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
Deal Calls For No Jail For Thermopolis Caregiver Accused Of Neglecting Elderly Man
A Thermopolis woman accused of neglecting an 87-pound elderly man who’s mostly deaf and blind, and wears diapers that allegedly hadn’t been changed in 10-14 days has reached a plea agreement. The deal calls for no jail time and a year of probation.
Greg JohnsonAugust 03, 2026
‘Really Scary’: Devils Tower Reopens As Two Wildfires Burn Nearby
After getting bookended by a pair of wildfires that prompted the closure of Devils Tower over the weekend, it reopened again Monday as the fires continue to burn. “It was really scary,” said Ogden Driskill, whose ranch is impacted.
Greg JohnsonAugust 03, 2026
Second Wildfire Breaks Out Near Devils Tower, Monument Still Closed
Just as firefighters seemed to be getting a handle on a nearly 300-acre fire burning just outside the southwest boundary of a closed Devils Tower, another fire erupted to the southeast Sunday. “It sucks,” was the blunt assessment from a county official.
Greg JohnsonAugust 02, 2026
‘This Is Genuinely Serious’: Race On To Contain Wildfire That Closed Devils Tower
Devils Tower National Monument continues to be closed as a wildfire burning just southwest of the monument’s boundary has so far consumed nearly 300 acres without containment. “This is genuinely serious,” observed a nearby camper.
Greg JohnsonAugust 02, 2026
Supreme Court Says 30 Years Green River Man Got For Exploiting Kids Isn't Cruel
A Green River man who manipulated four underage children into performing sex acts on each other claims that the 21-30 years he got in prison is cruel and unusual punishment. The Wyoming Supreme Court disagrees in a Thursday denial of his appeal.
Greg JohnsonJuly 31, 2026
Texas Trucker Accused Of Nearly Mowing Down 3 Men In Angry Rampage Near Greybull
A Texas truck driver is accused of going on an angry rampage near Greybull and trying to run down three men. That includes a Big Horn County deputy, who “observed his left hand out the driver’s window giving the middle finger” as he nearly hit them.
Greg JohnsonJuly 31, 2026
What Happens To $250,000 Bond For Accused Sex Abuser Who No-Showed At Court
Just because a Douglas man facing 72 child sex and pornography-related charges was a no-show for his arraignment hearing on Tuesday doesn’t necessarily mean whoever put up $250,000 cash to bond him out of jail will lose all that money.
Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2026
Laramie County Sheriff Kozak Strikes Again: 10 More Illegal Drivers Busted
Another 10 illegal drivers were busted in Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak’s latest Truck Around and Find Out operation this week. "IIlegal aliens are afraid to come to Laramie County — and that’s what we want," Kozak told Cowboy State Daily.
Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2026
Good News: Rock Springs Vets Memorial Not Vandalized. Bad News: It Crumbled Anyway
The good news is nobody vandalized the Persian Gulf War Memorial in Rock Springs. The bad news is that it crumbled anyway. "It should never have been allowed to reach a point where it is that vulnerable,” the mayor said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026
Caught! Four Hours After Skipping Court, Accused Child Sex Abuser Arrested In Calif.
Four hours after no-showing in court on 72 child sex and pornography charges in a Wyoming court on Tuesday, John C. Smallbone was caught in San Francisco. “We didn’t want a person with those types of charges to be out and about," said the sheriff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026
No-Show! Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Doesn't Show Up To Court
A Wyoming man facing 72 felony child sex charges was a no-show for his plea hearing Tuesday in Douglas. John Smallbone was released on his own recognizance by a Colorado court last week. Law enforcement officials are angered that he was set free.
Greg JohnsonJuly 28, 2026
Stolen Credit Card Tracked Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges To Colorado
Charges on a stolen credit card tracked a Wyoming man wanted on 72 child sex abuse charges to Colorado last week. “If you’re in town, why does the credit card say you’re in Colorado?” the man who owns the card asked John Smallbone in a text.
Greg JohnsonJuly 27, 2026
Colorado Court Releases Wyoming Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A Douglas man wanted on 72 felony charges alleging sex abuse of minors was released on his own accord by a Colorado court Thursday instead of being held for Wyoming authorities. “We’re out looking for him again,” said the Converse County undersheriff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 24, 2026
In Cheyenne, Interior Secretary Says He'll Act On Colorado River Crisis, If He Has To
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Thursday that he'll intervene in the Colorado River crisis — if he has to. “We have one-fourth the water and four times the people,” he said during a visit to Cheyenne Frontier Days with many of his top-level staff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 23, 2026
Hero’s Welcome In Rawlins: Deputy Nearly Killed In Baggs Shootout Comes Home
Sgt. Zach Burns — shot three times by a gunman in Baggs last month — got a hero’s welcome in Rawlins after a 230-mile escort from a Colorado hospital Wednesday. “On the scale of heroism, that’s pretty far up there,” said the Rawlins police chief.
Greg JohnsonJuly 23, 2026
Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Murdering Newborn 38 Years Ago Wants New Hearing
Attorneys for a former Cheyenne woman accused of murdering her newborn boy 38 years ago say there’s not enough evidence for a trial and want a judge to order a new preliminary hearing. She's also out of jail on a lower bond granted last week.
Greg JohnsonJuly 21, 2026
Rock Springs Mom Accused Of Leaving Baby In Car For Hours While She Drank In Bar
A Rock Springs woman is accused of leaving her baby alone in a parked vehicle while she spent hours drinking at a local bar Saturday. Police say the woman appeared intoxicated and admitted to leaving her baby unattended while she went inside a nearby bar.
Greg JohnsonJuly 21, 2026
Public Not Informed Earlier Of Wastewater Contamination Because It Was ‘Low Risk’
The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities didn't inform the public earlier that Cheyenne's wastewater system was contaminated by a Meta data center because they deemed it a "low risk to public health." The agency released a timeline and Q&A on Monday.
Greg JohnsonJuly 20, 2026
Next Round’s On The Ghost: $5 Bill ‘Out Of Thin Air’ Lands On Cheyenne VFW Bar
There are plenty of theories about just how a $5 bill seemed to appear "out of thin air" and float onto the bar at Cheyenne VFW Post 1881. “I like to think of it as Darrell just bought us a beer,” said a member about another who died years ago.
Greg JohnsonJuly 20, 2026
‘The Way It Should Be’: New $10M Indian Village Opens At Cheyenne Frontier Days
The new $10 million Morning Star American Indian Village opened Friday for the first day of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Visitors said they were astonished by the transformation. "I got emotional, because this is so amazing," a Native American visitor said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 17, 2026
Galloping Horse Is Galloping Again Over The Wrangler In Downtown Cheyenne
The Galloping Horse is galloping again — or at least it will be when someone at The Wrangler turns the power on. After years of being inoperable, the iconic 400-pound folk art cowboy was fixed, refurbished and put back in place Thursday morning.
Greg JohnsonJuly 16, 2026