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
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon Will Not Seek Third Term
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday announced he will not seek a third term in office. Wyoming law limits the governor to two terms, but Wyoming Supreme Court precedent suggests that law could be overturned easily. “We have just come off a solid legislative win," Gordon said.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2026
Lummis Says Congress Should Set Major Climate Change Rules, Not EPA
Wyoming's Sen. Cynthia Lummis has teamed up with Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz to defend the EPA's about-face on Obama-era climate change regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Let Congress make those decisions, they argue.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2026
Oregon Man Challenges Yellowstone's Rules As Unconstitutional Overreach
An Oregon man accused of violating Yellowstone National Park’s fishing restrictions and a road closure is challenging the park’s rules as unconstitutional overreach. If he wins, it could upend the park’s ability to enforce many of its rules.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2026
Five Wyoming U.S. House Candidates Condemn Trump’s Jesus-Like Image
Five Wyoming U.S. House candidates, including three Republicans, condemn President Trump's posting of a Jesus-like image of himself. One called the image “blatantly blasphemous,” while another said it wasn’t as bad as "so many worse things he’s done."
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2026
Three Rematches Set, So Far, In Wyoming's House Races
At least three rematches in the Wyoming House of Representatives have surfaced so far this campaign season, and one more looks likely. They all feature Republicans facing other Republicans and challengers aren't particularly complimentary of their foes.
Clair McFarlandApril 14, 2026
Legislature's To-Do List: Business Council’s Future, AI And Consider Wind Tax
Wyoming lawmakers plan this year to reevaluate whether the Wyoming Business Council has a future, study the effect of artificial intelligence on education, and the prospect of taxing wind energy facilities.
Clair McFarlandApril 14, 2026
Cheyenne Attorney Files Complaint For Criminal Investigation Of Chuck Gray
A Cheyenne-based attorney is asking Wyoming authorities to investigate Secretary of State Chuck Gray for alleged election-related crimes. George Powers says Gray violated state election law by giving sensitive voter data to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Clair McFarlandApril 13, 2026
No Show Construction Boss Gets 8-10 Years For Cheating Niobrara County Customers
A construction company owner who cheated customers of Niobrara County out of nearly $200,000 by abandoning jobs was sentenced last week to between eight and 10 years in prison. The businessman's license was suspended in Michigan, where he faced similar troubles.
Clair McFarlandApril 13, 2026
Woman Who Hit Two Elk While Speeding, Killing Friend In Car, Acquitted Of Felony
A 19-year-old Casper woman did not commit a felony when she hit two elk while speeding on a highway, killing a friend in her car, a jury ruled Thursday. She was instead convicted of misdemeanor negligent homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, and speeding.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2026
Gubernatorial Candidate Vying For Constitution Party Nomination Suspends Campaign
Joseph Kibler, who first ran for the GOP nomination, then floated a write-in or unaffiliated run, then sought the Constitution Party nomination for the Wyoming governor’s race, announced Friday he’s stepping away from his campaign.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2026
Gordon Apologizes For Telling Gray To 'Shut Up,’ Urges More Formality At Meetings
Gov. Mark Gordon apologized to Secretary of State Chuck Gray this week for telling Gray to “shut up” last week, calling for more formality at meetings from now on. It’s the latest in a long-running feud between the governor and secretary of state.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2026
Wyoming Freedom Caucus Members Split On Who Should Be Governor
Despite being in the Freedom Caucus together, neither Rep. Pendergraft nor Rep. Haroldson were shocked Thursday to find they're endorsing different candidates in the governor’s race. Pendergraft is behind Brent Bien while Haroldson supports Degenfelder.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2026
Man Accused In Green River Bombing To Plead Guilty In Identity Theft Case
A man accused of injuring his wife with a bomb in Green River and then eluding authorities for 44 years is expected to plead guilty in an identify theft case. After the bombing, he allegedly stole the identify of a dead college classmate.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2026
Weston County Clerk Quits One Day After Felony Arrest On Election-Related Charges
Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock resigned Thursday one day after she was charged with two felonies, the chair of the local Republican party, Kari Drost, has confirmed. The resignation averts a civil trial that had been set for Monday.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2026
Weston County Clerk Arrested On Felony Election-Related Charges
Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock was arrested Wednesday morning on two election-related felony charges, then released on her own recognizance roughly two hours later. Each is punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Cody Roberts, Wolf Abuser, Gets 18 Months Probation, Prison Possible If He Fails It
Cody Roberts, known for torturing a wolf in February 2024 in Daniel, Wyoming, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months’ probation and fined $1,000, with prison and more fines possible if he fails probation. The judge called the crime disturbing.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Here's What Red States That Didn't Hand Voter Data To The Feds Are Saying
While Wyoming was among the first states to hand sensitive voter data to the Dept. of Justice last year, six GOP-led states and 23 Democrat-led states are fighting the initiative in court. "The Radical Left and media will stop at nothing," Chuck Gray said.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Wyoming Delegation Stands By Trump After 'Whole Civilization Will Die' Post
Wyoming’s congressional delegation did not condemn President Trump’s Tuesday pre-Iran-ceasefire threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight," while some cast it as a call for genocide. "It’s time for Iran to choose peace," said Sen. Barrasso.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2026
Democrat Lisa Kinney Enters House Race, Says Protect Public Lands
Calling for more state sovereignty over key issues, former state lawmaker and attorney Lisa Kinney is running for the Democratic nomination for Wyoming’s only U.S. House seat. She could face whoever survives the huge rumble in the Republican primary.
Clair McFarlandApril 07, 2026
Riverton Man Gets 30-40 Years For Fatally Stabbing 14-Year-Old
A 23-year-old Fremont County man who admitted in court he "stabbed a guy in the back” was sentenced Monday to 30-40 years in prison. He'd pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for stabbing a 14-year-old in a brawl north of Riverton last August.
Clair McFarlandApril 06, 2026
Family Attempts First Major Non-Luxury Housing Development In Teton County In 30 Years
A Teton County family promises to price-cap 70% of the homes in a new 553-house neighborhood south of Jackson. It would be the first major non-luxury development of 100 or more homes in the nation’s wealthiest county in 30 years.
Clair McFarlandApril 06, 2026