Wyoming Life

Scarlett Hamrick, a Jackson snowmobile guide, won the Survivor 50 Challenge this past week, finding a hidden immunity idol to promote the 50th season of "Survivor." She won a chance at tickets to the live season finale in Los Angeles later this year.

Jackson Tour Guide Finds ‘Survivor' Immunity Idol Hidden Near Jackson

Scarlett Hamrick, a Jackson snowmobile guide, won Wyoming's Survivor 50 Challenge this past week, finding a hidden idol to promote the 50th season of "Survivor." Wyoming’s challenge was touted as the most exciting as it consisted of a two- to four-hour adventure that required skis or snowmobile

Andrew RossiFebruary 16, 2026

Despite his reputation and prolific outlaw career, Butch Cassidy was only incarcerated once, from 1894-1896 in the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. He had been pinched for grand larceny for horse-stealing.

Wyoming History: The Prison That Launched Butch Cassidy’s Outlaw Legend

The only time Butch Cassidy was locked up, he served 18 months in the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. Far from being reformed, Cassidy vowed that if he was going to be treated like an outlaw, “he would show them what an outlaw was."

Jackie DorothyFebruary 15, 2026

Malyna Si Hotel Jackson's executive chef Malyna Si is a contestant on Padma Lakshmis celebrity chef competition "America's Culinary Cup."

Jackson Hotel Chef Picked For $1 Million Competition On CBS

Hotel Jackson’s executive chef Malyna Si has been chosen to compete for a $1 million prize on Padma Lakshmi’s celebrity chef competition "America’s Culinary Cup" on CBS. Before coming to Jackson, she led a Michelin-starred restaurant in Florida.

Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2026

Earl Newton was a friend of Buffalo Bill Cody and had been a cowboy, miner, stage driver, rancher, and sheep man. He also was lonely. In 1902, he married a mail-order bride, Eliza Bushnell, of Cherokee, Iowa. She arrived by train and their were married by Judge M.O. Newton right away.

Mail Order Brides: When Wyoming Men Outnumbered Women 10-1, They ‘Imported Wives’

Back in the early 1900s, when Wyoming men outnumbered women 10-1, they formed matrimonial clubs to bring out mail-order brides from back East. Historians say many fourth- and fifth-generation Wyoming families may trace their roots to these “imported wives."

Andrew RossiFebruary 15, 2026

Did You Know? Highest Cathedral In The United States Is In Laramie, Wyoming

At an elevation of 7,276 feet above sea level, St. Matthew's Cathedral and its 118-foot spire in Laramie, Wyoming, is the highest cathedral in the United States. There are others much larger and taller, but none with the rare air of Laramie's altitude.

Wendy CorrFebruary 15, 2026

The traditional practice of feeding livestock in winter from a horse-drawn sleigh seems labor-intensive and less efficient than using modern technology. Some Wyoming ranchers do it anyway — a nod to old-time Western ranching.

Why These Wyoming Ranchers Feed Winter Livestock With Horse-Drawn Sleighs

Many Wyoming ranchers stick to the traditional way of doing things when feeding livestock in the winter — with a team of workhorses and a sleigh loaded with hay. "I don't have to worry about whether the engine will start," rancher Pete Arambel says.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 15, 2026

Roller derby is making a comeback in Wyoming as women swap their mundane day jobs for hard-hitting action on skates. Teams across the state are rebuilding after the pandemic, embracing the sport’s mix of strength and strategy.

Roller Derby Is Back In Wyoming And Teachers Ain't Messing Around

At the Fremont County Fair Building in Riverton, teachers are transformed into hard-hitting racers as they practice for their next roller derby bout. The fast-paced, full-contact sport, which peaked in the 1970s, is growing in popularity around Wyoming.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 14, 2026

16 Years After Heart Transplant, Couple Thanks Organ Donor For Another Valentine's Day

Casper couple Jason and Misty Wynia say they are forever grateful to the person who checked "yes" on their driver's license application to be an organ donor. This is their 16th Valentine's Day together since Jason received a new heart.

Wendy CorrFebruary 14, 2026

Nick Dodgson and his father after finding the headstone of his great, great, great-uncle in a cemetery of 60,000 gravestones.

Cheyenne Man's Quest To Find Gravestone Of Great, Great, Great-Uncle In England

During a trip to the U.K. last week, Cheyenne's Nick Dodgson went on a seemingly impossible quest. Find the gravestone of his great, great, great-uncle — who died in 1880 — in an ivy-filled cemetery with over 60,000 headstones.

Andrew RossiFebruary 14, 2026

Silver medalist Jaelin Kauf of Team United States smiles during the medal ceremony for the Women’s Freestyle Ski Moguls on day five of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 11, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.

Alta’s Jaelin Kauf Wins Olympic Silver In Historic U.S. Moguls Finish

Jaelin Kauf of Alta, Wyoming, earned her second career Olympic silver in moguls on Wednesday as she and teammate Liz Lemley made history with the first U.S. 1-2 finish in women’s freestyle skiing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 11, 2026

Lack Of Snowflakes Haven’t Discouraged Wyoming Ski Season Pass Holders

By and large, skiers know the drill: Purchase a season pass, take a gamble on the weather. Ski areas famously have policies against refunds because of unseasonable weather. And season pass holders in Wyoming are taking it in stride, at least so far.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 09, 2026

Wyoming Might Finally Get A Big Dump Of Snow And Then More Snow

Meteorologists are monitoring an incoming winter weather system that they say will provide western Wyoming's snowpacks with high-quality snow. “The best, heaviest snow will fall west of the Continental Divide," Don Day said, mentioning that this could start a trend.

Andrew RossiFebruary 09, 2026

On the remote plains of Wyoming, a 3,200-pound red granite monument marks the grave of Mother Featherlegs, a rare stone tribute to a Wild West prostitute. She was known to stash stolen loot before being murdered by the outlaw “Dangerous Dick.”

Wyoming's 3,200-Pound Monument To Wild West Prostitute Mother Featherlegs

On the remote plains of eastern Wyoming, a 3,200-pound red granite monument marks the grave of Mother Featherlegs, a rare stone tribute to a Wild West prostitute. She was known to stash stolen loot before being murdered by the outlaw “Dangerous Dick.”

Jackie DorothyFebruary 09, 2026

Gold medalist Breezy Johnson of Team United States poses for a photo during the medal ceremony for the Women's Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Wyoming Native Breezy Johnson Wins Gold Medal In Women's Downhill

Not only did Wyoming native Breezy Johnson win a gold medal on Sunday in women’s downhill skiing, but it was Team USA’s first medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Johnson becomes only the second American woman to win Olympic downhill gold.

Jimmy OrrFebruary 08, 2026

The "Survivor 50 Challenge" is a celebration of the 50th season of the reality show “Survivor,” and Monday is Wyoming’s turn to find a hidden immunity idol. Whoever wins will need a snowmobile to find it hidden near “a town named for David Edward."

Survivor TV Show Gives Hint Where Scavenger Hunt Will Be Held In Wyoming On Monday

Wyoming's turn to play the "Survivor 50 Challenge" is on Monday. The celebration of the 50th season of the reality show "Survivor" means people in every state are given clues to find a hidden "immunity idol." Clues for Wyoming were released over the weekend.

Andrew RossiFebruary 08, 2026

Anne Elyse Elliott, then 31, was last seen in the area of North Temple Street in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 10, 2020.

New Lead Reinvigorates Search For Wyoming Woman Who Vanished 6 Years Ago

Salt Lake City investigators have discovered fresh evidence in the disappearance of a former Jackson woman who vanished more than six years ago. The news of this first big break has brought hope to Elliott’s family, including her younger sister Emily Nardacci, of Pinedale.

Jen KocherFebruary 08, 2026

While Cheyenne police officer and Hall of Fame athlete Tom Garrison battles leukemia while undergoing chemotherapy, his partner Lori Millin has served as his caregiver and their faith and deep love have helped carry Garrison to remission.

Ringing The Bell: Former Cheyenne Cop's Battle To Beat Cancer

For former Cheyenne cop and UW Hall of Fame athlete Tom Garrison, World Cancer Day is personal. The observance, held every Feb. 4, was the day Tom rang the bell to signal his intense chemotherapy was complete. Nine years later, he's cancer-free.

Wendy CorrFebruary 08, 2026

Hell’s Half Acre To Reopen, Showcasing Wyoming’s Otherworldly Alien Landscape

Hell’s Half Acre, an otherworldly alien landscape in a remote section of central Wyoming is reopening in May. The area was most-recently made famous by the cult classic movie "Starship Troopers," but access has been restricted since 2005.

Renée JeanFebruary 07, 2026

Deloris “Dee” Arps of Worland is 108 years and 6 months old. She attributes her long life to hard work and determination. She kept going even when it was tough and personal tragedy came her way.

Meet Dee Arps: The 108-Year-Old Who Owned The First Drive-Thru Liquor Store In Wyoming

108-year-old Deloris “Dee” Arps of Worland owned the first drive-thru liquor store in Wyoming -- and had to work the legislature to make it legal. She arrived in Wyoming more than 80 years ago as a new bride with $25 and went straight to work.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 07, 2026

Mike “Moose” Dabich of Hudson was minding his own business 50 years ago when the 7-foot-tall former pro basketball player in a fur coat sparked a Bigfoot panic while fishing in Fremont County, Wyoming.

7-Foot Man In A Fur Coat Sparked A Bigfoot Panic In Wyoming 54 Years Ago

“Moose” Dabich of Hudson, a 7-foot-tall former pro basketball player, was fishing in a fur coat in 1972 when two boys reported they saw Bigfoot. It caused a panic but Dabich didn't clear it up because he was fishing without a license and didn't want to get in trouble.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 07, 2026

Mike Lepore is the golf pro at the Airport Golf Course in Cheyenne.

With Record-Breaking Warm Weather, Why Aren't Most Wyoming Golf Courses Open?

With unseasonably warm weather continuing in most of Wyoming this winter, why aren't golf courses filled with people? Golf pros told Cowboy State Daily if they could open their courses, they would. It's just not that easy.

Jimmy OrrFebruary 07, 2026

A district fireball was reported over Utah, Colorado and Wyoming on Thursday night by dozens of people — similar to this one seen during a previous meteor shower in a file photo. While Thursday's fireball was widely reported, no photos or video of it could be found.

Fireball Lights Up Night Sky Over Flaming Gorge In Southwest Wyoming

Dozens of people across Wyoming, Colorado and Utah saw a colorful fireball streak through the sky Thursday night. Experts say it likely faded over Flaming Gorge with a chance fragments reached the ground.

Andrew RossiFebruary 07, 2026

"My Entire Life Is In That Trailer": Online Sleuths Helping Cowgirl Find Stolen Trailer

People across Wyoming are trying to help a Montana bronc rider find her stolen horse trailer. Brittany Miller told Cowboy State Daily her "entire life is in that trailer." Online sleuths have been combing through Wyoming webcams to help in the search effort.

Andrew RossiFebruary 06, 2026

Meteorologist Don Day stands on a snowdrift from the massive winter storm that dropped 30+ inches overnight in Cheyenne back in March, 2021

Wyoming To Gain 70+ Minutes Of Daylight In Feb.; Could Trigger Wet Heavy Snow Too

Wyoming will gain over 70 minutes of daylight in February as "solar spring" begins, which will make days longer and warmer. Meteorologists say that can lead to massive amounts of wet, heavy snow like the kind that paralyzed Cheyenne five years ago.

Andrew RossiFebruary 04, 2026

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