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
Barrasso Endorses Hageman's Candidacy For U.S. Senate
Wyoming’s senior U.S. Senator announced Monday morning that he’s endorsing U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman to serve alongside him in the upper chamber. He said Hageman “is going to be terrific in the U.S. Senate.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026
‘RUN MEGAN, RUN!’ Trump Promises Endorsement If Degenfelder Runs For Governor
If she decides to run for governor of Wyoming, Megan Degenfelder has President Donald Trump’s “Complete and Total Endorsement,” the president wrote Friday in a post to Truth Social. Degenfelder has said she’s “strongly considering” a run for governor.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026
Woman Can Bring Pygmy Goat Back To Powell After Settling Lawsuit With City
A pygmy goat named Porsche Lane can return to Powell after her owner, Venus Bontadelli, settled a lawsuit with the city Thursday. The city had denied her owner a permit, which the city called a plain reading of its rules and the goat's owner called an arbitrary use of power.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026
Prosecutor Says Legislators Didn't Break Law With Weston County Clerk Subpoena
The prosecutor pursing charges against Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock on Thursday disputed her claim that Wyoming legislators broke the law and violated her rights. He says she’s the one who broke the law by not complying with a legislative subpoena.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026
Lawmaker Unveils Bill To Prevent DUI Charges For Drunk Horseback Riding
A state representative from Casper wants to keep people from being charged with drunk driving if they're drunk while riding a horse, mule or donkey. The bill made one defense attorney laugh and left prosecutors wondering if a specific case inspired it.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026
Big Piney Teen Gets 54 Years To Life For Bow And Arrow Killing Of Autistic Friend
The teen who did not pull the trigger of the compound bow that killed his autistic friend last February, but who conspired to that end and watched the killing, was sentenced Thursday to between 54 years and life in prison.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2026
Green River Woman Accused Of Murder Has Suspected ‘Intentional’ Fall In Jail
A Green River woman accused of killing her husband with a bottle of Baileys took what officials say appears to be an “intentional fall” last week from a second-level mezzanine in the jail. Linda Malone remains in a Salt Lake City hospital.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026
Governor Recommends Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock Be Removed From Office
Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday recommended Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock be removed from office. The announcement follows two different batches of complaints accusing Hadlock of misconduct after inaccuracies surfaced in two races in Weston County.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026
Casper Businessman Reid Rasner Announces Run For U.S. House
A second Republican candidate touting MAGA principles has declared his run for Wyoming’s congressional's seat. Reid Rasner on Wednesday says he’s running for Congress “to help President Trump Make America Great Again.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026
Clair McFarland: Trying To Raise A Kid Who Can Make His Own Cannons
Clair McFarland writes, "Middleborn grinned. The secret, he explained, is jamming a too-big spud into the cannon’s mouth with a broom handle so the combustion chamber doesn’t leak gas."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026
LDS Church Denies Wrongdoing Over Wyoming Boy Who Lost Foot On Lake Trip
The LDS Church denied negligence in a lawsuit over a 2022 tubing accident at Boysen Reservoir that cost a Riverton boy his foot during a youth outing. It cited defenses like Wyoming’s Recreation Act and comparative fault.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
Wyoming Attorney General To Ask For One Last Chance To Defend Abortion Bans
The Wyoming AG is filing a petition for a Supreme Court rehearing on Tuesday’s abortion ruling upholding it as fundamental right, at Gov. Mark Gordon’s request. Lawmakers are eyeing a ballot measure to change the constitution also.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
After Wyoming Abortion Bans Struck Down, Legislative Leaders Vow Pro-Life Amendment
The Wyoming House speaker and Senate president both said Tuesday they’ll work to advance a pro-life constitutional amendment in the upcoming legislative session. That’s in response to a state Supreme Court ruling keeping abortion legal in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Declares Abortion Bans Unconstitutional
The Wyoming Supreme Court in a 4-1 majority ruled Tuesday that Wyoming’s abortion bans are unconstitutional, under the state Constitution’s promise of health care autonomy.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
With Governor's Backing, WYDOT Asks Legislature For $282.8 Million Budget
After Gov. Mark Gordon recommended funding WYDOT’s $282.8 million budget pitch, lawmakers meeting Monday in Cheyenne questioned staffing gaps, taser costs and Highway Patrol needs like GPS and tunnel tech upgrades amid shortfalls.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
WYDOT Reports 97 Wyoming Snowplows Hit In Last Five Winters
Wyoming has had 97 snowplows hit by vehicles over the past five winters, including 15 last winter. Wyoming Department of Transportation officials said Monday that being a plow driver can be dangerous, but higher pay can help keep those jobs filled.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
Gillette Man Nicknamed 'CRACKPIPE' Accused In Another Burglary
Gillette police say they caught a man who goes by the alias "CRACKPIPE" stealing a bagel shop baker's purse to buy lockpicks with her credit card. That comes nearly a year after he allegedly burgled a Menard's store. He faces felony charges.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2026
Rasner Won’t Run For Governor, Says To 'Stay Tuned For News Next Week'
Reid Rasner won’t run to be the next governor of Wyoming, he told Cowboy State Daily in a Friday text message. “Stay tuned for news next week, the best is yet to come,” Rasner added.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2026
Wyoming Responds To PETA By Issuing A Pro-Rodeo License Plate
Wyoming issued a new pro-rodeo license plate Friday in response to PETA asking for a plate without the iconic bucking bronco claiming rodeo is cruel. One state legislator said PETA’s request made him want to celebrate rodeo “even more prominently.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2026
Riverton Man Lassos Suspected Drunk Driver After Officer Hurt In Chase
When a police officer ran into some playground equipment while trying to catch a suspected impaired driver in a Riverton foot chase on New Year’s Eve, a local man felt badly, retrieved his rope and lassoed the suspect himself.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2026
Former House Candidate From Powell Accused Of Child Abuse, Molestation
A Powell man who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for a seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives faces up to 215 years in prison on charges he physically and sexually abused at least one child for years.
Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2025