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
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
Minnesota's 'Draconian' Self-Defense Ruling Exposes Loophole In Wyoming Law
When the Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday crafted a groundbreaking rule against the self-defense concept of standing one’s ground, it highlighted a potential loophole in Wyoming’s own laws, says a firearms law expert.
Clair McFarlandAugust 03, 2024
Targets Of Wyoming Freedom PAC Mailers Send Cease And Desist Demand
Two Fremont County legislators say they may sue the campaign arm of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus if it doesn’t stop sending false mailers to voters.
Clair McFarlandAugust 02, 2024
Evanston Couple Suspects In Abuse Of 15-Day-Old Who Had Seizures, Brain Bleed
A couple living in Evanston, Wyoming, can’t be ruled out as potential abusers of their 15-day-old daughter. The baby suffered seizures and a brain bleed a doctor determined were not accidental in nature.
Clair McFarlandAugust 02, 2024
Wyoming Father Denied Daughter’s Counseling Records Scores Win With Supreme Court
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Thursday ruled in favor of a father who sued after being denied his 7-year-old daughter’s counseling records. The counselor claims that would violate medical privacy, but state law says parents can waive that.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2024
Chuck Gray Defends False Campaign Mailers Targeting Wyoming Candidates
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Wednesday defended false campaign mailers targeting some candidates. Among other misleading statements, they falsely claim legislators voted to keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2024
Wyoming Man Accused Of Beating Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Another
An Ethete, Wyoming, man accused of murdering a woman while out on bond for beating another has pleaded not guilty. A federal judge Monday ordered he remain in jail this time.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2024
Man On The Run With Stolen Mini Poodle Caught With Meth In Wyoming
A Canadian man stole a mini poodle named Teddy, hopped the border and fled to Riverton, Wyoming, police documents say. That’s where police caught up to him for allegedly possessing meth.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2024
Douglas Woman And Boyfriend Accused Of Brutal Roadside Beating Of Woman’s Mom
A woman from Douglas, Wyoming, and her boyfriend are accused of brutally beating the woman’s mom on the side of a road. The victim’s head was split to the bone. Her daughter’s case rose to felony-level court Monday.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2024
Another Boy Claims He Was Abused At Wyoming Boys’ School
A fourth former resident at Wyoming Boys School claims he was abused, mistreated and tormented there. Three others suing the school over similar allegations want to add the fourth boy to their lawsuit, according to a Tuesday court filing.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2024
Green River Man Charged For Pulling Gun On "Dumbass" Teen On His Lawn
A Green River man is facing up to 10 years in prison on claims he pointed a loaded 9 mm pistol at a teen who parked dirt bike on the grass in front of the man’s home. The man allegedly told police the boy was acting like a “dumbass.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2024
California Transient Accused Of Attacking Wyoming Transients With Machete
A California transient is accused of attacking four Wyoming transients under a bridge in Green River with a machete. He claimed they were trying to drown him while they claim he just started swinging his machete at them for "no reason."
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2024
Cody Bar Manager Accused Of Skimming Nearly $200K From Gaming Machines
A longtime manager of a Cody bar is accused of skimming nearly $200,000 from gaming machine profits over the past three years. She faces four counts of felony theft in Cody Circuit Court, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2024
Kum & Go Apologizes For Diesel-Gas Mix-Up At Rock Springs Gas Station
The corporate office of Kum & Go told Cowboy State Daily it is apologizing for a mix-up earlier this month that switched diesel and regular gas in its fuel tanks in Rock Springs. The company says it will pay for any damage motorists suffered.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2024
Friend Says Naked Man Passed Out In Stranger’s Home Usually “A Pretty Good Guy”
Upon returning to his home in Alpine, Wyoming, a man found his house wrecked and a naked stranger passed out there last month. The intruder had his case elevated to felony-level court last week, while a friend says he’s usually “a pretty good guy.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2024