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 Schools Could Get $68 Million Boost To Deal With Inflation
Wyoming's Joint Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a $68 million annual payout for elementary and secondary schools to adjust for inflation. If approved, this would add to the $1.6 billion the schools receive yearly.
Clair McFarlandOctober 26, 2023
Riley Gaines Speaks To 600 At UW, Calls Kappa Sorority Members 'Inspiring'
Women’s rights activist Riley Gaines said the six sorority members suing over a transgender member's induction are “inspiring” while talking to 600 people at a University of Wyoming stop on her “Speak Louder” tour Tuesday night in Laramie.
Clair McFarlandOctober 25, 2023
Wyoming Supreme Court Says Former Lawyers Didn’t Cheat Tribe Out Of $5.5 Million
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that a judge and jury were correct in their rulings that the Northern Arapaho Tribe’s former lawyers did not misappropriate $5.5 million in tribal money.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2023
Riverton Woman Among First Charged With Felony Shoplifting Under New Law
A 48-year-old Riverton, Wyoming, woman with nine prior theft convictions is among the first to be charged under a new state law that allows felony prosecution for repeat shoplifters and thieves.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2023
UW Kappa Members Want To Appeal Dismissal, Not File New Case
The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority says six women suing it over the induction of a transgender member should try their case again in the court that dismissed it, but the women say that judge has made up his mind and it's time for an appeal.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2023
Vet Says Riverton Woman Ran 'Amphitheater Of Suffering' For Starving Animals
A Riverton woman was sentenced to probation Monday on eight counts of animal cruelty, but she maintained she didn’t starve two dozen farm animals to death in what a vet called an "amphitheater of suffering."
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2023
Bairoil Couple Survived Wild Gun Attack Because God Was ‘Watching Our Backs’
A Bairoil couple recalls the harrowing barrage of bullets their uncle reportedly unleashed on them during an unhinged rant over money. Although they were hit multiple times, they survived because God was "watching our backs."
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2023
Casper-Area Man Accused Of Pulling Pistol To Enforce Neighborhood Speed Limit
A 62-year-old Casper-area man is accused of threatening neighbors and others with a pistol on multiple occasions, including brandishing it to enforce a 20 mph speed limit.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2023
Wyoming's First Female Attorney General Takes Gold In World Senior Games
Gay Woodhouse, Wyoming's first female attorney general, won a 5.5-mile biking race last week at the 36th annual Huntsman World Senior Games, the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes ages 50 and older.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2023
Four Wyoming Doctors Tell Court Abortion Is Not Health Care
Arguing that abortion is not health care, four Wyoming doctors are asking Teton County District Court Judge Melissa Owens to let them file a brief in an ongoing lawsuit on Wyoming’s abortion bans.
Clair McFarlandOctober 21, 2023
DCI: Thermopolis Cop Cleared Of Other Complaints Prior To Killing Suspect
The Thermopolis police sergeant who broke into a man’s home, triggered a shootout and killed the man had been cleared of other professional complaints one week prior, an investigative report says.
Clair McFarlandOctober 20, 2023
Clair McFarland: Classic Children’s Books Help Me Not Bite Anyone’s Head Off
Clair McFarland writes: "The best children’s books proclaim a grand and benevolent order that most grown-ups are too cowardly to believe in."
Clair McFarlandOctober 20, 2023
Lander Man Accused Of Molesting Girls For 4 Decades Gets 40-50 Years In Prison
A 72-year-old Lander man convicted of sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl, and accused of molesting two other young girls going back more than four decades, was sentenced Thursday to 40-50 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2023
Wyoming Sues EPA For Not Acting On Its Coal Ash Plan
Wyoming sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday, asking a federal judge to make the agency act on the state's plan for disposing of coal ash.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2023
Degenfelder To Congress: Parents' Top Concern Is Sexually Graphic Materials In School
Testifying to Congress on Thursday, Wyoming’s education chief Megan Degenfelder said if public schools don't refocus on education instead of controversial sexual themes, parents will lose faith in public education altogether.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2023
Rock Springs Drag Queen Story Hour For Children Sparks Heated Debate
A planned drag queen story hour for children in Rock Springs next week sparked a heated debate at a city council meeting. A cartoon book called “Letter From The Queen” intended for children at a second grade level is scheduled to be read.
Clair McFarlandOctober 19, 2023
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