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
Casper Police Officer Who Shot Suspected Cop-Killer Back At Work
The Casper police officer who shot and killed a man suspected of gunning down Sheridan Police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee following a prolonged standoff in February is back at work in a modified capacity, after weeks of administrative leave.
Clair McFarlandApril 04, 2024
Motorcyclist Dies After Gillette Arrest, Coroner Says No Signs Of Violence
A motorcyclist arrested by Gillette police Wednesday on suspicion of drug possession fell ill and was taken from jail to a local hospital, where he died. The coroner says there’s no signs of violence and an autopsy will be done.
Clair McFarlandApril 04, 2024
Fremont County Threatens Takeover Of Library Board Amid Sex Books Controversy
The Fremont County Commission is threatening to take over the local library board by May 1 if the board doesn't update its policies on sexually graphic literature in the teens’ section of the library.
Clair McFarlandApril 04, 2024
Cheyenne Police Release Body Cam Video Of Deadly Hostage Shootout
A 16-minute compilation of body cam video released Thursday shows the tense moments that led to Cheyenne Police Department officers shooting and killing a man who fired a gun at them and was holding his wife hostage in a home.
Clair McFarlandApril 04, 2024
BRIEF: Coroner Confirms Wyoming Woman Stabbed To Death On Reservation
A 37-year-old Ethete, Wyoming, woman was stabbed to death on the Wind River Indian Reservation on Feb. 25, the coroner confirmed Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2024
Outgoing Senator Puzzled Why House Speaker Killed Prostitution Bill
Outgoing State Sen. Affie Ellis on Wednesday said she remains baffled why House Speaker Albert Sommers killed a prostitution bill that passed overwhelmingly in the senate. Sommers said it was a matter of prioritization.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2024
Human Skull Found In Wyoming’s Vast Red Desert Was A Man Age 25-35, Coroner Says
A bleached-out human skull found in Wyoming’s vast Red Desert in November belonged to a man ages 25-35, the Sweetwater County coroner confirmed Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2024
BRIEF: Uinta County Man Charged With Lying To Get $14,000 In Medicaid Payments
Accused of lying so he could get more than $14,000 in Medicaid welfare benefits, a Mountain View, Wyoming, man now faces two felony charges and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2024
Man Accused Of Torturing Lander Woman Protests Search Of His Drug Storage Shed
A man with reported Mexican cartel ties accused of torturing a Lander woman in his home says the federal government violated his Fourth Amendment rights by searching his storage shed and backpack to find a stash of meth and cocaine. However, investigators did wait 38 days to get a warrant.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2024
Missing Gillette Woman Died Of Hypothermia, Coroner Says
Campbell County Coroner reported Tuesday that a Gillette woman found dead last week after a five-day search died of hypothermia and shows “no evidence of injury or foul play.”
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2024
Wyoming Claims Schools Try To Force Social Programs In Funding Lawsuit
A judge heard arguments Monday in an ongoing lawsuit where school districts and the Wyoming Education Association are suing for more money. But the state argues they’re just trying to force funding of social programs.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2024
Mental Test Ordered For Gillette Teen Charged With Trying To Seduce 11-Year-Old
A Gillette judge has ordered an 18-year-old to get a mental health test after the teen said he wasn’t mentally well enough to be found guilty of trying to seduce an 11-year-old boy and compelling a sex act from a dog.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2024
Cheyenne Man Shot Multiple Times, Killed In Weekend Domestic Fight
A Cheyenne man was shot multiple times and died at the scene late Saturday in an alleged domestic argument at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Oxford Drive.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2024
Man Accused Of Trying To Molest 7-Year Old Pleads Guilty To Child Porn
A 37-year-old Cheyenne man accused of trying to arrange to have sexual contact with a 7-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to possessing child porn. He allegedly told federal agents he had done so with an underage child before.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2024
After 18 Years, Wyoming Prisons Drops Health Provider That’s Been Sued 1,000+ Times
The longtime health care provider for Wyoming prisons has reportedly been sued over 1,000 times across the U.S., and after 18 years has been dropped in favor of another, possibly more expensive company.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024
Squatters Don’t Make Much Trouble Here Because Wyoming Won’t Put Up With It
Although homes are being taken over by squatters in California and New York because of weak laws, intruders aren't likely to have any success in Wyoming. Landlords here won't put up with it, the laws don't allow it, and the courts are much more efficient.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024
Cheyenne Man Accused Of Swinging Machete At Cops On I-80 Overpass
A 61-year-old man’s case rose to felony-level court Thursday for allegedly swinging a machete at cops while dancing on an Interstate 80 overpass in Cheyenne.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Uncovers Large Cocaine Hub In Jackson
A Jamaican transplant to Jackson has been charged with orchestrating a large distribution scheme of multiple half-pound, $8,000 cocaine deals in town. The man is facing up to 20 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024
Denver Trucker Convicted Of Killing Gillette Family Of Five
A jury convicted a Denver truck driver on Wednesday of five counts of vehicular homicide for killing a Gillette family of five in June, 2022. A mother of one of the victims told Cowboy State Daily she felt "some kind of justice" had been served.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024
Judge Considers If Wyoming Man Accused Of Murder, Necrophilia 'Too Slow" For Trial
In a case that’s dragged on for nearly five years, a Cody judge is considering whether a Wyoming man accused of killing a woman in Cheyenne then having sex with her body is too mentally “slow” to stand trial.
Clair McFarlandMarch 28, 2024
Wyoming Man Charged Two Years After Teen Girl Escaped Attack, Kidnap Attempt
Two years after someone attacked and tried to stuff a Riverton teen girl into her own car, a local man has been charged and could get up to life in prison.
Clair McFarlandMarch 28, 2024