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
Sweetwater County Residents At War Over Dog Sitting At Table In Restaurant
People in southwest Wyoming are at war over a photo of a woman who put her dog on the seat of a booth at the table of a Rock Springs, Wyoming, restaurant. Some are appalled, calling the act “entitled,” while others say just leave them alone.
Clair McFarlandAugust 16, 2024
Feds May Deport Three Guatemalans Caught With 170 Pounds Of Pot In Wyoming
Three Guatemalans were reportedly caught hauling 170 pounds of marijuana through Wyoming and face felony charges. At the same time, federal authorities are considering deporting them.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2024
One Killed, Four Hurt When RV Rolls Off Teton Pass
Brake failure may have caused an RV rollover on Teton Pass on Wednesday that killed a Nevada woman and injured four. They were on their way to Jackson when the vehicle rolled and burst apart, making the RV look like it had exploded.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2024
Goshen County On Lookout For Man Accused Of Beating Woman’s Face With Gun
The Goshen County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man accused of brutally beating his girlfriend. He allegedly pistol-whipped her in the face to the point of possibly disfiguring her.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2024
Brief: No Arrests Made After Shooting On Wyoming Reservation
Someone was shot on Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation on Wednesday afternoon. The FBI isn’t releasing much information on the shooting, but confirmed no one has been arrested.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2024
Tourists Who Bear-Sprayed, Shot At Camp Intruder Claim Self-Defense
A couple from South Dakota charged with bear-spraying and shooting at a woman near their Wyoming campsite say they acted in self-defense. But prosecutors say the couple was looking for a fight with the woman, who was just looking for her hat.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2024
Three Laramie Men Accused Of Duct-Taping Woman, Then Cutting And Beating Her
Three Laramie men are accused of duct-taping a woman’s mouth, hands and ankles, then cutting her with a knife, beating and threatening her. They allegedly did it because she was “disrespecting” them.
Clair McFarlandAugust 14, 2024
Montana Motorcyclist Vanishes On Road Trip With Buddies In Idaho
Idaho authorities are treating the disappearance of a motorcyclist from Montana as a missing persons case after he disappeared on Sunday. His friends did spot his bike but when they went back to that location after he didn't show up, it was gone.
Clair McFarlandAugust 13, 2024
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