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
Zwonitzer Voted For Wyoming’s Child Sex-Change Ban, Now Arguing Against Tennessee’s
State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer voted for Wyoming’s ban on sex-change treatments for children, but is arguing in the Supreme Court against a similar ban in Tennessee. He says his Wyoming vote was a compromise, and he’s fighting for parental rights.
Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2024
Fourth Team Joins UW Volleyball In Refusing To Play Squad With Trans Player
Utah State University is the latest Mountain West Conference volleyball program to refuse to play San Jose State University. Four teams have so far forfeited rather than playing SJSU, which has a transgender player in its starting lineup.
Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2024
Northern Arapaho Tribe's Governors Won't Do What Its Lawmakers Say
The Northern Arapaho Tribe's executive branch has refused to pass changes passed by its legislative branch. Several tribal members are furious, and emphasize that the executive-branch governors are up for reelection soon.
Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2024
Teen Charged In Cheyenne School Shooting Threat Had Paper Gun
An 18-year-old charged with making a shooting threat at Cheyenne East High School last week turned himself in to police Tuesday. He reportedly had a paper gun in the school.
Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2024
Prosecutor Has Evidence To Try Lyman Man For Murder One, Judge Rules
A Lyman, Wyoming, man accused of killing an acquaintance by shooting him 6-10 times with a .45-caliber pistol will face a first-degree murder charge. An Evanston judge advanced his case to felony-level court Thursday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2024
Former Riverton Officer’s Lawsuit Settlement Was $5,000
The City of Riverton on Wednesday released its lawsuit settlement agreement with Billy Whiteplume, a former Riverton police detective, revealing that the city’s liability pool paid out $5,000.
Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2024
Cody Pair Accused Of Trafficking 7,000 Fentanyl Pills, Meth From Aurora, Colorado
Korinne McKay and Wayne Wright of Cody face up to 80 years in prison each for allegedly bringing 7,000 fentanyl pills and meth into Wyoming. They're accused of trafficking the drugs from Aurora, Colorado.
Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2024
Missing Yellowstone Hiker’s Dad: “Just Keep Praying For Him”
Austin King hasn't been heard of since to summited the tallest peak in Yellowstone National Park on Sept. 17. The 22-year-old's father asks people to "just keep praying for him" even as officials scale back search efforts for him.
Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2024
University Of Wyoming Volleyball Will Forfeit Match To Team With Trans Player
The University of Wyoming volleyball team will forfeit its Saturday match with San Jose State University, which has a transgender player. UW had previously said it would play, but has been under pressure to forfeit from an advocacy group and Republican lawmakers.
Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2024
Wyoming Parents Suing Over School's Gender Transition Tap National Expert
The couple suing a Wyoming school district on claims that staffers worked to socially gender-transition their teen behind their backs is planning to bring a nationally known expert to trial with them.
Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2024
Johnson County Prosecutor's Wife Pleads Guilty To Starting 30-Acre Fire
Wife of Johnson County’s top prosecutor admits starting a 30-acre wildfire the same day the House Draw fire was started. While pleading guilty, Laura Ruby told a judge she used a burn barrel on her property during a county burning ban.
Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2024
Former Riverton Police Officer Who Claimed Hostile, Racist Treatment Settles Lawsuit
The first enrolled Northern Arapaho Tribal member to become a Riverton police officer has settled a lawsuit he filed against the Riverton Police Department and city. He had claimed a hostile and racially offensive work environment.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2024
Cheyenne Man Gets 5-7 Years For Shooting Man In Foot In “Instance Of Stupidity”
A 19-year-old Cheyenne man got five to seven years in prison Monday for shooting his brother's justified killer in the foot earlier this year. Saying the crime doesn’t fit his character, the judge called the shooting an “instance of stupidity.”
Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2024
Man Accused Of Bleaching Out $1 Bills To Make $100 Bills Could Get 45 Years
An Oregon man caught in a Wyoming drug bust is accused in a federal indictment of bleaching out $1 bills to make fake $100 bills. Although he was acquitted on the drug charges, he could get up to 45 years if convicted of counterfeiting.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2024
Clair McFarland: Put Some Garlic On It
Clair McFarland writes, "This isn’t medical or economic advice, but if I were prepping for societal fallout, I’d stockpile garlic. I’m not responsible for what happens to you if you adopt any of my hillbillyisms."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2024
2nd School Drops Match With San Jose State Amid Trans Controversy, UW Match Still On
Boise State is the second college to cancel a match against San Jose State University amid controversy about a transgender player in San Jose’s lineup. Meanwhile, UW will still play SJSU on Oct. 5.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Family Says Search For Missing Yellowstone Hiker Shifts From “Rescue” To “Recovery”
A search in Yellowstone National Park for a missing 22-year-old hiker has shifted focus from “rescue” to “recovery,” the man’s family has announced. But the park was unwilling Friday to confirm that.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Jackson Lawyer Threatens To Oust Lander School Board Member Over Contract
A lawyer from Jackson representing anonymous clients is threatening to sue to oust a Fremont County School District board member, over the member’s temporary contract as a special-ed evaluator.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Thermopolis Man Gets 30-50 Years For Molesting Boy For 10 Years
A 44-year-old Thermopolis, Wyoming, man was sentenced to between 30 and 50 years in prison for molesting a boy from ages 4-14, according to an order filed Thursday. He reportedly finally stopped when another boy claimed he also was molested.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Suspect In Ethete Convenience Store Shooting Pleads Not Guilty
A Fremont County man pleaded not guilty Thursday to claims that he shot another man repeatedly outside a convenience store in Ethete, Wyoming, last month. Dustin Larson Trosper could face between 25 years and life in prison.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Accused Torrington Girlfriend-Beater Evaded Earlier Charges For Eight Years
A Torrington, Wyoming, man accused of brutally beating and pistol-whipping his girlfriend had evaded police for eight years on earlier charges. Those cases also include allegations of beating another woman, burglary.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024