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
EPA Admin Zeldin Says Feds Should Let Wyoming Manage Its Own Coal Byproducts
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin was in Wyoming on Thursday to sign a letter supporting Wyoming — not the federal agency — to manage its own coal plant byproducts. “Nobody knows Wyoming like the people of Wyoming,” he said.
Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2025
‘We Can See The Flames’: Sleepless Nights As Wildfires Burn Within Sight
Even with cooler temperatures, higher humidity and rain, a pair of western Wyoming wildfires continue to grow. That’s causing sleepless nights for those nearby who “can see the flames” from their front porch.
Greg JohnsonAugust 26, 2025
Week Of Cool, Wet Weather Expected To Park Over Uncontained Wyoming Wildfires
Firefighting crews working a pair of uncontained wildfires in western Wyoming can expect some help from Mother Nature this week. Unseasonably cool, humid and wet weather will park over the fires through Friday.
Greg JohnsonAugust 25, 2025
Star Valley On Edge As New Wildfire Burns Unchecked South Of Smoot
Another fast-growing wildfire has blown up in Wyoming, this time in Star Valley south of Smoot. The Willow Creek Fire has prompted evacuations and closed U.S. 89. Meanwhile, the huge 125,000-acre Red Canyon Fire is 75% contained.
Greg JohnsonAugust 24, 2025
Desperate And Worried: Locals Watch As More Evacuated Near Dollar Lake Fire
All homes and campsites within a 5-mile radius of the volatile Dollar Lake Fire in Sublette County have been evacuated as the blaze continues to spread out of control along the eastern side of the Green River.
Greg JohnsonAugust 23, 2025
Dollar Lake Fire Blows Up To 10,000-Plus Acres, Bible Camp Evacuated
The Dollar Lake Fire north of Pinedale on Friday blew up to more than 10,000 acres, pushing south and forcing more evacuations, including an area bible camp.
Greg JohnsonAugust 22, 2025
Huge 124,000-Acre Red Canyon Fire Remains Active, Nearly 50% Contained
Crews fighting the huge 124,000-acre Red Canyon Fire are reporting significant progress and nearly 50% containment. But it remains active and potentially dangerous, wildland firefighters report Friday.
Greg JohnsonAugust 22, 2025
Western Wyoming Lodge Owners Watch Campers Flee Out-Of-Control Wildfire
Owners of the Kendall Valley Lodge about 40 miles north of Pinedale watched as campers and residents evacuated the area in the path of the Dollar Lake Fire. Reported Thursday, they also watched it explode overnight from 20-30 acres to nearly 1,400.
Greg JohnsonAugust 22, 2025
‘These Fires Are Such SOBs’: Weather Drives 127,000-Acre Red Canyon Fire
Temperatures nearing triple digits, near-0% humidity and erratic winds are why Wyoming wildfires “are such SOBs,” meteorologist Don Day says. That means fighting the nearly 127,000-acre Red Canyon Fire this week is “not going to be fun.”
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2025
In Blockbuster $15.4 Billion Deal, Black Hills Energy To Merge With NorthWestern
Black Hills Energy announced a blockbuster $15.4 billion merger Tuesday with NorthWestern Energy in a deal the companies say will help them compete with larger utilities. Rates won’t go down, they say, but they won’t go up as much or as fast.
Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2025
Wyoming's Red Canyon Fire Now 100,000+ Acres, Fire Emergency Declared
With the Red Canyon Fire burning about 11 miles east of Thermopolis exceeding 100,000 acres in size, Gov. Mark Gordon has declared a fire emergency, even as crews report it’s 28% contained.
Greg JohnsonAugust 18, 2025
Aggressive Red Canyon Fire Closes In On 100,000 Acres, Still 0% Containment
The Red Canyon Fire continues to surge in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis as it closes in on 100,000 acres burned. It’s also moving into Washakie and Fremont counties, prompting evacuation alerts in Fremont.
Greg JohnsonAugust 18, 2025
Red Canyon Fire Grows To Nearly 85,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered
A large, out-of-control wildfire “exhibiting extreme fire behavior” continues to grow in multiple directions about 11 miles east of Thermopolis. The Red Canyon Fire also has prompted more evacuations in its potential path.
Greg Johnson & Jackie DorothyAugust 17, 2025
3 Wildfires Have Burned More Than 61,000 Acres In Bighorn Basin, 0% Containment
As of Saturday morning, a trio of fast-growing wildfires have burned more than 61,000 acres in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, with 0% containment on any of them. The largest is the Red Canyon Fire at 40,000 acrea, which has exploded on cheatgrass.
Greg JohnsonAugust 16, 2025
Out-Of-Control Red Canyon Fire Near Thermopolis Now Nearly 35,000 Acres
The Red Canyon Fire is burning out of control about 11 miles east of Thermopolis, blowing up to nearly 35,000 acres on Friday. Oil field workers saw the lightning bolt that started the fire, then could only watch it spread.
Greg JohnsonAugust 15, 2025
Wildfire East Of Thermopolis Explodes To 20,000 Acres, Prompts Evacuation
What was a small wildfire reported about 14 miles east of Thermopolis on Wednesday evening has exploded to an estimated more than 20,000 acres Thursday. The Red Canyon Fire has also prompted some evacuations.
Greg JohnsonAugust 14, 2025
Sheriff’s Office Training On Flaming Gorge Reservoir Turns Into Real Water Rescue
A Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office training exercise on Flaming Gorge Reservoir on Wednesday turned into a real water rescue for five deputies and a K-9. When the boat took on water and flipped, deputies acted quickly to save one of their own and a K-9.
Greg JohnsonAugust 13, 2025
Barlow Says If GOP Primary For Wyoming Governor Gets Ugly, It Won’t Come From Him
Even the opening prayer at state Sen. Eric Barlow’s announcement for governor cautioned it could be an ugly campaign. But Barlow said if it gets ugly it's not going to come from him and he won’t get caught up in smear and misinformation campaigns.
Greg JohnsonAugust 12, 2025
Wyoming State Senator Eric Barlow Announces Run For Governor
Campbell County Republican Eric Barlow on Tuesday announced he’s running for governor in 2026. The state senator and former Wyoming House speaker says he was motivated to preserve the state’s independent spirit and to “keep Washington, D.C., out of Wyoming’s business.”
Greg JohnsonAugust 12, 2025
Family Still Holds Out Hope For Minnesota Hiker Missing Since July 29
The wife of missing Cloud Peak Wilderness hiker Grant Gardner on Monday told Cowboy State Daily that she's hopeful his skills and abilities that "he's been honing over the last decade-plus will help him come home to us."
Greg JohnsonAugust 11, 2025
Potential Buyers Emerge For Closed Wyoming Newspapers
In the wake of the shutdown of eight Wyoming newspapers, potential buyers are emerging for at least some of them. The former Pinedale Roundup editor says she’s already secured money to buy the paper, and there’s reportedly interest in at least two others.
Greg JohnsonAugust 08, 2025