Managing Editor

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

Centurylink Outage Leaves Thousands In Wyoming Without 911 Service

Thousands of Centurylink customers on Tuesday, including 911 service for people in Casper and northeast Wyoming, were left without phone service after a fiber break.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 19, 2023

This stone marker shows the Granger Stage Station, first known as the Old South Bend Stage Station built in 1850, was on the Oregon Trail and a Pony Express stop.

What The Heck Is … That Old Stagecoach Stop Off I-80 Near Green River?

Anyone driving through southwestern Wyoming on I- 80 may have seen the signs for the historic Granger Stage Station. The small, simple stone building was a nexus point for one of the most important periods of U.S. history.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 17, 2023

University of Wyoming fans cheer the Cowboys during a double overtime win over Texas Tech to open the 2023 season.

UW Football Will Get $1.85 Million For Playing No. 4-Ranked Texas

The University of Wyoming football team is a 28.5-point underdog going into Saturday’s game at the University of Texas, but the Cowboys will get $1.85 million for the effort.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 14, 2023

The Quaal Windsock is a 1950s Beechcraft Twin Bonanza on top of a 70-foot pole outside Sundance, Wyoming, along Interstate 90.

What The Heck Is … That Airplane On A 70-Foot Pole Along I-90 In Wyoming?

An early 1950s Beechcraft Twin Bonanza perched on a 70-foot pole just off Interstate 90 near exit 189 at Sundance, Wyoming, swivels to show which way the wind’s blowing.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 12, 2023

Laramie church elder Todd Schmidt had been banned by the University of Wyoming from being in the Wyoming Union because he posted a sign calling out a transgender student by name. The ban was lifted by a judge and he was back Friday, this time with a different message on his sign.

Laramie Church Elder Who Called Out Transgender Student Back On UW Campus

Todd Schmidt, a Laramie church elder who called out a transgender student by name on a sign, is back presenting in the University of Wyoming student union after a recent injunction lifted a ban on him being there.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 08, 2023

Chewy, a 5-year-old border collie mix, seems to like being scratched by Kayla Hahn at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter on Wednesday morning. He also was eager to scarf down chunks of cheese from Cal Drudge, right.

Cheyenne Animal Control Catches ‘Escape Artist’ Pup On The Loose Since 2019

Chewy is a 5-year-old border collie mix that’s been on the radar of Cheyenne Animal Control since 2019. They’ve dubbed him an “escape artist,” but finally caught him last week.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 06, 2023

At 30 feet tall, the Our Lady of Peace shrine stands tall alongside Interstate 80 in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.

What The Heck Is … That 30-Foot Virgin Mary Statue On I-80 At The Nebraska Border?

Drivers on Interstate 80 going though Pine Bluffs on the Wyoming-Nebraska border can’t miss the Our Lady of Peace shrine, a 30-foot, 180-ton statue of the Virgin Mary.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2023

Weitzels Wings owner and founder Trent Weitzel with his back-to-back Festival Favorite trophies for 2022 and 2023 at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York.

Wyoming’s ‘Double Dubs’ Repeats As Festival Favorite At Buffalo Wing Fest

Trent Weitzel, aka Wyoming’s Wing King, and his Double Dubs crew repeated as Festival Favorite at the 2023 National Buffalo Wing Festival on Sunday in Buffalo, New York.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2023

Owner of Wyoming’s Largest Radio Station Chain Admits Hiding $19.5 Million From IRS

Susan Patrick, who co-owns more than 20 radio stations around Wyoming, has pleaded guilty to intentionally hiding $10 million in business receipts from the IRS and $9.5 million in personal income.

Leo Wolfson & Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2023

This image taken from a YouTube video posted by Cheyenne resident Gary Wisecup show a giant fireball streaking across the Wyoming night sky early Sunday.

Giant Fireball Streaks Across Night Sky Over Southern Wyoming

A giant fireball reported streaking over southern Wyoming and northern Colorado in the wee hours Sunday morning was likely an unusually large meteor.

Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2023

No. 23 is one of only two 1949 GMC Union Pacific passenger buses known to exist. It still has its original paint, logos and accessories, like the horns on the roof.

One Of Only 2 Known Rare Union Pacific Buses Coming To Cheyenne

Michael Pannell of Cheyenne loves all things Union Pacific and collects historic railcars. Now he’s purchased a rare UP passenger bus, one of only two known to still exist, and bringing it to Cheyenne.

Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2023

Trent Weitzel with a handful of trophies won at the 2022 National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York, including the coveted Festival Favorite.

Wyoming’s 'Double Dub's' Aims To Repeat As National Buffalo Wing Fest Champs

Fresh off setting two world records, Wyoming’s Weitzels Wings (aka Double Dub's) is preparing to defend its title as Festival Favorite at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in New York over Labor Day Weekend.

Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2023

Other Authors

Doug and Dayna Jobe, right, were among the visitors to get up close to the Ames Monument on Saturday.

What The Heck Is … That 60-Foot Pyramid In the Middle Of Nowhere Off I-80?

Just minutes off Interstate 80 about 20 miles east of Laramie is the Ames Monument, a 60-foot pyramid in the middle of Wyoming pastureland.

Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2023

The Vore Buffalo Jump National Historic Site is about six miles from the South Dakota border near Interstate 90.

What The Heck Is … The Vore Buffalo Jump Along I-90 In Northeast Wyoming?

Discovered in 1969, the Vore Buffalo Jump in northeast Wyoming contains the bones of more than 20,000 bison that were herded into and slaughtered there by Plains Indians. The site also has tools used to butcher the bison, arrowheads and even toys.

Greg JohnsonAugust 07, 2023

Stuart Flynn lets kids sit in the saddle of his Sinclair dinosaur, Dino.

What The Heck Is … With Betty Boop, Big Boy And That Sinclair Dinosaur North Of Cheyenne?

People first notice Bob’s Big Boy, a saddled-up Sinclair dinosaur and Betty Boop on roller skates. And there’s much more on Stuart Flynn’s property along Yellowstone Road just north of Cheyenne.

Greg JohnsonJuly 31, 2023

Andrew Gregory was in this warehouse building June 23 when a category EF2 tornado destroyed it at the North Antelope Rochelle coal mine in Wyoming. He lived to tell about the terrifying experience.

Wyoming People: Andrew Gregory Survived A Tornado Dropping A Warehouse On Him

Andrew Gregory had just ended his shift at North Antelope Rochelle Mine on June 23 when a tornado ripped through, dropping a warehouse on top of him. He lived to tell about it.

Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2023

This larger-than-life painted bronze sculpture honoring the Apollo 11 astronauts stands at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A California filmmakers said he's going to build a replica in Wyoming.

Filmmaker To Build Memorial Commemorating 1969 Apollo 11 Mission In Wyoming

A California filmmaker says because Wyoming is the first state to celebrate July 20 as Moon Landing Day in recognition of the historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission, he plans to build an Apollo 11 monument here.

Greg JohnsonJuly 18, 2023

Standing 42.5 feet tall from base to top, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument seems to be looking down at travelers as they drive along Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The monument is in recognition of the Lincoln Highway, which in 1913 became the first transcontinental road across the U.S., following the railroad route.

What The Heck Is … That Giant Abraham Lincoln Head Overlooking I-80 At The Top Of Sherman Hill?

That gigantic Abraham Lincoln head at the highest point on Interstate 80 in the country represents an important milestone in U.S. transportation, recognizing the importance of the Lincoln Highway, America's first east-west cross-country stretch of road.

Greg JohnsonJuly 16, 2023

Former UW star and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has bought a Southern California home for $7.2 million.

Former University Of Wyoming QB Josh Allen Buys $7.2 Million Home In California

Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen has bought a $7.2 million home in Southern California close to the ocean and a private golf club.

Greg JohnsonJuly 13, 2023

Wyoming’s Big Boy 4014 Locomotive Rescues Freight Train Stuck In Nebraska

During a break in its recent tour of the tracks between Cheyenne and the College World Series in Omaha, Big Boy 4014, the heaviest locomotive of all time, powered up to help move a stuck freight train.

Greg JohnsonJuly 10, 2023

Passengers on a mine transport bus exit through a window after a head-on crash on Highway 59 on Sunday morning.

One Dead, Another Life-Flighted After Head-On With Wyoming Mine Transport Bus

A Sunday morning head-on collision between a pickup and a mine transport bus south of Wright on Highway 59 killed the driver of the truck and sent the driver of the bus to the hospital in a helicopter.

Greg JohnsonJuly 10, 2023