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
UP Engineer Charged With Being On Drugs While Driving HAZMAT-Loaded Train
A Union Pacific engineer has been charged with being on drugs while driving a train loaded with 16,000 tons of hazardous materials across eastern Wyoming. He told deputies he fell asleep “a little bit” and possible “for the whole trip.”
Greg Johnson & Kate MeadowsMarch 25, 2026
Utah Mom Accused Of Kidnapping Boy To Make Him Apologize For Bullying Her Child
A Utah woman is accused of kidnapping an 11-year-old boy and making him apologize to her child for being a bully. “I damn sure wouldn’t go grab a kid and drag him to my house,” a former Wyoming sheriff said about how to deal with a bully.
Greg JohnsonMarch 24, 2026
SWAT Team Breaches Newcastle Home To End Four-Hour Standoff With Wanted Man
It took about four hours and a SWAT team from Campbell County to capture a reportedly armed Newcastle man out of a home Monday. He was wanted on a warrant for a parole violation and now faces up to 10 more years in prison.
Greg JohnsonMarch 24, 2026
Big Horn County Man Tells Deputies To ‘Shut Up,’ Dares Them To ‘Shoot Me’
A 29-year-old Big Horn County man is accused of threatening to shoot livestock, then telling deputies to “shut up” and daring them to “act like a dip**** and shoot me.” He could get up to 35 years in prison, if convicted.
Greg JohnsonMarch 23, 2026
‘No Way I Can Afford That’: $1M Bond For Man Accused Of Killing 10-Month-Old Girl
“No way I can afford that,” a 41-year-old Cheyenne-area man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 10-month-old girl told a judge Monday. The district attorney had asked for $500,000, and the judge doubled that to $1 million.
Greg JohnsonMarch 23, 2026
Park County Man Charged With Terrorizing Ex-Girlfriend With Gun
A Park County man accused of terrorizing his ex-girlfriend with a gun and holding her against her will told police that when she didn’t fight back, he thought she “was thankful for the way he was treating her.” He was bound over to felony court Wednesday.
Greg JohnsonMarch 19, 2026
Former Saratoga Chamber CEO Accused Of Writing Herself $77,000 Worth Of Checks
Police say the former CEO for the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce admitted to writing herself more than $77,000 worth of checks drawn on a chamber account. Her case was elevated to felony court Wednesday.
Greg JohnsonMarch 19, 2026
Cheyenne 14-Year-Old Facing First-Degree Murder In Mom’s Killing Bound Over To Felony Court
A 14-year-old accused of shooting his mother in the head after she called him “retarded” and a “thief” over a stolen electronic tablet was bound over to felony court Wednesday. He’s been charged as an adult with first-degree murder.
Greg JohnsonMarch 18, 2026
Powell Man Facing 20 Child Porn Charges Could Get Up To 222 Years
A Powell man facing 20 felony charges relating to the distribution and possession of child pornography faces up to 222 years in prison and $200,000 in fines if convicted. Police say he admitted to having a yearslong addiction to porn.
Greg JohnsonMarch 17, 2026
Riverton Store Clerk Admits Pocketing $12,000 In Bogus Refunds, Police Say
A Riverton convenience store clerk is accused of pocketing more than $12,000 from more than 50 bogus returns over a two-week period. He was charged Friday, and admitted to police he stole money from the store, but initially estimated it was about $600.
Greg JohnsonMarch 17, 2026
Reps. Hageman, Jim Jordan Say Congress Divided Along ‘Common-Sense’ Line
The political divide in Congress falls along a line of “common sense,” Republican U.S. Reps. Harriet Hageman and Jim Jordan said during a Monday virtual town hall. They also said that sanctuary cities and payouts for college athletes need regulation.
Greg JohnsonMarch 16, 2026
Not A Drive-Thru: Car Plows Into Cheyenne Subway — A Fourth Time
A car plowed into a Cheyenne Subway store on Sunday, taking out a wall of windows and closing the sandwich shop. Employees say it's at least the fourth time it's been hit. “I guess they don’t know we don’t have a drive-thru," said one worker.
Greg JohnsonMarch 16, 2026
Powell McDonald’s Worker Charged With Threatening To Shoot Coworkers
A Powell McDonald’s worker is facing a felony charge of making terroristic threats after allegedly telling coworkers he would return to the restaurant with his Glock handgun and “air this place out.” He made his initial court appearance Friday.
Greg JohnsonMarch 13, 2026
For The Record Books: Highest Wind Speed Ever At Cheyenne Airport, 14,000 Lost Power
Thursday’s windstorm was one for the record books with the highest wind speed ever recorded at the Cheyenne airport. Although 14,000 people lost power, it was restored quickly by linemen who dangled from cherry-pickers in the record-breaking winds.
Greg JohnsonMarch 13, 2026
Evanston Man Who Posted Video Threatening To Kill Neighbors Sane Enough For Trial
An Evanston man who repeatedly threatened he’d shoot his neighbors “in the head” and “beat ’em to death” is sane enough to stand trial, a judge ordered this week. He also blames Democrats and the sheriff’s office for taking his property.
Greg JohnsonMarch 12, 2026
‘It’s Carnage’: Wyoming Wind Gusts Up To 109MPH Blow Over Trucks, Rip Off Roofs
A Wyoming windstorm with gusts reported as high as 109 mph has blown over dozens of commercial trucks, ripped roofs off buildings, and uprooted trees on Thursday. “It’s carnage,” is how meteorologist Don Day described the damage.
Greg Johnson & Kate MeadowsMarch 12, 2026
Torrington Woman Accused Of Letting Boyfriend Molest Girl Set For Plea Hearing
A Torrington woman accused of allowing her boyfriend to perform sex acts with a 4-year-old girl is scheduled for a plea hearing Thursday. The boyfriend, already convicted for abusing the child, will be sentenced Friday.
Greg JohnsonMarch 11, 2026
First-Degree Murder For Cheyenne 14-Year-Old Accused Of Shooting Mom In Head
A 14-year-old Cheyenne boy is being charged as an adult with first-degree murder, accused of shooting his mother in the head from behind. “It’d be a lot easier to accept that she killed herself than my son tried to kill her,” his father said.
Greg JohnsonMarch 11, 2026
School District 'Aware' Of Video Showing Cheyenne Teacher Begging Student
Laramie County School District 1 says it’s “aware” of a video showing a Cheyenne junior high teacher on his knees begging a student, telling her that, “I did something very wrong.” One parent told Cowboy State Daily it is "creepy" and "it pissed me off."
Greg JohnsonMarch 10, 2026
Teen In Custody After Woman Shot In Back Of Head South Of Cheyenne
A teen is in custody after a 41-year-old woman was shot in the back of her head in her home Friday, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday. The woman was life-flighted to a Colorado hospital, where she died.
Greg JohnsonMarch 10, 2026
Four Teens Walk Away From Head-On With Semi South Of Gillette
Four teenagers escaped serious injury after colliding with a semitruck head-on while trying to pass three other vehicles in a no-passing zone on Highway 59 about 30 miles south of Gillette on Sunday. The 18-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Greg JohnsonMarch 09, 2026