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
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
Town of Hudson, Wyoming, Considers Lifting Ban On Pit Bulls, Rottweilers
Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are illegal in Hudson, Wyoming, but the town is considering lifting the ban. Nationwide, pit bulls are responsible for 67% of dog-bite fatalities, yet a local vet said they can have successful family lives if well socialized.
Clair McFarlandApril 11, 2024
Wyoming Department Of Health Gives $3,000 For Annual Drag Show; Freedom Caucus Livid
The Wyoming Department of Health has pledged $3,000 to help throw a drag queen bingo event in Laramie later this month. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus said taxpayers should not be funding a "perverted and scandalous event."
Clair McFarlandApril 11, 2024
Public Officials, Law Agencies Flooded With Threats Over Reports Of Wolf Torture
The outrage over reports of a Wyoming man allegedly capturing, tormenting then killing a wolf has boiled over with people from all over the world threatening local, state and law enforcement officials, including death threats.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024
Charges ‘Unlikely’ For Neighbor Who Shot Man In Cheyenne Domestic Fight
Laramie County’s top prosecutor told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that it’s “unlikely” charges will be filed against a resident who shot and killed a man while intervening in a loud domestic fight in his Cheyenne apartment complex.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024
Cheyenne Bank Stops Woman From Cashing Forged $1 Million Check
A Cheyenne bank helped stopped a Wisconsin woman on Monday from cashing someone else’s check from the federal government for nearly $1 million, by allegedly forging the check-owner’s name on it.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024
Wyoming Supreme Court Won’t Answer Abortion Questions Early
The Wyoming Supreme Court declined late Tuesday to decide whether abortion is unconstitutional in the state, saying a lower-level district court should grapple with those questions first.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024
115 Sheep Reported Stolen From Northeast Wyoming Ranches
A pair of ranchers in the Wright, Wyoming, area reported 115 sheep have been stolen from them recently. Another rancher reported 70 yearling ewes stolen from the same region last summer.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024
Intimidation Case Dropped Against Evanston Man Who Displayed Yard Signs
A Uinta County judge Monday dismissed the felony case against an Evanston man who was accused of using yard signs on his own property to intimidate his neighbor. Had he been convicted, he faced up to 10 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2024
Cheyenne Police Release Video Of Officers Subduing Suspect With Baton
The Cheyenne Police Department released video Monday of officers repeatedly striking a man with a baton who had given a false ID and tried to tase an officer with his own taser. State Sen. Anthony Bouchard condemned the tactics as excessive.
Clair McFarlandApril 09, 2024
Judge Sends Evanston Couple To Felony Court For Death Of Baby Found In Filth
An Evanston couple were bound over to felony-level court Monday in the death of their 9-month-old girl, who died after living in putrid filth the judge called “the worst of the worst.”
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2024
Shoshoni Woman Turns Herself In For Shooting Boyfriend
A Shoshoni woman accused of emptying the magazine of a handgun in the direction of her boyfriend and his Harley Davidson motorcycle, hitting the man in the foot, reportedly turned herself in Thursday and could face decades in prison.
Clair McFarlandApril 08, 2024