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
Silver Spoon Fire Burning Through “Pretty Rough Country” In Northeast Wyoming
An evacuation order remains in place Monday as a wildfire burning in “pretty rough country” in northeast Wyoming continues to grow. A fire also was reported burning near a coal mine silo north of Gillette.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2024
Wyoming’s Double Dub’s Wins 3rd Straight Festival Favorite At Buffalo Wing Fest
For the third straight year, Wyoming-based Weitzels Wings, aka Double Dub’s, has won Festival Favorite at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. It’s the first time in the history of the contest anyone has three-peated.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2024
Evacuations Ordered For New Campbell County Wildfire
A new wildfire discovered Sunday in northeast Wyoming has prompted an evacuation order for an area near the Montana border. The Silver Spoon Fire in Campbell County is about 1,000 acres and reportedly spreading fast.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 01, 2024
Wyoming Suspect Gives Up Cocaine And Fentanyl Hidden In Buttocks
A Gillette man saved himself a felony charge Tuesday night when he gave up the cocaine and fentanyl he had hidden in his buttocks. Even more common are suspects claiming they’re not wearing their own pants.
Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2024
New York Casino Breaks Weitzels Wings’ 24-Hour Chicken Wing Sales Record
The Village Casino in New York sold nearly 56,000 chicken wings in 24 hours over the weekend to reclaim the world record from Wyoming’s Weitzels Wings. Owner Trent Weitzel said he wants to take it back decisively next year by selling 75,000.
Greg JohnsonAugust 05, 2024
Three Members Of Gospel Group The Nelons Killed In Wyoming Plane Crash
Three members from the gospel group The Nelons were killed in a plane crash on Friday afternoon in northeast Wyoming. At least seven passengers were onboard the plane. There were no survivors.
Jimmy Orr, Greg Johnson & Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2024
'Super, Super Nice People': Plane Fueled Up In Nebraska Before Crashing In Wyoming
A single-engine aircraft that crashed in northeast Wyoming on Friday afternoon had fueled up in Nebraska. The manager of the airfield said they were regular customers and just "super, super nice people." There were no survivors.
Clair McFarland & Greg JohnsonJuly 26, 2024
Record-Setting Death Valley Heat Wave On The Way To Wyoming
A heat wave that saw Death Valley hit a record high of 128 degrees Sunday is coming to Wyoming. While the heat won’t be that extreme here, some spots in eastern Wyoming could have a record-setting string of highs in triple digits.
Greg JohnsonJuly 08, 2024
World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Wow Rock Springs Fourth Of July Paradegoers
Hundreds of people waited for hours Thursday to watch the word-famous Budweiser Clydesdales lead off the Rock Springs Liberty Parade. And the gentle giants didn’t disappoint.
Greg JohnsonJuly 04, 2024
Big Boy 4014 Gets Big Welcome At First Whistlestop In Laramie
In the world of steam engines, Big Boy 4014 is a rock star, and it got a rock star welcome on Sunday. Hundreds of people lined up in downtown Laramie for the first whistlestop on its 2024 summer tour.
Greg JohnsonJune 30, 2024
Rozet Man Accused Of Stealing 168 UPS Packages Says He Did It For ‘The Rush’
A man who worked as an overnight cleaner at a Gillette UPS facility allegedly told investigators he stole at least 168 packages for “the rush” he gets by taking things. He waived a Monday hearing and elevated to felony-level court.
Greg JohnsonJune 24, 2024
Casper Man Shot While Allegedly Trying To Get Officer’s Gun Identified
The Natrona County Coroner’s Office has identified the man shot and killed by police Thursday while allegedly trying to get an officer’s gun as Trae Spurlock, 26. But the office denies releasing other details of the shooting.
Greg Johnson & Dale KillingbeckJune 11, 2024
Yellowstone Bison Was ‘Defending Its Space’ When It Gored Elderly Woman
An 83-year-old South Carolina woman visiting Yellowstone National Park was gored by a bison Saturday that was “defending its space,” the National Park Service reported Monday. She was airlifted to a hospital in Idaho.
Greg JohnsonJune 04, 2024
Casper Man Accused Of Sex With Infant, Possessing Child Porn
A 25-year-old Casper man accused of having sex with an infant and asking other adults to participate was in court Wednesday to face 10 felony charges of child sexual abuse and child pornography.
Dale Killingbeck & Greg JohnsonMay 17, 2024
Wyoming Kappa Sisters Defiant And Determined To Keep Sororities For Women
Riley Gaines was among a defiant and determined group that rallied for Wyoming Kappa Kappa Gamma members Tuesday, saying the sorority let down its UW chapter by giving the sisters “the brother they never wanted.”
Greg JohnsonMay 14, 2024
Affidavit: Sheridan Assistant Principal Gave Teen Beer Before Alleged Sex Contact
Sheridan High School Assistant Principal Jacob Meyer, 33, remains in jail, accused of “sexual intrusion” on a girl about 15 years younger. He’s also accused of having indecent photos of her and giving her beer.
Greg Johnson & Clair McFarlandMay 11, 2024
Shocking Video Shows Cody Roberts Kissing Weak, Injured Wolf In Wyoming Bar
A shocking video clip provided to Cowboy State Daily on Friday evening shows Daniel, Wyoming, resident Cody Roberts in a local bar kneeling over and lifting the head of an obviously weak and injured wolf to kiss it.
Jimmy Orr & Greg JohnsonApril 13, 2024
Juvenile Dead After Stabbing At Casper Mall
Casper police are interviewing potential suspects and witnesses to a melee of area juveniles at the Eastridge Mall on Sunday that left a youth dead with injuries “consistent with a stabbing.”
Greg JohnsonApril 08, 2024
Photo Shows Wyoming Man With Tormented Wolf Before It Was Killed
Cowboy State Daily has obtained a photo of a wolf that was captured and had its mouth taped shut while it was reportedly taken to a local man’s house and a bar in rural Daniel, Wyoming, before it was killed.
Greg Johnson & Mark HeinzApril 06, 2024
Search Intensifies, But Still No Sign Of Missing Gillette Woman
After a second full day of searching, including with a helicopter, drones and dogs Monday, 55-year-old Tami Sturgeon of Gillette remains missing. She disappeared Saturday evening after a day of shed hunting.
Greg Johnson & Andrew RossiMarch 26, 2024
City Attorney For Rock Springs Captures Video Of "UFO" Near Green River
The Rock Springs city attorney and part-time UFO investigator captured 40 minutes of video early Sunday morning of an unidentified flying object near Green River. He's reaching out to local airports now and radar stations to see what they picked up.
Greg Johnson & Andrew RossiMarch 11, 2024