Wyoming Life

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

'Explosive Diarrhea' Parasite Reaches Wyoming As Health Officials Seek Source

Wyoming has confirmed three cases of a parasite known for causing explosive weekslong diarrhea, cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, and more. The likely source is imported fresh produce, Wyoming epidemiologist Matt Peterson says.

Kolby FedoreJuly 08, 2026

Matthew Lynch is recovering at home days after a Fourth of July firecracker explosion severely injured both of his hands (left). Matthew Lynch performs just hours before a firework exploded in his hands (right)

After Blowing Off Most Of His Hand, Gillette Musician Vows He'll Play Guitar Again

Matthew Lynch lost most of his right hand in a fireworks explosion on July 4. But the Gillette carpenter, potter and musician is counting his blessings and refusing to give up on his electric-guitar dreams. "It's going to be awesome," Lynch said.

Kolby FedoreJuly 07, 2026

"Threat Valley Massacre" is a campy horror-comedy-slasher mashup that debuts at this week’s Wyoming International Film Festival.

Wyoming Film Fest Features Horror-Comedy-Slasher Epic With Puppets, 11 Others

A campy horror-comedy-slasher mashup that debuts at this week’s Wyoming International Film Festival has an unexpected twist — it’s all puppets. “Threat Valley Massacre” is “probably the most hilarious film we’re playing this year," said an organizer.

Kerry DrakeJuly 06, 2026

Benton was literally a Hell on Wheels town. In 1868, the Union Pacific Railroad had two to four miles of track laid a day and an entire town would follow these tracks as they pushed deeper into the Wyoming Territory. Not only saloons, but banks and grocery stores followed the crews that were building the railroad. These towns were virtually lawless and shootings were common occurrences according to the newspapers that also followed the railroad.

Wyoming History: 100 Murders In 3 Months, Lawless Benton Was ‘Bred By The Devil’

Of the Wyoming Territory towns that arrived on wheels along the Union Pacific Railroad, none were as tawdry, bawdry and lawless as Benton, which witnessed as many as 100 murders in its three-month lifespan. Benton, it was said, was "bred by the devil."

Jackie DorothyJuly 05, 2026

Parker Williams, 20, right, and his friend Seth Siebert spent about four days building their version of the iconic Dumb and Dumber Mutt Cutts sheepdog van.

Powell Man Turns $3,000 Van Into ‘Dumb And Dumber’ Mutt Cutts Shaggin’ Wagon

A Powell man who built a "Dumb And Dumber" Mutt Cutts van replica with his best friend says it turns heads everywhere they drive it. Bad weather presents a challenge, he said. When the 8,000-pound carpeted dog got caught in the rain, he had to shampoo it.

Kolby FedoreJuly 05, 2026

Each tank offers a different slice of American history, spanning an 80-year period.

Dubois’ One-Of-A-Kind Military Tank Parade Celebrates America's 250th

On America’s 250th, Dubois did something few towns in America can do — fielding a parade with more than two dozen military tanks and vehicles spanning 80 years of U.S. history. "It’s the most unique parade in America,” said one patriotic-feeling parade-goer.

Renée JeanJuly 05, 2026

Veterinarians at a Riverton animal clinic work to amputate the right front leg of Toa, a puppy rescued in Ethete after some children reportedly tied a fishing line around his leg.

Cheyenne Clinic 300 Miles Away Has Rescued 3,000 Wyoming Roaming Reservation Dogs

With no veterinary clinics or animal shelters, roaming dogs are a problem on the Wind River Indian Reservation. A Cheyenne clinic 300 miles away has rescued 3,000 stray pets from the reservation since 2017.

Kerry DrakeJuly 05, 2026

Even without the famous “Bright Spot,” Hiland, Wyoming, isn't a ghost town — just ask the 10 or so people still living there in the middle of nowhere between Casper and Shoshoni. “I am not too good with towns," said one resident about Hiland's appeal.

Hiland, Wyoming, Is Not A Ghost Town — Just Ask The 10 People Living There

Even without the Bright Spot country store and lounge, Hiland, Wyoming, isn't a ghost town — just ask the 10 people still living there in the middle of nowhere between Casper and Shoshoni. In fact, the woman who inherited the store hopes to reopen it.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 05, 2026

Maelie Teuscher, 6, is one of the Sweetwater County kids getting some brisk business from thirsty Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office deputies this summer.

Why Sweetwater County Sheriff's Deputies Make It A Point To Support Lemonade Stands

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office is making it a point to support lemonade stands in the community. Deputy Zach Otte said that children assume a patrol car means someone is in trouble. The lemonade patrol is about changing perceptions, he said.

Kate MeadowsJuly 04, 2026

At Gillette's Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. After, most of the town heads over to Bicentennial Park for games, to get sprayed down by the fire department, and eat free hot dogs.

Gillette Celebrates Fourth Of July With Flyovers, Parade And 4,000 Free Hot Dogs

Although fire danger killed Gillette’s annual fireworks show, it didn’t stop the city from celebrating America’s 250th like it’s always celebrated the Fourth of July — loud, proud, and with thousands of free hot dogs. "I love hot dogs," U.S. Sen John Barrasso said.

Julie MankinJuly 04, 2026

John Bugas was a Wamsutter ranch kid in the 1920s who went on to earn a law degree from the University of Wyoming and became a noted FBI agent capturing a most-wanted fugitive. He then was recruited to help get rid of Henry Ford’s right-hand man, who many considered a thug.

Wyoming History: Remarkable Life Of Wamsutter's John Bugas — FBI Star, Busted Nazis

John Bugas was a Wamsutter ranch kid who became an FBI agent and caught the nation's most-wanted man in 1936. Then, as the special agent in charge in Detroit, he took down a Nazi spy ring. He went on to protect the Henry Ford family from kidnappers.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 04, 2026

Billy the Kid is just tone of the outlaws this Wanted Dead or Alive Harley-Davidson highlights. The bike's theme was created by retired Torrington lawman Randy Giles.

Retired Wyoming Lawman’s Outlaw Harley Turns Heads Across West

After retired Torrington lawman Randy Giles totaled his Harley, he didn’t walk away from it. The former auto body repairman turned it into a Western-themed town marshal’s show bike. His outlaw Harley has been beating big-name builders in shows across the West.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2026

Lisa Sheets Kealey honors the legacy of her mother, Hope Sheets, as "The Pink Lady" in the 2026 Cody Stampede Parade.

Cody’s ‘Pink Lady’ Back In Stampede Parade As Daughter Continues 40-Year Legacy

Hope Sheets was a fixture for four decades in the Cody Stampede Parade as the “Pink Lady.” More than a year after her death, her daughter has stepped into the iconic pink dress to keep the tradition alive. "I'm doing my version of my mom," she said.

Kolby FedoreJuly 04, 2026

Alta farmer Steve Green grows hay and barley on his family’s homestead.

Alta, Wyoming: The Town Cut Off From The Rest Of The State By Idaho & Mountains

Residents of remote Alta, Wyoming, say they don't feel disconnected even though the only way to get to the rest of Wyoming (outside of riding a horse or hiking over the mountain) is a 20-mile drive through Idaho and over Teton Pass.