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
Ann Simpson, Wife Of Late Sen. Al Simpson, Died In Daughter's Arms Friday Morning
Ann Simpson, mother of three and wife of 70 years to prominent Wyoming political figure and late U.S. Sen. Al Simpson, died Friday morning in her daughter's arms. “I walked over and cuddled up to her and held her, and she died," Sue Simpson Gallagher said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2026
Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Quit, Retire Or Choose Not To Run For Reelection
Wyoming is seeing a turnover of at least eight sheriffs since last year, which is more than a third among the state’s 23 counties. The sheriffs who spoke to Cowboy State Daily cited readiness, weariness, gratitude and a longing to spend time with family.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2026
Shoshone Join Arapaho In Telling Church To Stop Preaching Against Tribal Beliefs
Eastern Shoshone leaders on Friday voiced agreement with the Northern Arapaho Business Council in telling a church to stop preaching against tribal beliefs. Outsiders can’t hold “recurring ministries” on the reservation without approval, the tribe says.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2026
Will President Trump Endorse Anyone In The Wyoming GOP House Race?
President Trump has not endorsed anyone in the nine-candidate Republican race for U.S. House and it’s unclear if he will. The president has a good batting average in Wyoming, but his endorsement hasn't meant a win every time.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2026
Food Freedom: Legislators Advance ‘Band-Aid’ For Shutdown Of Cody Creamery
Wyoming legislators have advanced a “Band-Aid” solution to food freedom laws that led to shutting down Hippie Cow Creamery in Cody over selling raw milk lattes. “I’m under no illusion we’re going to fix this overnight,” said one lawmaker.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2026
Friess Gets 19 High Profile Endorsements, Gray Calls Them Tired Political 'Insiders'
U.S. House candidate Steve Friess received 19 endorsements Thursday by Republican lawmakers, former legislators, energy industry leaders and Gov. Jim Geringer. Chuck Gray called them "a tired class of political 1% insiders" who support "woke wind projects."
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2026
Rasner Files Police Report Accusing Chuck Gray Supporter Of Threatening Him
U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner's attorney filed a police report Wednesday on a Chuck Gray supporter and former sheriff's deputy for allegedly threatening Rasner. The former deputy denies making a threat. Torrington police are investigating.
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2026
Steve Friess Wants To Turn EPA Into Advisory Board For States
Republican U.S. House candidate Steve Friess told Riverton's political old guard Wednesday he wants to turn the EPA into an advisory board for state environmental agencies. The Sierra Club of Wyoming called that idea "ridiculous and harmful."
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2026
Dr. Anthony Fauci's Diary Covers Wyoming’s Low Vax Rates, Liz Cheney’s ‘Courage’
In the more than 1,100 pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary released over the weekend, he mentioned Wyoming’s low COVID vaccination rates, his admiration of Liz Cheney and his conversations with Dick Cheney. He appeared fixated on the "hot and heavy" press.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2026
All Four Candidates For Hot Springs House Seat Say They Won't Join Freedom Caucus
All four GOP candidates running for the state House seat spanning north-central Wyoming say they won't join the Freedom Caucus, though the incumbent was an early founder of it. “I don’t believe I should be taking orders from a caucus," one candidate said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2026
State Livestock Director Fires Brand Inspector After Guilty Plea In Moose Torture Case
Just hours after news broke Monday that a Uinta County brand inspector had pleaded guilty to helping torture a moose, the state livestock director fired him. “This is absolutely irresponsible behavior unbefitting a brand inspector,” Gov. Gordon said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2026
Departed U.S. House Candidate Says Gray And Friess Haven't Had Real Careers
In reflecting on Wyoming's U.S. house race, departed candidate Frank Chapman on Monday said both Chuck Gray and Steve Friess haven't had significant careers. “We’re being given choices of people that haven’t really achieved anything in life,” Chapman said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2026
Steve Friess Says Wyoming U.S. House Race A 'Two-Man Race' Now
U.S. House candidate Steve Friess concluded the Thursday-night debate by saying polling shows the Wyoming GOP race is really between two people — himself and Chuck Gray. "[Gray's] unfavorable ratings are astronomically high," a campaign spokesman said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2026
Unpacking The Campbell County Parade Fallout Over Bibles But Not Condoms
When a state lawmaker asked why Campbell County parade floats couldn't hand out Bibles but a Lander float could hand out condoms, the Lander float organizers said they did no such thing. Campbell County's Bible saga is much more complicated.
Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2026
Hageman One Of 7 Republican No Votes For $1.15 Trillion Trump-Backed Defense Act
Harriet Hageman was one of seven Republicans who voted against the Trump-backed $1.5 trillion National Defense Authorization Act that passed the House on Wednesday. She said Congress “must stop writing blank checks with zero accountability."
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2026
Frank Chapman Drops Out Of 10-Person Wyoming GOP House Race
Teton County rancher Frank Chapman dropped out of the 10-candidate race for the Republican nomination in Wyoming's U.S. House race on Thursday. "There’s too much clutter" in that crowded race, Chapman told Cowboy State Daily.
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2026
Green River Police Sergeant Urges Reconsideration Of License Plate Cameras
A police sergeant urged the Green River City Council Tuesday to reconsider license plate reader cameras, two weeks after vocal residents blocked the project. He said they are a valuable tool in helping find missing and vulnerable people.
Clair McFarlandJuly 23, 2026
Biteman Criticizes GOP Endorsements, Says Chuck Gray "Chuckie-Boy" Is Establishment
U.S. House candidate Bo Biteman is one of many criticizing the Republican Party's decision to endorse candidates. He called Chuck Gray, who sought and received the endorsement, the establishment. "Well Chuckie-boy you’re the insider, buddy," he said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 22, 2026
Barlow Campaign Releases Poll Claiming Big Lead Over Degenfelder And Bien
The Eric Barlow gubernatorial campaign released an internal poll Tuesday showing a significant lead over both Megan Degenfelder and Brent Bien. According to his internal polling numbers, 42% of voters support Barlow while Degenfelder is at 19% and Bien at 14%.
Clair McFarlandJuly 22, 2026
Doctor Who Lobbied Against Child Sex Changes Wins Second Chance In Court
The doctor Gov. Gordon sought to remove from the Wyoming Board of Medicine for advocating a ban on child sex changes has won his appeal – halfway. A Tuesday ruling sent the case back to federal court, reviving First Amendment claims against Gordon.
Clair McFarlandJuly 21, 2026
After Church Blowup, Arapaho Tribe Says No 'Ministries' Without Permission
Days after a religious clash exploded on the Wind River Indian Reservation, the Northern Arapaho Tribe’s government says it has adopted a new policy requiring ministry and charitable groups to get tribal authorization for their work on the reservation.
Clair McFarlandJuly 21, 2026