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
Upton Man Arrested And Charged With Planting Homemade Bomb At Oil Field Company
A 39-year-old Upton, Wyoming, man had his first court appearance Friday, accused of planting a homemade propane bomb in the tool shed of an oil field company. The bomb didn’t go off, but was “the real deal,” the local sheriff has said.
Greg JohnsonDecember 14, 2024
Made In Afton, Pilots Say The Husky Is The Best Bush Plane On The Planet
The Husky, a small bulldog of an aircraft coveted for its ability to land and take off anywhere, is made in Afton, Wyoming. It’s considered by many pilots to be the best bush plane on the planet.
Greg JohnsonDecember 08, 2024
What The Heck … Are Those Giant Snowballs That Seem To Roll Themselves?
Those giant snowballs that seem to roll themselves are a rare weather phenomenon called snow rollers, meteorologist Don Day says. Basically, wind and gravity roll them up the same way you would when making a snowman.
Greg JohnsonDecember 07, 2024
Suspect Leads Casper Police On High-Speed Chase After Pepper-Spraying Clerk
A man is in jail after allegedly pepper-spraying a liquor store attendant and grabbing about 30 cartons of cigarettes. He then led Casper police on a high-speed late Tuesday.
Greg JohnsonDecember 05, 2024
Homemade Propane Bomb Found In Wyoming Oil Field Equipment Shed
A homemade propane bomb was found Saturday in the tool shed of a Weston County, Wyoming, oil field equipment company. It was “the real deal,” the sheriff says, adding it’s lucky the device didn’t go off.
Greg JohnsonDecember 02, 2024
Yellowstone Outlaw E.C. Waters Ripped Off Rich Visitors, Ran A Zoo Of Horrors
One of Wyoming’s most notorious and ruthless outlaws was E.C. Waters, who fleeced rich Yellowstone visitors and abused animals. At one point, the animals in his Dot Island “zoo” were so hungry they were eating each other.
Greg JohnsonDecember 01, 2024
Josh Allen Announces Engagement To Actress Hailee Steinfeld
Former University of Wyoming and current NFL superstar Josh Allen has proposed to actress and pop singer Hailee Steinfeld. He announced their engagement Friday in an Instagram post of the proposal.
Greg JohnsonNovember 30, 2024
Greg Johnson: Time To Carve Up The Thanksgiving Swineapple
Greg Johnson writes, “One of the most challenging Johnson family Thanksgiving traditions was pretending whatever Grandma made was delicious, when in fact it rarely was edible.”
Greg JohnsonNovember 27, 2024
For 15th Year, Trucker Returns To Decorate Lonely Tree In The Middle Of Nowhere
For 15 years and counting, a Texas long-haul trucker has decorated a lonely tree in the middle of nowhere north of Sheridan, Wyoming. The locals on the Crow Reservation say the tree holds his soul.
Greg JohnsonNovember 25, 2024
Wyoming Coal Jobs Down Nearly 8% Over Last Nine Months, 25% Since 2017
Wyoming’s coal workforce is down nearly 8% over the last nine months. And since 2017, there are 25% fewer people working coal jobs.
Greg JohnsonNovember 20, 2024
Barring “A Miracle,” Wyoming Coal Will Miss 200M Tons For First Time Since 1992
Wyoming is on track to miss producing 200 million tons of coal for the first time since 1992. “Short of a miracle,” that’s what’s going to happen, says one of the nation’s leading energy economists.
Greg JohnsonNovember 17, 2024
After 7 Weeks And 100,000 Acres Burned, Elk Fire Is 100% Contained
After more than seven weeks, the Elk Fire is officially 100% contained. The late-season wildfire scorched nearly 100,000 acres in the Bighorn Mountains and came close to burning the rural towns of Dayton and Parkman.
Greg JohnsonNovember 15, 2024
Vandalism Forces Cheyenne Frontier Days To Close Grounds To Public
A rash of vandalism at the Cheyenne Frontier Days grounds has caused an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 worth of damage and prompted the organization to close the area to the public.
Greg JohnsonNovember 14, 2024
With Huge Late-Season Wildfires Under Control, Fire Crews Now Starting Fires
With two huge late-season wildfires under control, U.S. Forest Service crews are now busy catching up on the controlled burns they start on purpose.
Greg JohnsonNovember 07, 2024
More Snow Coming As Large Wyoming Wildfires Close In On Containment
Another blast of snow is expected to begin Monday night as firefighters report they’re closing in on confinement of the Elk and Pack Trail fires. The Elk Fire is 82% contained and Pack Trail 78% confined.
Greg JohnsonOctober 28, 2024
With Elk Fire 73% Contained, Locals Try To Reclaim “Some Level Of Normal”
Progress fighting the Elk Fire on the eastern Wyoming Bighorns is accelerating, going from 58% percent contained Friday to 73% Saturday. That’s allowing locals to try and reclaim “some level of normal.”
Greg JohnsonOctober 26, 2024
Kidnapped Teen Girl Saved After Wyoming High-Speed Chase Is Second In 5 Days
For the second time in five days, Wyoming law enforcement rescued a teen girl who was kidnapped in another state. A man was arrested Thursday after trying to dodge spike strips while being chased north on I-25, then south again after he inexplicably turned around.
Greg JohnsonOctober 25, 2024
Spirit, Grizzly 399’s Huge Cub, Has “High Chances” Of Survival Without Mom
Wildlife biologists say Grizzly 399's yearling cub, Spirit, has a "high chance of survival" even after the death of its mother. They think, even though it's not two years old yet, it will have the instinct to find a suitable den.
Mark Heinz & Greg JohnsonOctober 23, 2024
Grand Teton Wildlife Officials “Devastated” By Death Of Grizzly 399
As the public responds with grief over the death of Grizzly 399, Grand Teton wildlife officials are “devastated.” They say the world's most famous bear had become a symbol for the Grand Tetons and the state of Wyoming.
Greg JohnsonOctober 23, 2024
Huge Wyoming Wildfires Can Still Be Dangerous, Firefighters Warn
Last week’s blast of winter cooled down the Elk and Pack Trail fires that have burned 185,000 acres in Wyoming. But firefighters warn that the fires aren’t out and can still be dangerous.
Greg JohnsonOctober 22, 2024
Wyoming Troopers Save Kidnapped Teen Girl From Sex Offender And “Wanted Predator”
A 13-year-old South Dakota girl allegedly abducted by a registered sex offender was recovered by Wyoming State Troopers on Sunday. Hours after the girl was reported missing, the suspect tried to outrun the WHP and was caught near Rawlins.
Greg JohnsonOctober 21, 2024
Almost No Growth For Wyoming’s Large Wildfires, But Weather Reprieve Is Over
A two-day blast of winter dropped significant rain and snow on Wyoming’s two large wildfires, slowing them to almost no growth. But that reprieve is over, with warmer temperatures and more fire activity expected.
Greg JohnsonOctober 20, 2024
Evacuations Lifted For All But 1 Person In Path Of Massive Wyoming Wildfires
Evacuations have been lifted for all but 1 person in the path of two massive Wyoming wildfires on Saturday. Two days of rain and snow haven’t put out the Elk and Pack Trail fires, but has “really put a hurt” on them.
Greg JohnsonOctober 19, 2024
Snowstorm A “Thank You, God” Event For Those Living In Shadow Of Elk Fire
Seeing snow on the face of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains on Friday was a “thank you, God” moment for those threatened by the Elk Fire. It’s already burned 96,000 acres, but the storm has helped firefighters go from 28% containment to 44%.
Greg JohnsonOctober 18, 2024
Hageman says People In Path Of Wildfires Can Thank Feds And Their “Bad Policies”
A devastating Wyoming wildfire season got its start more than 20 years ago with a disastrous Bill Clinton roadless rule, Harriet Hageman said Wednesday. Those in the path of the fires can thank the feds and their “bad policies.”
Greg JohnsonOctober 16, 2024
Elk, Pack Trail Fires Each Close In On 100,000 Acres, Snow Can’t Come Soon Enough
With Wyoming’s two active wildfires each closing in on 100,000 acres, snow expected for the end of the week can’t come soon enough. Even when it does, fire management officials say it won’t be enough to kill the Elk and Pack Trail fires.
Greg JohnsonOctober 15, 2024
Elk Fire Continues Its Southeast March, Grows Again To More Than 87,000 Acres
Like a column of soldiers, the Elk Fire in northern Wyoming continues its methodical — and at times seemingly relentless — march southeast. It’s grown again to more than 87,000 acres as of Sunday and a little less contained at 28%.
Greg JohnsonOctober 13, 2024
Stubborn Elk Fire Grows To Nearly 85,000 Acres, But Now 32% Contained
The huge Elk Fire in northern Wyoming continues to be a stubborn, dangerous event, growing to nearly 85,000 acres by Saturday. But firefighters are making significant progress, achieving 32% containment.
Greg JohnsonOctober 12, 2024
Firefighters Hold Off Elk Fire As It Threatens Sheridan’s Water Supply
As the 76,000-acre Elk Fire continues to be active and push southeast along the face of the Bighorn Mountains, it’s threatening Sheridan’s water supply. The fire made a run at the Big Goose Water Treatment Plant early Wednesday.
Greg JohnsonOctober 09, 2024
“These Guys Are Heroes”: Locals Praise Crews Fighting 75,000-Acre Elk Fire
As firefighting crews continue to make progress on stemming the growth of the huge 75,000-acre Elk Fire in northeast Wyoming, locals are noticing. “These guys are heroes in my mind,” one lifelong Dayton resident said Tuesday.
Greg JohnsonOctober 08, 2024