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: Spring Keeps Spawning Neighbors
Clair McFarland writes, "Winter tests your body but spring tests your soul. Especially if you’re an introvert. The Husband has us scheduled for six barbecues and someone signed me up to keep score at little league games."
Clair McFarlandApril 21, 2024
Casper Woman's Property Overtaken By Six Squatters Who Trashed The Place
Wyoming isn’t immune to a property owner’s worst nightmare — squatters. Just ask a Casper woman who learned the hard way when her ousted tenant illegally leased out her home to six unwanted tenants, who trashed the property.
Clair McFarlandApril 20, 2024
Former US Sen. Malcolm Wallop: The Wyoming Rancher Who Helped Save Israel
While many praised former President Ronald Reagan this week for backing the program Israel used to defend itself again Iran, it was actually Wyoming U.S. Sen. Malcolm Wallop who started pushing "Star Wars" into existence before Reagan was even in office.
Clair McFarlandApril 20, 2024
Cheyenne Police Arrest Woman Who Tried To Stop Baton Beating Of Nephew
The aunt of a Cheyenne man who yelled at police and took video April 5 as they held down her nephew during a traffic stop and hit him repeatedly with a baton was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of interfering with officers.
Clair McFarlandApril 19, 2024
Wyoming Tribes May Be On Path To Get 60,000 Acres Of Federal Land
After about a century of managing about 60,000 acres in northern Fremont County, a federal agency is ready to give it to someone else. Top contenders are the Bureau of Land Management and Wyoming’s Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2024
BRIEF: Rock Springs Man Found Dead Under Bridge
A Rock Springs man was found dead under a bridge Thursday by what local authorities. An autopsy will be done to determine how he died.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2024
Wyoming Man Accused Of Killing Woman, Having Sex With Body Smart Enough For Trial
Multiple brain injuries and a low IQ won’t keep a Wyoming man from facing prosecution on claims that after murdering a woman and having sex with her body, he tried to hide her body in Park County, a judge has ruled.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2024
Under Threat Of Takeover, Fremont County Library Changes Sex Book Policies
Under pressure from county commissioners to change how it handles controversial and sexually-themed material or lose its board chair, the Fremont County Library Board approved a handful of changes Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2024
Guilty Plea For Wyoming Man Accused Of Torturing And Starving Boy
A Wyoming man accused of torturing, starving and locking up his 13-year-old stepson has made a plea agreement, where he’ll spend at least 10 years in prison, or possibly life.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2024
Wyoming Ranch Denies Claims It Enslaved, Trafficked Troubled Boys
The Triangle Cross Ranch in Powell, Wyoming, denies in court filings it was a nightmare for a pair of teen boys housed there 10 years ago, who claim they were used as forced labor and trafficked.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2024
Mental Issues Don’t Keep Lander Man Accused Of Killing Drinking Buddy Out Of Court
Though he said one day earlier that he couldn’t understand his court hearings, a Lander man accused of killing his drinking buddy following an unwanted sexual advance said Tuesday he can handle it.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2024
BRIEF: One Person Arrested For Weekend Killing On Wyoming Reservation
The FBI has released little information about an unidentified suspect arrested in connection with a Sunday homicide on Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2024
Sheridan County Commissioner Arrested For DUI, Swerving ‘All Over The Road’
Sheridan County Commissioner Christine Haswell has pleaded not guilty to DUI and allegations she was intoxicated when people reported her allegedly swerving “all over the road” and leaving the scene of a collision with a brick structure.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2024
Lander Man Accused Of Killing Drinking Buddy For Making A Pass At Him
A Lander man accused of hitting a drinking buddy in the head with a metal pipe and killing him, allegedly told police he just tried to “knock him out” after the other man made a pass at him and wouldn’t leave.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2024
Riverton Man Pleads Not Guilty To Having Porn Featuring Baby, Toddler and Dog
A Riverton man has pleaded not guilty to felony charges he had and distributed child pornography, including videos featuring molestation of an infant and toddler, as well as a dog performing a sex act on a child.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2024
US Supreme Court Ruling Could ‘Have Significant Impacts’ On Jackson Housing Fees
Elected officials have to make sure they’re only charging impact fees that match up to the public’s goals, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Friday. Otherwise, the fees amount to government extortion. This could significantly impact Teton County.
Clair McFarlandApril 14, 2024
Boston Woman Got Kidnapped Her First Day In Wyoming, But Built A Life Here Anyway
A Massachusetts woman who moved to Wyoming last May was kidnapped her first day in the state. She escaped her attacker, reported the incident to police, got a job on a ranch and fell in love with Wyoming anyway.
Clair McFarlandApril 13, 2024
Sheridan Man Arrested For Stash Of Printed Guns, Home-Grown Marijuana
A Sheridan man reportedly found with a cache of 3D-printed guns and home-grown marijuana now faces a dozen misdemeanor charges in Sheridan Circuit Court.
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024
Colorado Lawmaker Leaves Loaded Pistol Unattended In Capitol Bathroom
A Colorado lawmaker left a loaded pistol unattended in a bathroom in the state's Capitol, heating arguments about whether Colorado should ban guns altogether from its state Capitol. Wyoming, meanwhile, has been trying to go the opposite direction and allow guns in its state Capitol.
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024
Gillette Woman Accused Of Stashing Meth In Pepsi Bottle, Herself
A Gillette woman faces a felony drug possession charge for allegedly trying to hide meth in a Pepsi bottle — and in a body cavity.
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024
Why A Cheyenne Credit Union Didn’t Cash Woman’s $1 Million Check
When a Wisconsin woman tried to use a $1 million check at a Cheyenne credit union earlier this week, it was a spectacular failure. Bank personnel told Cowboy State Daily an attempt of that amount was “crazy.”
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024