Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

The Mint Bar in Sheridan casts its neon allure on viewers of RFD-TV in December and January, with General Manager Kat Deeds sharing the bar’s history and meaning to the community.

Sheridan's Famous Mint Bar Lands In National TV Spotlight In Six-Part Series

The famous 118-year-old Mint Bar, a downtown Sheridan institution, will be featured on national TV beginning in December. It's part of a broader "From the Heart of America" series showcasing Sheridan and Wyoming's Western heritage.

David MadisonNovember 29, 2025

The winning poster for the 2025 Bozeman Christmas Stroll — complete with a holiday spider. Online chatter accusing the artist of using generative AI led the Downtown Bozeman Partnership to not print and distribute the poster. Instead, it’s using a picture of a spider.

Winning Christmas Poster Pulled Over Artificial Intelligence Accusations In Bozeman

A Christmas art poster contest in Bozeman exploded into controversy after the winning design was accused of being generated by artificial intelligence. The Downtown Bozeman Partnership pulled the winning design entirely citing safety concerns.

David MadisonNovember 29, 2025

Don and Glenda Wiken and Ron and Diane Downey pose for memory shot of their surprise time together in Europe. Glenda and Diana are actually cousins from Worland, but had never met until a chance encounter on their Rhine River cruise 5,000 miles from Wyoming.

Small World: Worland Cousins Meet For First Time On Cruise 5,000 Miles From Wyoming

A Wyoming couple’s European cruise on the Rhine River 5,000 miles from Worland became quite eventful when the wife learned the stranger who sat across from her at dinner was actually her cousin who was also born in Worland.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 29, 2025

Shirely Munoz Newson, far left, with some members of her biological family, whom she didn't meet until after she learned before her 43rd birthday that she was switched at birth. They are, from left, cousin Brenda Munoz, aunt Mary Mercado, cousin Kim Accurso and cousin Nick Munoz.

Wyoming Woman Was 43 When She Learned She Was Switched At Birth

Gillette resident Shirley Munoz Newsom was 43 when she discovered she had been switched at birth. Now she’s sharing her story and learning that babies switched at birth isn’t as uncommon as people may think.

Amber SteinmetzNovember 28, 2025

A professional team photo of the Wyoming State Penitentiary All-Stars taken by prominent Rawlins photographer M.F. Jukes.

The 1911 Wyoming State Penitentiary All-Stars Was The Baddest Baseball Team Ever

The 1911 Wyoming State Penitentiary All-Stars was the baddest ball club ever assembled, with a murderer at shortstop, a burglar at third, and the team’s star player in right field had a date with the hangman before the season was scheduled to end.

Jake NicholsNovember 28, 2025

George Abeyta and his 6-year-old grandson Ethanial Brown (aka Baby E) from Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation showcased their Shoshone heritage at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Thursday.

Wyoming Shoshone Dancers Showcase Culture In Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

George Abeyta and his 6-year-old grandson from Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation showcased their Shoshone heritage in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Thursday.

Jackie DorothyNovember 28, 2025

Guy Holt rides the legendary rodeo bronc Steamboat in 1903.

Who Is The Rider on Steamboat, Wyoming's Famed Bucking Horse?

Wyoming’s most enduring symbol is our license plate featuring the bucking horse named Steamboat. But who is the rider? In Pinedale, old timers may tell you it’s Guy Holt. In Lander, sentiment leans toward Stub Farlow. In Laramie, it's Jake Maring.

Candy MoultonNovember 28, 2025

Ann Hauge, third-generation owner of the Snake River Ranch in Wyoming, far right, was instrumental in building the first new port in Haiti’s southern peninsula in 50 years. She says that, like Wyoming, Haiti feeds her pioneer spirit.

How A Wyoming Ranch Owner Helped Build Southern Haiti's First Port In 50 Years

Ann Hauge, third-generation owner of the Snake River Ranch in Wyoming, was instrumental in building the first new port in Haiti’s southern peninsula in 50 years. She says that, like Wyoming, Haiti feeds her pioneer spirit.

Renée JeanNovember 28, 2025

Hayden Terry works with a horse as part of CHAPS Equine Assisted Services Haltering Hope For Youth, an equine-facilitated psychotherapy group program. CHAPS, located in Sheridan, offers a variety of programs and recently became the only dual-accredited facility in the state.

Horses In Wyoming's Only Dual-Therapy Center Are Healing For Veterans And Kids

CHAPS in Sheridan is Wyoming’s only dual-accredited equine therapy center. Its horses help military veterans, kids, and others find healing and a sense of being grounded.

Amber SteinmetzNovember 28, 2025

Asa Mercer wrote the most banned book in Wyoming. The author of the "Banditti of the Plains” had turned on the Invaders and wrote the truth about their war on the homesteaders of Johnson County. The first edition published in 1894, just two years after the invasion, then copies were banned, stolen, burned and destroyed by those who supported the Invaders and wanted to suppress the story.

Rare First Edition Of Wyoming's Most-Banned Book Finally Back In Johnson County

An extremely rare first-edition of Asa Mercer’s 1894 “Banditti of the Plains,” Wyoming's most-banned book because it exposed powerful backers of the Johnson County War, has resurfaced. It's been donated to the Johnson County Library and Hoofprints Museum.

Jackie DorothyNovember 27, 2025

Welcome To Thanksgiving Hell: Wyoming Plumbers Brace For ‘Brown Friday’

Although the Thanksgiving holiday might be a time of food, football, and family for many people, there's a price to pay for the festivity. "Brown Friday" is real and it's the busiest day of the year for many Wyoming plumbers.

Mark HeinzNovember 27, 2025

Here’s What Truckers Say Wyoming Drivers Are Doing Wrong

You're traveling along the vast emptiness of Interstate 80 and you pull into the left lane to pass two 18-wheelers when the first one pulls into the passing lane right in front of you. Do they do that on purpose?

Jake NicholsNovember 27, 2025

Crystal Neal says Thanksgiving this year in Casper at the Wyoming Rescue Mission is an joyous and emotional time. After one setback after another, she said she's finally on an upward trajectory.

For Wyomingites Facing Trauma And Addiction, There’s Much To Be Thankful For Here

The meaning of Thanksgiving takes on a deeper meaning for the clients and volunteers at the Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper. Those working through trauma and addiction say they have much to be thankful for.

Zakary SonntagNovember 27, 2025

Wyoming chefs, like Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart, say they don't trust artificial intelligence to tell them how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. They say AI turkey recipes miss key steps like brining and resting, so they still trust human expertise for a juicy, tasty bird.

Chefs Don't Trust Artificial Intelligence To Tell Them How To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner

Wyoming chefs say they don't trust artificial intelligence to tell them how to cook Thanksgiving dinner. They say AI turkey recipes miss key steps like brining and resting, so they still trust human expertise for a juicy, tasty bird.

Renée JeanNovember 26, 2025

Thanksgiving “maskers" would run around cities, such as Cheyenne, dressed as beggars and silly characters. They would play at begging for alms and, if not given pennies, nickels or candy from adult pedestrians, would whack them with a sock full of flour and toot their horns in their victim’s ears, like in this photo circa 1910.

Wyoming History: Thanksgiving Used To Be About Costumes And Trick-Or-Treating

Prior to the 1930s, Thanksgiving in Wyoming included jack-o'-lanterns, costume parties and going door-to-door for what was basically trick-or-treating. The proper outfit to wear to dinner was a costume, not your Sunday best.

Jackie DorothyNovember 26, 2025

A member of the Air Force crash investigation team surveys the tail section of the Air Force C-130 that crashed and burned near the top of Sheep Mountain near Jackson, Wyoming, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1996. The C-130, which carried support equipment for President Clinton's vacation, went down on takeoff late Saturday night. Nine people were killed in the crash.

Wyoming History: 29 Years Ago Clinton Plane Crashed Into Jackson Mountain

It was a pitch-black night in 1996 when a President Clinton support C-130 ignored takeoff protocol and slammed into Sheep Mountain above Jackson at 200 mph, killing all nine onboard. The impact created a fireball that could be seen for miles.

Jake NicholsNovember 26, 2025

120-Year-Old Tortoise Survives Fire That Killed 80-90 Reptiles At SD Attraction

A 120-year-old tortoise named Orville, along with five other giants, survived a devastating fire at Reptile Gardens in South Dakota on Friday. About 80-90 other reptiles, including alligators and other tortoises, were killed.

Andrew RossiNovember 24, 2025

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 1866 236-mile ride through a blizzard from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous. This painting depicts Portugee arriving at Fort Laramie.

Wyoming History: The 236-Mile Blizzard Ride Dubbed 'Greatest In History'

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 236-mile ride through a blizzard in 1866 from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous.

Jackie DorothyNovember 23, 2025

Tyler and Stephanie Spear of Laramie say they not only love Josh Allen for what he's done for University of Wyoming football and the state, but that he's a good role model for their kids.

He Didn’t Grow Up Here, But Wyoming Loves Josh Allen Because He’s ‘A Cowboy’

Decked out in full Josh Allen gear, the Spear family made attending Saturday’s University of Wyoming football game a mini vacation. “Josh’s character is really good for these kids to look up to,” said mom, Stephanie Spear.

Anna-Louise JacksonNovember 23, 2025

Lawrence K. Lunt spent the last years of his life writing and traveling between Tucson, Belgium, and Saratoga, Wyoming.

Wyoming History: The CIA Informant Who Survived 14 Years In A Cuban Prison

Wyoming rancher Lawrence Kirby Lunt Jr. moved to Cuba, became a CIA informant, and was imprisoned for 14 years after being caught by Fidel Castro’s regime. He was freed in a 1979 prisoner swap brokered, in part, by Wyoming Gov. Ed Herschler.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 23, 2025

Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at midfield during halftime of Saturday's Nov. 22, 2025, game against Nevada to have his No. 17 retired. He got a huge ovation from the crowd, especially when he concluded his remarks with, "And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!"

‘I Love You Guys’: Josh Allen Gets Huge Ovation As His No. 17 Retired By UW

“I love you guys,” Josh Allen proclaimed as nearly 30,000 fans exploded at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday as the University of Wyoming retired his No. 17 jersey. It was almost as big a pop as when he concluded with, “And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!”

Anna-Louise JacksonNovember 22, 2025

The TIV2 (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) was made famous by the Discovery television series "Storm Chasers." A Colorado man now owns the Mad Max-style weather chasing tank and uses it to pursue tornadoes across Wyoming and the High Plains.

Famous Mad Max Weather Tank Chases Tornadoes Across Wyoming And High Plains

A Colorado storm chaser was in Cheyenne last week to show off his TIV2 Mad Max-style weather tank made famous by the Discovery TV show “Storm Chasers.” He said he uses it to chase tornadoes in eastern Wyoming, Nebraska and northeast Colorado.

Renée JeanNovember 22, 2025

This year’s undefeated football championship run by the Sheridan Broncs was business as usual since former Head Coach Don Julian started a winning tradition current Head Coach Jeff Mowry continues. The secret to their success? Building leadership skills during retreats in the woods. A program describing the retreats includes photos of trust exercises and the team circled up for prayer.

The Secret To Sheridan High Football's 55-0 Dynasty: Blindfolds And Book Clubs

The Sheridan Broncs completed their fifth consecutive undefeated football season last week, extending their state record winning streak to 55 games. They say their success is built on trust exercises and exercising their minds through book clubs.

David MadisonNovember 22, 2025

Susan Denker of Cheyenne says she owes her life to her poodle Lily, who alerted a friend after Denker suffered a heart attack.

Hero Poodle Named Lily Saves Cheyenne Woman's Life After Heart Attack

A Cheyenne woman credits her poodle Lily for saving her life after having a heart attack. “If it hadn't been for Lily alerting my friend, I would not be talking to you, because they did pronounce me dead at one point,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Zakary SonntagNovember 22, 2025