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
Riverton Man Gets 6-12 Years For Drunken Fight That Killed Cousin
A Fremont County man was sentenced Thursday to between six and 12 years in prison for drunkenly beating his cousin to death last March. “I was robbed,” wailed the mother of the victim during the court proceeding.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2025
English-Speaking Trucker Enforcement Intensifies As Hageman Brings Bill
The push for tougher enforcement of English-language requirements for commercial truck drivers intensified Thursday when Harriet Hageman introduced a bill to make it a federal law. Wyoming trucking companies largely support the requirements.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2025
Cody Mom Accused Of Seeking Hit Man To Murder Daughter’s Boyfriend Deemed Sane
A murder trial is set for August for a Cody woman accused of trying to have her daughter’s boyfriend killed. A judge ruled that Wendy Coe, whose last trial derailed when she asked for a mental health evaluation, is mentally fit to stand trial.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2025
Out Of One Lawsuit, Into Another, As State GOP Argues For Private Group’s Right
Just as Wyoming Republican Party leaders dropped the party's lawsuit against the Laramie County Clerk, they launched a counter-argument in another case, where the party is being sued on claims it cheated its own election processes.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2025
Former Laramie High Schooler’s Lawsuit Over Masking Tossed For Second Time
A federal judge Wednesday dismissed the lawsuit of a former Laramie High School student who sued her local school district on claims that a 2021 mask mandate was unconstitutional. She was handcuffed and arrested on campus for refusing to comply with it.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2025
Responders ‘Valiantly’ Tried To Save Man Who Died In Teton County Cabin Fire
The lone occupant of a cabin in Teton County was found dead early Wednesday morning after the cabin caught fire, authorities say. A sheriff’s deputy tried to rescue 28-year-old Rollie Wells Knori, but the fire and smoke wouldn’t let the deputy inside.
Clair McFarlandMay 28, 2025
Prosecutor: More Charges Coming For Former Wheatland Teacher Accused In Sex Case
A former Wheatland teacher accused of sex crimes against a girl under 16 is expected to be charged in another criminal case involving a second alleged victim, a prosecutor said Wednesday. A judge also chose to keep Evan Whitt Bradley's bond at $500,000.
Clair McFarlandMay 28, 2025
Judge Blocks Trump's 'Egregious' Order Against Wyoming Tribe's Lawyers
A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s order that sought to punish a law firm that represents the Northern Arapaho Tribe. The firm worked with someone who investigated Trump and supports causes he deems un-American.
Clair McFarlandMay 28, 2025
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