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
Penis Graffiti On Cattle Court Case Shows How Wyoming Is A Fence-Out State
A recent case of a pair of Crook County ranchers bleaching penises and other shapes onto about 200 cattle that came onto their land shows that in many ways, Wyoming still ranches the Old West way, including being a fence-out state.
Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2023
Short-Staffed Wyoming DOC Moves Hundreds Of Inmates To Mississippi Facility
A severely short-staffed Wyoming Department of Corrections has moved 240 inmates to a private prison in Mississippi and others to a couple of state county jails.
Clair McFarlandDecember 01, 2023
Clair McFarland: Motherhood Is Beautiful Because It’s Really, Really Hard
Clair McFarland writes, “I had this whole plan to be a perfect mother. No harm would befall my baby; he’d witness no selfishness from me. All you mothers reading this know that didn’t work out."
Clair McFarlandDecember 01, 2023
Torrington Woman Run Over By SUV Says Driver’s Life Shouldn’t Be Ruined
Although still suffering from injuries sustained when an SUV ran over her more than a year ago, a Torrington woman says she’s OK with the driver receiving a lesser sentence, adding, “I don’t want to ruin his life.”
Clair McFarlandDecember 01, 2023
Christmas Decorations Among Huge Haul Of Stolen Stuff In Worland Couple's Home
A Worland couple face felony theft charges after a huge haul of stuff reported stolen from storage units was found in their home, including Christmas decorations, a bed frame, a washing machine and tools.
Clair McFarlandDecember 01, 2023
Wyoming Can Keep Drug Money, Even If It Was Earned Legally In Other States
Wyoming can seize cash from out-of-state travelers if it’s proved the cash is tied to drug deals that would be illegal in Wyoming, regardless if it was earned legally in another state, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Clair McFarlandNovember 30, 2023
Hot Air Balloonist Convicted Of Landing In Grand Teton National Park
A federal judge convicted a Jackson balloon pilot last week for landing illegally in Grand Teton National Park. The balloonist argued the wind and an airport staffer's direction prompted the landing.
Clair McFarlandNovember 30, 2023
Cody Man Says 5-Year-Old Daughter Was Sexually Assaulted At School
The father of a Cody kindergartner says he’s moving his family after his 5-year-old daughter was held down by bigger students in a school bathroom and sexually assaulted.
Clair McFarlandNovember 29, 2023
Parents Claim Cheyenne Resource Officer Tackled, Bloodied Second Grader
Parents of a former Cheyenne second grader have filed a lawsuit claiming their son was unnecessarily roughed up, tackled and bloodied by a Laramie County Sheriff’s Office deputy at school last year.
Clair McFarlandNovember 29, 2023
Wyoming Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Deputy So He Could Stay Warm In Jail
A Wyoming man who allegedly threatened to kill a deputy to get himself thrown in jail where it was warm could spend up to 11 years in prison if convicted of trying to harm a law enforcement officer.
Clair McFarlandNovember 29, 2023
Rock Springs Mayor, Police Department Refute Online Attack Of Police Officer
Saying it’s been “frustrating” dealing with the unsubstantiated claims by an online report accusing a Rock Springs police officer of malfeasance, the city has released bodycam footage that doesn’t support the opinionated and inflammatory reports.
Clair McFarlandNovember 29, 2023
Laramie Woman Accused Of Arson For Torching Landlord’s Door With Bear Spray
Suspected of torching her landlord's door with bear spray and stinking up the complex with an acrid, nauseating gas this month, a Laramie woman is charged with first-degree arson.
Clair McFarlandNovember 28, 2023
Douglas Man Accused Of Killing Cousin Says He Blacked Out, Pleads Mental Illness
A Douglas man claims he wasn't sane enough to comprehend his conduct as wrong or conform it to law enforcement when he allegedly shot and killed his cousin in September.
Clair McFarlandNovember 27, 2023
Colorado Man Wanted For Murder Arrested After 130 MPH Chase Near Lusk, Wyoming
James Neal, 23, is accused of shooting a 73-year-old dead in Lone Tree, Colorado. Wyoming authorities arrested Neal Wednesday morning after a state trooper nudged Neal into a spinout during a car chase outside Lusk, Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandNovember 27, 2023
Wyoming Man Helps Catch MMA Fighter Accused Of International Sex Trafficking
Tyler Schwab of Afton, Wyoming, and his international anti-sex trafficking organization last week helped bring down an MMA fighter accused of sexually abusing women and girls.
Clair McFarlandNovember 27, 2023
Charges Dismissed Against Wyoming Ranchers For Bleaching Penises Onto Cows
A Crook County, Wyoming, judge has dismissed property destruction charges against a pair of ranchers accused of bleaching penis shapes and other markings on their neighbor’s cows.
Clair McFarlandNovember 27, 2023
Family Of Casper Woman Missing For 9 Years Wonders If Red Desert Skull Is Hers
After a hunter found a human skull in Wyoming’s vast Red Desert on Nov. 11, the family of a Casper woman missing for nine years wonders if it’s her.
Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2023
Cheyenne Transient Accused Of Sexually Attacking Hospital Nurse
A Cheyenne transient is accused of grabbing his hospital nurse’s breasts and hitting her in the face after she gave him minor pain medication.
Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2023
Natrona Sheriff Warns To Lock Doors As Search On For Car Thieves, Possible Armed
Natrona County authorities continue to advise Antelope Hills residents to lock the doors of their homes and vehicles as two suspects in a vehicle theft and car chase are believed to be loose in the area on foot and potentially armed.
Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2023
Ex-Boyfriend Of Missing Cody Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Gun Charge
A Cody man suspected of involvement in his girlfriend’s bloody disappearance pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Casper — to a different felony. He pleaded not guilty to a federal firearms charge.
Clair McFarlandNovember 21, 2023
Prison Time Likely For Wyoming Man Who Punched Daughter Until She Wanted To Vomit
A Wyoming man who pleaded guilty to beating his children could get 10-16 years in prison. Case documents show the man would punch, smack or throw one daughter until she felt like vomiting and smacked a boy with a snow shovel.
Clair McFarlandNovember 21, 2023