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
Sweeping Wyoming Abortion Ban Jumps To Senate With Huge ‘Trigger’ Caveat
The Life Is A Human Right Act has passed the Wyoming House of Representatives with a huge caveat: That it only can become law if the existing abortion "trigger" ban now blocked by a court is found unconstitutional by the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 09, 2023
Wyoming Inmate Who Strangled, Beat Prison Nurse To Death Does Not Get ‘A Do-Over’
A district court judge says Floyd DeWayne Grady, serving a life sentence for the murder and attempted rape of a female prison nurse doesnt get to reopen his case just because hes wishing for a do-over.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 09, 2023
Bill Banning Teens Younger Than 16 To Marry Passes Unanimously Through Senate Committee
Despite its rocky travels through the Wyoming House of Representatives, a bill forbidding people ages 15 and younger to marry unanimously passed its first state Senate committee meeting.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 09, 2023
Riverton Dad Accused Of Breaking Newborn Twins’ Bones To Plead Guilty
Anthony Long, 27, has signed a plea agreement in which he promises to plead guilty to two counts of child abuse against his 3-week-old daughters. He faces up to 10 years in prison for each count.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 09, 2023
Rock Springs Man Weeps As He Pleads Not Guilty In Overdose Death Of Toddler Son
Daniel Scott James, 35, pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and two felony drug charges Wednesday in the death of his toddler, and wept when told he's not allowed to see his other children, ages 4 and 5.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 08, 2023
Wyoming Ban On Child Sex-Change Surgeries Passes Senate 26-5; Concern Over Court Challenges, However
While a measure that would stop transgender-related treatments for kids, including sex changes, has sailed through the Wyoming Senate with ease, there are concerns that court challenges could arise.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 08, 2023
Wyoming A Step Closer To Banning Transgender Girls In School Sports With Definitive 28-3 Senate Vote
By a resounding 28 - 3 margin, legislation that would ban transgender girls from competing in female sports passed the Wyoming Senate on Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 08, 2023
No Compromises So Far As Three Amendments To Wyoming Abortion Ban Fail
Arguably the most contentious bill in the Wyoming House of Representatives this session, the Life Is A Human Right Act resisted three attempted amendments Tuesday and is headed to its second floor vote.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2023
Risky Business: Joy-Riding Teen Rockets Dad’s Orange Porsche Through Gillette, Gets Arrested
It was just like the movie "Risky Business" (but without Guido, the killer pimp or any prostitutes). A 17-year-old boy who drove his dads orange Porsche through Gillette at 100 miles per hour now faces eluding and exhibition of speed citations. No word on if he was grounded.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2023
Bill Giving Tribes Control Of Indian Foster Child Placement Squeaks Through Committee
The Wyoming Senate is slated this week to hear the second of two proposed laws aimed at making non-native families the last resort for placing American Indian foster children.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2023
Shoshone Tribe Changes Mind, Will Not Make Hunting Pact With Wyoming
Though at first in support of legislation underpinning an off-reservation hunting agreement with Wyoming that would define tribal members' treaty right to hunt any unoccupied lands throughout the state, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe's government on Friday sent Gov Gordon a letter withdrawing its approval.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2023
Prosecutor: Riverton Walmart Has One Of The Highest Theft Rates in Nation; Criminals Say They Don’t Care If Caught
Longtime prosecutor in Fremont County Ember Oakley said there is a big increase in organized retail theft at Riverton's Walmart and offenders have admitted that a few days in jail is a small price to pay for all the shoplifting they get away with.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 05, 2023
Wyoming Legislators Try And Fail – Again – To Defund UW Gender Studies Program
Wyoming lawmakers tried and failed Friday to defund UW's gender studies program which include courses titled: Introduction to LFBTQ Studies, Feminist Theories, Queer Theory, Pop Music & Sexualities, and Intimate Relationships.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2023
Convicted Wife Beater Loses Appeal That Court Shouldn’t Have Considered Rape Evidence
After arguing that police had no right to seize his journals and a state district court judge had no right to consider rape charges that didnt stick, a convicted wife beater has lost his appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2023
‘Groomed And Preyed Upon:’ Detransitioner Who Had Double Masectomy At 16 Shares Regret
After emotional debate, a proposed Wyoming law that would prohibit doctors from prescribing transgender-related treatments to minors unanimously passed its first legislative committee hearing Friday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2023
State to Pull $3 Million From St. Stephen’s Indian School, Give To Tribal DFS Instead
Citing constitutional concerns now that the school is under federal control, Wyoming lawmakers are on track to pull about $3 million in state funding from St. Stephens Indian School on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 02, 2023
Lawmakers Kill, Stall Bills Targeting ‘Porn’ In Wyoming Schools And Libraries
Two legislative committees this week shut down two proposed laws aimed at keeping obscenity out of public libraries and schools. Detractors said the best way to handle the issue was at the local level.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 02, 2023
Wyoming’s Grandparent Visitation Law Survives Repeal Effort Despite ‘Heartbreaking’ Testimony
Saying the Wyomings laws outlining grandparent visitation rights desperately need an overhaul, Sen. Bo Biteman call a legislative committees narrow 3-2 vote to axe his bill very heartbreaking.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023
House Judiciary Narrowly Passes Pro-Life Bill Wednesday Over Objections Of Pro-Life Legislator
Pro-life legislator Rep. Barry Crago said the Life Is a Human Right Act could cost unborn lives while constitutional issues keep it stuck in the courts.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023
Bill Would Allow Homicide Charges For Drug Dealers When Their Customers Die
State Sen. Cale Case was the lone no in a 4-1 committee vote to advance a bill to the Senate floor expanding the criminal charges available for adults who deal deadly drugs. He says Senate File 181 isnt specific enough to distinguish offenders who act with malice.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023
Jury Convicts Riverton Man For Sexually Abusing 12-Year-Old
Benjamin David Wilson, 44, faces up to 15 years in prison for molesting a 12-year-old girl. He was acquitted of attempting to sexually assault a second girl.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 01, 2023