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
Judge Says Rock Springs Woman Accused Of Making Child Porn Has To Stay In Jail
A Green River judge did not hesitate Thursday to deny a woman accused of making child pornography a chance to get out of jail and go to a treatment center. She’s also accused of smuggling meth into jail hidden in a genital orifice.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Full Speed Ahead: Trump Kills Biden Rule Limiting How Fast Trucks Can Go
Wyoming truckers are cheering a new Trump administration rule reversing a Biden-era agenda that would have put speed limiting devices — called governors — on semitrucks. Truckers say the Biden rule would have been a safety hazard.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Cheyenne Restaurant Owner Makes A Gay Joke On Sign — LGBTQ Group Borrows It
When a Cheyenne restaurant owner posted a PG-rated gay joke on his roadside sign, Wyoming’s top LGBTQ advocacy group decided to run with the joke — and call for more.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Thermopolis Woman Gets 24-30 Months For Stealing $25K From FFA Group
A Thermopolis woman who pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $25,000 from a Future Farmers of America fundraising group was sentenced Wednesday to 24-30 months in prison. Cody Dyan Stewart cheated kids of their scholarships, the group said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Laramie Homes Evacuated After Materials To Make Fireworks Discovered In House
Several homes in a Laramie mobile home park was evacuated Wednesday as authorities responded to a situation that involved “potential explosives in the area.” Emergency officials say materials to make fireworks were found in a home.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2025
Jackson Man Accused Of Killing Bicyclist While Driving Drunk Sent To Higher Court
A Jackson man accused of killing a bicyclist and local photographer will be tried in felony-level court, a judge ruled Wednesday. The judge also kept the man’s bond at $300,000 and forbade him from driving if he makes bail.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2025
Trump Administration Seeks To Defend Wyoming’s New Citizenship Voter Law
The U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump filed a brief in court Tuesday to help defend Wyoming’s new voter citizenship law. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says he’s “extremely grateful” to the department and Trump.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2025
UPenn Bans Trans Athletes From Women's Sports Same Day Wyoming Law Goes Into Effect
Wyoming State Sen. Wendy Schuler said Tuesday’s decision by the University of Pennsylvania to ban trans athletes from participating in women's sports marks “a great victory for our women and girls.” It happened the same day Wyoming's law that does the same thing went into effect.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2025
Trans Woman Breaks Wyoming’s New Bathroom Ban In State Capitol, Nothing Happens
Nothing happened Tuesday when a transgender woman flagrantly violated a newly implemented Wyoming law restricting people to the restroom corresponding to their birth sex in public buildings.
Matthew Christian & Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025
Wyoming’s New Laws: No Gun-Free Zones, Prove Citizenship To Vote And A Bathroom Ban
In all, 106 new Wyoming laws became active Tuesday. Now, most gun-free zones are gone, voters must prove citizenship and residency to register and people born male can’t use women’s bathrooms in government buildings.
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025
Deal For Manderson Police Chief Charged With Helping Girlfriend Avoid Drug Arrest
The former police chief of Manderson, Wyoming, accused of helping his girlfriend avoid a drug arrest has agreed to a plea deal. He’ll get probation and has to give up his policing certification.
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025
Judge Green-Lights Off-Label Prescribing Of Abortion Drugs
Lawmakers may have had Ivermectin in mind when they passed a law to safeguard doctors who prescribe off-label. But a judge on Monday ruled that, at least for now, that protection must apply to abortion-inducing drug providers as well.
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2025
Riverton Man In 130 mph Car Chase Faces Up To 7 Years In Prison
The Riverton man accused of leading Fremont County law enforcement on a 130-mph car chase through a construction zone last week could face up to seven years and 40 days in prison. His preliminary hearing is Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2025
Court Gives $15K Back To Man Who Bailed Out Fake Jackson 'Bitcoin Billionaire'
The man who posted a $50,000 bond to free the alleged “Bitcoin Billionaire” scammer from Teton County’s jail can have $15,000 of it back, a judge has ruled. The prosecution argues the suspect's promise to pay the bond back is another of his bogus promises.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2025
Cassie Craven: School Choice Is About Helping Students, Not Systems
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “The Wyoming Education Association plays victim in its lawsuit. It decries the scholarship with fundamental critique of how the capitalist system has this inherent tendency toward inequality and exploitation. How very Marxist.”
Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2025
Sen. Mike Lee Waves White Flag And Gives Up Public Lands Sell-Off Plan
Utah Sen. Mike Lee waved the white flag on Saturday evening and dropped his controversial public lands-selloff plan. Wyoming State Rep. Karlee Provenza said she was pleased but was concerned with the Wyoming congressional delegation's "lack of leadership."
Sean Barry & Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2025
Chuck Gray Asks Judge To Dismiss Lawsuit Against Proof-Of-Citizenship Voting Law
Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Wyoming’s new proof-of-citizenship voting law. He claims the complaint is brought by “radical left” groups that haven’t shown it could harm them.
Clair McFarlandJune 28, 2025
Supreme Court Upholds Porn Age Verification Days Before Wyo Law Takes Effect
A Supreme Court ruling upholding a Texas law that requires porn websites to verify visitors are adults protects Wyoming’s new age-verification law as well, its sponsor says. “The ruling is a complete win,” says Worland Republican Rep. Martha Lawley.
Clair McFarlandJune 28, 2025
Wyoming Judge Blocks School Choice Money Days Ahead Of First Payouts
A Cheyenne-based judge on Friday temporarily blocked the first phase of payouts for Wyoming’s new school choice program days ahead of the first checks going out July 1. The program gives $7,000 toward private schools or homeschooling for students.
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2025
Case Against Star Valley Man In Wife’s Death Proceeds After Contentious Hearing
After a contentious hearing full of objections, debates over court rules and photographs of his injured wife before she died, the manslaughter case against a Star Valley man advanced to District Court on Thursday.
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2025
Rawlins Homeschool Parents Blast Proposed Sports Ban At Board Meeting
Rawlins-area homeschool parents on Thursday blasted a proposal to ban their middle schoolers from sports and other public school activities. Several school board members then voiced opposition to the move.
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2025
RNC Wants To Help Chuck Gray Defend Wyoming’s Voter Citizenship Law
The Republican National Committee filed a motion Thursday to help defend Wyoming’s new law requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Secretary of State Chuck Gray said he welcomes the RNC to help “combat radical left-wing” opposition.
Clair McFarlandJune 26, 2025
Wyoming Takes Cautious Step Toward Licensing Natural Health Doctors
Wyoming lawmakers have taken a tentative step toward licensing naturopathic doctors to practice in the state. Multiple state representatives noted during the meeting that they've benefitted from natural healing.
Clair McFarlandJune 26, 2025
Bomb Squad Called For Device Found Near River In Lander — It Was A Fake Pipe Bomb
A bomb squad was called Wednesday to disarm what looked like a pipe bomb along Lander's Popo Agie River. An X-ray image showed the device to be a fake pipe bomb. It's the second time in three months people have found fake explosives in Fremont County.
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025
Four Arrested For Drag Racing ‘High-End Luxury Sports Cars’ In Grand Teton Park
Four people were arrested Tuesday, accused of drag racing "multiple high-end luxury sports cars" in Grand Teton National Park. A Wyoming auto writer says that’s foolish, and wonders “what would happen to a Lamborghini if it hit a black bear?”
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025
Wyoming Again Considers Banning Buying Junk Food With SNAP Benefits
A Republican state lawmaker is again seeking to ban buying junk food using Wyoming SNAP benefits. The federal government sends nearly $65 million a year into Wyoming homes through the program.
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025
Wyoming Legislators Wear Red To Warn Of Projected $700 Million Budget Deficit
Some Wyoming House members wore red jackets Tuesday to a legislative committee meeting as a warning of a projected nearly $700 million deficit. Detractors of the visual protest say those same lawmakers helped gouge state revenues.
Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025
Gillette Man Who Admitted Child Sex Crimes While Applying For Deputy Job Gets Deal
A Gillette man is set to plead guilty to child molestation Monday. Prosecutors say he confessed to the crimes while applying for a job at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office before he was to take a polygraph test.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025
After Intense Backlash, Lee To ‘Significantly Reduce’ Public Lands Up For Sale
After intense backlash over his plan to sell off federal public land in 11 Western states, including Wyoming, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is scaling it back. He said late Monday he will “significantly reduce” the scope of his plan.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025
Riverton Car Chase Hits 130 MPH, Ends In Rollover
Authorities on Saturday arrested a Riverton man for DUI and felony eluding after he bolted northward through a construction zone, hitting 130 mph in a car chase. Wyoming troopers did a tactical intervention, and the car rolled repeatedly.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025
Provenza Says Gordon, Hageman Are 'Partners In Public Land Grab'
As debate intensifies over the sale of federal lands, state Rep. Karlee Provenza says actions last year in a federal court case show Gov. Mark Gordon and Harriet Hageman are "partners in the public land grab."
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025
Riverton Man Who Stole Car With Baby Inside Pleads Guilty
The 29-year-old Riverton man who stole a car with a baby inside in it in February pleaded guilty Friday to one count of felony kidnapping. He faces a sentence of between eight and 10 years in prison or could be sent to a “boot camp” program.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2025
Rock Springs Man Shot In Neck During Weekend Altercation, No Arrests Yet
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office says no arrests have yet been made, but there is a person of interest in a Saturday evening altercation that left a man shot in the neck. An investigation continues, and there’s no threat to the public.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2025
Witnesses, Evidence Say Man Arrested At Speech Tournament Was With East High Team
Despite the school district saying a Cheyenne man arrested Thursday for causing a panic and stampede at the national high school speech competition wasn't associated with the East High team, witnesses and evidence say he was.
Clair McFarlandJune 21, 2025
Wyo Legislative Leaders Range From Lukewarm To Angry On Public Lands Sale
Leaders of the Wyoming Legislature range from lukewarm to angry about the proposed sale of federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. And even though they can’t do anything about it, they’re hearing from constituents.
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025
Cheyenne Man Arrested After Causing Panic At National Speech And Debate Tourney
A 22-year-old Cheyenne man with four national speech championship wins to his name was arrested Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, on claims he created a panic at the National Speech and Debate tournament that cleared the venue. He faces charges of disorderly conduct and drug possession.
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025
Wyoming Trooper Rolls Vehicle Stopping Colorado Homicide Suspect
A Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper rolled his vehicle Friday morning near Cheyenne while grappling the truck wheel of a homicide suspect who was fleeing Colorado, the local sheriff says.
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025
In ‘Extremely Rare’ Case, Rock Springs Woman Charged With Making Child Porn
In what authorities say is an “extremely rare” case, a Rock Springs woman is facing child pornography charges in Sweetwater County felony court. She’s scheduled to plead Monday on charges she made, delivered and possessed child porn.
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025
Wyoming Schools Say Banning Gun-Free Zones Is Hiking Insurance Rates
Multiple Wyoming school districts say the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones has prompted hikes in their liability insurance costs. The situation sparked debate between supporters and detractors of the new law at a legislative committee this week.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025
Brief: Two Gillette Motorcyclists Killed In Head-On Near Wright
Two Gillette men died Wednesday when a work truck collided head-on with both their motorcycles on the highway between Wright and Newcastle. Fatigue for the truck driver is being investigated as the cause of the crash.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025
Degenfelder Plans $6.4 Million School Choice Payout, But Judge Could Stop It
As a lawsuit against the program escalates, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder is still planning at this point to pay out $6.44 million for school choice July 1. A judge could decide next week to halt the payments.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025
Gillette Nursing Home Ignored Signs Of Fatal Overdose, Family Claims In Lawsuit
A Tramadol overdose in November killed Rhonda Parker, 66, who was living at a Gillette assisted living center. Her family sued the care facility Wednesday, claiming caretakers ignored severe signs of her overdose for hours before she died.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025
US Supreme Court Upholds Child Sex-Change Ban That’s Similar To Wyoming’s
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee’s ban on medical treatments related to gender changes for kids. That smooths the way for Wyoming's similar ban to survive in federal court, though it's still unclear how it would fare in state court.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025
Blue-Collar Sector To Wyoming Schools: Give Us More Welders
With voids of unfilled technical education jobs in Wyoming — like welders, plumbers and construction workers — the state needs to adjust its education system to those fields. That was the message from the state’s blue-collar sector to legislators Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025
Bloody, Beaten Man Found In Wheatland Liquor Store Is Alive, Family Says
A man found bloody and beaten in a shuttered Wheatland liquor store Saturday night is alive, his family says. Meanwhile, a 39-year-old local man was charged Monday with aggravated burglary on the theory he broke into the store to attack the other man.
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2025
Parents Suing State Claim Voucher Program Could Alienate Gay, Trans Students
The same judge who ruled against the state of Wyoming on funding public education has been assigned to a lawsuit challenging school vouchers. Some parents in the lawsuit claim vouchers can alienate “queer,” transgender and nonbinary students.
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2025
Photographer Wanted To Shoot Lightning; He Found Rarely Seen Lightning Bugs
A photographer out to get shots of lightning Saturday found a field full of rarely seen lightning bugs near Clearmont, Wyoming. It was a rare sighting because the bugs typically come out in humid weather, something in short supply here.
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2025
Drunk Intruder Shot By 85-Year-Old Riverton Man Could Get Probation
A Riverton man who was shot by a homeowner after police said he broke into a home drunk pleaded no contest to unlawful entry last week in Fremont County District Court. He could get probation.
Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2025