Writer

Zakary Sonntag

Find Zakary Sonntag

Envelope

Latest from Zakary Sonntag

Singer, songwriter Michael DeGreve played at Cheyenne's Hitching Post for 30 years

Cheyenne Musical Legend Michael DeGreve Dies At 78

Longtime Cheyenne performer Michael DeGreve, who sang at The Hitching Post six nights a week for 30 years, died Monday in Oregon. The singer, who performed with Neil Young, Graham Nash and other legends, had been battling prostate cancer, his wife said.

Zakary SonntagMay 12, 2026

Father Chad Ripperger grew up fly-fishing and hunting in Casper, Wyoming, who is one of the most influential and well-known exorcists in the Catholic Church.

The Exorcist From Casper: Chatting With One Of The World’s Top Demon Fighters

Father Chad Ripperger is one of the Roman Catholic Church’s most experienced and well-known exorcists. Originally from Casper, Ripperger also fly-fishes, likes good Scotch, and speaks with a mechanic's calm about the discipline he never asked for — fighting demons.

Zakary SonntagMay 03, 2026

Nearly 50 years after Capt. William Graves of Douglas, Wyoming, died in Vietnam, his family discovered reel-to-reel recordings he sent home. “Just hearing daddy’s voice was overwhelming,” said a daughter about a new perspective she could never have appreciated as a child.

Voice From Vietnam: Nearly 50 Years After Wyoming Man Died, Family Discovers Tapes

Nearly 50 years after a Wyoming man died in Vietnam, his family discovered reel-to-reel recordings he sent home. “Just hearing daddy’s voice was overwhelming,” said a daughter about a new perspective of her dad she could never have appreciated as a child.

Zakary SonntagApril 26, 2026

The historic Wyoming Governor's Mansion at 300 E. 21st St. in Cheyenne.

Fight Club And Ghosts: Former First Kids Remember Historic Governor’s Mansion

In 1958, the Wyoming Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne hosted an underground fight club. The club’s promoter was also a frequent contender — he weighed in at 67.5 pounds. That was Paul Hickey, then 8 years old and son of Wyoming Gov. John Joseph Hickey.

Zakary SonntagApril 19, 2026

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, now led by a fifth generation of the Turner family. John Turner grew up there in a cabin with no electricity during merciless Jackson Hole winters.

Triangle X Ranch At 100: Fourth Generation Leads Legendary Wyoming Dude Ranch

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, now led by a fourth generation of the Turner family. John Turner grew up there in a cabin with no electricity. “If it was 20 below outside, it was 20 below in here.” Now the family is entering a moment they just never get used to: renegotiating the lease with the Park Service.

Zakary SonntagApril 12, 2026

Desperate On The Side Of A Road With A Gun, A Voice From The Void Saved His Life

Desperation had overwhelmed Gillette resident Bruce Brown until he found himself on the side of a road thinking of using the .40-caliber Ruger in his car. Then the tough-raised Wyomingite heard a voice from the void that saved his life. I realized there's help out there," he said.

Zakary SonntagApril 05, 2026

For 23 years, Casper Fire-EMS Capt. Brian Dixon has been a hero fighting for others. Now he's taking that same aggressive attitude in the fight of his life with cancer: “Let’s crush it."

Casper Firefighter’s Battle With Cancer Shows Just How Dangerous The Job Is

Casper Fire-EMS Capt. Brian Dixon's diagnosis of lymphoma is the latest in a line of Casper firefighters diagnosed with cancer, the number one killer of firefighters. His colleagues say Dixon is a "man's man" and a "hero" but feel "overwhelming sadness."

Zakary SonntagMarch 14, 2026

Cheyenne Hitching Post's Michael DeGreve Plans Virtual Comeback

Michael DeGreve, the longtime musician in residence at Cheyenne’s former Hitching Post Inn, will launch a YouTube livestream recreating his old set. The singer, who is battling cancer, will take real‑time requests and revive his signature toast.

Zakary SonntagMarch 13, 2026

"Bury Him": Wyoming Marine Veteran Still Haunted By The Marine Left Behind In Vietnam

It’s been nearly 60 years since Doug Chamberlain, a Marine veteran and later Wyoming legislator, came home from Vietnam. The war changed him, and he’s still haunted by the Marine he was ordered to leave behind. “It betrayed everything,” he said.

Zakary SonntagMarch 08, 2026

Former Cheyenne Icon Michael DeGreve Battling Terminal Illness, Wants To Create More Music

With a terminal illness tightening its grip, Michael DeGreve, an icon at Cheyenne's Hitching Post for decades, wants to finish his last major work before the music stops. "Some of my best songs I’ve never even recorded. I've got work to do, brother."

Zakary SonntagFebruary 28, 2026

Gov. Ed Herschler's favorite bar was the Cloud 9, a one-of-a-kind waterhole in Cheyenne's old airport.

When Wyoming’s Governor Ruled Cloud 9, Cheyenne's One-Of-A-Kind Airport Bar

Cloud 9 was Cheyenne’s off-duty political clubhouse where Gov. Ed Herschler drank, smoked and mingled with everyone from hunters to Supreme Court justices. Its boozy camaraderie and unbuttoned attitude evoke a looser golden age of Wyoming politics.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 21, 2026

Clockwise from top left: Jeff Wasserburger, Eli Bebout, Ron Micheli, and Anthony Ross.

Former Wyoming Lawmakers Voice Shock, Anger Over 'CheckGate' Controversy

Former Wyoming lawmakers say someone coming onto the House floor to distribute checks was "brazen," "shocking," and "unprecedented." "When it comes to ethics violations, I don’t recall anything of this magnitude," said former Rep. Ron Micheli.

Zakary SonntagFebruary 16, 2026

Other Authors

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 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