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 Legislator's Ex-Boyfriend Sues, Wants Money Back For Zimbabwe Leopard Hunt
The ex-boyfriend of Wyoming Rep. Nina Webber is suing her on claims she cheated him out of $6,000 for a Zimbabwe leopard- and elephant-hunting trip that followed an earlier safari to hunt hippo and crocodile. A bench trial in the case is ongoing.
Clair McFarlandNovember 27, 2025
Wyoming U.S. Attorney Drops Diesel ‘Delete’ Case
Wyoming U.S. Attorney Darin Smith dropped felony diesel “delete” charges Wednesday against Gillette-raised mechanic Levi Krech. The rare dismissal, and a Trump pardon for another delete mechanic, may signal a less aggressive approach toward the practice.
Clair McFarlandNovember 26, 2025
Gillette Doctor Reports Toddler Severely Scalded, Bruised In Babysitter’s Care
A Gillette woman is facing up to 10 years in prison on claims her brother-in-law’s 2-year-old son was severely scalded, “lashed,” and badly bruised while in her care. Her attorney says there's more to the story and the woman "is being villainized."
Clair McFarlandNovember 25, 2025
Trucker Accused Of Shooting At Pickup With Toddler In It Could Face Life In Prison
The Florida trucker arrested by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Thursday near Rawlins could face life in prison on an attempted murder charge during a road rage incident. He’s accused of shooting at a pickup with a toddler in it.
Clair McFarlandNovember 25, 2025
Evanston Man Claims Self-Defense In Shooting Death Of Father
A 23-year-old Evanston man accused of fatally shooting his dad early Saturday morning wrote in a court form that he acted in self-defense. He said he didn’t know who was breaking into his room and, “I did not mean to kill any one."
Clair McFarlandNovember 24, 2025
Family Still Fighting Ousted Gillette Librarian After County Settled For $700,000
Six weeks after Campbell County settled a fired librarian’s lawsuit against it for $700,000, a local family she’s also suing is continuing to fight. The family says expressing their opposition to the former librarian is their First Amendment right.
Clair McFarlandNovember 24, 2025
ICE To Deport 40 Truckers After Wyoming Sheriff, Highway Patrol Operation
After truckers complained of illegal counterparts, Wyoming law enforcement and ICE conducted an operation last week targeting truckers bypassing the port of entry near the Colorado border. From about 205 contacts, 40 truckers are set to be deported.
Clair McFarlandNovember 24, 2025
Clair McFarland: What I Want To Say Before The Bots Take Over
Clair McFarland writes: "Artificial intelligence is threatening to replace real human beings with the sum of our least complete thoughts. But for the space of this column, let me be an individual."
Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2025
Big Piney Teen Agrees To Plead Guilty For Killing Man With Bow And Arrow
A Big Piney man agreed Thursday to plead guilty to second-degree murder and mutilation of a dead body for killing his friend February with a bow and arrow. Court documents say Rowan Littauer and Orion Schlesinger walked to the victim’s home and ambushed him.
Clair McFarlandNovember 21, 2025
Wyoming Legislators Advance Plan To Kill All Residential Property Taxes
Wyoming lawmakers advanced five property tax reform plans Wednesday. One of the measures, if passed by the Legislature and the people of Wyoming, would change the state Constitution to eliminate residential property tax altogether.
Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2025
Sparks Fly At Management Council Over Honor Wyoming 'Blocked' Email Claims
Sparks flew Wednesday as the Legislature’s highest-ranking members rejected a controversial bill to keep a list of emails people send to legislators. Conservative political group Honor Wyoming says the list is needed because its emails have been “blocked.”
Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Four Bills To Rein In Slot-Machine-Like Gaming
Wyoming lawmakers advanced four bills Tuesday to tighten control over slot-machine-like gaming, citing its explosive growth. Industry leaders defended the machines as vital to funding live horse racing and rural economic activity.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2025
Gray 'Alarmed' Gordon Doesn't Back His Request For Extra Money
Secretary of State Chuck Gray claims Gov. Mark Gordon isn't including money to advertise a property tax ballot initiative in his biennial budget. Gordon says Gray managed to fulfill his publication requirements before without extra money.
Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2025
Wyoming GOP Tells State To Report Those Who 'Glorify’ Assassinations
Referencing the Charlie Kirk assassination, Wyoming GOP leaders passed a resolution Saturday in Torrington asking state authorities to investigate and potentially discipline public employees who celebrate such killings.
Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2025
Governor Gordon Proposes $11.13 Billion Two-Year Budget
Gov. Mark Gordon is asking the Wyoming Legislature for an $11.13 billion biennial state budget, up about $755 million from the prior budget cycle's $10.38 billion. It includes nearly $3 billion for the Department of Health.
Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2025
Daughter Of Rock Springs Police Chief Accused Of Poisoning Roommate's Dog
Accused of poisoning her roommate’s dog so it had to be put down, the 19-year-old daughter of the Rock Springs police chief is charged with felony animal cruelty. The dog's owner doesn't agree with backlash against the chief, saying he's a "good person."
Clair McFarlandNovember 17, 2025
Natrona County GOP Still Not Paying State Dues, Cites ‘Punitive’ Attitudes
A Natrona County GOP delegate was called out at the state party’s leadership meeting in Torrington on Saturday to explain a refusal to pay more than $30,000 in dues. The county chair said it’s partly because of the “punitive” attitude of the state GOP.
Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2025
Wyoming ‘Tim Tebow’ Rule Heads To Lawmaking Session
A Wyoming legislative committee on Friday advanced a “Tim Tebow rule” to require school districts to let homeschool and private school students as young as sixth grade participate in public school activities.
Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2025
John Eklund, Longtime Wyoming Lawmaker And Rancher, Dies At 74
State Rep. John Eklund, a longtime Wyoming lawmaker, rancher and family man, died Friday at 74 after battling cancer. Colleagues praised his integrity, love of agriculture and deep commitment to his community.
Clair McFarlandNovember 14, 2025
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