Features Reporter

David Madison

David Madison is an award-winning journalist and documentary producer based in Bozeman, Montana. He’s also reported for Wyoming PBS. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has worked at news outlets throughout Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

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Latest from David Madison

Josh Allen, left, called Jaxon Sweep’s number and challenged him to start a giant beer snake at War Memorial Stadium.

When Josh Allen Asked A Superfan To Build A Beer Snake, A Legend Was Born

Jaxon Sweep doesn't even drink beer. But when Josh Allen personally tapped him to build "the biggest beer snake f***ing possible," the lifelong Cowboys superfan delivered. The slithering tower of cups caught the attention of ESPN and the Kelce brothers.

David MadisonDecember 16, 2025

Trump Targets Tractor Regulations, Promising Relief For Wyoming Farmers

President Donald Trump says he’ll cut environmental rules he says make tractors too costly and hard to fix. He backs new EPA changes that give farmers more time before diesel equipment is slowed or shut down.

David MadisonDecember 15, 2025

Flock Safety cameras are positioned around Jackson, and after two years surveilling passing cars, Mayor Arne Jorgensen and the Jackson Town Council recently asked city staff to review how the cameras and data gathered by them is managed and protected.

Privacy Advocates Worry About “Robot Army” Of Surveillance Cameras In Jackson

Critics of the 28 license plate-reading cameras in Jackson say they are the equivalent of robo-cops writing down your license plate number every time you drive by. They say the cameras amount to a surveillance state and citizens should be alarmed.

David MadisonDecember 14, 2025

The lowly sloppy Joe might be at the bottom of Americana comfort food totem pole, but it’s enjoying a revival. At Smith Alley Brewing Co. in Sheridan, chef Andrew Nord combined Steamboat Stout with a simple blend of ingredients and created his spin on the classic sammy.

The Humble Sloppy Joe Is Making A Comeback and Sheridan Chef Is Leading The Charge

The lowly Sloppy Joe might dwell at the bottom of Americana comfort food totem pole, but it’s enjoying a revival. Chef Andrew Nord at Smith Alley Brewing in Sheridan is reinventing the sandwich with a gourmet makeover featuring the brewery's Steamboat Stout.

David MadisonDecember 13, 2025

Del Ray John “Voice of Jackson Hole” Dies At 80

Del Ray John, who was known for 40 years as "The Voice Of Jackson Hole" died on Wednesday at the age of 80. A Vietnam vet and community fixture, he started every show with the national anthem and signed off the same way, too: "Enjoy yourself and enjoy each other."

David MadisonDecember 12, 2025

The two pack horses that wandered off in late October north of Moran are still missing. An owner of one of the horses has conducted aerial searches, both in a small plane and with a thermal drone.

Search Intensifies For Horses Missing Six Weeks In Wyoming Backcountry

Two horses that went missing north of Moran in late October still haven't been found despite aerial searches. An outfitter is also missing horses in the same area, and the parties have joined forces in their search efforts.

David MadisonDecember 11, 2025

Energy Secretary Chris Wright got some hands-on experience at the Fuel Conditioning Facility at Idaho National Laboratory. The facility features two heavily shielded hot cells with remotely operated manipulators, allowing technicians to safely handle radioactive materials from behind five-foot-thick shielding walls while supporting expanded fuel cycle research and development.

Betting Big On A Nuclear Waste-Fueled Future: What Wyoming Shuns, Idaho Is Embracing

As Wyoming communities recoil from nuclear waste, the Idaho National Lab continues to embrace waste as an untapped resource. Energy Sec. Chris Wright, who visited the lab earlier this week, described the happenings there as a "nuclear renaissance."

David MadisonDecember 10, 2025

Energy Secretary Chris Wright toured the Idaho National Lab Monday with INL Director John Wagner, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Idaho Gov. Brad Little, as a gaggle of press tagged along — including Cowboy State Daily and The New York Times. The group walked through the DOME facility, where the microreactor manufacturer Radiant plans to test a reactor before a July 4, 2026 deadline set by the Trump administration.

Energy Secretary Tours 17 Labs And Urges Wyoming To Join “Nuclear Renaissance”

During a tour of the Idaho National Lab on Monday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright described Wyoming as a “tremendous energy state” and urged support for nuclear fuel manufacturing like what BWXT is proposing for Gillette.

David MadisonDecember 09, 2025

After moving from Oregon to Casper, sculptor Toby Wayne Larson found new inspiration in Wyoming’s wildlife. Using clay and fire, he creates animals like owls and horses into works that capture the spirit of the West.

Wyoming People: Wildlife Inspires Sculptor After Move To Casper

Toby Wayne Larson followed his wife, a fifth-generation Wyomingite, back home to Casper and began playing with sawdust and fire. "Coming from Oregon, I never saw any kind of animals like bison," he said. "And, man, these things are so beautiful and the power is incredible."

David MadisonDecember 08, 2025

Doug Samuelson remains involved with lion and elephant conservation work through the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance.

How A Wyoming Rancher Is Bringing Back Lions To African Area Riddled By Poaching

Wyoming rancher Doug Samuelson expected to hear lions while camped out in Mozambique but was crushed to hear poaching had wiped them out. So Samuelson went to work. His coalition has pulled off the largest international relocation of lions ever attempted.

David MadisonDecember 07, 2025

Dude Dad, aka Taylor Calmus, stopped by a police officer after driving a pirate ship on city streets.

Dude Dad, Internet Comedian Who Roasts Colorado, Is Coming To Wyoming

Taylor Calmus, aka Dude Dad, will kick off a new comedy series benefiting Wyoming nonprofits by bringing his “Parents Night Out” tour to Cheyenne and Laramie. He's grown a huge following poking fun of his home state of Colorado.

David MadisonDecember 07, 2025

Marty Simonich has driven his white Legacy sedan nearly 1 million miles through snowstorms, across the Bonneville Salt Flats at 120 mph, and into at least four deer. Now he's hoping the achievement will catch the attention of Subaru's corporate office.

Utah Man's 2001 Subaru Is About to Hit 1 Million Miles

Marty Simonich has driven his white 2001 Subaru Legacy sedan nearly 1 million miles. He has driven through snowstorms, across the Bonneville Salt Flats at 120 mph, into at least four deer and through Jackson Hole, where the odometer turned 777,777.

David MadisonDecember 06, 2025

Other Authors

Mike Stephens holds up a photo of the view from his land that will be permiated with wind turbines if a proposed wind project is completed. He sued the state over leasing public land to the company.

Judge Rules For Landowner, Stops Controversial Wind Lease In Converse County

A Converse County district judge has sided with a local rancher and reversed the State Board of Land Commissioners' approval of a wind energy lease. The judge said the project doesn't meet the state's own definition of wind energy leasing because it won't connect to the electrical grid.

David MadisonDecember 06, 2025

The USGS estimates 4.7 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas remains in the Mesaverde-Lance formations in southwest Wyoming. Combined with other recent assessments, federal scientists have identified enough undiscovered gas to supply the country for 18 months.

Feds Say Southwest Wyoming Is Sitting On Trillions Of Cubic Feet Of Natural Gas

The USGS estimates 4.7 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas remains under southwest Wyoming. Combined with other recent assessments, federal scientists have identified enough gas to supply the entire country for 18 months.

David MadisonDecember 04, 2025

Wyoming is seeking an extra $1 million to defend its fossil fuel industries and natural resources. State leaders are also exploring shipping up to 20 million tons of coal a year to Asian markets through a revived Oakland export terminal.

Wyoming Bets Big On Coal Exports To Asian Energy Markets

Gov. Mark Gordon is seeking an extra $1 million to defend its fossil fuel industries and natural resources. State leaders are also exploring shipping up to 20 million tons of coal a year to Asian markets through a revived Oakland export terminal.

David MadisonDecember 02, 2025

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is gunning for a world record. On Friday — weather permitting — the resort will host its third annual Ski in Jeans Day, inviting skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes in denim. The target: topping the 3,114 jean-wearing guests who set the record in 2023.

Jackson Resort Wants Thousands Of Skiers To Break World Record — In Their Jeans

It’s denim time again at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort where the hope is more than 3,320 skiers and snowboarders will show up on Friday in their jeans to set a new world record. Skiers at the Wyoming resort set the current world record in 2024.

David MadisonNovember 30, 2025

The Mint Bar in Sheridan casts its neon allure on viewers of RFD-TV in December and January, with General Manager Kat Deeds sharing the bar’s history and meaning to the community.

Sheridan's Famous Mint Bar Lands In National TV Spotlight In Six-Part Series

The famous 118-year-old Mint Bar, a downtown Sheridan institution, will be featured on national TV beginning in December. It's part of a broader "From the Heart of America" series showcasing Sheridan and Wyoming's Western heritage.

David MadisonNovember 29, 2025

The winning poster for the 2025 Bozeman Christmas Stroll — complete with a holiday spider. Online chatter accusing the artist of using generative AI led the Downtown Bozeman Partnership to not print and distribute the poster. Instead, it’s using a picture of a spider.

Winning Christmas Poster Pulled Over Artificial Intelligence Accusations In Bozeman

A Christmas art poster contest in Bozeman exploded into controversy after the winning design was accused of being generated by artificial intelligence. The Downtown Bozeman Partnership pulled the winning design entirely citing safety concerns.

David MadisonNovember 29, 2025

Trump's Artificial Intelligence Push Could Turbocharge Wyoming Energy, Research

Trump’s Genesis Mission will link national labs, artificial intelligence and quantum tech to speed up scientific breakthroughs, especially in energy. University of Wyoming and the Idaho National Lab hope to boost nuclear innovation, research, and jobs.

David MadisonNovember 28, 2025

New Series “Saving Yellowstone With Dennis Quaid” Premieres On Animal Planet

A new docuseries “Saving Yellowstone” premieres Wednesday on Animal Planet featuring Dennis Quaid and a filmmaker known as “The Beaver Man.” They explore the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem while spotlighting threats and discoveries.

David MadisonNovember 26, 2025

Heavy vehicles stop moving as a timed detonation brings down a wide coal face at the Buckskin Coal Mine in Gillette, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Rollback Of Biden-Era Powder River Basin Energy Leasing Policies Hits Trump's Desk

Trump and congressional allies are undoing Biden-era land and leasing rules to expand coal, oil and gas in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. Opponents say that guts environmental regulations and could leave taxpayers on the hook for huge cleanup costs.

David MadisonNovember 25, 2025