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Julie Mankin

Latest from Julie Mankin

After suffering a broken back during a rodeo competition, Gillette resident Cooper Filipek has turned to the other passion in his life while recovering — music.

Rising Gillette Rodeo Star Who Broke His Back During Bareback Ride Turns To Music

Gillette College bareback rider Cooper Filipek was a rising star when his career was abruptly interrupted in August after a horse rolled over him and broke his back during a bareback ride. Now he’s turning to his other passion — music — during his rehab.

Julie MankinSeptember 27, 2026

Curt Hjorth, left, died in February. His family, including brother Joel, is suing CBH Co-op over his death.

Family Of Gillette Man Sues Co-op, Claims It Caused His Stress-Related Death

A Gillette family is suing a South Dakota cooperative after a 62-year-old businessman died of stress-related ulcers in February. They claim the company deliberately bankrupted the man and ultimately caused his death, allegations the company denies.

Julie MankinSeptember 21, 2026

For the first time in more than a century, the “Daddy of ’em All” Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo won’t have slack competition. Many contestants say it just ain’t the same without it, and some even now call it “The Stepdaddy.”

Some Riders Say Cheyenne Frontier Days Isn't The Same After Eliminating Slack

For the first time in more than a century, Cheyenne Frontier Days won’t have slack competition, which is for overflow competitors. Although some are saddened by the move, the rodeo says it has outgrown its ability to handle the hundreds of extra riders.

Julie MankinJuly 18, 2026

At Gillette's Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. After, most of the town heads over to Bicentennial Park for games, to get sprayed down by the fire department, and eat free hot dogs.

Gillette Celebrates Fourth Of July With Flyovers, Parade And 4,000 Free Hot Dogs

Although fire danger killed Gillette’s annual fireworks show, it didn’t stop the city from celebrating America’s 250th like it’s always celebrated the Fourth of July — loud, proud, and with thousands of free hot dogs. "I love hot dogs," U.S. Sen John Barrasso said.

Julie MankinJuly 04, 2026

Eighth-grader Chaney Akin of Cody didn’t just dominate the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma on June 21-27; she won the pole bending aggregate by almost a full second on a teeny-tiny horse to rake in nearly $6,000 on the week.

Cody Girl Wins Two World Rodeo Titles On Famous Horse At National Junior High Rodeo

Chaney Akin of Cody didn’t just dominate the National Junior High Finals Rodeo last week on her diminutive – but nationally famous – horse in Oklahoma, she took home two world rodeo titles. Her famous horse has earned more than $300,000 running barrels.

Julie MankinJune 29, 2026

The longtime voice of the Sheridan Indian Relay Races, Ken Real Bird, has quit over an interaction with law enforcement he claims had "racist overtones." He said the decision to not return was because the rodeo's board didn't stand behind him and condemn his treatment.

Longtime Voice Of Sheridan Indian Relay Quits Over Traffic Stop With 'Racist Overtones'

The longtime voice of the Sheridan Indian Relay Races has quit over an interaction with law enforcement he claims had "racist overtones." He said the decision to not return was because the rodeo's board didn't stand behind him and condemn his treatment.

Julie MankinJune 26, 2026

The closest most of the Gillette high-schoolers got to sheep wagons was playing the classic video game “The Oregon Trail.” Now they can travel the trail themselves in the period sheep wagons they spend two years building as class projects.

Gillette Teens Spend 2 Years Building Sheep Wagons As Class Project

Gillette high school students spent the last two years building sheep wagons as a class project. Teacher Pete Stocker said it was a challenge to keep everyone motivated. “It was a long project, and as a society, we are instant-gratification people."

Julie MankinJune 14, 2026

Hailey Krahenbuhl and Sully.

Wyoming Barrel Racer Says She Was Approached By Alleged Horse-Stabber

A Wyoming barrel racer was stunned to learn that the teen girl accused of stabbing three horses in Las Vegas over the weekend tried to borrow one of her horses last month. “It makes my skin crawl to realize she was stalking my horses, too,” she said.

Julie MankinJune 02, 2026

Halle Crozier of Buffalo is inspiring Wyoming’s high school rodeo community as she fights to recover from a vaccine reaction that destroyed her body. “I could choose to not get better, or choose to be positive and work hard to get better,” she said.

How Rodeo Is Healing A Wyoming Teen After Vaccine Reaction Destroyed Her Body

Halle Crozier of Buffalo is inspiring Wyoming’s high school rodeo community as she fights to recover from a vaccine reaction that destroyed her body. “I could choose to not get better, or choose to be positive and work hard to get better,” she said.

Julie MankinMay 30, 2026

Hadley Thompson, 18, topped some of the world’s best breakaway ropers at the American Rodeo’s West Regional Finals in Las Vegas.

Yoder 18-Year-Old Breakaway Roper To Compete For Historic $2 Million Payout

Yoder breakaway roper Hadley Thompson, 18, could make history this weekend as the first to earn $2 million with one throw of a rope. “It’s life-changing money,” competitors in the American Rodeo say about the huge payout for beating the best in the world.

Julie MankinMay 19, 2026

By the end of the decade, Gillette will have hosted the National High School Finals Rodeo 15 times, more than any other city. “The NHSFR is in our DNA,” local officials say, adding they’re “heartbroken” that the world’s largest rodeo will never return.

How Gillette, Wyoming, Lost The World’s Largest Rodeo

By the end of the decade, Gillette will have hosted the National High School Finals Rodeo 15 times, more than any other city. But the organization announced this spring that after 2029, it has no plans to ever return to Wyoming.

Julie MankinMay 16, 2026

Vicky Kissack with Ziva, who ran away 10 years ago then stunned her Gillette-area family by returning a decade later.

Gillette Family Stunned When Dog That Ran Away 10 Years Ago Finds Her Way Home

A Gillette-area family was stunned when a photo of their dog Ziva, who ran away 10 years ago, was posted in a lost-and-found group on Facebook.“I was frantic,” Vicki Kissack said. “I replied, ‘That’s my dog that’s been missing for 10 years!’”

Julie MankinMay 09, 2026

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