Wyoming Life
News
A New COVID-19 Booster Is Coming Out; Don’t Expect Many Wyomingites To Get It
A new COVID-19 booster vaccine is coming out this fall, but don’t expect many people in Wyoming to get it. That falls in line with a new survey that says most Americans won’t either.
Jackson WalkerAugust 05, 2025
Douglas 18-Year-Old Turning Heads With Her Wildlife Art
From the days she could pick up a pencil and a piece of paper, Maggie Booth’s love for horses — and drawing them and other animals — has been a consuming passion. Her wildlife art is already turning heads and winning awards.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 04, 2025
Travel Wyoming: Old Faithful Inn Is Still Architectural Icon Of National Park Service
121 years after it opened in 1904, Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park is not only still standing, it’s an icon and model for National Park buildings across the nation. It even inspired a whole classification of building design—“parkitecture.”
Andrew RossiAugust 03, 2025
Growing Up Rodeo In Wyoming Means Riding In Miniature Roughstock Events
Generations of Wyoming kids have been raised by the Cowboy Code and a rodeo lifestyle. They’re also cutting their teeth competing in miniature roughstock rodeo — like the one this past week at the Weston County Fair in Newcastle.
Renée JeanAugust 03, 2025
Living In A Van Down By The River: Why Cody Woman Loves Living In A Van
Cody native Megan Anderson is up before sunrise Friday, researching the financial markets for her job as vice president of client relations for a real estate firm. Her office is a Ford Transit van she’s lived in for the better part of a year.
Zakary SonntagAugust 03, 2025
Wyoming Man Discovers Grandfather’s Colt .44 Is A Notorious Outlaw Gun
A Wyoming man has discovered a family heirloom — an ivory-handled Colt .44 revolver — is a part of Old West outlaw history thought to be lost. It was owned by a notorious horse thief who was killed in a shootout with his grandfather.
Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2025
Newcastle Welcomes Bikers As Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Begins
Newcastle doesn’t go all out like some towns that are on the road to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. But it still gets plenty of motorcycle riders on their “hogs” exploring Wyoming’s Black Hills on their way to the rally.
Renée JeanAugust 02, 2025
Why Criminals At Fort Bridger Preferred A Jail Cell To The Punishment Horse
In the 1860s, the "punishment horse" at Fort Bridger was a brutal and feared form of discipline. Today, it's the most popular attraction because people quickly learn why prisoners preferred a jail cell to sitting on the wooden horse.
Andrew RossiAugust 02, 2025
Cheyenne Artist Uses 2 Booms, $400-A-Gallon Paint To Paint 80-Foot Water Tank Murals
Cheyenne artist Jordan Dean is painting giant 60-to-70-foot horses as the centerpiece of stunning murals on two water tank north of town. It takes two giant boom lifts, a projector and $400-a-gallon paint.
Renée JeanAugust 02, 2025
Wyoming Radio Legend Overcoming Disfiguring Surgeries From Battles With Cancer
A familiar voice across Cheyenne airwaves for decades, Larry Proietti is still overcoming numerous cancer surgeries that has left him disfigured. With resilience and grit, the veteran broadcaster continues to inspire on and off the mic.
Zakary SonntagAugust 02, 2025
Sudden Death Of Casper 21-Year-Old In Rollover Leaves Family Devastated
The sudden death of a 21-year-old Casper man has left his family devastated. Braeden Rayner was traveling on I-25 Sunday when the SUV he was in rolled. A year ago, he prophetically posted to Facebook how life can end “in the blink of an eye.”
Dale KillingbeckJuly 29, 2025
Cheyenne Man Pulls 9 Gs With Thunderbirds, Then Takes A Nap
Cheyenne’s Bryan “Alf” Grzegorczyk had planned a celebratory drink following his once-in-a-lifetime Thunderbirds flight to salute everyone who nominated him for the honor. But after flying at 9 Gs, all Alf could manage was a celebratory nap.
Renée JeanJuly 28, 2025
New Book On Deadwood By Accomplished Historian Will Dispel Myths, He Says
Accomplished historian Peter Cozzens latest book focuses on Deadwood, South Dakota between 1876 and 1879. He says those who watched the HBO series will “be surprised.” Spoiler alert: the HBO version wasn't exactly accurate when it came to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 27, 2025
At Camp Courage Wyoming, Kids Living With Cancer Can Just Be Kids
Kids living with cancer, tumors and other life-threatening ailments often have to grow up quickly to deal with some very adult things. At Camp Courage in Dubois, Wyoming, they get to put cancer on the back burner for awhile and just be kids.
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025
Former Yellowstone Bus Driver Solves Mystery While Restoring 90-Year-Old Coach
Despite little evidence that the 90-year-old White 706 bus in David Swingle's driveway was a Yellowstone coach, he had a hunch it was authentic. He drove them back in the 1960s. Through tremendous amounts of sleuthing, he proved his hunch was right.
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025
80 Years After His Dad Fought On Iwo Jima, Dan Starks Makes Rare Visit To Island
National Museum of Military Vehicles owner Dan Starks took a rare trip to Iwo Jima earlier this year. He has new respect for the soldiers who fought there 80 years ago during World War II — including his own father.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025
Couple Steals Show With Surprise Proposal During Cheyenne Frontier Days Concert
Romance wasn’t in the air when Brandon Boyer and Shilee Calhoun met, but they fell in love anyway. That led to a surprise proposal that stole the spotlight for a moment during Ian Munsick’s Cheyenne Frontier Days concert.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025
Huge Milk Bottle Collection Traces 175 Years Of Wyoming’s Rich Dairy History
Steve Wallace grew up milking cows on a dairy farm, but now he’s milking Wyoming history for all it’s worth. The Casper man’s huge milk bottle collection traces 175 years of Wyoming’s rich dairy history.
Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2025
After A Decade-Long Closure, 29 Miles of Mormon Trail Through Wyoming Reopens
After a decade-long hiatus, a 29-mile section of the Mormon Trail through Wyoming was recently fully reopened. It means members of the LDS church can make the historic two-day trek along the trail in period clothing pulling handcarts.
Mark HeinzJuly 27, 2025
Yoder Cowgirl Says National High School Rodeo Title A Testament To Her Rodeo Family
Hadley Thompson of Yoder, Wyoming, won the National High School Finals Rodeo women’s all-around title last weekend. She said her passion for the sport comes from hours of practice and a family dedicated to rodeo .
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025
The Oil Field Worker Behind Casper Planet, Wyoming’s Most Popular Fake News
When Casper Planet founder Justin Hathaway wrote a story about a semitruck spilling hundreds of king cobras on I-25, it made international headlines. His satirical page continues to outrage and fool people, which only fuels his desire to keep it going.
Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2025
Women Bronc Riders Break All The Rodeo Stereotypes
From bruised riders to seasoned champions, women ranch bronc riders are breaking all the rodeo stereotypes. They compete in a dangerous sport, challenge decades of exclusion and prove they’re not costume cowgirls.
Zakary SonntagJuly 27, 2025
‘Yellowstone’ Actor Mo Brings Plenty Advises On New Frontier Days Indian Village
“Yellowstone” television series actor Mo Brings Plenty is helping shape the new Morning Star Indian Village, a multimillion-dollar project at Cheyenne Frontier Days set for completion in 2026.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025
Gold Prospecting More Than Flash-In-The Pan Hobby For Worland Man
Steve Brazelton was 10 when he first panned for gold with a tin pan borrowed from his mom. But it wasn’t until he found his first nugget that he “was hooked." The Worland man says his favorite spot in Wyoming is South Pass but there are plenty of places to find "decent gold."
Amber SteinmetzJuly 26, 2025
Alan O'Hashi: My Days As A Carny At Cheyenne Frontier Days
Alan O'Hashi writes, "When I was a newspaper columnist in Lander, I wondered what it was like to work in a carnival, so I decided to give it a try at Cheyenne Frontier Days. It turned out, I’m pretty good at getting people to give me a dollar for nothing."
Alan O'HashiJuly 26, 2025
What Do Locals Do At Cheyenne Frontier Days? Play CFD Bingo
Cheyenne's Harvey Deselms shares the Cheyenne Frontier Days Bingo card every year. He says the most entertaining part is seeing how many of the squares you can check off by looking in a mirror. "I had the coolest mullet," he said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 26, 2025
Inside UW’s New $289 Million Gothic, State-Of-The-Art Dorms And Dining Hall
The finishing touches are being put on the University of Wyoming’s new $289 million dormitories and dining hall. Here’s an inside look at the classic Gothic, state-of-the-art buildings that will open for students next month.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 26, 2025
Small Armies Of Volunteers Dig Up Dinosaurs At Wyoming’s Famous Jurassic Mile
The famous Jurassic Mile in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin has produced some of the world’s most important dinosaur discoveries. It takes small armies of volunteers to excavate the area, including the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for its Family Dino Dig.
Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2025
Wacey Schalla: What It's Like To Be The World's Top-Ranked Bull Rider
Bull riders have been coming to Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo for close to a century. But they arrived this year in a moment when rodeo, and the wider Western culture, has never been cooler, as the entire nation appears enthralled with anything to do with the American West.
Zakary SonntagJuly 26, 2025
Quadriplegic Photographer’s ‘Epic’ Slow Motion Bull Ride Video Is 21 Seconds Of Pain
A 49-year-old quadriplegic photographer from Cheyenne who typically focuses on wildlife and landscapes has been enjoying Cheyenne Frontier Days this week. He caught an “epic” bull ride in slow motion that’s 21 seconds of adrenaline and pain.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 25, 2025
Cheyenne Frontier Days Was First Civilian Show For Thunderbirds 72 Years Ago
The famous Air Force Thunderbirds have touched down in Cheyenne ahead of their Saturday Wings Over Wyoming show. The squad's first civilian air show was the 1953 Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the Thunderbirds have been back every year since but two.
Renée JeanJuly 25, 2025
Estate Of Legendary Wyoming Spaghetti Westerner Gap Pucci To Be Bought By Nuns
Gap Pucci befriended two nuns 25 years ago after they walked in sandals with no socks in knee-deep snow to see his crosses. Now the nuns say they will buy the legendary Wyoming spaghetti Westerner’s estate with a promise it won’t become a luxury mansion.
Renée JeanJuly 24, 2025
It’s True: Cheyenne Frontier Days Happens On The Rainiest Week Of The Year
More than an inch of rain fell on participants at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Wednesday. That's no surprise to meteorologist Don Day, who says the last week in July is the rainiest week of the year.
Andrew RossiJuly 24, 2025
Only U.S.-Owned Russian-Made MiG-29 Fighter Jet Lands At Casper Airport
Anyone who was around the Casper/Natrona International Airport on Wednesday afternoon witnessed a rare sight. The only U.S. privately-owned Russian-made MiG-29 flew in for some fuel.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 24, 2025
It Took Three Trucks Hours To Recover Semi Hanging Over Cliff On Wyoming Highway
It took three heavy-duty wrecker trucks hours to recover a semitrailer hanging over a cliff on Wyoming Highway 14-A on Tuesday. The driver wasn’t hurt, but it took much more than a regular tow truck to pull the semitrailer back over the highway barrier.
Andrew RossiJuly 23, 2025
New Warner Bros. Streaming Service Fuels Hope For ‘Longmire’ Comeback
Warner Bros. Discovery is creating its own streaming service. That’s fueling hopes among die-hard fans that that the popular “Longmire” series, which Warner Bros. owns, could make a comeback.
Renée JeanJuly 23, 2025
Whoa: 385-Ft Long, 1.4 Million-Pound Superload Plodding Along I-80 On Wednesday
A slow-moving "superload” will be traveling from Laramie to Arlington on I-80 between 9 a.m. and noon Wednesday. Anyone who doesn't want to spend four hours driving the 44-mile distance should seek alternate routes.
Andrew RossiJuly 22, 2025
Casper Humane Society Scrambles To Care For 42 Abandoned Guinea Pigs
After 42 guinea pigs were dumped at its doors on Friday, the Casper Humane Society has rallied to get cages and provide food, water, health checks and future homes for the pets. The little pigs had arrived in poor condition with no water or food.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 22, 2025
“Yellowstone” Star Mo Brings Plenty Back In Wyoming As Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade Grand Marshal
“Yellowstone” star Mo Brings Plenty is back again for Cheyenne Frontier Days, this time as grand marshal of the parade. Growing up, the A-lister heard many stories about CFD, and says it’s the most prestigious rodeo in the world.
Renée JeanJuly 22, 2025
Trucker Survives Accident Which Left Semi Dangling Off Of Cliff On Wyoming Highway
A semi driver is alive and well after his truck careened off U.S. Highway 14-A in northern Wyoming. Somehow the semi managed to hang on and remains dangling perilously over a cliff.
Andrew RossiJuly 22, 2025
One of a Kind Wyoming Ceratosaurus Sells for $30.5 Million at Sotheby's Auction
A juvenile Ceratosaurus, one of only four known specimens of the rare Jurassic carnivore, sold for $30.5 million at a Sotheby's auction. It was discovered in Bone Cabin Quarry, one of the most significant fossil sites in the world, located near Medicine Bow, Wyoming.
Andrew RossiJuly 22, 2025
Longmire Star Robert Taylor Comes To Buffalo Every Year Because He Loves Wyoming
If Longmire Days had to pay Australian actor Robert Taylor to attend, it would be far out of reach. The actor doesn’t come for the money. He comes to Longmire Days in Buffalo every year for something else. He loves Wyoming.
Renée JeanJuly 21, 2025
Historian Says Wyoming’s Ames Monument Is The Birthplace Of ‘Murphy’s Law’
The pessimistic belief that anything that can go wrong will likely predates modern history, but calling it “Murphy’s Law” began in Wyoming, a historian says. It dates back to the early 1880s and building the Ames Monument in the wrong place.
Jackie DorothyJuly 21, 2025
Emu Gets Loose In Evanston, Has Neck Broken While Police Try To Wrangle It
An emu named Gary that was wandering around Evanston on Sunday died when his neck was broken while police officers tried to wrangle the large bird. Gary’s owner says it was an accident but questions whether too much force was used.
Andrew RossiJuly 21, 2025
When His Wife Nearly Died, Lander Man Started Writing — And He Hasn’t Stopped
When Austin Hawkins' wife developed life-threatening brain hemorrhages, he realized he couldn’t waste any more time thinking about writing a book. The result was “Going Nowhere Slow,” a dark comedy he had been wanting to write for more than a decade.
Jackie DorothyJuly 20, 2025
How A Guy From Laramie Became A Sub Commander And Friend Of Admiral Nimitz
A young Laramie native left Wyoming in 1909 and returned in 1947. In the years between, he forged a career in the U.S. Navy that included becoming a submarine commander and a friendship with famed Admiral Chester Nimitz.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 20, 2025
What Is The "Nowood International Airport" In The Middle Of Nowhere, Wyoming?
Driving down a remote Washakie County dirt road is not the place one would expect to see an “international” airport. But there it is — a weathered little building with a metal roof and a large sign that declares it’s the “Nowood International Airport.”
Dale KillingbeckJuly 20, 2025
At Teton Raptor Center, Birds Are Encouraged To Chime In During Concerts
At the Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming, visitors on Saturday were part of a unique marriage of music and wildlife. An avian-inspired concert of chamber music encouraged birds to chime in.
David MadisonJuly 20, 2025