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
Cat’s Leg Saved! Cheyenne Vet Takes Off A Few Toes But Feline Lives To Walk Another Day
All hail Cheyenne Animal Shelter veterinarian Dr. Tesscha Winsch. Although she feared a "community cat's" leg couldn't be saved, she did it. The cat lost a few toes but she was healthy enough to be released earlier this week and "No Toes" is back on the prowl.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2023
Bill Giving Gun Rights Back To Nonviolent Felons Headed To Governor’s Desk
The Wyoming Senate won out over the state House of Representatives and now will send to Gov. Mark Gordon's desk a bill restoring nonviolent felons' gun and other rights five years after they complete their sentence, rather than immediately as the House majority hoped.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2023
Arsonist Who Set Fire To Casper Gender-Change, Abortion Clinic Still Unknown, So Police Increase Reward
Nearly a year has passed since a masked and hooded arsonist lugged a red fuel tank into Wellspring Health Access and lit the aspiring abortion and gender-change treatment clinic on fire, so the Casper Police Department has increased its reward offer from $5,000 to $15,000.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2023
‘We Don’t Always Get What We Want’ – Two Abortion Bills Head To Gov’s Desk With Compromises
Two abortion bills, one banning chemical abortion drugs and another that's a targeted re-wording of last year's ban on nearly all abortions, are headed to Gov. Mark Gordon's desk.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2023
Transgender Sports Ban Bill Heads To Governor’s Desk
A Wyoming bill banning biological males from girls school sports now is one step away from becoming law. Senate File 133 received final approval from the state Senate on Thursday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2023
Riverton Man Pleads Guilty To Breaking Newborn Twin Daughters’ Legs
Anthony Long pleaded guilty on Thursday in Fremont County District Court and admitted to two counts of child abuse which resulted in his twin daughters' legs being broken. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2023
House Passes Bill To Restore Gun, Other Rights Of Nonviolent Felons
Though some feared the act could erode Second Amendment rights, the Wyoming House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would restore gun rights to nonviolent felons immediately after they've served their sentences.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2023
Wyoming House Passes Law Designed To Keep American Indian Children Out Of Non-Native Foster, Adoptive Homes
Though Rep. Ben Hornok rallied a last-minute debate against it, the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a state version of a federal law ordering courts to keep American Indian children out of non-native foster and adoptive homes when American Indian homes and institutions are available.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2023
Analysis: Bill Banning Sex-Change Surgeries For Kids Was Not Dead, But Vastly Changed After Leaving Committee
Wyoming lawmakers are sparring over whether Chloe's Law, banning sex-change surgeries for kids, was already gutted when the House killed it Monday. Our analysis shows that the bill still contained one enforcement mechanism, but had major policy differences from its original version.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2023
Wyoming House Narrows Transgender Sports Ban To Only Apply To High School Girls’ Sports
In an effort to sway fellow legislators against voting for the transgender sports ban, Rep. Trey Sherwood said in a pole-vaulting competition between Rep. Provenza (left) vs Rep. Mike Yin (right), she would bet on Provenza.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
House Advances Bill Restoring Gun, Civil Rights To Nonviolent Felons
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday advanced legislation that would restore nonviolent felons' gun and civil rights, but bill opponents worried about a provision that would take away those same rights under state law.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
House Freedom Caucus Votes With Democrats To End Voting – Killing Chloe’s Law
The Wyoming House Freedom Caucus on Monday voted to end first-reading debate on bills just hours before the deadline, killing multiple bills with the decision, including Chloe's Law, which child transgender treatments.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
House Votes Yes On Law To Keep Indian Children Out Of Non-Native Foster Homes
The state House approved its first reading of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Opponents argued that the law is racist against native children and causes them permanency problems. Proponents said it's necessary to preserve sovereign interests of American Indian tribes.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2023
Chemical Abortion Ban Clears First House Vote After Lengthy Debate
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday approved the first reading of a bill outlawing chemical abortions. Senate File 109 would make it a misdemeanor to prescribe or dispense abortion drugs in Wyoming, except in cases of rape, incest, or severe health risks.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2023
Wyoming House Committee Advances Ban On Biological Boys In Girls’ School Sports
A committee of Wyoming lawmakers on Monday advanced a bill that would prohibit biological males from participating in girls school sports in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2023
Lander Restaurant Cook, Owners Find Two Men Dead In Running Car
Restaurant staffers found two men dead Saturday in a parked car in Lander that had been running all day. The restaurant owner said it appeared the car's exhaust had been leaking into the vehicle.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2023
Laramie County GOP Calls On Wyo Dems To Return Bankman-Fried Donation One Month After Dems Returned It
The Laramie County Republican Party this week called upon the Wyoming Democratic Party to give back nearly $10,000 in donations from accused fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried. But the Dems gave it back more than a month ago.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2023
Clair McFarland: Outrunning Winter With Machine Guns And Mini Golf
Clair McFarland writes: The days are evil, says our Bible. That means the days will sneak up on you, play tricks on you and leave you behind. Not even winter lasts forever. But every day is a little fuller, a little brighter, when we cuddle up in a restaurant booth together and remember that someday, theyll end.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2023
House Considers ‘Big Three’ Drug Bill That Would Allow Homicide Charge For Dealers In Overdose Deaths
The Wyoming House of Representatives is considering a bill imposing a homicide charge on drug dealers whose customers die of fentanyl, heroin or methamphetamine overdose.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2023
Bill Banning Transgender Students From Girls School Sports Clears Committee
After more than two hours of debate and a few tears shed, the House Education Committee has advanced a bill banning biological males from competing in girls' school sports in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2023
Sommers Explains Why He Won’t Allow Transgender Education Bill To Be Debated On Floor
The speaker of the House says he has stifled a few bills for very specific reasons. That includes Senate File 117 which would prohibit public schools from teaching young children about gender identity or sexual orientation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2023