AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
KM
Writer

Kate Meadows

Kate Meadows is a journalist, creative nonfiction author and book editor who focuses on agriculture and city/county government issues.  She grew up in Pinedale, Wyo., as a fourth-generation Sublette County resident and got her start as a journalist at The Pinedale Roundup and Sublette Examiner. She earned an MFA in Professional Writing with concentrations in journalism and creative nonfiction from Western Connecticut State University.

Find Kate Meadows

Latest from Kate Meadows

Paul Norfleet, a sheep rancher who recently moved to Chugwater, spoke about the challenges of farming and said NextEra's Chugwater Energy Project would allow his ranch to make some money. That revenue, he said, would go toward regenerating the land.

450-MW Chugwater Wind And Solar Project Gets Unanimous OK From County Planners

A huge wind and solar project near Chugwater to generate 450 megawatts of wind and solar power was unanimously approved Wednesday by Platte County planners. "I want to be able to earn some money off my land,” said one rancher in support of the plan.

Kate MeadowsMay 13, 2026

Wyoming’s largest livestock marketing company sold 9,000 head of cattle in a special drought sale on Wednesday when it typically sells 400-700 head a week. “Guys are selling because they’re droughted out,” said the owner of Torrington Livestock Markets.

Wyoming Ranchers Selling Off Cattle As Drought Tightens Grip Across State

Wyoming’s largest livestock marketing company sold 9,000 head of cattle in a special drought sale on Wednesday when it typically sells 400-700 head a week. “Guys are selling because they’re droughted out,” said the owner of Torrington Livestock Markets.

Kate MeadowsMay 13, 2026

Trump beef 5 12 26

Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Worried Over Trump Proposal To Lower Tariffs On Beef Imports

A Trump proposal to lower tariffs on beef imports to lower the price of beef for consumers has Wyoming cattle ranchers concerned. U.S. Sen. Lummis said any tariff change "needs to ensure ranchers are not undercut and put in a tougher economic situation."

Kate MeadowsMay 12, 2026

A plan to build Wyoming’s first subscription-based solar project is on hold, but isn’t dead, says Lower Valley Energy CEO Bear Prairie. The co-op is now focusing on communicating with customers while pursuing a piece of state-owned land near a garbage dump, he says.

CEO Says Plan For Wyoming’s First Subscription-Based Solar Project Isn't Dead

A plan to build Wyoming’s first subscription-based solar project is on hold, but isn’t dead, says Lower Valley Energy’s CEO. The co-op is now focusing on communicating with customers while pursuing a piece of state-owned land near a garbage dump, he says.

Kate MeadowsMay 11, 2026

A 5,600-worker man camp south of Cheyenne would be larger than 83 Wyoming incorporated places and be “almost like a little city,” the mayor says. “How do you plan to keep our community safe?” asks one resident, while officials say more housing is needed. Above, work is underway at a Meta data center in south Cheyenne not far from where a proposed man camp could be located.

5,600-Worker Cheyenne Man Camp Would Be Larger Than 84 Wyoming Cities And Towns

The proposed 5,600-worker man camp south of Cheyenne would be larger than 84 Wyoming towns. Notices were mailed to more than 200 landowners describing it as “secured, temporary workforce housing campus” supporting "large-scale infrastructure projects.”

Kate MeadowsMay 10, 2026

A proposed solar farm that would’ve been Wyoming’s first community-scale project was killed by Lincoln County officials this week. Lincoln County residents objected to plans for the solar farm being built there to benefit Teton County residents.

Public Outcry Kills Wyoming’s First Community Solar Farm Project

A proposed solar farm that would’ve been Wyoming’s first community-scale project was killed by Lincoln County officials this week. Lincoln County residents objected to plans for the solar farm being built there to benefit Teton County residents.

Kate MeadowsMay 08, 2026

A life-sized protest sheep in Jackson Town Square.

Why PETA Put A Protest Sheep Statue In Jackson's Town Square

A life-sized protest sheep in Jackson’s Town Square is a statement about “wool cruelty” in Wyoming, the No. 1 state for wool production. If it’s cruel to shear sheep, then “it’s cruel for us humans to get haircuts,” says a lifelong sheep rancher.

Kate MeadowsMay 07, 2026

“Wyoming ranchers have always cared about who’s controlling the meatpacking sector,” said former National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president and Laramie County rancher Mark Eisele. “Is there collusion? Is there genuine competition?”

Wyoming Ranchers Say Federal Meatpacking Investigation Long Overdue

The US Department of Justice says that it's investigating America's meatpacking industry, something many Wyoming ranchers say is overdue. “If there’s monkey business, let’s find out what it is and who’s behind it,” says Cheyenne-area rancher Mark Eisele.

Kate MeadowsMay 07, 2026

A controversial proposal to ban recording and taking photos from the audience at Guernsey Town Council meetings failed, but a councilwoman tried Tuesday to do it anyway. “I think it’s retaliatory” and “trying to poke the bear,” said another councilman.

After Guernsey Council Killed Audience Recording Ban, Councilwoman Does It Anyway

A controversial proposal to ban recording and taking photos from the audience at Guernsey Town Council meetings failed, but a councilwoman tried Tuesday to designate an area anyway. “I think it’s retaliatory” and “trying to poke the bear,” said another councilman.

Kate MeadowsMay 06, 2026

At the Robert W. Scherer Electric Generating Plant, one of the largest coal-fired power plants in North America, a unit once scheduled to retire by 2028, will now remain in operation.

Coal Plants Across Nation Get Second Life Due To Data Center Growth

Wyoming coal is getting an unexpected lift as rising electricity demand, driven in part by data centers, is forcing utilities to keep coal-fired power plants online longer than planned. Aging plants once slated for retirement are getting a second life.

Kate MeadowsMay 05, 2026

Wyoming ranchers are cheering a bill that targets labeling of plant-based and lab-grown proteins being passed off as farm- or ranch-raised meat. It’s an effort to “prevent mad scientists from masquerading as meat producers,” says Rep. Harriet Hageman.

Wyoming Ranchers Cheer Bill Targeting Labeling Of Plant-Based And Lab-Grown Meat

Wyoming ranchers are cheering a bill that targets labeling of plant-based and lab-grown proteins being passed off as farm- or ranch-raised meat. It’s an effort to “prevent mad scientists from masquerading as meat producers,” says Rep. Harriet Hageman.

Kate MeadowsMay 04, 2026

Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman was one of three Republicans to vote against the 2026 Farm Bill, saying “special interests” have added “too much bloat” to the legislation. The Wyoming Farm Bureau praised the new bill for looking out for rural ag producers.

Hageman One Of 3 Republicans To Vote Against Farm Bill, Says ‘Too Much Bloat'

Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman was one of three Republicans to vote against the 2026 Farm Bill, saying “special interests” have added “too much bloat” to the legislation. The Wyoming Farm Bureau praised the new bill for looking out for rural ag producers.

Kate MeadowsMay 04, 2026

Other Authors

20240525 rock springs 1438

No, Sweetwater County Is Not For Sale

When Sweetwater County Commissioner Island Richards received a scam email from a troll who asked about purchasing the county, he shared it with his constituents. One was impressed with Richards' health as the scammer seemed to think he's been alive since 1869.

Kate MeadowsMay 01, 2026

High fertilizer costs and severe drought is leaving Wyoming’s famers and ranchers making tough choices. “It’s kind of the perfect storm for agriculture,” one farmer said, adding many aren’t fertilizing this year because it’s too expensive.

Skyrocketing Costs, Drought A ‘Perfect Storm’ For Wyoming Farmers and Ranchers

High fertilizer costs and severe drought is leaving Wyoming’s famers and ranchers making tough choices. “It’s kind of the perfect storm for agriculture,” one farmer said, adding many aren’t fertilizing this year because it’s too expensive.

Kate MeadowsApril 30, 2026

Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell, left, and Joint Appropriations Committee Co-Chairman Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette.

Business Council Fights For Its Future As Lawmakers Weigh Cuts, Reforms

The Wyoming Business Council is again making a case for survival as it prepares to meet Thursday with the Wyoming Joint Appropriations Committee. Co-Chair John Bear said he wants to "hear from people who ... can defend the usefulness of this agency.”

Kate MeadowsApril 29, 2026

State Sen. Cale Case says that as Wyoming’s data center industry continues to boom, who gets the money generated by them is something the state needs to figure out. “Are we getting enough taxes from these things, and where do those taxes go?” Cale Case asks.

Legislator Says State Needs To Figure Out Who Gets Money From Data Center Boom

State Sen. Cale Case on Wednesday said as Wyoming’s data center industry continues to boom, the state needs to figure out who gets the money generated by them. “Are we getting enough taxes from these things, and where do those taxes go?” he asked.

Kate MeadowsApril 29, 2026

A crew works to repair and replace a failed water line in Rawlins this week.

100-Year-Old Rawlins Water System Keeps Failing, But City Can’t Afford To Fix It

Two breaks in the 100-year-old Rawlins city water system this week leaves residents in a familiar spot — on notice they may lose water. The former mayor estimates the cost to fix the system at between $50 - $60 million, which is money they don't have.

Kate MeadowsApril 29, 2026

Dozens of angry Cheyenne residents spoke out Monday against a proposed 1,200-acre annexation and possible data center near Roundtop Road in Laramie County.

Angry Cheyenne Residents Speak Out Against Annexation And Proposed Data Center

Dozens of angry Cheyenne residents spoke out Monday against a 1,200-acre annexation and possible data center before City Council tabled the decision. “To me it looks like a quick way to make a nice big buck,” said one woman about the landowner's motive.

Kate MeadowsApril 28, 2026

A private mausoleum sits on the 1,260-acre property that was once home to the Wyoming Angus Ranch. Its future is up in the air as the Cheyenne City Council considers whether to annex the land and bring in a new data center.

Opposition To Cheyenne Data Centers Grows As City Moves To Add Them

Opposition to Cheyenne data centers is growing as residents become more vocal and sign petitions against them. One councilman says development has happened so fast, it’s "completely outstripped the ability of the county and the city to plan."

Kate MeadowsApril 27, 2026

A side gig for a pair of South Dakota men has exploded into a booming business selling 60 tons of elk, deer and moose antlers a year. Some prized specimens can sell for thousands of dollars each.

Art Of The Hunt: South Dakota’s Largest Antler Dealer Sells 60 Tons A Year

A side gig for a pair of South Dakota men has exploded into a booming business selling 60 tons of elk, deer and moose antlers a year. Some prized specimens can sell for thousands of dollars each.

Kate MeadowsApril 26, 2026

A dairy cow at Shumway Farms with the retail store in the background.

Family-Owned Dairy Farms Disappearing Across U.S. As Commercial Operations Grow

Nationally, 39% of dairy farms disappeared between 2017 and 2022 as the industry is moving toward more commercially-owned operations, instead of family businesses. While dairy farms in Wyoming aren't following that trend, its farmland in general does.

Kate MeadowsApril 25, 2026

Next