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Tom Vernon was convicted of wrecking passenger trains near Cheyenne and Los Angeles, then robbing them in 1929. He also liked to tell tall tales, claiming he rode with Buffalo Bill, was the son of Cattle Kate and fought the Chinese in the Boxer Rebellion.

Wyoming History: Tom Vernon, The Man Who Wrecked Trains In Order To Rob Them

Tom Vernon wrecked at least two trains to rob passengers, used a number of aliases during his lifetime and spun tall tales so convincingly that newspapers across the country published them as if they were true. Most were not.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 07, 2026

Sam Harris, a Wyoming photographer and Army veteran, finds beauty in abandoned places, like the ghost town of Sage. His haunting photos capture history’s abandoned remnants while he enjoys the solitude.

Sam Harris: The Ghost Town Photographer Of Southwestern Wyoming

Sam Harris, a Wyoming photographer and Army veteran, finds beauty in abandoned places, like the ghost town of Sage. In Harris’ own words, the town was “born in the dust of 1881 when the Oregon Short Line laid its iron spine across the valley.”

Kate MeadowsMarch 07, 2026

Hope and Raleigh Henderson cuddle with their latest additions to their family.

Big Babies! Evanston Couple’s Twins Weigh In At More Than 18 Pounds

An Evanston couple is celebrating the latest additions to their family — fraternal twins who together weighed more than 18 pounds. The big babies were brought into the world naturally by 82-year-old midwife Chris Miller who has more than 4,000 babies to her credit.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 07, 2026

Anna-Louise Jackson (far right) getting chased by a shark in "Sharktana." This is a test photo of the shark effects the studio is working on.

What It’s Like To Get Killed By A Shark On A Montana Movie Set

Cowboy State Daily's Anna Jackson joined the cast of “Sharktana,” a shark horror-comedy filmed in snowy Montana, and landed a role as a shark victim. "My request to be killed by a shark had been noted. I was officially on the kill list," she writes.

Anna-Louise JacksonMarch 07, 2026

Retired University of Wyoming math professor John Rowland isn't slowing down. In fact, for his 92nd birthday, he strapped on his skis and headed down the runs at Snowy Range. Now in his 88th year of skiing,

Retired UW Math Professor Celebrates 92nd Birthday Skiing At Snowy Range

Retired University of Wyoming math professor John Rowland isn't slowing down. In fact, for his 92nd birthday, he strapped on his skis and headed down the runs at Snowy Range. Now in his 88th year of skiing, Rowland says he sticks mainly to the blue runs.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 06, 2026

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Wyoming's Snowpack Ranges From "Just Okay" to "Basically Horrible" As Winter Ends

After the warmest winter in Wyoming's recorded history, the quality of snowpack ranges from “just okay” to "a new record low" to “nonexistent." The state climate office isn't panicking but notes “We're looking at record low snowpack in several basins."

Andrew RossiMarch 05, 2026

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Montana Cowgirl Who Lost "Entire Life" Has Recovered 95% Of Gear From Stolen Trailer

Brittany Miller lost “her entire life” when her blue horse trailer was stolen in Billings on Jan. 31. Over a month later, she recovered her trailer and most of the $15,000-worth of items stored inside. “I’ve got about 95% of my stuff back," she said.

Andrew RossiMarch 03, 2026

In her last Hollywood on-screen role, Martha Sleeper of Meeteetse, Wyoming, played the role of Patsy’s mother in “The Bells of St. Mary’s” with Bing Crosby and William Gargan.

How A Meeteetse Sheep Rancher’s Daughter Became A Hollywood Movie Starlet

The daughter of a Meeteetse, Wyoming, sheep rancher, Martha Sleeper became a Hollywood starlet from the 1920s to 1940s. Trading the ranch for big city, she shared movie screens with film giants like John Wayne, Bing Crosby and Randolph Scott.

Jackie DorothyMarch 02, 2026

Jazz vocal group The Manhattan Transfer became a household name in 1981 with the release of their hit “Boy From New York City.” Cheyenne’s Trist Curless, far right, sang bass in the quartet for the last 10 years of their run.

The Cheyenne Man Who Sang Bass For The Manhattan Transfer

Jazz vocal group The Manhattan Transfer became a household name in 1981 with the release of their hit “Boy From New York City.” Cheyenne’s Trist Curless sang bass in the quartet for the last 10 years of their run.

Wendy CorrMarch 01, 2026

Only one specimen of Alcovasaurus has ever been found, named for the tiny Wyoming town of Alcova, where it was discovered more than 100 years ago. It almost went extinct again when a burst pipe destroyed most of the fossils at the University of Wyoming. The fossilized femur and plaster tail spike of Alcovasaurus in the collections of the University of Wyoming Geological Museum. Despite over a century of searching in the Morrison Formation, and millions of Late Jurassic fossils found, this is only Alcovasaurus fossil known to exist.

Alcovasaurus: The Wyoming Dinosaur That Almost Went Extinct Again After Discovery

Only one specimen of Alcovasaurus has ever been found, named for the tiny Wyoming town of Alcova, where it was discovered more than 100 years ago. It almost went extinct again when a burst pipe destroyed most of the fossils at the University of Wyoming.

Andrew RossiMarch 01, 2026

Actor Roy Rogers, the 'King of Cowboys', riding his horse Trigger in front of a group of school children at Harringay Stadium, London, March 20 1954. He's on his favorite of his own brand of plastic saddles.

Western Star Roy Rogers Preferred Plastic Saddles Made In Lusk, Wyoming

Roy Roger’s iconic red, white and blue saddle with its vibrant colors is not leather like many fans assume but a plastic saddle made in Lusk, Wyoming. The western star was so enthralled with them that he became a spokesman for the fledgling company.

Jackie DorothyMarch 01, 2026

If Wyomingites want to see the only total lunar eclipse of 2026, they’ll need to set their alarms for 4 a.m. Tuesday. And they might want to, as it will be blood red and the last until February 2027.

Set Your Alarm Clocks, Wyoming: Blood Red Lunar Eclipse At 4 a.m. Tuesday

The only total lunar eclipse of 2026 will happen early Tuesday morning. For Wyomingites, that means getting up at 4 a.m. Anyone who sleeps in will miss it all. The moon will set shortly before sunrise and before the eclipse is over. 

Andrew RossiMarch 01, 2026

Charles Cosby was a popular newspaperman in Wyoming when he ran for Albany County sheriff in 1927, winning easily. But just four months later, he was gunned after surprising a suspected car thief.

Wyoming History: Laramie Newspaperman-Turned-Sheriff Gunned Down In 1927

Charles Cosby was a popular newspaperman in Wyoming when he ran for Albany County sheriff in 1927, winning easily. But just four months later, he was gunned down after surprising a suspected car thief. The gunman did not shoot the deputy.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 01, 2026

Pete’s Roc N Rye used to a popular stop near Evanston on the old Lincoln Highway. Now it’s abandoned and slowly fading, more of a “wonder what that was” for passing motorists. But longtime locals still have fond memories of the place.

Pete’s Roc N Rye Club Was An Iconic Evanston-Area Bar On Old Lincoln Highway

Pete’s Roc N Rye Club used to a popular stop near Evanston on the old Lincoln Highway. Now it’s slowly fading, more of a “wonder what that was” for passing motorists. But longtime locals still have fond memories of the place.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 28, 2026

Former Rawlins Mayor Everett Mann on his 101st birthday at Cappy's Restaurant.

At 101, Former Rawlins Mayor, WW II Veteran And Candy Lover Is Living A Sweet Life

Everett Mann is a former mayor of Rawlins, a World War II veteran where he earned two Purple Hearts, and just celebrated his 101st birthday. He admits to being an optimist and said that the secret of his longevity "is eat everything you want … including candy.”

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 28, 2026

Singer, songwriter Michael DeGreve played at Cheyenne's Hitching Post for 30 years

Former Cheyenne Icon Michael DeGreve Battling Terminal Illness, Wants To Create More Music

With a terminal illness tightening its grip, Michael DeGreve, an icon at Cheyenne's Hitching Post for decades, wants to finish his last major work before the music stops. "Some of my best songs I’ve never even recorded. I've got work to do, brother."

Zakary SonntagFebruary 28, 2026

Sweetheart is a longhorn cow that's part of Jeff Ketcham's herd near Cheyenne. On Monday, she gave birth to a calf, keeping her streak of having at least one calf a year for 20 straight years.

Old Reliable: Sweetheart The Longhorn Cow Has Produced 20 Calves In 20 Years

Sweetheart, the longhorn cow, gave birth on Monday to her 20th calf in 20 years. Jeff Ketcham, a rancher near Cheyenne, says not only is Sweetheart reliable but easy to handle. “I’ve never had to pull a calf. I’ve never had to doctor them either," he said.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 28, 2026

Powell Man Banned From McDonald's After Driving Horses Through Drive-Thru

Powell Man Banned From McDonald's After Driving Horses, Wagon Through Drive-Thru

Powell resident Allen Hatch was banned from McDonald's earlier this week for driving his draft horses and wagon through the drive-thru. Although employees were excited to see them, the manager reportedly was not. “We've been 86ed from McDonald's,” he said.

Andrew RossiFebruary 26, 2026

Thermopolis residents Matthew and Lindy Be Hughes rent a vacation home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They were there on Sunday when the city exploded in violence; vengeful drug cartel gangsters went on a rampage after the government killed their leader.

Wyoming Couple Weathers Chaos In Puerto Vallarta, Has No Plans To Leave

A Thermopolis couple who rent a vacation home in Puerto Vallarta is doing fine after cartel violence rocked the city. “Sunday was a day from hell. We didn’t know what was going on," Lindy Be Hughes told Cowboy State Daily. The couple has no plans to leave.

Mark HeinzFebruary 24, 2026

Bondurant Valley

"The Next 6-8 Weeks Are Critical": Meteorologists See Hope For More Winter Weather

With less than a month left in the winter season, Wyoming is getting some much-needed snow in the mountains. Meteorologists believe there are encouraging signs for continued snowfall. "The next six to eight weeks are absolutely critical," Don Day said.

Andrew RossiFebruary 24, 2026

Dorothy Pontillo of Cheyenne had just turned a year old when she was diagnosed with cancer. The tumor had been lurking undetected in her body since conception, and it took months of treatment to remove the cancer.

Victory: Cheyenne Toddler Born With Cancer Spent First 18 Months Fighting For Life

Born with cancer, toddler Dorothy Pontillo suffered months of pain before an MRI found a massive tumor. Her parents’ persistence and help from a group that helps families with medical bills helped Dorothy survive. Now she's happy and pain-free.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 23, 2026

Lucas Rowley and staff at Rescue River work at their craft of making high-end fishing flies.

Casper Man Trades Tech Career For Rescuing Women In Uganda By Tying Fishing Flies

A Casper man traded his very successful tech career in Austin for a far different mission — rescuing sex-abused women in Uganda. He and his wife are teaching them to be self-sufficient by tying high-end fishing flies and selling them in the U.S.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 22, 2026

“A Deep Seat and a Long Rein” is a 15.5-foot-tall monument that stands in the new roundabout at Ivinson Avenue and 15th Street on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie.

The Story Behind Chris Navarro's 15-Foot Bronze Of Steamboat At U.W.

It took over a year for celebrated Wyoming bronze artist Chris Navarro to create the 15-foot sculpture of Steamboat located on the University of Wyoming campus. “It’s more than just a symbol of UW. It’s a symbol of Wyoming," Navarro said.

Andrew RossiFebruary 22, 2026

Brooke Latka was born and raised in Casper and classically trained as a violinist, but was drawn to the personality of country fiddle. For the past 17 years, she's been the fiddler for country music star Chancy Williams and his band.

How A Classically Trained Violinist From Casper Became Chancey Williams' Fiddler

Brooke Latka was born and raised in Casper and classically trained as a violinist, but was drawn to the personality of country fiddle. For the past 17 years, she's been the fiddler for country music star Chancey Williams and his band.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 22, 2026

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