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
Wyoming Senate Committee Doesn’t Want State Collecting Union Dues
Wyoming senators advanced a bill to ban most state entities from collecting union and political group dues, while dropping new reporting rules for those groups. “The intent is to bust unions and bust associations,” alleged a Wyoming Education Association representative.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Mother Sues Manufacturer Over Wyoming Son's Woodchipper Death
A Kentucky mother is suing Bandit Industries, claiming a Bandit Intimidator 18XP woodchipper without key safety features caused her son’s fatal 2024 workplace accident near Alpine, Wyoming. The complaint said her son “frantically” tried to stop the machine but couldn’t.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Bill To Ban Kratom From People Younger Than 21 Passes Wyoming House Committee
A bill to ban the delivery of kratom to people younger than 21 is another step closer to becoming Wyoming law. Even so, some express concern over the unregulated substance and a coroner said it’s “highly addictive and at high doses, can cause death.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Senate, House Choose Teams To Hash Out $170 Million Budget Gap
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman on Wednesday announced the appointment of the five senators he's sending to smooth out $170 million in budget differences between the Senate and the state House of Representatives. The House picked its members Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Man Cody Roberts Signs Plea Agreement In Notorious Wolf Torture Case
Accused of torturing a wolf two years ago in a case that received global condemnation, Cody Roberts has agreed to plead guilty or no contest to one count of felony animal cruelty. He will face prison time if he fails strict probation requirements.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Massive Turnout As Bill To Purge Sex Books From Kids' Library Sections Heads To Senate
In a passionate debate held Wednesday over a bill that would let people sue libraries for keeping sexually explicit books in the children's section, some argued the Bible could spark lawsuits. “We have a lawsuit hanging over our head,” said Rep. Crago.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Governor Won't Push To Oust Platte County Commissioners
Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday said will not be waging a civil case to remove three Platte County Commissioners from office, despite citizens’ complaints. He said many claims were speculative and voters have the power to make changes in the primary.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Wyoming Diesel Delete Mechanic Pardoned By Trump Goes To State Of The Union
One year ago, Troy Lake was in federal prison for "deleting" emissions systems on ailing diesel engines. On Tuesday, he attended President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Gordon Says House Made 'Cuts In Name Only,' But Budget's Looking OK
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon told reporters Tuesday he’s optimistic about the budget, though the House made some “cuts in name only.” House Appropriations Chair John Bear disagreed and cited bleak projections.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Won't Reconsider Abortion Ruling, Rejects Hail Mary Argument
The Wyoming Supreme Court declined last week to hear the Wyoming Attorney General’s argument that a court ruling declaring abortion is a fundamental health care right is flawed.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2026
House, Senate To Negotiate $170 Million In Budget Differences
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday handed the Senate a two-year budget draft totaling $9.96 billion, while the Senate sent the House a $10.13 billion draft budget of its own; a difference of $170 million.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2026
‘Checkgate' Bill To Eliminate Teton Housing Rules Clears Wyoming House
The Wyoming House passed a bill Monday to kill Jackson and Teton County affordable housing policies. It’s the bill pushed by conservative activist Rebecca Bextel, who’s at the center of legislative probes for handing out checks on the House floor.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2026
University Of Wyoming Pushes Back On Budget Cuts: "No Cuts Are Appropriate, Period"
The University of Wyoming on Monday said it disagrees with a House budget tweak that lawmakers framed as an 'Art-of-the-Deal' negotiation. “The university continues to oppose any cut. UW is adamant: No cuts are appropriate, period," said a spokesman.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2026
Wyoming House Rejects Attempt To Make Abortion Ban 'Viability' Instead Of ‘Hearbeat'
A bill to ban abortions in Wyoming after the point at which a heartbeat can be heard remains unchanged after lawmakers tried to tweak it Monday. Rep. Mike Yin said he believes the judicial branch will halt the ban if it passes, and abortion will remain legal.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2026
House Approves Raises For Wyoming State Employees
On Saturday evening a Wyoming Republican representative from Casper and a Democratic representative from Laramie found a way to get House approval for giving state employees raises. The move is not final but it stands a chance.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2026
"I Forgot To Eat My Wheaties!”: Rep. Dalton Banks Collapses On House Floor
After a week of late nights, early mornings, and marathon debates on how Wyoming should spend money for the next two years, two state representatives had medical events on the House floor this week, including Rep. Dalton Banks, who collapsed on Saturday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026
$15M For PRCA Headquarters To Move To Cheyenne Clears Senate, Faces Tough House
A bill approving $15 million to attract the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to Cheyenne cleared the senate by a 24-7 vote Friday. Although it faces a tough go in the House, Sen. Ogden Driskill calls it a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026
Wyoming Attorney General Files Case To Remove Weston County Clerk From Office
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz on Friday petitioned to remove Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock from office, over multiple errors surrounding the 2024 general election. She also faces a criminal case for defying a legislative subpoena.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026
Wyoming Senate Advances Bill To Bar Sex Offenders From Living Near Daycares
The Wyoming Senate on Friday advanced a bill banning registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of daycares. Calling the bill "common sense," Sen. Tim Salazar said. “I do not want to wait for a tragic incident to happen. This helps prevent that.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2026
Bill To Block Government From Collecting Union Dues Squeaks Onto Wyoming House Floor
A bill to restrict government agencies from collecting union dues and to require unions of public employees to report where their money is going remained alive Friday after squeaking onto the House floor. The Wyoming Education Association opposes it.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2026
Debate On Abortion Law Gets Emotional On Wyoming House Floor
As Wyoming legislators debated a “heartbeat act” abortion bill, Rep. Kevin Campbell grew emotional Thursday remembering a 14-year-old girl — his mother. “I was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1969,” he said tearfully. "I was adopted that same year.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2026