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
Gray Changes Mind On Power Station Access After Spat With Curt Meier
After Curt Meier said of State Chuck Gray's announced vote to block Tri-State Generation's access to a power substation would “essentially stifle capitalism,” Gray changed his mind. They supply "power to practically every irrigator and farmer in the state," Meier said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2026
Gordon: Gray Sounds Like 'Jackass In A Tin Barn' For Blaming Data Center Vote On Gov
Chuck Gray, who campaigns against data centers, indicated Thursday that his aye-vote on an easement for a data center generator was Gov. Mark Gordon's fault. "The Secretary is sounding like a jackass in a tin barn," Gordon responded.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2026
Wyoming Freedom Caucus Claims National Group Attacking ‘True Conservatives’
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus claims national group Americans for Prosperity is attacking “true conservatives” running for the state Legislature. Nope, says Wyoming’s AFP director, “We don’t look at caucus alignment.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2026
Chuck Gray Hammers Data Centers, Clashes With Host At U.S. House Forum
Secretary of State Chuck Gray brought up data centers repeatedly and clashed with the moderator during a U.S. House forum Tuesday night in Sheridan. Reid Rasner criticized Gray, while multiple candidates claimed to be leading the race.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2026
Judge Who Tossed Oil And Gas Leases Declines To Let New Case Move To Wyoming
A Montana U.S. District Court Judge who threw out 1.5 million acres of Wyoming oil and gas leases due to sage-grouse concerns has declined a request to send a newer case to Wyoming. "Wyoming provides no authority” for its argument, he wrote.
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2026
It Seems Like Everyone Is Running On Wendy Schuler’s Trans Sports Ban
Numerous Wyoming Republicans are claiming some degree of credit for a trans sports ban championed by Sen. Wendy Schuler. Schuler says she's happy if they think they helped but it was the Legislature that got the bill "across the finish line.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2026
Gambling Sites Favor Steve Friess And Eric Barlow, Bettors Have Wagered $210K So Far
Gambling sites PolyMarket And Kalshi both favor Steve Friess to win the Republican nomination for U.S. House and Eric Barlow to win the GOP nomination for governor. Bettors, so far, have wagered $210,000 on these two Wyoming races.
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2026
Barlow Says Attack Ads On Sex Changes And Illegal Immigrants Aren't True
Sen. Eric Barlow on Monday said attack ads accusing him of voting to allow sex changes and voting to send money to illegal immigrants are not true. He said the bills he voted against were poorly written or rushed and are being twisted against him.
Clair McFarlandAugust 03, 2026
Ann Simpson, Wife Of Late Sen. Al Simpson, Died In Daughter's Arms Friday Morning
Ann Simpson, mother of three and wife of 70 years to prominent Wyoming political figure and late U.S. Sen. Al Simpson, died Friday morning in her daughter's arms. “I walked over and cuddled up to her and held her, and she died," Sue Simpson Gallagher said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2026
Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Quit, Retire Or Choose Not To Run For Reelection
Wyoming is seeing a turnover of at least eight sheriffs since last year, which is more than a third among the state’s 23 counties. The sheriffs who spoke to Cowboy State Daily cited readiness, weariness, gratitude and a longing to spend time with family.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2026
Shoshone Join Arapaho In Telling Church To Stop Preaching Against Tribal Beliefs
Eastern Shoshone leaders on Friday voiced agreement with the Northern Arapaho Business Council in telling a church to stop preaching against tribal beliefs. Outsiders can’t hold “recurring ministries” on the reservation without approval, the tribe says.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2026
Will President Trump Endorse Anyone In The Wyoming GOP House Race?
President Trump has not endorsed anyone in the nine-candidate Republican race for U.S. House and it’s unclear if he will. The president has a good batting average in Wyoming, but his endorsement hasn't meant a win every time.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2026
Food Freedom: Legislators Advance ‘Band-Aid’ For Shutdown Of Cody Creamery
Wyoming legislators have advanced a “Band-Aid” solution to food freedom laws that led to shutting down Hippie Cow Creamery in Cody over selling raw milk lattes. “I’m under no illusion we’re going to fix this overnight,” said one lawmaker.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2026
Friess Gets 19 High Profile Endorsements, Gray Calls Them Tired Political 'Insiders'
U.S. House candidate Steve Friess received 19 endorsements Thursday by Republican lawmakers, former legislators, energy industry leaders and Gov. Jim Geringer. Chuck Gray called them "a tired class of political 1% insiders" who support "woke wind projects."
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2026
Rasner Files Police Report Accusing Chuck Gray Supporter Of Threatening Him
U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner's attorney filed a police report Wednesday on a Chuck Gray supporter and former sheriff's deputy for allegedly threatening Rasner. The former deputy denies making a threat. Torrington police are investigating.
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2026
Steve Friess Wants To Turn EPA Into Advisory Board For States
Republican U.S. House candidate Steve Friess told Riverton's political old guard Wednesday he wants to turn the EPA into an advisory board for state environmental agencies. The Sierra Club of Wyoming called that idea "ridiculous and harmful."
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2026
Dr. Anthony Fauci's Diary Covers Wyoming’s Low Vax Rates, Liz Cheney’s ‘Courage’
In the more than 1,100 pages of Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary released over the weekend, he mentioned Wyoming’s low COVID vaccination rates, his admiration of Liz Cheney and his conversations with Dick Cheney. He appeared fixated on the "hot and heavy" press.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2026
All Four Candidates For Hot Springs House Seat Say They Won't Join Freedom Caucus
All four GOP candidates running for the state House seat spanning north-central Wyoming say they won't join the Freedom Caucus, though the incumbent was an early founder of it. “I don’t believe I should be taking orders from a caucus," one candidate said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2026
State Livestock Director Fires Brand Inspector After Guilty Plea In Moose Torture Case
Just hours after news broke Monday that a Uinta County brand inspector had pleaded guilty to helping torture a moose, the state livestock director fired him. “This is absolutely irresponsible behavior unbefitting a brand inspector,” Gov. Gordon said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2026
Departed U.S. House Candidate Says Gray And Friess Haven't Had Real Careers
In reflecting on Wyoming's U.S. house race, departed candidate Frank Chapman on Monday said both Chuck Gray and Steve Friess haven't had significant careers. “We’re being given choices of people that haven’t really achieved anything in life,” Chapman said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2026
Steve Friess Says Wyoming U.S. House Race A 'Two-Man Race' Now
U.S. House candidate Steve Friess concluded the Thursday-night debate by saying polling shows the Wyoming GOP race is really between two people — himself and Chuck Gray. "[Gray's] unfavorable ratings are astronomically high," a campaign spokesman said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2026