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
Former Riverton Cop Busted With Mail-Order Steroids Gets Deal
A former Riverton Police Department officer accused of mail-ordering illegal steroids has signed a plea agreement that could keep a felony off his record. Logan Alley admitted to buying the illegal steroids for his own use, court documents say.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2024
Thermopolis FFA Alumni Treasurer Accused Of Embezzling More Than $15,000
The treasurer of the Thermopolis, Wyoming, Future Farmers of America alumni committee is accused of embezzling more than $15,000 from the group. She allegedly admitted to police she took the money.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2024
Casper Man Who Killed Alleged Child Molester Sues Over Toe Amputated In Prison
A Casper, Wyoming, man who killed his granddaughter’s alleged molester four years ago is suing a health care provider over his toe being amputated in prison. He claims the doctors didn't apply the right salve to a wound.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2024
Douglas Woman Gets 14-23 Years In Prison For Abusing, Killing Mother
Edwina Leman was sentenced to between 14 and 23 years in prison for abusing her elderly mother and fatally injuring her. The prosecutor played videos in court, of Leman attacking and insulting her sickly mother. A defense attorney said Leman suffered from caretaker’s burnout.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2024
In Brief: Appeals Court Upholds Order To Allow 195-Foot Wapiti Cell Tower
A federal appeals court Friday backed a lower court's order that the Park County Commission must OK the building of a 195-foot cellphone tower in Wapiti just outside Yellowstone National Park.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2024
Woman Who Killed Ex By Running Him Down In SUV In Rock Springs Gets 45 To Life
A Utah woman who killed her ex-boyfriend by running him over in an SUV in a Rock Springs parking lot was sentenced Tuesday. Rene Daniels will serve between 45 years and life in prison.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2024
Thermopolis Man Sues Cops, Deputies Over Break-In And Tasing
A Thermopolis man filed a federal lawsuit Monday against Thermopolis cops and local deputies. He claims he was tased and injured by officers when they illegally broke into his home.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2024
Douglas Man Guilty Of Killing Cousin After Drinking Binge, Jury Finds
A Douglas man who had a long and sometimes traumatic Army career was found guilty of second-degree murder Friday. Mark Helms shot his cousin to death after a night of drinking in September 2023.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2024
Wyoming Man Trying To Get Federal Machine Gun Ban Overturned
A Wapiti, Wyoming, man is trying to overturn the nation's general ban on machine guns, and on Friday took his case to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. A firearms law experts says he makes a "respectable" argument, but a 2008 court ruling will likely block him.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2024
Shoshoni Woman Pleads Guilty To Shooting Naked Boyfriend, But Not His Harley
A Shoshoni woman could get up to seven years in prison after admitting Tuesday that she shot her naked boyfriend in the foot while he was putting his pants on. She was also accused of shooting his Harley-Davidson but that charge was dropped.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2024
Wyoming Man Caught In Child Sex Sting Video Pleads Not Guilty
A 57-year-old Hudson, Wyoming, man who was shown in a vigilante sex-crime YouTube video in Lander pleaded not guilty to a felony charge Thursday. He’s charged with attempted third-degree sexual abuse of a minor.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2024
205-Acre Wind River Fire Started In Trash Barrel And Burned One Home
A fire near Riverton on the Wind River Indian Reservation on Wednesday started in a trash barrel and burned one home. The fire quickly blew up to more than 200 acres and jumped the river before firefighters knocked it down.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
50-Person Search For Body Parts Near Cheyenne Got “All That We Could Find”
Laramie County officials have finished a 50-person search for human remains in a field south of Cheyenne, getting “all that we could find.” Now begins what could be a lengthy process of investigating who the person was.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
Riverton Man Charged With Beating Friend To Death Pleads Not Guilty
Accused of beating his friend to death in March, a 30-year-old Riverton man pleaded not guilty Thursday to manslaughter. The parents of his alleged victim cried in court and clutched a framed photograph of their son during the hearing.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
New Charge For Laramie Man Accused Of Duct-Taping And Torturing Woman
A Laramie man accused of duct-taping and torturing a woman is now charged with pressuring his victim into saying he didn't do it. His case rose to the Albany County District Court on Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
Grass Fire Threatens Wind River Homes, Planes Respond
Fremont County officials scrambled Wednesday afternoon when high winds whipped up a small grass fire on the north end of the Wind River Indian Reservation, which jumped the Wind River and headed toward dense brush and thicker residential areas of Riverton, and prompted the evacuation of at least one home.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2024
Man Charged With Bludgeoning Mother To Death May Be Sane Now
Israel Melvin, 24, charged with murder after police found his mother bludgeoned to death in January, is sane enough for a competency hearing, his attorney and a judge indicated Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2024
Rock Springs Police Officers Literally Dodge Bullets Fired From House
Rock Springs police say a man shot at them from inside his home Monday, barely missing an officer who ducked. Police arrested Kevin William Lorentzen on suspicion of aggravated assault and reckless endangering.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2024
Wyoming Wants Supreme Court To Let States Decide Bans On Child Sex Changes
Wyoming joined 21 other states Tuesday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to leave decisions about regulating child sex changes to states. The federal government, on the other hand, says access to child sex changes is a constitutional right.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2024
Special Prosecutor To Review Thermopolis Officer-Involved Shooting
Fremont County Attorney Patrick LeBrun has been appointed as the special prosecutor investigating a Sept. 9 Thermopolis officer-involved shooting, LeBrun confirmed Tuesday. It's his fifth time reviewing an officer-involved shooting.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2024
Search For Missing Hiker Stopped After U.S. Forest Service Denies Helicopter Drop
U.S. Forest Service authorities declined to authorize a helicopter drop of searchers into a remote region to look for missing hiker Austin King, who vanished last month. Federal officials said the attempt was too risky.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2024