Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

Campbell County Newcomer Gets Video of Lightning That Started 2,700-Acre Fire

Scott Artis was just trying to get a video of a thunderstorm for his dad when he captured the lightning strike that started the Kohns Fire in Campbell County on July 27. “All of a sudden, the fire started roaring,” said Artis, whose wife called 911.

Andrew RossiAugust 04, 2026

Worland Man Dies Sunday, Eight Days After Being Ejected From Car In Colorado

Worland athlete Roman Parra died Sunday, eight days after being ejected from his vehicle in Colorado. His family said Roman's greatest gift wasn't in sports, but making everyone feel loved. "His purpose in life was to spread kindness," his mom said.

Kolby FedoreAugust 03, 2026

Worland, Wyoming, hits 110 degrees on July 12. It was the hottest day in the state in July 2026.

July Was Wyoming's Hottest Month On Record — And 2026 Is On The Same Pace

For most of Wyoming, July was the hottest month in recorded history. Worland's scorching 110 degrees on July 12 was the hottest, while many towns saw as many 100-degree days in one month as they usually see in several years.

Andrew RossiAugust 03, 2026

Ashlee Kintzler dreamed up the idea of Moonhitch Wagons because she's a chariot racer, and she felt like downtown Buffalo, with all its historic buildings, was just begging for a wagon to appear.

Wyoming Places: Buffalo’s Covered Wagon Tours A Nod To Town’s Old West Legacy

Tourists enjoying a warm summer evening in Buffalo get to see something uniquely Western that’s not seen much anymore — a covered wagon rolling down Main Street at a leisurely pace, a gentle clip-clop of hooves echoing off historic storefronts.

Renée JeanAugust 03, 2026

The Hand family in the West Wing with then White House Chief of Staff Dick Cheney in 1976. Manus stands nexts to Cheney.

In 1976, Laramie Boy's Bicentennial Quest Took Him All Over North America & White House

Fifty years ago, it was all about the Bicentennial and Laramie's Manus Hand embarked on a project that took him to dozens of towns, cities and counties named Wyoming. Wyoming's Dick Cheney was President Ford's chief of staff and hosted the 12-year-old and his family.

Kerry DrakeAugust 02, 2026

Big-wheeled drones made by a Laramie company crawl into tight spots so well that NASA is using one at the Kennedy Space Center rocket launch site.

NASA Using Laramie Company’s Big-Wheeled Drone To Crawl Into Tight Spaces

When NASA needed to inspect a tight crawlspace for its Artemis 3 project, they contacted a small tech company in Laramie for help. The small robot features big squishy wheels and a simple body that can flip, turn and get itself out of tight spots.

Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2026

Alesha Melton is a fifth-generation muleskinner and still has the mules her grandpa raised when she was a teenager. She has taken over the family outfitting business and when not in the backcountry, chances are she is on a movie set or in a parade with her mules.

Life Of A Modern-Day Muleskinner: Starring In Movies & Beer Ads And Guiding Hunts

As modern-day muleskinners, Randy and Alesha Melton said their mules’ film career started with a commercial for Coors. Their latest movie was “Horizon” with Kevin Costner. They also appeared on "Killer of the Flower Moon," and “The Last of Us."

Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2026

Charles and Susan Randolph stand outside the entrance to their monolithic dome house near Chugwater.

Chugwater's Igloo House Is Earthquake Proof, Fire Resistant And Can Withstand Tornadoes, Owner Says

That igloo-like structure near Chugwater is a monolithic dome house. It’s been pummeled by hailstorms without a scratch, can stay warm even in the harshest of winters and they claim it could stand-up to a tornado.

Kevin KilloughAugust 02, 2026

Lucas Keeler, a BLM petroleum engineering technician, explains the significance of the petroglyph panels at Whoopup Canyon in Crook County.

Whoopup Canyon Has One Of The Oldest And Largest Petroglyph Sites In North America

One of the most extraordinary petroglyph sites in North America is hidden away in a secret spot near Newcastle, Wyoming. The petroglyphs of Whoopup Canyon depicted in 150 sandstone panels are between 3,000 and 10,500 years old. Access is extremely limited.

Andrew RossiAugust 02, 2026

George Jay Wienbarg III helped a friend sell pieces of the Hollywood sign, then later trademarked it for a clothing line. Wienbarg was successful in drawing international attention to both the Hollywood souvenirs and later to the clothing line.

How A Cheyenne Man Trademarked The Famous Hollywood Sign Because He Was In Love

As a young man, Cheyenne native George Wienbarg figured out how to trademark the famous Hollywood sign in L.A. He did that because he fell in love with a Korean fashion student and promised to make her line of clothing famous by associating it with that sign. And he has all the receipts....

Renée JeanAugust 02, 2026

Eight-year-old Evelyn Waller rides a horse at Ropes & Roses grief camp near Casper

After Losing Their Dad, Wyoming Kids Help Heal Their Heartbreak On Horseback

After their father's death last fall, Aden and Evelyn Waller spent four days riding horses, creating art and connecting with other grieving children at a Casper camp designed to help kids heal after loss. "Horses don't judge," said one counselor.

Kolby FedoreAugust 02, 2026

"Cowboy" John Fremlin traded a life in the saddle for one surrounded by western antiques and treasures. Fremlin searches for items that tell a story which can be anything from an old hot rod tire to a beaded vest to 1970s collectibles.

Cowboy John's Hole-In-The-Wall Antiques Is A Western Time Capsule In Meeteetse

From Dillinger’s death mask to items owned by Buffalo Bill, “Cowboy” John Fremlin collects relics for his Hole-in-the-Wall Antique Store in Meeteetse that speak to him and have a story to tell. "I select items that have the 'wow' factor," Fremlin says.

Jackie DorothyAugust 01, 2026

Neighbors Rally Against Planned 95-Unit Apartment Complex Near Laramie Greenbelt

Opponents of a proposed 80-to-95-unit apartment complex along the Laramie Greenbelt say it will push floodwaters toward a historic neighborhood and ruin wildlife habitat. The city says "that isn't a major concern" and housing needs are urgent.

Mark HeinzAugust 01, 2026

A Lander man built two wooden benches and "gifted" them to his neighbors to enjoy the "iconic views" from the popular Tomato Loop trail. They were both stolen, so Applegate is giving it one more shot. "Third time's the charm," he hopes.

Lander Man Keeps Building Benches For Community And Thieves Keep Stealing Them

After the first two benches he built were stolen, a Lander man is giving it a third attempt. He's built yet another wooden bench and gave it to his neighbors so they can enjoy the iconic views of the popular Tomato Loop hiking trail. "Third time's the charm," he said.

Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2026

Hail accumulation following flooding in Cheyenne in 1985.

‘I Didn't Want To Die In This Car’: Trapped In Flood, Journalist Almost Became The Story

Kerry Drake was planning a quick trip to Colorado on the evening of Aug. 1, 1985, when he was suddenly trapped in his car by rising floodwaters in Cheyenne. "My car was literally floating down the street, and I had no control over its movement," he writes.

Kerry DrakeAugust 01, 2026

Cody's Wayfarer's Chapel: A Peaceful Place To Worship, But Bring Your Bear Spray

The Wayfarer’s Chapel is a sacred spot to worship on the Shoshone National Forest between Cody and Yellowstone. It’s also one of the only chapels where you should bring bear spray. “We had a grizzly stroll through a Father’s Day service," the reverend said.

Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2026

Doctors thought John Mionszynski would never bend his arm again and would likely lose use of his fingers. But every year he becomes the piano man for South Pass City, playing flawless 1800s tunes.

South Pass City Saloon's Piano Man Has Entertained Gold Rush Visitors Since 1974

John Mionczynski has entertained patrons of the South Pass City Saloon since 1974, when the state resurrected the gold-rush town. Watching him play a flawless rendition of “The Entertainer," one would never guess that once he couldn’t use his fingers at all.

Renée JeanAugust 01, 2026

For nearly 60 years, Vern Palmer has searched Wyoming ranches and forgotten dump grounds for old license plates. At 90, the Big Piney mechanic has found nearly every state plate ever issued — except for one.

90-Year-Old Big Piney Man Has A Wyoming License Plate From Every Year, Except One

For nearly 60 years, Vern Palmer has searched Wyoming ranches and forgotten dumps for old Wyoming license plates. At 90, the Big Piney mechanic has a Wyoming license plate from every year, except one. Palmer says he's not giving up his search.

Kolby FedoreAugust 01, 2026

Don Erickson, the 89-year-old former three-term mayor of Cheyenne, examines photos of the city’s deadly Aug. 1, 1985 flood in one of his scrapbooks at the Wyoming State Archives.

Night Of Terror: Wall Of Water Killed 12 In Cheyenne's Deadly August 1, 1985 Flood

On Aug. 1, 1985, Cheyenne was pummeled by a massive storm that unleashed a wall of water killing 12 people and causing more than $65 million in damage. The 65,000-ft thunderheads stalled over the city unleashing tornadoes, hail and unprecedented flooding.

Kerry DrakeAugust 01, 2026

50 Years Ago: Floating Toilet Saved Cheyenne Man In Devastating Big Thompson Flood

Cheyenne native Alan O’Hashi vividly remembers being caught in the canyon when the Big Thompson Flood, the deadliest flood in Colorado history, hit on July 31, 1976. He survived when a floating portable toilet snagged his car and carried it to safety.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 30, 2026

The good news is nobody vandalized the Persian Gulf War Memorial in Rock Springs. The bad news is that it crumbled anyway. “I was worried it was some little Communist teenager making a statement,” said one relieved resident.

Good News: Rock Springs Vets Memorial Not Vandalized. Bad News: It Crumbled Anyway

The good news is nobody vandalized the Persian Gulf War Memorial in Rock Springs. The bad news is that it crumbled anyway. "It should never have been allowed to reach a point where it is that vulnerable,” the mayor said.

Greg JohnsonJuly 29, 2026

Cheyenne driver Cody Campbell took photos of people riding their electric scooters on a two-lane highway near Laramie.

Believe It Or Not, Electric Scooters Can Be Ridden On Wyoming's Highways

While it seemed ludicrous to one Cheyenne driver who was stuck behind people riding their electric scooters on a two lane highway near Laramie, it's entirely legal. “Scooters need to be off the highway,” Cody Campbell said. "It's not a vehicle. It's a toy."

Andrew RossiJuly 28, 2026

When a Jeep got stuck up to its axels in mud driving on the bottom of Palisades Reservoir on the Wyoming-Idaho border, a pair of trucks owned by family friends came to the rescue. Then they also got mired in "peanut butter" muck up to their fenders.

Wrecker Pulls 3 Trucks Stuck To Their Axles In Mud From Hundreds Of Feet Away

How do you get vehicles stuck up to their axles in mud on the bottom of a lake bed? You call a tow company that has remote-controlled winches, a custom-built winch foot, and hundreds of feet of tow straps. “This is a normal situation for us,” the owner said.

Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2026

Low Water Cancels Jackson Lake Boat Tours In Grand Teton Two Months Early

Scenic boat tours on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park have shut down two months early due to low water levels as southern Idaho agricultural users draw from the lake. Large boats are unable to get out of Colter Bay Marina onto the main lake.

Mark HeinzJuly 27, 2026