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
Suspected Venezuelan Gang Member In Cheyenne Jail, Sheriff Concerned
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak told Cowboy State Daily a suspected Venezuelan gang member is one of five undocumented aliens in the county jail. He said he is concerned about reported Colorado gang violence because what happens there winds up in Wyoming eventually.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2024
Afton Woman Accused Of Stealing Blowtorch, Biting People And Trying To Seduce Cop
A highly intoxicated Afton, Wyoming, woman faces multiple charges after allegedly tried to break into a house, stole a blowtorch and drugs, and bit someone. She’s also accused of trying to seduce a deputy during her arrest.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2024
Teen Accused Of Stabbing Mom In Back Asks For Mental Health Test
A 17-year-old Campbell County boy accused of stabbing his mother in the back while she was sleeping asked the court Friday for a mental health test. He’s been charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2024
Fish Creek Fire Throws “Spot Fires” Across Togwotee Pass
After the Fish Creek fire lapped at the barrow ditches along Togwotee Pass and prompted its closure Monday night, the mountain stretch of highway is set to reopen Friday morning.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2024
No New Divorce Trial For Gillette Man Who Claims Wife Tried To Have Him Killed
A judge on Thursday said a Gillette, Wyoming, man’s claims that his wife tried to have him killed aren’t enough to win a new divorce trial. "The allegations show maybe a little smoke ... but don't really show any fire," the judge said.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 06, 2024
Pair Of Cheyenne Men Accused Of Shooting At Multiple Police Officers
Two Cheyenne men were arrested early Thursday, accused of shooting at two police officers. By pure coincidence, their arrest came just hours after another man accused of firing on one of the shooters earlier this summer turned himself in.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 05, 2024
Gillette Man Who Threw Molester In Car Trunk Gets 9-10 Years, Molester Gets 10-14
A Gillette man who beat and threw a 14-year-old girl’s sexual abuser in a car trunk last year was given 9-10 years in prison last week. Meanwhile, the man he kidnapped got 10-14 years for molesting the girl.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 05, 2024
“Go Screw Yourself”: Scrap Buyers Deny Claims They Stole From Wyoming Coal Mine
A father and son from Texas are accused of cheating a Wyoming coal mine out of $70,000 worth of scrap metal. They deny the allegations fiercely, telling Cowboy State Daily to “go screw yourself” for reporting on the case.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2024
Brief: Rock Springs Police Want Truck That Hit Cannon Statue At WWII Memorial
Rock Springs police are looking for an early 1990s model GMC single-cab grey truck suspected of hitting a memorial cannon statue in town. The driver knocked a plaque off the cannon, which is part of a World War II memorial, Tuesday night.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2024
Buffalo Man Accused Of Threatening Grocery Store, Police Standoff
A Buffalo, Wyoming, man faces more than five years in prison on claims he pointed a .223-caliber rifle toward a busy street and grocery store while preparing for a standoff with police on his front porch.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 04, 2024
Murder Charge For Lyman Man Accused Of Shooting Man 10 Times With .45
A Lyman, Wyoming, man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of another man near Fort Bridger over the weekend. The victim was shot roughly 10 times with a .45-caliber handgun.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2024
Hunters In Right Place, Right Time To Rescue Crashed Pilot Near Meeteetse
A Black Hawk pilot and former sports trainer were hunting in the right place at the right time Sunday to rescue a pilot who crashed his plane near Meeteetse, Wyoming. He’s recovering, but a 78-year-old Arizona woman on board was killed in the crash.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2024
Wrong-Way Driver Who Killed 5 On I-80 Gets 98-110 Years, And Dad’s Forgiveness
The wrong-way driver high on meth who triggered a chain-reaction crash on I-80 last year that killed five young people got 98-110 years in prison Tuesday. He also got forgiveness from the father of two young women he killed.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 03, 2024
Woman Killed In Plane Crash Near Meeteetse That Also Sparked Fire
The Park County coroner has confirmed one person died, a woman, in a plane crash near Meeteetse, Wyoming, on Sunday. The crash also sparked a fire.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 01, 2024
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