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Mariann and Maria Eckendorf with alpaca scarves.

More And More Wyoming Ranchers Are Raising Alpacas And Not Just For Their Fleece

In Wyoming beef country, many small ranchers now raise alpacas. Their fleece is great and their poop is exceptional for growing vegetables. Plus, their temperament is unmatched. “They're the easiest livestock animal we have ever dealt with," one owner said.

Wendy CorrJuly 19, 2026

Gary Engman is building the Cowboy Starship just West of Dubois, 12 miles from the Teton County line.

Inside The ‘Cowboy Starship,’ A $7.95 Million Off-Grid Mansion In Remote Wyoming

A Dubois man is betting a remote 9,000-square-foot, $7.95 million off-grid mansion made from reclaimed wood can lure Jackson Hole-level buyers across the Teton County line to Fremont County. “I have more wildlife on my ranch than Yellowstone,” he said.

Renée JeanJuly 19, 2026

A packed house turned out in Evanston's Roundhouse to hear answers about Prometheus Hyperscale's proposed data center in Uinta County.

Opponents Of Massive Data Center In Uinta County Launch Petition For Court Review

Opponents of Prometheus Hyerpscale’s massive data center near Evanston are challenging permits and zoning for the project due to fears about water, energy, and land use. Supporters say the project is a rare lifeline for Uinta County’s struggling economy.

Renée JeanJuly 17, 2026

Protesters will gather on the Wyoming Capitol steps Saturday as Cheyenne joins a nationwide day of demonstrations opposing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers.

Cheyenne To Join National Protest Against Data Centers; Detractors Laugh

Protesters will gather on the Wyoming Capitol steps Saturday as Cheyenne joins a nationwide day of demonstrations opposing data centers. Organizers say it's a way to protect "our way of life" while detractors lampoon them as "modern-day Luddites."

Kate MeadowsJuly 17, 2026

The Galloping Horse is galloping again — or at least it will be when someone at The Wrangler turns the power on. After years of being inoperable, the iconic 400-pound folk art cowboy was fixed, refurbished and put back in place Thursday morning.

Galloping Horse Is Galloping Again Over The Wrangler In Downtown Cheyenne

The Galloping Horse is galloping again — or at least it will be when someone at The Wrangler turns the power on. After years of being inoperable, the iconic 400-pound folk art cowboy was fixed, refurbished and put back in place Thursday morning.

Greg JohnsonJuly 16, 2026

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Ranchlands Near Wheatland Eyed For $26 Billion 'Transformational' Data Center

A company called Site Layer 4 wants to rezone 5,344 acres of ranchland near Wheatland for a data center and power plant. The project, they say, adds 300 jobs and substantial tax revenue, but neighbors worry about water, wildlife and the viewshed.

Renée JeanJuly 13, 2026

Patrick Graham (left) and Jordan Dean (right) next to the giant galloping horse which they rebuilt

The Wrangler’s Galloping Horse Will Ride Again in Cheyenne

The galloping horse and rider at Wrangler’s Western-wear store has been a fixture in downtown Cheyenne since the 1950s, but it broke down four years ago and efforts to fix it failed. Now a Cheyenne family rebuilt the horse in time for Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Kerry DrakeJuly 13, 2026

From Wayne Schell's radiator disaster as a young Marine to pilgrimages ending on the Santa Monica Pier, historic U.S. Route 66 is a 2,400-mile neighborhood packed with memories and myths. “Route 66 has always been the route of dreams,” says historian John Hinckley.

America’s Longest Small Town: Why Route 66 Is The Quintessential American Experience

Historic U.S. Route 66 is America's longest small town — a 2,400-mile neighborhood that one historian calls the "quintessential American experience." 90-year-old Wayne Schell has driven the entire route dozens of times and continues to drive it today.

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2026

University of Nebraska graduate research assistant Taylor Cross, left, and graduate student Ian Tempelmeyer walk behind the Flex-Ro autonomous planting robot as it starts a row at Rogers Memorial Farm, east of Lincoln. Santosh Pitla, associate professor of advanced machinery systems at UN, has managed the project since the robot’s inception in 2015.

Here Come The Robots: Robotic Weed-Pullers, Sprayers, Cattle Herders Coming Our Way

From autonomous machines that pull weeds instead of spraying herbicides to robotic platforms that can herd cattle and ultraviolet-light systems that fight crop diseases without chemicals, agricultural robotics are coming to Wyoming, one UW prof says.

Kate MeadowsJuly 11, 2026

With Pathfinder Reservoir less than 24% full, some farmers and ranchers in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska are being warned they could be out of irrigation water by the first week of August. Drought has left reservoirs drained and canals low.

Eastern Wyoming Irrigation District Warns Water Could Vanish By Early August

With Pathfinder Reservoir less than 24% full, some farmers and ranchers in eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska are being warned they could be out of irrigation water by the first week of August. Drought has left reservoirs drained and canals low.

Kate MeadowsJuly 09, 2026

Instead of selling the century-old Flat Creek Ranch for millions, a Jackson couple gave the property to its longtime managers. "We didn't want it to fall in the hands of someone who would destroy the land, the wildlife or the buildings," they said.

Jackson Couple Gives Historic Flat Creek Ranch To Longtime Caretakers To Save It

Instead of selling the century-old 140-acre Flat Creek Ranch for millions, a Jackson couple gave the property to its longtime managers. "We didn't want it to fall in the hands of someone who would destroy the land, the wildlife or the buildings," they said.

Kate MeadowsJuly 05, 2026

Social media personality, entrepreneur and "makeup mogul" Jeffree Star of Casper is mourning the death of “Buster,” a 7-year-old male yak that he says "wasn't just a yak." Buster died June 25 after being struck by lightning on the Star Yak Ranch.

Lightning Kills Makeup Mogul Jeffree Star's Favorite Yak On Casper Ranch

Social media personality and "makeup mogul" Jeffree Star of Casper announced Thursday that he's mourning the death of “Buster,” a 7-year-old male yak that he says "wasn't just a yak." Buster died after being struck by lightning on the Star Yak Ranch.

Andrew RossiJuly 02, 2026

Wyoming ranchers say a $99 million John Deere right-to-repair settlement doesn't go far enough.

Wyoming Ranchers: $99M John Deere Right-To-Repair Settlement Doesn't Go Far Enough

Wyoming ranchers say a $99 million John Deere right-to-repair settlement doesn't go far enough. They'll get small payouts while John Deere keeps control over repair software. "We think it is an unfair settlement,” said a Lander-area rancher.

Kate MeadowsJuly 02, 2026

A customer at Wyoming Tactical Firearms shoots an AR-15 rifle. The U.S. Supreme Court will consider overturing bans on such rifles in other states.

Wyoming Gun Dealers Eager For Supreme Court To Overturn ‘Assault Weapons’ Bans

A gun-friendly U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn “assault weapon” bans in Connecticut and the Chicago area — and Wyoming gun dealers are all in favor. They say that could make it easier to sell to customers in Colorado and other states.

Mark HeinzJuly 01, 2026

Chugwater's newest business on its tiny main drag is BB West Vintage, a boutique clothing store which has just opened.

Italian-Trained Fashion Stylist Opens Vintage Western Boutique In Chugwater

A woman who grew up in the high-powered fashion industry in Italy and New York has decided to open a vintage Western boutique out of a former Standard gas station in Chugwater. She’d owned a boutique in Brooklyn so she knows how difficult retail can be.

Renée JeanJune 28, 2026

Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is leaving Colorado and returning to Cheyenne as Wyoming’s capitol city becomes more of a convention destination. “They were at the Hitching Post 20 years ago at least, so this is actually a return," says Visit Cheyenne.

Cheyenne Swipes Major, Long-Time Cigar Convention From Colorado

The Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is leaving Colorado after 16 years and coming to Cheyenne. The festival regularly hosts 2,500 fanatics from across the nation and around the world. It will take up nine hotels and put the city's trolley service to the test.

Renée JeanJune 28, 2026

Timothy Barkman raises the rare heritage breed on his family's 105-year-old homestead. They're an the ancient breed that looks part biblical legend and part heavy-metal mascot.

Lingle Farm Breeds Four-Horned Sheep That Look Like Heavy-Metal Mascots

When people see Timothy Barkman's four-horned Jacob sheep at his farm near Lingle, they stop and stare at the ancient breed that looks part biblical legend and part heavy-metal mascot. The breed likely originated in Syria roughly 3,000 years ago.

Kolby FedoreJune 28, 2026

Teresa Hoover, front, makes the many treats sold by her company Sheep Mountain by hand. She's one of many finding the dog treat business to be a lucrative side gig.

Those Doggone Treats: The Wild New World Of Pet Pampering Is Booming

Wyomingites are finding a lucrative opportunity in creating over-the-top dog treats for pets. Wheatland's Teresa Hoover makes freeze-dried turkey meatballs, chicken-and-fresh coconut crunch sticks, pumpkin muffins, and dehydrated chicken feet.

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

Ian McGregor, co-owner of Farmstead Cider.

Wyoming’s Ghost Apple Orchard Trees Have Been Rediscovered And Are Producing

Wyoming was once thick with apples. In fact, it was a top apple producer. Now those forgotten apple trees are being rediscovered by small cider houses. "They're everywhere," said one cider house owner. "Lander was called Apple Town before Lander."

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

One of Fort Bridger's most reliable "staffers" is Mac, who first arrived in 1888 and seems to have never left. Mac likes to be photographed, set off alarms and lock visitors in. Now Fort Bridger is embracing a new market — haunted tourism. There are many graves at the Fort Bridger site, including this Carter family plot.

Ghostly Gold Rush: Fort Bridger Chases Haunted Tourism Dollars

Haunted tourism isn’t fringe anymore. It’s become a $34 billion-dollar segment of the tourism industry. Fort Bridger is among those leaning into dark tourism this year with its most famous ghost, Mac, and a three-day paranormal experience next month.

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

Mike Pannell, president of High Plains Railroad Preservation Association, stands beside the caboose his nonprofit restored for Cheyenne's 15th Street Railcar experience.

Inside Cheyenne’s $5 Million Railcar Experience Taking Shape For 15th Street

Installation began Saturday on Cheyenne’s new 15th Street Railcar Experience, a $5 million downtown project aimed at celebrating the city’s railroad roots. A Union Pacific caboose and two Pullman cars have been restored for the destination.

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

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250th Great American State Fair In D.C.: Wyoming Showcases Cowboys, Scenery

Cowboys and scenic wonders were the primary Wyoming themes Thursday at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., where all 50 states were showcased. Courtny Hinds and Kota Provence, both Douglas residents, were on hand to give roping lessons.

Sean BarryJune 26, 2026

Erika Babbitt-Rogers of Laramie is a “worm wrangler” selling customers worms for fishing bait and food for pet reptiles. See also sells worm castings, or worm poop, as fertilizer.

Wyoming ‘Worm Wrangler’ Says Nightcrawlers Are Popular But Worm Poop Is Bestseller

Laramie's Erika Babbitt-Rogers considers herself to be a professional “worm wrangler." She says anglers and pet owners are regular customers, but the real demand is for worm poop. “Everybody’s wanting that worm poop on their gardens,” she said.

Mark HeinzJune 21, 2026

Wyoming needs tens of thousands of new homes, but only a fraction of the need is under construction because builders say the math doesn’t work. Middle-class wages aren’t high enough to afford to buy houses while home-building costs just continue to rise.

Why A Shortfall Of More Than 20,000 Homes Isn’t Enough To Get Wyoming Building

Wyoming needs tens of thousands of new homes, but only a fraction of the need is under construction because builders say the math doesn’t work. Middle-class wages aren’t high enough to afford to buy houses while home-building costs just continue to rise.

Renée JeanJune 21, 2026

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