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 State Senator Interested In Special Session To Address Data Centers
Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz on Thursday said she’s calling for a poll among legislators to see if there is enough support for a special session to address data center concerns, like water use. Both the governor and Senate President called such a move premature.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026
Trump Sending $700 Million To Coal Industry, Boosting Wyoming Coal Mines
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the president invoked a national security law to send $700 million to the coal industry. That includes $75 million to boost construction of a coal export terminal in Oakland.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026
EPA Announces Push To Rescue Dave Johnston Coal Plant Near Glenrock
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it is proposing a rule to change an Obama-era 2014 Wyoming regional haze plan that would have shuttered the Dave Johnston Unit 3 power plant in Converse County.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026
Goat Dispute Turned Deadly: Supreme Court Rejects Self Defense Argument Over Man Who Killed Neighbor
Two neighbors in Weston County had a longstanding dispute over goats. It escalated when one man shot and killed the other. The Wyoming Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the self-defense argument of the man who said the neighbor charged him on a skid steer.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026
Wyoming Department Of Education Says Prepare For AI — Because It's Coming
The Wyoming Department of Education warned lawmakers this week that artificial intelligence is coming, so students should receive training outside of Facebook and Instagram. “The job of a school is to create real intelligence,” said Rep. Ocean Andrew.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026
Transgender Bathroom Protestor Faces Felony Assault Charge, Claims Self-Defense
The transgender Laramie resident who protested Wyoming’s cross-sex access ban for public bathrooms at the Capitol last summer is now waging a self-defense argument in a felony assault case. “I did not go looking for confrontation,” said Rihanna Kelver.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026
Gordon Orders 'Responsible' Data Center Development In Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon released an executive order on Wednesday telling state agencies to “promote responsible development of data centers and other large-load facilities.” The order comes as local governments create their data center rules.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026
Attorney Asks Wyoming Supreme Court For Special Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray
Cheyenne attorney George Powers, who filed a complaint calling for a criminal investigation against Chuck Gray for releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, asked the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday to appoint a special prosecutor.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026
City Of Rock Springs Catches Backlash For ‘Pride Month’ Declaration
The city of Rock Springs declared June is “pride month” — and is catching backlash. The city "made the whole month gay pride month and boy oh boy, people are upset,” says a councilman. The mayor countered that he wouldn't play gatekeeper on events.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026
Chuck Gray’s U.S. House Poll Leveled Disparaging Remarks Against Rasner, Friess
The poll U.S. House candidate Chuck Gray touted Monday leveled disparaging claims about opponents Reid Rasner and Steve Friess. It claimed Friess "never had a real job" and Rasner acted like a "Hollywood celebrity" during a marriage to "his gay husband."
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026
Why It's Possible For A Libertarian To Win Wyoming's U.S. House Seat
This year's election climate could make the perfect storm for Libertarian Shawn Johnson to win Wyoming's U.S. House seat, politicos say. That is, if he courts conservatives, and if the winner of the crowded GOP primary is hugely unpopular.
Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2026
Chuck Gray Leads U.S. House Poll With 21%, Followed By Rasner And Friess
In the first significant poll of Wyoming’s primary election season, Secretary of State Chuck Gray leads a crowded GOP U.S. House race with 21% support. Casper businessman Reid Rasner is second at 14%, and Teton County's Steve Friess is third at 10%.
Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2026
Clair McFarland: Don't Worry, A YouTuber Showed Me How To Cut Off My Hair
Clair McFarland writes: "But the wayward impulse had already gripped me. The decades of fussing with my hair, worrying how it looks and pouring my life into it had compounded into a load I could no longer shoulder. At least, not with all this other grownup stuff."
Clair McFarlandMay 31, 2026
Libertarians Nominate Combat Medic, Attorney Shawn Johnson To Run For U.S. House
Shawn Johnson won the Libertarian Party’s nomination for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat Sunday, after giving a speech that electrified attendees. "We’ve got a legitimate candidate this time,” said longtime leader of the Libertarian Party Richard Brubaker.
Clair McFarlandMay 31, 2026
Judge Orders Wyoming Republican Party To Follow State Law
In a setback to the Wyoming Republican Party’s long mission to gain independence from state law, a Uinta County judge Friday upheld multiple Wyoming election laws, dismissing the state Party’s claims that its rights trump them.
Clair McFarlandMay 30, 2026
Riverton State Rep. Doesn't File By Friday Deadline To Run After Residency Issue
A Riverton-based state House representative who lived outside his district for at least seven months of the past year did not file to run for reelection by Friday’s deadline, after the local county clerk opined he was ineligible.
Clair McFarlandMay 30, 2026
Despite His Videos, Wyoming Politicos Say Reid Rasner Campaign Is Not A Parody
Despite a series of bizarre, controversial and sometimes outrageous campaign videos, Wyoming politicos say Reid Rasner’s campaign for U.S. House is not a parody. “Why would somebody spend this much money on a joke?” said state Rep. John Bear.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2026
Gillette Lawyer Gives $25K To Reproductive Clinic, Calls Commission ‘Ass-Backward’
A Gillette-based attorney is so sick of Gillette Reproductive Health being denied money, he wrote a scathing letter and cut the group a check for $25,000. “I’m so sick and tired of the ass-backwards bull**** in the commissioners’ office,” he wrote.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2026
Democrats Now Have Parties In All Wyoming Counties For First Time In Modern Memory
For the first time in modern memory, Democrats have parties in all 23 Wyoming counties with Niobrara and Lincoln counties finally reviving theirs. "A lot of people are concerned with the Freedom Caucus," a spokesman for the Democrats said.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2026
Freedom Caucus Member Scott Smith Challenging Curt Meier For Wyoming Treasurer
Lingle-based state Rep. Scott Smith, a member of the Freedom Caucus, is challenging Wyoming Treasurer Curt Meier for his seat. Smith says he wants to increase Wyoming's wealth, while Meier said that, "He says he's going to do the same thing I am."
Clair McFarlandMay 28, 2026
Former Weston County Clerk Gets $720 Fine, No Jail As Prosecutor Ditches Felonies
The former Weston County Clerk who admitted to causing errors in the 2024 election was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in a deal that includes no jail time. That she resigned was “one of the main goals,” said the prosecutor.
Clair McFarlandMay 28, 2026