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
Committee Passes On Bill Banning ‘Gummies,’ Other THC Products For Youth
A Wyoming legislative committee on Friday tabled a proposed law that was intended to penalize buying and selling of synthetic THC-derived products for people under 21.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2023
Bill Criminalizing Child Sex Changes In Wyoming Squeaks Through Senate Committee
A proposed Wyoming law criminalizing transgender-related treatments for minors narrowly survived its first legislative committee vote Friday, passing on a 3-2 vote.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2023
Clair McFarland: Bigfoot Riding On Unicorn Cannot Take Me From Decorating My January Cake
Clair McFarland writes: "Even if Bigfoot burst from the Yellowstone wilds riding a unicorn through a lava flow and forced Governor Gordon to abdicate, it would not be enough to drive me from this kitchen..."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2023
Bill Targeting Critical Race Theory In Wyoming Public Schools Sails Through To Senate Floor
Sen. Lynn Hutchings said she sponsored the anti-CRT bill because factions through the nation are spreading divisive and destructive, instruction to young people in a way that undermines gains made by Black people in America.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 26, 2023
“It’s A New Form Of Discrimination”: Foster Parents Dispute Native-First Custody Law
While some Wyoming legislators push to codify the Indian Child Welfare Act on a state level in case the federal law is overturned, several foster moms say the law discriminates against the very children it was designed to protect by denying them permanent homes.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 26, 2023
‘Hunting Rights Are Sacred’: Gordon Asks Legislature To Let Him Make Off-Reservation Hunting Agreements With Shoshone Tribes
During the Wyoming House Appropriations Committee meeting on Tuesday, legislators debated whether its appropriate to let Governor Gordon, rather than the Wyoming Legislature, set the terms of tribal hunting agreements.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2023
No New Trial For Admitted Pedophile, Wyoming Supreme Court Rules
A 57-year-old Gillette man serving life in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old boy claimed his jury convicted him because hes a pedophile, not for actually committing an act of sexual abuse.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2023
Bouchard Introduces Bill That Would Ban Child Sex Change Surgeries In Wyoming
State Sen. Anthony Bouchard has introduced a bill that would make it illegal for doctors to perform sex change treatments on minors and insurance companies from covering them. "Chloe's Law," is named for a woman who transitioned to a man and now regrets it.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 23, 2023
Bill That Forbids Teaching Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity In Wyoming Schools Advances
The "Wyoming Parental Rights in Education Act" advanced Friday to the Senate floor. Detractors say the bill squelches speech and marginalizes LGBTQ families, while proponents say the bill upholds everyones values by leaving the teaching of those topics at home with families.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2023
Bill: Wyoming Banks Can’t Be Sued For Freezing Accounts If Fraud Against Elderly, Disabled Suspected
If it passes the Wyoming Legislature, Senate File 24 would protect banks from being sued for freezing peoples assets briefly if they believe a vulnerable adult is being exploited.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2023
Wide-Ranging Anti-Abortion Bill Would Remove Exemptions For Rape, Incest
House Bill 152 would ban abortion altogether in Wyoming except in cases involving risks of death or serious injury, and it could prevent abortion providers from establishing private clinics on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2023
Casper Attack: After Brutally Beating, Stabbing In-Laws, Accused Killer Went Home To Shower
Testimony at Thursday court hearing detail a brutal beating and attack on a cognitively-impaired elderly Casper couple. An 84-year-old woman survived with an "orbital blowout" of her eye socket and her 75-year-old husband died.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2023
Romanian Man Accused Of Smuggling $7,500 Scotch In Crotch Will Likely Get Deal So He Can Stay In U.S.
A Romanian man accused of stealing a $7,500 bottle of scotch in his crotch at a liquor store in Jackson appeared in court on Thursday. The prosecution said if the bottle -- which was hidden in the man's crotch -- is in salable condition, restitution would not be necessary.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2023
Witness: Torrington Hit And Run Driver Swerved Twice To Dislodge Woman Stuck On Fender
A Torrington man accused of hitting a woman with his SUV and driving away was transferred to a higher court Wednesday. An eyewitness testified that the man rammed the woman and then swerved twice to try to dislodge her as she was stuck on its fender.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2023
Bill Would Pay Teton County Judges A $1,900 Monthly Housing Allowance
A proposed law that would give judges in Wyomings richest county a $1,900 monthly housing allowance is still alive but detractors worry judges could turn a profit using public funds on their appreciating houses.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2023
Child Marriage Bill Survives But Some Argue Restricting Teen Marriage Is Removing Freedoms
Addressing marriage age is an exercise in establishing Wyomings state rights, says House Bill 7 sponsor Rep. Dan Zwonitzer. Others argued the state should butt out as marriage is a contract between a man, a woman and their God.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2023
Wyoming Community Colleges Can’t Ask For Inflation Fund Adjustment After Bill Fails
State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz said the Senate is already "very receptive" to giving community colleges more money so there doesn't need to be another mechanism for requesting public funds.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2023
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