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
Duo Charged With Kidnapping Teenage Girl Wanted By ICE
The two men the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested last week for kidnapping a teenage girl are wanted by ICE. The men, 33-year-old Pedro Giron Perez and 22-year-old Alexcer Solis Gomez, remained Monday in the Carbon County Detention Center.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025
Pine Bluffs Mayor Chosen To Fill Rep. John Eklund's Seat
Pine Bluffs Mayor Justin Fornstrom is vacating his town seat to fill the House vacancy left by the late Rep. John Eklund. He said balancing a budget, serving his community, backing traditional Wyoming industries and doing things to "make John proud" are his priorities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers Worry 'Bear Care' Is Just More Government In Insurance Market
Wyoming lawmakers on Monday criticized the Wyoming Department of Health’s proposed emergency insurance program, “Bear Care.” Rep. John Bear said, "Government created the problem in the first place. I'm not inclined to want to compete in the private sector."
Clair McFarlandDecember 08, 2025
Jackson Man Agrees To 10-12 Years In Prison For DUI Crash That Killed Photographer
A Jackson man agreed to plead guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI for a June 21 crash that killed a photographer riding her bicycle near South Park Loop. Jody Utter faces 10-12 years in prison if the judge accepts the plea deal.
Clair McFarlandDecember 06, 2025
Legislators Grill Wyoming Business Council, Say It ‘Picks Winners And Losers’
The Wyoming Business Council was grilled by legislators this week over its $111.8 million budget request, while Gov. Mark Gordon recommends it receive about half that. At least one legislator wants to eliminate the agency.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
Daughter Of Rock Springs Police Chief Gets 42 Days For Poisoning Roommate's Dog
The daughter of the Rock Springs, Wyoming, police chief was sentenced to 42 days in jail and $2,224 restitution Wednesday for poisoning her roommate’s dog, leading to its having to be put down.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
UW Graduate In Transgender Sorority Member Lawsuit Speaks At White House
A former University of Wyoming student who sued her sorority for admitting a transgender member spoke Wednesday at a White House education event. She joined a discussion on political bias in U.S. universities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
Former Laramie Mayor, Lobbyist Accused Of Stealing From Mental Health Group
Former Laramie mayor and lobbyist Andi Summerville is accused of stealing over $31,000 from a Wyoming mental health nonprofit she led, facing eight felony charges after investigators found unauthorized purchases and self-written checks.
Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025
'Road Rage' Trucker Says Pickup Driver Actually Shot At Him
A trucker accused of shooting at a pickup with a child inside claims the pickup driver actually fired first in a road rage incident. A judge found probable cause Wednesday to send the case to district court on multiple felony charges.
Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025
Worland Man Who Riddled His Own Dog With Bullets Gets Probation, Fines
A Worland man who riddled his own dog with bullets was sentenced Wednesday to three years' supervised probation and fined $1,000. He says he’s had death threats over the incident and that that the punishment seems harsh for such a “miniscule” crime.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025
Father Sues Jackson Newspaper For $25 Million Over Child Abuser Claim
An aviation consultant whose child custody battle raged for years in Wyoming’s court system sued Jackson Hole News&Guide on Tuesday for $25 million, claiming it falsely labeled him a child abuser despite court documents saying otherwise.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025
Two In Jail On Claims They Were Being Paid To Drive Teen Girl Through Wyoming
Two remained in a Rawlins jail Tuesday on claims they kidnapped and were being paid to transport a 16-year-old girl from Wisconsin to Utah. Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers stopped them Saturday on Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025
Rasner’s Defamation Case Against Bouchard Survives First Hurdle
A Casper man who ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 and made headlines with an aspiration to buy TikTok can keep suing a former state legislator, a judge has ruled. Reid Rasner claims Anthony Bouchard defamed him as part of "a coordinated smear campaign."
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2025
Wife Of Cody Man Accused Of Child Sex Abuse Charged On Cover-Up Claim
A Cody woman accused of wiping her husband’s phone clean after he was arrested on suspicion of child sex crimes faces up to 6.5 years in prison and fines if convicted. She and her husband have preliminary hearings Thursday.
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2025
Lawmakers Question Gordon On Data Centers, Gray On Clash With Gordon
Gov. Mark Gordon fielded questions on data centers Monday when pitching his $11.3 billion budget to lawmakers. Secretary of State Chuck Gray weathered questions over a clash with the governor one lawmaker called playing "political football."
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2025
Wyoming Trooper, Deputy Involved In Fatal Casino Shooting Of Fugitive
An out-of-state fugitive wanted for violent crimes was killed Sunday night in an officer-involved shooting at the Wind River Hotel and Casino near Riverton. A Fremont County Sheriff's deputy and Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper both fired their guns.
Clair McFarlandDecember 01, 2025
Florida Bagel Seller Accused Of Swindling Cheyenne Banks With Fake $500K Check
A Florida bagel seller is set for a hearing Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for Wyoming on claims that he conspired to deposit a fraudulent check for more than $500,000 using banks in Cheyenne and elsewhere. He could get 20 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandDecember 01, 2025
Wyoming Legislator's Ex-Boyfriend Sues, Wants Money Back For Zimbabwe Leopard Hunt
The ex-boyfriend of Wyoming Rep. Nina Webber is suing her on claims she cheated him out of $6,000 for a Zimbabwe leopard- and elephant-hunting trip that followed an earlier safari to hunt hippo and crocodile. A bench trial in the case is ongoing.
Clair McFarlandNovember 27, 2025
Wyoming U.S. Attorney Drops Diesel ‘Delete’ Case
Wyoming U.S. Attorney Darin Smith dropped felony diesel “delete” charges Wednesday against Gillette-raised mechanic Levi Krech. The rare dismissal, and a Trump pardon for another delete mechanic, may signal a less aggressive approach toward the practice.
Clair McFarlandNovember 26, 2025
Gillette Doctor Reports Toddler Severely Scalded, Bruised In Babysitter’s Care
A Gillette woman is facing up to 10 years in prison on claims her brother-in-law’s 2-year-old son was severely scalded, “lashed,” and badly bruised while in her care. Her attorney says there's more to the story and the woman "is being villainized."
Clair McFarlandNovember 25, 2025
Trucker Accused Of Shooting At Pickup With Toddler In It Could Face Life In Prison
The Florida trucker arrested by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Thursday near Rawlins could face life in prison on an attempted murder charge during a road rage incident. He’s accused of shooting at a pickup with a toddler in it.
Clair McFarlandNovember 25, 2025