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
New York Trucker Faces Homicide Charge For Fatal 2025 I-80 Chain-Reaction Crash
Nearly 17 months after a New York trucker allegedly killed one person and hurt five others when he reportedly “plowed through” a line of vehicles on an icy Interstate 80 in Sweetwater County, he now faces an aggravated homicide charge in Wyoming.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 04, 2026
Cheyenne Man Faces Felony For Slashing 52 Tires At Low-Income Apartment Complex
A Cheyenne man said Thursday he went out of his mind when he allegedly slashed 52 tires on 22 vehicles parked in front of their homes at a low-income apartment complex. "It’s like taking food out of (my son's) mouth,” said one victim.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2026
Trial Near For Fire Chief, Wife Accused Of Abusing 50-Pound, 13-Year-Old Son
More than a year after pleading not guilty to starving their then-50-pound, 13-year-old son, a jury will hear the child abuse case of a former Laramie County fire chief and his wife. "I’m only allowed to eat one meal a day," the boy told investigators.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2026
Gillette Woman Denies Scheme To Pocket $8,000 Worth Of Liquor Store Returns
A Gillette woman accused of pocketing more than $8,000 worth of fraudulent returns from a local liquor store denies stealing from her former employer, saying it was another worker. Store video shows some of the alleged thefts.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2026
Dump Truck Driver Could Get 2 Years For Causing Double-Fatal Teton Pass Crash
The driver of a runaway dump truck on Teton Pass that killed two people July 7 faces a pair of homicide by vehicle charges and could get him up to two years, say court documents filed Tuesday. Troopers say he bypassed a runaway truck escape.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2026
Woman Flips Off Weston County Deputy At 112 MPH, Then Tells Cops To ‘Shoot Me’
A South Dakota woman who gave a Weston County deputy on a traffic stop the finger while blowing by him at 112 mph faces the potential of more than 50 years in prison. She’s also accused of telling cops to “shoot me” after getting caught.
Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2026
Douglas Man Who Skipped Out On Child Porn Charges Fights Not To Lose $250K Bond
A Douglas man facing dozens of child exploitation and porn charges who was caught twice allegedly trying to flee Wyoming is fighting not to lose the $250,000 in cash someone posted for his bond. The cash was put up by an elderly woman from Colorado.
Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2026
Wyoming Woman Pleads Guilty To Killing Infant Son In New Mexico, To Get 30 Years
A Wyoming woman who killed her 11-month-old boy during a brief standoff with law enforcement last December after allegedly kidnapping him and fleeing to New Mexico has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. In New Mexico, life in prison is 30 years.
Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2026
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