Managing Editor

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.

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Latest from Greg Johnson

Firefighters are nearby to fight the Elk Fire all around its perimiter and interior, where accessible.

“These Guys Are Heroes”: Locals Praise Crews Fighting 75,000-Acre Elk Fire

As firefighting crews continue to make progress on stemming the growth of the huge 75,000-acre Elk Fire in northeast Wyoming, locals are noticing. “These guys are heroes in my mind,” one lifelong Dayton resident said Tuesday.

Greg JohnsonOctober 08, 2024

A group of people watch as a ribbon of fire burns it way across the face of the Bighorns near Dayton and Parkman, Wyoming.

Crews “Ready To Go On The Offensive” Fighting Huge 73,000-Acre Elk Fire

For the first time since the Elk Fire literally blew up overnight more than a week ago, firefighters on Monday said they are preparing to attack the 73,000-acre wildfire rather than react to it. "We’re ready to go on the offense," one firefighter said.

Greg JohnsonOctober 07, 2024

The small, rural Wyoming town of Dayton can only watch and pray as the Elk Fire burns across the mountain face of the Bighorns above.

Elk Fire Now At 74,000 Acres And Still Out Of Control, But Some Signs Of Hope

The Elk Fire burning in northern Wyoming remains out of control, dangerous and unpredictable. It’s now at 74,000 acres and growing, but some signs of hope as rancher says “positive energy” helped save her ranch.

Greg JohnsonOctober 06, 2024

As Elk Fire Rages, Dayton Watches While Mountain Above “Just Glowing Orange”

Folks in rural Dayton, Wyoming, were awakened at 3 a.m. Saturday and told to be ready to evacuate. Meanwhile, all they can do is watch as the Mountain above them is “just glowing orange.”

Greg JohnsonOctober 05, 2024

The Elk Fire burns close to the town of Dayton, Wyoming.

No End In Sight For Folks In Path Of 51,000-Acre Elk Fire In Northern Wyoming

It may seem a little like “Groundhog Day” for folks in northern Wyoming in the path of the Elk Fire. The 51,000-acre wildfire is still uncontained, unpredictable and more of the same is expected.

Greg JohnsonOctober 04, 2024

Highway 14 south of Dayton, Wyoming, remains closed because of the Elk Fire.

Elk Fire Now 50,000 Acres, Spreading “In All Directions” In Northern Wyoming

The unpredictable and dangerous Elk Fire burning west of Dayton and Parkman in northern Wyoming has grown to 50,000 acres. It’s also spreading “in all directions.”

Greg JohnsonOctober 03, 2024

At the Elk View Inn near Dayton, the Elk Fire appears intimidating. Although an estimated 7-8 miles away, it appears huge and threatening.

More Evacuations Ordered As Huge Wildfire Threatens Northern Wyoming Towns

Winds have blown the 32,000-acre Elk Fire toward the northern Wyoming town of Parkman, while also threatening nearby Dayton. Additional evacuations have been ordered with the weather forecast calling for even more wind.

Greg JohnsonOctober 02, 2024

The Elk Fire burns down the face of the Bighorns over Dayton, Wyoming.

Dayton Watched As Mountain Above Them Burned

Not many of Dayton, Wyoming’s, 830 residents got much sleep Sunday night as they watched the Elk Fire burn down the mountain face above them. The fire didn’t get to the town, but has grown to about 32,000 acres.

Greg JohnsonOctober 01, 2024

The plains burned after the House Draw Fire moved through the area off Buffalo Sussex Cutoff Road.

Nearly 600,000 Acres Have Burned During Wyoming’s Powder-Keg Summer

Much of Wyoming has been a powder keg for wildfires this summer, with nearly 600,000 acres burned in the northeast part of the state — 13 times more than last summer.

Greg Johnson & Andrew RossiSeptember 27, 2024

Cheyenne police and Laramie County deputies responded to a report of a student who had a gun at East High School on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. But the report turned out to be unfounded. An 18-year-old student was later charged with allegedly making the threat.

Fake Post About Kid Shot At East High In Cheyenne Sparks Fear, Frustration

A fake social media post claiming a student had been shot at East High School in Cheyenne triggered local parents into a frenzy of fear and worry Thursday. There was a report of a student with a gun at school, but it wasn’t true, police say.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 26, 2024

Firefighting crews expect to achieve 100% containment on the Short Draw Fire on Friday, Sept. 19, 2024.

Five Homes, 31 Outbuildings Burned By Short Draw Fire

With 100% containment expected Friday, an inventory of what was lost to the Short Draw Fire is in — five homes and 31 outbuildings. The wildfire has burned about 35,000 acres in northern Wyoming and southern Montana.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 19, 2024

An aerial view of the Short Draw Fire shows acres of black and burned wildland while a homestead that's been saved from the flames.

Short Draw Fire 65% Contained, But Igniting Underground Coal Seams

Wildland firefighting crews have gained 65% containment of the Short Draw Fire in northeast Wyoming and southern Montana. But they’re also now fighting coal seam fires ignited by the wildfire.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 17, 2024

Other Authors

A Wyoming Department of Transporation crew works to repair a hole that develped in the right eastbound lane of Interstate 80 over the Greeley Highway in Cheyenne.

Truckers Worried About Hole In Bridge On I-80 In Cheyenne; WYDOT Says It's OK

Truckers expressed worry Monday about a hole that opened up on a bridge on Interstate 80 in Cheyenne. Although WYDOT was able to patch it up, they’re still worried about it. Transportation officials say the bridge is structurally sound.

Leo Wolfson & Greg JohnsonSeptember 16, 2024

As evacuation orders are lifted, some people in the path of the Short Draw Fire are returning to find their homes gone. That was the case for Cheyenne and Jesse Raymond, who posted to Facebook about the devastation of finding their home had burned.

Families Devastated To Find Homes Burned As Short Draw Fire Evacuations Lifted

Evacuation orders in northern Wyoming and southern Montana have been lifted for folks in the path of the Short Draw Fire. But some families are devastated to find they no longer have homes to return to.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 15, 2024

Yoder Volunteer Fire Department Brush Truck 31 saved this home on the overnight shift fighting the Short Draw Fire near Recluse, Wyoming, in September. The truck is crewed by Caleb Anderson and Abigail Anderson — a brother/sister firefighting team — and Whitman Jones.

Evacuations Still In Place As Volatile Northeast Wyoming Wildfire Threatens Homes

Firefighters on both side of the Wyoming-Montana border report progress battling the 40,000-acre Short Draw Fire. But evacuation orders remain in place as the fire is still unpredictable and threatening homes.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 13, 2024

Intense flames driven by wind has grown the Short Draw Fire burning in northern Wyoming and southern Montana to more than 30,000 acres as of Thursday night, Sept. 12, 2024.

Crews Work Furiously To Save Homes From Huge Wildfire In Northeast Wyoming

Firefighting crews on both sides of the Wyoming-Montana border are working furiously to save homes and ranches from a volatile and out-of-control wildfire. The Short Draw Fire has so far burned 30,500 acres.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 13, 2024

Crews from the Tongue River Electric Cooperative work in the dark to try and save power poles from the Short Draw Fire.

Huge Wildfire In Northeast Wyoming Now 30,500 Acres And Growing Fast

A wildfire north of Recluse, Wyoming, near the Montana border has exploded to an estimated 30,500 acres and is growing fast. People in the area have been urged to evacuate as the fire burns uncontrolled.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 12, 2024

Eastbound Interstate 80 at milepost 223 is closed after two semitrailers crashed Saturday morning.

Semi Hitting Another Parked On Shoulder Caused Fatal Crash That Closed I-80

The fiery and fatal crash that closed I-80 for more than eight hours Saturday was caused by a semi smashing into another parked on the shoulder. The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Monday said the driver who hit the parked semi was killed.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 09, 2024

Aftermath of a collisison between two semitrailers that killed one person and engulfed a truck in flames Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

One Dead After Fiery Semi Crash On Interstate 80 Near Rawlins

A fiery and fatal crash involving two semitrailers Saturday morning closed eastbound I-80 for miles before and after Rawlins for most of the day.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 07, 2024

The Broadus Volunteer Fire Department out of Montana has sent engines and personnel to help fight the Silver Spoon Fire.

Silver Spoon Fire Evacuations Lifted, Crews Now “Mopping Up”

Evacuations for folks potentially in the path of the Silver Spoon Fire north of Recluse in northeast Wyoming were lifted Tuesday. Fire crews now are “just mopping up” hot spots and establishing containment.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2024

Delcy Bayles shared photos and a report from her ranch near where the Silver Spoon Fire is burning in northeast Wyoming.

Progress On Silver Spoon Fire May Allow Evacuees To Return Home

Local fire crews and ranchers made “good progress” fighting the 1,721-acre Silver Spoon Fire north of Recluse, Wyoming, on Monday. Area residents ordered to evacuate may be allowed to go home Tuesday.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2024

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