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
Hageman Reintroduces Bill Requiring Country Of Origin Labeling For Beef
In the wake of President Trump signaling support for increasing low-tariff beef imports from Argentina to remedy record beef prices, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman introduced a bill on Friday to require country of origin labeling.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2025
No New Trial For Kemmerer Babysitter Who Beat 5-Year-Old Girl To Death
A Kemmerer babysitter found guilty of first-degree murder for beating a 5-year-old girl to death appealed her conviction to the Wyoming Supreme Court, which ruled Wednesday she won’t get a new trial — though she was in the ER during a key court hearing.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2025
State Criminal Investigation Against Town Of Manderson Closes With No Charges
A state investigation into Manderson’s faulty 2022 audit, which sparked a criminal investigation, ended without charges, authorities announced Tuesday. Town leaders blame the prior administration, and lawmakers demand continuing oversight.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2025
Lawmakers Advance Four Bills That Aim To Catch, Prevent Botched Elections
Four bills seeking to catch and prevent fraud and botched elections in Wyoming are headed into the 2026 legislative session after the Management Audit Committee advanced them all Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2025
Thermopolis Residents Want Gordon To Remove 2 Hot Springs County Commissioners
Seven Thermopolis residents have asked Gov. Mark Gordon to remove two Hot Springs County commissioners accused of misconduct over a disputed campground permit. The governor is investigating as tensions over the local Tipi Retreat saga continue.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2025
Legislative Committee Wants Court Order To Make Weston County Clerk Testify
After the Weston County clerk failed to show for a Wyoming legislative committee’s subpoena, the panel chair on Tuesday said he would seek a court order compelling her to testify at a later meeting.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2025
Riverton Man Receives $55K Settlement Over Warrantless Police Entry
A Riverton man settled his lawsuit for $55,000 after claiming police entered his home without a warrant, dragged him out, and jailed him.
Clair McFarlandOctober 21, 2025
Wyoming National Guard Has 800 Employees Working For Free In Shutdown
The Wyoming National Guard has around 800 full-time employees working for free during the federal government shutdown, with "no end in sight." They're guaranteed back pay when the government restarts.
Clair McFarlandOctober 21, 2025
Gordon Investigates New Complaints Against Weston County Clerk
Gov. Mark Gordon on Monday announced that he’s received at least four more complaints about the Weston County clerk’s handling of the 2024 general election. He said he’s investigating the new claims — and a call to remove the clerk from her elected office.
Clair McFarlandOctober 20, 2025
Bill Would Allow Wyoming Police To Ticket Non-English-Speaking Truckers
A Wyoming legislative committee meeting in Cheyenne on Monday adopted a draft bill to let all state law enforcement officers ticket commercial truckers caught driving without being proficient in the English language.
Clair McFarlandOctober 20, 2025
Corner-Crossing War Is Over: Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Landowner's Appeal
Being able to corner-cross private property to access landlocked public lands is now the rule across much of the American West, after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a Wyoming landowner’s challenge of the practice.
Clair McFarlandOctober 20, 2025
Wyoming Bill Would Shield Pregnancy Centers From Overreach By Cities, Counties
A Wyoming legislative committee on Thursday advanced a bill that, if it becomes law, would safeguard pregnancy centers from being forced to offer abortions or otherwise abridge their mission by state or local governments.
Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2025
Wyoming Secretary Of State Flags 3 Possible Noncitizen Voters in State Rolls
Secretary of State Chuck Gray flagged three possible noncitizen voters in Teton, Lincoln and Carbon counties. Clerks will now verify citizenship. “Only U.S. citizens and only Wyoming residents should be voting in Wyoming elections — period,” Gray said
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2025
Moorcroft Man’s Child Sex Trial Delayed Because Of New Sex Crime Charge In Nebraska
A Moorcroft man’s child sex abuse trial was delayed after he was charged in Nebraska with another child sex crime. Charles Dean Massie is accused of sexually abusing girls at his church in Wyoming, and of molesting a teen in Nebraska.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2025
Hageman Urges Feds To Pull Trans Treatments From Affordable Care Act Coverage
Wyoming's U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Wednesday announced she's urging the federal government to delist transgender treatments from Affordable Care Act coverage. A Wyoming LGBTQ advocacy group says Hageman made divisive political attacks while doing so.
Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2025
Green River Leaders 'Ecstatic’ Tunnel Set To Reopen After Deadly 26-Vehicle Crash
Green River leaders are “ecstatic” that the westbound interstate tunnel tattered by a deadly 26-vehicle pileup in February is scheduled to reopen to traffic by late November. Three people died in the fiery Feb. 14 crash that prompted a $16 million rebuild.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2025
One Of Two Big Piney Men In Bow And Arrow Ambush Death Pleads Guilty
Orion Schlesinger pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to ambush and kill his video gaming friend Dakota Farley the night of Feb. 1-2 in Big Piney. Rowan Littauer, who's accused of firing the fatal shot with a bow, is still on track for trial.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2025
Uinta County Man Accused Of Using AI To Put Girl In Child Porn
A Uinta County man accused of using AI to transform a teen’s photo into child pornography faces four felony charges. The case has reignited some Wyoming lawmakers’ push to curb "deepfake" deceptions and bolster AI-related law.
Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2025
Lummis Introduces Bill To End Diesel 'Delete' Rules, Free Imprisoned Mechanics
Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill Tuesday to end emissions requirements and prosecution of diesel “delete” mechanics. An attorney defending a Wyoming mechanic said the idea supports rural America, but the bill's a "long shot" as written.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025
Wyoming Panel Advances Grooming Bill With Tougher Penalties Than Statutory Rape
Wyoming's Joint Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced a bill seeking to criminalize "grooming," or pushing children toward sexual acts. As drafted, it would penalize grooming offenses with harsher penalties than statutory rape itself.
Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025
Alleged Cheyenne Animal Hoarder Was Investigated For Cruelty Before
The man accused of hoarding more than 100 animals in Cheyenne was investigated — but not convicted — for similar allegations dating back to 2022. Shelter staffers are still scrambling to feed, clean and care for the massive influx of rescued pets.
Jackson Walker & Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025