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 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
Wheatland Man To Plead Guilty In Liquor Store Break-In That Left Buddy Beaten
A Wheatland man took a plea deal for felony burglary after breaking into a closed liquor store and beating his friend, avoiding trial. He faces five to ten years in prison and agreed to testify about his accomplice’s role.
Clair McFarlandNovember 07, 2025
Judge Upholds Wyoming's 'Sore Loser' Candidate Law And Crossover Voting Ban
A Wyoming judge upheld state laws banning crossover voting and keeping “sore loser” primary election candidates from launching petitions to get onto the general election ballot. The plaintiffs are likely to appeal, arguing the laws limit voter and candidate rights.
Clair McFarlandNovember 07, 2025
Powell Woman Who 'Escaped' California Politics Sues City To Keep Pygmy Goat
A California woman moved to Wyoming to escape "imperious" politics. But now she’s suing the town of Powell after being denied a permit to keep her pet pygmy goat. She claims the city’s decision violates her constitutional rights, was arbitrary and unfair.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2025
Weston County Clerk Criminally Charged For Dodging Legislative Subpoena
The Weston County Clerk has been formally charged with the crime of dodging a legislative subpoena during a subcommittee's investigation of her handling of the 2024 election. She reportedly told an investigator she had other appointments that day.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2025
Uinta County Voters Defeat $40.6 Million Tax Project By More Than 2-To-1 Margin
Uinta County voters don’t want to pay an additional 1% tax for a new swimming pool and other projects totaling about $40.6 million. They voted more than 2-to-1 against the controversial proposal.
Clair McFarlandNovember 06, 2025
Wyoming Freedom Caucus Membership Survey: 31 House Reps Say They're Not Members
Through past reporting and a slew of point-blank inquiries this week, Cowboy State Daily has determined that half of the Wyoming House of Representatives, which has 62 members, are not Freedom Caucus members or say they're not Freedom Caucus members.
Clair McFarland & Jackson WalkerNovember 06, 2025
Wyoming Pastors Say Nobody Should Rejoice Over Cheney’s Or Kirk’s Deaths
Right after both Vice President Cheney and conservative influencer Charlie Kirk died, people mocked them and left hateful messages all over social media. Wyoming pastors told Cowboy State Daily that none of us are "pure enough to spit on anybody's grave."
Clair McFarlandNovember 05, 2025
Wyoming GOP Wants More Power For Non-Elected Members
The Wyoming Republican Party on Tuesday asked a legislative committee to loosen state laws that restrict its internal elections. The committee agreed to one of the party’s many suggested tweaks.
Clair McFarlandNovember 05, 2025