Crime and Courts Reporter

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.

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Latest from Clair McFarland

Cody Woman Accused Of Asking Hitman To Kill Daughter's Drug-Addict Boyfriend

Police have arrested a Cody woman after a Division of Criminal Investigation agent posing as a hitman reportedly talked with her last week about accepting $10,000 to kill her daughter's "controlling," drug-addict boyfriend.

Clair McFarlandDecember 27, 2023

Yellowstone thermal and pierce brosnan 12 27 23

Former James Bond Actor Pierce Brosnan Cited For Veering Off Yellowstone Path

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan was ticketed on Tuesday for going into a closed area of Yellowstone National Park and veering off the designated path at Mammoth Terraces.

Clair McFarlandDecember 27, 2023

Joe and AnnMarie Wilson have run 45 marathons while raising their four children, because Joe worked up the nerve to ask AnnMarie if she was into running back in 2002.

'So, You're A Runner?' Pickup Line Leads To Marriage, And 45 Marathons

There's only a handful of runners in Lingle, Wyoming. And two of them are married to each other, because in 2002, Joe Wilson worked up the nerve to ask AnnMarie if she was into running. Now they've done multiple Boston Marathons and last month did the famed New York City Marathon.

Clair McFarlandDecember 24, 2023

Wheatland Middle School Principal Cancels Controversial Play Day Before Opening Night

Some Wheatland Middle School parents and students are upset the principal canceled their production of “The Bullying Collection” a day before opening night, saying it doesn’t align with the school’s values.

Clair McFarlandDecember 22, 2023

Trevor Milton of Alpine, Wyoming, was sentenced to four years in prison and $1 million in fines for defrauding investors.

Wyoming Man Gets Prison, $1M Fine For Lying About Hydrogen Powered Vehicles

An Alpine, Wyoming, man will spend four years in prison and pay $1 million for lying to investors about developing a “really incredible” and “fully functioning” hydrogen-powered semitruck, among other products.

Clair McFarlandDecember 21, 2023

Wind River Indian Reservation sign 12 21 23

Tribes Settle $13.1 Million Dispute With Energy Company, Aren't Saying For How Much

After a federal judge ordered Wyoming’s two American Indian tribes to pay an oil and gas company $13.1 million, the tribes challenged the ruling. But they settled last week with the company for an unknown dollar amount.

Clair McFarlandDecember 21, 2023

London Beaudoin, Christopher Parish, and Leo Bernard Smith Jr., are accused of fleeing with $25,000 after two unknown characters ripped apart a Cheyenne ATM with a stolen F250.

3 Arrested For Ripping Apart Cheyenne ATM With Stolen Truck, 2 Others Get Away

Two unknown characters used a Ford F-250 and a chain to rip apart a Cheyenne ATM and steal more than $25,000 this month. They got away, but two Texas men and a woman in the alleged getaway car were arrested in a flurry of $20 bills.

Clair McFarlandDecember 20, 2023

Wyoming Sheep Shearer Gets 12-17 Years In Prison For Stabbing Fiancé To Death

Saying she’s “ready to face the consequences of my actions,” an Australian with New Zealand ties who was shearing sheep in Wyoming learned Wednesday she'll spend 12 to 17 years in prison for stabbing her fiancé to death last February.

Clair McFarlandDecember 20, 2023

Mexican Man Accused Of Beating Wife With Iron Now Faces Illegal Reentry Charge

Mexican national charged with hitting wife in the head with a clothes iron then choking her was charged Monday for also being in the United States illegally. His record shows a 30-year history of illegal reentry and deportation.

Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2023

Wyoming Man Suing To Keep Trump Off Ballot OK With Former President Joining Lawsuit

A retired attorney in Wyoming sparred Tuesday with Trump about whether the former president can stay on the state’s ballot - as the Colorado Supreme Court removed Trump from its state ballot.

Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2023

No New Trial For Cheyenne Day Care Worker Who Swaddled Baby To Death

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled a Cheyenne day care worker who swaddled a baby to death won’t get a do-over on claims her 2022 jury trial was unfair.

Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2023

File photo: Transgender sports bill protest on Wyoming State Capitol steps on March 2, 2023

Wyoming Federal Judge: Following Trans Pronouns Policy Part Of Teacher's Duty

A federal judge on Monday said Wyoming teachers don't have a free-speech right to ignore a school's policy of using students' preferred pronouns. “Referring to a student by their chosen or preferred names in a classroom, pursuant to a school district policy, is part of a teacher’s official duties,” the judge wrote.

Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2023

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Pistol Packin' Mama! Casper Home Invaders Flee When Pregnant Mom Pulls Gun

While the dad of a Casper family wrestled with one of two home intruders, the pregnant mom grabbed a pistol, pointed it at both burglars and scared them away last month, according to court documents.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2023

The home where Burdick Nelson Seminole Sr. allegedly killed Michael Standingelk, a landlord in a wheelchair.

Riverton Man Charged With Killing Wheelchair-Bound Landlord

Accused of shooting his wheelchair-bound former landlord in a crowded home on the Wind River Indian Reservation this summer, Burdick Nelson Seminole Sr. could face life in prison.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2023

Arapahoe Couple Accused Of Torturing, Starving, Locking Boy Up For Weeks

Accused of torturing, starving and confining their son in his room for stealing snacks, two Arapahoe, Wyoming, parents are facing up to life in prison on an enhanced child abuse charge alleging they seriously hurt the boy.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2023

The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house in Laramie, Wyoming.

450 Kappa Sorority Sisters Side With UW Women Against Transgender Member

A group of 450 Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority sisters have filed a court argument this week backing six University of Wyoming sisters in their appeal against the sorority for admitting a transgender member at the UW chapter.