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
Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Helping 2-Time Convicted Sex Offender Avoid Arrest
A Cheyenne woman is accused of lying to investigators and helping a two-time convicted child sex offender evade arrest while wanted on four new charges of sexual abuse of a minor. They texted 2,417 times in two weeks after she learned he was wanted.
Greg JohnsonOctober 01, 2026
Cheyenne Golf Pro Says Driver Tried To Run Him Down After Tearing Up Course
Branden Burbank still doesn’t know why the driver of the blue GMC pickup tried to run him down while tearing up the Cheyenne Country Club golf course Monday. “I have no clue what set him off,” the assistant golf pro told Cowboy State Daily.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 30, 2026
Witnesses Say Fremont County Man Used Both Hands To Choke 7-Months Pregnant Woman
A Fremont County man accused of wrapping both hands around the neck of a 7-month-pregnant woman in the parking lot of the Riverton child development center faces up to 20 years in prison. At least three witnesses said they saw the alleged assault happen.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 28, 2026
Nevada Man Accused Of Blasting Jackson Tour Bus Driver In Face With Bear Spray
A 63-year-old Nevada man was tracked down with Flock cameras after allegedly blasting a Jackson tour bus driver in the face with bear spray. The suspect says he was acting in self-defense, while the victim says he was road raging.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 28, 2026
Alleged Drunk Brothers Call DoorDash During Six-Hour Standoff With Gillette Police
In the middle of a nearly six-hour standoff with Gillette police last week, a pair of alleged drunk brothers got a little hungry and ordered food from DoorDash. “What drunks will do has never ceased to impress me,” said a retired cop.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 28, 2026
Laramie City Worker Caught Doing Epically Bad Curb Paint Job
A city worker caught doing an epically bad curb-painting job in Laramie’s downtown district has locals saying they’re “embarrassed," and the city apologizing for botching the job. “The employee obviously doesn’t give a (crap),” said a local resident.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 24, 2026
Douglas Man Finally In Court, Pleads Not Guilty To 80 Child Sex Abuse Charges
Nearly two months after he fled to California while skipping his arraignment on dozens of child sex abuse and exploitation charges, John C. Smallbone was finally in a Converse County courtroom Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to 80 child sex abuse charges.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 22, 2026
Illegal Driver Going Wrong Way In Front Of Sheriff’s Office Was On ICE Watch List
The 17th and final illegal driver arrested during the latest Laramie County traffic safety enforcement operation was going the wrong way on a one-way street in front of the sheriff’s office. He almost hit a deputy and was on the ICE watch list.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 21, 2026
Cheyenne Mom Admits Starving 50-Pound 13-Year-Old Son To Point Of Near Death
Through tears and with a shaky voice, the mother of a 50-pound 13-year-old admitted in a Cheyenne courtroom Monday morning she intentionally starved the boy to the point of pushing the teen close to death. Her husband’s child abuse trial starts Tuesday.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 21, 2026
Early-Morning Shooting In Casper Leaves One Man Dead, Another In Custody
A Casper man was shot and killed early Saturday morning during what local police say is believed to be an altercation between two men who knew each other. “The apparent shooter is in custody and is cooperating with police,” the CPD reports.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 19, 2026
Wyoming Woman To Stand Trial For Telling Neighbor To ‘Get The F Off My Lawn’
Melissa Harris can’t believe she’s about to go to trial for standing on her own property and stating what’s basically the unofficial Wyoming state motto: “Get the f*** off my lawn.” The Wright-area woman has been charged with breach of peace.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 16, 2026
Cheyenne Mom Agrees To Plead Guilty To Starving 50-Pound, 13-Year-Old Son
Facing up to 50 years in prison on accusations she starved her then-50-pound, 13-year-old adopted son, a Cheyenne woman has agreed to plead guilty in return for a sentence of 15-17 years. A trial for her husband is still set to begin Tuesday.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 16, 2026
Green River Man Accused Of Abusing Nonverbal Wheelchair-Bound Boy, Flashing Kids
A Green River man was in court Monday, accused of repeatedly choking and roughing up a nonverbal, wheelchair-bound Rock Springs boy, then dropping his pants and flashing the boy’s siblings. “Oh, life is so hard,” he also allegedly mocked the disabled boy.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 15, 2026
Wyoming Woman Charged With Putting Signs On Pole Calling Sheriff's Office 'Lazy'
A Campbell County woman accused of attaching signs to a utility pole on her property — including one stating “Campbell County Sheriff’s Office is Lazy" — faces a rarely-prosecuted charge. “I haven’t seen that one ever,” said a retired law officer.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 14, 2026
Lander Man Accused Of Putting Gun To Woman’s Head And Yelling, ‘Pull The Trigger’
A 72-year-old Lander man is accused of holding a gun to the head of a terrified woman and shouting at her to “pull the trigger,” then later telling police he wasn’t really going to shoot her because “it would make a mess of his house.”
Greg JohnsonSeptember 14, 2026
Cheyenne Man Accused Of Stealing German Shepherd, Chasing Man With Pickaxe
A Cheyenne man is accused of stealing a German shepherd from the yard of one local resident, then chasing and threatening another man with a pickaxe after pelting him with rocks and a cinder block. His felony case was filed in district court Thursday.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 11, 2026
‘All We Can Do Is Pray And Hope’ Say Ranchers In Path Of Fast-Growing 'Moonshine Fire'
Ranchers in the path of the fast-growing "Moonshine Fire" that, as of Friday afternoon, has churned through more than 5,600 acres of land about southwest of Wheatland are more than worried. ‘All we can do is pray and hope,’ said one lifetime area rancher.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 11, 2026
It Took 6 Officers To Take Down Man With Knife At Rock Springs Pizza Place
It took six Rock Springs police officers to subdue a 6-foot, 260-pound man who threatened to stab them at a local Pizza Hut restaurant, claiming he’d been in prison, that the “cartel” wanted him for being a “snitch” and daring police to “kill me, bitch!”
Greg JohnsonSeptember 10, 2026
Argument At Notorious Cheyenne Motel Escalates To Death Threats With Knife
An argument at a notorious Cheyenne motel Tuesday escalated when a resident barged into a neighboring room and threatened to kill people with a knife. It’s not the first violent episode at the Big Horn Motel, following a SWAT standoff earlier this year.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 10, 2026
Douglas Father Accused Of Attacking One Son With Hammer, Punching Another
A Douglas man is accused of attacking one of his sons with a hammer and punching another son during a domestic argument that escalated out of control. He could get up to 10 years in prison if convicted of aggravated assault and battery.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 09, 2026
Casper Woman Accused Of Trying To Outrun Police With 5-Year-Old In Car
A Casper woman stopped for not having a 5-year-old child in a car seat faces a laundry list of charges, accused of trying to outrun police with the kid in the car. She told police she took off because she was afraid her daughter would be taken from her.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 08, 2026