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
In About-Face, Gordon Lauds Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Girls Sports
In an about-face, Gov. Mark Gordon lauded a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday upholding states' bans on trans participation in girls' sports. In 2023 he called Wyoming's first trans sports ban "draconian."
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026
Wyoming Democrats Say They’re Not Divorcing Party Over Mamdani, Socialism Movement
Prominent Wyoming Democrats say they are not calling for a split in their party due to the growing socialist movement nationally. “Wyoming is not New York City,” so the issues are different, said state Sen. Chris Rothfuss.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026
'Common Sense Republicans' Declare War On Wyoming Freedom Caucus
A new political group called the 'Common Sense Republicans' have erected six billboards urging voters to “STOP The Freedom Caucus Agenda." Rep. John Bear, a well-known member of the Freedom Caucus, says he "loves" the billboards.
Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2026
Sweetwater County School District Apologizes For Barlow Campaign Message On Parent App
Sweetwater County School District No. 1, already a magnet for headlines, apologized Saturday for what it called the error of a staffer releasing a campaign message for gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow through the ParentSquare messaging app.
Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2026
Johnson County Sheriff Releases Body Cam Video Of Rep. Bill Allemand's DUI Arrest
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office on Friday released body camera video of state Rep. Bill Allemand's December DUI arrest. Allemand grew more adversarial toward the deputy throughout his arrest, ultimately calling him an "asshole."
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2026
Wyoming Republican Party Cracking Down On Use Of Official RNC Elephant Logo
The Common Sense Republicans for Wyoming group says they will alter their billboards after the Wyoming Republican Party warned it could be a violation to use the official GOP elephant logo. They aren't alone — other candidates and groups are doing the same.
Clair McFarlandJune 26, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Start Work To Fix $3.9 Million School Activities Shortage
Wyoming lawmakers meeting Thursday in Lander promised a crowded room repeatedly that they would fix a $3.9 million decrease in public school sports and activities funding that shocked parents and schools this spring.
Clair McFarlandJune 26, 2026
Idaho's Reviving The Firing Squad. Wyoming Almost Did For Dale Wayne Eaton
Idaho is switching from lethal injections to firing squad executions on July 1. Wyoming almost added firing squad executions as an alternate method in 2014 because lethal injection drugs were scarce and 'Lil Miss' killer Dale Wayne Eaton was still on death row.
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2026
Judge Rules Rep. Allemand Wasn’t Read Miranda Rights When Stopped For DUI
A Johnson County judge ruled that anything Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand said while handcuffed for 12 minutes during a DUI traffic stop can’t be used as direct evidence against him, because his arresting deputy failed to give him his Miranda rights.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2026
Wyoming Congressional Candidate Reid Rasner Fired By Clearinghouse
Wyoming congressional candidate Reid Rasner, who works as a financial advisor, was “discharged” from his broker clearinghouse company in late April on allegations that he “engaged in unapproved outside business activity,” federal filings say.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2026
35 Candidates, Including Two Wyo Gov Hopefuls, Sign Love Your Enemies Pledge
The Wyoming group that launched a civility movement after the killing of Charlie Kirk has gotten 35 candidates to sign a peacemaker pledge to love their enemies. That includes gubernatorial candidates Eric Barlow and Megan Degenfelder.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Call For Raises For Prosecutors And Judges
Wyoming lawmakers started work Tuesday to lift the upper limit on county prosecutors' salaries from $153,700 to $180,000. The bill would raise Wyoming Supreme Court Justices’ salaries to nearly $225,000 and district court judge salaries to almost $202,000.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Declines To Appoint Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a Cheyenne-based attorney’s request for an order appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Secretary of State Chuck Gray for handing sensitive voter data to the federal government.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026
Wyoming Business Council Chief Spars With Committee That Tried To Kill Agency
The head of the Wyoming Business Council sparred Monday with the Joint Appropriations Committee, which has tried to kill it. "No answer, no money," was the reply CEO Josh Dorrell got when he said he won't know the WBC's budget ask until August.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026
Clair McFarland: Y'all Could Learn A Thing Or Two From My Dad
Clair McFarland writes, "To me, the valiant man of our world is the one who makes things run, makes things last, makes things hold their purpose under pressure. That’s my dad.”
Clair McFarlandJune 21, 2026
We Know Surveillance Cameras Are Being Used, But So Are Surveillance Microphones
While Wyoming debates surveillance cameras, what's gone largely unsung and un-debated is sound sensor technology. Law enforcement authorities in Cheyenne say they are using noise sensors to detect gunshot sounds. Some worry it could lead to "mission creep.”
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2026
Lander Man Faces Homicide Charges, 42 Years In Double Fatal Riverton Crash
A Lander man faces homicide charges and up to 42 years in prison in connection with a Wednesday Riverton crash that killed two people. “I’m terribly sorry about what happened,” he said in court on Friday. “I’ve just been fighting addiction my whole life.”
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026
Judge Orders Wyoming Board Of Equalization To Enforce 4% Property Tax Cap — For Now
A Cheyenne judge Friday ordered the Wyoming Board of Equalization to apply a law capping residential property tax increases at 4% annually — for now — despite the board’s claim the cap violates the Wyoming Constitution. Gov. Gordon sued the board this week.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026
Firearms Expert Says Supreme Court Marijuana Case Important For Wyoming Gun Owners
George Mocsary, a firearms law expert, says the U.S. Supreme Court's Thursday opinion upholding a marijuana user's right to keep a gun is important for Wyoming. "The case is ultimately about whether government can take away a constitutional right," he said.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026
John Bear, One Of The Freedom Caucus’ Most Powerful Members, Has A Challenger
John Bear, one of the most powerful members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, has a GOP challenger for his Gillette House district. "I don’t see myself being a career politician,” said Doug Moore. “I am the only conservative in this race,” countered Bear.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026
License Plate Cameras At Entrances To Wind River Reservation Spark Controversy
The Drug Enforcement Administration has installed license plate cameras on or around the Wind River Reservation, authorities confirmed Thursday. "All this stuff is somewhat '1984'-ish," Sen. Cale Case said. "It’s a big step in our surveillance society.”
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026