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
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
Sea Of Red, White And Blue: Cheyenne Salutes Military In America's 250th Parade
Thousands of people wearing red, white and blue packed downtown Cheyenne on Saturday to celebrate America's 250th birthday. One Vietnam veteran said he was pleased the parade had a heavy military presence, including eight stars’ worth of generals.
Greg JohnsonJuly 04, 2026
27-30 Years In Prison For Former Cheyenne Teacher On Child Sex Abuse Charges
A former Cheyenne fifth-grade teacher who had faced 27 charges relating to sexual abuse of children was sentenced Wednesday to 27-30 years in prison. Without his plea agreement, Brian Wrhel, 56, could have faced 395 years.
Greg JohnsonJuly 01, 2026
Lovell Woman Accused Of Threatening To Kill Cops And ‘Take This Town Down’
A Lovell woman has been charged with making terroristic threats for threatening to kill cops and prompting part of Main Street to be barricaded during the town’s Lovell Days celebration. “I’m gonna take this town down,” she said, according to police.
Greg JohnsonJune 29, 2026
Goshen County Men Say They Were ‘Too Lazy’ To Bury Shot Dogs, Dumped Them In River
A 75-year-old Goshen County man told investigators he shot a pair of Rottweilers and dumped them in the North Platte River because he feared for his livestock. A neighbor who helped him allegedly said they were “too lazy” to bury the shot dogs.
Greg JohnsonJune 29, 2026
‘Vote For Greta’: German Shepherd Has Huge Support In Park County
Greta, a German shepherd with a platform of “more belly rubs for all,” is getting huge support in Park County since a “Vote For Greta” sign went up in Cody. “She certainly can’t be worse than, like, half the people running,” said one voter.
Greg JohnsonJune 29, 2026
Witness To Double Fatal Crash Says ‘A Huge Tanker Plowed Into' Construction Scene
“A huge tanker plowed into what I thought was about 6 cars,” is how one witness described the scene of a devastating double-fatal crash Friday on Highway 20/26 in Natrona County. “It was the worst accident I’ve witnessed,” said another.
Kolby Fedore & Greg JohnsonJune 28, 2026
Police Say Cody Woman In Four-Hour Standoff Was Taking Coins, Guns From Home
A Cody woman in a four-hour standoff Wednesday was allegedly taking collectible coins and firearms from the house of her late grandparents, police say. She “claimed that the guns, coins and other valuable pieces were stolen from her,” the CPD reports.
Greg JohnsonJune 26, 2026
Lander Man Wants Murder Charge Dismissed, Says Force In Bar Fight ‘Reasonable’
A Lander man facing a second-degree murder charge for a fatal January bar brawl wants the charge dismissed, saying he used “reasonable” force. Prosecutors disagree, saying he “advances like a predator” on the victim in a Thursday response.
Greg JohnsonJune 26, 2026
Mother Of Cheyenne Man Who Shot Himself In Police Car Files Wrongful Death Petition
The mother of a Cheyenne man who shot and killed himself while handcuffed in the back of a police car in January has filed a wrongful death petition. “I don’t want this to happen to anybody else’s family,” the mother said shortly after his death.
Greg JohnsonJune 19, 2026
Cheyenne 14-Year-Old Charged As Adult In Mom’s Shooting Set For Trial
A Cheyenne 14-year-old charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the death of his mother is set for a jury trial in less than two months. His defense claims he was emotionally abused, while investigators say he admitted he hated his mother.
Greg JohnsonJune 18, 2026
Sheriff Says Baggs Suspect Who Shot Deputy Likely Was Planning 'Large-Scale Act'
The man who shot a deputy in Baggs last week was likely planning something, said the Carbon County Sheriff. “The gunman had stockpiled hundreds of AR-15 magazines ... and had been prepared to initiate a large-scale act of violence," he said.
Greg JohnsonJune 17, 2026
Deputy Shot In Baggs Saved By Quick-Acting Residents
Sgt. Zach Burns remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times by a gunman in Baggs on Monday. “It wasn’t a good thing that happened, but it was a great thing” in how people reacted, the mayor said, which was “like heroes.”
Greg JohnsonJune 12, 2026
Cheyenne Woman Says She Didn’t Abandon Newborn Boy To Die 38 Years Ago
A 57-year-old woman who was arrested Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of a newborn boy in early 1988 repeatedly claimed the baby wasn’t hers. Investigators say DNA testing shows it’s 1.97 million times more likely she’s the baby’s mother than anyone else.
Greg JohnsonJune 10, 2026
Cheyenne Woman Faces First-Degree Murder In 1988 Death Of Newborn Boy
A Cheyenne woman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of a newborn baby boy found discarded near a Laramie County intersection 38 years ago. “The baby was a fully developed, full-term, 6.5-pound baby,” authorities report.
Greg JohnsonJune 10, 2026
Deputy Who Took Multiple Bullets In Baggs Shootout Is Critical, Improving
Sgt. Zach Burns has been identified as the Carbon County deputy who took multiple bullets in a shootout with a suspect in Baggs on Monday. He’s in critical condition but improving, the sheriff reported Wednesday.
Greg JohnsonJune 10, 2026
Deadly Shootout In Baggs, Wyoming: Neighbors Helped Deputy After Shot By Suspect
The day after a gunfight that left a deputy shot and the suspect dead in Baggs, Wyoming, former mayor Linda Fleming said it's no surprise neighbors rushed to help the fallen deputy. “It's just what we do. People don’t give it a second thought," she said.
Greg JohnsonJune 09, 2026
‘Active Assailant’ And Officer Shot Reports Has Baggs On Edge
It was a busier-than-usual Monday at the Cowboy Inn along Wyoming Highway 789 near the southern edge of Baggs. Across the road is an apartment building where an “active assailant” incident began that included reports of an officer being shot.
Greg JohnsonJune 09, 2026
Cheyenne Man Arrested After Overnight Armed Standoff
A man who has reportedly threatened “suicide by cop” multiple times held police in a 2.5-hour standoff early Saturday morning. “They are putting him in a squad car, guys. It’s over,” says the man behind Fubar on Patrol, who livestreamed the standoff.
Greg JohnsonJune 06, 2026
GOP Gov. Candidates Say Data Centers A National Security Issue For Wyoming And US
Data centers are important to national security and for Wyoming, said the top GOP candidates for governor during a Friday forum. “We are in an AI arms race with China,” Megan Degenfelder said, with all agreeing it will be a priority for the next governor.
Greg JohnsonJune 05, 2026
Cheyenne Man Accused In Shooting Over Ex Pleads Not Guilty To Attempted Murder
A 27-year-old man accused of shooting another man and leaving him bleeding in a Cheyenne street after a blowup over a former girlfriend pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted second-degree murder. He allegedly asked police how “the guy I shot” was doing.
Greg JohnsonJune 01, 2026