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.

Find Clair McFarland

Latest from Clair McFarland

A viral video posted to Magnetic Norse on X.com shows a man revving his motorcycle until it pops, prompting a visit from a police officer who said the noise sensors “triangulated” the sound.

We Know Surveillance Cameras Are Being Used, But So Are Surveillance Microphones

While Wyoming debates surveillance cameras, what's gone largely unsung and un-debated is sound sensor technology. Law enforcement authorities in Cheyenne say they are using noise sensors to detect gunshot sounds. Some worry it could lead to "mission creep.”

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2026

Michael Odom, a 33-year-old Lander man, faces up to 42 years in prison in connection with the Wednesday evening Riverton crash in which two people died.

Lander Man Faces Homicide Charges, 42 Years In Double Fatal Riverton Crash

A Lander man faces homicide charges and up to 42 years in prison in connection with a Wednesday Riverton crash that killed two people. “I’m terribly sorry about what happened,” he said in court on Friday. “I’ve just been fighting addiction my whole life.”

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

Judge Orders Wyoming Board Of Equalization To Enforce 4% Property Tax Cap — For Now

A Cheyenne judge Friday ordered the Wyoming Board of Equalization to apply a law capping residential property tax increases at 4% annually — for now — despite the board’s claim the cap violates the Wyoming Constitution. Gov. Gordon sued the board this week.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday held that marijuana use alone isn’t enough to let the federal government charge a person with a felony for possessing a gun.

Firearms Expert Says Supreme Court Marijuana Case Important For Wyoming Gun Owners

George Mocsary, a firearms law expert, says the U.S. Supreme Court's Thursday opinion upholding a marijuana user's right to keep a gun is important for Wyoming. "The case is ultimately about whether government can take away a constitutional right," he said.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

State Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, left, and challenger Doug Moore.

John Bear, One Of The Freedom Caucus’ Most Powerful Members, Has A Challenger

John Bear, one of the most powerful members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, has a GOP challenger for his Gillette House district. "I don’t see myself being a career politician,” said Doug Moore. “I am the only conservative in this race,” countered Bear.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration has installed license plate cameras on or around the Wind River Reservation, authorities confirmed Thursday.

License Plate Cameras At Entrances To Wind River Reservation Spark Controversy

The Drug Enforcement Administration has installed license plate cameras on or around the Wind River Reservation, authorities confirmed Thursday. "All this stuff is somewhat '1984'-ish," Sen. Cale Case said. "It’s a big step in our surveillance society.”

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

A Dodge pickup involved in a double fatal car crash Wednesday evening lay on its side before wreckers righted it and winched it onto a trailer. The driver of the pickup tried to flee the scene, one witness said.

Two Dead, One Tackled And Arrested in Riverton Crash

Two people died Wednesday evening after a two-vehicle crash unfolded in front of Riverton’s Walmart. Law enforcement officers tackled a suspect who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular homicide.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

The Hot Springs County GOP hosted a Charlie Kirk memorial fundraising dinner May 29, which factored into a controversy at its Monday meeting.

Hot Springs County GOP Members Walk Out After Failed Vote To Drain Account

The Hot Springs County GOP rejected a party leader's bid Monday to nearly drain its bank account and send $4,000 to the state party. Then five people on the losing side of the question walked out, leaving not enough voters to pay their bills.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

This image is an artistic interpretation of a 2022 incident potentially involving an unidentified flying object (UFO) reported near Colorado Springs. This image is derived from the first-hand narrative description contained in an FBI report that has recently been released.

Pentagon Report Documents Giant Potato-Shaped UFO Over Colorado Springs

After Wyoming lawmakers grappled with the topic of UFOs last year, the Pentagon released a report of five U.S. Army service members who said they observed a giant translucent airborne potato-shaped UFO over the Cheyenne Mountains in 2022.

Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026

Supreme Court Upholds 21-To-26-Year Sentence For Casper Cop Who Caused Standoff

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the 21-to-26-year prison term for a former Casper police officer who shot at other officers during a standoff. He argued a judge wrongly disregarded his plea deal to sentence him to a term five times longer.

Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026

Gordon Sues His Tax Board For Blocking Property Tax Cap

Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday sued his tax board for refusing to recognize a 4% limit on property tax increases. He said the board exceeded its law-given authority, and the executive branch's job is just to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed."

Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2026

AG Says Prosecutors Declined To Charge Chuck Gray With A Crime

Wyoming's attorney general on Tuesday said he appointed two prosecutors to investigate whether Secretary of State Chuck Gray violated any laws by releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, but neither decided to charge Gray with a crime.

Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2026

Other Authors

Wyoming’s coal sector is startled at Republican candidates who oppose data centers. They say the revival of coal is largely due to projected demand for energy from data centers "It's frustrating," said Travis Deti, of the Wyoming Mining Association.

Coal Industry Frustrated With GOP Candidates Who Want To Kill Data Centers

Wyoming’s coal sector is startled at Republican candidates who oppose data centers. Industry leaders say the revival of coal is driven by demand for energy from data centers. "It's frustrating," said Travis Deti, of the Wyoming Mining Association.

Clair McFarlandJune 15, 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.

Court Filings Say Wyoming Boys' School Staffers Restrained, Attacked Boys

A group of young men suing the Wyoming Boys’ School claim they were attacked, confined in a chair and made to wear a mask. “The best part of the chair is watching the kids cry and scream,” a security guard is alleged to have said.

Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2026

A rally at the Wyoming Capitol on Saturday, May 16, 2026, calling for the Legislature to plug holes the Wyoming Food Freedom Act.

Legislators Vow To Fix Food Freedom Act After Months Of Controversy

Wyoming lawmakers Friday vowed to rework the Food Freedom Act after months of controversy at small-time food producers and family-owned shops. “Reasonableness [has]gone out the window,” said a business owner who was ordered to stop selling raw milk lattes.

Clair McFarlandJune 14, 2026

Wyoming doesn’t charge sales taxes on large data center equipment purchases because lawmakers in 2010 wanted to compete with Texas to attract a major tech company’s project. Then, there were four data centers in the state, now there are 31 and counting.

Here's Why Wyoming Gives Tax Breaks To Huge Data Centers

Pro-economic development legislators pushed through a popular tax break for huge data centers in 2010. A rogue Republican tried to undo it in 2021, but his GOP colleagues, industry advocates, and economic development agencies opposed him.

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

A demonstration outside a clinic that performs abortions in Casper, Wyoming, in a 2023 file photo.

Judge Strikes Down Another Set Of Wyoming’s Abortion Restrictions

A retired Wyoming judge on Friday struck down three state-level abortion laws, including one requiring abortion clinics be licensed as surgical centers. He said the pro-choice group challenging the laws provided evidence “that abortion is inherently safe.”

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Wyoming Tax Board Says 4% Cap On Property Tax Is Unconstitutional, Won't Accept It

Wyoming’s state-level property tax board told counties on Thursday that a 4% cap on yearly increases in residential property taxes is unconstitutional and it will refuse to certify this year's property tax assessment figures if the cap remains.

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Bryan Miller, far right, on the final day of the 2026 Wyoming Republican Party Convention on the state fairgrounds in Douglas.

Park County Republican Party Sends Platform Loyalty Tests To GOP Candidates

Republican candidates for office in Park County received a letter warning them if they don’t commit to backing at least 80% of the state GOP platform, they won’t receive an endorsement or support from the party. "They is not a purity test," it reads.

Clair McFarlandJune 11, 2026

From left, Chuck Gray, Bo Biteman, Frank Chapman, David Giralt, Jillian Balow, Steve Friess, and Kevin Christensen. The seven U.S. House candidates fielded faith-oriented questions Tuesday in front of a largely Christian audience at the Cheyenne Metropolitan.

Wyoming U.S. House Candidates Face Christian Lobby, Swap War Stories

Seven of the 10 Republican candidates running to become Wyoming’s next U.S. House candidate courted a largely Christian audience Tuesday with statements on their faith, and their different approaches to education, family rights, and abortion policy.

Clair McFarlandJune 10, 2026

Eric Barlow (left), Brent Bien (center), Megan Degenfelder (right) at Wyoming Family Alliance debate on June 9, 2026

How Wyoming Gov Candidates Handled Questions From The Christian Lobby

Gubernatorial candidates Eric Barlow, Brent Bien, and Megan Degenfelder fielded questions on Tuesday at a forum in Cheyenne before a largely Christian audience. Policy differences emerged on abortion, university leadership, and library policy.

Clair McFarlandJune 10, 2026