Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

Terri Smith went from being chief judge on the Wind River Tribal Court to serving time in federal prison for marketing pills. But then she got clean, came home to her children, and now she’s desperate to get her story out to others who struggle with addiction, to convince them there’s hope.

Former Wyoming Judge Busted For Drugs Now Spreads Recovery Story And Hope

Terri Smith was a respected Wyoming tribal judge before she was busted for dealing cocaine and helping to sell prescription drugs. Now she's working to help other addicts recover and find redemption through accountability and gratitude.

Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2024

Artist Dan Toro makes progress on the mural of Casper Mountain a few days into his project.

Laramie Artist Creates Huge 60-Foot Mural In Downtown Casper

A Laramie artist is busy creating a huge 60-foot mural on the 42 Degrees North building in downtown Casper. It’s a wintery scene of Hogadon Basin Ski Area on Casper Mountain.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 28, 2024

The Hotel Labonte in Douglas was the site of a confrontation between the Converse County sheriff and a murderer in 1924.

Wyoming History: Casper Double-Murderer Shot Down By Sheriff In Douglas In 1924

It was 1924 when a double-dealing Casper businessman about to be caught embezzling snapped, killing his wife and son, then fled to Douglas. But he couldn’t outrun the law, gunned down in a shootout at the Hotel LaBonte with the local sheriff.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 28, 2024

Chancey Williams sings and plays guitar at the Sidewinder Saloon in Old Frontier Town at Cheyenne Frontier Days during the Teton Ridge Rodeo Roadtrip Show on July 26, 2024.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Photo Gallery: Sunday, July 28, 2024

Cowboy State Daily photographer Matt Idler is at Cheyenne Frontier Days all 10 days of the event and will be producing photo galleries daily. Enjoy!

July 28, 2024

The Navy Leap Frog parachute team always gets a huge crowd pop when it drops in from thousands of feet in the air with a huge American flag.

Meet The Elite Navy SEALs Who Drop 6,000 Feet At Cheyenne Frontier Days

It’s become a Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo tradition — the elite Navy SEAL Leap Frog team parachuting from 6,000 feet into the stadium. The SEALS say Frontier Days is a must event for them because it's a military town coupled with a cowboy culture.

Renée JeanJuly 28, 2024

A crowd gathered despite the rain for Big Boy's hourlong appearance in Cheyenne.

Big Boy 4014 Gets Huge Welcome As It Chugs Home To Cheyenne Depot

Big Boy 4014 was welcomed home in Cheyenne on Friday after a month-long summer tour in Utah, Nevada, California, Idaho, and Wyoming. An estimated 200,000 people came out on the tour to the see the world's largest working steam engine.

Renée JeanJuly 27, 2024

Veteran newspaperman Bill Sniffin with a signed miner's helmet, which he calls the greatest award he's ever received. It was a thank you from Lander-area miners after stories he published resulted in national legislation to help families of uranium miners.

Longtime Wyoming Newsman Bill Sniffin Wins National Lifetime Achievement Award

Bill Sniffin, who’s spent more than 50 years producing Wyoming newspapers, has been honored by the National Newspaper Association with its lifetime achievement award. Sniffin is also a columnist for Cowboy State Daily.

Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2024

Wherever he's been, J.B. Zielke is always at home with a good horse.

No Matter Where He Roams, Wyoming Is Always Home For Lost Cowboy J.B. Zielke

Saratoga cowboy J.B. Zielke has cowboyed on six of the seven continents around the globe. But no matter how far he roams, the man known as The Lost Cowboy always comes home to Wyoming.

Renée JeanJuly 27, 2024

The American West: John C. Fremont - The Pathfinder Fights Indians, Encounters Grizzly Bear In Carbon County

John C. Fremont first came into Carbon County in August of 1843, traveling west and camping on the principal fork of the Medicine Bow River near “an isolated mountain called the Medicine Butte.” This of course, was Elk Mountain.

Candy MoultonJuly 27, 2024

In a viral video posted to TikTok and YouTube, creator TimtheTank demonstrates how people have been pouring their beer wrong. Tilting the glass for the pour is wrong, he says. Instead, pour into an upright glass and allow for a big head that will recede. But Wyoming brew experts say the perfect way to pour is determined by the type of beer.

Drinking Wyoming: A Perfect Beer Depends On A Perfect Pour

Despite what you may see on social media, there's no secret best way to pour beer. A top Wyoming brewer and owner of two breweries says the right method depends on the type of beer. And head retention, or foam, is critical.

Jake NicholsJuly 27, 2024

The American West: Bicycles and Buffalo Soldiers

To folks not familiar with the village of Missoula, Montana, or of the United States army post aptly named Fort Missoula located about four miles southwest of town, the sight which presented itself during the early morning of June 14, 1897, might have seemed strange indeed.

James A. CrutchfieldJuly 27, 2024

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Grand Parade in downtown Cheyenne on July 25, 2024.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Photo Gallery: Saturday, July 27, 2024

Cowboy State Daily photographer Matt Idler is at Cheyenne Frontier Days all 10 days of the event and will be producing photo galleries daily. Enjoy!

July 27, 2024

Yellowstone TV actor Moses Brings Plenty at the Chris Ledoux exhibit at Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum.

“Yellowstone” Star Among A-Listers Who Can’t Miss Cheyenne Frontier Days

“Yellowstone” star Moses Brings Plenty is among the A-list celebrities who love Cheyenne Frontier Days. This week, he spent time at the Princess Blue Water exhibit and Indian Village.

Renée JeanJuly 26, 2024

Thermal explosion and baby mammoth 7 26 24

No, A Preserved Baby Mammoth Wasn't Unearthed By Yellowstone Thermal Explosion

Not everyone got the joke Wednesday when a Wyoming satire outlet posted a fake story that a baby mammoth was unearthed when a Yellowstone thermal pool violently erupted. It’s not the first time people have been fooled by the Casper Planet.

Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2024

Kashton Ford from Sturgis, South Dakota rides his bareback horse at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 24, 2024

Cheyenne Frontier Days Photo Gallery: Friday, July 26, 2024

Cowboy State Daily photographer Matt Idler is at Cheyenne Frontier Days all 10 days of the event and will be producing photo galleries daily. Enjoy!

July 25, 2024

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade has about 160 historic wagons in it, the largest collection of operational Old West wagons in the world.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Parade Features World’s Largest Collection Of Wagons

Sam Gill and Mike Stein have both driven teams of horses for the famous “Yellowstone” prequel television series “1883,” but they would not miss the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade which feature 160-some historic horse-drawn wagons -- the world’s largest collection of operable old-time wagons.

Renée JeanJuly 25, 2024

Rain or shine, the show must go on. In this file photo, Kaycee Thomas from Cheyenne volunteers on the CFD Contestant Committee chasing steers out of the arena during a downpour July 26, 2023.

Nothing Stops Cheyenne Frontier Days, Including Monsoons

It will take more than drenching rain expected with severe thunderstorms this weekend to do much to impact Cheyenne Frontier Days. Nothing stops the rodeo, not even the monsoon weather the area gets at this time of year.

Andrew RossiJuly 25, 2024

Cheyenne Frontier Days Photo Gallery: Thursday, July 25, 2024

Cowboy State Daily photographer Matt Idler is at Cheyenne Frontier Days all 10 days of the event and will be producing photo galleries daily. Enjoy!

July 25, 2024

World champion Zeke Thurston from Big Valley, Alberta, rides his horse for a score of 90 points to win the Saddlebronc Riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 22, 2024.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Photo Gallery: Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Cowboy State Daily photographer Matt Idler is at Cheyenne Frontier Days all 10 days of the event and will be producing photo galleries daily. Enjoy!

July 23, 2024

The statue of Lane Frost perpetually riding a bull at Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum is a favorite spot for tourist selfies and snapshots.

Lane Frost Documentary Premieres In Cheyenne Days Before 35th Anniversary Of His Death

A new documentary about legendary rodeo bull rider Lane Frost premiered in Cheyenne on Saturday. “Lane: Life, Legend, Legacy” was shown days before the 35th anniversary of Lane’s death at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Renée JeanJuly 23, 2024

A group of U.S. Army Rangers were special guests at Cheyenne Frontier Days for Military Monday on July 22, 2024. Between them, the 22 Rangers have 560 years of service, including 60 years of combat.

Army Rangers Get VIP Treatment On Military Monday At Cheyenne Frontier Days

Twenty two members of the Army Rangers received a standing ovation at Cheyenne Frontier Days on Monday. The elite fighting squad known as the 75th Ranger Regiment, have 560 years of combined military service, including 60 years of intense combat experience.

Renée JeanJuly 23, 2024

An impromptu call for people to drive by the home of a Rock Springs boy on his 10th birthday rallied more than 100 cars and motorcycles Sunday, July 21, 2024.

Rock Springs Rallies With Surprise Birthday Drive-By For 10-Year-Old

When Breezy Turner asked if a few people with cool cars could drive past her house to celebrate her son's 10th birthday, more than 150 people got in their cars and on their motorcycles for an unforgettable celebration.

Andrew RossiJuly 23, 2024

Will Lowe from Amarillo, TX in the bareback riding at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 20, 2024.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Photo Gallery: Sunday, July 21, 2024

Cowboy State Daily photographer Matt Idler will be at Cheyenne Frontier Days all 10 days of the event and will be producing photo galleries daily. Here is his first photo gallery from the first weekend. Enjoy!

July 22, 2024

A photo of the DC-3 that crashed into Elk Mountain on Jan. 31, 1946.

Wyoming History: 21 Killed In 1946 When Flight 14 Slammed Into Elk Mountain

The air corridor across southern Wyoming in 1946 required planes to get over Elk Mountain before making a turn south. In January 1946, United Airlines Flight 14 couldn’t and 21 people died.

Dale KillingbeckJuly 21, 2024

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