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
Gillette Man Claims Stand-Your-Ground Immunity In Bloody Beer Bottle Fight
A Venezuelan immigrant accused of having a beer bottle fight with another immigrant claims he shouldn’t be prosecuted under Wyoming’s stand your ground self-defense law.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2023
Laramie Man Accused Of Hurling Watermelon At Pregnant Woman Could Face Prison
A Laramie man could get prison time if convicted of assaulting a pregnant woman by hurling a watermelon, corn cob, metal trash can and vase at her. He’s scheduled to enter a plea to the charges Thursday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2023
Thermopolis Cop Who Killed Man After Breaking Into House On Leave
The Thermopolis Police Department sergeant who broke into a home in April, triggering a gunfight that caused a man’s death, has been placed on administrative leave, the town of Thermopolis announced late Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2023
Wyoming Not One Of 18 States Fighting Medicaid Payout For Transgender Treatments
Wyoming did not join a slate of 18 states and their attorneys general in filing a supporting brief in Florida’s court case where the state is protesting having to pay for transgender-related treatment with Medicaid money.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2023
Protestors Demand Firing Of Thermopolis Cop Who Broke Into Home, Killed Local Man
Thermopolis residents have gathered at the town's main intersection every night to protest the actions of Thermopolis Police Sgt. Mike Mascorro, who killed a suspect in a gunfight after breaking into the suspect's home without a warrant.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2023
Wyoming Angler Sets World Record Because Daughter Begged To Go Fishing
Wyoming angler Patrick Edwards got word Monday that the huge 6-pound, 8.4-ounce white sucker he caught six months ago tied a nearly 40-year-old world record. And it all happened because he promised his 11-year-old daughter they'd go fishing.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2023
Pair In Stolen Charger Run From Cops At 160 MPH With 70 Pounds Of Pot
After a wild chase in a stolen Charger across two states hitting speeds of 160 mph, a pair of men from Maryland face a laundry list of charges in Wyoming, including for the 70 pounds of pot they were transporting.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2023
UW Condemns Hamas Terrorist Attack As ‘Reprehensible’ And ‘An Atrocity’
In an unusual move to take a position on a global issue, the University of Wyoming on Friday formally condemned the Hamas terrorism attacks on Israel as “reprehensible” and “an atrocity.”
Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2023
Cheney Says GOP ‘Abandoning The Constitution’ With Jordan Pick For House Speaker
Hours after former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, of Wyoming, said House Republicans will abandon the Constitution if they nominate Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker, Republicans did just that.
Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2023
Sorority Claims Women Who Sued Over UW Chapter Transgender Member Can’t Appeal
Six women appealing their lost case against the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority over the induction of a transgender member have hired two all-star appeals attorneys, while the sorority is asking the appeals court not to hear the case.
Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2023
Accused Stabber Who Texted 'Let's Fight To The Death' Was Out On Bond For DUI
A Wyoming woman accused to stabbing her boyfriend in the head after texting him, “Let’s fight to the death” was out on bond at the time for her fourth DUI charge in 10 years.
Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2023
Raw Milk From Jackson Outlet Suspected Of Sending Two Kids To Hospital
Five people in Teton and Lincoln counties, including two children who were hospitalized, are believed to have been made sick by consuming raw milk, the Wyoming Department of Health confirmed Thursday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 13, 2023
WHP: Semi Driver Didn’t Check Brakes Before Spilling 40,000 Pounds Of Bentonite
The Wyoming Highway Patrol continues to investigate a semitrailer crash that spilled 40,000 pounds of bentonite near Buffalo and whether the driver didn’t stop for a mandatory brake check.
Clair McFarlandOctober 12, 2023
Powell Man With Mystery Ukraine Wife Accused Of Stealing $1.3 Million From Newspapers
The longtime accountant of a Cody-based publisher of several Wyoming newspapers claimed some of the $1.3 million he’s accused of stealing from Sage Publishing was to support a sick wife in Ukraine.
Clair McFarlandOctober 12, 2023
Cody Police Officer Suspended After Angry Traffic Stop Back On The Job
The city of Cody and its police department say Officer Blake Stinson, who had been on leave after a YouTube video circulated showing his angry traffic stop of a local teen, is back on the job.
Clair McFarlandOctober 12, 2023
Wyoming Harvard Grads Disgusted By Student Groups' Support Of Hamas Attacks
A pair of Wyoming lawmakers who went to Harvard University say they’re disgusted with the more than 30 student groups at the school who are blaming Israel for the deadly Hamas attack that has plunged the country into war with the terrorist group.
Clair McFarlandOctober 11, 2023
Riley Gaines Gets Called 'Bigot,' And Then Canceled By Penn State; Still Planning UW Visit
After Penn State University president call Riley Gaines a “bigot” and the university canceled her Tuesday event, the women’s rights activist is still expected at UW on Oct. 24.
Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2023
Lawmakers Urge Caution On Changing Laws After Thermopolis Cop Shooting
Wyoming lawmakers say caution is needed when considering changing state laws in the wake of a Thermopolis police officer illegally breaking into a suspect’s home and triggering a fatal shootout.
Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2023
Court: No Problem With Cheyenne Double Murderer Wearing Electric Shock Belt
A judge didn’t abuse her power by making a Cheyenne double murderer wear an electric-shock belt at his trial after the man didn’t show up to court in time to argue against that idea, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2023
Jackson Man Accused Of Bear-Spraying Tourist May Have Charges Dropped
Because his alleged victim can’t be reached, a Teton County prosecutor is asking to dismiss the case against a homeless Jackson man accused of bear-spraying a tourist after offering to impregnate her.
Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2023
Cheyenne Man Known As ‘K Thuggin' 2’ Gets 7 Years For Dealing Fentanyl
A Cheyenne man who goes by the handle “K Thuggin 2” has been sentenced to seven years in prison for dealing and transporting fentanyl across the Wyoming-Colorado border.
Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2023