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
Oregon Man Loses Argument That Yellowstone Superintendent's Power Is Unconstitutional
An Oregon man who fished without a license in Yellowstone National Park lost an argument that the superintendent wields crime enforcement power unconstitutionally. He then pleaded guilty and was fined $500 last week.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026
Teton County GOP Tells Donors How To Give More Than Max, Then Says Not To Do It
The Teton County Republican Party corrected itself this week after telling people how to donate above the legal limit for candidates. A local elections attorney said he finds it "refreshing" that the party chair took accountability.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026
Barrasso Endorses Cody Republican For State House, Libertarian Opponent OK With It
Wyoming’s U.S. Sen. John Barrasso turned his attention briefly from Washington, D.C., politics to the state legislative races Tuesday to endorse Cody-based attorney David Hill for state House. Hill's libertarian opponent isn't bothered by the move.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026
Fremont County Ambulance: Maybe We Don't Have To Go On Strike After All
The president of the union representing Fremont County's ambulance workers said their planned strike is now delayed to Oct. 1 - the day their company's contract expires anyway. But he was optimistic Tuesday that local governments will soon have a way to keep the service running.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026
Outspoken Veterinarians Kill Bill To Let Non-Vets Do Livestock Pregnancy Checks
Large-animal veterinarians pleaded for their livelihoods Tuesday when discussing a bill that would have let non-vets pregnancy-check livestock. One rancher cried during the hours-long debate. In the end, the bill died by an 8 to 5 vote.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 22, 2026
Wyoming Group Bashes Hageman Bill Capping Conservation Easements At 30 Years
A Wyoming federal lands group is bashing a bill U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman has unveiled that would cap government conservation easements at 30 years. Hageman says it will balance landowners’ rights, while opponents claim it will harm conservation efforts.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 22, 2026
Facing Electricity Shortages, Wyoming Legislators Say Make Utilities Compete
Some Wyoming legislators are pushing a bill that would let independent power suppliers compete with utilities by selling to companies like trona mines and data centers. Four House members killed the effort, but it's coming back next week.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 21, 2026
Investigators Say No Evidence Horrific Wyoming Truck Stop Stabbing A ‘Hate Crime’
While a congressman links Sunday’s Wyoming truck stop stabbing to what he calls racist messaging from the Trump administration, investigators say there’s no evidence it was a hate crime. So far “we have zero motive,” says a sheriff’s office spokesman.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 19, 2026
Rebecca Bextel Says Legal Battle With Wyoming Game And Fish Is Political
Gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel has been accused of trespassing, barred from building on her land, and locked in a legal war with Wyoming Game And Fish. She says she's a political target, while her neighbors say she violated a hunting easement.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 18, 2026
Judge To Review College Discipline Records Of Trans Activist’s Alleged Victim
A Laramie-based judge is letting a transgender person who is facing trial for allegedly pulling a gun on a man in the street subpoena university discipline records about that man. Rihanna Kelver has asserted that it was an act of self-defense.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 18, 2026
Supreme Court Says Legislature Shortchanged Schools, But Don’t Make Them Buy Computers
In a three-justice majority opinion, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Thursday the Legislature has been violating the state Constitution by shortchanging public schools. However, the state can't be forced to buy more computers or pay for school lunches.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 17, 2026
Sheridan County GOP Posts, Then Removes, Statement Backing Bextel Over Barlow
The Sheridan County Republican Party posted, then apparently took down, a statement last week touting Wyoming Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel for governor over Republican Eric Barlow. The party's chair says she doesn't know who made the post.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 17, 2026
Republican, Democrat, And Libertarian All Vie For Cheyenne's 'Purple' House District
The three-way race for Wyoming's House District 11 pits libertarian Ryan Shollenberger against Republican Dan McIntosh and Democrat Britney Tennant. That's one of Wyoming's rare "purple" districts, where the libertarian's run for office is a wildcard.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026
C.J. Box Says Everything About Newsom And Tapper Fly Fishing Is “Wrong”
Wyoming-based author and longtime angler C.J. Box on Wednesday lampooned CNN's video of California Gov. Gavin Newsom fly fishing with news anchor Jake Tapper. "Everything about it is performative and wrong,” he said, of their casting techniques.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026
Bextel Bashes Gordon And Barlow At Sheridan Candidate Forum
Constitution Party gubernatorial nominee Rebecca Bextel bashed her Republican opponent Sen. Eric Barlow throughout a presentation Monday at a candidate forum. She also cast Gov. Mark Gordon as unintelligent and claimed to have more "balls" than him.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026
Lummis Slams Senate Democrats For Blocking Huge Crypto Bill
Sen. Cynthia Lummis derided Democrats Tuesday after they blocked a sweeping cryptocurrency bill she pushed for months. It wouldn’t restrain Trump's conflicts of interest, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 15, 2026
Central Wyoming College Opposes LCCC Rebrand To "Wyoming State College"
Officials at Central Wyoming College in Riverton say they are opposed to Laramie County Community College's plan to rename itself "Wyoming State College." But community college chairs in Casper and Torrington say they're just focused on their own work.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 15, 2026
Police Declare Investigation Into Rasner Claim That He Was Threatened "Inactive"
Torrington police say an investigation into an alleged threat against unsuccessful U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner is “inactive,” after Rasner’s attorney didn't give the agency requested documentation. Rasner claimed a former deputy threatened him.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 14, 2026
Former Department Of Defense UFO Whistleblower Sues Wyoming Business Partner
A former Department of Defense insider who wrote a book calling for government transparency about UFOs is suing his Buffalo, Wyoming, business partner. He accuses his partner cheating and trying to threaten him out of their vintage military-themed bar.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 14, 2026
Sorority Back In Court Over Trans Member, Says Historic Definition Of 'Woman' Not Relevant
The women suing Kappa Kappa Gamma for inducting a transgender member went back to court Monday, arguing the sorority betrayed them. The sorority says its council can interpret the bylaws, regardless of what 'woman' meant historically.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 14, 2026
Clair McFarland: Cross Country Is Absolutely A Real Sport And It's The Best Ever
Clair McFarland writes, "The gun sounded. Runners thundered into the trees. 'Gosh,' I said to The Husband. 'Isn’t that the PERFECT sport?' I thought one of his eyelids twitched in the shade of his Red Sox hat. But maybe I imagined it."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 12, 2026