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
Town Of Green River Considers Installing License Plate Readers To Curb 'Terrorism'
The Green River City Council is considering finalizing a $112,000 grant it's been awarded to install license-plate readers in the city. The mayor said the cameras could curb terrorism while former Libertarian lawmaker Marshall Burt says it's all "bullshit."
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026
Wyoming's Famous Diesel Mechanic Gets Presidential Pardons For Others
Wyoming's most famous diesel “delete" mechanic Troy Lake, who was pardoned by Trump after a prison stint, advocated for the president to pardon at least six more. On Friday, Trump pardoned those six, plus three others.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026
No Charges From Feds 14 Months After Man Found Dead On Rez
Fourteen months after a man was found in an abandoned red truck in a remote region of the Wind River Indian Reservation with two gunshots in his head, prosecutors have no ongoing, public murder cases in the December 2024 death of Riverton man Rex Lofts.
Clair McFarlandJuly 06, 2026
Judge Says $100M Goshen Tunnel Project Won’t Stop For Company That Couldn't Bid
A federal judge declined Thursday to pause the $100 million Goshen Tunnel project for a company that missed out on a chance to bid on the work. He also ruled the company has a valid case against two irrigation districts in charge of the tunnel.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026
Unlike Other Areas In Wyoming, Glenrock's Flock Cameras Bring Little Drama
Other cities in Wyoming have clashed over license plate reader cameras. Meanwhile, Glenrock's Flock system has gone without drama for the roughly two years it's been in place. But a local legislator worries about fewer rights and more surveillance.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026
Wyoming Board Of Equalization Agrees To Honor 4% Property Tax Cap For Now
The Wyoming Board of Equalization was set for a July 6 hearing to fight against having to enforce a 4% cap on annual property tax increases, which it calls unconstitutional. But it agreed Thursday to honor the cap during its lawsuit challenging it.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026
Wyoming Business Council's Toughest Critic Relieved It Isn't Hiding Bank Accounts
The Wyoming Business Council's biggest critic in the Legislature, Rep. Ken Pendergraft, was mostly relieved at a Wednesday audit report showing the Wyoming Business Council isn't hiding any bank accounts. But he says he still has questions.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026
Colorado Immigration Firm Accuses Sheriff Kozak Of Blocking Vital Evidence
An immigration advocacy firm is suing the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office claiming the agency is withholding important evidence in a deportation case. The Cheyenne Police Department confirmed Wednesday that the sheriff's office had issued an inaccurate report.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026
Wyoming Board Of Equalization Asks Judge To End Property Tax Cap
The Wyoming Board of Equalization is suing Gov. Mark Gordon back after he rejected its claims that the state's property tax caps are unconstitutional. The board is asking a judge to end Wyoming’s 4% cap on property tax increases.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026
Win By Colorado Socialist Could Galvanize Wyoming Independence, Says Politico
Fresh after socialist-backed candidates' success in New York's U.S. House primaries, Colorado Democrats nominated their own socialist House candidate Tuesday. Having a socialist neighbor could galvanize Wyoming's independence even more, one politico said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026
Out-Of-State Campaign Fliers Launch Attacks On Wyoming Candidates
It’s campaign flier season, which means Wyoming voters are being inundated with attack fliers about political candidates. One flier targeting Lander incumbents claim they “endangered children” and “exposed women to their radical transgender agenda."
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2026
Wyoming Republican Party Appeals Judge's Order Telling It To Follow State Law
The Wyoming Republican Party is appealing a judge’s ruling that its rules don’t trump state law in electing its leaders. Now the party is waging multiple legal challenges in which it argues that it may follow its bylaws over Wyoming law.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026
In About-Face, Gordon Lauds Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Girls Sports
In an about-face, Gov. Mark Gordon lauded a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday upholding states' bans on trans participation in girls' sports. In 2023 he called Wyoming's first trans sports ban "draconian."
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026
Wyoming Democrats Say They’re Not Divorcing Party Over Mamdani, Socialism Movement
Prominent Wyoming Democrats say they are not calling for a split in their party due to the growing socialist movement nationally. “Wyoming is not New York City,” so the issues are different, said state Sen. Chris Rothfuss.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026
'Common Sense Republicans' Declare War On Wyoming Freedom Caucus
A new political group called the 'Common Sense Republicans' have erected six billboards urging voters to “STOP The Freedom Caucus Agenda." Rep. John Bear, a well-known member of the Freedom Caucus, says he "loves" the billboards.
Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2026
Sweetwater County School District Apologizes For Barlow Campaign Message On Parent App
Sweetwater County School District No. 1, already a magnet for headlines, apologized Saturday for what it called the error of a staffer releasing a campaign message for gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow through the ParentSquare messaging app.
Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2026
Johnson County Sheriff Releases Body Cam Video Of Rep. Bill Allemand's DUI Arrest
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office on Friday released body camera video of state Rep. Bill Allemand's December DUI arrest. Allemand grew more adversarial toward the deputy throughout his arrest, ultimately calling him an "asshole."
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2026
Wyoming Republican Party Cracking Down On Use Of Official RNC Elephant Logo
The Common Sense Republicans for Wyoming group says they will alter their billboards after the Wyoming Republican Party warned it could be a violation to use the official GOP elephant logo. They aren't alone — other candidates and groups are doing the same.
Clair McFarlandJune 26, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Start Work To Fix $3.9 Million School Activities Shortage
Wyoming lawmakers meeting Thursday in Lander promised a crowded room repeatedly that they would fix a $3.9 million decrease in public school sports and activities funding that shocked parents and schools this spring.
Clair McFarlandJune 26, 2026
Idaho's Reviving The Firing Squad. Wyoming Almost Did For Dale Wayne Eaton
Idaho is switching from lethal injections to firing squad executions on July 1. Wyoming almost added firing squad executions as an alternate method in 2014 because lethal injection drugs were scarce and 'Lil Miss' killer Dale Wayne Eaton was still on death row.
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2026
Judge Rules Rep. Allemand Wasn’t Read Miranda Rights When Stopped For DUI
A Johnson County judge ruled that anything Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand said while handcuffed for 12 minutes during a DUI traffic stop can’t be used as direct evidence against him, because his arresting deputy failed to give him his Miranda rights.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2026