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
Lawmaker Questions Wyoming Adjutant General Over Presence Of UFOs
At an appropriations hearing Friday, Wyoming Adjutant General Greg Porter fielded a question by Senate Committee Chair Tim Salazar about UFOs in Wyoming. Porter said he preferred not to discuss UFOs in open testimony.
Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025
UW Seeks Extra $54 Million On Top Of Its $440 Million State-Funded Budget
Some members of the legislative Joint Appropriations Committee asked questions about the need for UW to receive an additional $54 million on top of its $440 million state-funded budget. UW leaders countered that extra funding was necessary.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025
University Of Wyoming Wants Extra $3 Million From Legislature After NIL Deals
The financial landscape of college athletics is straining the University of Wyoming’s athletics budget as it tries to keep up with exploding NIL deals for Division I recruits. The school is asking the Legislature for an extra $3 million a year.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025
Uinta County Commission Chairman Arrested, Charges Under Review
The Uinta County Commission chairman was arrested last week on suspicion of domestic battery, the Evanston police chief confirmed Thursday to Cowboy State Daily. Possible charges against Mark Anderson are under review by an out-of-county prosecutor.
Clair McFarlandDecember 11, 2025
Fatal Shooting Of Friend In Sublette County Ruled Self Defense
A special prosecutor ruled Tuesday that a Sublette County man who fatally shot his friend last July used reasonable defensive force as the other man swung an animal trap at him.
Clair McFarlandDecember 11, 2025
With Feds Ditching Public Media, Wyoming Public TV Request to State Triples
Wyoming Public Television CEO Joanna Kail asked state lawmakers on Wednesday to fill a $3 million funding gap from federal cuts that Congress made earlier this year. One legislator asked why the outlet's product is worth the backing of government.
Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025
Second Man Pleads Guilty In Big Piney Bow And Arrow Murder
A Big Piney man pleaded guilty Wednesday, to killing another man with a bow and arrow in February, then riddling his scalp with BBs. Rowan Littauer could face between 75 years and life in prison if District Court Judge Kate McKay accepts his plea agreement.
Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025
Duo Charged With Kidnapping Teenage Girl Wanted By ICE
The two men the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested last week for kidnapping a teenage girl are wanted by ICE. The men, 33-year-old Pedro Giron Perez and 22-year-old Alexcer Solis Gomez, remained Monday in the Carbon County Detention Center.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025
Pine Bluffs Mayor Chosen To Fill Rep. John Eklund's Seat
Pine Bluffs Mayor Justin Fornstrom is vacating his town seat to fill the House vacancy left by the late Rep. John Eklund. He said balancing a budget, serving his community, backing traditional Wyoming industries and doing things to "make John proud" are his priorities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers Worry 'Bear Care' Is Just More Government In Insurance Market
Wyoming lawmakers on Monday criticized the Wyoming Department of Health’s proposed emergency insurance program, “Bear Care.” Rep. John Bear said, "Government created the problem in the first place. I'm not inclined to want to compete in the private sector."
Clair McFarlandDecember 08, 2025
Jackson Man Agrees To 10-12 Years In Prison For DUI Crash That Killed Photographer
A Jackson man agreed to plead guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI for a June 21 crash that killed a photographer riding her bicycle near South Park Loop. Jody Utter faces 10-12 years in prison if the judge accepts the plea deal.
Clair McFarlandDecember 06, 2025
Legislators Grill Wyoming Business Council, Say It ‘Picks Winners And Losers’
The Wyoming Business Council was grilled by legislators this week over its $111.8 million budget request, while Gov. Mark Gordon recommends it receive about half that. At least one legislator wants to eliminate the agency.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
Daughter Of Rock Springs Police Chief Gets 42 Days For Poisoning Roommate's Dog
The daughter of the Rock Springs, Wyoming, police chief was sentenced to 42 days in jail and $2,224 restitution Wednesday for poisoning her roommate’s dog, leading to its having to be put down.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
UW Graduate In Transgender Sorority Member Lawsuit Speaks At White House
A former University of Wyoming student who sued her sorority for admitting a transgender member spoke Wednesday at a White House education event. She joined a discussion on political bias in U.S. universities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
Former Laramie Mayor, Lobbyist Accused Of Stealing From Mental Health Group
Former Laramie mayor and lobbyist Andi Summerville is accused of stealing over $31,000 from a Wyoming mental health nonprofit she led, facing eight felony charges after investigators found unauthorized purchases and self-written checks.
Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025
'Road Rage' Trucker Says Pickup Driver Actually Shot At Him
A trucker accused of shooting at a pickup with a child inside claims the pickup driver actually fired first in a road rage incident. A judge found probable cause Wednesday to send the case to district court on multiple felony charges.
Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025
Worland Man Who Riddled His Own Dog With Bullets Gets Probation, Fines
A Worland man who riddled his own dog with bullets was sentenced Wednesday to three years' supervised probation and fined $1,000. He says he’s had death threats over the incident and that that the punishment seems harsh for such a “miniscule” crime.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025
Father Sues Jackson Newspaper For $25 Million Over Child Abuser Claim
An aviation consultant whose child custody battle raged for years in Wyoming’s court system sued Jackson Hole News&Guide on Tuesday for $25 million, claiming it falsely labeled him a child abuser despite court documents saying otherwise.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025
Two In Jail On Claims They Were Being Paid To Drive Teen Girl Through Wyoming
Two remained in a Rawlins jail Tuesday on claims they kidnapped and were being paid to transport a 16-year-old girl from Wisconsin to Utah. Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers stopped them Saturday on Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2025
Rasner’s Defamation Case Against Bouchard Survives First Hurdle
A Casper man who ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 and made headlines with an aspiration to buy TikTok can keep suing a former state legislator, a judge has ruled. Reid Rasner claims Anthony Bouchard defamed him as part of "a coordinated smear campaign."
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2025
Wife Of Cody Man Accused Of Child Sex Abuse Charged On Cover-Up Claim
A Cody woman accused of wiping her husband’s phone clean after he was arrested on suspicion of child sex crimes faces up to 6.5 years in prison and fines if convicted. She and her husband have preliminary hearings Thursday.
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2025