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
House Torches Bill To Add More Charter Schools In Wyoming
After a legislative committee killed a proposal to expand charter schools in Wyoming on Monday, the state House rejected an effort on Tuesday to resurrect it. Had it passed, the bill would have allowed a state commission to approve another charter school this year -- something proponents say is sorely needed.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Two Fremont County Library Books Challenged For Obscenity: Here’s What’s In Them
The Fremont County Library Board will consider challenges of two books in its young-adult section, “Smoke” and “Tricks,” on claims they are obscene with graphic depictions of drug use and sex. Cowboy State Daily has read and reviewed both books. Here’s what’s in them.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Barrasso To Run For Whip, Not Leader
Though mentioned as one of the favorites to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican leader, Wyoming's senior Sen. John Barrasso announced early Tuesday he's seeking the Republican whip position instead.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Bill Targeting Deepfake AI Fraud Dies In Wyoming Committee
A bill that would’ve given Wyoming the most expansive law in the nation targeting fraudulent deepfake artificial intelligence videos died in committee Monday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2024
Wheatland Man Charged With Having Sex Acts With Dog And Cheese Spray
A Wheatland, Wyoming, man charged with multiple felonies for allegedly having child porn and for having a dog perform a sex act on him with spray cheese could spend more than 100 years in prison if convicted.
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2024
‘We Have The Watch From Here’: Sgt. Nevada Krinkee Remembered As Protector, Father And Hero
Nearly 2,000 people packed into the Sheridan College arena Friday to honor the life of police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, who was killed in the line of duty Feb. 13 and remembered as a protector, father and hero.
Clair McFarland & Pat MaioMarch 01, 2024
Counselor Sues Wyoming Clinic, Psychiatrist Over Alleged ‘Sexually Charged Behavior’
A former licensed counselor for Wyoming Behavioral Institute is suing the clinic and a psychiatrist there claiming harassment from his “intentional sexually charged behavior.”
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2024
Bill Would Help Wyoming Judges Block Parents From Abducting Their Own Kids
A bill that would help Wyoming judges freeze passports and issue other orders to block child abductions by parents or guardians is moving quickly through the Legislature with almost no resistance.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2024
Wyoming Supreme Court Revives Lawsuit Over Laramie’s Virtual-Only Meetings
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Wednesday revived a Laramie man’s lawsuit claiming the city council violated state public meetings law by holding virtual-only meetings long after COVID orders were lifted.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2024
Barrasso In The Hunt To Replace McConnell As Top Senate Republican
Although Sen. John Barrasso isn't favored to replace Mitch McConnell as the top Republican in the U.S. Senate, analysts say if favorites Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. John Thune "beat each other up enough," Barrasso could rise to the top.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 29, 2024
Bill Banning Wyoming Schools From Keeping Secrets From Parents Passes House
After passing the state House on Thursday, a bill that would ban Wyoming schools from keeping health care secrets from parents or teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity without permission from parents moved back to the Senate.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 29, 2024
Bill To Protect Small Wyoming Home Day Cares From HOAs Moves To Senate
A bipartisan bill classifying small Wyoming home day cares as "residential" so homeowner associations can't forbid them passed a committee vote Thursday and is headed to the Senate floor.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 29, 2024
Sparks Fly At Heated Riverton Library Meeting Over American Library Association
A nationwide controversy over whether the American Library Association still serves local libraries or is trying to radicalize them boiled over in Riverton during a heated library board meeting.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 29, 2024
State Denies Claims Of ‘Sadistic Levels Of Cruelty’ At Wyoming Boys’ School
Three young men formerly incarcerated at the Wyoming Boys' School are now suing, claiming they were subjected to “sadistic levels of cruelty” while there, allegations the state Department of Family Services denies.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2024
Wyoming Bill To Make Sex Traffickers Register Clears House Committee
A bill that would make convicted sex traffickers register as sex offenders in Wyoming cleared the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, and now must survive three readings in the House before becoming law.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2024
Chloe’s Law, A Ban On Transgender Treatments For Kids, Passes Wyoming Senate
The Wyoming Senate passed Chloe’s Law on Tuesday, which would ban transgender treatments for kids, sending it to the House for consideration.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2024
Wyoming Man Agrees To Two Years Prison For Beating Puppy To Death
A Wyoming man has agreed to serve up to two years in prison for beating and stabbing a puppy to death. Meanwhile, he’ll also plead to a separate felony for beating his wife.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2024
Sheridan To Waive Dump Fees, Help With Rebuild Of Destroyed Standoff House
The Sheridan City Council voted Monday to waive roughly $11,000 in permitting and dump fees for a local woman whose house was destroyed during a prolonged standoff with a suspected cop killer.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2024
Bill Banning Wyoming Schools From Hiding Gender Transitions From Parents Advances
A legislative committee advanced a bill to the House floor Monday that would require schools to notify parents about changes in the health and emotional treatments their students get, including help with gender transitioning.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2024
Wyoming Woman Accused Of Torturing Son Can’t Get Out Of Jail To Care For Other Kids
A woman accused of torturing her son asked a federal judge to let her out of jail during her child-abuse prosecution to care for her five other small children and take anger management classes. On Friday, the judge said no.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2024
Clair McFarland: Put Your Kids In A Car Wash
Clair McFarland writes: "My twin sons started chanting under their breath, as if to summon a troll: 'Carr-wash, carr-wash, carr-wash,' came their rhythmic spell.' 'Hey guys, what if we went through the car wash? I asked. “YEAHHH!'”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2024