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
Gillette Man Guilty Of Exposing Genitalia To Kindergartener In Store Bathroom
A Gillette man could face up to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of exposing his genitalia to a 5-year-old boy in a Walmart bathroom. The jury convicted him last week after a three-day trial.
Clair McFarlandMay 27, 2025
No New Trial For Wyoming Trooper Who Raped Girlfriend
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper serving 10-15 years in prison for raping his then-girlfriend in 2021 won’t get a new trial, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Friday. Among other claims, he challenged testimony about his “unconventional sexual fetishes.”
Clair McFarlandMay 27, 2025
Gordon Goes On Offensive To Counter Chuck Gray’s 'Social Media Lies'
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon launched an aggressive counterattack Friday in an ongoing feud with Secretary of State Chuck Gray. He said he feels compelled to counter Gray’s “social media lies.”
Clair McFarlandMay 24, 2025
Twice-Deported Man Accused Of Running 18,000 Rounds Of Ammo Still At Large
Federal authorities said Thursday they’re still seeking a twice-deported Mexican national accused of hauling 18,000 rounds of ammunition through Wyoming. He was released on bond in March, then didn’t show for his April 25 court hearing.
Clair McFarlandMay 24, 2025
Rock Springs Couple Who Lost Gender Transition Lawsuit Against School District Appeals
The Rock Springs couple lost a lawsuit claiming their local school district was hiding their daughter’s gender transition from them. They filed an appeal Friday to a higher court.
Clair McFarlandMay 23, 2025
Gordon Rejects Call To Remove Weston County Clerk Over Election Mistakes
Though her actions and those of her office skewed three unopposed races in the 2024 general election, the clerk of Weston County didn’t act with misconduct, malfeasance or willful negligence, Wyoming Gov Mark Gordon concluded in a Friday decision letter.
Clair McFarlandMay 23, 2025
It’s 'Not Unique' For Criminals To Raid Crime Lab Shipments, DCI Chief Says
A Rawlins UPS worker has pleaded guilty to a felony for stealing drugs and other evidence destined for the Wyoming State Crime Lab. Having evidence stolen during transit is “not unique,” the state Division of Criminal Investigation chief told legislators this week.
Clair McFarlandMay 23, 2025
Couple Sues Teton County, Calls $24,000 Homebuilding Fee ‘Extortion’
A couple who paid a $24,325 fee to Teton County government to build a home on property they already owned is suing, calling the charge “extortion.” The fee also is an unconstitutional “taking” without compensation, the lawsuit claims.
Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2025
Oregon Pilot Convicted Of Felony For Hitting Yellowstone Flagger With Jeep
A federal jury convicted a 67-year-old pilot from Oregon on Wednesday for shoving a flagger in Yellowstone National Park backward with his Jeep during a construction delay. He could get up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for the felony.
Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2025
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Deep Cuts To Department Of Education
A Massachusetts-based federal judge on Thursday blocked the president’s 2-month-old executive order slashing the U.S. Department of Education in half. The ruling also reinstates terminated department employees.
Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2025
Walmart Asks Wyoming Lawmakers For Help With Organized Theft
Walmart asked Wyoming’s lawmakers to strengthen laws to curb organized retail theft - which is generally an orchestrated scheme in which co-conspirators conduct targeted, repeating thefts as a business. Company officials said they are seeing a rise in sophisticated and organized theft rings.
Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2025
Judge Removes Psychologist From Case Of Sheridan Man Accused In Mother's Death
A psychologist in the case of a Sheridan man accused of murdering his mother, voiced concerns that Israel Melvin was not fit to stand trial. A judge in the case dismissed the evaluator, saying he did not conduct the right test - which was whether the man was insane when his mother died.
Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2025
Joe Barbuto, Chairman Of Wyoming Democratic Party, Steps Down After Eight Years
Joe Barbuto, the longtime chair of the Wyoming Democratic Party, announced Wednesday that he is stepping down after eight years to join a national organization that supports state Democratic parties. No replacement has been made.
Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2025
Trump Admin Green Lights Pulling Non-English-Speaking Truckers From Roads
President Trump gave transportation chief Sean Duffy 60 days to rescind 2016 guidance that kept non-English speaking truck drivers from being removed from the roads. Duffy rescinded that order Tuesday, 38 days ahead of schedule. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman was a frontrunner on the issue.
Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2025
Committee Drafts Bill Against Sexually Explicit Books In Public Libraries
A legislative committee agreed Tuesday to draft a bill targeting explicit materials in public and school libraries, specifically children’s sections. That came after intense debate and a review of a young-adult book containing a cartoon sex scene.
Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2025
Tearful Testimony Pushes Committee To Draft Tougher Wyoming Stalking Laws
Some members of a Wyoming legislative committee were moved to tears Tuesday as a Glenrock teen girl described the year of torment she and a friend endured from a 41-year-old stalker. Lawmakers agreed to draft tougher laws for stalking and grooming.
Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2025
Committee Adopts Bill To Make Wyoming Senate Confirm Supreme Court Justices
A legislative committee on Monday voted 8-6 to draft a proposed state Constitution amendment that would make Wyoming Supreme Court Justice candidates stand for state Senate confirmation after the governor nominates them.
Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2025
State Mandate To Investigate Land Sales Around Critical Sites Will Take Money
A law mandating Wyoming investigate land sales around critical infrastructure takes effect July 1. But investigating those sales and whether foreign adversaries are driving them will take money, the Office of Homeland Security told lawmakers Monday.
Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2025
Drug Dealer Wants His Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Conviction Overturned
A Greybull man convicted of manslaughter for dealing the fentanyl pills that led to another man’s fatal 2023 overdose now says he got bad advice. He wants his 15- to 20-year prison sentence overturned and another chance at trial or a new plea deal.
Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2025
‘Unknown Male’ Steals Ambulance From Riverton Hospital, Escapes On Reservation
An "unknown male" stole an ambulance parked in front of a Riverton emergency room early Sunday. He fled onto the reservation, hitting a couple law enforcement vehicles, then escaped on foot.
Clair McFarlandMay 18, 2025
Fort Laramie Police Chief Charged With Lying On Car Title
The police chief of Fort Laramie is facing criminal charges for allegedly lying to get a vehicle title. His case started with a stop by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper while driving a car with the wrong license plate.
Clair McFarlandMay 16, 2025