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.
Latest from David Madison
Air Force To Use Wyoming-Made Portable Nuclear Reactors To Power Bases
Microreactor manufacturer Radiant has signed a deal to mass-produce portable microreactors to power U.S. Air Force bases and promote energy independence. The company wants to make them in Natrona County, Wyoming.
David MadisonAugust 07, 2025
Kids On Speeding E-Bikes Making Jackson ‘Like A Literal Highway’
Before and after school in Jackson, traffic on pathways around town can play out like a scene from the apocalyptic road rage film “Mad Max” — if all the characters rode e-bikes. There are so many speeding e-bikes that the Town Council is concerned.
David MadisonAugust 05, 2025
Peabody’s Wyoming Mines A Bright Spot In Gloomy Outlook For Coal Giant
Peabody Energy reports a brutal first half of 2025, showing a net profit of $12 million, down 95% from $254 million in 2024. A bright spot is a huge turnaround for the Powder River Basin mines, which seem to have “outperformed” the rest of the PRB.
David MadisonAugust 04, 2025
Wyoming Researcher Develops Earthquake-Proofing Tech For Nuclear Reactors
A University of Wyoming professor is developing what could be groundbreaking technology to protect nuclear reactors from earthquake damage. His system absorbs seismic threats and can be put around existing power plants.
David MadisonAugust 04, 2025
Record Beef Prices Has Aging Ranchers Selling Off Herds And Cashing Out
Record beef prices are reshaping the ranching landscape as aging ranchers weigh cashing out and selling off their herds. Others are holding on for another profitable year, creating the tightest ranch real estate market in decades.
David MadisonAugust 02, 2025
Wyoming Legislators Advance Plan To Boost Oil Recovery, Reject CO2 Pipeline Pact
Wyoming legislators voted Wednesday to move forward with a $250 million plan to boost oil recovery using carbon dioxide injection. They also rejected a proposal for a regional CO2 pipeline compact with neighboring states and Canadian provinces.
David MadisonJuly 31, 2025
Legislators Clash Over Proposed Bill That Would Allow Spent Nuclear Fuel In Wyoming
State legislators and Wyomingites clashed Wednesday over a proposed bill that would pave the way to build nuclear microreactors in the state. It also would allow the spent fuel to come back to Wyoming. After hours of testimony, the bill was tabled.
David MadisonJuly 31, 2025
TerraPower Nuclear Security Force Could Get Legal Protection Under Wyoming Bill
Wyoming lawmakers weigh liability concerns as TerraPower lobbies for state legal protection for the armed security force at its nuclear power facility in Kemmerer. TerraPower says its guards’ training exceeds typical local law enforcement standards.
David MadisonJuly 30, 2025
Wyoming Won’t Repeal Carbon Capture Law As EPA Targets Key Climate Regulation
Wyoming lawmakers reject efforts Tuesday to repeal the state’s carbon capture mandate. At the same time, the EPA announced a major effort to roll back greenhouse gas regulations.
David MadisonJuly 29, 2025
Wyoming Mining Tech Company Sells Its First 100-Ton-Per-Hour Separation System
Casper-based DISA Technologies has made the first sale of its mineral separation system, which can handle 100 tons of ore an hour. In development for years, the proprietary system can extract minerals as well as be used to clean up abandoned uranium mines.
David MadisonJuly 29, 2025
Former Yellowstone Bus Driver Solves Mystery While Restoring 90-Year-Old Coach
Despite little evidence that the 90-year-old White 706 bus in David Swingle's driveway was a Yellowstone coach, he had a hunch it was authentic. He drove them back in the 1960s. Through tremendous amounts of sleuthing, he proved his hunch was right.
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025
Wyoming Landowner Builds Golf Course Around Charles Kuralt’s ‘Mistress Cabin’
Buzz Warner, a former Wyoming Landowner of the Year, is close to opening his new golf course in Montana. It’s a monument to conservation that’s built around former owner Charles Kuralt’s infamous “Mistress Cabin.”
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025
Wyoming Counties Lobby Department Of Interior For More Input On Federal Lands
Campbell and Converse counties this week sent expansive letters to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum lobbying for more input on federal lands. But one Campbell County commissioner says he wouldn’t have signed off on his county’s letter given a do-over.
David MadisonJuly 24, 2025
Trump Pushes Back Against Closing Colorado Power Plant That Burns Wyoming Coal
Trump is challenging Colorado’s plan to shutter coal-fired power plants, showing a rift between federal and state priorities. It also could impact the Cowboy State because they burn Wyoming coal, says EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western.
David MadisonJuly 24, 2025
Low-Flying Aerial Surveys Over Wyoming Hunt For Mother Lode Of Rare Earths
Federal scientists are launching an ambitious mapping project to hunt for what could be a mother lode of rare earth elements in Wyoming and the Black Hills. Low-flying aircraft with sensors will look hundreds of feet below the surface.
David MadisonJuly 23, 2025
At Teton Raptor Center, Birds Are Encouraged To Chime In During Concerts
At the Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming, visitors on Saturday were part of a unique marriage of music and wildlife. An avian-inspired concert of chamber music encouraged birds to chime in.
David MadisonJuly 20, 2025
Adrenaline Rush: New Record In Longest Downhill Mountain Bike Race In The Tetons
The Colter Cup is not just the longest downhill mountain bike race in the Tetons, it’s an insane adrenaline rush that pushes the stamina of racers. An 18-year-old from Victor, Idaho, set a new record in Saturday’s race.
David MadisonJuly 20, 2025
Cutting-Edge Avalanche Radar Planned For Wyoming’s Notorious Hoback Canyon
Hoback Canyon in northwest Wyoming is notorious for being avalanche-prone. It’s been selected to get a new cutting-edge avalanche radar system that can detect potential slides 24/7 in any weather. That promises faster road closures and safety for drivers.
David MadisonJuly 19, 2025
Wyoming Irrigators Frustrated By Getting Shut Off Earlier In Colorado River Basin
Western Wyoming irrigators are frustrated after being shut off earlier than normal to send Colorado River Basin water downstream. State officials are holding public meetings to keep tabs on Wyoming’s share of the Colorado River.
David MadisonJuly 17, 2025
Federal Court Rejects Climate Change-Based Challenge To Wyoming Drilling Permits
A federal court on Tuesday rejected environmental groups’ effort to overturn thousands of oil and gas drilling permits in Wyoming and New Mexico. The court said they couldn’t show how drilling in Wyoming would directly impact polar bears in the Arctic.
David MadisonJuly 16, 2025
Small Army Of Cybersecurity Warriors Trains To Digitally Defend Energy Industry
As Wyoming aspires to be an energy powerhouse, a new generation of cybersecurity defenders is training in Wyoming and at the Idaho National Lab. As AI booms, so does the need to protect that critical infrastructure from digital threats.
David MadisonJuly 16, 2025
Energy Secretary Wright Says Wyoming Coal Is Still America’s Energy Future
Along with opening the first new rare earth mine in the U.S. in 70 years last week, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says Wyoming is key to President Trump’s agenda. While on a decade-long downturn, he said Wyoming coal is America’s energy future.
David MadisonJuly 15, 2025
Montana Follows Wyoming In Push To End Biden-Era Coal Lease Rules
Following Wyoming’s lead, Montana’s congressional delegation is pushing to reverse Biden-era BLM rules that would end coal mining in the Powder River Basin.
David MadisonJuly 14, 2025
Bearded Bison Advocate Started His Own Buffalo Ranch North Of Yellowstone
Matt Skoglund is a bearded bison advocate who left a law career in Chicago for a Western ag lifestyle. Now his bison ranch north of Yellowstone has become a model of natural ranching that serves customers in Montana, Wyoming and as far away as Florida.
David MadisonJuly 13, 2025
307 Safe As Wyoming’s Only Area Code For At Least Another 20 Years
Unlike Colorado, which just got its sixth area code, Wyoming's cherished 307 is safe as the state’s only area code for at least another 20 years. That’s good news for Wyomingites and the more than 900 businesses with names that start with “307.”
David MadisonJuly 12, 2025
First U.S. Rare Earth Mine In 70 Years Opens In Wyoming
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright was in Ranchester, Wyoming, on Friday for the ribbon cutting to open the first U.S. rare earth mine in 70 years. He said the Brook Mine and Wyoming are critical to breaking China’s stranglehold on rare earth processing.
David MadisonJuly 11, 2025
Dozens Of New Burning Coal Seams Revealed Across Wyoming’s Northern Border
After an epic 2024 wildfire season burned vast areas across northern Wyoming and southern Montana, dozens of new burning coal seams are being revealed. In Montana, the Remington Fire burned almost 200,000 acres and left more than 100 new coal seam fires.
David MadisonJuly 10, 2025
Gordon Defends Energy Platform; Gray Says Wind, Solar A ‘Woke Clown Show’
Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray continued their ongoing feud Thursday on the Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake Nichols. Gordon defended his “all-of-the-above” energy platform, while Gray called wind and solar a “woke clown show.”
David MadisonJuly 10, 2025
Wyoming’s Exploding Rare Earth Industry Attracts 21 Claims From New Player
Wyoming’s exploding rare earth industry continues to attract attention. The latest is Argyle Resources Corp., which has filed 21 mineral claims in the Bear Lodge Mining District of northeast Wyoming.
David MadisonJuly 09, 2025
Trump Opens Floodgate For Wyoming Coal, But Will Producers Buy New Leases?
Trump’s budget bill opens a floodgate for federal coal leases in Wyoming, but will producers buy them? Experts are mixed. Some say a decade of decline can’t be solved by leasing more area for mining and others that it can spark new activity.
David MadisonJuly 08, 2025
Escaped Colorado Rodeo Bull Finally Caught After 5 Days Of Freedom
An elusive rodeo bull named Sauce Boss — or maybe Twinkle Toes — was caught Sunday after running away from a Colorado rodeo. He enjoyed five days of freedom in the rugged brush and woods of an upscale neighborhood before finally being corralled.
David MadisonJuly 07, 2025
Sheridan Couple Qualifies For North American Wife-Carrying Championships
Isaac and Mary Hayward of Sheridan not only won a seven-couple wife-carrying race in Ranchester on the Fourth of July, they also qualified for the North American Championships.
David MadisonJuly 07, 2025
Drinking Wyoming, Montana Edition: Knights, Kilts, And Dragon Steaks At Captain Scurvy’s
Captain Scurvy's Black Dragon Den in Billings, Montana, is a blast back to medieval times and the Renaissance. Cosplay is encouraged — 10% off if you’re in costume — while you devour turkey legs and “dragon” steaks.
David MadisonJuly 05, 2025
Xanax Helps, But No ‘Magic Bullet’ For Dogs Freaked Out Over Weekend Of Fireworks
While many people love the flash and fireworks that come with the Fourth of July, a lot of dogs don’t. For some of them, Xanax helps, but a veterinarian says drugs aren’t a “magic bullet” to ease their anxiety.
David MadisonJuly 04, 2025
TerraPower’s Kemmerer Nuclear Plant In Fast Lane With Accelerated Permit Review
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will complete its review of TerraPower's construction permit application for its Kemmerer nuclear plant by the end of the year. That’s six months early and has local officials scrambling to keep up.
David MadisonJuly 04, 2025
Independence Day: Bull Still On The Run 2 Days After Escaping Colorado Rodeo
A young bull that escaped the Snowmass Village, Colorado, rodeo grounds Wednesday is still free and independent on the Fourth of July. He ran into an upscale residential neighborhood, where he’s eluded searchers for two days.
David MadisonJuly 04, 2025
Lightning Sparks 11 Wildfires In One Night Across Northeast Wyoming
Fire departments across three counties in northeast Wyoming were stretched thin Wednesday night when a thunderstorm rolled through and left 11 lightning-caused wildfires in its path.
David MadisonJuly 03, 2025
Wyoming Drilling Crew Hopes To Find Huge Uranium Deposit In Powder River Basin
A Wyoming company will start drilling dozens of holes in the Powder River Basin this month to explore potential to mine uranium. A group that includes companies from Canada and Australia hopes to find a huge uranium deposit.
David MadisonJuly 02, 2025
Energy Secretary To Visit Site Of Massive Rare Earth Find In Ranchester, Wyoming
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright will be in northern Wyoming for the July 11 groundbreaking of the Brook Mine in Ranchester. Ramaco Resources believes it holds the largest “unconventional” rare earth deposit in the U.S.
David MadisonJuly 02, 2025
Midwest Power Plant Operator Wants $22M From BNSF For Not Delivering Wyoming Coal
The operator of a pair of Midwest power plants wants $22 million from BNSF Railway, according to recent documents filed with the Surface Transportation Board. The company claims the power plants couldn’t get their full orders of Wyoming coal.
David MadisonJuly 01, 2025
Coal A Big Winner After Marathon Senate Session on Big Beautiful Bill Act
A dramatic marathon weekend session in the U.S. Senate elevated coal as a high priority among lawmakers who hammered out amendments to President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
David MadisonJune 30, 2025
Another Wind And Solar Project Triggers Opposition In Eastern Wyoming
A proposed 450-megawatt wind and solar project in Goshen and Platte counties would create 300 jobs and mean about $150 million in tax revenue. Even so, locals are opposed, with Torrington’s mayor saying a gas- or coal-fired power plant would be preferred.
David MadisonJune 30, 2025
Wyoming Farrier Goes From Shoeing Horses To Crafting High-End Steel Cookware
Paul Angiolillo started out shoeing horses, then he dreamt up a new career as a blacksmith specializing in carbon steel cookware. "I actually started having dreams about anvils in my sleep," he said. Now the Freedom, Wyoming, man is gaining a following for his high-end creations.
David MadisonJune 29, 2025
There’s Love — And Hundreds Of Baseball Caps — In The Air At The Chico Saloon
The Chico Saloon north of Yellowstone is a funky honkytonk legendary for its weddings and hundreds of baseball caps hanging from the rafters. It’s also where actor Jeff Bridges was famously rejected by a server who would later become his wife.
David MadisonJune 29, 2025
Robotaxis Are Here, But Can’t Yet Handle A Wyoming Winter
Driverless taxis are rolling out in urban areas across the nation and going viral for their miscues. Don't expect them in Wyoming anytime soon as robotaxis can't handle winter weather. But industry analysts say autonomous driving is coming.
David MadisonJune 29, 2025
Gillette’s Cyclone Drilling To Do Wyoming’s First 3-Mile Well And 4-Mile Well Is Next
Cyclone Drilling in Gillette is the region's go-to specialist for drilling the deepest and longest oil and gas wells. It’s going to drill Wyoming’s first 3-mile lateral well — and is already planning to go 4 miles and beyond.
David MadisonJune 28, 2025
Notorious Montana Mansion Rescued By A Couple From Meeteetse Can Be Had For $27M
A Billings mansion known as “The Castle” is notorious for a massive fraud that involved a fake kidnapping and rogue biker gang. It was rescued by a couple from Meeteetse and is now back on the market for $27 million.
David MadisonJune 28, 2025
Counties Look To Regulate As More Wind, Solar Projects Eye Northeast Wyoming
Crook County doesn’t have regulations for local permitting of solar and wind projects, and hasn’t needed them — until now. As more wind and solar development is planned for northeast Wyoming, local governments are drafting new rules.
David MadisonJune 25, 2025
One Of Wyoming’s Largest Oil Producers Drilling Its First 3-Mile Well
Anschutz Exploration Corp. is already one of the largest oil producers in Wyoming. Now it’s pushing the industry by drilling Wyoming’s first 3-mile lateral well on a pad in Johnson County.
David MadisonJune 24, 2025
Congress Spotlights Wyoming’s Rare Earth Industry As Vital To US Supply
Wyoming and Montana took center stage at a congressional hearing Tuesday about fast-tracking rare earth processing in the U.S. New tech to extract rare earths from coal waste could help break China’s stranglehold on the critical minerals.
David MadisonJune 24, 2025
Teton County Wants Same Federal Land Sale Exemption Montana Got
Teton County commissioners have sent a letter to Wyoming’s congressional delegation asking that federal lands in the county be exempt from any proposed sale. Montana got an exemption, and Teton County officials want the same.
David MadisonJune 23, 2025
Idaho National Lab Wants To Keep Building Wyoming’s Nuclear Industry
The same laboratory that has supported Wyoming’s emerging micro nuclear reactor sector is now inviting more companies to submit proposals. The move comes as Wyoming continues to position itself as a hub for small nuclear reactor development.
David MadisonJune 22, 2025
Kemmerer Mayor Digs For Dinosaur Bones While Town Waits For Housing Boom
The mayor of Kemmerer — aka Fossil Town USA — is closely watching the local real estate market. He thinks the current housing stock meets today's needs but warned that won't last long. A housing explosion is expected as TerraPower makes Kemmerer a nuclear boom town.
David MadisonJune 21, 2025
Montana Owner Of Oldest Chinese Restaurant In America Considers Closing
You might think the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in the U.S. would be in San Francisco or New York. Actually, it's in Butte, Montana. Jerry Tam is the owner of the Pekin Noodle Parlor and is the great, great grandson of the first owner.
David MadisonJune 21, 2025
Despite Opposition From Bar Nunn Residents, Natrona County OKs Nuclear Project
Natrona County commissioners got an earful from locals opposed to Radiant Nuclear’s planned project near Bar Nunn. Then they voted to support the company getting a $25 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council.
David MadisonJune 20, 2025
After Breaking All But One Fishing Rod, Wyoming Man Catches Record Tiger Trout
Shelby Holder of Kemmerer had already broken three of his four fly rods when he decided to go fishing early on June 6. He ended up landing the new Wyoming state record tiger trout, a nearly 15-pound fish.
David MadisonJune 20, 2025
Black Hills Energy Spending $540M To Connect North-South Wyoming Power Grids
A pair of large-scale Black Hills Energy projects will connect northern and southern Wyoming power grids while adding more natural gas generation. Together, they represent a $540 million outlay.
David MadisonJune 19, 2025
Despite Federal Cuts, Company Says Gillette Carbon Capture Project Not Dead
The Department of Energy scrapping a nearly $50 million grant supporting large-scale carbon capture technology in Gillette is a blow, but won’t kill the project, the company says. Work will continue with a push for private investment.
David MadisonJune 19, 2025
By The Way, Montana Is Exempt From Public Land Sales In Budget Bill
While many in Wyoming and other western states are worried about potential public land sales, our neighbors to the north aren't sharing those concerns. Montana's congressional delegation was able to exempt the state from any potential public land sell-offs.
David MadisonJune 18, 2025
Bar Nunn Residents Push Back On Storing Spent Nuclear Fuel From Microreactors
The central Wyoming town of Bar Nunn, and some state legislators, are divided about a plan for Radiant Nuclear to build its micronuclear plants here. That’s because the plan includes accepting and storing spent nuclear fuel from the company’s reactors.
David MadisonJune 16, 2025
Across Wyoming And Montana, Schools Serving More Bison In More Places
Across Wyoming and Montana, schools are serving more bison in more places. On reservations, it’s also closely tied to culture and better health.
David MadisonJune 16, 2025
WE Soda Downsizes Wyoming Trona Operation While Ramping Up Production
WE Soda, the world's largest producer of natural soda ash, confirmed this week it’s downsizing positions following a $1.43 billion acquisition of Genesis Alkali's two Wyoming mines.
David MadisonJune 12, 2025
Trump’s EPA To Roll Back Biden-Era Emission Rules On Coal-Fired Power Plants
The EPA is making good on one of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises, announcing Wednesday it's rolling back Biden-era emissions rules on U.S. power plants. Wyoming power providers are pleased with the move.
David MadisonJune 12, 2025
Wyoming Oil And Gas Lease Sale Nets $7.7M, ‘Peanuts’ Compared To Trump’s First Term
The reality of oil and gas leasing in Wyoming hasn’t yet caught up to the Trump administration’s pledge to “unleash American energy.” Tuesday’s sale took in $7.7 million, “peanuts” compared to the $173 million in the best year of Trump’s first term.
David MadisonJune 11, 2025
$245M At Stake For Wyoming In Tug-Of-War Over Controversial Rock Springs Plan
Years of heated public debate had oil companies squaring off with environmentalists over drilling rights on 3.6 million acres of Wyoming desert. As federal officials prepare to rewrite the controversial Rock Springs plan, $245 million is at stake.
David MadisonJune 10, 2025
Green Groups Fight To Save Biden-Era Plan To End Powder River Basin Coal Mining
A federal judge Friday allowed a coalition of tribal and green groups to fight to save a Biden-era rule that would end coal mining in the Powder River Basin by 2041. They’ve been allowed to help fight a lawsuit filed by Wyoming and Montana to reverse the rule.
David MadisonJune 10, 2025