Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson is managing editor for Cowboy State Daily at the headquarters in Cheyenne.
A veteran journalist of more than 31 years covering Western issues and politics, Greg spent stints in Wyoming as managing editor for the Gillette News Record and Laramie Boomerang. Greg's produced award-winning journalism, and has built a national reputation for his extensive coverage of Wyoming energy -- especially coal.
He previously spent seven years editing and reporting in Alaska, and was managing editor for Sarah Palin's hometown paper when she was tapped as John McCain's running mate in 2008. Greg studied music and English at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Outside the office, Greg likes photography, reading and all things sports.
Latest from Greg Johnson
Powell McDonald’s Worker Charged With Threatening To Shoot Coworkers
A Powell McDonald’s worker is facing a felony charge of making terroristic threats after allegedly telling coworkers he would return to the restaurant with his Glock handgun and “air this place out.” He made his initial court appearance Friday.
Greg JohnsonMarch 13, 2026
For The Record Books: Highest Wind Speed Ever At Cheyenne Airport, 14,000 Lost Power
Thursday’s windstorm was one for the record books with the highest wind speed ever recorded at the Cheyenne airport. Although 14,000 people lost power, it was restored quickly by linemen who dangled from cherry-pickers in the record-breaking winds.
Greg JohnsonMarch 13, 2026
Evanston Man Who Posted Video Threatening To Kill Neighbors Sane Enough For Trial
An Evanston man who repeatedly threatened he’d shoot his neighbors “in the head” and “beat ’em to death” is sane enough to stand trial, a judge ordered this week. He also blames Democrats and the sheriff’s office for taking his property.
Greg JohnsonMarch 12, 2026
‘It’s Carnage’: Wyoming Wind Gusts Up To 109MPH Blow Over Trucks, Rip Off Roofs
A Wyoming windstorm with gusts reported as high as 109 mph has blown over dozens of commercial trucks, ripped roofs off buildings, and uprooted trees on Thursday. “It’s carnage,” is how meteorologist Don Day described the damage.
Greg Johnson & Kate MeadowsMarch 12, 2026
Torrington Woman Accused Of Letting Boyfriend Molest Girl Set For Plea Hearing
A Torrington woman accused of allowing her boyfriend to perform sex acts with a 4-year-old girl is scheduled for a plea hearing Thursday. The boyfriend, already convicted for abusing the child, will be sentenced Friday.
Greg JohnsonMarch 11, 2026
First-Degree Murder For Cheyenne 14-Year-Old Accused Of Shooting Mom In Head
A 14-year-old Cheyenne boy is being charged as an adult with first-degree murder, accused of shooting his mother in the head from behind. “It’d be a lot easier to accept that she killed herself than my son tried to kill her,” his father said.
Greg JohnsonMarch 11, 2026
School District 'Aware' Of Video Showing Cheyenne Teacher Begging Student
Laramie County School District 1 says it’s “aware” of a video showing a Cheyenne junior high teacher on his knees begging a student, telling her that, “I did something very wrong.” One parent told Cowboy State Daily it is "creepy" and "it pissed me off."
Greg JohnsonMarch 10, 2026
Teen In Custody After Woman Shot In Back Of Head South Of Cheyenne
A teen is in custody after a 41-year-old woman was shot in the back of her head in her home Friday, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday. The woman was life-flighted to a Colorado hospital, where she died.
Greg JohnsonMarch 10, 2026
Four Teens Walk Away From Head-On With Semi South Of Gillette
Four teenagers escaped serious injury after colliding with a semitruck head-on while trying to pass three other vehicles in a no-passing zone on Highway 59 about 30 miles south of Gillette on Sunday. The 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Greg JohnsonMarch 09, 2026
Video Shows Man On Knees Begging Girl After Altercation At Cheyenne School
‘I did something very wrong' a man says repeatedly in a video showing him on his knees, begging a Cheyenne junior high school girl after a physical altercation last week. School officials say “no comment,” while parents demand answers.
Greg JohnsonMarch 09, 2026
Cheyenne Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend’s Mom, Dog During Angry Outburst
A 30-year-old Cheyenne man is accused of threatening his girlfriend’s family with a gun, beating her mom and twice throwing a dog against a wall Thursday during an outburst of anger. A man there “reported being in fear to the point that he was shaking.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026
Douglas Police, District Probe Middle Schoolers Sharing ‘Sexually Explicit Material’
The Douglas Police Dept and school district have announced a joint investigation into “electronic sharing of sexually explicit material involving minors.” The school board president said if parents checked, “they’d be outraged by what’s on those phones.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026
‘An Easy Fix’: Sheridan Woman Admits Stealing $630,000 From Foundation
The office manager for a Sheridan nonprofit foundation admitted stealing more than $630,000 since 2013, police say. Bobbi Jo Neeson, who made her initial court appearance Thursday, said she has a shopping addiction and taking the money was “an easy fix.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026
Cody Officer Who Made Aggressive Traffic Stop Of Teen Can Keep Being A Cop
Nearly three years after an aggressive traffic stop of a local high school student, a Cody police officer can keep being a cop. The state board that oversees certifying law officers ruled Wednesday his behavior didn’t rise to the level of losing his badge.
Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026
Laramie County Illegal Truck Crackdown Applauded By Truckers, Industry
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office’s “Truck Around and Find Out” sweep that caught 32 illegal immigrants last week has support from truck drivers and industry groups flooding in from across the U.S. “It’s already dangerous out here as it is,” they say.
Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026
Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Crashing Into Ex-Boyfriend Twice In Wild Car Chase
A Cheyenne woman was in court Wednesday, accused of initiating a wild car chase with her ex-boyfriend that ended after she hit his car twice. It also was her third violation in a month of a protection order to stay away from him.
Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026
TerraPower Gets OK To Build Wyoming Nuclear Plant, First Approval In 10 Years
TerraPower was approved Wednesday for a construction permit to build a first-of-its-kind nuclear power plant near Kemmerer, Wyoming. It’s the first such approval in 10 years in what the company calls “a historic day for the United States’ nuclear industry.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 04, 2026
Jackson Man To Plead To 5th DUI For Driving Chevy Tahoe In The Gros Ventre River
A 53-year-old Jackson man who drove his Chevy Tahoe about a mile up the Gros Ventre River is scheduled to plead guilty to his fifth DUI in 10 years on Tuesday. He almost hit a fisherman before getting the SUV stuck in the middle of the river.
Greg JohnsonMarch 03, 2026
Thermopolis Caregiver Accused Of Neglecting 87-Pound Deaf And Blind Elderly Man
A Thermopolis woman is accused of neglecting an elderly man in her care who’s deaf, mostly blind, and weighs 87 pounds. A visiting doctor reported finding him wearing adult diapers that hadn’t been changed in 10-14 days.
Greg JohnsonMarch 02, 2026
‘A Total Loss’: Fire Guts Landmark Glenrock Restaurant Fort Diablo
The 70-year-old Fort Diablo in Glenrock was gutted by a fire Sunday, leaving the landmark restaurant “a total loss.” “I just couldn’t believe it,” owner Kevin Tate said about watching it burn. “This just sucks.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 02, 2026
32 Illegal Drivers Turned Over To ICE During 3-Day Laramie County Truck Crackdown
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office caught 32 illegal immigrant truck drivers this week during a three-day crackdown called “Truck Around and Find Out.” They made 177 stops overall and wrote 51 tickets. "This is a continuing thing for us," the sheriff said.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 27, 2026