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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

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

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 in January 2026 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.

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 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.

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

Other Authors

The Wyoming Innovation Center is on approximately 9.5 acres on two lots at Fort Union Industrial Park in Gillette and will consist of three main components: Main building with offices and labs; material processing building; open air pilot pads for development of innovative processes. The main building pictured below, with offices and labs, is 4,070 square feet.

Wyoming Building Nation's Largest Coal Products Facility Near Gillette

Construction crews are assembling a field demonstration plant that will process up to 10 tons of coal per day into materials for roads, buildings, and nuclear fuel. The project is a critical step from research to commercial viability.

David MadisonJanuary 06, 2026

Oil well flare

For Wyoming, Is Venezuelan Oil The New Argentinian Beef?

Trump's move to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry after Nicolas Maduro's capture could put downward pressure on prices, squeezing Wyoming oil producers already operating on thin margins. But industry leaders say many questions remain unanswered.

David MadisonJanuary 05, 2026

Clarence L. Oliver broke horses for Buffalo Bill, rounded up Texas longhorns and had a memorable encounter with Calamity Jane in 1901. That's when, to win a bet, he ran down and caught a drunken and naked Calamity Jane in the middle of Cody.

The American West: Calamity Kid Tamed Horses For Buffalo Bill, Tried To Tame Calamity Jane

Clarence L. Oliver broke horses for Buffalo Bill, rounded up Texas longhorns and had a memorable encounter with Calamity Jane in 1901. That's when, to win a bet, he ran down and caught a drunken and naked Calamity Jane in the middle of Cody.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

Wyoming’s own Anna Gibson flexed both uphill and downhill skiing skills in Solitude, Utah, to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. She will compete in an individual Skimo speed event, and a mixed relay with teammate Cam Smith of Crested Butte, Colorado.

Wyoming’s Surprise Olympian Started Training As An 8-Year-Old For Uphill Skiing

Anna Gibson was 8 when she started begging her parents to let her break Jackson Hole resort rules and ski uphill. Eighteen years later, she’s headed to Italy as America’s surprise Olympic hopeful in a sport she’s been training for most of her life.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

A Sheridan couple has invented a smart-home system that automates coop care for people who keep backyard chickens. Their Hen Hub recently won $50,000 in a start-up challenge for seed money to bring their invention to market.

How Sheridan Couple Invented An Automated 'Smart' Coop For Backyard Chickens

A Sheridan couple has invented a smart-home system that automates coop care for people who keep backyard chickens. Their Hen Hub recently won $50,000 in a start-up challenge for seed money to bring their invention to market.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

The University of Idaho’s drop from the top tier of Division I college football warns the University of Wyoming about the challenges small markets have in the era of NIL and revenue sharing. Experts urge realism as financial gaps widen. Here, UW mascot Pistol Pete gets the crowd worked up at a men's baskeball game.

What University Of Idaho’s Division I Downgrade Could Teach The Wyoming
Cowboys

The University of Idaho’s drop from the top tier of Division I college football could serve a warning to the University of Wyoming about the challenges small markets have in the era of NIL and revenue sharing. Insiders urge realism as financial gaps widen.

David MadisonJanuary 03, 2026

Wind turbines carbon county 1 2 26

After Judge Tosses Wind Project, State Land Board To Discuss Leasing Rules

The Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners will hold a special meeting next week in Douglas to discuss wind leasing. That comes a month after a district court judge reversed the board's approval of controversial Converse County wind energy lease.

David MadisonJanuary 02, 2026

It’s estimated 25% to 35% of Wyoming’s forests are now dominated by “ghost forests” — standing dead timber from beetle epidemics and disease. Researchers say it's time to start paying attention to limber pine before it follows the whitebark into crisis.

Up To 35% Of Wyoming's High Country Is Dead 'Ghost Forest’ — And It's Spreading

It’s estimated 25% to 35% of Wyoming’s forests are now dominated by “ghost forests” — standing dead timber from beetle epidemics and disease. Researchers say it's time to start paying attention to limber pine before it follows the whitebark into crisis.

David MadisonJanuary 01, 2026

One person is dead after a pickup hit a train Nov. 28, 2025, on County Road 154 north of Interstate 80 east of Cheyenne. A local resident who captured video at the scene describes it as “a pretty bad deal.”

Wyoming Plans Future Of Rail As Five-Year Streak Without Train V. Car Death Ends

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is updating its Statewide Rail Plan as a five-year streak of no train vs. vehicle deaths ended last month. Along with safety at crossings, the agency is considering the potential for a return of passenger rail.

David MadisonDecember 29, 2025

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