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

The Lightning Dock Geothermal project near Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Wyoming Could Be On The Edge Of Massive Western Geothermal Energy Push

Revamping federal lease sales, policy changes and legislation is positioning geothermal as America's next energy boom. Wyoming is on the edge of a massive push for Western geothermal energy as oil and gas expertise could transfer to the industry.

David MadisonDecember 24, 2025

Wyoming oil and gas operators are cheering the BLM’s announcement last week to delay a Biden-era 1,400% hike on bonding costs. The huge increase threatened to shutter small oil and gas producers across the state.

Wyoming Oil And Gas Operators Cheer Delay Of Biden-Era 1,400% Bond Rate Hike

Wyoming oil and gas operators are cheering a BLM announcement last week to delay a Biden-era 1,400% hike on bonding costs. The huge increase threatened to shutter small oil and gas producers across the state.

David MadisonDecember 23, 2025

The radioactive waste disposal site in Clive, Utah.

Utah Company Wants Nuclear Waste From Canada; Could It Come Through Wyoming?

A Utah company is leading a charge to take and store radioactive waste from Canada. Opponents say it’s a bad idea, and that it could mean nuclear waste coming through Wyoming.

David MadisonDecember 22, 2025

Cooke City was “a magnet” for snowmobilers like Will Stroud, who travelled from Alberta, Canada, to experience the area’s legendary snowmobile terrain.

Lack Of Snow Cancels Yellowstone Snowmobile Tours, But Cooke City’s Been Dumped On

Snowmobile tours into Old Faithful were canceled for lack of snow, but Cooke City has been dumped on — and half the town lost power Friday. Through it all, one local turned his apartment into a makeshift restaurant to feed stranded riders.

David MadisonDecember 22, 2025

The goal for Aaron King and Michael Armagost who created Arcade Laradise is to offer a social and competitive pinball space on par with Pinball Jones in Fort Collins.

New Laramie Arcade Aims To Put Wyoming On National Competitive Pinball Map

Earlier this year, Wyoming was the only state not to send someone to the North American Pinball Championship. Arcade Laradise, a newly-opened arcade in Laramie hopes to change that by hosting tournaments that could qualify players for national championships.

David MadisonDecember 22, 2025

Tristan “Teton” Brown recently released his third self-produced ski film. He stands out as a longtime Jackson skier who goes to great lengths to ski for a living and live in one of the most expensive ski towns.

How "Teton" Brown Holds On In Jackson Hole, Making Films And Skiing On His Own Terms

"Teton" Brown is a 36-year-old professional skier who has worked in at least 10 restaurants, once lived on a porch, and scraped together every dollar to stay in Jackson. In his spare time, he's a filmmaker and just debuted his third film "Clean Slate."

David MadisonDecember 21, 2025

The Wyoming Department of Transportation wants to use federal money to support an EV charger building spree.

Wyoming Aims To Turn EV Charging Into A New Post-Pump Marketplace

Wyoming recently won federal approval to expand its EV charging network beyond the interstates, and the state plans to kick-start development of a new post-pump marketplace for EV charging.

David MadisonDecember 20, 2025

As NIL money reshapes college athletics, the state's only Division I program turns to analytics — and a Gillette native's vision — to compete against schools with deeper pockets. It’s a new pay-to-play landscape for the University of Wyoming. Men's basektball coach Sundance Wicks uses a "Moneyball" approach to identify under-the-radar talent he can use his NIL money for.

Pay To Play: University Of Wyoming's Battle To Remain Division I In An NIL World

The new reality facing the University of Wyoming is to maintain its major Division I athletic programs, it needs to generate revenue that is paid to players. Will Wyoming keep up as its rivals like Colorado State and BYU build war chests to pay for top players?

David MadisonDecember 20, 2025

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz and wind farm

Wyoming AG Appeals Wind Lease Ruling As Gordon, Gray Clash Over Decision

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday he's appealing a ruling that voided a wind lease on state lands. He said the appeal is bigger than the wind issue, as widespread interpretations of state laws also hinge upon it.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonDecember 19, 2025

Ford announced Monday it is discontinuing the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup after just three-and-a-half years in production, taking a $19.5 billion write-down as part of a major strategic pivot away from large battery-electric vehicles.

Rocky Mountain Auto Dealers Not Surprised Ford Discontinues Electric Pickup

Auto dealers in the Rocky Mountain region said they weren't surprised with Ford's announcement that the company was discontinuing its all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup. "I saw this coming. So we greatly scaled-back our ordering," one dealer said.

David MadisonDecember 17, 2025

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

Other Authors

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

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