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Zakary Sonntag

Latest from Zakary Sonntag

Rural populations in Wyoming are shrinking, recent Census data shows. Local officials and businesses in rural counties say fewer people makes it harder to thrive.

With Wyoming Already The Least Populated State, Rural Counties In Decline

Rural populations in Wyoming are shrinking in more than half of the state's counties, recent Census data shows. Local officials and businesses in rural counties say fewer people makes it harder to thrive.

Zakary SonntagApril 07, 2025

Instantly More Collectible: No One Wants Pennies, Until They're Gone

President Donald Trump’s order in February to stop minting new pennies has many people saying good riddance. It’s also creating a buzz because pennies are now instantly more collectible.

Zakary SonntagApril 06, 2025

How Much Does It Cost To Die In Wyoming? It Can Be Nothing Or Tens Of Thousands

Dying in Wyoming can be expensive for those left behind, but how expensive depends on a wide range of choices. It could cost nothing, as it’s legal to bury someone in your backyard, or it could cost $7,000 to $12,000 — or more — through a funeral home.

Zakary SonntagMarch 30, 2025

A Wyoming crew with Utah-based Stauffer's Towing is featured on the new USA Network show "Rocky Mountain Wreckers."

Wyoming Tow Truck Crews Respond To All Calls On TV’s ‘Rocky Mountain Wreckers’

When a semi-trailer carrying 85,000 pounds of cow manure hit a patch of ice and went hurtling into a ditch, Cheyenne’s Big Al’s Towing was called — one of two Wyoming crews featured on the new TV show “Rocky Mountain Wreckers.”

Zakary SonntagMarch 23, 2025

Malachy Zion Springer and his partner Kayla Riley sleep in an abandoned sedan on a vacated lot near the train tracks in north Casper. They charge their cellphones at a local Subway.

Casper’s Invisible Couple: Homeless, Pregnant And Living In Abandoned Car

For much of their lives, Malachy Springer and Kayla Riley have been on and off the streets. They survive however they can, homeless, expecting a child and living in an abandoned car in a vacant lot.

Zakary SonntagMarch 22, 2025

The Saga Of Disposing Mattresses In Wyoming When "They Have A Zombie-Esque Will To Live”

In the world of waste disposal, mattresses are like retirement deniers — notoriously reluctant to accept their own end. “They’re a huge pain in the butt,” said one Wyoming landfill manager. He said mattresses have a personified and zombie-esque will to live.

Zakary SonntagMarch 22, 2025

Wyoming Trooper’s 2-Year-Old Son Slowly Recovering From Crash With Snowplow

Christian Smith, the 2-year-old son of Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Parker Smith, continues to recover in a Denver hospital more than a month after a devastating crash. He was hurt when a snowplow broadsided the family minivan, but is making progress.

Zakary SonntagMarch 19, 2025

At Element Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming, worship services are held in-person and also are livestreamed for people to attend remotely.

Vibrant Faith Communities Still In Wyoming Despite Christianity Decline

A 30-year national trend says fewer Americans are identifying as Christians but the decline has leveled-off because of the country's youngest demographic of adults ages 18-24. Here in Wyoming, some communities have bucked broader trends and are seeing an increase in parishioners.

Zakary SonntagMarch 16, 2025

Carson Hornecker, 14, operates a tractor on his family's Wyoming ranch.

Too Young To Drive? Not If You’re A Wyoming Farm Kid

Wyoming is one of nine states that still issues “hardship” driver’s licenses to 14-year-old ranch kids. But in reality, growing up rural in the Cowboy State means most farm and ranch kids have already been driving for years by then.

Zakary SonntagMarch 15, 2025

Nathan McLeland inspects a pumpjack on a stripper well in Weston County.

Wyoming Fights Biden Rule Some Say Tries To Price Out Oil And Gas Operators

Wyoming legislators have fought back against a Biden administration effort some say tries to price out oil and gas producers by hiking bond rates 1,400% and more. A $45 million pool of money will help those operators with their bonding.

Zakary SonntagMarch 04, 2025

Snowmobilers ride in Togwotee Pass near a sign post in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.

Snowmobilers About To Pay More To Ride Wyoming’s Premier Trials

A bill that hikes annual registration fees for snowmobilers to ride Wyoming’s premier trails has passed both the state House and Senate. Proponents say it’s needed to keep up with the growing costs of keeping those trails among the nation’s best.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 20, 2025

Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Parker Smith with his wife, Aby, and 4-year-old son PJ, and 2-year-old son Christian.

Wyoming Trooper Faces Worst Nightmare — Responding To His Own Family’s Crash

A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper faced his worst nightmare last week — responding to a crash involving his own family. A witness tells Cowboy State Daily about the urgent rescue of the trooper’s 2-year-old son, who remains in serious condition.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 18, 2025

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With the westbound lane of Interstate 80 through the Green River Tunnel closed, a lot of commercial truck traffic is moving through the small southwest Wyoming city.

Green River Flooded With Semis With Tunnel Closed After Devastating Crash

The small city of Green River, Wyoming, lies next to Interstate 80, one of the busiest commercial truck routes in the U.S. After Friday’s devastating crash that closed the busy Green River Tunnel, thousands of vehicles are driving through town instead.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 17, 2025

Burned vehicles inside Green River tunnel on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Third Fatality Confirmed In Green River Tunnel Crash, 26 Vehicles Involved

A third person has been confirmed dead in Friday’s devastating multivehicle crash in the westbound lane of the Green River Tunnel, officials reported Sunday. It’s believed 26 vehicles were involved.

Zakary Sonntag & Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon speaks to state Sen. John Kolb following a press conference on the Green River tunnel

Responders Still Putting Out Fires, Clearing Vehicles At Green River Tunnel

At a press conference on Saturday, officials said emergency responders were still working to extinguish fires and clear piled-up vehicles, after a wreck in the Green River tunnel killed at least two people and sparked a raging blaze.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 15, 2025

Emergency crews worked around the clock responding to a massive crash and fire in the Green River Tunnel on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Massive Response To Green River Tunnel Crash, Death Toll May Rise

The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Saturday said fatalities could rise as the number of vehicles involved in a massive crash inside a tunnel on I-80 near Green River has not yet been confirmed. First responders worked through the night to fight the fire inside the tunnel.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 15, 2025

Wyoming’s Oil And Gas Industry Excited Over Trump's Pick To Head BLM

Leaders in Wyoming’s oil and gas sector are excited about Kathleen Sgamma, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 13, 2025

Fishing Could Be Limited To Lures, Flies Because Too Many Released Fish Are Dying

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is considering changes to fishing regulations on the North Platte drainage to artificial flies and lures at the Gray Reef and Fremont Canyon dams because too many released fish are dying.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 06, 2025

Casper’s Backwards Distilling Co. makes its own liquors, then turns them into show-stealing cocktails. Many of the creations — and atmosphere — are inspired by the circus.

Drinking Wyoming: Cocktails Steal The Show At Casper’s Backwards Distilling Co.

Casper’s Backwards Distilling Co. makes its own spirits, then turns them into show-stealing cocktails. Many of the creations — and atmosphere — are inspired by the circus.

Zakary SonntagDecember 29, 2024

Atreus Knapp spent the first seven months of his life in the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital of Colorado. Now he also has a new bed to sleep in after Saturday's donation from Homes for the Holidays by Slumberland Furniture. The store donates 40 beds to deserving children every December. He's pictured here with mom, Cora.

All Some Wyoming Kids Want For Christmas Is A Bed To Sleep In

The Christmas wish lists for some kids in Wyoming don’t include smartphones or video game consoles. They just want a bed to sleep in. That wish was realized for 40 families Saturday in Casper with the annual Homes for the Holidays bed giveaway.

Zakary SonntagDecember 09, 2024

Austin Olson talks about the resurgence of mustache culture.

Beards Are Still Tops For Wyoming Men, But Mustaches Making A Comeback

Although beards are still most popular for Wyoming men, mustaches are making a comeback. Mostly millennials, these mustachioed men say they're drawn to the variety of 'staches they can grow and scratching an itch to try something new.

Zakary SonntagNovember 29, 2024