Wyoming Life

Lesleigh Ann Schaefer has highlighted the roads she has traveled during her 80,000-mile road trip around Wyoming.

80,000 Miles And Thousands Of Photos, She Explores Wyoming For Those Who Can’t

Lesleigh Ann Shaefer of Thermopolis has traveled more than 80,000 miles and taken thousands of photos as she drives around the Cowboy State. She says she explores Wyoming for those who can’t.

Jackie DorothyOctober 06, 2024

The Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.

Haunted Wyoming: The Headless Bride Of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn

A teen bride murdered and decapitated at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn in 1914 is said to still haunt the historic hotel. People tell of seeing her ghostly apparition walking to the crow’s nest — carrying her own head in her arms.

Jackie DorothyOctober 06, 2024

The windshield of this Chevy Suburban caved in but otherwise withstood the impact of a 20-pound turkey at 70 mph.

What Happens When A 20-Pound Turkey Flies Into A Car Going 70MPH

Clara Maslak and her family were driving from Powell to Cody when a 20-pound turkey flew across the highway and smashed into their Suburban. A windshield repairman said he's never seen that level of devastation caused by a turkey. RIP bird.

Andrew RossiOctober 06, 2024

Old Faithful swimming pool and bath house as it appeared from 1914 through 1933.

For Decades, Visitors Could Swim In Old Faithful Waters For 50 Cents

From 1914 through 1951, the Old Faithful bathhouse and swimming pool was a huge attraction. Visitors could swim in the same geothermal waters erupting from Yellowstone geysers for 50 cents.

Andrew RossiOctober 06, 2024

1,285-Pound Pumpkin Explodes Into Bazillion Pieces After Being Dropped From Crane

Chad Kurtenbach of Lovell won the 2024 Wyoming State Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Saturday with his 1,254-pound pumpkin named Annie Oakley. Then, an even larger pumpkin was dropped from 175 feet and obliterated an 8-foot Wile E. Coyote.

Reilly StrandOctober 06, 2024

Derrick Lacey, Olivia McDaniels and Peter McDaniels show off their hardware in a theater.

Casper Paranormal Investigator Owns Ghostbusters Franchise In Wyoming

There are 165 Ghostbusters franchises in the U.S. including one in Wyoming. Pete McDaniels, a paranormal investigator, owns the Casper franchise and a ghost-busting car he calls "Ecto Interceptor." When he's not investigating ghosts, he does birthday parties and raises funds for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 05, 2024

Wyoming National Guard Maj. Jeremy Anderson returns from a yearlong Middle East deployment.

With Israel, Iran At Brink Of War, More Than 400 Wyoming Troops In Middle East

As missile strikes between Israel and Iran continue to make global headlines, more than 400 Wyoming National Guard soldiers and airmen continue their missions serving in the volatile region.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 05, 2024

In 1940, a family digging a root cellar near Badwater Creek in Fremont County, Wyoming, discovered a human skeleton and awakened something that wailed at them from beneath the earth.

Haunted Wyoming: The Wailing Skeleton Of Badwater Creek

In October 1940, the Lichty family discovered a skeleton on their property near the Badwater Creek in Fremont County. Their troubles were only beginning…

Jackie DorothyOctober 05, 2024

The tunnels in the Wind River Canyon's scenic byway.

Yellowstone Highway At 100: Wyoming’s $1 Million Gamble That Paid Off Big

It’s been 100 years since the Yellowstone Highway was blasted through a rugged, unforgiving Wind River Canyon. At $1 million, it was the most expensive stretch of road ever built in the U.S., and a gamble that paid off big for Wyoming.

Jackie DorothyOctober 05, 2024

This 1921 painting “Masset, Q.C.I.,” by renowned Canadian artist Emily Carr is seen in an undated handout reproduction. It’s headed to auction after being recovered from a barn in New York state for $50.

$50 Grizzly Bear Painting Found At Barn Sale Could Sell For $150K Or More

A painting of a wooden grizzly bear atop a totem pole recently bought at a New York barn sale for $50 is now expected to sell for $150,000 or more at auction. Turns out the 1912 painting was created by famous Canadian artist Emily Carr.

Leo WolfsonOctober 05, 2024

October has started like September ended across most of Wyoming — hotter and drier than it's been in decades on average. Wednesday it still felt like summer for people enjoying the sunshine in Cody.

September Was Hottest, Driest In Decades, But Wyoming Can Still Expect A Cold Winter

September was the hottest, driest in decades across much of Wyoming. But Don Day says to still expect a colder, snowier than average winter.

Andrew RossiOctober 02, 2024

Shoshoni High Choir Sings Backup For ’80s Rockers Foreigner In Casper Concert

The newly formed Shoshoni High School choir had an epic gig for its first public performance. The group was on stage Tuesday in Casper, Wyoming, singing backup for 1980s rock band Foreigner on its smash power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Dale KillingbeckOctober 02, 2024

Ralph and Juana Laub celebrate their Utah record 2,289-pound pumpkin.

Utah Couple Grow Record-Breaking 2,289-Pound Pumpkin From A Wyoming Seed

Ralph and Juana Laub set a new Utah record over the weekend with a giant 2,289-pound pumpkin. The humongous squash was grown from a Wyoming seed provided by Cheyenne’s Andy and Amy Corbin.

Andrew RossiSeptember 30, 2024

A host of people stopped to help Nathan Frederick when his truck caught on fire off I-25 near Casper on Sunday, Spet. 29, 2024. (Video by Renee Jean, Cowboy State Daily)

When Truck Catches Fire Off I-25, Wyomingites Stop To Help

When a DoorDash driver’s truck caught fire just off Interstate 25 just east of Casper on Sunday, he had all kinds of help. Truckers and other motorists were quick to stop to help, even before emergency responders could arrive.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024

Note From The Editor: Cowboy State Daily To Launch Morning Talk Show

Based on the success of Cowboy State Daily’s morning video newscast with Wendy Corr, we are expanding our multimedia offerings to include a morning radio/video talk show which launches Tuesday.

Jimmy OrrSeptember 30, 2024

Dave Stewart owns and operates the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, with wife Jackie. He’s also a musician, writing “God Already Has,” which won Gospel Song of the Year at Friday’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Here he's posing with the award.

Owner of Buffalo’s Occidental Hotel Wins 2024 Gospel Song Of The Year

Dave Stewart owns and operates the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, with wife Jackie. He’s also a singer/songwriter, co-writing “God Already Has,” which won Gospel Song of the Year at Friday’s International Bluegrass Music Awards.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2024

Locals in Dubois, Wyoming, still tell how Butch Cassidy, left, rode into town the winter after his infamous Telluride bank robbery. That’s when the notorious outlaw is said to run into author Owen Wister before either were famous.

Butch Cassidy In Wyoming: Notorious Outlaw Meets Owen Wister Before Either Were Famous

Locals in Dubois, Wyoming, still tell how Butch Cassidy rode into town the winter after his infamous Telluride bank robbery. That’s when the notorious outlaw is said to run into author Owen Wister before either were famous.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2024

Nikko Mamallo and a friend perform a maneuver high in the sky in their wingsuits.

Wingsuit Flyers Get Adrenaline Overdose Hitting 120 MPH Jumping From 13,000 Feet

Wingsuit flyers and BASE jumpers get an adrenaline overdose hitting 120 mph jumping off of mountaintops and cliffs. In Wyoming, Squaretop Mountain in Sublette County is the top spot for these daredevils.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 29, 2024

Left, the designer of the Wyoming State Flag, Verna Keays Keys, maintained the bison on the flag should face away from the pole. But prominent sufferagist, UW professor and head of the DAR at the time, Grace Raymond Hebard, right, insisted it face the pole, which became the preferred way to make the flag.

Is The Wyoming Flag Bison Facing The Wrong Way? Creator’s Granddaughter Says Yes

Verna Keays Keyes designed Wyoming's unique state flag, but is the bison facing the wrong way? Her granddaughter says yes, that Keyes originally made it looking away from the pole.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2024

Juan Laden of Lander, Wyoming, surveying a cave with a team in Mexico.

Wyoming Caver Has Spent 50 Years Exploring World’s Deepest, Darkest Places

It takes a certain kind of person to not only tolerate being in caves, but love it. Juan Laden of Lander is one, having spent 50 years exploring the world’s deepest, darkest places from Antarctica to Ukraine to New Zealand.

Jackie DorothySeptember 29, 2024

Balloons get ready to launch for the 2024 Gordon Bennett Cup in Munster, Germany.

Wyoming Weather Guru Don Day Helps Team USA At Europe’s Oldest Aviation Race

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day was part of Team USA in the oldest gas balloon race in the world. His job was to read and predict the weather so the balloonists could catch the best wind currents.

Andrew RossiSeptember 29, 2024

Dr. George Harrison, pictured inset standing near the first tee at Rolling Green Country Club in Green River, was for decades the quintessential hometown doctor for Rock Springs and Sweetwater County. He was known for making house calls and refusing payment.

The Kindest Doctor In Wyoming: Remembering Rock Springs' Dr. George Harrison

Dr. George Harrison never turned down anyone, for any reason. Even 35 years after his death, people tear-up remembering his kindness -- mentioning his house calls at any hour, $3 office visits and refusing payment when people couldn't afford it.

Jen KocherSeptember 29, 2024

Kevin Christopherson in his younger days was among the world’s best hang glider pilots for distance.

It’s Been 35 Years Since Casper Man Set 3 World Hang Gliding Distance Records

Casper’s Kevin Christopherson set three world records in 1989 for soaring hang gliders nearly 300 miles from Wyoming to South Dakota. At 63, he still enjoys taking off from Casper Mountain and landing at home.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 28, 2024

Kayden, Janet and Jansen Curry all look for their Jae Boots at the Casper Boot Barn. Kayden is the Kelly Walsh senior class secretary and Jansen Curry said all three are supporters of the McMurry Foundation and the Jae Foundation and came to hear the Jae Foundation presentation. “We didn’t know we were getting boots,” Janen Curry said. “It’s kind of cool.”

Jae Bob Bing’s Legacy: Hope Through Free Cowboy Boots For High School Seniors

High school students in Natrona County and some others around the state are getting free cowboy boots and a conversation about hope from the Jae Foundation. The foundation wants the boots to trigger suicide prevention talks that otherwise may not happen.