Wyoming Life

Wyoming's Musical Smith Twins First Met Dolly Parton At Cheyenne Frontier Days

Twin sisters Annie and Amy Smith met Dolly Parton at Cheyenne Frontier Days when they were 14 and dreaming of being country music singer-songwriters. Their career paths would cross several times. "I'm devastated that she's gone," Annie Smith said.

Kerry DrakeAugust 26, 2026

Santa Claus and his elves entertain tourists in the towering lobby of the Old Faithful Inn in an August tradition.

Ho, Ho, Ho! They're Celebrating Christmas In Yellowstone National Park

It's August 25, and that means folks in Yellowstone are celebrating Christmas. Seasonal staff at Old Faithful Inn have been setting up trees, dressing as elves, and welcoming Santa in a 1936 Yellowstone bus for more than six decades.

Andrew RossiAugust 25, 2026

Cody LDS Temple Opens For Tours Monday So Public Can 'Feel The Spirit That's Here'

The controversial new Cody Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple opened up for public tours on Monday. The 9,950-square-foot structure will be dedicated Oct. 25, after which only LDS members in good standing will be allowed inside.

Andrew RossiAugust 24, 2026

Tango, right, with his brother and members of the Green family at their Gillette home.

Extraordinary All-Out Search Launched North Of Casper For Runaway Livestock Guard Dog

An extraordinary search for a 120-pound white livestock guard dog has been launched after he ran away on Friday. Personnel from Wyoming Game and Fish, law enforcement, someone with a plane and even the previous owners have all joined in on the search.

Kolby FedoreAugust 24, 2026

Legend has it Thomas Edison had his "Eureka!" moment for the light bulb while fishing at Battle Lake in Carbon County, Wyoming. Nope, says a historian.

No, Thomas Edison's 'Eureka!' Light Bulb Moment Wasn't While Fishing In Wyoming

Legend has it that Thomas Edison's "Eureka!" electric light bulb moment came from a burning pole while fishing at Battle Lake in Wyoming in 1878. There's even a historical marker at the site. But Wyoming historian Phil Roberts says the story is a myth.

Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

Katie Garner is a server at Wyoming Ale Works in Casper, where she said tipping 20% "is normal."

Wyomingites Among America’s Most Generous Tippers, Averaging Nearly 21%

According to a new restaurant industry report, Wyomingites are among the nation's most generous tippers, averaging nearly 21%. One Casper bartender says 20% is normal. She considers 15% on the low end and estimates her own tips average closer to 30%.

Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Pennsylvania Couple Starts Tradition With First Brand At Wyoming Ranch Wedding

When Spencer Long and Morgan Kulik got married at the Diamond View Ranch near Powell earlier this month, they had a branding — with their own brand. The Pennsylvania couple's goal is to own ranch where horses and cattle will bear their family’s brand.

Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

In America’s golden age of big bands and jazz, the tiny out-of-the-way Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain, Wyoming, drew the biggest names of the day. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Lawrence Welk were among the stars to play the Pavilion.

Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey Among Big Names To Play Elk Mountain’s Garden Spot

In America’s golden age of big bands, the tiny out-of-the-way Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain drew the biggest names of the day. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and others were on regular rotation to play to raucous, alcohol-fueled crowds until 4 a.m.

Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Harve Ray was a more notorious Hole-in-the-Wall outlaw than Butch Cassidy in the late 1800s, but no photo evidence of him existed until recently. A Wyoming historian has uncovered an 1897 photo that identifies him as part of a branding on Kirby Creek, seen above at right.

Wyoming Historian Uncovers Only Known Photo of Hole-in-the-Wall Outlaw Harve Ray

Wyoming historian Michael Bell has officially verified a photo of the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall outlaw Harve Ray who ran with Butch Cassidy in the late 1800s. The 1897 photo, the only known photo of the outlaw, shows him at a branding on Kirby Creek.

Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

A Casper contractor renovating a “cat squatter house” says feral felines keep coming back to trash the place. He said the cats have turned the project into a nightmare, he can't figure out how to stop them and the city is no help.

Feral Cats Of Casper Turn Remodel Of Trashed House Into Contractor’s Nightmare

A Casper contractor has spent weeks trying to make a trashed house livable again, tearing out urine-soaked flooring, ripping down drywall and digging moldy cat food from clogged drains. There’s just one problem. The cats refuse to move out.

Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

A member of the Air Force crash investigation team surveys the tail section of the Air Force C-130 that crashed and burned near the top of Sheep Mountain near Jackson, Wyoming, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1996. The C-130, which carried support equipment for President Clinton's vacation, went down on takeoff late Saturday night. Nine people were killed in the crash.

Wyoming History: 30 Years Ago Clinton Plane Crashed Into Jackson Mountain

It was a pitch-black night 30 years ago this week when a President Clinton support C-130 ignored takeoff protocol and slammed into Sheep Mountain above Jackson at 200 mph, killing all nine onboard. The impact created a fireball that could be seen for miles.

Jake NicholsAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming History: Wagon, Whitewater Only Way To ‘Doc’ Barry’s Bighorn Dude Ranch

“Doc” Barry arrived in the Bighorn Canyon in the 1890s seeking gold, but after losing a fortune, he built a luxury dude ranch where guests could only get to via wagon or whitewater. All that remains today is a ghost camp infused with memories.

Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

David Kolesky was one of the first male cheerleaders recruited to raise team and fan spirits at the Cowboy football games for the 1965 season. His best friend and fellow "yell king" Nick Vuko said that Kolesky was crazy and fun-loving.

How An Injured Football Player Became UW’s First Male Cheerleader 61 Years Ago

When Nick Vuko was sidelined with a football injury in 1965, the Wyoming tailback refused to stay off the field — returning with buddy David Kolesky as UW’s first male cheerleaders. It helped that they weren't afraid to make spectacles of themselves.

Jackie DorothyAugust 22, 2026

Somewhere on the long dirt road to Hog Park in Carbon County, Snoopy still waits after 30 years. Nobody knows who painted the giant beagle on a Sierra Madre boulder on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, but Wyoming families have grown up watching for him.

What The Heck … Is That Giant Snoopy Head High In Wyoming’s Sierra Madre Range?

Somewhere on the long dirt road to Hog Park in Carbon County, Snoopy has been hanging out for at least 30 years. Nobody knows who painted the giant beagle on a Sierra Madre Range boulder, but Wyoming families have grown up visiting him.

Kolby FedoreAugust 22, 2026

In the month since the Cowboy State Daily told 4-year-old Charlee Lacey's story of collecting “hero patches” from first responders, she’s been flooded with hundreds of them.

First Responders Send Hundreds Of ‘Hero Patches’ To 4-Year-Old Rock Springs Girl

In the month since Cowboy State Daily told 4-year-old Charlee Lacey's story of collecting “hero patches” from first responders, she’s been flooded with hundreds of them. Her mother says there are "no words" to express how much they mean to the girl.

Andrew RossiAugust 22, 2026

Cornelius “Cork” Kelly left Pinedale one final poem — a humorous, tender and deeply personal obituary. He lived as a teacher, poet, swimmer and cherished friend. "And regardless of the manner of my dying, at least I am on the road again," Kelly wrote.

Beloved Pinedale Teacher Says His Final Goodbye In A Poem

Cornelius “Cork” Kelly left Pinedale one final poem — a humorous, tender and deeply personal obituary. He lived as a teacher, poet and father of 10. "I am dead. And regardless of the manner of my dying, at least I am on the road again," Kelly wrote.

Kate MeadowsAugust 22, 2026

Kyle Berkshire sent a golf ball screaming above a windswept Rawlins golf course for 588.1 yards on Wednesday, breaking his own world record for longest tee shot. It took the 29-year-old long-drive specialist from Maryland more than 200 swings to do it. He did it at the same Rawlins golf course he set the previous record in 2023.

Golfer Sets New World Record For Longest Drive At Rawlins Golf Course

Kyle Berkshire sent a golf ball screaming above a windswept Rawlins golf course for 588.1 yards on Wednesday, breaking his own world record for distance. It took the 29-year-old long-drive specialist from Maryland more than 200 swings to do it.

Kolby FedoreAugust 22, 2026

80-somethings brawling in the parking lot, irreverent jokers, indoor smoking and an ear lost in a brawl are all part of the lore at Glenrock's Deer Creek Lounge. The down-and-dirty dive has a reputation for other vices, too.

Drinking Wyoming: Glenrock’s Smoky Deer Creek Lounge A Down-And-Dirty Dive

It’s a hot August afternoon at the Deer Creek Lounge in Glenrock, and a man named Nile is reflecting proudly on the time he clocked his 84-year-old brother in the mouth. “I should have hit him a second time,” he said.

Zakary SonntagAugust 22, 2026

When the next lunar eclipse reaches its maximum at 10:12 p.m. on Thursday, 96.2% of the moon will be covered by the Earth’s shadow. What makes it unusually striking will be its deep blood-red color, said a former Wyoming state climatologist.

"Unusual And Spectacular": Next Week's Lunar Eclipse Will Be Blood-Red And 96% Full

When the next lunar eclipse reaches its maximum at 10:12 p.m. on Thursday, 96.2% of the moon will be covered by the Earth’s shadow and blood-red. “We'll see a reddish moon with a slight sliver of silver at the edge,” one Wyoming astronomer explained.

Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming Police Push To Name Mountain Peak After Fallen Officer Sgt. Krinkee

A former Wyoming police chief wants to name the tallest peak in Sheridan County for Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, who was killed in the line of duty in 2024. The 11,000-foot peak known to locals as “Sheridan High Point” doesn’t have an official name.

Kolby FedoreAugust 21, 2026

An Alta coffee shop owner asked pro-life group not to meet at his Driggs, Idaho, shop — then compared his right to do so in his business to refusing to host the KKK. Death threats have been "nonstop" since their clash went viral.

Alta Coffee Shop Owner: 'Nonstop Death Threats' Since Clash With Pro-Lifers

An Alta, Wyoming, man says he and his wife have received "nonstop death threats" since a confrontation with a pro-life group inside their Driggs coffee shop, Wydaho Roasters, went viral. “You'd think we're performing abortions in our shop," the owner said.

Kolby FedoreAugust 19, 2026

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center ER staff pose with 18 pizzas donated by L’Osteria Mondello after a prank order went unclaimed.

Cheyenne Pizza Joint Gets Stiffed With $300 Order, Donates 18 Pizzas To Hospital

After a so-called "prankster" left a Cheyenne pizza joint stuck with 18 pizzas and a $300+ bill, the restaurant donated them to emergency room workers at the Cheyenne hospital. “Let's reward them,” said Dave Agovic, owner of L'Osteria Mondello.

Kolby FedoreAugust 17, 2026

5,500-Acre Wyoming Ranch And Hunting Destination Hits Market For Nearly $30M

The 5,582-acre Steiner Ranch in northeast Wyoming, a premiere spot for hunting trophy bull elk and mule deer, has just been listed for sale at nearly $30 million. Last year, Martha Stewart was at the ranch to study its farm-to-fork ecosystem.

Renée JeanAugust 17, 2026

Lindsay Woods reunites with fellow rider Jarissa Sabal on Day Nine of the 2026 Mongol Derby. Sabal, who Woods said was "her best friend," had been separated for the entire race until they rode across the finish line together.

Wyoming Woman's 620-Mile Mongol Derby Quest Ends Unconscious In A River

Lindsay Woods of Jackson was poised to win the grueling 620-mile Mongol Derby but heatstroke and food poisoning left her unconscious in a river, ending her bid on the remote Mongolian Steppe, "I really could have won it," she says.

Andrew RossiAugust 17, 2026

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