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
Clair McFarland: Sometimes My Mom Walks In And Sets Me Straight
Clair McFarland writes: "That was when my mom walked in wearing one of her fancy halter top things, carrying a box of black licorice (my favorite) and a sequined purse with a conceal-carry pocket for her pistol — and called out 'Yoo-hoooo! Grandma’s here!'"
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2024
Cost Of House Draw Fire At $25 Million, Johnson County Asks For Ag Disaster Declaration
The House Draw Fire in Johnson County has burned nearly 175,000 acres and cost landowners an estimated $25 million. The county is asking the state of Wyoming to declare an agriculture disaster that could mean up to 75% reimbursement.
Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2024
Man Who Took Woman From Bloomberg Ranch, Held Her Hostage At Cheyenne Motel, Convicted
A Colorado man intent on killing media mogul Michael Bloomberg, but instead kidnapped a woman, was convicted Wednesday. He was caught holding her hostage in a Cheyenne motel.
Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2024
Wyoming’s Wildfires At Least 66% Contained, Have Burned 460,000 Acres
Firefighting crews continue to make progress on large wildfires in northern Wyoming that have burned nearly 460,000 acres. All but one is at least 66% contained Friday as local efforts shift to damage assessment.
Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2024
Fired Gillette Librarian Wants To Use Texas Ruling For LGBTQ Discrimination Suit
A Texas court ruling could impact the lawsuit of a former Wyoming librarian fired for refusing to remove books. A Thursday motion from the former Gillette library director says the Texas ruling opens the door for an LGBTQ discrimination claim.
Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2024
Judge Rejects Self-Defense Claim Of Woman Who Bear-Sprayed Visitor At Campsite
A Wyoming judge on Thursday rejected a tourist’s claim that bear-spraying an unwelcome visitor to her Bridger Teton National Forest campsite was self-defense. Her aggravated assault case can go forward to trial.
Clair McFarlandAugust 30, 2024
Lawyer Who Won $127K For Cheyenne Police Break-In Now Suing Guernsey Cops
A former Guernsey man is suing two cops and the former police chief for tasing him during a warrant service. He’s represented by the same lawyer who just won a $127,000 settlement for a similar case involving a Cheyenne police break-in.
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2024
Pilot Declared Emergency Before Plane Crash That Killed Gospel Group
The pilot declared an emergency before it crashed in northeast Wyoming in late July, killing all seven on board, according to a Wednesday NTSB report. Among those killed were three members of the Gospel Hall of Fame group The Nelons.
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2024
People Offer Hay, And Even Prairie Dog Hunts, To Help Devastated Wyoming Ranches
Ranchers are coordinating efforts to help others devastated by huge Wyoming wildfires. Some have donated hay, while others have gotten creative, offering to hunt prairie dogs when they try to take over the charred grasslands.
Clair McFarlandAugust 29, 2024
People Keep Calling Local 911 Lines To Report Wildfires Already Being Fought
With local agencies stretched thin fighting large wildfires in northeast Wyoming, they say a large number of 911 calls stretch them more. In many cases, people are reporting smoke from fires already being fought.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2024
Northeast Wyoming Wildfires Getting Under Control, Teton Crews Still Fight Timber
A handful of large wildfires that have consumed nearly 460,000 acres across northern Wyoming and southern Montana are getting under control. But timber in the Fish Creek and Flat Rock fires hold heat longer than grasslands.
Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 28, 2024
Remington, Flat Rock Fires Now Half Contained As Upstart Blaze Pops Up
Firefighters made significant progress on large wildfires that have burned nearly 460,000 acres in Wyoming and Montana. The huge 200,000-acre Remington Fire is now 50% contained, and Flat Rock Fire 54%. But new fires are a concern.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2024
Gillette Man Barricades Self In Room After Asking Mom, “Do You Want To Die?”
A Gillette man was in court Monday after creating a standoff-style scene in a Gillette neighborhood over the weekend. He allegedly beat his mother, threatened her with a knife and asked her, “do you want to die?”
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Cheyenne’s “Voodoo Man” Accused Of Tearing Up Election Center
Cheyenne’s “Voodoo Man” stands 6-foot-4, throws “hexes” at people, threatens them with a staff and spews death threats. He’s accused of tearing up an election center Aug. 6, and his case was elevated Friday to felony-level court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Riverton Police Officer Faces Felony For Receiving Illegal Steroids
A Riverton police officer accused of receiving illegal steroids by mail was served with a felony charge Monday. Logan Alley allegedly told investigators “maybe not the extent” when asked if he knew the drugs were illegal.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Progress Made On Wildfires That Have Burned 460,000 Acres In Wyoming, Montana
Rain helped crews make progress on two of Wyoming’s five major wildfires Monday, though a third that saw rain didn't benefit much from it. The fires have burned nearly 460,000 acres in Wyoming and southern Montana but showed little growth Monday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Critics Claim Wyoming Fire Department “Didn’t Lift A Finger” To Stop Wildfires
Some heavy equipment operators in northeast Wyoming claim the Campell County Fire Department “didn’t lift a finger” to help them stop a pair of large wildfires. Others, however, say that claim is baseless and the CCFD is saving their land.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Judge Tosses Lawsuit To Halt Wyoming’s New THC Laws, Wyoming Sellers To Appeal
A judge dismissed their lawsuit challenging a new Wyoming law restricting the amount of THC legal for sale in Wyoming. But state hemp and THC sellers are taking their case to the federal appeals court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Wyoming To Pay $127,500 For Cops’ Illegal Entry, Takedown Of Cheyenne Man
Wyoming is paying $127,500 to a Cheyenne man who was arrested after police entered his home illegally to arrest him four years ago. The Friday settlement ends a lawsuit against three former Cheyenne police officers.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Remington Fire Now At 200,000 Acres, But Wildfire East Of Gillette Has Priority
The Remington Fire that started in Wyoming and sprinted into Montana has grown to about 200,000 acres Monday and is 5% contained. But because of nearby residential and ranch neighborhoods, a 53,000-acre blaze west of Gillette has priority.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Riverton Fire Department Disavows Former Member After Sex Assault Claims
The Riverton Volunteer Fire Department has disavowed a retired firefighter accused of sexually attacking women. The agency says Charlie Lawrence retired in 2020 and no longer has a connection with the department.
Clair McFarlandAugust 25, 2024