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
Laramie Russell Street Roadside Toilet Returns For Second Movement
Less than a month from finally hauling off an old, discarded toilet that had been at the side of a busy Laramie street for at least two years, city Code Enforcement Officer Brian Forster said the commode returned over the weekend for a second movement.
Greg JohnsonMay 22, 2023
'Beautiful But Practically Harmless' Tornado Touches Down Northeast Of Laramie
There’s a reason David De Pastina keeps his eyes to the sky, and Thursday his fascination for weather watching paid off when he captured a series of sharp images of a skinny, snake-like funnel cloud that touched down northeast of Laramie.
Greg JohnsonMay 18, 2023
‘People Suck’: Laramie Woman Says Karma Will Catch Up With Whoever Stole Her Garden Gnome
When Laramie resident Melissa Desiervo vented on Facebook about someone stealing Mr. Gnome, her garden ornament, she didn’t expect a flood of support — or a new gnome.
Greg JohnsonMay 10, 2023
Another Gillette School Threat: 12-Year-Old Talked About Shooting Up School Dance
Last week’s ticketing of a 12-year-old suspected of threatening to shoot people at a school dance is the latest in a long string of violent threats made by Gillette students.
Greg JohnsonMay 09, 2023
After More Than Two Years, Laramie Removes Historic Russell Street Roadside Toilet
It had been on his radar for awhile, but Laramie Code Enforcement Officer Brian Forster said a Cowboy State Daily call asking about an old toilet that had been on the side of the road for more than two years was “the push to get rid of it.”
Greg JohnsonMay 06, 2023
Titus Swen, UW Featured Running Back Dismissed From Team In November, Signs With NFL’s Colts
Titus Swen, who was the University of Wyoming’s featured running back last season before being dismissed from the team by coach Craig Bohl, has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts.
Greg JohnsonMay 01, 2023
Cheyenne Teen Girl Critical After Being Shot In Head At Lincoln Park
A teenage girl is in critical condition at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center after being shot in the head at Lincoln Park in the early morning hours Sunday.
Greg JohnsonApril 30, 2023
Meandering Moose Breaches Security At Sinclair Oil Refinery
An unauthorized visitor breached security at the Sinclair oil refinery east of Rawlins in the early morning hours Monday – a young bull moose. A security guard who has worked there since 1966, said it's the first time a moose broken into the facility.
Greg JohnsonMarch 27, 2023
Colorado Lawmaker Warns Wyoming: Beware The ‘Bleed-Over Effect’ Of Gun Restrictions
A Colorado legislator became so impassioned over gun control proposals in his state he tweeted it could spark “civil war.” He warns Wyoming to be wary of similar efforts here.
Greg JohnsonMarch 15, 2023
Wyoming Ranchers Say Knickers, The Humungous Holstein, Has Nothing On Cowboy State Cattle
A humongous Holstein named Knickers stands head and shoulders above the rest of his herd at his home in western Australia. Cattle growers in the Cowboy State say that while the steer is impressive, Wyoming’s home-grown cattle have an edge.
Greg JohnsonMarch 15, 2023
With 511 inches Of Snow, Jackson Doesn't Have Any Place To Put The Snow; New Record Possible
Snowmageddon has hit much of Wyoming, and in Jackson it’s piled so high there’s nowhere left to put it. It’s great for skiers, though, with 511 inches so far and a chance to break the all-time record.
Greg JohnsonMarch 15, 2023
Lawsuit Claims “Boneless” Chicken Wings Are A Fraud, And Wyoming’s Wing King Agrees
A federal lawsuit claims Buffalo Wild Wings is deliberately defrauding customers by passing off deep-fried and sauced up chunks of chicken breast as boneless wings. Laramie's Trent Weitzel, reigning National Buffalo Wing Festival champ, agrees that boneless wings are ridiculous.
Greg JohnsonMarch 14, 2023
Worm Moon Says It’s Spring, Wyoming Weather Says Not Yet
That giant Worm Moon we saw rising earlier this week is supposed to a sign that spring is coming. But Wyoming citizens should look for robins and bluebirds as a more accurate sign.
Greg JohnsonMarch 09, 2023
Wild Wyoming Storm Strands Four Snowplows And a Wrecker
While plowing the roads and highways around Carbon county on Wednesday, a WYDOT snowplow got stuck. Then another. Then a third. Then a fourth. Then a wrecker large enough to pull the snowplows out got stuck...
Greg JohnsonFebruary 23, 2023
Bad Weather Postpones Wyoming’s ‘Storm Of The Century’
A strong winter storm making its way through Wyoming has shut down a planned showing of the PBS documentary Storm of the Century: The Blizzard of 49 in the town of Sinclair.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 21, 2023
California Considers Banning K-9s Because They Might Bite Criminals; Wyoming Official Calls It Ridiculous
California state lawmakers are trying to outlaw police K-9s from being used because criminals could get bit. Wyoming and national law enforcement authorities are calling it ridiculous.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2023
Conrad Dobler, Former UW Standout And ‘Pro Football’s Dirtiest Player,’ Dies At 72
Dubbed the dirtiest player in the NFL over his 10-year career with three teams, former University of Wyoming standout Conrad Dobler, 72, died Monday in Pueblo, Colorado.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 14, 2023
Lawyer For Wrong-Way Driver Suggests He Was Concussed, Not Impaired After Crash That Killed 5
The Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper who arrested Arthur Nelson after he caused a multi-vehicle crash that killed five students by driving the wrong way on Interstate 80 said he failed extensive field tests for driving impaired.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 02, 2023
Rulon Gardner, 51, On Comeback Trail, Wants To Wrestle In 2024 Olympic Games
Afton's Rulon Gardner was 29 when he won gold at the Sydney, Australia, Olympic Games in 2000. More than two decades later, he wants to do it again. Gardner told Cowboy State Daily it's the most "Wyoming" thing he can think of to do.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 28, 2023
Trooper Describes Fiery, Chaotic Scene On Night Of Multi-Car Crash That Killed 5 Students
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper who responded to a multi-vehicle crash that killed five people on Interstate 80 described a scene more suited to a dystopian horror film.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 25, 2023
Wrong-Way Driver Charged With 11 Felonies, Including 5 Counts Of Aggravated Homicide
A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper who responded to the multi-vehicle crash that killed five people on Interstate 80 described a scene on Sunday more suited to a dystopian horror film. Only the wrong-way driver walked away unscathed.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 25, 2023