Wyoming Life

Diablo, a goat that lives on the grounds of the Wyodak Power Plant near Gillette, has become a local celebrity. People stop on the road to give him scratches and snacks — although that's discouraged as the unofficial mascot people call "Goatalope" grows older and fatter.

People Won’t Stop Feeding Diablo As Gillette’s Famous Roadside Goat Gets Fatter

Diablo, a goat that lives by the Wyodak Power Plant near Gillette, has become a victim of its own celebrity. People stop to give him scratches and snacks — which is causing the aging mascot people call "Goatalope" to get really fat and unhealthy.

Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2026

Workers in the Lance Creek oil fields in Niobrara County feared during World War II they were on Adolf Hitler's hit list because 25% of Wyoming’s oil came from the area. Hitler never struck, and now about 50 people remain in a town that once had 5,000.

Wyoming History: Lance Creek Oil Workers Feared They Were On Hitler’s Hit List

Workers in the Lance Creek oil fields in Niobrara County during World War II feared during they were on Hitler's hit list because 25% of Wyoming’s oil came from the area. Hitler never struck, and now about 50 people remain in a town that once had 5,000.

Jackie DorothySeptember 13, 2026

The Wyoming Wildcatter has been a familiar sight around Casper for many years starting in the early 1980s as an airshow highlight.

World War II-Era Wyoming Wildcatter To Fly Again In National Air Championship

A classic red, white, and blue World War II-era T-6 warbird trainer aircraft flown over Casper since the 1980s returns to the National Championship Air Races this coming week in Roswell, New Mexico. Virgil Tatman will fly the acrobatic Wyoming Wildcatter.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 12, 2026

This 36th season for Natrona County High’s hall-of-fame football coach Steve Harshman could be his last if voters elect him as the next Wyoming superintendent of public instruction. “This thing is a win-win,” Harshman says.

Voters Will Likely End Steve Harshman’s Hall-Of-Fame Football Coaching Career

This 36th season for Natrona County's football coach Steve Harshman could be his last if voters elect him as the next education chief. He ranks second in Wyoming history for football victories. No. 1 and No. 3 on the list have stadiums named after them.

Jeff WelschSeptember 12, 2026

A ancient 200-foot-wide sinkhole with up to 20,000 bones from an Indigenous buffalo jump forced Wyoming to re-route I-90 in 1969. Here, the interstate to the left curves to avoid the site.

Interstate 90 Was Re-Routed Because Of 200-Foot-Wide Sinkhole With 20,000 Bison Bones

When highway workers ran into a sinkhole with 20,000 bison bones in it, they had to completely re-route Interstate 90 in 1969. What became known as the Vore Buffalo Jump is a rare archaeological site where people can see artifacts in their original state.

Andrew RossiSeptember 12, 2026

Javier De Luna Chavez survived kidney failure, a transplant and COVID, but he couldn’t survive a crash on the 10% grade on Teton Pass on Sept. 2, the third fatality on the pass in less than two months. “This bloodshed ends with him,” vows his widow.

Widow Of Teton Pass Crash Victim Vows: ‘This Bloodshed Ends With Him'

Javier De Luna Chavez survived kidney failure, years of dialysis, and a transplant but didn't survive a crash on the 10% grade of Teton Pass. His widow says he fought too hard for life to become another name on the list of people killed on Teton Pass.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 12, 2026

Wyoming Sportscaster Frank Gambino Dies Unexpectedly At The Age Of 63

Wyoming sportscaster Frank Gambino, a fixture in Wyoming sports for more than four decades, unexpectedly died Thursday at age 63. The three-time sportscaster of the year was beloved by his colleagues. “There will never be another Frank Gambino," said K2's Bob Price.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 11, 2026

What began as a few local bagpipers honoring the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has become the Lander Bag Pipers, which has become a fixture in the town and memorializes the anniversiary of 9/11 each year since. Above, that first group performs a month after the attacks, as published in the Riverton Ranger/Lander Journal.

Lander Bagpipe Band Began 25 Years Ago As A Response To 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

The Lander Pipe Band began as a one-time performance in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Now 25 years later, it’s played at every local 9/11 memorial service and has become a fixture in the central Wyoming town.

Jackie DorothySeptember 10, 2026

The sun glows red through thick smoke from the Moonshine Fire on Wednesday afternoon as aircraft work above the blaze in the Laramie Range.

Moonshine Fire Grows To 3,900 Acres, Crews Save Ranch And Brace For 45-Mph Winds

The lightning-caused Moonshine Fire about 17 miles southwest of Wheatland has swelled to an estimated 3,900 acres and remains 0% contained on Thursday, with more than 150 people now assigned to the fire. Crews are now bracing for 45-mph wind gusts.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 10, 2026

An aerial view shows smoke pouring from the Moonshine Fire in the Laramie Range, where difficult-to-access terrain has complicated firefighting efforts.

Wildfire Explodes To 2,600 Acres Southwest Of Wheatland, Structures Threatened

A wildfire burning in rugged and remote terrain in the Laramie Range southwest of Wheatland exploded to more than 2,600 acres Wednesday. The Moonshine Fire is 0% contained and is threatening structures in the area, officials report.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 09, 2026

The Penn family with Drover, a border collie who they found dead from a bullet wound on Sunday. Nate Penn said the family dog, who was collared and "never bothered anybody," was shot on another property and made it home before dying.

Fort Washakie Border Collie Made It Home To Family Before Dying Of Gunshot Wound

A Fort Washakie family is devastated after the death of their 6-year-old border collie Drover, who was shot over the weekend after leaving their rural Wyoming property. The dog managed to make his way home before dying from the bullet wound.

Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2026

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day, and his dog Winston (pictured) were enjoying a late summer weekend in the Snowy Range when he noticed the first signs of fall. Trees and shrubs in the mountains are already changing colors.

First Colors in Parched Snowy Range Could Signal An Earlier And Faster Fall

Tree and shrubs in the Snowy Range are already showing their fall colors due to an unseasonably dry year. Meteorologist Don Day (and his dog Winston) say to see the fall color while it’s good, you might have to change your plans and get out earlier.

Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2026

The National Park Service said Tim Smith of Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming remains the only person missing and unaccounted for from the Aug. 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.

Hundreds Gather To Pray For Wyoming Hiker Missing For 11 Days In Grand Canyon

Hundreds packed a Texas church to pray for Tim Smith as the search for the Wyoming hiker reaches Day 11 after a devastating flood in the Grand Canyon. “Today, we should be celebrating Tim’s birthday,” his wife, Carrie, said.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 09, 2026

Casper Couple Killed When Side-By-Side Rolls Down Mountain, Daughter Injured Too

A Casper couple was killed in a side-by-side crash on Muddy Mountain over the Labor Day Weekend, Natrona County authorities confirmed Tuesday. Their daughter was injured trying to reach them and had to be airlifted off the mountain.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 08, 2026

Reports Of Tesla Driver Blissfully Asleep While Driving On I-70 In Colorado

A Tesla driver was spotted sleeping behind the wheel while driving on I-70 in Colorado over the weekend. A Wyoming Tesla owner says it's easy to fall asleep but it shouldn't let you stay asleep. “It sees you dozing off, and it does wake you up,” he said.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 07, 2026

In 1886, Cheyenne cattle baron Alexander Swan started construction of a mansion on Millionaires Row as a wedding gift to his daughter. When a blizzard wiped out Swan's business, Cheyenne banker David Dare took over and finished the building, which was known as "Castle Dare" until it was razed for a parking lot in 1963.

Wyoming History: Cheyenne Con Man David Dare Was The Bernie Madoff Of His Time

David Dare was known as the architect of Castle Dare, a mansion on Cheyenne's Millionaires Row built in 1887, and a con man who was the Bernie Madoff of his time. He swindled people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading to two suicides.

Kerry DrakeSeptember 07, 2026

The two schools experienced some great success together playing as the Patriots seen here, winning a state title in 2015.

Upton And Sundance Aren't Playing Football Together For First Time In 15 Years

For the first time since 2011, Upton and Sundance high schools in northeastern Wyoming are playing separate 9-man football schedules after competing together for the past 15 years. Both towns say they're happy to have their own teams.

Leo WolfsonSeptember 07, 2026

Daisha Thomas, 15, competed in the Excel National Festival at nationals in Boston. Just before she was to compete, another skater ran into her and she ended up with stitches and a black eye. This did not deter the Wyoming skater to skate her best and become ranked 21 nationally at her level.

15-Year-Old Cody Girl Moving Up National U.S. Figure Skating Rankings

Wyoming isn’t built for competitive figure skating, with few ice rinks and elite coaching only available online. Even so, a 15-year-old Cody girl is ranked 21st nationally and the first ever from Wyoming to qualify for the U.S. Figure Skating Excel Series.

Jackie DorothySeptember 07, 2026

Dave Bell, left, with Corkscrew Spirits owner Thomas Sutton, show off the Roaming Roads label.

Drinking Wyoming: Pinedale Premium Spirits Label Found On Shelves In Ireland

When Mike Gilmore bought a liquor store in Pinedale, his pursuit of premium spirits labels ballooned into searching for the perfect barrel. Now his premium label, "Roaming Roads," has gone global, and recently found on shelves in Dublin, Ireland.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 07, 2026

Carl Lenz of Worland wanted to have his ashes placed on his 5-foot exact model of the USS Constitution and put aflame onto Boysen Reservoir didn’t happen. Now the model — with every detail crafted by his own hands — is in a museum for everyone to see.

Worland Man Wanted His Ashes Put On USS Constitution Model And Set Aflame On Boysen

A dying Worland man’s desire to have his ashes placed on a 5-foot exact model of the USS Constitution and then put aflame onto Boysen Reservoir didn’t happen. Now the model — with every detail crafted by his own hands — is in a museum for everyone to see.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 07, 2026

Ian Munsick performs for a jam-packed crowd at the Cowboy Saloon & Dance Hall in Laramie to promote his most recent album, The Mountain Goat. It's his fourth studio album, but the first under his independent label, West to the Rest Records, in partnership with Triple Tigers Records.

Wyoming’s Ian Munsick Releases 4th Album — And First Under His Own Record Label

Wyoming country music star Ian Munsick has released his fourth studio album — and the first under his own label, West to the Rest Records. He took over a sold-out Cowboy Saloon in Laramie to introduce his new album, "The Mountain Goat."

Renée JeanSeptember 07, 2026

Many Native American tribes have legends of the "Thunder Bird," a giant bird that would soar high above the clouds. In 1890, a pair of cowboys claimed to have stumbled on a giant bird in the Arizona desert but skeptics now wonder if it was a hoax rather than a scientific discovery. Locals who claimed to have talked to these ranchers say that it was true though the creature only had a 30 foot wingspan, not 160 feet.

Wyoming History: Was Legend Rock Winged Monster Also Arizona’s ‘Thunderbird’?

Was the winged monster etched in sandstone at Legends Rock State Petroglyph Site in Wyoming also the "Thunderbird" seen in Arizona skies in 1890? A Tombstone newspaper reported it was, but there's no proof and today it lives on only in Plains Indian lore.

Jackie DorothySeptember 06, 2026

Ashli Jones and her boyfriend Kaden Jackson are amazed that someone was honest enough to return her lost wallet with its money and credit cards untouched. “All the cash was accounted for,” Jackson said. “Her ID. It was like it was never opened.”

Hooray! Good Samaritan Returns Casper Woman’s Lost Wallet With All Her Money

A Casper woman and her boyfriend searched all over the city for her lost wallet last week without any luck. Then they came home and found it in an envelope under their welcome mat — with all her money and credit cards untouched. "It was amazing," she said.

Kolby FedoreSeptember 06, 2026

UW Study: Climate Change Made Record Warm Winter ‘Four Times More Likely’

A new study co-authored by a University of Wyoming professor says climate change made this past record warm, dry winter “four times more likely.” Meteorologist Don Day says there was more going on than that, but the study is worth paying attention to.

Andrew RossiSeptember 06, 2026

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