Wyoming Life
News

Camporee, Giant Youth Camping Event That Brought 60,000 To Gillette, Won't Return
International Pathfinder Camporee, a youth camping event that brought more than 60,000 people to Gillette in 2024, is headed back to its longtime home in Wisconsin, leaving a $1.6 million amphitheater and a $125,000 deposit behind.
Renée JeanSeptember 14, 2026

Evanston Restaurant Owners Vow To Stay Open Despite Truck Blasting Through Storefront
An Evanston restaurant owner says the popular eatery will remain open despite a truck crashing through the building early Monday. The owner clarified they will not be operational in the area with the gaping hole. “We are still opening,” a spokesman said.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 14, 2026

Buffalo Bill Center Confirms It Has Rare 1804 Lewis & Clark Expedition Peace Medals
Modern technology has confirmed that two rare Jefferson peace medals in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West collection are authentic artifacts from the 1804 Lewis and Clark expedition. "It’s a profoundly significant find," museum curators said.
Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2026

Wyoming Hall Of Fame Auctioneer Tom Harrow Has A Lifetime Of Cowboy History
Wyoming hall-of-fame auctioneer Tom Harrower has been building his collection of cowboy history, artifacts and collectibles since growing up on his family’s ranch near Kemmerer. “This is about preserving our stories before they are lost,” he said.
Jackie DorothySeptember 13, 2026

To Escape Hail Damage, People Wrap Their Cars In Gigantic Inflatable Cocoons
Some drivers who want protection from hail damage for cars are turning to inflatable cocoons — gigantic shells of heavy-duty fabric that inflate to surround a vehicle. Not everyone is sold on them, with one skeptic calling the cocoon “a metallic turd.”
Mark HeinzSeptember 13, 2026

How Savery’s 145-Year-Old Ladder Ranch Is Beating The 'Third-Generation Curse’
Legacy ranches across Wyoming are folding, and many of those remaining struggle to survive the "third-generation curse." Then there's the historic 145-year-old Ladder Ranch in the Little Snake River Valley with its fifth and sixth generations lined up.
Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2026

Robot Mowers Cut Wyoming Lawns and a Golf Course. Owners Say the Payoff Is Time
You may not see a lot of robot lawnmowers in Wyoming now. But people who use the robots, swear by them. They get a lot of compliments and it's a big timesaver. “I don’t mind mowing, but when I'm home, I want to hang out with my family,” one owner said.
Leo WolfsonSeptember 13, 2026

How Wyoming Border Patrol Turned Coloradan Jokes Into A Viral Business Sensation
Wyoming Border Patrol is a hit on social media. Viral videos with millions of views lampooning Colorado have turned the Laramie apparel company into a media brand. "Even a Coloradan can become a productive member of Wyoming society," its latest video says.
Zakary SonntagSeptember 13, 2026

People Won’t Stop Feeding Diablo As Gillette’s Famous Roadside Goat Gets Fatter
Diablo, a goat that lives by the Wyodak Power Plant near Gillette, has become a victim of its own celebrity. People stop to give him scratches and snacks — which is causing the aging mascot people call "Goatalope" to get really fat and unhealthy.
Renée JeanSeptember 13, 2026

Wyoming History: Lance Creek Oil Workers Feared They Were On Hitler’s Hit List
Workers in the Lance Creek oil fields in Niobrara County during World War II feared during they were on Hitler's hit list because 25% of Wyoming’s oil came from the area. Hitler never struck, and now about 50 people remain in a town that once had 5,000.
Jackie DorothySeptember 13, 2026

World War II-Era Wyoming Wildcatter To Fly Again In National Air Championship
A classic red, white, and blue World War II-era T-6 warbird trainer aircraft flown over Casper since the 1980s returns to the National Championship Air Races this coming week in Roswell, New Mexico. Virgil Tatman will fly the acrobatic Wyoming Wildcatter.
Dale KillingbeckSeptember 12, 2026

Voters Will Likely End Steve Harshman’s Hall-Of-Fame Football Coaching Career
This 36th season for Natrona County's football coach Steve Harshman could be his last if voters elect him as the next education chief. He ranks second in Wyoming history for football victories. No. 1 and No. 3 on the list have stadiums named after them.
Jeff WelschSeptember 12, 2026

Interstate 90 Was Re-Routed Because Of 200-Foot-Wide Sinkhole With 20,000 Bison Bones
When highway workers ran into a sinkhole with 20,000 bison bones in it, they had to completely re-route Interstate 90 in 1969. What became known as the Vore Buffalo Jump is a rare archaeological site where people can see artifacts in their original state.
Andrew RossiSeptember 12, 2026

Widow Of Teton Pass Crash Victim Vows: ‘This Bloodshed Ends With Him'
Javier De Luna Chavez survived kidney failure, years of dialysis, and a transplant but didn't survive a crash on the 10% grade of Teton Pass. His widow says he fought too hard for life to become another name on the list of people killed on Teton Pass.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 12, 2026

Wyoming Sportscaster Frank Gambino Dies Unexpectedly At The Age Of 63
Wyoming sportscaster Frank Gambino, a fixture in Wyoming sports for more than four decades, unexpectedly died Thursday at age 63. The three-time sportscaster of the year was beloved by his colleagues. “There will never be another Frank Gambino," said K2's Bob Price.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 11, 2026

Lander Bagpipe Band Began 25 Years Ago As A Response To 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
The Lander Pipe Band began as a one-time performance in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Now 25 years later, it’s played at every local 9/11 memorial service and has become a fixture in the central Wyoming town.
Jackie DorothySeptember 10, 2026

Moonshine Fire Grows To 3,900 Acres, Crews Save Ranch And Brace For 45-Mph Winds
The lightning-caused Moonshine Fire about 17 miles southwest of Wheatland has swelled to an estimated 3,900 acres and remains 0% contained on Thursday, with more than 150 people now assigned to the fire. Crews are now bracing for 45-mph wind gusts.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 10, 2026

Wildfire Explodes To 2,600 Acres Southwest Of Wheatland, Structures Threatened
A wildfire burning in rugged and remote terrain in the Laramie Range southwest of Wheatland exploded to more than 2,600 acres Wednesday. The Moonshine Fire is 0% contained and is threatening structures in the area, officials report.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 09, 2026

Fort Washakie Border Collie Made It Home To Family Before Dying Of Gunshot Wound
A Fort Washakie family is devastated after the death of their 6-year-old border collie Drover, who was shot over the weekend after leaving their rural Wyoming property. The dog managed to make his way home before dying from the bullet wound.
Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2026

First Colors in Parched Snowy Range Could Signal An Earlier And Faster Fall
Tree and shrubs in the Snowy Range are already showing their fall colors due to an unseasonably dry year. Meteorologist Don Day (and his dog Winston) say to see the fall color while it’s good, you might have to change your plans and get out earlier.
Andrew RossiSeptember 09, 2026

Hundreds Gather To Pray For Wyoming Hiker Missing For 11 Days In Grand Canyon
Hundreds packed a Texas church to pray for Tim Smith as the search for the Wyoming hiker reaches Day 11 after a devastating flood in the Grand Canyon. “Today, we should be celebrating Tim’s birthday,” his wife, Carrie, said.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 09, 2026

Casper Couple Killed When Side-By-Side Rolls Down Mountain, Daughter Injured Too
A Casper couple was killed in a side-by-side crash on Muddy Mountain over the Labor Day Weekend, Natrona County authorities confirmed Tuesday. Their daughter was injured trying to reach them and had to be airlifted off the mountain.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 08, 2026

Reports Of Tesla Driver Blissfully Asleep While Driving On I-70 In Colorado
A Tesla driver was spotted sleeping behind the wheel while driving on I-70 in Colorado over the weekend. A Wyoming Tesla owner says it's easy to fall asleep but it shouldn't let you stay asleep. “It sees you dozing off, and it does wake you up,” he said.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 07, 2026

Wyoming History: Cheyenne Con Man David Dare Was The Bernie Madoff Of His Time
David Dare was known as the architect of Castle Dare, a mansion on Cheyenne's Millionaires Row built in 1887, and a con man who was the Bernie Madoff of his time. He swindled people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading to two suicides.
Kerry DrakeSeptember 07, 2026
