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

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

Video Shows Man On Knees Begging Girl After Altercation At Cheyenne School
‘I did something very wrong' a man says repeatedly in a video showing him on his knees, begging a Cheyenne junior high school girl after a physical altercation last week. School officials say “no comment,” while parents demand answers.
Greg JohnsonMarch 09, 2026

Cheyenne Man Accused Of Beating Girlfriend’s Mom, Dog During Angry Outburst
A 30-year-old Cheyenne man is accused of threatening his girlfriend’s family with a gun, beating her mom and twice throwing a dog against a wall Thursday during an outburst of anger. A man there “reported being in fear to the point that he was shaking.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026

Douglas Police, District Probe Middle Schoolers Sharing ‘Sexually Explicit Material’
The Douglas Police Dept and school district have announced a joint investigation into “electronic sharing of sexually explicit material involving minors.” The school board president said if parents checked, “they’d be outraged by what’s on those phones.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026

‘An Easy Fix’: Sheridan Woman Admits Stealing $630,000 From Foundation
The office manager for a Sheridan nonprofit foundation admitted stealing more than $630,000 since 2013, police say. Bobbi Jo Neeson, who made her initial court appearance Thursday, said she has a shopping addiction and taking the money was “an easy fix.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2026

Cody Officer Who Made Aggressive Traffic Stop Of Teen Can Keep Being A Cop
Nearly three years after an aggressive traffic stop of a local high school student, a Cody police officer can keep being a cop. The state board that oversees certifying law officers ruled Wednesday his behavior didn’t rise to the level of losing his badge.
Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026

Laramie County Illegal Truck Crackdown Applauded By Truckers, Industry
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office’s “Truck Around and Find Out” sweep that caught 32 illegal immigrants last week has support from truck drivers and industry groups flooding in from across the U.S. “It’s already dangerous out here as it is,” they say.
Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026

Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Crashing Into Ex-Boyfriend Twice In Wild Car Chase
A Cheyenne woman was in court Wednesday, accused of initiating a wild car chase with her ex-boyfriend that ended after she hit his car twice. It also was her third violation in a month of a protection order to stay away from him.
Greg JohnsonMarch 05, 2026

TerraPower Gets OK To Build Wyoming Nuclear Plant, First Approval In 10 Years
TerraPower was approved Wednesday for a construction permit to build a first-of-its-kind nuclear power plant near Kemmerer, Wyoming. It’s the first such approval in 10 years in what the company calls “a historic day for the United States’ nuclear industry.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 04, 2026

Jackson Man To Plead To 5th DUI For Driving Chevy Tahoe In The Gros Ventre River
A 53-year-old Jackson man who drove his Chevy Tahoe about a mile up the Gros Ventre River is scheduled to plead guilty to his fifth DUI in 10 years on Tuesday. He almost hit a fisherman before getting the SUV stuck in the middle of the river.
Greg JohnsonMarch 03, 2026

Thermopolis Caregiver Accused Of Neglecting 87-Pound Deaf And Blind Elderly Man
A Thermopolis woman is accused of neglecting an elderly man in her care who’s deaf, mostly blind, and weighs 87 pounds. A visiting doctor reported finding him wearing adult diapers that hadn’t been changed in 10-14 days.
Greg JohnsonMarch 02, 2026

‘A Total Loss’: Fire Guts Landmark Glenrock Restaurant Fort Diablo
The 70-year-old Fort Diablo in Glenrock was gutted by a fire Sunday, leaving the landmark restaurant “a total loss.” “I just couldn’t believe it,” owner Kevin Tate said about watching it burn. “This just sucks.”
Greg JohnsonMarch 02, 2026

32 Illegal Drivers Turned Over To ICE During 3-Day Laramie County Truck Crackdown
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office caught 32 illegal immigrant truck drivers this week during a three-day crackdown called “Truck Around and Find Out.” They made 177 stops overall and wrote 51 tickets. "This is a continuing thing for us," the sheriff said.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 27, 2026

Wyoming Inmate Sues, Claims Botched Health Care Led To Leg Amputation
A Rawlins woman claims her leg was amputated because of negligence by the Wyoming Department of Corrections’ former health care contractor. She’s serving 10-15 years in prison for selling meth.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

Details Scarce As Gillette Police Chief Abruptly Retires
Under a cloud of public questioning, Gillette Police Chief Chuck Deaton abruptly retired from the department on Thursday. Deaton said it a statement that it was time “for me to move on.”
Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

Buffalo Man Accused Of Making Pipe Bombs After Trying To Buy Fuses At Local Stores
A Buffalo man who walked into two local hardware stores with a length of galvanized steel pipe and asked if the stores sold “fuses” has been arrested on suspicion of making pipe bombs. He told police he makes homemade “fireworks” and “smoke bombs.”
Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

There’s Been Hardly Any Winter, So Why So Many Deaths On Wyoming Roads?
There’s been hardly any winter in Wyoming so far this year, but highway fatalities are up nearly double compared to the last two years. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says that shows speed and driver inattention are more deadly than road conditions.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026

‘What A Difference A Year Makes’: Delegation Praises Trump’s State Of The Union
Wyoming’s congressional delegation praised President Trump’s Tuesday State of the Union address, with Sen. John Barrasso comparing his first year to Biden’s time in office: “What a difference a year makes.” State Democrats say that year has been disastrous.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026

First-Degree Murder Charge For Wind River Man Accused In Retaliation Ambush
A Fremont County man accused of helping ambush a man on the Wind River Reservation has been charged with first-degree murder and bound over for trial on Friday. Five others were also allegedly involved, including one who told informants he “took him out.”
Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026
