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
Casper Businessman Reid Rasner Announces Run For U.S. House
A second Republican candidate touting MAGA principles has declared his run for Wyoming’s congressional's seat. Reid Rasner on Wednesday says he’s running for Congress “to help President Trump Make America Great Again.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026
Clair McFarland: Trying To Raise A Kid Who Can Make His Own Cannons
Clair McFarland writes, "Middleborn grinned. The secret, he explained, is jamming a too-big spud into the cannon’s mouth with a broom handle so the combustion chamber doesn’t leak gas."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026
LDS Church Denies Wrongdoing Over Wyoming Boy Who Lost Foot On Lake Trip
The LDS Church denied negligence in a lawsuit over a 2022 tubing accident at Boysen Reservoir that cost a Riverton boy his foot during a youth outing. It cited defenses like Wyoming’s Recreation Act and comparative fault.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
Wyoming Attorney General To Ask For One Last Chance To Defend Abortion Bans
The Wyoming AG is filing a petition for a Supreme Court rehearing on Tuesday’s abortion ruling upholding it as fundamental right, at Gov. Mark Gordon’s request. Lawmakers are eyeing a ballot measure to change the constitution also.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
After Wyoming Abortion Bans Struck Down, Legislative Leaders Vow Pro-Life Amendment
The Wyoming House speaker and Senate president both said Tuesday they’ll work to advance a pro-life constitutional amendment in the upcoming legislative session. That’s in response to a state Supreme Court ruling keeping abortion legal in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Declares Abortion Bans Unconstitutional
The Wyoming Supreme Court in a 4-1 majority ruled Tuesday that Wyoming’s abortion bans are unconstitutional, under the state Constitution’s promise of health care autonomy.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
With Governor's Backing, WYDOT Asks Legislature For $282.8 Million Budget
After Gov. Mark Gordon recommended funding WYDOT’s $282.8 million budget pitch, lawmakers meeting Monday in Cheyenne questioned staffing gaps, taser costs and Highway Patrol needs like GPS and tunnel tech upgrades amid shortfalls.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
WYDOT Reports 97 Wyoming Snowplows Hit In Last Five Winters
Wyoming has had 97 snowplows hit by vehicles over the past five winters, including 15 last winter. Wyoming Department of Transportation officials said Monday that being a plow driver can be dangerous, but higher pay can help keep those jobs filled.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026
Gillette Man Nicknamed 'CRACKPIPE' Accused In Another Burglary
Gillette police say they caught a man who goes by the alias "CRACKPIPE" stealing a bagel shop baker's purse to buy lockpicks with her credit card. That comes nearly a year after he allegedly burgled a Menard's store. He faces felony charges.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2026
Rasner Won’t Run For Governor, Says To 'Stay Tuned For News Next Week'
Reid Rasner won’t run to be the next governor of Wyoming, he told Cowboy State Daily in a Friday text message. “Stay tuned for news next week, the best is yet to come,” Rasner added.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2026
Wyoming Responds To PETA By Issuing A Pro-Rodeo License Plate
Wyoming issued a new pro-rodeo license plate Friday in response to PETA asking for a plate without the iconic bucking bronco claiming rodeo is cruel. One state legislator said PETA’s request made him want to celebrate rodeo “even more prominently.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2026
Riverton Man Lassos Suspected Drunk Driver After Officer Hurt In Chase
When a police officer ran into some playground equipment while trying to catch a suspected impaired driver in a Riverton foot chase on New Year’s Eve, a local man felt badly, retrieved his rope and lassoed the suspect himself.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2026
Former House Candidate From Powell Accused Of Child Abuse, Molestation
A Powell man who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for a seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives faces up to 215 years in prison on charges he physically and sexually abused at least one child for years.
Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2025
Prosecutor Says Wyoming Wolf ‘Capture’ Rule Doesn’t Apply To Cody Roberts
Sublette County’s top prosecutor argued in a Tuesday court filing that Wyoming’s law allowing people to “capture” wolves doesn’t excuse Cody Roberts. Tormenting the animal was a separate act, he said.
Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2025
Judge Dismisses Claim Against Lawmaker That She Cheated Ex Out Of African Safari
The judge overseeing a small claims dispute has dismissed the case in which the ex-boyfriend of state Rep. Nina Webber accused her of cheating him out of $6,000 for a ticket to an African hunting safari she didn’t join.
Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2025
Wyoming House Rep. Bill Allemand Charged With DUI, Says He Will Dispute It
Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand, R-Midwest, was arrested Sunday afternoon on suspicion of drunk driving. He says the DUI is a “false charge" and he’ll fight it. “I got a deputy who did not like me knowing my rights,” he said.
Clair McFarlandDecember 30, 2025
Feds Approve $205 Million For Wyoming, Including 'Bear Care’ Health Plan
The federal government announced Monday it’s approved $205 million for the first year of Wyoming’s rural health program. Part of the plan has been dubbed “Bear Care” because it would cover catastrophic events like being attacked by a bear.
Clair McFarlandDecember 30, 2025
Wyoming Agency Says Opponent Of Wind Project Filed Fraudulent Documents
The Industrial Siting Division said Monday during a hearing on the Chugwater wind and solar project that a critic filed fraudulent documents to contest it. The critic, a news editor in southeast Wyoming, says it's the agency that violated the law.
Clair McFarlandDecember 30, 2025
Chuck Gray Announces Run For Wyoming's U.S. House Seat
After at least two weekends of an aggressive advertising campaign that named no specific political office, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray declared Monday that he’s running for the state’s lone U.S. House seat.
Clair McFarlandDecember 29, 2025
Clair McFarland: The Byron Tragedy Was The Most Significant Story Of My Life
Clair McFarland writes, "I drove to Bryon to interview people about the mother who'd shot her daughters, then herself, in their snowclad home. Her husband voiced a grim resolve to tell me the truth so that at least - at least - the gaping public would have the most accurate account of this already-exposed tragedy."
Clair McFarlandDecember 24, 2025
Wyoming GOP Still Anti-Marijuana, Despite Trump's Push For Medical Use
President Donald Trump’s move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug departs from the tenets of the Wyoming MAGA crowd that usually aligns with him, multiple state leaders said Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandDecember 24, 2025