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
Legislators Say No To Letting Districts Use Teacher, Class Money For Other Things
Wyoming legislators denied amendments Tuesday to allow districts to use money for instruction and teacher pay on other things. Some say districts need leeway, others that the rule guards against districts “continually saying, 'Not enough, need more.’"
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026
Riverton Man Fatally Shot In Apartment, Shooter Flees
A Riverton man was shot and killed in an apartment just after midnight Tuesday, according to official and witness reports. An apartment complex assistant manager on scene told Cowboy State Daily the victim had a headshot wound, and the shooter fled.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2026
Wyoming 'Bounty' Bill Inspired By Minnesota Fraud Dies, But Could Return Next Year
A Wyoming legislative committee on Monday voted down a bill that would have promised whistleblowers a cut of penalties against people who cheat the government out of money. “I love the concept of this bill,” one lawmaker said before voting to table it.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2026
Governor, Freedom Caucus Claim Victory As Legislature Passes $9.9 Billion Budget
Despite compromises from all sides, Gov. Gordon, Senate leaders, and House leaders all claimed victory on Monday as the Wyoming Legislature passed a $9.9 billion, two-year budget. “What a win for Wyoming!” the governor said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2026
Attempt To Resurrect Teton County Housing Bill Linked To CheckGate Fails In Senate
A vocal minority in the Wyoming Senate tried and failed Monday to resurrect a housing bill linked to the "CheckGate" scandal. Senate President Bo Biteman said the bill was "tainted" and should be handled next year.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2026
University Of Wyoming Budget Spared (For Now), Biz Council Reined In
Wyoming legislative negotiators drafted a budget Friday that could spare the University of Wyoming from a $40 million cut while funding the Wyoming Business Council for one year instead of two.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026
Neiman: House Misconduct Complaints Filed, 'Maybe' Against Provenza, Yin
Discussing 'CheckGate' on Friday, House Speaker Chip Neiman said leadership is "looking into" whether Democratic Rep. Karlee Provenza may face consequences after taking the check-passing scandal to the media. He said complaints have been filed.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026
CheckGate: Four Members Who Received Checks On House Floor Say It Wasn't Bribery
At the first CheckGate hearing in the Capitol on Thursday, the four members who received checks on the House floor said they never felt it was an act of bribery. Rebecca Bextel, who delivered the checks, said she just “wafted toward the House floor."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026
Wyoming Senate Committee Doesn’t Want State Collecting Union Dues
Wyoming senators advanced a bill to ban most state entities from collecting union and political group dues, while dropping new reporting rules for those groups. “The intent is to bust unions and bust associations,” alleged a Wyoming Education Association representative.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Mother Sues Manufacturer Over Wyoming Son's Woodchipper Death
A Kentucky mother is suing Bandit Industries, claiming a Bandit Intimidator 18XP woodchipper without key safety features caused her son’s fatal 2024 workplace accident near Alpine, Wyoming. The complaint said her son “frantically” tried to stop the machine but couldn’t.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Bill To Ban Kratom From People Younger Than 21 Passes Wyoming House Committee
A bill to ban the delivery of kratom to people younger than 21 is another step closer to becoming Wyoming law. Even so, some express concern over the unregulated substance and a coroner said it’s “highly addictive and at high doses, can cause death.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Senate, House Choose Teams To Hash Out $170 Million Budget Gap
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman on Wednesday announced the appointment of the five senators he's sending to smooth out $170 million in budget differences between the Senate and the state House of Representatives. The House picked its members Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Man Cody Roberts Signs Plea Agreement In Notorious Wolf Torture Case
Accused of torturing a wolf two years ago in a case that received global condemnation, Cody Roberts has agreed to plead guilty or no contest to one count of felony animal cruelty. He will face prison time if he fails strict probation requirements.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Massive Turnout As Bill To Purge Sex Books From Kids' Library Sections Heads To Senate
In a passionate debate held Wednesday over a bill that would let people sue libraries for keeping sexually explicit books in the children's section, some argued the Bible could spark lawsuits. “We have a lawsuit hanging over our head,” said Rep. Crago.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Governor Won't Push To Oust Platte County Commissioners
Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday said will not be waging a civil case to remove three Platte County Commissioners from office, despite citizens’ complaints. He said many claims were speculative and voters have the power to make changes in the primary.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Wyoming Diesel Delete Mechanic Pardoned By Trump Goes To State Of The Union
One year ago, Troy Lake was in federal prison for "deleting" emissions systems on ailing diesel engines. On Tuesday, he attended President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Gordon Says House Made 'Cuts In Name Only,' But Budget's Looking OK
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon told reporters Tuesday he’s optimistic about the budget, though the House made some “cuts in name only.” House Appropriations Chair John Bear disagreed and cited bleak projections.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Won't Reconsider Abortion Ruling, Rejects Hail Mary Argument
The Wyoming Supreme Court declined last week to hear the Wyoming Attorney General’s argument that a court ruling declaring abortion is a fundamental health care right is flawed.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2026
House, Senate To Negotiate $170 Million In Budget Differences
The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday handed the Senate a two-year budget draft totaling $9.96 billion, while the Senate sent the House a $10.13 billion draft budget of its own; a difference of $170 million.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2026
‘Checkgate' Bill To Eliminate Teton Housing Rules Clears Wyoming House
The Wyoming House passed a bill Monday to kill Jackson and Teton County affordable housing policies. It’s the bill pushed by conservative activist Rebecca Bextel, who’s at the center of legislative probes for handing out checks on the House floor.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2026
University Of Wyoming Pushes Back On Budget Cuts: "No Cuts Are Appropriate, Period"
The University of Wyoming on Monday said it disagrees with a House budget tweak that lawmakers framed as an 'Art-of-the-Deal' negotiation. “The university continues to oppose any cut. UW is adamant: No cuts are appropriate, period," said a spokesman.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2026