Wyoming Life
News
Rare ‘Space Smiley’ Will Be Visible In The Early Morning Sky On Friday
A rare triple conjunction of Venus, Saturn and the moon will appear as a "space smiley" above Wyoming on Friday morning for anyone willing to wake up early enough to see it before sunrise.
Andrew RossiApril 23, 2025
Mom Says 19-Year-Old Wind Tech Who Jumped From Turbine Struggled Long Before Death
Cristy Cobb, the mother of a 19-year-old wind energy technician who died when he jumped from a turbine earlier this month, said he battled mental health issues long before his death. She wants his story to now help others.
Leo WolfsonApril 23, 2025
Another Northern Lights Show Is Anticipated Over Wyoming This Week
A surge of solar energy will make the Northern Lights even more visible Tuesday and Wednesday nights — and Wyoming will be in a prime location to view them.
Andrew RossiApril 21, 2025
Don Day Says Don’t Be Fooled By 80-Degree Days In April In Wyoming
Lifelong Wyomingites might know not to trust 80-degree days in April, but it’s difficult all the same to not get summer fever when it happens. Meteorologist Don Day says not to be fooled, that there’s still plenty of potential for more winter.
Andrew RossiApril 21, 2025
Cheyenne Celebrity Chef Is Part Of Martha Stewart’s New Cooking Competition
Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart came within one vote of beating Food Network star Bobby Flay on his hit cooking competition show. Now she’ll try to do the same against 12 other chefs on Martha Stewart’s new show on NBC, “Yes, Chef!”
Renée JeanApril 21, 2025
Wyoming Girl Gets Her Ranch Chores Done Before Winning Gymnastics Titles
Raelee Warner was up early doing her usual daily chores feeding chicks and driving cattle April 12. Then the seventh grader went to the state gymnastics meet and won two events. All in a day’s work for a true Wyoming cowgirl.
Renée JeanApril 21, 2025
Wyoming Ranch Family Learns Raising Rodeo Bulls Nearly As Tough As Riding Them
Dallas Willis grew up in Wyoming around rodeo and was a bull rider through college. Now his family raises bulls for rodeo, and he’s learned that’s nearly as tough as riding them. And the best bulls don’t like people.
Jackie DorothyApril 20, 2025
How Pilot Survived Crashing Airmail Plane On Way To Rock Springs In Winter 1922
In 1922, an open-cockpit airmail bi-plane crashed on the way to Rock Springs in winter. The pilot somehow survived, but it took more than 40 years to recover the wrecked plane. Now it hangs in the National Postal Museum.
Dale KillingbeckApril 20, 2025
Gillette Family Builds A Frankensteined Six-Door F-350, And It’s A Monster
The Porter family in Gillette Frankensteined together a 2015 F-350 truck with an Excursion, and it’s a six-door monster. Now they’re selling the custom creation that has four rows of heated seats, a tow-behind truck bed and plenty of great memories.
Andrew RossiApril 20, 2025
Man Promises To Pay Fines On Wyoming Library Book He Checked Out 31 Years Ago
Josiah Harlow checked out a Robin Hood novel from the Cheyenne Central High School library 31 years ago, and never returned it. It’s still a treasured part of his collection, and he promises to “swing by to pay my overdue fees” the next time he’s in town.
Renée JeanApril 20, 2025
What The Heck … Is That Herd Of 39 Blue Steel Horses On A Montana Hillside?
Even though it’s been 12 years since a herd of 39 blue metal sculptures of horses first appeared on a hillside along Highway 287 north of Three Forks in central Montana, people are still surprised when they get close to find out they’re not real.
Anna-Louise JacksonApril 20, 2025
Wyoming Man Starts Treasure Hunt Similar To One Now Featured On Netflix
A Douglas man is still searching for a missing emerald from Forest Fenn’s treasure chest that was found in Wyoming and is featured in a Netflix documentary. If found, he plans to add it to his own treasure chest.
Renée JeanApril 20, 2025
It’s Official: Guinness Says Casper Man Has World’s Largest Earlobes
Marc Greenleaf of Casper has been stretching his earlobes with increasingly larger hoops since he was 13. After 26 years, Guiness World Records made it official last April — he has the world’s “largest earlobe flesh tunnel.”
Anna-Louise JacksonApril 20, 2025
After Son’s Suicide Devastates Family, DNA Reveals Miracle Grandchild
When Matt Cundy of Casper took his own life at age 27, the family he left behind was devastated. DNA later revealed that he had also left them with something special — a 5-year-old daughter they never knew he had.
Jen KocherApril 20, 2025
Softball-Sized Hail Leaves Path Of Destruction Across Eastern Nebraska
The same cold front that blasted Wyoming with winter thunderstorms caused tornadoes, 80 mph winds and baseball- to softball-sized hail in eastern Nebraska. It left a huge swath of destruction behind.
Andrew RossiApril 19, 2025
Visit To War Memorials Emotional For Casper Vet, 96, Who Served In WWII, Korea
It’s been decades since Casper resident Bob Cook served in the Army during World War II and Korean War. Now 96, he finally got to visit his memorials in Washington, D.C., a trip that was extremely emotional and meaningful.
Jackie DorothyApril 19, 2025
'Star Trek,' 'Twilight Zone' and 'Ocean's 11' Writer Had A Rough Childhood In Cheyenne
George Clayton Johnson wrote screenplays for “Star Trek,” “The Twilight Zone” and the original “Ocean's 11” before he turned 40. Born in a barn in Cheyenne, he went on to write some of the most celebrated classic TV episodes and screenplays.
Andrew RossiApril 19, 2025
Video: In Jeffrey City, One Son Cleans Out A Motel And Makes Peace With The Past
The son of a late motel owner in Jeffrey City is sorting through the unexpected inheritance his father left behind with memories scattered everywhere. Randy Robinett returns almost every weekend to fix and clean it up, despite the painful memories of his dad’s unexpected death in May 2024.
Hannah Brock & Reilly StrandApril 19, 2025
Saxsquatch, The Baddest Sax-Blowing Bigfoot, Comes Out Of Hiding For Concert
Bigfoot came out of wherever he hides in the woods to make a rare public appearance Wednesday night in Fort Collins, Colo. Going by the stage name Saxsquatch, the baddest sax-blowing bigfoot in the forest, put on a monstrous concert.
Leo WolfsonApril 19, 2025
It’s Been 20 Years Since Two Evanston Firefighters Died Trying To Save Children
It was 20 years ago on April 18, 2005, when Evanston, Wyoming, firefighters Robert Henderson and Jacob Cook ran into a burning apartment building to rescue children they thought were inside. The children had gotten out, but they died in the attempt.
Dale KillingbeckApril 18, 2025
Wyoming's Spring Could Be Full Of Fast, Furious Winter Thunderstorms
When the warm air of spring mixes with the cold air of winter, it can create intense winter thunderstorms across Wyoming that causes snow to fall faster than it can melt, which can quickly make driving dangerous.
Andrew RossiApril 18, 2025
Cody’s Luke Talich Dominates Spring Game, Could Start For Notre Dame Football
Cody native Luke Talich has gone from a walk-on to full scholarship football player for the University of Notre Dame. After dominating on defense in the annual spring game, Talich is a strong contender to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
Leo WolfsonApril 18, 2025
Wyoming’s Huge Fossil Finds Inspire Artist To Recreate Its Ancient Landscapes
Wyoming has been giving up huge fossil finds for well over a century. Those discoveries have inspired an artist to recreate Wyoming’s ancient landscapes, which in many ways are nothing like they are today.
Jackie DorothyApril 18, 2025
50-Degree Temperature Plunge, Snow On The Way For Much Of Wyoming
A slow-moving cold front is heading for Wyoming, which will drop temperatures by as much as 50 degrees for most of the state. It’ll also bring up to 4 inches of wet snow and black ice to some of the most hazardous roads and highways.
Andrew RossiApril 15, 2025
Rising Wyoming Country Star Ian Munsick To Be On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show'
Wyoming’s Ian Munsick is a rising country music star who’s about to find a huge audience. On Tuesday, he’ll perform his latest song, “God Bless the West,” on national television on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Renée JeanApril 15, 2025
Park County Animal Shelter Director Resigns Over Cat Abortions Policy
Cody resident Jona Harris recently resigned her position as executive director of the Park County Animal Shelter over the shelter’s policy to perform spay abortions on pregnant cats.
Leo WolfsonApril 14, 2025
Casper Artist Saves Vintage Wyoming Neon Landmarks One Sign At A Time
Casper artist Connie Morgan has a passion for intense heat, bending glass and neon gas. She’s saving Wyoming’s vintage neon landmarks one sign at a time, like the giant Tumble Inn Cowboy.
Dale KillingbeckApril 13, 2025
That Time Robbers Only Got Away With $40 From Richest Bank In The Bighorn Basin
The First National Bank of Meeteetse, Wyoming, was never hit by the infamous Wild Bunch. It was the richest bank in the Bighorn Basin and a tempting target in 1958 when robbers used a crowbar to break into the vault. They only get away with $40.
Jackie DorothyApril 13, 2025
Cowboy State Daily’s Wendy Corr Wins National Award For Podcast
Cowboy State Daily’s Wendy Corr shared a stage with Reba McEntire, Graham Greene, and Brooks & Dunn in Oklahoma City on Saturday for the Western Heritage Awards. Her podcast won the 2025 Wrangler Award for Outstanding Western Lifestyle Program.
Andrew RossiApril 13, 2025
Rare Full Pink Micromoon Is Smaller Than A Normal Moon, And Really Not That Pink
April's full moon is known as the Pink Moon, but it's also a micromoon, the smallest moon of the year and the one the Catholic Church uses to tell us when to celebrate Easter. It’s visible now, but really not that pink.
Andrew RossiApril 13, 2025
Wyoming Sheriff Returns Stuffed Dog To 8-Year-old Lost Along Interstate 80
William Kay, 8, couldn’t sleep without his well-worn stuffed dog named Dog, which blew out of the family car at a rest stop along Interstate 80 in Wyoming. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office found Dog and returned it.
Andrew RossiApril 13, 2025
Wyoming’s Queen Of Moguls Skiing Sweeps World Cup Championships
Olympic silver medalist Jaelin Kauf of Alta, Wyoming, made history in March when she swept all three World Cup events in mogul skiing. She also won gold in dual moguls at the World Championships.
Amber SteinmetzApril 13, 2025
Robot Horses Are Coming — Would A Real Wyoming Cowboy Ride One?
It’s not science fiction anymore — Kawasaki has unveiled it’s developing a futuristic, hydrogen-powered, fully-functional and rideable robot horse. Would Wyoming cowboys ever replace their real horses with robots?
Zakary SonntagApril 13, 2025
Wyoming’s ‘Hoosiers’: How Tiny Reliance Beat The Unbeatable To Make Run At 1949 Title
Forget Hollywood, Wyoming had its own real “Hoosiers” Cinderella story in 1949. That’s when the high school basketball team from the tiny coal town of Reliance beat the unbeatable, defending state champion Cheyenne High School, to make the title game.
Leo WolfsonApril 12, 2025
Mass Grave Of Prehistoric Amphibians With Toilet Lid-Shaped Heads Found Near Dubois
Paleontologists are uncovering a bonebed containing more than 19 giant amphibian skeletons from the Popo Agie Formation near Dubois, Wyoming. They may have been victims of “boiling frog syndrome.”
Andrew RossiApril 12, 2025
Montana’s Historic Frontier Town Bar Made From A Single Giant 50-Foot Log
A California couple bought Frontier Town, the inspiration for Disney’s Frontierland. It’s also home to one of the largest bars ever made from a single giant 50-foot, and the new owners hope to reopen it.
David MadisonApril 12, 2025
He Thought He Was Going To Die, Then He Killed Osama bin Laden
The man credited with killing the world’s most wanted terrorist tells Cowboy State Daily the May 2, 2011, mission to kill Osama bin Laden “went to hell” from the start. He thought he was going to die, then put three bullets into bin Laden’s head.
Zakary SonntagApril 12, 2025
Wyoming Humanities Shell-Shocked By Federal Cut, Loses 80% Of Its Budget
Wyoming Humanities has been shell-shocked by the federal government cutting a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. That money makes up 80% of its operating budget.
Jackie DorothyApril 11, 2025
19-Year-Old Wyoming Wind Technician Dies In Fall From Turbine
Liam Cobb, 19, a wind turbine technician from Douglas, died Wednesday from a fall while working on a turbine in Carbon County. His family says he’ll be remembered for his kindness and intense curiosity about the world.
Leo WolfsonApril 11, 2025
Newly Discovered Comet Can Be Seen From Wyoming If You Wake Up Early Enough
It's been less than two weeks since Comet 2025 F2 (SWAN) was discovered, but it can already be seen from Wyoming with binoculars. If you wake up early enough, you can see it, and it could be brighter than Uranus if it survives rounding the sun May 1.
Andrew RossiApril 11, 2025
Wyoming’s Normal Winds Blow Away Record-Breaking March For Other States
Number crunching shows that March was one of the windiest on record overall in the U.S. and record-setting for many states. But Wyoming is always windy, which means even with a normal year, it blows away a record-breaking March for other states.
Andrew RossiApril 10, 2025
Wyomingites Say Washington, D.C., Is OK, But The Ranch Is Better And Friendlier
A group of young Wyoming ranchers and farmers toured Washington, D.C., last week, experiencing the history and culture shock of the nation’s capital. They also say that while it’s OK, life on the ranch is better — and friendlier.
Sean BarryApril 09, 2025
Mischievous Rancher Behind Those Mysterious Lights In Rural Hot Springs County
The mysterious red, blue and green lights that flash in the middle of nowhere around Hot Springs County aren’t UFOs. They belong to Eddie Shumway, a mischievous rancher who likes giving people something to talk about.
Jackie DorothyApril 06, 2025
Archeologists Have Only Begun Digging Up Wyoming’s Secrets Of The Past
Archaeologist Colin Ferriman travels around Wyoming and the region searching for historic artifacts at project sites for developing energy development. The Cowboy State has only begun giving up its secrets of the past.
Jackie DorothyApril 06, 2025
Meet LoRayne Day, The Casper Beauty Who Became A Hollywood Star
Before she gained fame in the 1950s as a Hollywood and Western star, LoRayne Day was a student at Natrona Count High School in Casper. A beauty, she got the lead in a Western, had a hit record and even had a doll made of her.
Dale KillingbeckApril 06, 2025
Instantly More Collectible: No One Wants Pennies, Until They're Gone
President Donald Trump’s order in February to stop minting new pennies has many people saying good riddance. It’s also creating a buzz because pennies are now instantly more collectible.
Zakary SonntagApril 06, 2025
Wyoming Man Flies Around On Motorized Paraglider Dropping Toys To Kids
Adam Roadcap lives in Burns, Wyoming, and flies a motorized paraglider. Sometimes he drops parachute toys to surprised children below.
Renée JeanApril 06, 2025
You’ll Need A Crane, A Truck And $20K To Buy 2 Wyoming Boulders Listed On eBay
Dave Freitag has been selling Wyoming rocks on eBay for more than a decade and has been trying to off-load two giant nephrite jade boulders for the past five years. You’ll need a crane, a truck and $20,000 to get them.
Anna-Louise JacksonApril 06, 2025
She’s Why Drivers Love Stopping At The Independence Rock Rest Area
Amanda Wilson goes way above and beyond her contract to keep the bathrooms clean and trash emptied at the Independence Rock Rest Area. Her homey touches are why drivers love stopping there.
Dale KillingbeckApril 06, 2025
How Wyoming's Brontosaurus Became The World's Most Famous Dinosaur — Twice
Brontosaurus lived 150 million years ago, was discovered in Wyoming 146 years ago, was erased 112 years ago, and was resurrected as a valid genus 10 years ago. It's all part of an ongoing sauropod saga.
Andrew RossiApril 05, 2025
What The Heck … Is That Giant Rock "X" In Sybille Canyon Near Wheatland?
“X” really does mark a spot in Sybille Canyon along Wyoming Highway 34, but it doesn’t mark the site of buried treasure. It’s a unique geologic formation that might point to mineral wealth.
Andrew RossiApril 05, 2025
That Time Donald Duck And His Nephews Committed Crimes In Yellowstone
The 1938 short "Good Scouts" has Donald Duck and his three nephews making a ruckus in "Yellowstone Nat'l Park." If he were a real tourist, Donald would be facing severe fines — or asking Mickey to bail him out of jail.
Andrew RossiApril 05, 2025
Allyson Fertig A Division I All-Star, Rewrote UW Women’s Hoops Record Book
Allyson Fertig was a Wyoming high school basketball star before becoming one of the best Division I players in the nation at UW. She rewrote the record book, and on Saturday plays in front of pro scouts.
Leo WolfsonApril 05, 2025
It’s No Accident Kemmerer Eighth Grader Is Wyoming’s Two-Time Best Speller
It’s not an accident that Kemmerer eighth grader Eli Jernigan is Wyoming’s two-time state spelling bee champion. He studies the 4,000-word list constantly, and doesn’t care if he’s an underdog at next month’s nationals.
Renée JeanApril 05, 2025
Meet Kaleb Yager — Sheridan’s Ambassador Of Easter And Good Vibes
Kaleb Yager is an autistic Sheridan man who creates over-the-top outdoor scenes for Easter and other holidays. It began when a little boy kept crying when he went to the school across the street, so Kaleb gave him something to look forward to.
Amber SteinmetzApril 04, 2025
It’s Not Spring In Wyoming Until Bob The Barrel Breaks Through Fremont Lake Ice
It’s not spring in Wyoming until the cheerful yellow barrel named Bob in the middle of Fremont Lake breaks through the ice. Guessing when stuff breaks through the ice is a Pinedale tradition that goes back at least 85 years.
Andrew RossiApril 03, 2025
Laramie Firefighter Crushed In House Fire Determined To Make A Full Recovery
Laramie firefighter Dylan Schilt was left temporarily paralyzed when a massive stone chimney chase collapsed on him and a colleague on Feb. 28. He said Thursday he plans to make a full recovery.
Mark HeinzApril 03, 2025
Wyoming's Specialty License Plates Are Few, Similar And On Probation
There will be 21 specialty license plates available to Wyoming residents in 2025, even if most of them look similar. Compared to other states, Wyoming is next-to-last in number of available specialty plates.
Andrew RossiApril 01, 2025
As Construction Moves Fast, Divide Over 101-Foot Cody LDS Temple Remains Wide
As a controversial 101-foot-tall LDS temple is taking shape in Cody, locals remain strongly divided over it. There’s still plenty of open opposition to the temple, including protest signs.
Leo WolfsonApril 01, 2025
Family Remembers 18-Year-Old Good Samaritan As Hero Who Died Helping Another
Family and friends of Riggin Schaffer say they’re remembering the 18-year-old as a hero who died helping another. Schaffer was assisting a crash victim on a Wyoming highway March 23 when another car struck them.
David MadisonMarch 31, 2025