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
Caught! Four Hours After Skipping Court, Accused Child Sex Abuser Arrested In Calif.
Four hours after no-showing in court on 72 child sex and pornography charges in a Wyoming court on Tuesday, John C. Smallbone was caught in San Francisco. “We didn’t want a person with those types of charges to be out and about," said the sheriff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026
No-Show! Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Doesn't Show Up To Court
A Wyoming man facing 72 felony child sex charges was a no-show for his plea hearing Tuesday in Douglas. John Smallbone was released on his own recognizance by a Colorado court last week. Law enforcement officials are angered that he was set free.
Greg JohnsonJuly 28, 2026
Stolen Credit Card Tracked Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges To Colorado
Charges on a stolen credit card tracked a Wyoming man wanted on 72 child sex abuse charges to Colorado last week. “If you’re in town, why does the credit card say you’re in Colorado?” the man who owns the card asked John Smallbone in a text.
Greg JohnsonJuly 27, 2026
Colorado Court Releases Wyoming Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex Abuse Charges
A Douglas man wanted on 72 felony charges alleging sex abuse of minors was released on his own accord by a Colorado court Thursday instead of being held for Wyoming authorities. “We’re out looking for him again,” said the Converse County undersheriff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 24, 2026
In Cheyenne, Interior Secretary Says He'll Act On Colorado River Crisis, If He Has To
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Thursday that he'll intervene in the Colorado River crisis — if he has to. “We have one-fourth the water and four times the people,” he said during a visit to Cheyenne Frontier Days with many of his top-level staff.
Greg JohnsonJuly 23, 2026
Hero’s Welcome In Rawlins: Deputy Nearly Killed In Baggs Shootout Comes Home
Sgt. Zach Burns — shot three times by a gunman in Baggs last month — got a hero’s welcome in Rawlins after a 230-mile escort from a Colorado hospital Wednesday. “On the scale of heroism, that’s pretty far up there,” said the Rawlins police chief.
Greg JohnsonJuly 23, 2026
Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Murdering Newborn 38 Years Ago Wants New Hearing
Attorneys for a former Cheyenne woman accused of murdering her newborn boy 38 years ago say there’s not enough evidence for a trial and want a judge to order a new preliminary hearing. She's also out of jail on a lower bond granted last week.
Greg JohnsonJuly 21, 2026
Rock Springs Mom Accused Of Leaving Baby In Car For Hours While She Drank In Bar
A Rock Springs woman is accused of leaving her baby alone in a parked vehicle while she spent hours drinking at a local bar Saturday. Police say the woman appeared intoxicated and admitted to leaving her baby unattended while she went inside a nearby bar.
Greg JohnsonJuly 21, 2026
Public Not Informed Earlier Of Wastewater Contamination Because It Was ‘Low Risk’
The Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities didn't inform the public earlier that Cheyenne's wastewater system was contaminated by a Meta data center because they deemed it a "low risk to public health." The agency released a timeline and Q&A on Monday.
Greg JohnsonJuly 20, 2026
Next Round’s On The Ghost: $5 Bill ‘Out Of Thin Air’ Lands On Cheyenne VFW Bar
There are plenty of theories about just how a $5 bill seemed to appear "out of thin air" and float onto the bar at Cheyenne VFW Post 1881. “I like to think of it as Darrell just bought us a beer,” said a member about another who died years ago.
Greg JohnsonJuly 20, 2026
‘The Way It Should Be’: New $10M Indian Village Opens At Cheyenne Frontier Days
The new $10 million Morning Star American Indian Village opened Friday for the first day of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Visitors said they were astonished by the transformation. "I got emotional, because this is so amazing," a Native American visitor said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 17, 2026
Galloping Horse Is Galloping Again Over The Wrangler In Downtown Cheyenne
The Galloping Horse is galloping again — or at least it will be when someone at The Wrangler turns the power on. After years of being inoperable, the iconic 400-pound folk art cowboy was fixed, refurbished and put back in place Thursday morning.
Greg JohnsonJuly 16, 2026
Wheatland Officer Runs Out Of Gas During 112 MPH Chase, Still Gets Driver
Despite a Wheatland police officer running out of gas during a chase of up to 112 mph through two towns Sunday, the driver of a white BMW failed to elude law enforcement. The driver also at one point looked at pursuing officers and shrugged.
Greg JohnsonJuly 14, 2026
Judge Denies Reporter's Request To Throw Out Evidence On Laptop & Cellphones
A Platte County judge has denied a former reporter's request to throw out all evidence on her laptop and two cell phones. The woman is facing 20 forgery and perjury-related charges in two court case. She also waived her right to jury trials.
Greg JohnsonJuly 10, 2026
Former Gillette Little League Coach And Board Member Faces 13 Child Porn Charges
A former Gillette Little League coach and board member could get up to 130 years in prison if convicted of 13 child pornography charges. “He personally coached my son in soccer, so I was shocked,” said the league’s president.
Greg JohnsonJuly 10, 2026
Attorney For Cheyenne Teen Accused Of Killing Mom Wants Him Out Of Adult Court
A Cheyenne boy who was 14 when he allegedly shot his mom in the head and charged as an adult with first-degree murder should be in juvenile court, his attorney argues in a Tuesday court motion. It claims his mother “verbally and physically abused” him.
Greg JohnsonJuly 09, 2026
Police: Naked Man Says Psychedelic Shrooms Made Him Attack Cheyenne Officers
A 31-year-old man reportedly told police that psychedelic mushrooms led him to strip naked in a busy intersection, then kick, headbutt and try to bite multiple officers, at least two nurses and a doctor. He made his first court appearance Wednesday.
Greg JohnsonJuly 08, 2026
Laramie Man Allegedly Kicks Trooper In Groin At End Of Truck Towing Camper Chase
It was an alleged kick to the groin of a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper that could get a Laramie man up to 10 years in prison after running from the law in a pickup towing a camper. The “intense pain was causing me to be nauseous,” the trooper said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 08, 2026
Albany County Camper Charged With Pulling 2 Guns During Brawl With 3 Other Campers
Allegedly outraged by a dirt bike zipping around his Albany County campsite, a man is accused of pulling two guns and brawling with three other campers over the weekend. At one point, he “stepped back and racked the slide, and pointed,” investigators say.
Greg JohnsonJuly 07, 2026
‘I Did Something Very Wrong’: Probation For Cheyenne Teacher Who Begged Student
A Cheyenne junior high math teacher caught on video on his knees begging a female student saying he “did something very wrong” has been sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation after scratching the girl during a confrontation.
Greg JohnsonJuly 07, 2026
Colorado Man Accused Of Shooting Buddy With Stolen Gun After Leaving Baggs Bar
A Colorado man is accused of shooting a buddy with a stolen handgun in a truck after leaving a Baggs, Wyoming, bar early Saturday morning. “A bullet hole could be seen going through the back of the passenger seat and out the front,” court documents say.
Greg JohnsonJuly 07, 2026