Wyoming Life

Jim Good spent 10 years restoring a Cold War-era Soviet MiG-15 aircraft.

Meet Jim Good, Wyoming Pilot Who Once Rebuilt A Soviet MiG Fighter

Casper's Jim Good could fly and fix anything that could get into the air. In fact, he once rebuilt a Soviet MiG-15 fighter jet he bought from the Polish government, and raced a World War II turboprop.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 19, 2026

The dangerous and elusive "Swamp Moose" returned to the Bighorn National Forest over the Fourth of July weekend. It was actually 9-year-old Bridger Knox of Cheyenne wearing a ghillie suit with a moose antler on his head.

9-Year-Old Wyoming Boy Dresses Up As A 'Swamp Moose' Just To Confuse Tourists

A 9-year-old boy from Cheyenne dressed up in a ghillie suit with a lone moose antler sticking out of his head for the sole purpose of confusing hikers near Porcupine Falls in the Bighorn Mountains. He is proud to report it worked.

Andrew RossiJuly 19, 2026

The original Kaycee jail was built by a Johnson County Sheriff’s deputy who served the community at the turn of the past century.

Wyoming History: How A Thief Once Tried To Hide From The Law In The Kaycee Jail

The 125-year-old jail in Kaycee, Wyoming, once housed outlaws from the Wild Bunch era It was also where a thief hid from the law for several days. In the jail was the last place he figured anyone would look for someone trying not to get caught.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 19, 2026

April Jo Jones specializes in cleaning up hoarder houses. She says one of the first things she often hears from clients is, "Please don't judge me."

‘Please Don’t Judge Me’: Wyoming Woman Specializes In Cleaning Hoarder Houses

A Dubois woman who specializes in cleaning up hoarder houses says every cleanup begins with the same plea from clients not to judge them. She said growing up in a similar situation gave her the empathy to help people living in homes buried beneath clutter.

Kolby FedoreJuly 19, 2026

Harry Webb was a Wyoming cowboy hired to train horses for the Lubin Studios from 1912 to early 1915. He spent his time not just as the horse wrangler for the silver screen but also as a stuntman, extra actor and marksman.

Wyoming History: Silent Film Stuntman Got Start In Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show

A Wyoming cowboy learned life was more dangerous on movie sets in the early 1900s than riding broncs for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Harry Webb recounted how he barely survived his career as a stuntman for silent Westerns.

Jackie DorothyJuly 19, 2026

Jorja Sparks, a 15-year-old Lander, Wyoming, girl with Down syndrome, will be broadast on one of the huge video screens above the Dos Caminos restaurant in Father Duffy Square in New York City's Times Square.

Lander Girl To Be Featured On Giant Times Square Video Screen

A 15-year-old Lander girl will be featured on a giant screen in New York City’s Times Square as part of an annual fundraising event for the National Down Syndrome Society. “This is a huge honor and celebrates her achievements,” her mom said.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 18, 2026

Chloe O'Donnell, 7, already had decorations out at a local pizza place for her birthday party when all 15 kids invited to her party canceled. She wasn't alone long. Cody residents rallied after a Facebook post by her mom, who said the response "blew me away."

Hooray! Cody Residents Rally When No One Shows Up For 7-Year-Old's Birthday Party

When no one showed up for a Cody girl's 7th birthday party, her mom went to Facebook to see if anyone would swing by. That's when the town of Cody rallied. More than 150 people stopped by the local pizza place to wish Chloe a happy birthday.

Andrew RossiJuly 18, 2026

The Green River Rendezvous is a multi-day celebration of the historic mountain men rendezvous who explored the early Rocky Mountain West.

Green River Rendezvous: 200 Years Of The Ultimate Wilderness Swap Meet

The Green River Rendezvous is a multi-day celebration of the historic mountain men rendezvous that took place between 1825 and 1840. Its rodeo is the Goldilocks of the summer rodeo circuit — big enough to draw serious talent but maintains a uniquely local feel.

Zakary SonntagJuly 18, 2026

For the first time in more than a century, the “Daddy of ’em All” Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo won’t have slack competition. Many contestants say it just ain’t the same without it, and some even now call it “The Stepdaddy.”

Some Riders Say Cheyenne Frontier Days Isn't The Same After Eliminating Slack

For the first time in more than a century, Cheyenne Frontier Days won’t have slack competition, which is for overflow competitors. Although some are saddened by the move, the rodeo says it has outgrown its ability to handle the hundreds of extra riders.

Julie MankinJuly 18, 2026

Douglas photographer Mark Panasuk captured the old ranch house once built and owned by Wyoming’s Jim Edwards, one of the most prosperous black ranchers in the West.

Douglas Photographer Captures Historic Black Rancher’s Homestead Under Milky Way

A Douglas photographer found an old ranch building that caught his eye for a night shot. He found out it was once owned by one of most prosperous black ranchers in the West. “No man will ever run Jim Edwards off of his land,” the rancher once told a reporter.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 18, 2026

B. Wayne Hughes Jr. speaks at Friday's grand opening of the Morning Star American Indian Village at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Friday, July 17, 2026. The village was built with $10 million from the Hughes Foundation.

‘The Way It Should Be’: New $10M Indian Village Opens At Cheyenne Frontier Days

The new $10 million Morning Star American Indian Village opened Friday for the first day of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Visitors said they were astonished by the transformation. "I got emotional, because this is so amazing," a Native American visitor said.

Greg JohnsonJuly 17, 2026

Video screengrab of motorhome barreling down Teton Pass on Wednesday, July 16, 2026

Holy Cow: Motorhome Appears To Lose Brakes On Teton Pass, Motorist Captures Video

A routine drive over Teton Pass turned into a white-knuckle spectacle Wednesday when an RV appeared to lose its brakes and barreled downhill, weaving through traffic before somehow reaching the bottom without crashing. One motorist captured the video.

Kolby FedoreJuly 17, 2026

‘We’re In Trouble’: East Thermopolis Floods After 4.5 Inches Of Rain In An Hour

A wall of water surged through East Thermopolis late Wednesday, stranding people and breaking a gas main after 4.5 inches of rain fell in an hour near the town. "You need to send rescue out here. We’re in trouble,” one resident said when he called 911.

Jackie DorothyJuly 16, 2026

Flash Flood Damages Bridge, Cuts Off Only Access For Park County Residents

Park County officials say a Wednesday flash flood nearly destroyed a bridge over the Shoshone River and cut off access for some county residents. “We watched a wall of debris build up and surging muddy water begin to overflow the banks,” said one witness.

Andrew RossiJuly 16, 2026

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

Cowboy State Daily reporter Kerry Drake covered the July 16, 1979 Cheyenne tornado for the Wyoming State Tribune newspaper. Now, 47 years later, Kerry discusses how he and his colleague reported on the deadly tornado, the biggest to ever hit the state.

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

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