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
Man Accused Of Stealing Tow Truck And Going On Drunk Joyride Around Old Faithful
After a local store wouldn’t sell him beer, a drunk man allegedly stole a Yellowstone tow truck and drove it around Old Faithful. When caught, the man pretended to be a U.S. marshal and said he took the truck to get to his headquarters.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2024
85-Year-Old Riverton Homeowner Fought Off, Shot Possibly “Irrational” Intruder
An 85-year-old Riverton, Wyoming, homeowner said he fought with a would-be intruder late Friday before shooting the other man. In a Monday interview, he says in hindsight, he believes “the guy was obviously irrational.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2024
Wyoming Man Who Claimed Attic People Told Him To Slit Mom’s Throat Is Sane
A Gillette, Wyoming, man accused of slitting his mother’s throat to defend himself from distant attic people has been found sane enough to stand trial. He’ll be arraigned Thursday in Campbell County District Court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 12, 2024
Clair McFarland: My Teen Says Crocs Are 'Stylish'
Clair McFarland writes, "We live in the sage country. No kid should ramble around these hills with holes in his shoes. Just put out an entry mat for the ticks, I guess.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 11, 2024
Teddy, Stolen Poodle Found During Wyoming Police Stop, Finally Back Home
A miniature poodle named Teddy is back with his owner nearly a year after a man allegedly stole him and smuggled him into Riverton, Wyoming. After about three weeks and more than 3,500 miles, Teddy arrived home Friday night.
Clair McFarlandAugust 10, 2024
In Brief: Riverton Homeowner Shoots Apparent Burglar
Preliminary evidence suggests a Riverton, Wyoming, homeowner shot and wounded a man in his 20s late Friday night. The man was allegedly trying to burglarize a home near the town’s City Park.
Clair McFarlandAugust 10, 2024
Gillette Realtor Accused Of Stealing Commissions Wants Victim’s Phone Records
A Gillette real estate agent charged with stealing commissions now wants one of her victims’ phone records. The prosecutor calls the move “extremely concerning” and an invasion of the victim’s privacy.
Clair McFarlandAugust 09, 2024
Texas Man Caught Taking Photos Up Shorts Of Young Girl At Jackson Carnival
A Texas man was caught taking photos with his phone angled up the shorts of a 7- or 8-year-old girl at the Teton County Carnival, allegedly. His case rose to felony-level court Wednesday and he's now out on bond.
Clair McFarlandAugust 09, 2024
Wyoming Is “Ground Zero” For AI News Reporting Fears After Cody Enterprise Scandal
A reporter for the Cody Enterprise used artificial intelligence to make up quotes for his news stories. Since a reporter at the Powell Tribune noticed and investigated, the unraveling scandal could make Wyoming “ground zero” for fears about AI news reporting.
Clair McFarlandAugust 08, 2024
Grand Teton Worker Accused Of Choking Girlfriend Admits He Gets “Black-Out Drunk”
A Grand Teton National Park seasonal worker is accused of choking out his girlfriend during a fight over a broken necklace. The man allegedly admitted to the assault and says he routinely gets “black-out drunk” and forgets things.
Clair McFarlandAugust 08, 2024
Landon Brown Says Opponent Playing “Cheney Card” Won't Hurt Reelection Chances
Landon Brown’s Republican primary opponent has resurrected a 2022 CNN interview in which he praised Liz Cheney and called Trump “unfit for office.” He said Exie Brown playing the “Cheney card” won’t hurt his reelection chances.
Clair McFarlandAugust 08, 2024
Sheriff: “Divine Intervention” At Work For Wright Deputy Who Survived Shootout
The Campbell County Sheriff says a Wright, Wyoming, man shot at a deputy just as the deputy exited his car Sunday. The sheriff said Wednesday that the deputy’s body cam video shows “divine intervention” at work. "It’s just crazy,” he said about the footage.
Clair McFarlandAugust 08, 2024
Wyoming Man Tells Police He Wanted Girlfriend To Watch Him Kill Their Toddler Son
A Ranchester, Wyoming, man told police he wanted to make his girlfriend watch as he killed their toddler son and then kill her, according to a court affidavit. He also said he “just snapped” while the couple argued.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2024
Lightning Sets Gillette Apartment Complex On Fire, Forces Evacuation Of 21 Units
A bolt of lightning energized the plumbing and wiring of a Gillette apartment complex Tuesday night, sparking multiple fires within the walls. Twenty-one units were evacuated and the building is now uninhabitable.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2024
Sheridan Woman's Credit Score Tanks When Texas Man Allegedly Steals Her Identity
A Sheridan woman learned her identity had been stolen, but not before her credit score tanked by 100 points. A Texas man was in Sheridan County court Monday to face allegations he used the woman’s information to rent an apartment, then didn’t pay rent.
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2024
Bob Nicholas Frustrated Over “Dishonest” Mailers Telling "Lies The Size Of Texas”
Cheyenne House member Bob Nicholas is voicing frustration over mailers opponent Kathy Russell is sending out. He says their claims that he wants trans surgeries for kids, LGBTQ books for young children and is friendly to China are "lies the size of Texas.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 07, 2024
Man Accused Of Smashing Up The Riverton Post Office To Show He’s A Gangster
A Wyoming man pleaded not guilty Friday to allegations he smashed up the Riverton Post Office to show he’s a gangster. Police allege he snorted a line of meth, then busted up the post office to scare off other gangsters.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2024
Child Torturer Cries In Court As Judge Gives Him 9 Years In Prison
A Wyoming reservation man who brutally tortured his stepson cried in a federal courtroom Tuesday as a judge gave him 9 years in prison. The judge also blasted the Northern Arapaho DFS for failing his victim.
Clair McFarlandAugust 06, 2024
Up To 80 Years For Rawlins Man Who Tried To Gun Down Niece And Nephew
A 74-year-old Rawlins man who tried to gun down his adult niece and nephew will spend the next 40-80 years in prison. “I hope he rots in hell,” said the niece.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2024
Campbell County Deputy Kills Suspect, Came “So Close To Dying” In Shootout
A Campbell County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot and killed a suspect Sunday night near Wright, Wyoming. The man fired a shotgun at the deputy first, the sheriff says, adding that the deputy came “so close to dying last night.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2024
Woman Drives Truck Into Gillette Motel Pool, Arrested For DUI
A woman drove a large Ram pickup into the outdoor pool of the National 9 motel in Gillette on Friday evening. Nobody was hurt, but video of the aftermath shows a wrecker pulling the truck out and the woman’s DUI arrest.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2024