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
State Sen. Says Mother Was ‘Severely Mistreated’ In Boarding School That Forcibly Assimilated Native Americans
State Sen. Affie Ellis told a committee on Wednesday morning that her mother was "severely mistreated" when attending a boarding school that sought to assimilate her into a non-native culture. Ellis' bill would uphold tribal sovereignty over child members.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2023
Fremont County GOP Unsuccessful In Censuring Lummis Over Same-Sex Marriage Vote
A movement by some Fremont County Republican Party leaders to publicly condemn U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis for supporting same-sex marriage legislation failed Saturday, as did two votes to send her strongly worded letters.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Wyoming House To Vote On Bill Forbidding Marriage For Teens 15 And Younger
Wyoming is one of eight states with no minimum marriage age. Some in the Wyoming Legislature are trying to change that with a bill that would forbid people younger than 16 from marrying altogether, and would require a guardians permission for minors ages 16 and 17.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Proposed Law Would Expand Alert System For Adults, Similar To AMBER Alert
Wyoming legislators are looking at implementing an alert-system for adults similar to the AMBER Alert. The system would dispatch alerts for missing adults in risky scenarios or for those suffering from cognitive issues or disabilities.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Wyoming Legislators Introduce Education Bill That Mirrors Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law
Wyoming lawmakers are proposing a Parental Rights In Education bill which mirrors Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law passed last year. It would forbid teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation to school children.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2023
Wyoming Doc Defends California Law Punishing Doctors Who Advise Against Covid Vax
Physicians should not advise patients against COVID-19 vaccines nor promote Ivermectin, a retired doctor told Cowboy State Daily on Monday. Dr. Jim McEvoy said the new California law which would penalize doctors for advise against COVID vaccines is acceptable because it protects the patient.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2023
Child Support Payments Would Increase 12% Under Proposed Legislation
The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill on Monday that adjusts the states child support payment formula for the first time in nearly 10 years and would raise payments by roughly 12%.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2023
Who Pays For Court Filing Fees? Rep. Oakley Says “Pay Your Own Way”
Rep. Ember Oakley says a debate over how much people should pay for court services boils down to taking responsibility for yourself. "We believe in paying your way in Wyoming, right?"
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2023
Opposite, Partisan Abortion Bills Vie For Attention In Wyoming Legislature
Abortion debate expected to heat up as legislators consider polar-opposite bills. One would remove the states abortion trigger ban while the other would outlaw abortion-inducing drugs in nearly all uses.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2023
Teton County Residents Can Be Fined Up To $750 A Day If Their Christmas Lights Are Still Up
Teton County residents who still have their Christmas lights on are in violation of county zoning regulations and can be fined up to $750 each day.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2023
Bill Would Give Schools In Wyoming’s Richest Counties More Money For Teachers
The bills proponents said Teton County and some surrounding areas are in desperate need of extra money to retain teachers and other staff as the cost of living has skyrocketed in the region.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2023
No More Spanking In Wyoming Schools? Legislation Moves Forward To Crack Down On It
With only three school districts in Wyoming still allowing corporal punishment, Senate File 47 would allow civil or criminal action against any teachers and administrators who do use it.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2023
Clair McFarland: Here Comes Dad To Resurrect Papa Wheelie
Clair McFarland writes: So here comes Dad to help co-write this column. But dont be surprised: Dad and I used to co-write a column titled Papa Wheelie Says when I was just a teenaged salesgirl peddling motorcycles at the family shop.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2023
Convicted Murderer Suing Dept Of Corrections Because They Took Away His PlayStation
Convicted murderer John Hereford is suing Wyomings prisons system saying the confiscation of his PlayStation console following the discovery of mature-rated games is a punishment that does not fit the crime.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2023
Teens Tell Police Shooting Death Of Cheyenne High Schooler Was Accidental
Two Cheyenne teens say the shooting death of a 16-year-old girl on Monday evening was unintentional. The two appeared in the Cheyenne Circuit Court on Thursday to hear the charges against them.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2023
Bill Would Raise Community College Construction Without Approval Threshold To $500,000
Wyoming legislators are considering allowing Wyoming community colleges to launch their own state-funded construction projects costing $500,000 or less without a state commissions approval.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2023
Testimony: Alleged Dealer Admitted Selling Fentanyl-Laced Drugs That Killed Wyoming Man
A Greybull man accused of being an overdose victims drug dealer was transferred Wednesday to a higher court for felony-level prosecution.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2023
Bill To Address Sexually Graphic Books In School Libraries Likely Unconstitutional, Says Top Free-Speech Lawyer
Rep. Jeanette Ward says she drafted the bill to keep child-sexualizing books out of Wyoming schools, but the state's preeminent First Amendment attorney says the proposed law likely wouldnt hold up to a legal challenge
Clair McFarlandJanuary 11, 2023
Bill Would Set State Policies For School Expulsions, Suspensions In Wyoming
Wyoming legislators on Wednesday advanced a proposed law change requiring the state Superintendent of Public Instruction set statewide guidelines for public-school suspension and expulsion policies.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 11, 2023
Changing Terms Of Federal Act Could Mean More Money For Wyoming Schools
The Wyoming Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to urge Congress to tweak a regulation that caps some grazing leases at 10 years.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 11, 2023
Casper Man Says He ‘Just Lost It’ When Stabbing Elderly In-Laws, Killing Stepfather-In-Law
George Kevin Dickerson told Casper police that he thought his 'brain was broken' after turning himself in for stabbing an older Casper couple. Hes been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 10, 2023