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
Trump's Move To Soften Marijuana Rules Could Push Wyoming To Do The Same
Saying Americans should have more access to medical marijuana, President Donald Trump took steps Thursday toward downgrading its federal classification. The move could push Wyoming to do the same, or announce why it won’t.
Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2025
Wyoming AG Appeals Wind Lease Ruling As Gordon, Gray Clash Over Decision
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday he's appealing a ruling that voided a wind lease on state lands. He said the appeal is bigger than the wind issue, as widespread interpretations of state laws also hinge upon it.
Clair McFarland & David MadisonDecember 19, 2025
Wyoming Manhunt For Fugitive Sex Assault Suspect Enters Second Month
Deputies in northern Wyoming have been searching for weeks for Anthony Pease, a Byron man reportedly wanted on six counts of felony sexual assault of a minor. Authorities believe people are helping the man avoid arrest.
Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025
Sued For Defamation, Former State Senator Says WyoFile Should Be Sued Too
Sued for defamation on claims he hurt the reputation of Casper businessman Reid Rasner, former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard is calling for the news outlet WyoFile to be sued as well after it republished another paper's story, which was critical of Rasner.
Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025
Cody Roberts Asks Judge To Dismiss Case, Says Charge Stretches Law
Cody Roberts, the Daniel, Wyoming, man accused of torturing a wolf before killing it is asking a judge to drop a felony animal cruelty charge. His attorney says the state stretched the law to prosecute him.
Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025
Platte County Complaint Against Commissioners Contain False Claims
At least part of the Dec.1 complaint in which Platte County residents asked Gov. Mark Gordon to remove their commissioners from office is false, documents show. Other parts are hotly disputed, multiple public officials told Cowboy State Daily this week.
Clair McFarlandDecember 17, 2025
Laramie Winter Lights Fest Christmas Display Vandalized, But Still Shining
Vandals damaged multiple displays at Laramie’s Winter Lights Fest, but organizer Brian Welper said he hopes the community discourages the act and the suspected vandals — whom he believes to be kids — learn from that.
Clair McFarlandDecember 17, 2025
Sheridan Man Pleads Guilty To Bludgeoning Mother To Death, Hiding Her Body
Sheridan man Israel Melvin, 24, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for bludgeoning his mother and hiding her body under gasoline-soaked blankets. He changed his plea after mental evaluations and now faces 22-40 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandDecember 16, 2025
Weston County Clerk Says Legislators Broke Law By Issuing Subpoena
A motion in defense of Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock filed on Monday says lawmakers, not Hadlock, were the ones who broke the law when issuing a subpoena for her to appear before an investigative committee this fall.
Clair McFarlandDecember 16, 2025
Mystery Drones, Or Maybe UFOs, Over Sweetwater County Are 'The New Normal'
Strange flying objects over Sweetwater County’s Red Desert and Jim Bridger Power Plant are so common now they're "the new normal," the sheriff’s office says. But no one is giving any answers about what they are.
Clair McFarlandDecember 15, 2025
Supreme Court Tells Judge To Pick A Side In Welder's Six-Year Fight With Laramie
Six years, two judges and multiple failed negotiations have passed since a welder started building his storage shop without a permit from the city of Laramie. The Wyoming Supreme Court on Monday told the newest judge on the case to pick a side — landowner or city.
Clair McFarlandDecember 15, 2025
Interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith Advances In Scathing Nomination Hearing
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary advanced President Donald Trump’s nomination of former state Sen. Darin Smith for Wyoming’s U.S. Attorney seat Thursday, though two Democratic senators cast Smith as unqualified and politically charged.
Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025
Lawmaker Questions Wyoming Adjutant General Over Presence Of UFOs
At an appropriations hearing Friday, Wyoming Adjutant General Greg Porter fielded a question by Senate Committee Chair Tim Salazar about UFOs in Wyoming. Porter said he preferred not to discuss UFOs in open testimony.
Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025
UW Seeks Extra $54 Million On Top Of Its $440 Million State-Funded Budget
Some members of the legislative Joint Appropriations Committee asked questions about the need for UW to receive an additional $54 million on top of its $440 million state-funded budget. UW leaders countered that extra funding was necessary.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025
University Of Wyoming Wants Extra $3 Million From Legislature After NIL Deals
The financial landscape of college athletics is straining the University of Wyoming’s athletics budget as it tries to keep up with exploding NIL deals for Division I recruits. The school is asking the Legislature for an extra $3 million a year.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025
Uinta County Commission Chairman Arrested, Charges Under Review
The Uinta County Commission chairman was arrested last week on suspicion of domestic battery, the Evanston police chief confirmed Thursday to Cowboy State Daily. Possible charges against Mark Anderson are under review by an out-of-county prosecutor.
Clair McFarlandDecember 11, 2025
Fatal Shooting Of Friend In Sublette County Ruled Self Defense
A special prosecutor ruled Tuesday that a Sublette County man who fatally shot his friend last July used reasonable defensive force as the other man swung an animal trap at him.
Clair McFarlandDecember 11, 2025
With Feds Ditching Public Media, Wyoming Public TV Request to State Triples
Wyoming Public Television CEO Joanna Kail asked state lawmakers on Wednesday to fill a $3 million funding gap from federal cuts that Congress made earlier this year. One legislator asked why the outlet's product is worth the backing of government.
Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025
Second Man Pleads Guilty In Big Piney Bow And Arrow Murder
A Big Piney man pleaded guilty Wednesday, to killing another man with a bow and arrow in February, then riddling his scalp with BBs. Rowan Littauer could face between 75 years and life in prison if District Court Judge Kate McKay accepts his plea agreement.
Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025
Duo Charged With Kidnapping Teenage Girl Wanted By ICE
The two men the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested last week for kidnapping a teenage girl are wanted by ICE. The men, 33-year-old Pedro Giron Perez and 22-year-old Alexcer Solis Gomez, remained Monday in the Carbon County Detention Center.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025
Pine Bluffs Mayor Chosen To Fill Rep. John Eklund's Seat
Pine Bluffs Mayor Justin Fornstrom is vacating his town seat to fill the House vacancy left by the late Rep. John Eklund. He said balancing a budget, serving his community, backing traditional Wyoming industries and doing things to "make John proud" are his priorities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025