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
Records Show UW Volleyball Players Split On Playing Team With Trans Player
Records of University of Wyoming communications show the women’s volleyball team was split on playing a team with a transgender player. Even so, UW leaders say they made the call to cancel games against San Jose State University.
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2024
Companies Say Explosions That Hurt Wyoming Oil Field Workers Were Their Own Fault
Two Wyoming energy companies being sued over a pair of explosions that hurt two oil field workers say they’re not at fault. In court filings, they say the injuries “were caused by their own negligence and the negligence of their employer.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 11, 2024
University Volleyball Team With Trans Player Headed To Playoffs
The San Jose State University women’s volleyball team is headed to the Mountain West Conference playoffs, the conference announced Saturday. Multiple teams in the Mountain West, including Wyoming, have refused to play the team citing safety and unfairness concerns.
Clair McFarlandNovember 10, 2024
UW Forfeits Second Volleyball Match Against Team With Transgender Player
The University of Wyoming athletics department announced Friday it would forfeit its upcoming women's volleyball match against San Jose State University. The California team features a formidable outside hitter whom court documents and fellow players say is transgender.
Clair McFarlandNovember 09, 2024
Man Gutted Dead Uncle's Wyoming Oil And Gas Company To Start His Own
A Green River, Wyoming, man who worked for his uncle’s oil and gas company for 38 years got probation Thursday for stealing from the company after his uncle’s death. When he couldn’t buy the company, he took its equipment and employees, court documents show.
Clair McFarlandNovember 09, 2024
Bill To Ban People From Suing Wyoming Cops For “Negligent Investigations” Advances
The Joint Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Thursday that would ban people from suing cops for their “negligent investigations.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2024
Unlike Other Universities, UW Not Offering Therapy After Trump Win
Many major universities are offering “election care” services like dog-petting and Lego-building to help students emotionally deal with the election after Trump's win. But not the University of Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2024
Campbell County Deputy Who Killed Shooter Acted In Self-Defense
A Campbell County, Wyoming, deputy who shot and killed a Wright man who'd fired a shotgun at his patrol vehicle acted in self-defense. That’s the determination of the county attorney after reviewing an independent state investigation into the incident.
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2024
Prosecutor Disputes Wyoming Hunter's Claim Friend's Shooting Death Was Accident
A 20-year-old Wyoming hunter says the gunshot that killed his best friend while duck hunting was an accident. But a prosecutor responded this week saying the death was the result of recklessness and the case against the hunter should move forward.
Clair McFarlandNovember 07, 2024
Gillette Woman Charged With Domestic Abuse Claims Boyfriend Punched Himself
A Gillette, Wyoming, woman charged with beating up her boyfriend told police he punched himself in the face Monday night. Police say her fists, not his, were scuffed.
Clair McFarlandNovember 07, 2024
Clair McFarland: Trying To Vote While Mom's Threatening To Make Campaign Signs
Clair McFarland writes: “'Absolutely do not post ANY photos of my kids holding campaign signs,'” I pleaded. My mom, ever the pink boa to my black suit, chirped back 'Oh silly, it’s for the class presidency.'"
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Wyoming Woman Says She Was Too Patient With Husband Accused Of Shooting At Her
A woman whose estranged husband is facing felony charges, on claims that he leveled a shotgun at her and fired it as she fled, says she wishes she hadn’t been so nice for so long.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Riverton School Board Candidate Gets Votes Even After Molestation Case Went Public
Riverton school board candidate Hunter DeVries received at least 509 votes Tuesday after his child-molestation case went public. Including absentee ballots and early voting, he won 1,016 total, which wasn’t enough to win the seat.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Fremont County Defeats Half-Percent Tax For Economic Development
Fremont County voters defeated the proposed renewal of a half-percent tax for economic development. The tax funds air and ground transportation, and numerous grants to private businesses and groups.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Tribal Leader Ivan Posey, D, Upends Penn To Win Wyoming Reservation District
Ivan Posey will be the only enrolled tribal member serving on the Wyoming Legislature after his victory Tuesday for House District 33 over incumbent Sarah Penn.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Sheridan Man Accused Of Shooting At Wife, Threatening Man Who Drove Her Home
A man from Sheridan County is facing arraignment Thursday on claims that he fired a shotgun toward his wife as she ran away on foot last month. He's also accused of pointing the shotgun at a man who drove his wife home.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2024
Nationally Notorious Serial Graffiti Vandal “Ciga” Targets Cody
A serial graffiti artist who lives in Wyoming and has been spray-painting “Ciga” onto public and private property across the country for a decade is wanted again, this time in Cody, court records show.
Clair McFarlandNovember 05, 2024
Gillette Library's 'Books Of Shame' Headed To Adult Section
The Campbell County Public Library system's board voted last week to disband its "new adult" section. Many visitors took that to mean new books for adults, but the section actually shelved controversial books for a younger audience.
Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2024
Wyoming Duck Hunter Says Fatal Shooting Was Accident, Not Crime
Gaige Zook, 20, is asking a judge to dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old. He says the gun fired accidentally while both he and the victim were on a duck hunt.
Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2024
'Wish They Would Stop': False Threats Prompt Lockdowns At Schools Across Wyoming
School shooting threats at multiple Wyoming schools, including in Cheyenne, Gillette and Riverton, prompted lockdowns and police searches Monday. The threats were unfounded, authorities have said, adding they “wish they would stop.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2024
'Can't Even Imagine Life Without Her': Lander Baby Survives 27 Surgeries
A doctor urged Tasha Anderson to get an abortion when she was pregnant with Jamesyn, whose heart is on the wrong side of her body. Now 18 months and 27 surgeries later, Anderson and her husband Sam say they "can't even imagine life without her."
Clair McFarlandNovember 03, 2024