Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

Smoke plumes from the Weiser Knoll fire southeast of Lander were visible for miles.

UPDATE: Fire Near Lander At 16,530 Acres And 0% Contained, Prompts Evacuations

The Weiser Knoll fire near Lander, started by an overheated wheel bearing on Highway 28 on Sunday, exploded to Wyoming's largest at 16,530 acres and was 0% contained late Tuesday. “Everybody was waiting for their places to go up,” a local rancher said.

Mark HeinzAugust 11, 2026

A new culvert being installed under the Brooks Lake Road in Shoshone National Forest. A July 22 mudslide filled the old culvert with 10 feet of mud, which Wind River Ranger District Jeff von Kienast described as "the consistency of wet cement" with boulders as big as vehicles.

After 18 Days, Road To Brooks Lake Lodge Finally Reopened After Massive Mudslide

The road to Brooks Lake Lodge and campgrounds has reopened after an 18-day closure due to a massive slide that covered the road with 10 feet of mud, trees and boulders. The Wind River Ranger District shuttled guests to the lodge during the closure.

Andrew RossiAugust 11, 2026

Descendants of Jim Baker attending the rededication of the famous mountain man's cabin from left are Michael and Paul McAllister, Chilly Rollison, Cynthia Reschke Collyard, and James Neeley.

Jim Baker Descendants Celebrate Work To Save Forgotten Mountain Man’s Savery Home

Long before he built his cabin in Savery, Jim Baker led two dozen men in an 1841 fight that gave Battle Mountain its name. Now his far-flung descendants and a tiny museum are fighting time, money and rotten logs to save the frontier scout’s last home.

Renée JeanAugust 11, 2026

Meteorologist Don Day Calls New Farmer's Almanac Winter Forecast 'Voodoo Magic'

The Farmer’s Almanac has released its winter forecast, and Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day calls it "voodoo magic." However, he does believe a very strong El Niño is on the way but he's "not going to follow the herd into slaughter this time."

Andrew RossiAugust 10, 2026

Carla Seely, Executive Director of MESA Equine Assisted Services, said MESA is seeking a permanent facility to keep and increase its number of horses before it can serve more children.

Sublette 4-H, Equine Therapy Group Clash Over Sharing 34 Acres Donated To County

A 34-acre parcel of land donated to Sublette County more than a decade ago to benefit 4-H, FFA and youth agricultural education has become the center of a bitter dispute between two organizations that both work with local children.

Kate MeadowsAugust 10, 2026

Lindsay Woods of Jackson is one of the 43 riders participating in the Mongol Derby 2026, a 620-mile horse race in Inner Mongolia. As of Monday, she’s made her move and is poised to win it all.

Jackson Woman On Track To Win 620-Mile Mongol Derby

Jackson's Lindsay Woods was one of the top three riders Monday and is poised to win the Mongol Derby 2026, the longest and most arduous multi-horse race in the world. If she wins the 620-mile marathon, she'll become the second woman from Wyoming to do so.

Andrew RossiAugust 10, 2026

Manny Myers (left) of Louisiana has been coming to Sturgis for 50 years. Kolby Fedore (right) joined Manny on a 3-wheeler called "The Pantydropper" and was pulled over by the highway patrol.

Sturgis 2026: Climbing Into A 3-Wheeler Called The Pantydropper Was Not A Good Idea

Climbing into a three-wheeler called "The Pantydropper" with a 50-year Sturgis veteran who boasted "it goes zero to 100 in a second," ended up with me at the wheel and the flashing lights of a South Dakota patrol car behind us.

Kolby FedoreAugust 10, 2026

Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County is so low a proposed pumped-water storage project wouldn’t work and could devastate Wyoming's famus Miracle Mile trout fishery, opponents say. Scientists say they the North Platte to remain vulnerable to drought.

Critics Say Proposed Seminoe Power Project Won’t Have Enough Water

Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County is so low a proposed pumped-water storage project wouldn’t work and could devastate Wyoming's famous Miracle Mile trout fishery, critics say. Scientists say the drought won't end any time soon.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2026

Newspapers dubbed 28-year-old Bill Carlisle the "Gentleman Bandit" after Wyoming crime sprees in 1916 and 1919 that earned him favor with locals. “He was always so good to the people that he was robbing," says R.J. Gillian, a Carlisle family friend.

Wyoming's 'Gentleman Bandit' Was National Sensation For Polite Train Robberies

Newspapers dubbed Bill Carlisle the "Gentleman Bandit" after crime sprees in the early 1900s that earned him favor with Wyoming locals. “He was so good to the people that he was robbing," said an 82-year-old whose grandma was a friend of the bandit.

Jackie DorothyAugust 09, 2026

When agriculture took a nosedive in the 1980s, five ranching families in the tiny town of Chugwater decided to do something about it. They formed a company called Chugwater Chili, and 40 years later the chili — and the town — are still going strong.

Chugwater Chili at 40: How Five Families Came Together And Saved Chugwater

When agriculture took a nosedive in the 1980s, five ranching families in tiny Chugwater, Wyoming, decided to do something about it. They formed a company called Chugwater Chili, and 40 years later the chili — and the town — are still going strong.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

Two years ago, a GMC Yukon left U.S. 14-16-20 and bounced off giant boulders in Oregon Basin. It's still there and likely in its final resting place because recovering it would be "a fruitless effort," Zac Beardall of Zac's Towing and Recovery says.

SUV That Went Off Wyoming Cliff 2 Years Ago Still There With No Plans To Recover

Two years ago, a GMC Yukon flew off a highway in Park County and bounced off giant boulders in Wyoming's Oregon Basin. It's still there and likely there to stay because recovering it would be a fruitless effort, said the owner of a local tow company.

Andrew RossiAugust 09, 2026

Milanii Sojos dropped out of high school, became a mother at 17, endured abuse and spent years caught in a cycle of fighting and drinking. “Why can’t I be the one to change it?” she says about becoming a CNA and now healing people instead of hurting them.

Eastern Shoshone Boxing Champ Used To Fight Everyone. Now She’s A Healer

Milanii Sojos dropped out of high school, became a mother at 17, endured abuse and spent years caught in a cycle of fighting and drinking. Today, she sees her future in a combination of two fields — caring for people and understanding the justice system.

Kate MeadowsAugust 09, 2026

The grain elevator has an enormous footprint.

Cheyenne Woman Saving 1910-Era Grain Elevator Wants To Resurrect City’s West Side

The owner of T-Joe’s Steakhouse in Cheyenne just spent $850,000 on a cluster of 1910-era buildings that includes the old Ful-O-Pep grain elevator to resurrect the city’s west side. “It will take a little work, but it won’t take very long,” she said.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

Finding a job after prison is hard, and keeping it is harder, according to a Wyoming man who knows the corrections system and is helping felons get jobs. "It was the hardest I've ever worked for a job for the least amount of pay," says a fromer inmate.

From Prison To Paycheck: Wyoming Man Finds Jobs For Felons To 'Stay Free Forever'

Finding a job after prison is hard, and keeping it is harder, says one Wyoming man who knows the corrections system and helps felons get jobs. Clifford Fewel says new freedom has a lot of tripwires and his goal is to help these people "stay free forever."

Kolby FedoreAugust 09, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Welcomes Jeff Welsch As Managing Editor For Features & Weekend

Cowboy State Daily is excited to announce the addition of Jeff Welsch to its masthead. Welsch, an award-winning editor, reporter, writer, and columnist, will serve as the managing editor for weekend and features content.

August 09, 2026

In 1916, well-respected Laramie County Sheriff Frank Roach, also a rancher who had three horses stolen by thieves, pursued them into Colorado. He was gunned down by the thieves — shot in the back of the head — on a ranch a few miles across Wyoming's southern border.

Wyoming History: Laramie County Sheriff Was Gunned Down By Horse Thieves In 1916

In 1916, well-respected Laramie County Sheriff Frank Roach had three horses stolen by thieves and pursued them into Colorado. He was gunned down by the thieves — shot in the back of the head on a ranch a few miles across Wyoming's southern border.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 09, 2026

Sophie, the 85% complete Stegosaurus stenops, on display at London's Natural History Museum. The dinosaur was originally named "Sarah" after the daughter of the Shell landowners where the skeleton was discovered, but was renamed "Sophie" after the daughter of a donor who made it possible for the museum to acquire the skeleton.

Sophie, The World's Most Complete Stegosaurus, Was Found In Shell, Wyoming

A Stegosaurus discovered near Shell, Wyoming, is believed to be the most complete and well-preserved specimen ever found. When it was unveiled as the centerpiece exhibit at the Natural History Museum of London, paleontologists praised it as the best in the world.

Andrew RossiAugust 09, 2026

Reuben Reifschneider posed in his blacksmith work clothes at the request of Art Linkletter, the host of a popular CBS variety show. Reifschneider had won the title of Wyoming's Ugliest Man in 1964 and 1965 after traveling to Hollywood. While the other contestants wore outrageous costumes, Reifschneider remained himself. His "ugly" was the ability to pop out an eye and his teeth.

'Wyoming's Ugliest Man' Earned Title Proudly On TV By Popping Out Eye And Teeth

Reuben Reifschneider proudly earned the title of “Wyoming’s Ugliest Man” twice by popping out a glass eye and his teeth on Art Linkletter’s “House Party” TV show in 1964 and 1965. “Reuben was just himself. He didn't need a costume at all,” said a friend.

Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2026

A Wyoming man found the mother of all giant puffball mushroom's the size of two basketballs near the Happy Jack Recreation Area. The puffball is edible, though mushroom expert Jake States says Wyoming has tastier fungi. "I find them pretty bland," he says.

Wyoming Man Finds Mother Of All Puffball Mushrooms At Happy Jack — And It's Edible

A Wyoming man found a giant puffball mushroom the size of two basketballs near the Happy Jack Recreation Area last week. Mushroom expert Jack States says the edible puffball is best when sautéd with garlic but cautions it could have a laxative effect.

Andrew RossiAugust 08, 2026

Tell Christopher Volzke he can’t grow something in Wyoming, and it’s game on. Volzke and his wife, Angie, started their Unlocked Vines winery in Casper after winning a silver medal from Winemaker Magazine with a wine made from their Wyoming-grown grapes.

Casper Couple Proves You Can Make Award-Winning Wine In Wyoming

Growing up on a fifth-generation ranch made Christopher Volzke confident, despite what everyone told him, that he could get grapes to grow in Wyoming. Not only was he right, but he and his wife, Angie, won a silver medal for their wine from Winemaker Magazine.

Renée JeanAugust 08, 2026

Bikers heading to Sturgis say the best way to not to get your ass kicked at the motorcycle rally is to follow the unwritten rules. Don’t touch another man's bike, don't mess with someone's "old lady" and know when to shut up. "You want to touch a motorcycle, get your own,” said a biker.

How To Avoid Getting Your Ass Kicked At The Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

With the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicking off this weekend, many bikers offered tips on how to avoid getting your ass kicked at the celebration. One 45-year vet says "Understand the unwritten rules before you accidentally break one."

Kolby FedoreAugust 08, 2026

After four customers dined and dashed the Sweet Zoey restaurant in Casper, the owner posted photos of them online instead of calling the police. “You come in and order this much, and just leave without paying? Who are these people?" asked the owner.

After Being Hit Again By Dine-And-Dashers, Casper Restaurant Skips Police

After being hit again by thieves who dined and dashed, the owner of Sweet Zoey restaurant in Casper posted photos of the offenders instead of calling the police. "They intended to steal,” she said, noting that calling the police in the past didn't work.

Zakary SonntagAugust 08, 2026

Chris Navarro explains the message on the dog tags of the sculpture, while his brother, Herb, left, prepares to add their father’s dog tags to the bronze for the day.

Chris Navarro’s Latest Bronze ‘Fallen Comrade’ An Emotional Tribute To Father

Casper sculptor Chris Navarro unveiled his latest bronze Friday, a more-than-life-sized work titled “Fallen Comrade” of a soldier kneeling in honor of a fallen brother. “It’s special because of all the ties my family has to the military,” he said.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 07, 2026

Patrons admire some of the 107 pieces of modern Western art that will be displayed and auctioned off during the opening of the 45th Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale.

More Than 100 Western Works Of Art Worth $1.25M At Renowned Buffalo Bill Art Show

The renowned Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale in Cody opened for its 45th year Thursday with more than 100 works of Western art valued at more than $1.25 million. “I would say we’re almost running out of room,” said an organizer about the event's growth.

Andrew RossiAugust 07, 2026