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 Congressional Candidate Reid Rasner Fired By Clearinghouse
Wyoming congressional candidate Reid Rasner, who works as a financial advisor, was “discharged” from his broker clearinghouse company in late April on allegations that he “engaged in unapproved outside business activity,” federal filings say.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2026
35 Candidates, Including Two Wyo Gov Hopefuls, Sign Love Your Enemies Pledge
The Wyoming group that launched a civility movement after the killing of Charlie Kirk has gotten 35 candidates to sign a peacemaker pledge to love their enemies. That includes gubernatorial candidates Eric Barlow and Megan Degenfelder.
Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Call For Raises For Prosecutors And Judges
Wyoming lawmakers started work Tuesday to lift the upper limit on county prosecutors' salaries from $153,700 to $180,000. The bill would raise Wyoming Supreme Court Justices’ salaries to nearly $225,000 and district court judge salaries to almost $202,000.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Declines To Appoint Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a Cheyenne-based attorney’s request for an order appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Secretary of State Chuck Gray for handing sensitive voter data to the federal government.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026
Wyoming Business Council Chief Spars With Committee That Tried To Kill Agency
The head of the Wyoming Business Council sparred Monday with the Joint Appropriations Committee, which has tried to kill it. "No answer, no money," was the reply CEO Josh Dorrell got when he said he won't know the WBC's budget ask until August.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026
Clair McFarland: Y'all Could Learn A Thing Or Two From My Dad
Clair McFarland writes, "To me, the valiant man of our world is the one who makes things run, makes things last, makes things hold their purpose under pressure. That’s my dad.”
Clair McFarlandJune 21, 2026
We Know Surveillance Cameras Are Being Used, But So Are Surveillance Microphones
While Wyoming debates surveillance cameras, what's gone largely unsung and un-debated is sound sensor technology. Law enforcement authorities in Cheyenne say they are using noise sensors to detect gunshot sounds. Some worry it could lead to "mission creep.”
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2026
Lander Man Faces Homicide Charges, 42 Years In Double Fatal Riverton Crash
A Lander man faces homicide charges and up to 42 years in prison in connection with a Wednesday Riverton crash that killed two people. “I’m terribly sorry about what happened,” he said in court on Friday. “I’ve just been fighting addiction my whole life.”
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026
Judge Orders Wyoming Board Of Equalization To Enforce 4% Property Tax Cap — For Now
A Cheyenne judge Friday ordered the Wyoming Board of Equalization to apply a law capping residential property tax increases at 4% annually — for now — despite the board’s claim the cap violates the Wyoming Constitution. Gov. Gordon sued the board this week.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026
Firearms Expert Says Supreme Court Marijuana Case Important For Wyoming Gun Owners
George Mocsary, a firearms law expert, says the U.S. Supreme Court's Thursday opinion upholding a marijuana user's right to keep a gun is important for Wyoming. "The case is ultimately about whether government can take away a constitutional right," he said.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026
John Bear, One Of The Freedom Caucus’ Most Powerful Members, Has A Challenger
John Bear, one of the most powerful members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, has a GOP challenger for his Gillette House district. "I don’t see myself being a career politician,” said Doug Moore. “I am the only conservative in this race,” countered Bear.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026
License Plate Cameras At Entrances To Wind River Reservation Spark Controversy
The Drug Enforcement Administration has installed license plate cameras on or around the Wind River Reservation, authorities confirmed Thursday. "All this stuff is somewhat '1984'-ish," Sen. Cale Case said. "It’s a big step in our surveillance society.”
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026
Two Dead, One Tackled And Arrested in Riverton Crash
Two people died Wednesday evening after a two-vehicle crash unfolded in front of Riverton’s Walmart. Law enforcement officers tackled a suspect who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular homicide.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026
Hot Springs County GOP Members Walk Out After Failed Vote To Drain Account
The Hot Springs County GOP rejected a party leader's bid Monday to nearly drain its bank account and send $4,000 to the state party. Then five people on the losing side of the question walked out, leaving not enough voters to pay their bills.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026
Pentagon Report Documents Giant Potato-Shaped UFO Over Colorado Springs
After Wyoming lawmakers grappled with the topic of UFOs last year, the Pentagon released a report of five U.S. Army service members who said they observed a giant translucent airborne potato-shaped UFO over the Cheyenne Mountains in 2022.
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026
Supreme Court Upholds 21-To-26-Year Sentence For Casper Cop Who Caused Standoff
The state Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the 21-to-26-year prison term for a former Casper police officer who shot at other officers during a standoff. He argued a judge wrongly disregarded his plea deal to sentence him to a term five times longer.
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026
Gordon Sues His Tax Board For Blocking Property Tax Cap
Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday sued his tax board for refusing to recognize a 4% limit on property tax increases. He said the board exceeded its law-given authority, and the executive branch's job is just to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed."
Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2026
AG Says Prosecutors Declined To Charge Chuck Gray With A Crime
Wyoming's attorney general on Tuesday said he appointed two prosecutors to investigate whether Secretary of State Chuck Gray violated any laws by releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, but neither decided to charge Gray with a crime.
Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2026
Coal Industry Frustrated With GOP Candidates Who Want To Kill Data Centers
Wyoming’s coal sector is startled at Republican candidates who oppose data centers. Industry leaders say the revival of coal is driven by demand for energy from data centers. "It's frustrating," said Travis Deti, of the Wyoming Mining Association.
Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2026
Court Filings Say Wyoming Boys' School Staffers Restrained, Attacked Boys
A group of young men suing the Wyoming Boys’ School claim they were attacked, confined in a chair and made to wear a mask. “The best part of the chair is watching the kids cry and scream,” a security guard is alleged to have said.
Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2026
Legislators Vow To Fix Food Freedom Act After Months Of Controversy
Wyoming lawmakers Friday vowed to rework the Food Freedom Act after months of controversy at small-time food producers and family-owned shops. “Reasonableness [has]gone out the window,” said a business owner who was ordered to stop selling raw milk lattes.
Clair McFarlandJune 14, 2026