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Zakary Sonntag

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The Hitching Post Inn served as Wyoming’s unofficial second Capitol, where lawmakers, lobbyists and presidents mingled, cut deals and forged friendships before debt, bankruptcy and arson finally brought the legendary hotel down.

The Hitching Post: When Everyone Stayed At Wyoming’s Wildest Political Hotel

The Hitching Post Inn in Cheyenne wasn't just a hotel. For decades, it was the most powerful spot in Wyoming. Nearly every legislator stayed there and that's where deals were finalized. Communal martini fountains helped helped lubricate negotiations.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 14, 2026

Sen. Eric Barlow testifies for the Senate Labor Committee during a discussion about Senate File 48 on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

Wyoming Lawmakers Move To Bypass FDA On Stem Cell Treatments

Wyoming lawmakers advanced the Stem Cell Freedom Act on Friday, which would let doctors offer certain stem cell treatments without FDA approval. Bill sponsor Sen. Eric Barlow said, “We’ve got to press on the federal government because they’re not approving things fast enough."

Zakary SonntagFebruary 14, 2026

Investigators found special‑education violations at Sweetwater County School District No. 1. Now a Rock Springs mother is calling for the censure of the school board chair months after the board publicly censured her husband.

Parents Demand Apology From Sweetwater County School District

Investigators found special‑education violations tied to student privacy and parental rights at Sweetwater County School District No. 1. Now a Rock Springs mother is calling for the censure of the school board chair — months after he publicly censured her husband.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 07, 2026

Jackson outfitter Jake Hutton helped lead the charge to keep the Kelly Parcel as public land. He’s still fighting for his livelihood on the land as Grand Teton National Park officials say commercial interests aren’t their priority.

Teton County Outfitter Still Fighting For His Livelihood On Kelly Parcel

Teton County outfitter Jake Hutton feels like he's been "backstabbed" because he can't continue his grazing lease on the Kelly Parcel. But the superintendent of Grand Teton National Park says Hutton knew all along his operation was destined to sunset.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 01, 2026

Wyoming Lawmaker Pushes ‘Stem Cell Freedom Act,’ Challenging FDA

State Sen. Eric Barlow is pushing a bill that would allow doctors to perform stem cell treatments not approved by the FDA, creating guidelines for treatment while shielding physicians from state licensing discipline.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 29, 2026

Weston County Residents Grill Wyoming Lawmakers On Tax Cuts

Wyoming lawmakers faced backlash Monday at a Newcastle town hall over property tax cuts slashing local budgets. “We have no way to raise more money. It was the legislature, not local people, that told us we were taking a budget cut," said one firefighter.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 28, 2026

A Rock Springs High teacher accidentally projected a personal nude photo during a special ed class lesson, shocking students — including those with autism. Parents are criticizing what they say was a delayed response by the school.

Teacher’s Nude Photo Shocks Special Ed Class At Rock Springs High School

A Rock Springs High School teacher accidentally projected a personal nude photo during a special ed class lesson, shocking some students and upsetting parents. Parents are criticizing what they say was a delayed response by the school.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 24, 2026

Wyoming Bill Requiring Voter Approval Of Stormwater Fees Dies On Tie Vote

A Wyoming bill that would have required voter approval to impose stormwater fees died in committee Wednesday on a tie vote despite lawsuits over “tax-like” charges. Lawmakers debated tax-fee laws and flood risks, leaving infrastructure funding in limbo.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 22, 2026

Buddy Clancy, back center, says he believes that if someone close to his son Kohlman, right, had called 911 when he suffered a medical emergency, Kohlman would still be alive.

Proposed Bill Would Make Bystanders Criminally Liable If They Don’t Call 911

A Casper father continues to grieve the death of a son he says would still be alive if only someone close to him had called 911. Now a legislator is introducing a bill that would make it a crime for bystanders to not call 911.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 17, 2026

Even Some Legislators Stunned By Defunding Wyoming Business Council

Natrona County legislators gathered Wednesday to preview priorities ahead of next month's budget session. But the discussion was hijacked by some stunned over Tuesday’s defunding of the Wyoming Business Council.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 15, 2026

Macey Dawn Bradshaw of Lyman, Wyoming, was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder suicide less than three weeks ago despite family warnings. Bradshaw’s family now shares their story to try and stop similar horrific outcomes.

Tortured Relationship Ends In Murder-Suicide In Lyman

Justin Bradshaw was headed to work on Dec. 16 in Lyman when he got the last call he’d ever take from his 20-year-old daughter, Macey. He was there in four minutes, but it still wasn’t soon enough. As he reached to enter the apartment, gunshots sounded.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 03, 2026

Zak Sonntag: I Wrote About A Homeless Couple Thinking It’d Help. Did I Make Their Lives Harder Instead?

Zak Sonntag writes, "I felt so terrible to learn they were 'evicted' from their only shelter – the abandoned sedan – as a result of the story I wrote. "The day after it published, Casper Police knocked on the roof of the car early in the morning and explained they were on private property and needed to leave immediately, Springer told me."

Zakary SonntagDecember 24, 2025

Other Authors

Matthew Allwine is a 67-year-old former Marine and long-haul trucker with a soft heart for kids and soft, and perfecrt belly and luxurious white beard to be Santa. He's in his first season as a Wyoming mall Santa in Casper.

Behind The Beard With A Wyoming Mall Santa (Who Smokes And Drives A Kia)

When his employer told Cowboy State Daily that Santa would not be available for an interview, Santa would not stand for it. “I have a break at 3. You can find me in the parking lot. I’ll be at the gray Kia having a cigarette," he said.

Zakary SonntagDecember 24, 2025

Cowgirls and ranch hands are the true innovators behind today’s Western style, not celebrity bandwagon jumpers. When it comes to fashion or function, dressing like a cowboy — or girl — is all about attitude, not wardrobe. At the National Finals Redeo in Las Vegas, Aspen Edge gets a new Western look.

Beyond the Bandwagon: The Real Pioneers of Western Style

When supermodels Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid this year made the cover of Vogue magazine on the strength of a Western-wear photo shoot in Jackson, they were merely jumping on the bandwagon. The real style pioneers are the cowgirls and ranch hands who live the Western lifestyle.

Zakary SonntagDecember 21, 2025

At The NFR: When It Comes To Belt Buckles, Go Big Or Go Home

Rodeo diehards flock to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo, where belt buckles symbolize pain, pride and a way of life. Western culture is more than a trend for riders and fans, it’s an identity. And when it comes to buckles, go big or go home.

Zakary SonntagDecember 15, 2025

Truxel dishes advice on having a good time at Gilley's saloon and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Looking For Love At The NFR: Urban Cowboy Ruins A Honky-Tonk Dream At Gilley's

Rodeo fans stampede to Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo, but one obnoxious “Arizona Urban Cowboy” manages to ruin every romantic possibility. Between mechanical bulls and honky-tonk heartbreak, the only place to escape might be the dance floor at Gilley's.

Zakary SonntagDecember 13, 2025

Jaelin Kauf, Wyoming’s world champion freestyle ski star, overcame early setbacks and a 7th-place Olympic finish in 2018 to claim silver in 2022. Now dominating the World Cup circuit and a 2025 world title, she eyes gold in 2026 Milano Cortina.

Wyoming Freestyle Skier Won Silver In 2022 Olympics, Aims For Gold In 2026

Alta, Wyoming’s Jaelin Kauf is one of the world’s most decorated freestyle skiers and currently the “athlete to beat” in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. She won a silver in 2022 and is aiming for the gold medal in February.

Zakary SonntagDecember 06, 2025

Crystal Neal says Thanksgiving this year in Casper at the Wyoming Rescue Mission is an joyous and emotional time. After one setback after another, she said she's finally on an upward trajectory.

For Wyomingites Facing Trauma And Addiction, There’s Much To Be Thankful For Here

The meaning of Thanksgiving takes on a deeper meaning for the clients and volunteers at the Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper. Those working through trauma and addiction say they have much to be thankful for.

Zakary SonntagNovember 27, 2025

Susan Denker of Cheyenne says she owes her life to her poodle Lily, who alerted a friend after Denker suffered a heart attack.

Hero Poodle Named Lily Saves Cheyenne Woman's Life After Heart Attack

A Cheyenne woman credits her poodle Lily for saving her life after having a heart attack. “If it hadn't been for Lily alerting my friend, I would not be talking to you, because they did pronounce me dead at one point,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Zakary SonntagNovember 22, 2025

Rae drinks vodka Red Bull at the bar with the lights out at the Bayou Bar in Mills, Wyoming.

Day Drinking With The ‘Millbillies’ During A Power Outage

Day drinking is underrated. It's playfully subversive, and also a little edgy, like a statement that tells the world, “I do what I want, when I want!” Even the power going out doesn’t phase the day-drinking “Millbillies” at the Bayou Bar in Mills.

Zakary SonntagNovember 16, 2025

Saratoga Hot Springs Resort owner Michael Janssen is a world-renowned spinal surgeon. He’s also a powerboat racing champion, which makes him the best guy for the job when it comes to treating injuries in Key West at powerboat races. And there can be plenty of injuries with powerboats that go so fast that they often go airborne.

Wyoming People: World-Renowned Spinal Surgeon And Powerboat Champion Michael Janssen

When the world’s fastest powerboats converge on the Florida Keys for the world championship powerboat races, no one is in higher demand than Wyoming resident Dr. Michael Janssen, the world-renowned spinal surgeon and medical director of the event.

Zakary SonntagNovember 09, 2025