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

Robotic fire nozzles can be used to suppress many types of fires.

Jackson Company Makes Robotic Water Turrets That Can Put Out Fires In 12 Seconds

WatchDog Robotics says its robotic fire suppression system can detect and extinguish fires in 12 seconds — compared to two to four minutes for traditional sprinklers. The company says its systems are in demand at industrial workplaces and remote cabins.

David MadisonJanuary 25, 2026

Kim Greene, founder of Svalinn, got her start in Kenya before moving operations to Teton County, Wyoming. She’s now based outside of Livingston, Montana, and sells her trained dogs for $175,000 each.

Woman Sells Protection Dogs To The Wealthy For $175,000 Each

From Afghanistan to Africa to Wyoming, Kim Greene is a leading trainer of world-class protection dogs that she sells for $175,000 each. Now based in Montana, the woman sells about 20 dogs a year and her security business made nearly $3 million in 2024.

David MadisonJanuary 24, 2026

Hard Truths About Wyoming Ranching: 'You Don't Make Money, You're Making a Life'

A pair new studies show ranchers in Wyoming are facing some hard truths with pressures to sell out clashing with their Western values of being the “original environmentalists.” “You don’t make money, you’re making a life,” one rancher explained.

David MadisonJanuary 23, 2026

The Jonah natural gas field south of Pinedale.

Jonah Energy Says Blocking 3,500-Well Expansion Threatens Company’s Future

Jonah Energy’s vice president says a Tuesday ruling that blocks a 3,500-well expansion threatens the company’s future in Wyoming. "I can't overstate how damaging this could be for the future of the oil and gas industry in the state,” Paul Ulrich said.

David MadisonJanuary 22, 2026

Federal Judges Halt Jonah Field Expansion, Throw Out Lengthy Permitting Process

A two-judge panel ruled Tuesday that the BLM violated the Clean Air Act in approving a 3,500-well project. Jonah Energy says the decision punishes voluntary emissions efforts. "The impact to Wyoming is severe," said Jonah's Paul Ulrich.

David MadisonJanuary 21, 2026

Platte County Passes Wind And Solar Rules Officials Say Protect Property Rights

Platte County commissioners unanimously approved new wind and solar energy regulations Tuesday afternoon they said protect private property rights for landowners and neighbors.

David MadisonJanuary 21, 2026

A coal train rolls under stormy skies near Glendo, Wyoming. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's bid to create the largest rail merger in history was rejected last week by federal regulators. The decision gives breathing room to competitors who warned the deal would raise costs for Wyoming coal producers. Now, BNSF Railway hauls Powder River Basin coal across the West before handing off the shipments to Norfolk Southern.

Feds Reject Railroad Mega Merger That Threatened Wyoming Coal

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's bid to create the largest rail merger in history was rejected last week by federal regulators. The decision gives breathing room to competitors who warned the deal would raise costs for Wyoming coal producers.

David MadisonJanuary 19, 2026

Wyoming Has Triple The Permits Of Colo., But Drills Half As Many Oil And Gas Wells 

Wyoming holds three times more oil and gas drilling permits than Colorado but drills far fewer wells. The numbers show that while Wyoming holds 8,600 permits to Colorado's 2,800 and North Dakota's 1,350, only 57% of wells will get drilled.

David MadisonJanuary 18, 2026

One of Wyoming's many Carbon County wind farms.

U.S. Wind Industry Faces Political Crosswinds, Blowback From Rural Communities

As federal subsidies phase out for new wind energy projects, wind developers and opponents are regrouping. In Wyoming and Nebraska, residents against large-scale developments say the fight has just begun.

David MadisonJanuary 18, 2026

An image from the Idaho National Lab illustrating lunar work that requires electricity.

Wyoming Or The Moon: Which Gets A Working Nuclear Reactor First?

NASA and the Department of Energy signed an agreement earlier this week committing to put a nuclear reactor on the moon in 2030, the same year TerraPower's plant in Kemmerer is expected to come online. Which nuclear reactor will switch on first?

David MadisonJanuary 18, 2026

The robotic arms and devices can be used in ways that allow them to mimic various activities on a drilling rig, while other industrial robots specialize in equipment monitoring and safety.

AI Robots Are Already Working Wyoming’s Oil Patch, And Coal Mines Could Be Next 

Robots and AI are automating Wyoming’s oil rigs for safer drilling, while coal plants are being upgraded with “robot bubble baths” to boost yields amid labor shortages. Industry insiders see mining as next for AI robot workers, despite slow adoption.

David MadisonJanuary 17, 2026

This rare antique crock comes with butterfly art and deep roots in Red Wing, Minnesota, southeast of Minneapolis on the Mississippi River. It sold for $32,000 on Jan. 10, just in time for its owner’s 91st birthday, auctioneer Ken Bramer told Cowboy State Daily. Lois Jurgens said when she heard the selling price, it felt like she was in a dream.

91-Year-Old Nebraska Woman’s Rare Porch Crock Turns Out To Be $32,000 Treasure

A 91-year-old Nebraska woman thought her rare 30-gallon old Red Wing crock might fetch $100 at auction, and nearly sold it at a garage sale for $20. Instead, a local auctioneer spotted the treasure and sold it for her for $32,000.

David MadisonJanuary 17, 2026

Other Authors

Rick Davis, who once had the email address "drunk.rico@gmail.com", said he's five years sober and looking out for others who might need medical care while in law enforcement custody.

Sheridan Vet In Viral Video Says He's Five-Years Sober, Rebuilding His Life

The Sheridan man whose arrest video from five years ago went viral this week said the police and EMS should have recognized he had a medical emergency. But after several brain surgeries and a bankruptcy, Rick Davis says he’s sober and rebuilding his life.

David MadisonJanuary 16, 2026

Sheridan Police body cam footage from Feb. 2021 has resurfaced on social media creating an outcry after claims a disoriented man was treated improperly

Resurfaced Sheridan Police Body Cam Video Causes Outrage On Social Media

Bodycam footage from nearly 5 years ago in Sheridan between 3 police officers and a disoriented man have created outrage on social media. The video maker says the man suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgeries and was not treated properly by police.

David MadisonJanuary 15, 2026

At the Idaho National Lab, researchers say they are striving to perfect the reprocessing and recycling of nuclear fuel rods, while watchdogs raise concerns about radioactive emissions released during this work.

Utah Full Steam Ahead On Nuclear Industry While Wyoming Avoids

The 2026 legislative season is ramping up, and Utah lawmakers are fully embracing the nuclear industry while Wyoming legislators appear to be avoiding the subject.

David MadisonJanuary 13, 2026

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing coal-fired power plants in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of the Ray D. Nixon Power Plant in Colorado Springs, which burns Wyoming coal. Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western is the Region 8 administrator for the EPA.

Trump’s EPA Rejects Closure Of Colorado Power Plant That Burns Wyoming Coal

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing a coal-fired power plant in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of a plant that burns Wyoming coal.

David MadisonJanuary 12, 2026

Flo the cattle dog was just coming into her own when she was hit by a tourist passing through Sublette County. Across Wyoming, working dogs are part of the fabric of ranch life.

Wyoming Ranchers Push For Protections After Working Ranch Dog Killed By Tourist

Sublette County ranch hand Rachel Misiewicz was heartbroken when a Texas tourist ran over a working border collie during a cattle drive last fall. That's led her to push for a law that would mandate drivers slow to 25 mph near livestock drives.

David MadisonJanuary 10, 2026

Construction is well underway in south Cheyenne on Meta's mega data center called Project Cosmo. An agreement announced Friday between TerraPower and Meta forup to eight advanced nuclear reactors across the U.S. has put Cheyenne in position to become home to a dual-unit Natrium nuclear plant, a TerraPower executive told Cowboy State Daily.

TerraPower-Meta Deal Could Bring Advanced Nuclear Plant To Cheyenne

An agreement announced Friday between TerraPower and Meta for up to eight advanced nuclear reactors across the U.S. has put Cheyenne in position to become home to a dual-unit Natrium nuclear plant, a TerraPower executive told Cowboy State Daily.

David MadisonJanuary 09, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon appeared to have had enough with Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday when he turned to him and asked, "Do you want to step outside.” That came at the end of a marathon special meeting of the state land board in Douglas.

Gordon To Gray At Wind Meeting: 'Do You Want To Step Outside?'

The feud between Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray boiled over Thursday when Gordon asked Gray, “Do you want to step outside” near the end of a marathon Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners meeting in Douglas.

David MadisonJanuary 09, 2026

Wyoming uranium pulled from facilities like Cameco’s Smith Ranch-Highland facility are on track to be enriched using laser technology to create fuel for the nation’s nuclear power plants.

Part Of $2.7 Billion From Feds Is For Laser Tech That Could Be Used On Wyoming Uranium

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $2.7 billion in contracts this week to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment. That includes $28.5 million to continue developing next-generation laser enrichment technology that could be used on Wyoming uranium.

David MadisonJanuary 07, 2026

Former Sheridan Star Makes Play Of The Game In Montana State’s FCS Title Win

Former Sheridan football star Dane Steel's leaping touchdown was the highlight of the night in Montana State University winning its first national title in 41 years Monday night. The spectacular play earned the No. 1 spot on SportsCenter's Top 10.

David MadisonJanuary 06, 2026