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
Former Wyoming Minister 'Unequivocally Denies’ Claims Of Sex Abuse Against Boys
A former Wyoming minister “unequivocally denies” in a Wednesday court filing claims that he sexually abused three boys in the 1990s. "He has never hurt a young person,” his attorney says, adding that despite the lawsuit, “he is praying for all involved."
Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2026
‘Don’t Step Out Of Line’: Massie Loss A Message To All Republican Candidates
State politicos told Cowboy State Daily that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”
Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2026
Judges Won't Disqualify U.S. Attorney's Office Despite Smith Misconduct
Three federal judges ruled Tuesday there's no proof the U.S. Attorney's Office of Wyoming covered up Darin Smith's misconduct with a grand jury. The conduct “was isolated and limited” to Smith’s “inappropriate and improper remarks," they ruled.
Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2026
Crackdown On Sketchy Trucking Practices Continues With Supreme Court Decision
An industry lawyer calls the Supreme Court's unanimous decision that trucking brokers are liable for hiring unsafe drivers “a monumental victory.” All three branches of federal government are cracking down on sketchy trucking practices.
Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2026
Looks Like Feds Won't Let Wyoming Invest Trump-Backed Health Care Grants
The federal government looks likely to reject Wyoming's plan to invest roughly $1 billion in projected Trump-backed grants for rural medical services. Wyoming has to spend the money quickly instead, which leaves one economist full of questions and concerns.
Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2026
Many Counties See Huge Last-Minute Crossovers To Vote In Wyoming’s GOP Primary
Many Wyoming county clerks report a rush of last-minute crossover registrations to vote in the Republican primary — just ahead of last week's deadline. The state Democratic Party discourages crossover voting, while some elected Democrats encourage it.
Clair McFarlandMay 19, 2026
Senate Confirms Darin Smith As US Attorney Days After 'Flagrant' Misconduct Finding
The U.S. Senate voted 46-43 Monday to confirm Darin Smith as U.S. Attorney for Wyoming — four days after the state's three federal judges ruled he committed "flagrant" misconduct. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis voted in Smith's favor.
Clair McFarlandMay 18, 2026
Gov. Hopeful Barlow Is Latest To Face ‘The Gentry’ — Riverton’s Political Old Guard
Facing the pointed questions of Riverton’s old-guard coffee group, known as “The Gentry," has become a proving ground for serious Wyoming political candidates. Those in government should “do your damn job,” governor hopeful Eric Barlow told the group Monday.
Clair McFarlandMay 18, 2026
Wyoming Lawyer Not Liable For Embarrassing Claims In Trans Sorority Member Lawsuit
An attorney who tried getting a court to void the membership of a University of Wyoming transgender sorority member was found not liable Friday for personal and embarrassing claims he and his co-counsel included in the bombshell case's public court file.
Clair McFarlandMay 16, 2026
Judges Dismiss Nine Felony Cases, Including Murder, Over Darin Smith Misconduct
Wyoming’s federal judges on Friday dismissed nine felony-level criminal cases, including one first-degree murder case, due to prosecutorial misconduct through “inflammatory and inappropriate” comments interim U.S. Attorney nominee Darin Smith made to a grand jury.
Clair McFarlandMay 15, 2026
Constitution Party Hopes Bextel Run For Governor Makes Wyoming A Three-Party State
Running Rebecca Bextel as a Constitution Party nominee for governor is part of a larger strategy to get enough votes to make Wyoming a three-party state. “We are transitioning from a protest party to a legitimate party,” says the party’s chairman.
Clair McFarlandMay 15, 2026
After A Sheridan County Schools Chief Fired, Two Board Members Quit On The Spot
After a Sheridan county school board voted 3-2 Wednesday to terminate its superintendent’s contracts, two board members quit on the spot. A "lack of decision-making” by the board made the termination not surprising, says the former schools chief.
Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026
Wyoming Supreme Court Overturns Block On $50 Million School Choice Program
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a judge's block of the state’s $50 million school choice program. State schools chief Megan Degenfelder says she’s “thrilled by the unanimous decision” and plans to reopen school choice vouchers immediately.
Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026
Allemand Going To White House, Gets A Break From Random Alcohol Tests
Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand, who was charged late last year with drunk driving, doesn’t have to undergo court-ordered random alcohol testing while he’s in Washington, D.C., with other lawmakers, a Buffalo-based magistrate has decided.
Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026
Gray Wants Gordon To Act To Change Wyoming’s Race-Based House Voting District
A day after Secretary of State Chuck Gray asked Fremont County commissioners to take “immediate” steps to eliminate a race-based county voting district, he sent a similar letter to Gov. Mark Gordon about Wyoming’s lone race-based state House district.
Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026
Chuck Gray Tells Fremont County To End Race-Based Districting Immediately
After the Supreme Court blocked a racial gerrymander, Secretary of State Chuck Gray told the Fremont County Commission on Tuesday to eliminate its race-based district. Commissioner Clarence Thomas said it's not about race but unique cultural divisions.
Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026
CheckGate's Rebecca Bextel Running For Governor With Wyoming Constitution Party
The Jackson woman who gained notoriety for passing out campaign donation checks on the state House floor is running for the Wyoming Constitution Party nomination to be governor. Rebecca Bextel announced it Wednesday morning, the party chair confirmed.
Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026
Lummis, Barrasso Plan To Vote For Darin Smith Confirmation
The confirmation vote for President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith is now set for next week. Both U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis plan to vote in his favor.
Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026
Park County GOP Sends Candidate No Confidence Letter Over Voter Registration Ad
The Park County GOP condemned the actions of former Sen. RJ Kost, who is running for office again, for placing a newspaper ad telling people how to change their party affiliation. They said his ad "undermines the principles of a constitutional republic."
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2026
Woman Sued By House Candidate Reid Rasner Urges Ban On Frivolous Lawsuits
After hearing the testimony Tuesday of a woman currently facing a defamation lawsuit by U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner, the Wyoming Joint Judiciary Committee voted to draft a bill to deter frivolous lawsuits that intimidate people into silence.
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2026
Wyoming AG Argues Trans Woman Can't Get Sex On Birth Certificate Changed
The Wyoming AG's Office filed a brief Monday defending the What is a Woman Act in the case of a transgender woman seeking a birth certificate change from "male" to "female.” A judge last year ruled that birth certificates should "record the ‘facts of birth.’”
Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2026