Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

Most Destructive Tornado In Wyoming’s History Leveled Cheyenne 47 Years Ago

It was 47 years ago on July 16, 1979, when a massive tornado ripped through Cheyenne, leveling hundreds of homes and killing a 14-month old. Decades later, it’s still the most destructive tornado in Wyoming history.

Kerry DrakeJuly 16, 2026

Jerry Johnston of Cheyenne holds up a copy of the photo (top) that he took of the tornado that hit the capital city on July 1, 1979.

Reporter’s Notebook: How Photo Of 1979 Cheyenne Tornado Made National News

It took a team effort by a camera-less photographer and a buddy who had one on July 16, 1979, to get photos of the most destructive tornado in Wyoming’s history to news wire services. The dramatic and devastating photos made front pages across the U.S.

Kerry DrakeJuly 16, 2026

Gary Gwin is the mastermind behind the entertaining bank robberies and other skits that keep the streets of South Pass lively during Gold Rush Days each year.

Gold Dust, Hoop Skirts And Cannon Booms: Gold Rush Days In South Pass City, Wyoming

Once a roaring gold capital, South Pass City, Wyoming, comes to life for one summer weekend every year for Gold Rush Days. There's cannon fire, gold panning, and guests who look the part in one of the West’s best-preserved Gold Rush towns.

Renée JeanJuly 14, 2026

Northern Wyoming Bakes Under Highest Recorded Temps Ever, Awaits Relief

For many northern Wyoming communities, Sunday was the hottest day in recorded history. Worland, Riverton, Sheridan and Buffalo set marks of between 105 and 110 degrees. Even Yellowstone hit a record.

Andrew RossiJuly 13, 2026

Wyoming's 'Explosive Diarrhea' Cases Double, Linked To Travel Outside Of U.S.

Wyoming has confirmed six cases of Cyclospora, a parasite that can cause weeks of explosive diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss. Medical experts link five of the six cases to travel outside the U.S. "It is not funny, that's for sure," an ER doctor said.

Kolby FedoreJuly 13, 2026

Ellie Feathers of Park County is a top shooter in many disciplines at the Wyoming State Fair such as .22 rifle but said that muzzleloader is one of her favorites because of the time it takes to load each shot with black powder and a steel ball.

Holy Smokes: Muzzleloader Is Loads And Reloads Of Fun For Kids At State Shoot

Historic muzzleloaders have developed a loyal following among Wyoming 4H kids who prefer a "boom" over a "kick" when they shoot a firearm. Eighty-five devotees ages 8-18 loaded and reloaded over the weekend at the Wyoming State Shoot in Douglas.

Jackie DorothyJuly 13, 2026

Carole Thurmond Wills' grandfather homesteaded on the North Fork near Cody in the early 1900s. She is using photos from that time to create a historic walking trail in the North Fork Campground located on what was once her family's land.

Glass-Plate Family Photos Help Tell Story Of Buffalo Bill State Park In Early 1900s

While camping at Buffalo Bill State Park in 1997, Carole Thurmond Wills was stunned to learn her family once owned that land. Wills now is creating an interactive walk using photos taken by her grandfather on glass-plate negatives from 1899-1912.

Amber SteinmetzJuly 13, 2026

Children at the National Museum of Military Vehicles picked up Tootsie Rolls as fast as they could.

Dubois Tootsie Roll Drop Remembers How Candy Saved ‘Frozen Chosin’ Marines In Korea

A candy drop at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois was more than just fun for kids. It honored the "Frozen Chosin" Marines who depended on Tootsie Rolls for calories, field repairs and sheer survival on minus-40 degree days in the Korean War.

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2026

From Wyoming Coal Miner’s Son To Closer: How Larry Morgan Achieved The American Dream

Born in a near ghost-town in Wyoming, Larry Morgan’s life is a rags to riches story that begins and ends in Wyoming. Yet he insists the real story isn’t about money so much as freedom — and he's got a best-selling book on Amazon that tells his tale.

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2026

Wyoming History: Chief Red Cloud Was Locked Up In Casper For Killing Wild Game

In 1894, Chief Red Cloud and a band of 50 Indians came through Natrona County on the way to the Wind River Indian Reservation and killed some wild game for food. He was arrested and spent time in a Casper jail while his wife mourned outside.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 12, 2026

Longtime Knifemaker Transforming Dubois' Outlaw Bar From Dive Into Destination

Dubois craftsman Ben Barto owns Bone Daddy Knives, a hobby turned big business that’s now bankrolling a transformation of Dubois' Outlaw Bar and giving the once-seedy watering hole a new vibe. “This was just a dump when we bought it,” Barto said.

Renée JeanJuly 12, 2026

Hollywood producer Hawk Koch shares stories of his career in the Shell Bar in Shell.

Legendary Hollywood Producer Goes To Wyoming Bar And Talks Redford, Gable, De Niro

Hawk Koch, a Hollywood producer and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, stopped by the Shell Bar last week to talk about his work on movies such as "Chinatown," "Marathon Man," and "Wayne's World" and his encounters with legendary actors.

Andrew RossiJuly 12, 2026

Clay Gibbons, Washakie County Historian, has stood on several historic sites exactly 100 years after the event occurred. He said that it is a profound experience.

Wyoming Historian Clay Gibbons Outlives Cancer Prognosis, 'Grateful For Every Day'

Wyoming Historian Clay Gibbons has not only outlived the pancreatic cancer prognosis he received but it hasn’t stopped his quest for digging up Wyoming history or advocating for ranching. Gibbons says faith, family and friends are everything.

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2026

A photo of the American flag, Purple Heart, and photos a Gillette man and his sister recently understood they had gathered up a few years ago. They are trying to find the true heirs to the property.

Gillette Siblings On Mission To Return Purple Heart To Family Of Korean War Vet

A Gillette brother and sister are on a mission to find the family of a frame-encased American flag with a Purple Heart medal. They've enlisted the help of Gillette American Legion Post #42 that says the Korean War vet was attached to a frontline battalion.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 12, 2026

Carls Dunrud was running a dude ranch in the former Kirwin mining district when four young criminals made a run for it in 1932. He was asked to track them down and warned that they were now armed with a stolen gun. Their leader was known as Sunshine and was known the be dangerous.

How A Legendary Ex-Yellowstone Ranger Chased Down The Notorious 'Sunshine'

Although young, "Sunshine" was already a dangerous inmate at an institute in Worland. When hand three others escaped, a legendary former Yellowstone ranger was called to hunt Sunshine down. "He's young, but he's a pretty tough hombre,” the warden said.

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2026

New York Times bestselling author Maragaret Coel said that she began writing her murder mysteries set on the Wind River Reservation back when phones were tethered to the wall by cords. While copies of her books still sell in her paperback form, the majority of her audience is now discovering her through e-books and audible books. She has retired from writing, but her books have not been retired and are still in print.

Best-Selling Wind River Reservation Mysteries Author Inspired By Famous Chief Left Hand

When Margaret Coel first started writing history – then murder mysteries – she just shut up and listened to the Arapaho elders she met with. This ability to listen led her books to the New York best-seller list and ended up mirroring real life more than she expected.

Jackie DorothyJuly 12, 2026

The 1923-24 “Old Government Bridge” is located about 20 miles from Casper.

Ghost Bridge: Nobody Claims Ownership Of Abandoned 122-Year-Old Bridge Over North Platte

The Old Government Bridge spanning the North Platte 20 miles southwest of Casper is rusting, mostly abandoned and nobody claims ownership of it. But if those nuts, bolts and steel beams could speak, they would tell stories about bootleggers and murder.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 11, 2026

Kristen Stauffer on the one-of-a-kind Zerbst Trackway on the Zerbst "Paleo Park" Ranch near Newcastle. Stauffer has been taking tours to the track site, found by her father Leonard, for years. That's why she was "shell-shocked" that someone trespassed on and damaged a rare hadrosaur footprint.

Newcastle Family 'Shell-Shocked' By Vandalism Of Rare Dinosaur Footprints

A trespasser trying illegally to make a copy of rare dinosaur footprints on the "Paleo Park" Zerbst Ranch near Newcastle ended up vandalizing the site. “I was shell-shocked. “We have spent years protecting them,” said the owner.

Andrew RossiJuly 11, 2026

Homes are getting closer to completion at Pronghorn Crossing.

Cheyenne’s Habitat Fix Turns Eight Homes Into Affordable Housing For 12 Families

Two single moms shut out of Cheyenne’s starter-home market are among 12 families getting a chance at homeownership in a new Habitat for Humanity neighborhood. Once set for eight houses, it grew to 12 after Cheyenne rewrote building and zoning rules.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2026

Once a weathered wooden box with a revered view of Cheyenne Frontier Days' timed events, Chute 9 has been rebuilt as a three-level VIP cathedral, left background. “Once you go up there, it’s going to be hard to go back to sitting in the stands,” said CEO Tom Hirsig.

From Basic Box To VIP Showpiece: New Chute 9 To Debut At Cheyenne Frontier Days

Diehard rodeo fans say there's no better place to watch Cheyenne Frontier Days than Chute 9. Now it's even better as it's been rebuilt as a three-level VIP cathedral. “It’s the most incredible outdoor rodeo experience in the country," CFD's Tom Hirsig says.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2026

Londen Tabor, left, said the hardest thing for her has been seeing how Junior Huntington’s Disease has quickly robbed her daughter’s abilities in life.

Last Road Trip For Gillette Mom And Dying Daughter Derailed By Broken-Down SUV

A Gillette woman's plans for one last summer road trip with her dying daughter have been derailed by a failed transmission in their 26-year-old SUV. But she's not giving up hope. “This is the last chance I have to do this with my daughter,” Londen Tabor said.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 11, 2026

He was homeless and in despair when he built a popular theater program in Green River. Now Bradlee Skinner performs before sold-out crowds in his dream job with baseball's Savannah Bananas, one of the hottest tickets in sports. Above, Skinner with choreographer Mandy Moore in Savannah. Moore choreographed Taylor Swift's Eras tour.

Homeless To Home Plate: Wyoming Man's Fantastic Journey To The Savannah Bananas

Green River's Bradlee Skinner was homeless, delivering pizzas and wondering how his life had unraveled. Now he performs before sold-out crowds with the Savannah Bananas, baseball's wildly popular entertainment phenomenon. And it all started with a selfie.

Kate MeadowsJuly 11, 2026

Rock Springs Girl Saved By First Responders Collecting "Hero Patches" To Honor Them

4-year-old Charlee Lacey knows she and her mother owe their lives to first responders, so the Rock Springs girl is on a mission to honor them by collecting "hero patches” from around the world. "She sees them as superheroes,” her mother said.

Andrew RossiJuly 10, 2026

A relatively cool day in Worland on Thursday compared to the upcoming weekend where temperatures are expected to top 110 degrees

Hot, Hot, Hot: Triple Digits Forecast In Wyoming For At Least Three Days

The National Weather Service is predicting a record-breaking weekend for many locations in Wyoming with "dangerously hot conditions" in the forecast. Temperatures will be hottest in the Big Horn Basin with Worland and Greybull expected to top 110 degrees.

Andrew RossiJuly 09, 2026