Crime and Courts Reporter

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.

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Latest from Clair McFarland

A motel-style "vacancy" sign flashes red over the north door of the Laramie County jail at the intersection of Pioneer Avenue and 20th Street in downtown Cheyenne.

Laramie County Sheriff At It Again: Puts Red Neon Vacancy Sign Over Jail

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak is always trying something unique. This time, Kozak has put up a red neon vacancy sign over the county jail to remind everyone they are “open for business.”

Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2025

Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed Five In Fiery Wyoming Crash Dies In Prison

The wrong-way driver whose meth-fueled crash killed five young people in a fiery crash on Interstate 80 near Sinclair, Wyoming, in 2023 died in prison Tuesday. His case was unique, as the father of two of his victims forgave him and prayed for him relentlessly.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2025

U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso are among the cosponsors of a federal transgender sports ban.

Lummis And Barrasso Help Revive Federal Trans Sports Ban In Senate

Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis are among a host of co-sponsors federal law targeting transgender sports participation. Allowing biological males to compete against women is “disturbing, unfair and unsafe,” Barrasso says.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2025

Courthouses in Wyoming's Sixth Judicial District in Campbell, Weston and Crook counties.

Private Attorneys Say Being Forced To Be Public Defenders Could Cripple Them

A public defender shortage in northeast Wyoming could financially cripple private attorney's firms if they’re forced to take public defense cases, some lawyers told Cowboy State Daily this week. They urge lawmakers to fix the shortage.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2025

Suspect Running Over Tablet Didn’t Get Rid Of 7,000 Alleged Child Porn Pics

A Torrington man "unintentionally" ran over a tablet suspected of having 7,000 child porn files on it, court documents say. Then a woman stole it. Agents were still able to access the device, and the man now could face up to 10 years in prison.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2025

Riverton police and investigators at the scene in February 2024 where the dead body of a man was found near a local church.

Riverton Man Gets 7-15 Years For Beating Drinking Buddy, Leaving Him To Freeze To Death

Quinn Adam Duran of Riverton has been sentenced to between seven and 15 years in prison for the beating death of a drinking buddy, William Yellowrobe Sr. Prosecutors said Duran left Yellowrobe outside a church in freezing weather, where the man died.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2025

Stolen Winnebago Throws Sparks 50 Feet While Chased Through Cheyenne

A 44-year-old Cheyenne man was arrested Sunday, accused of running from the law in a stolen Winnebago with its tires shredded by spike strips. Video shows the RV throwing sparks 50 feet behind it while driving at high speeds through the city.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2025

Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner was killed in a shootout July 4, 2024, with park rangers at Yellowstone National Park. Here is a photo of Fussner inset on an image taken from body camera video from the shootout.

Feds Say July 4 Yellowstone Shooter Ranted About Non-Whites And “Race-Traitors”

A federal civil court filing released Friday said the Yellowstone concession worker who was killed in a July 4 shootout with rangers ranted about hating non-whites and “race-traitors.” It also called the man’s attempt at mass killing an act of terrorism.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2025

Terri Smith went from being chief judge on the Wind River Tribal Court to serving time in federal prison for marketing pills. But then she got clean, came home to her children, and now she’s desperate to get her story out to others who struggle with addiction, to convince them there’s hope.

Wyoming Judge Who Went To Prison For Drugs Reinstated To Practice Law

A Wyoming woman who went from being a tribal court judge, to a prison inmate, to an outspoken recovery mentor for addicts was reinstated Thursday to practice law in Wyoming. Terri Smith said she hopes her story can help to others struggling with addiction.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2025

Lander man killed in avalanche on Togwotee Pass

Lander Skier Killed In Avalanche On Togwotee Pass

An avalanche killed a Lander, Wyoming, man who was skiing Saturday on Togwotee Pass. Teton County Coroner Brent Blue told Cowboy State Daily that Kenneth Goff was identified as the skier.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2025

For Sam Lightner Jr.'s 12th book “In The Valley of the Warm Winds” focuses on the story of Eastern Shoshone Chief Washakie, who demanded sovereignty and recognition for his tribe from the ever-encroaching U.S. settlers.

Lander Man's Book An Anthem To "Unsung" Shoshone Chief Washakie

Lander author Sam Lightner has released his 12th book “In The Valley of the Warm Winds” which focuses on the story of Eastern Shoshone Chief Washakie -- who demanded sovereignty and recognition for his tribe from the ever-encroaching U.S. settlers.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 04, 2025

Courtroom in the Campbell County Courthouse in Gillette, Wyoming.

Lawyer Shortage Means Some Wyoming Defendants May Not Get Public Defenders

Unless a lawyer shortage eases, the Wyoming Public Defender’s Office will stop representing defendants charged with misdemeanors in northeast Wyoming. In a Thursday letter, three local judges urge private attorneys to take those cases.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025

Other Authors

Al Addison, who died Dec. 28, 2024, is the longest serving Northern Arapaho Business Council member in tribal memory. He was elected in 1994 and served until 2020. Before that he served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.

Anthony “Al” Addison, Northern Arapaho Tribe's Longest-Serving Leader, Dies

Anthony “Al” Addison is remembered by friends and family as someone dedicated to his people and helping others. The longest-serving leader on the Northern Arapahoe Business Council, Addison died Dec. 28. He was 75.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025

Gillette Man’s Mom Says He Didn’t Kidnap Woman During 100 MPH Joyride

The mother of a Gillette, Wyoming, man who is facing a felony kidnapping charge for allegedly holding a woman in a car while driving 80-100 mph around town said Friday he’s completely innocent.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025

Wyoming Troopers Say Truckers Are Printing Off Fake License Plates

Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers stopped two men in separate incidents last week, arresting them on suspicion of using fraudulent Indiana state license plates. Authorities allege the men worked together to print off fake plates using a mobile printer.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 03, 2025

Images taken from body cam footage of a March 8, 2024, officer-involved shooting in the 5200 block of Fishing Bridge. The Cheyenne Police Department released a 16-minute video critical incident report April 4, 2024, compiled of body cam video from multiple officers who responded.

Prosecutor Clears Cheyenne Cops Who Killed Man Who Took Wife Hostage

Laramie County’s top prosecutor said Thursday she won’t pursue charges against the Cheyenne Police Department officers who shot and killed a man who took his wife hostage. The man also shot at cops during standoff.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 02, 2025

Suspected Drive-By Shooter Charged With Attempted Murder Refuses To Go To Court

A suspected drive-by shooter charged with attemted first-degree murder refused to go to court Tuesday. He's accused of shooting at someone at a house, then leading police on a chase before a tire on his SUV fell off.