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
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Five Bills To Rein In Slot-Machine-Like Gaming
Wyoming lawmakers advanced five bills Tuesday to tighten control over slot-machine-like gaming, citing its explosive growth. Industry leaders defended the machines as vital to funding live horse racing and rural economic activity.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2025
Gray 'Alarmed' Gordon Doesn't Back His Request For Extra Money
Secretary of State Chuck Gray claims Gov. Mark Gordon isn't including money to advertise a property tax ballot initiative in his biennial budget. Gordon says Gray managed to fulfill his publication requirements before without extra money.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2025
Wyoming GOP Tells State To Report Those Who 'Glorify’ Assassinations
Referencing the Charlie Kirk assassination, Wyoming GOP leaders passed a resolution Saturday in Torrington asking state authorities to investigate and potentially discipline public employees who celebrate such killings.
Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2025
Governor Gordon Proposes $11.13 Billion Two-Year Budget
Gov. Mark Gordon is asking the Wyoming Legislature for an $11.13 billion biennial state budget, up about $755 million from the prior budget cycle's $10.38 billion. It includes nearly $3 billion for the Department of Health.
Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2025
Daughter Of Rock Springs Police Chief Accused Of Poisoning Roommate's Dog
Accused of poisoning her roommate’s dog so it had to be put down, the 19-year-old daughter of the Rock Springs police chief is charged with felony animal cruelty. The dog's owner doesn't agree with backlash against the chief, saying he's a "good person."
Clair McFarlandNovember 17, 2025
Natrona County GOP Still Not Paying State Dues, Cites ‘Punitive’ Attitudes
A Natrona County GOP delegate was called out at the state party’s leadership meeting in Torrington on Saturday to explain a refusal to pay more than $30,000 in dues. The county chair said it’s partly because of the “punitive” attitude of the state GOP.
Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2025
Wyoming ‘Tim Tebow’ Rule Heads To Lawmaking Session
A Wyoming legislative committee on Friday advanced a “Tim Tebow rule” to require school districts to let homeschool and private school students as young as sixth grade participate in public school activities.
Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2025
John Eklund, Longtime Wyoming Lawmaker And Rancher, Dies At 74
State Rep. John Eklund, a longtime Wyoming lawmaker, rancher and family man, died Friday at 74 after battling cancer. Colleagues praised his integrity, love of agriculture and deep commitment to his community.
Clair McFarlandNovember 14, 2025
Wyoming Supreme Court Pauses Judge's Order For More School Counselors, Computers
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Wednesday paused a judge’s order requiring school upgrades like more computers and school counselors, and better teacher pay. The pause gives lawmakers more leeway in the 2026 budget session.
Clair McFarlandNovember 14, 2025
Former Worland Cop Guilty Of Molesting Children
After deliberating for about four hours Wednesday evening, a Washakie County jury convicted a former deputy who’d been serving as a police officer prior to his arrest last year on five counts of child sex abuse for molesting young girls.
Clair McFarlandNovember 13, 2025
Two Tripped Power Lines Leave Nearly 100,000 Customers In The Dark Across Wyoming
A massive power outage caused by two tripped 500-kilovolt power lines near Medicine Bow left most of northeast Wyoming in the dark Thursday, along with areas in Montana and South Dakota. Nearly 100,000 customers were without power at one point.
Clair McFarland, Greg Johnson & Kate MeadowsNovember 13, 2025
LDS Church Sued Over Riverton Boy Losing Foot During Youth Boating Trip
The court-appointed conservator of a Riverton boy sued the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday over a youth group boat-tubing incident in which the boy lost his foot.
Clair McFarlandNovember 13, 2025
Clair McFarland: Turns Out You All Weren't Lying About The Northern Lights
Clair McFarland writes: "It’s not the swatches of red that make this sight awe-ful. It’s not y’all with your enhanced photos. It’s knowing that a whirring, indifferent force came for me, and I was spared."
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2025
Fremont County Prosecutor Shows Proof Of 'Premeditation' In 2023 Throat Slitting
The Riverton man accused of binding a man hand and foot, then fatally slitting his throat two years ago is finally headed to a felony-level trial court. Fremont County’s top prosecutor showed proof Wednesday that he acted with “premeditation."
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2025
Appeals Court Sides With Kanye West In Wyoming Campaign Case
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a marketing company suing Kanye West’s 2020 presidential campaign failed to show it was cheated out of payment.
Clair McFarlandNovember 12, 2025
Court Fight Heats Up Over Judge's Order To Spend More On Schools In Wyoming
Wyoming’s largest teacher's advocacy group and eight school districts are urging the state Supreme Court not to pause a judge’s order requiring more money for school staff, lunches, and technology while the state appeals the ruling.
Clair McFarlandNovember 11, 2025
Trump Pardons Runner Who Trespassed On Grand Teton Trail Closed For ‘Regrowth'
President Trump on Friday pardoned mountain runner Michelino Sunseri, who was convicted of using a closed trail in Grand Teton National Park during a record-setting trail run. Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman had called his case government overreach.
Clair McFarlandNovember 11, 2025
Clinic Denies Wrongdoing In Medicating Byron Mom Who Killed Her 4 Kids, Herself
The clinic and nurse sued in the murder-suicide in which a Byron, Wyoming, mother killed her four daughters then herself denied wrongdoing Friday. They say their actions — including reportedly prescribing ketamine — were not below the standard of care.
Clair McFarlandNovember 11, 2025
Cody Roberts Pleads Not Guilty To Animal Cruelty Over Wolf Incident
Cody Roberts, the Daniel, Wyoming, man accused of running over a wolf with a snowmobile, bringing it injured into a bar, taunting it, then shooting it pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty Monday.
Clair McFarlandNovember 10, 2025
Casper Mother Of Two Killed By Suspected Wrong-Way Driver
The brother of a Casper mother of two killed in a head-on collision Friday night says her children are “insanely saddened” by the devastating crash, but they're surrounded by loved ones. Her father was also in the car and remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
Clair McFarlandNovember 10, 2025
Trump Pardons Cheyenne Diesel Delete Mechanic Troy Lake
President Donald Trump pardoned Troy Lake on Friday. The 65-year-old Wyoming diesel mechanic spent seven months in federal prison for tweaking and removing emissions systems on ailing engines. When he got the news, he wept.
Clair McFarlandNovember 08, 2025