap 

The Wyoming Board of Equalization is suing Gov. Mark Gordon back after he rejected its claims that the state's property tax caps are unconstitutional. The board is asking a judge to end Wyoming’s 4% cap on property tax increases. 

Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

Fresh after socialist-backed candidates' success in New York's U.S. House primaries, Colorado Democrats nominated their own socialist House candidate Tuesday in Melat Kiros. Having a socialist neighbor could galvanize Wyoming's independence even more, one politico said. 

Win By Colorado Socialist Could Galvanize Wyoming Independence, Says Politico

Fresh after socialist-backed candidates' success in New York's U.S. House primaries, Colorado Democrats nominated their own socialist House candidate Tuesday. Having a socialist neighbor could galvanize Wyoming's independence even more, one politico said. 

Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

It’s campaign flier season, which means Wyoming voters are being inundated with attack fliers about political candidates. One flier targeting Lander incumbents claim they “endangered children” and “exposed women to their radical transgender agenda."

Out-Of-State Campaign Fliers Launch Attacks On Wyoming Candidates

It’s campaign flier season, which means Wyoming voters are being inundated with attack fliers about political candidates. One flier targeting Lander incumbents claim they “endangered children” and “exposed women to their radical transgender agenda."

Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2026

The Wyoming Republican Party is appealing a judge’s ruling that its rules don’t trump state law in electing its leaders. Now the party is waging multiple legal challenges in which it argues that it may follow its bylaws over Wyoming law.

Wyoming Republican Party Appeals Judge's Order Telling It To Follow State Law

The Wyoming Republican Party is appealing a judge’s ruling that its rules don’t trump state law in electing its leaders. Now the party is waging multiple legal challenges in which it argues that it may follow its bylaws over Wyoming law. 

Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026

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