Wyoming Life

Kaden Horrocks of Utah, riding a King Rodeo Co. bronc at the 2024 Frozen Fury Bronc Futurity hosted by the Hell on Wheels Rodeo Company of Cheyenne.

Started When Cheyenne Frontier Days Was Canceled, Popular Hell On Wheels Rodeo Still Going Strong

In 2020, when Cheyenne Frontier Days was canceled because of COVID-19, Cindy DeLancey and her family launched the Hell on Wheels rodeo. Five summers later, their open rodeos are still being held beginning June 6, leading up to Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Jackie DorothyMarch 08, 2025

A massive decade-long research study into the 5,000-year history of Wyoming prehistoric people is complete. Known as Paleoindians, they have a lot in common with Wyomingites today — fiercely independent, adaptable to harsh environments and adept hunters.

Massive 10-Year Effort Compiles 5,000 Years Of Wyoming’s Prehistoric People

Now we know more than ever about the Paleoindians after an exhaustive 10-year effort to compile 5,000 years of Wyoming’s prehistory into a book. It's the most comprehensive compilation of knowledge about Wyoming's prehistoric people.

Andrew RossiMarch 08, 2025

Image from the rescue of Kevin Dye shown at a gathering honoring Rocky Mountain Rescue Group in 2022.

Wyoming History: The Lost 9-Year-Old Who Eluded Casper Mountain Search For 11 Days

In 1971, a 9-year-old boy made national headlines when he wandered away from a pingpong game on Casper Mountain. A search team from Colorado finally found him after the boy eluded searchers for 11 days. As a result, Casper formed its own search and rescue squad.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 08, 2025

An 85-foot-tall eastern cottonwood in Nebraska is the biggest of its kind in the United States. Wyoming doesn't have a champion yet, the giant in a neighbor state is inspiring Wyoming tree growers.

85-Foot Cottonwood In Nebraska Named National Champ For Being Largest In Country

Yes, national champion trees are a reality. An 85-foot-tall eastern cottonwood in Nebraska has been named the national champion for being the largest of its kind. It's tougher to compete in Wyoming because of the climate although we've had some national champions in the past.

Andrew RossiMarch 08, 2025

The handicap-accessible walkway beckons visitors to come in out of winter and explore Wyoming's only year-round tropical paradise.

No Exaggeration: Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Is Tropical Oasis In Middle Of Winter

Although it sounds like hyperbole, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens really is a tropical oasis. There are lychee trees and mango, pineapple and banana, papaya, sugar cane, coffee, and cacao trees. They come from all over the world.

Renée JeanMarch 08, 2025

About 600 people showed up in Franklin, Indiana, for Wyoming author C.J. Box and the release of his new Joe Pickett novel "Battle Mountain," which is No. 1 on The New York Times list of bestsellers.

Wyoming Author C.J. Box’s New Novel Is No. 1 On New York Times Bestsellers List

“Battle Mountain,” the latest novel in Wyoming author C.J. Box’s popular Joe Pickett series, debuts as No. 1 on The New York Times bestsellers list.

Renée JeanMarch 07, 2025

Wyoming's own Ian Munsick will headline the first night show of the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days lineup. He'll perform July 18, along with Travis Tritt.

Night Show Lineup: Wyoming’s Ian Munsick To Headline At Cheyenne Frontier Days

Sheridan’s Ian Munsick will be the first Wyoming native to headline a night show at Cheyenne Frontier Days, it was announced Thursday. Chancey Williams also returns, along with country stars Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn and Travis Tritt.

Renée JeanMarch 07, 2025

Craig Johnson has won the Owen Wister award the American West's highest writing honor.

Longmire Author Craig Johnson Wins Wister Award, Highest Western Writing Honor

Wyoming's Craig Johnson, author of the "Longmire" series, is the 2025 winner of the Owen Wister Award. It's the highest honor given by Western Writers of America in recognition of lifetime contributions to the genre.

Renée JeanMarch 06, 2025

Megan Giatroudakis owns Collector's Hub in downtown Cheyenne. Although she has some pretty pricey Pokémon cards — including one for $400 — they don't hold a candle to the Charizard Cheeto that sold for $88,000 Sunday.

Wyoming Collectors Can’t Believe Someone Paid $88,000 For A Cheeto

Collectors and Pokémon fans in Cheyenne say they can’t believe someone paid almost $88,000 at an auction for a Cheeto. The anonymous buyer was among 60 bidders in an online sale of the Cheeto offered by Goldin Auctions.

Greg JohnsonMarch 06, 2025

Full Lunar Eclipse Directly Over Wyoming Will Make Moon Look Blood-Red

A total lunar eclipse just after midnight March 14 will be positioned directly over Wyoming, which means Wyomingites will have an excellent view of the all-night event. It’ll be hard to miss — the moon will look blood-red.

Andrew RossiMarch 05, 2025

A South Pass slowdown during a winter storm in early February. South Pass and other high elevation areas could get over 20 inches of wet, heavy snow between Wednesday night and Friday morning.

Winter Surge Could Dump 20 Inches Of Snow On Parts Of Wyoming

Nearly all of Wyoming will see snow sometimes between Wednesday night through Friday from an incoming wet winter storm. The surge could dump as much as 20 inches on Casper Mountain and South Pass, and a foot in central and northwest Wyoming.

Andrew RossiMarch 05, 2025

Dubois Double-Amputee Wrestler Wins State Championship

Sammie Cyrus, a senior double-amputee wrestler from Dubois High School, capped his career as a state champion. Cyrus won the Class 2A 106-pound division during this past weekend at the Wyoming state tournament in Casper.

Andrew RossiMarch 04, 2025

Young students at Best of the Rest Steer Riders in Sheridan learn the fine points of roughtstock riding and staying on steers.

Before They Become Bull Riders, Wyoming Rodeo Kids Learn On Steers

Rodeo is a way of life for many Wyoming families, which means kids are learning to ride and rope almost as soon as they can walk. Before they become bull riders, these budding stars learn on steers.

Hunter McDaniel for Cowboy State DailyMarch 03, 2025

Record-breaking snowstorm in Cheyenne on March 14, 2021

Southeast Wyoming To Get Blasted By Heavy Snow And 55MPH Winds On Monday

A fast-moving low-pressure system centering on southeast Wyoming could dump several inches of snow in Cheyenne and Laramie late Monday. Winds could top 55 mph during the snowstorm. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued.

Andrew RossiMarch 02, 2025

When they roamed the earth, Tyrannosaurs and Triceratops would’ve been mortal enemies. But millions of years later at an international museum in Canada, they’re working out their differences over their own larger-than-life tea party.

It's A Real Job: “Dinosaur Erection Specialist” Positions Dino Skeletons At Museum

Ry Williams is a self-described “dinosaur erection specialist” who’s a lot like a window dresser at a department store, except instead of arranging mannequins he poses and positions delicate, huge and ancient dinosaur skeletons -- many of which are from Wyoming.

Andrew RossiMarch 02, 2025

At sunset, this boot by Catherine Johnson Morris starts to look a lot like a giant boot made of real leather, even though it's really made of sand.

The Woman Behind The Gigantic Sand Sculptures At Glendo

A Casper woman’s addiction to building intricate sand sculptures takes her all over America. But she practices in her home state at Glendo, where she built a 6-foot-tall cowboy boot (which is still standing). She says Wyoming sand is the best.

Renée JeanMarch 02, 2025

Englishman Mike Bell didn’t start out to become an expert on Butch Cassidy and Wyoming outlaws. But his research led him to writing several books on this very topic and sharing his love of the Wyoming west in his home country.

The English Westerner Society: Brits Obsessed with Wyoming, Outlaws And All Things Cowboy

The English Westerner Society started in the 1950s to give American West enthusiasts in England a place to talk about their favorite topic. Mike Bell is one of those British enthusiasts. He has written several books on Butch Cassidy and Wyoming outlaws.

Jackie DorothyMarch 02, 2025

Left: Japanese waltzing mice crawl all over 18-year-old Pat Palmer, who worked at a pet shop in the 1950s. Right: A portrait of Abbie Lathrop by Jesus Romero.

Wyoming History: When The Waltzing Mouse Was The Most Popular Pet In America

More than a century ago, the waltzing mouse exploded as the most popular pet in America. Now we know these spazzed-out tiny rodents have a neurological disorder, but then they were beloved for their “dancing.”

Jackie DorothyMarch 02, 2025

Deanna Cotten holds up the author’s copy of her book that is in its final revisions. She hopes it will help people facing an end-of-life crisis.

Glenrock Woman Spends Final Days In Hospice Writing Book, Getting Tattoos

A 43-year-old Glenrock mother of four, wife and business owner is facing her final days at a Casper hospice. She's got a 'bucket list' of things to do before she dies, which includes finishing her book and completing an inspirational tattoo sleeve of her left arm.

Dale KillingbeckMarch 01, 2025

White Mountain Handprints Near Rock Springs Unlike Any Other Petroglyphs

While there are hundreds of inscribed petroglyphs at the White Mountain Petroglyph Site north of Rock Springs, the deep handprints gouged into a sandstone pillar are unlike anything else. Scientists are struggling to understand them.

Andrew RossiMarch 01, 2025

Barb Tomes Vietti is passionate about history in her hometown of Thermopolis and admits to going down a rabbit hole when she started investigating the history behind the Smoky Row Cemetery. Her research has revealed that the cemetery has three graves, not the six to 10 that legend had claimed.

Where Are The Six Bodies Missing From Wyoming’s Smoky Row Cemetery?

As many as nine people were long believed to have been buried in the historic 1890 Smoky Row Cemetery in Hot Springs State Park in Wyoming. Now ground-penetrating radar shows six of them aren’t there, so where are the missing Smoky Row bodies?

Jackie DorothyMarch 01, 2025

Angelcyn Heall during the summer in Happy Valley near Cheyenne. It's built as a historic English mead hall.

Cheyenne Man Builds His Dream House: Throwback Medieval English Mead Hall

Cyning Meadowcroft built his dream home in Happy Valley near Cheyenne using a near-extinct construction method called a "cruck" to build it. The former Brit built the medieval English mead hall home by himself and trucked two old-growth oak trees 2,000 miles round-trip to begin the project.

Renée JeanMarch 01, 2025

Girl Scouts Push Back On Claim That Cookies Have Unsafe Levels Of Weed-Killer Chemical

Going up against Joe Rogan is no easy task, but that's what the Girl Scouts are doing after he discussed a study that called its cookies "toxic." The Girl Scouts of Wyoming and Montana told Cowboy State Daily the cookies are "very safe to eat."

David MadisonMarch 01, 2025

In this screenshot from video, a Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office Detention Center employee reacts after his can of soda slides on the desk without being touched.

Boooo! Soda Can Moving On Its Own Captured On Video At Sweetwater County Jail

A soda can moving on its own was caught on video earlier this week at the Sweetwater County Detention Center in Rock Springs. Workers there say it's the latest evidence that the facility is haunted.