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-Area Squatters Tell Homeowner He Can’t Touch Them — Then Get Arrested
A couple accused of moving into a locked-up home and selling off the owner’s possessions allegedly told the homeowner they were squatters, they have rights, and he couldn’t do anything about it. Then they were arrested.
Greg JohnsonAugust 21, 2026
Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Is Back In Wyoming Jail
John Smallbone was Wyoming’s most wanted man for less than four hours after no-showing an arraignment hearing on 72 child sex abuse and pornography charges. Now he’s back. “He’s here. We got him back this morning,” said the Converse County undersheriff.
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026
South Dakota Man Charged With Murder In Wyoming Says He Was Defending Tinder Date
A 24-year-old South Dakota man doesn’t deny shooting and killing another man while in Newcastle on a Tinder date gone wrong, but it wasn’t murder, his defense attorney said Wednesday. He was defending the woman he had driven nearly 90 miles to meet.
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026
Laramie Landmark The Alibi, Made Famous By Guy Fieri, On The Market For $3 Million
The Alibi, a Laramie landmark since 1953 and a favorite for generations of University of Wyoming students, is on the market for nearly $3 million. Now known for its wood-fired pizza, it was made famous by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026
No Death Penalty For Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Killing Newborn 38 Years Ago
The death penalty won’t be pursued against a Cheyenne woman accused of murdering and abandoning her newborn baby boy in a ditch 38 years ago. “The baby was a fully developed, full-term, 6.5-pound baby,” authorities report.
Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2026
Supporters Say Cheyenne License Plate Readers Work; Opponents Say That’s The Problem
Supporters of license plate readers in Wyoming say they work, and opponents agree — saying that’s the problem. Getting dangerous people off the streets is the best outcome, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of everyone's personal rights, says one opponent.
Greg JohnsonAugust 12, 2026
Tinder Date Ends With Newcastle Man Shot Dead, S.D. Man Facing Murder Charge
A Tinder date gone horribly wrong ended with a Newcastle man dead with a hollow-point round in his chest and a South Dakota man facing a second-degree murder charge — and vastly different stories from the couple who had just met for a hook-up.
Greg JohnsonAugust 12, 2026
Wyoming Man Facing 72 Child Sex-Related Charges To Stay In San Francisco Jail
A Douglas man facing 72 charges relating to child sex abuse and pornography will spend at least the next month in a San Francisco jail after a court hearing there Thursday. John Smallbone indicated he intends to fight being sent back to Wyoming.
Greg JohnsonAugust 07, 2026
Oops! Man Running From Cheyenne Cops Tries To Break Into Laramie County Jail
A man trying to run from police in Cheyenne early Thursday morning made the chase easy by unknowingly trying to break into the Laramie County jail. “You ever wonder what happened to that kid that always lost at hide-and-seek?” the sheriff asked.
Greg JohnsonAugust 07, 2026
Upton Man Denies Pulling Gun, Threating To ‘Put A Bullet In Everybody’s Head’
A 34-year-old Upton man denies he pulled a gun on a group of people at a Gillette hotel Saturday and threatened to “put a bullet in everybody’s head.” Police say the threat was made during a confrontation with his girlfriend and her new boyfriend.
Greg JohnsonAugust 04, 2026
Gillette Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Woman When She Wouldn’t ‘Submit’
A Gillette man who reportedly grew angry over the weekend when his girlfriend wouldn’t “submit” to him is accused of raising a knife to her and threatening to “kill you and the kids, and all of your extended family.” He could get up to 10 years in prison.
Greg JohnsonAugust 04, 2026
Trial Set For Wyoming Woman Accused Of Kidnapping, Killing Infant During Standoff
Seven months after allegedly kidnapping her 11-month-old son, fleeing the state, then killing the infant during a standoff with law enforcement, a trial has been set for Madeline Daly. “There’s a special kind of evil at work here,” said the baby’s father.
Greg JohnsonAugust 04, 2026
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