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
Man Who Once Blew Up Cop’s Car With Dynamite Accused Of Hauling 4 Pounds Of Meth
A 71-year-old Riverton man who blew up a Fremont County undersheriff’s patrol car with dynamite 52 years ago was arrested again this week — this time on felony-level drug charges. Investigators say they caught him with four pounds of meth in an F-150.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Committee Tables Bill That Would Fine Libraries $50,000 When Kids Access Sex Books
A bill that would create penalties for when kids access sex books and obscene materials in school or public libraries was tabled this week by a Wyoming legislative committee. Among the penalties is $50,000 for each time a kid accesses explicit materials.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Despite Being Booted From Committee Agenda, Columnist Gets Half-Hour Testimony
Despite a lawmaker removing him from a legislative meeting’s official schedule over his controversial column, former Wyoming House Speaker Tom Lubnau was allowed to testify Thursday — for 28 minutes.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Gerry Spence, Famed Defense Attorney And Wyoming Native, Dies At 96
One of the most famous trial attorneys of the 20th century and a proud son of Wyoming, Gerry Spence, died overnight Wednesday, at the age of 96. Spence was a legend among the trial bar — especially for his civil practice and criminal defense work.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2025
Arrest In Wyoming Base Death That Prompted Air Force To Ground M18 Handguns
An airman’s death at F.E. Warren Air Force Base prompted the Air Force to ground Sig Sauer M18 pistols, which have been linked to accidental discharges. Now someone has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and obstruction.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2025
Committee Says Bill That Targets Child 'Grooming' In Wyoming Needs More Work
Wyoming lawmakers tabled a bill Wednesday that could impose harsher prison sentences for grooming kids than for molesting kids, in some cases. Judiciary Committee members decided to revisit the proposal at their October meeting.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2025
Former House Speaker Booted From Committee Schedule Over Column
A Wyoming legislative committee chair booted former House speaker and public records expert Tom Lubnau from a committee agenda, citing Lubnau's confrontational political columns and concerns over maintaining decorum.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2025
Judge Denies Wyoming Request For School-Choice Payouts During Appeal
A Cheyenne-based judge on Tuesday denied a request by the state of Wyoming to let a new school-choice program operate while a legal challenge against it continues. The program would allocate to qualifying families $7,000 per child.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2025
Wyoming Board OKs 50% Battery Storage Increase For Laramie County Solar Project
In a 4-2 vote, state regulators approved Canadian energy company Enbridge’s request to expand battery storage for a massive solar farm project near Cheyenne. The OK came despite objections from a local rancher who said the land will never be the same.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers Scrap Plan To Have Senate Confirm State Justices
A proposed change to the Wyoming Constitution that would make state Supreme Court nominees clear senate confirmation died Tuesday – after numerous attorneys brought fierce debate to the Judiciary Committee.
Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2025
Rock Springs Councilman Cries Foul Over Contract For Wife Of Another Councilman
The nuclear industry debate has reached the city of Rock Springs, which just hired a contractor to educate the public about it. That the wife of a city councilman got that contract has another councilman crying foul, but the mayor says she's qualified.
Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2025
Darin Smith Sworn In As Interim U.S. Attorney For Wyoming
Darin Smith was sworn in Monday as interim U.S. Attorney, leaving his state Senate seat vacant. State Republican Party precinct committee people in his region have 15 days to send three nominees to the Platte and Laramie County commissions.
Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2025
Man Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Acts After Confessing To Church Members
A Casper man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty earlier this month to sex acts with young girls. He confessed to the girls' fathers and members of their church, asking for forgiveness and detailing his own rough upbringing.
Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2025
Clair McFarland: Don’t Worry, Middleborn Is Here To Save Absolutely Everyone
Columnist Clair McFarland writes: “When he saw my tears, Middleborn realized that he’d done a good thing. ‘Yeah,’ he said, brightening, ‘I SAVED all those people.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 09, 2025
Man Sentenced To 24+ Years for Deadly DUI Crash That Dismembered Motorcyclists
A 26-year-old Mexican national whose pickup “catastrophically dismembered” two motorcycle riders in Goshen County two years ago while driving while under the influence of methamphetamine was sentenced Thursday, to between 24.25 and 27 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2025
Wyoming Man Sues Ski Resort After Roller Coaster Seatbelt Allegedly Fails
Juan Camacho claims he was ejected from a roller coaster at a Jackson resort when his seatbelt failed, leading to injuries. He is suing Snow King Mountain Resort and manufacturer Wiegand Sports for alleged negligence and defective equipment.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2025
Reservation Meth Dealer With ‘Probable’ Cartel Ties Gets 15 Years, Deportation
A Mexican national the FBI said has “probable” Cartel ties was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison Thursday for trafficking meth and firearms on the Wind River Reservation.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2025
Woman Who Fell At Afton Park Bathroom Wanted $3 Million From Town, A Jury Say No
An Afton woman who fell at a public restroom in a local park in 2023 has lost her $3 million lawsuit against the town. A jury last week found the town wasn’t negligent in the fall that caused her “severe leg fracture.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2025
Woman, 61, Fires at Deputies in Wapiti, Park County Sheriff Reports
Deputies responded to a 911 call in Wapiti last week after a person called in a woman for firing a gun into the neighborhood. The suspected shooter, a 61-year-old woman, then allegedly fired toward deputies once they arrived.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2025
Laramie County Scraps Controversial Permitting Plan After Food Freedom Outcry
More than 200 residents showed up to a Laramie County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday to protest a proposed home business rule that they said ran violated the state's Food Freedom Act. The commissioners subsequently dropped the rule.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2025
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires At Rock Springs Dump Could Signal Bigger Disasters
A surge in garbage fires linked to lithium-ion batteries at the Rock Springs Landfill has officials warning of bigger, future hazards. One expert said he's working out a plan to shut down grid portions and cordon off areas if an electric car ignites.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2025