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
Wright Woman Accused Of Torturing Man For Three Days Pleads Insanity
A Wright woman accused of taping a man to a chair and torturing him for three days has entered an insanity plea. She claims in a court filing last week that she had “extreme paranoia” at the time.
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025
Legislators Eye Tougher Fines For Officials Who Won't Give Up Public Records
Wyoming lawmakers decided Friday to consider assessing harsher penalties for public officials who don’t produce public documents upon request.
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025
Court Gives Sorority Women 30-Day Deadline In Lawsuit Over Wyoming Trans Member
A Wyoming-based federal judge is giving the women suing their sorority for inducting a Wyoming transgender member 30 days to re-file their lawsuit or give up the case. The women's attorney told Cowboy State Daily they plan to refile the case.
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2025
Laramie County Man Gets Four Years For Mercy-Killing Friend
A Laramie County man was sentenced Friday to four years in prison, for mercy-killing his friend. Court documents say Switzer's friend had a pending criminal case for child pornography, had just increased his life insurance policy and made other end-of-life arrangements.
Clair McFarlandMay 11, 2025
Wyoming Hasn't Executed Anyone In 33 Years, But It's Tried
It's been 33 years since Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan stood in his office next to his priest, warring with himself over the execution of convicted serial killer Mark Hopkinson. The state hasn't executed anyone since that day — but it's tried.
Clair McFarlandMay 10, 2025
Voter-Rights Group Sues Over Wyoming's Proof Of Citizenship Voter Law
A voter-rights group filed a lawsuit Friday asking a federal court to block Wyoming’s new proof of citizenship and residency rules for voting. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says the challenge is “the radical left” making “false claims.”
Clair McFarlandMay 10, 2025
Thousands Sign Petition To Ease Trump Mandate For English-Speaking Truckers
Commercial truck drivers for whom English is a second language are galvanizing. A petition opposing President Trump’s mandate all truckers speak English has amassed nearly 5,000 signatures.
Clair McFarlandMay 10, 2025
Wyoming Legislators Consider Banning Public Money Going To Lobby Groups
Wyoming mayors and other public officials lined up Friday to argue against a proposal to ban public money going to groups that lobby for them. Despite the show of force, a legislative committee decided to continue considering it.
Clair McFarlandMay 09, 2025
'Poor' Chance Of Settlement In Jackson Hospital Lawsuit Over Gangrene Death
A lawsuit brought against a Jackson-based hospital over the gangrene death of an illegal immigrant has a “poor” chance of reaching a settlement, according to a Thursday filing in the case.
Clair McFarlandMay 09, 2025
Wrong-Way Driver Shuts Down I-90 With Claim Of Bomb In Vehicle
A Gillette man drove the wrong way on Interstate 90 three times Thursday as he led law enforcement on a 70-95 mph chase. He then claimed there was a bomb in his vehicle, but it turned out to be a possibly drug-induced perception of loose and exposed wires.
Clair McFarland & Jen KocherMay 09, 2025
Hageman Wants To Halt Student Visas For Colleges In ‘Sanctuary Cities’
Harriet Hageman introduced a bill Thursday to keep student visas from being issued in “sanctuary” cities that don’t cooperate with ICE. She says it’s a response to those “who seek to elevate the interests of foreign nationals above our own citizens.”
Clair McFarlandMay 09, 2025
Chuck Gray Supports 22 New Election-Reform Bills, Committee To Study 10
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray expressed support for 22 election-reform bills during a meeting with legislators Thursday in Lander. The committee chose to take up 10 for study, ranging from requiring photo-identification to random hand counts.
Clair McFarlandMay 09, 2025
Feds Don't Believe Sheridan Cop Killer Stole Guns From His Mom
A federal prosecutor Wednesday voiced skepticism of a Wyoming woman’s claims that her son stole her guns before he killed a Sheridan police sergeant in February 2024. She’s accused of buying the guns for her son, who is a convicted felon.
Clair McFarlandMay 08, 2025
Man Accused Of Trashing Kinnear Post Office Faces Less Time Under Federal Charge
Federal charges against the man arrested on suspicion of trashing the Kinnear post office may mean a lighter sentence compared to state charges. His case was moved to federal court Monday.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Hageman Spars With Colorado Democrat Over 'Gulf of America' Renaming
A Colorado Democrat sparred with Wyoming’s U.S. House representative Monday over whether renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America should be a priority. Hageman says Wyomingites support President Trump’s agenda, and that’s part of it.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Florida Man Is First Bison Goring Of The Season At Yellowstone National Park
A 47-year-old man from Florida was gored when he got too close to a bison at Yellowstone National Park on Sunday. The National Park Service reported the goring Wednesday, confirming it’s the first of the season after two gorings in 2024.
Clair McFarland & Mark HeinzMay 07, 2025
Thermopolis Police Sergeant Who Triggered Fatal Shootout 2 Years Ago Resigns
The Thermopolis town council accepted the resignation of police Sgt. Mike Mascorro on Tuesday evening. Mascorro broke into a man’s home and triggered a fatal shootout two years ago. The man’s family sued Mascorro and the department last week.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Man Who Fled Wyoming After Wife Stabbed Him Gets Plea Agreement In Beating
A Moorcroft man accused of nearly killing his wife has agreed to plead "no contest" to two counts of aggravated assault. Michael Hammond Jr. was stabbed by his wife after he launched what court documents say was a brutal and prolonged attack on her.
Clair McFarlandMay 07, 2025
Hot Springs County Commission Fight Over Split From 'Socialist' State Group
The Hot Springs County Commission is fighting over whether to become the only member to pull out of group that represents all Wyoming's counties. One member wants to because of the group's "socialist" tendencies, while the chairman strongly disagrees.
Clair McFarlandMay 06, 2025
Judge Says UW Athletes Suing Over Trans Player Can’t Appeal His Pronoun Rule
A Colorado federal judge has denied a group of female college athletes, including three from the University of Wyoming, a chance to appeal his transgender pronoun usage rule. They also can’t challenge his involvement in the case.
Clair McFarlandMay 06, 2025
Prosecutor Says Teen Girl Accused In Bonfire Shooting Has Biker Gang Ties
A prosecutor's recent court filing says a 16-year-old girl accused of shooting two men in Sweetwater County should be tried as an adult, pointing to her suspected ties to an outlaw motorcycle gang. Her next court hearing is May 14.
Clair McFarlandMay 05, 2025