Wyoming Life
News

Rudy “Butch” Stanko: The Wyoming Maverick Who Ended Montana’s No Speed Limit Era
Back when there was no speed limit in Montana, highways there were known as the “Montanabahn.” Then along came a stubborn cattle hustler from Wyoming named Rudy “Butch” Stanko, whose lead foot and hard head inadvertently brought the no-speed limit era to an end.
David MadisonSeptember 13, 2025

UW Student Paper Called Out For Quote Saying Kirk ‘Deserved' To Be Shot
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus called out the University of Wyoming student newspaper The Branding Iron on Friday for an anonymous quote in a story that said Charlie Kirk “deserved” to be shot.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 13, 2025

That Soul-Penetrating Thunder From F/A-18s Taking Off In Casper? Get Used To It
Aviation groupies who love to ooh and ahh at anything cool with wings, there’s nothing like the bone-shaking rumble of a fighter jet taking off. A pair of F/A-18 Hornets hot refueling and taking off Tuesday wasn’t just loud, it was “an experience.”
Greg JohnsonSeptember 11, 2025

UW Football Fans Frustrated By Long Lines To Get Into Game
A number of University of Wyoming football fans were frustrated with long lines at War Memorial Stadium for Saturday's home opener. University officials are working to rectify the situation ahead of a major matchup with 20th-ranked University of Utah.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 11, 2025

Lightning Cancels UW Band At Broncos Game Seconds Before Halftime Show
The University of Wyoming Western Thunder Marching Band was on the sideline ready to perform at halftime of Sunday’s Broncos home opener at Empower Field at Mile High. Then lightning in the area cleared the field and canceled the show.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 08, 2025

Why A Huge Blue Spruce In Casper Neighborhood Is ‘Maxine’s Tree'
There is a tree in a Casper neighborhood with roots that run deeper than the Alzheimer’s that eventually took the woman who grew up there. They follow the memories of a mother named Maxine who never gave up on the tree or on life.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 08, 2025

Two Weeks Into Cellphone Ban At Evanston High School: 'Kids Aren't Phone Zombies’
Like a growing number of schools across Wyoming, Evanston High School has banned cellphones in classrooms. Two weeks into the new school year, teachers report that “kids aren’t phone zombies now, they are humans."
Don CoggerSeptember 07, 2025

5 Years After Saving Sister From Dog Attack, Bridger Walker Likes Being A ‘Normal Boy'
Bridger Walker of Cheyenne was 6 in 2020 when he made international headlines for rescuing his younger sister from a vicious dog attack. Five years later, he’s now 11 and likes just being a “normal boy” — who calls Bo Jackson "Uncle Bo" and may just have an action figure modeled after him.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 07, 2025

Clock Ticking For 133-Year-Old Cheyenne Pumphouse, Which Needs $4M Restoration
Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse was built in 1892, and now stands neglected as those who want to save it are racing against the clock — and city priorities. It needs a $4 million restoration, but so far nobody seems interested.
Renée JeanSeptember 06, 2025

Massive, Near-Complete Mammoth Skeleton Discovered In Natural Trap Cave
The latest discovery in Natural Trap Cave in the Bighorn Mountains, considered one of the world's premier Ice Age fossil sites, is the nearly complete skeleton of a massive mammoth. Getting out of the 85-foot-deep hole will be cold, wet work.
Andrew RossiSeptember 06, 2025

‘The King Is Back’: Three Years After His Death, New Luke Bell Album Announced
Three years after rising country music star Luke Bell died, more than two-dozen of the promising Cody, Wyoming, artist’s songs are being released. Sales will benefit those who struggle with the same depression and darkness that claimed him at 32.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 06, 2025

Buffalo To Wyoming: Thanks For Josh Allen, And Welcome To The 'Bills Mafia'
Since former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen was the No. 1 draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2018, many Wyomingites have adopted the team as their own. In return, Buffalo has bonded with Wyoming, welcoming its fans into their rabid “Bills Mafia."
Anna-Louise JacksonSeptember 06, 2025

Wheatland Beekeeper Devastated After Bear Ransacks His Hives
A Wheatland beekeeper has installed an electric fence and surveillance after his hives were ransacked this week. A tuft of fur points to a hungry bear, which he fears will return to get the rest of his honey.
Jackson WalkerSeptember 05, 2025

Rock Springs Loaf 'N Jug Store Sells $2 Million Powerball Winner
Someone bought a Powerball ticket worth $2 million at a Loaf 'N Jug in Rock Springs. That winning ticket was drawn during Wednesday night’s $1.4 billion drawing. A clerk at the store told Cowboy State Daily that she didn't really care because she didn't win.
Jimmy OrrSeptember 05, 2025

Josh Allen To Become First UW Football Player To Have Number Retired
Former University of Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen will return to Laramie on Nov. 22 to have his jersey retired. The ceremony will mark the first official jersey retirement in Cowboys football history.
David MadisonSeptember 04, 2025

Wyoming Author Craig Johnson Remembers Actor Graham Greene, Who Died Monday
Wyoming author Craig Johnson fondly remembered actor Graham Greene, who died on Monday. Greene played a recurring villain on Johnson’s hit TV series “Longmire.” "He was utterly charming," Johnson said.
Renée JeanSeptember 02, 2025

Wyoming Will Lose More Than An Hour Of Daylight Before Fall Officially Starts
Your eyes aren't deceiving you, it's getting dark a lot earlier as the first half of September is when we lose daylight the fastest. Between now and the start of autumn, Wyoming will lose about an hour and 10 minutes of daylight.
Andrew RossiSeptember 02, 2025

Former National Park Service Chief Rob Wallace Honored With Conservation Award
Wyoming native Rob Wallace is an obvious choice for a prestigious Teton Science Schools conservation award, the organization says. Wallace oversaw the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during President Trump’s first administration.
Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2025

Cheyenne Couple Gets Help Solving Mystery Of Stolen Diapers
A box of diapers was stolen from a delivery order made by Friday a young mother newly moved to Cheyenne. She never expected to ever get the stolen diapers back, let alone have people rally to solve the caper.
Renée JeanSeptember 01, 2025

After Saving Their Herds, Wyoming Ranchers Feed Hundreds Of Firefighters
As the 125,000-acre Red Canyon Fire threatened their herds and livelihoods, Wyoming ranchers scrambled to save them. Then they cooked up a storm to feed hundreds of firefighters also working to save them.
Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2025

Wyoming History: Bill Nye (Not The Science Guy) And His Mule Named Boomerang
Long before there was Bill Nye the Science Guy there was Laramie, Wyoming, newspaperman Bill Nye, one of the leading humorists of the late 19th century. His little orphan mule named Boomerang inspired him when life didn’t seem so funny.
Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2025

Cowgirl To Cancer: Wyoming Songwriter Who Once Opened For Reba Now On Comeback
Jess Camilla O’Neal once opened for Reba McEntire, then a life-altering accident and stage 4 cancer derailed her career. Now the Wyoming cowgirl is making music again and is on the comeback trail.
Jackie DorothySeptember 01, 2025

Mountain Guide Who Once Summited Everest Twice In 7 Days Checking Out US Peaks
A 53-year-old Nepalese mountain guide visiting Casper is checking out some of the most challenging U.S. peaks. He once summited Mount Everest twice in seven days.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 01, 2025

Meet Thunder & Lightning, The Bulls That Lead Wyoming’s Iconic State Bison Herd
For more than a century, Wyoming’s official bison herd has roamed the grasslands around Thermopolis. Until this year, the 15-head herd was led by a pair of unnamed, nearly identical bulls. Now they’re officially named Thunder and Lightning.
Jackie DorothyAugust 31, 2025
