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 Tosses Lawsuit Against Sorority Over Wyoming Trans Member — Again
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority Friday for allowing a transgender member into its University of Wyoming chapter. It's the second time the judge has tossed the claim.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2025
Wyoming Highway Patrol, Truckers Support Trump's Work Visa Pause For Drivers
Wyoming officials and industry leaders support the Trump administration’s pause on issuing work visas for commercial truck driving, but critics say the move targets a small group and overlooks broader trucking safety issues.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2025
Rock Springs State Legislator Has Missed All Interim Meetings To Date
A state legislator from Rock Springs has not attended any meetings of the two interim committees he's on. Darin McCann told Cowboy State Daily on Friday that he didn’t realize the interim is so active and meetings are on days he can’t get away from work.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2025
Judge Allows Claim That Large Investors Conspired To Drive Up Coal, Energy Costs
A lawsuit by Wyoming and 10 other states can continue against giant investment companies, on claims they conspired to drive up coal and energy costs. They used their pull as coal shareholders to push “a climate activist agenda,” Gov. Mark Gordon has said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2025
Lyman Man To Plead Guilty In Fort Bridger Murder, Faces 50-75 Years In Prison
A Lyman man accused of killing another man by shooting him about 10 times last August has agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder. If the judge accepts the plea agreement, Gray will be sentenced to 50-75 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2025
Why It Took 18 Months And A Grand Jury Indictment To Charge Cody Roberts
Difficulties with evidence and a murder case delayed the investigation into Cody Roberts, the Daniel man accused of abusing a wolf last year. Now, Sublette County’s top prosecutor faces walking a legal tightrope if he wants to convict.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2025
Federal Appeals Court Says Waiting Periods To Buy Guns Are Unconstitutional
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Wyoming, has ruled that waiting periods to buy guns are unconstitutional. The ruling makes New Mexico's waiting-period law "likely" unconstitutional and casts doubt on a similar law in Colorado.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2025
Wyoming National Guard Feeling Money Pinch From Inauguration, ICE Missions
The Wyoming National Guard is preparing to help ICE, and provided $250,000 worth of security for President Trump’s inauguration. Now the Guard is bracing to cut back on normal "business," saying those responses could cause a budget shortfall if Congress doesn't help.
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2025
Cody Roberts, Accused Daniel Wolf Abuser, Indicted For Felony Cruelty To Animals
A Sublette County grand jury on Wednesday greenlit the indictment of Daniel man Cody Roberts for cruelty to animals, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of $5,000, the county’s top prosecutor says.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2025
Counselor's Sexual Harassment Case Against Casper Psychiatrist Is ‘Resolved’
The lawsuit filed by a licensed counselor accusing a Casper-based psychiatrist of sexual harassment has been resolved and dismissed without a trial. Along with making sexually-charged comments to women, he allegedly would joke about his own genitals.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2025
Man Killed By Shot Through Bedroom Wall With Pistol Also A Cheyenne Airman
The man killed in a Saturday shooting in Cheyenne was, like the alleged shooter, an airman stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, the military branch said Tuesday. The suspect is accused of firing a pistol through a wall, striking the victim.
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2025
Wyoming Legislators Consider 43% Fuel Tax Hike, WYDOT Warns Of $400M Shortfall
The transportation committee on Wednesday contemplated a bill to raise Wyoming's fuel tax 43% — from 23 cents to 33 cents by the summer of 2028. But it's challenging, lawmakers said, because constituents hate the word "tax."
Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2025
Wyoming Highway Patrol Backs State Bill To Ban Non-English Speaking Truckers
The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Tuesday said it supports legislation to pull non-English-speaking commercial truck drivers from the roads. During testimony, a trooper referenced a high-profile crash in Florida where an illegal truck driver killed three people last week.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2025
Cheyenne Airman Charged With Shooting Man Through Bedroom Wall With AK-47
An airman stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force base appeared in court Tuesday on an involuntary manslaughter charge on claims he shot another man through a bedroom wall with an AK-47-style pistol. It’s the second recent shooting involving a local airman.
Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2025
43-Year-Old Riverton Woman Found Dead In Burned-Out Trailer
Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed a trailer house north of Riverton on Friday evening. A 43-year-old woman was found dead in the ruins.
Clair McFarlandAugust 18, 2025
ICE Says It Doesn't Have Attempted Murder Victim Who Vanished, Blowing Up Case
Campbell County had to drop attempted murder charges against three Mexican nationals when their alleged victim vanished, court documents say. The three men were handed over to ICE, but the agency says it hasn’t had contact with the potential murder victim.
Clair McFarlandAugust 18, 2025
Drug Dog Sniffing Out Meth After Illegal Turn Was Fair, High Court Rules
It was lawful for a deputy to call in a drug dog and make a meth bust on a driver who made a premature right-hand turn in Gillette, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Friday. The driver is also serving 8-14 years for setting his home on fire.
Clair McFarlandAugust 18, 2025
Lummis, Neiman Back Pardon Effort For 65-Year-Old Mechanic EPA Put In Prison
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Wyoming House Speaker Chip Neiman support a pardon for a mechanic in prison for deleting emissions systems from diesel engines. Troy Lake's family seeks a presidential pardon, saying the Biden administration was over-zealous prosecuting him.
Clair McFarlandAugust 16, 2025
Man Who Once Blew Up Cop’s Car With Dynamite Accused Of Hauling 4 Pounds Of Meth
A 71-year-old Riverton man who blew up a Fremont County undersheriff’s patrol car with dynamite 52 years ago was arrested again this week — this time on felony-level drug charges. Investigators say they caught him with four pounds of meth in an F-150.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Committee Tables Bill That Would Fine Libraries $50,000 When Kids Access Sex Books
A bill that would create penalties for when kids access sex books and obscene materials in school or public libraries was tabled this week by a Wyoming legislative committee. Among the penalties is $50,000 for each time a kid accesses explicit materials.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Despite Being Booted From Committee Agenda, Columnist Gets Half-Hour Testimony
Despite a lawmaker removing him from a legislative meeting’s official schedule over his controversial column, former Wyoming House Speaker Tom Lubnau was allowed to testify Thursday — for 28 minutes.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Gerry Spence, Famed Defense Attorney And Wyoming Native, Dies At 96
One of the most famous trial attorneys of the 20th century and a proud son of Wyoming, Gerry Spence, died overnight Wednesday, at the age of 96. Spence was a legend among the trial bar — especially for his civil practice and criminal defense work.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2025
Arrest In Wyoming Base Death That Prompted Air Force To Ground M18 Handguns
An airman’s death at F.E. Warren Air Force Base prompted the Air Force to ground Sig Sauer M18 pistols, which have been linked to accidental discharges. Now someone has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and obstruction.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2025
Committee Says Bill That Targets Child 'Grooming' In Wyoming Needs More Work
Wyoming lawmakers tabled a bill Wednesday that could impose harsher prison sentences for grooming kids than for molesting kids, in some cases. Judiciary Committee members decided to revisit the proposal at their October meeting.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2025
Former House Speaker Booted From Committee Schedule Over Column
A Wyoming legislative committee chair booted former House speaker and public records expert Tom Lubnau from a committee agenda, citing Lubnau's confrontational political columns and concerns over maintaining decorum.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2025
Judge Denies Wyoming Request For School-Choice Payouts During Appeal
A Cheyenne-based judge on Tuesday denied a request by the state of Wyoming to let a new school-choice program operate while a legal challenge against it continues. The program would allocate to qualifying families $7,000 per child.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2025
Wyoming Board OKs 50% Battery Storage Increase For Laramie County Solar Project
In a 4-2 vote, state regulators approved Canadian energy company Enbridge’s request to expand battery storage for a massive solar farm project near Cheyenne. The OK came despite objections from a local rancher who said the land will never be the same.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers Scrap Plan To Have Senate Confirm State Justices
A proposed change to the Wyoming Constitution that would make state Supreme Court nominees clear senate confirmation died Tuesday – after numerous attorneys brought fierce debate to the Judiciary Committee.
Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2025
Rock Springs Councilman Cries Foul Over Contract For Wife Of Another Councilman
The nuclear industry debate has reached the city of Rock Springs, which just hired a contractor to educate the public about it. That the wife of a city councilman got that contract has another councilman crying foul, but the mayor says she's qualified.
Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2025
Darin Smith Sworn In As Interim U.S. Attorney For Wyoming
Darin Smith was sworn in Monday as interim U.S. Attorney, leaving his state Senate seat vacant. State Republican Party precinct committee people in his region have 15 days to send three nominees to the Platte and Laramie County commissions.
Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2025
Man Pleads Guilty To Child Sex Acts After Confessing To Church Members
A Casper man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty earlier this month to sex acts with young girls. He confessed to the girls' fathers and members of their church, asking for forgiveness and detailing his own rough upbringing.
Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2025
Clair McFarland: Don’t Worry, Middleborn Is Here To Save Absolutely Everyone
Columnist Clair McFarland writes: “When he saw my tears, Middleborn realized that he’d done a good thing. ‘Yeah,’ he said, brightening, ‘I SAVED all those people.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 09, 2025
Man Sentenced To 24+ Years for Deadly DUI Crash That Dismembered Motorcyclists
A 26-year-old Mexican national whose pickup “catastrophically dismembered” two motorcycle riders in Goshen County two years ago while driving while under the influence of methamphetamine was sentenced Thursday, to between 24.25 and 27 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2025
Wyoming Man Sues Ski Resort After Roller Coaster Seatbelt Allegedly Fails
Juan Camacho claims he was ejected from a roller coaster at a Jackson resort when his seatbelt failed, leading to injuries. He is suing Snow King Mountain Resort and manufacturer Wiegand Sports for alleged negligence and defective equipment.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2025
Reservation Meth Dealer With ‘Probable’ Cartel Ties Gets 15 Years, Deportation
A Mexican national the FBI said has “probable” Cartel ties was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison Thursday for trafficking meth and firearms on the Wind River Reservation.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2025
Woman Who Fell At Afton Park Bathroom Wanted $3 Million From Town, A Jury Say No
An Afton woman who fell at a public restroom in a local park in 2023 has lost her $3 million lawsuit against the town. A jury last week found the town wasn’t negligent in the fall that caused her “severe leg fracture.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2025
Woman, 61, Fires at Deputies in Wapiti, Park County Sheriff Reports
Deputies responded to a 911 call in Wapiti last week after a person called in a woman for firing a gun into the neighborhood. The suspected shooter, a 61-year-old woman, then allegedly fired toward deputies once they arrived.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2025
Laramie County Scraps Controversial Permitting Plan After Food Freedom Outcry
More than 200 residents showed up to a Laramie County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday to protest a proposed home business rule that they said ran violated the state's Food Freedom Act. The commissioners subsequently dropped the rule.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2025
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires At Rock Springs Dump Could Signal Bigger Disasters
A surge in garbage fires linked to lithium-ion batteries at the Rock Springs Landfill has officials warning of bigger, future hazards. One expert said he's working out a plan to shut down grid portions and cordon off areas if an electric car ignites.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2025
Brother Of Yellowstone Shooter Can’t Keep ‘Getaway’ Car, Federal Magistrate Says
The brother of a Yellowstone concession worker who died in shootout July 4, 2024, can’t get the shooter’s car. With a federal magistrate's Friday order, the government can keep the 2021 Nissan that Lucas Fussner reportedly intended as his "getaway" car.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2025
Gillette Nursing Home Sued For Woman's Overdose Death Wants Lawsuit Dismissed
The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette denies any wrongdoing in Rhonda Parker’s fatal opioid overdose in a Friday court filing. The center is asking a judge to throw out a wrongful death lawsuit.
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2025
Cheyenne Man Not Guilty In Stabbing Death Of Estranged Wife’s Boyfriend
A jury found a Cheyenne man not guilty Friday in the stabbing death of his estranged wife’s boyfriend. The man told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that the boyfriend had consumed a large amount of meth and charged him during a confusing scuffle.
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2025
Wyoming Man In Prison For Removing EPA-Mandated Filters Seeks Trump Pardon
A 65-year-old Wyoming man is in federal prison for pulling EPA-mandated emissions systems from ailing diesel engines. As the Trump administration inches toward reversing those mandates, Troy Lake's family is pushing for the president to pardon him.
Clair McFarlandAugust 02, 2025
As Corp. For Public Broadcasting Shuts Down, Wyo. PBS and Public Media Press On
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Friday it’s shutting down after Congress stripped it of the next two years' federal funding. What that means for Wyoming PBS is less money, but not a shutdown, CEO Joanna Kail says.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
Worland Man Guilty Of Shooting HIs Dog Six Times To ‘Put It Out Of My Misery’
A Worland man was found guilty this week of shooting his own dog six times, with court documents saying he wanted to “put it out of my misery.” The dog’s new owner said Friday that the 1-year-old border collie mix is still recovering.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
Man Dubbed The ‘High Country Harasser’ Has Mental Health Issues, Mother Says
A man accused of harassing hikers along the Continental Divide Trail in Wyoming needs mental help, his mother says. She also takes issue with his being dubbed the “High Country Harasser,” but agrees he could pose a danger to others and himself.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
Grand Jury For Cody Roberts Over Wolf Torture A Rare Route In Wyoming
A grand jury is being convened for Cody Roberts, the Daniel, Wyoming, man who ran down a wolf, taped its mouth shut and showed it off before killing it in 2024, according to a Wyofile report. Convening a grand jury is rare in Wyoming, but not unheard of.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025
One Dead, Another Hurt In Head-On With Semi On Highway 220 Near Muddy Gap
“You need to get people coming,” a commercial truck driver said he told the 911 operator Wednesday night about a head-on crash between a car and a semi. Authorities confirm one person was killed in the crash on Wyoming Highway 220 near Muddy Gap.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025