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 Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell testifies Monday for the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee.

Senate Committee Advances Bill To 'Freeze,' Rebuild Wyoming Business Council

The state Senate advanced a bill Monday that would rescue the Wyoming Business Council by rebuilding the controversial agency. It also would freeze its work while lawmakers and others reevaluate the council.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, successfully advanced multiple amendments Monday to the “recalibration” bill, most of them compromises in response to months of educators' complaints - and one of them a guardrail to thwart a bidding war between districts that could soon have millions of dollars to attract new teachers.

Wyoming Senator Offers $126 Million Compromise To Embattled School Funding Bill

Sen. Chris Rothfuss on Monday offered a $126 million increase to Wyoming's $3.6 billion, two-year grant to its public schools. That's a compromise that followed months of educator outcry and debate between lawmakers. Soon the full Senate may consider his amendment.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026

Teton County GOP Condemns Check Passing On House Floor By Its Own Committeewoman

The Teton County Republican Party on Saturday condemned the actions of its committeewoman, Rebecca Bextel, for handing out checks on the House floor. The Wyoming Republican Party distanced itself too, saying she was not representing the party.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026

Sheriff Investigating Check Passing Scandal In Wyoming Legislature

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday that his agency is investigating the Monday incident in which a Teton County GOP leader handed checks to lawmakers on the state House floor after adjournment — after multiple citizens voiced bribery concerns.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 15, 2026

Bill To Purge Sexually-Explicit Library Books From Children's Section Heads To House

A bill seeking to remove sexually-explicit materials from children’s sections of public and school libraries is headed to the Wyoming House of Representatives, after the House Judiciary Committee advanced it Friday on a 6-1 approval vote.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2026

“The appearance of vote-buying on the House floor or the Senate floor is absolutely unconscionable, and we cannot allow that to happen,” Senate President Bo Biteman said.

Wyoming Senate Formally Condemns GOP Activist For Passing Out Checks On House Floor

All 31 Wyoming senators Friday condemned a GOP activist for handing out campaign checks on the floor of the House. “The appearance of vote-buying on the House floor or the Senate floor is absolutely unconscionable," Sen. President Bo Biteman said.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2026

Sen. Tim Salazar, R-Riverton, (left) who co-chairs the Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, voiced surprise Friday that some House committee members who had joined the committee’s unanimous and bipartisan vote to advance the bill helped to kill it Monday.

Senate Rescues Wyoming's Attempt To Rework Public School Funding

Under pressure to pay the schools in a way that satisfies Wyoming's courts, the state Senate on Friday rescued a bill attempting to do just that - moments after the House rejected its own school funding bill a second time.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2026

In the House, Joint Appropriations Committee Co-Chairman John Bear, R-Gillette, walked members through the budget before landing on the hot-button issue: a $40 million general fund reduction

In Full Debate On University of Wyoming Budget Cuts, Lawmakers Ask If It's Retaliation

The Wyoming House and Senate debated a $40 million cut to the University of Wyoming on Thursday, with the budget committee co-chair John Bear confirming the number was meant to "get their attention." He said legislative directives on DEI were ignored.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 13, 2026

Sen. Cale Case on Thursday, February 12, 2026

Wyoming Anti-Abortion Amendment Dies In Senate By One Vote

The Wyoming Senate on Thursday killed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have let the legislature restrict abortion - by redefining health care. Voting against it, Sen. Cale Case said, “It’s crazy to give us that much power.”

Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026

House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett (center), and Rep. Mike Yin D-Jackson (left), Rep. Abby Angelos, R-Gillette (right.

House Forms Investigative Committee To See If Checks Passed Were Bribes, Misconduct

All 59 Wyoming representatives who were on the House floor Thursday afternoon voted to convene a special committee to investigate the checks given to lawmakers on the House floor Monday - and if it was an act of bribery or legislative misconduct.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026

Rep. Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, discusses her bill that would investigate data center water use

Wyoming House Will Hear Bill To Investigate How Data Centers Impact Water Supply

A Wyoming House committee advanced a bill Thursday that would provide funding for a study on how data centers, carbon capture, or other large-scale industrial projects might sap or impact the state's water supply.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026

Rebecca Bextel (left) hands a check to Rep. Darin McCann, R-Rock Springs, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Teton County GOP Leader Handed Out Checks To Lawmakers On House Floor

Teton County Republican Party leader Rebecca Bextel handed out checks to lawmakers on the Wyoming House floor Monday, according to interviews, a photograph and her own later statement. She said there was "nothing wrong" with the maneuver.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026

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Wyoming Senate Kills Bill To Revamp Courts - Three More Still Alive

One piece of Wyoming legislation aimed at changing the way Wyoming chooses judges and structures courts failed its introductory vote Wednesday in the state Senate — but at least three more reform bills remained viable.