Bill Sniffin
Bill Sniffin has been a publisher and author in Wyoming for 53 years. He formerly owned all or part interest in 20 different newspapers, magazines, print shops, ad agencies, and internet companies.
He is one of Wyoming's best-known columnists, having written a statewide column for more than 22 years and a local column for 38 years prior to that.
Sniffin has published six books including three Wyoming-themed coffee table books, called the Wyoming Trilogy. He lives in Lander with his wife Nancy.
Latest from Bill Sniffin
Bill Sniffin: Over My Career, My Favorite Award Was An Old Battered Miner’s Helmet
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Exposing the stories about the horrible deaths of Fremont County uranium miners in the 1980s ended up being one of the most fulfilling events of my 60-year journalism career."
Bill SniffinNovember 23, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Trying To Explain To Folks In ‘A Democrat Bubble’ Why They Lost – It Did Not Go Well
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “I spent my five minutes wondering aloud how the Democrats could believe all this ‘woke’ stuff about open borders, forgiving student loans, over-emphasis on race and transgender, etc.”
Bill SniffinNovember 16, 2024
Bill Sniffin: American People ‘Woke’ Up Last Tuesday! Wyoming Celebrates Trump Landslide
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The Biden-Harris administration was a cultural experiment that used programs that appeared to work in California so why not thrust these ideas on the entire people of the country? But much of the rest of the country was opposed being californicated.”
Bill SniffinNovember 09, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Who Is The Best Political Expert In Wyoming? Take The CSD Political Quiz
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “I have issued this challenge to the staff of the Cowboy State Daily and also to all our readers. Who is the smartest political observer of them all?”
Bill SniffinNovember 02, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Politics – The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “In a recent story, Cheney tried to explain how a person who is pro-life, such as herself, can support Harris. It was pretty convoluted. I always was a big supporter of Liz Cheney and her family. Alas, no more."
Bill SniffinOctober 26, 2024
Wyoming Coffee Klatch: Lander’s Fox News All-Stars Lean Right — But Not All The Time
Cowboy State Daily is visiting coffee klatches across Wyoming before the election to see what topics are being discussed. The Fox News All-Stars, in Lander, is one of the state's oldest groups. Politics dominates the conversation, mostly leaning right — but not all the time.
Bill SniffinOctober 24, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Is Famous For Broken Windshields – Here's Why
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Wyoming is the windiest state in America and that requires some special kind of heavier rocks on our roads in bad weather – which can come just about any time of year.”
Bill SniffinOctober 19, 2024
Bill Sniffin: We Love Our Pets – Three Good Ones Left Us This Year
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "What a sad year – so far in 2024, we have had to say good-bye to three of our grand-puppies. These are dogs that lived to be 12, 14, 14 years. They had become parts of our lives and were big personalities in the families of three of our children."
Bill SniffinOctober 13, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Modern Flying Can Be Nerve-Wracking – Or Perfect
Bill Sniffin: “We old-timers can recall the amazing service the old Frontier Airlines provided last century with those ponderous Convair 580s, but this 2024 version of commercial aviation ended up being excellent, too.”
Bill SniffinOctober 05, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Over 717,000 People Viewed Our ‘Robo Bear’ Video On Instagram – Wow!
Bill Sniffin writes: “Mark did well against the 'robo bear.' My attempt was pathetic. Despite my failure, the video of the encounter was a huge hit. This video has been viewed 717,000 times on Instagram.”
Bill SniffinSeptember 28, 2024
Wyoming Winter Woes Include Black Holes, Yellow Highway Stripes, and No Interstate Traffic
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “I spend way too much time cautioning my family and friends about the perils of Wyoming driving during this season of long nights and short days - plus bitter temperatures, heavy snowfalls, and, yes, those doggone Wyoming winds.”
Bill SniffinSeptember 22, 2024
Bill Sniffin: 50 Years Ago, World’s Space Race Focused On Sagebrush Hills Of Wyoming
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "In 1974, a three-man crew of astronauts from the USA and a two-man crew of cosmonauts from the USSR were picked to participate in this pioneering program. But first, they were going to participate in the One Shot Antelope Hunt in Lander."
Bill SniffinSeptember 14, 2024
Bill Sniffin: "The Dog Ate My Homework" And More On The Old Farts Clubs
Bill Sniffin writes, “No matter how legitimate, excuses just sound like ‘the dog ate my homework’ to some people.”
Bill SniffinSeptember 07, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Does Each Wyoming Town Have Its ‘9 Old Men’ Who Think They Run It?
Bill Sniffin writes: “In my travels, I am always looking for these coffee groups. They can be a true fountain of information and misinformation. This is where all the good news stories bubble up from."
Bill SniffinAugust 31, 2024
Bill Sniffin: So Many Big Little Stories Came Out Of 2024 Primary
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Our 2024 Republican primary campaign was a barn-burner and full of meanness and hate. Yes, folks, politics in Wyoming, once again, is not political, it is personal.”
Bill SniffinAugust 24, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Two Years Ago, Wyoming Was Center Of The Political Universe
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Two years ago, because of the feud between Liz Cheney and former President Donald Trump, the whole world descended on the Cowboy State to see how her reelection race would turn out.”
Bill SniffinAugust 17, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Here Is A True Saying: ‘In Wyoming, Politics Is Not Political. It Is Personal’
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Elections can be difficult times because of personal relationships. You can find yourself being friends with both candidates. Especially when the races turn nasty, it is truly unpleasant."
Bill SniffinAugust 10, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Politics Featuring Flyers, Candy Bars, And The One And Done Club
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “We gave away 10,000 candy bars. I was the only candidate in history who gained weight during his campaign!”
Bill SniffinAugust 03, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Brace Yourself For The Nuttiest 100-Day Election Campaign In American History
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “And despite all the confidence expressed by the Republicans, I believe the Dems still have a real chance to pull this off. The 12 million illegal aliens that arrived in the USA over the past three years could be the difference-makers.”
Bill SniffinJuly 27, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Seriously, Are We Oldsters Still In Middle Age, Really? – Nah
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “The years between 65 and 75 were probably the best years of our lives. We were free of major responsibilities, had a little money saved up, could travel, were relatively healthy, and overall, life was pretty doggone carefree.”
Bill SniffinJuly 20, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Summer Is Half Over – How Is Your Bucket List Coming Along?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "“And if our days are numbered, what are we going to do with those limited days? That is why the old idea of putting together a bucket list has always been so important to me.”
Bill SniffinJuly 13, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Our Big Fat Glorious Wyoming Wedding – During Monsoon Season!
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “We had been relegated to the roles of Uncle Lewis and Aunt Bethany from ‘Christmas Vacation.’ According to that movie, my job was to keep from setting my toupee on fire with my cigar and Nancy’s was to not recite the Pledge of Allegiance when saying grace.”
Bill SniffinJuly 05, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Water, Water Everywhere – And You Better Drink A Whole Bunch Of It!
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Dave Love, Gap Pucci, and Finis Mitchell have spent more time in the wilds of arid Wyoming than just about anyone. I doubt they ever carried one of those quart-size Nalgene plastic bottles of water with them. They probably never even heard of Nalgene.”
Bill SniffinJune 29, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Here Are A Few Of My Favorite Wyoming Political Stories
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Dick Cheney told the woman, as he was heading out the door: ‘I am Al Simpson and I am running for U. S. Senate. I sure would appreciate your vote.’”
Bill SniffinJune 22, 2024
Bill Sniffin: I Am The Pater Familias – But How Did I Get Here?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Family legend has it that my grandpa rode into town on his motorcycle and swept Allie off her feet. They defied old Irish family traditions, drove off, and got married. That event was critical to me ultimately being here.”
Bill SniffinJune 15, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Most Fantastic Mountain Man Was Finis Mitchell
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “He was the Johnny Appleseed of the future trout paradise that these mountain lakes became. Today, it is common for hikers to catch trout in the 18-24 inch range. Each fish should have a label: ‘Courtesy of Finis Mitchell.’”
Bill SniffinJune 09, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Is A Summer Bucket List Dream – What’s On Yours?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “As a lover of the Red Desert, it still baffles me that I have not visited Adobe Town east of Rock Springs. This amazing wonder might be the most spectacular spot in the entire desert area.”
Bill SniffinJune 01, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Lord, Please Give Wyoming One More Boom
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “It is important to note that usually all our recent booms were short-lived, like 5-10 years. One bust that I lived through was 20 years, 1982-2002. That was a long dry spell.”
Bill SniffinMay 25, 2024
Bill Sniffin: 2024 Graduates Ask ‘What Is Going To Happen To Me?’
Bill Sniffin writes: “To 2024 graduates, your future is coming at you at a terrific speed and there is very little you can do to get ready for it, except get an education and use your education.”
Bill SniffinMay 18, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Grit And Gumption — How Two Hardy Wyoming Women Lived To 108
Bill Sniffin writes: “From 1915 to 2024, these two pioneer Wyoming women saw incredible changes. They lived through world wars, a depression, outlasted 16 presidents, saw the first televisions, computers, the internet and social media.”
Bill SniffinMay 11, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Folks In Beautiful Sublette County Got Their Share Of News In April
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Calls to boycott Wyoming tourism have echoed from all corners of the world. Some observers say this could be as bad to the state’s reputation as the murder of Matthew Shepard way back in 1998."
Bill SniffinMay 04, 2024
Bill Sniffin: I Own 2 Million Acres Here In Wyoming — And You Do, Too
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “About 90 minutes north of us is the 2,221,766-acre Yellowstone National Park. That is one helluva piece of spectacular real estate. We share that with 4 million other owners each summer.”
Bill SniffinApril 27, 2024
Bill Sniffin: It Took A Miracle To Prevent Killings At Wyoming School 38 Years Ago
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "The perpetrator was the town’s former lawman named David Young. He entered the town’s elementary school with a grocery cart full of guns and gasoline bombs.”
Bill SniffinApril 20, 2024
Bill Sniffin: RIP Dave Kellogg, Tall In The Saddle For Good Works In Wyoming
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Dave Kellogg was sitting in his favorite chair looking out the window at those wonderful mountains. When Carol found him, he had a scotch poured but untouched on the table beside him. The only thing missing was 'a damned good cigar.'"
Bill SniffinApril 13, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Quality Medical Care Is Essential, Especially When Sickness Strikes
Bill Sniffin writes: “After initial consults and my wife Nancy being wired with a portable harness (that sent medical signals somewhere) she was placed on a bed in a hallway of the hospital and I was issued a chair next to her. We stayed there for the next 22 hours!"
Bill SniffinApril 06, 2024
Bill Sniffin: A 47-Year Debt Repaid (To Me) In A Welsh Mountain Town
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “This small Welsh town was made famous in 1903 when Wyoming’s Buffalo Bill performed several shows in the area. Some giant redwood trees were planted there in his memory.”
Bill SniffinMarch 30, 2024
Bill Sniffin: A Birthday Brings Thoughts About Death, Memories, And Best Decisions
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "“When us oldsters scan the obits, we will often say ‘old enough’ or ‘too young,’ which usually compares the decedents to our own age. Young people have no idea what I am talking about here.”
Bill SniffinMarch 23, 2024
Bill Sniffin: When Did You Fall In Love With Wyoming -- And Its Mountains, Canyons, Rivers, Deserts?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “I was thinking about how I came to love Wyoming. That is a long, complicated story involving a whole bunch of wonderful people.”
Bill SniffinMarch 16, 2024
Bill Sniffin: ‘Stinkers And Clinkers’ Define A Lifetime In Business – A Game Of Survival
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Nancy and I were involved in the ownership of 20 different newspapers, magazines, print shops, ad agencies, internet companies, and other operations over 50 years. We even founded three Wyoming newspapers."
Bill SniffinMarch 09, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Doomed To Have No Large Cities — Why?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Biggest reason for the lack of major growth was the 20-year bust that Wyoming endured from 1982 to 2002. Wyoming languished during this bleak period with a ‘make do, get by’ attitude.”
Bill SniffinMarch 02, 2024
Bill Sniffin: A Good Tax? Shootouts. My Favorite Deer. Fun Tourism Conference.
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “A revolutionary tax program has been proposed that would get rid of property taxes for 97 percent of the home-owners in Wyoming. It is a fantastic idea.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 24, 2024
Bill Sniffin: I Like Big Buttes And I Cannot Lie!
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Between Wyoming’s soaring mountains and spectacular valleys are a series of bumps, called buttes, all over the state – and I love them all."
Bill SniffinFebruary 17, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Longest Highway In America Enters Wyoming At Lusk, Exits At Yellowstone
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “All the major historic roads from the Lincoln Highway to the Union Pacific Railroad to the Pony Express to the first telegraph line. All passed through Wyoming territory.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 10, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Far-Flung Population - How Do We Knit Everyone Together?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The University is a huge magnet for bringing Wyoming folks together. The Brown and Gold logos also mark the Cowboy State, itself.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 03, 2024
Bill Sniffin: When It Comes To Wyoming Political Personalities, Bobbi Barrasso Was Perfect
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: "People who spend their lives in politics somehow are not supposed to be as 'nice' as the late Bobbi Barrasso, wife of U. S Sen. John Barrasso."
Bill SniffinJanuary 27, 2024
Bill Sniffin: I Have Seen The Future. It's Just Like Today, Only Different
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “My futurist friend sees Wyoming as a bastion of common sense with its conservative values. Biggest advantage for Wyoming is its small population.”
Bill SniffinJanuary 20, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Red Desert Is Wyoming Treasure - We Need To Fight For Access
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "This desert is a place devoid of permanent human habitation. It has been the scene of American Indians, Oregon Trail travelers, gold prospectors, the Pony Express, the first telegraph poles, and other intrepid souls trying to conquer an unconquerable place.”
Bill SniffinJanuary 13, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Looking Ahead In 2024 — National Election Will Be Huge For Wyoming
Bill Sniffin writes, “The 2016 win by Donald Trump, who was a true business person, stimulated fossil fuel development so that the USA became an exporter of energy. That was truly amazing.”
Bill SniffinJanuary 06, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Terrible Winter, Big Loss Of Wildlife, Crazy BLM Plan Dominated The News In 2023
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "The biggest tragedy and what should be the biggest news story was the amazing loss of life among deer and antelope during these cold winter months.”
Bill SniffinDecember 30, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Last Minute Christmas Gifts – How Do You Gift-Wrap An Elephant?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “She dreamt that she and our grandson Wolf were trying to tame our new elephant. It even had a name: Spectrum. “It was SO real,” she said, before rolling over and going back to sleep.”
Bill SniffinDecember 24, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Driving To Cheyenne In Winter For Christmas Party – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Last winter, Interstate 80 was closed so much, it almost disrupted parts of the national economy because of those 13,000 stalled semi-trucks that pass through each day.”
Bill SniffinDecember 16, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Bob Beck, Phil Roberts, Jack Nokes Discuss Winter Driving In Wyoming
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Oh, how bad could Interstate 80 get between Cheyenne and Laramie in the winter? Really bad. Some friends of Cowboy State Daily chimed in about winter driving in the wake of my column last week about winter roads in Wyoming."
Bill SniffinDecember 09, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Who Better To Give Safe Winter Driving Advice Than Me!
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “Our family’s first winter trip over Interstate 80 was in 1971. We were stopped on an icy hill behind another car. It was an awful blizzard. My wife Nancy started to panic. ‘We are sliding backwards!’ she yelled.”
Bill SniffinDecember 02, 2023
Bill Sniffin: On My Mind – Blizzards, Folks We’ll Miss, And Advice For Newcomers
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Good God, the snow just keeps on coming! It is now being measured in feet here in Lander, not inches."
Bill SniffinNovember 26, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Business Forum Is A Statewide Reunion From Across A Big Wyoming
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Former Gov. Dave Freudenthal talked about how the original founders of the state felt strongly that residents had both the desire and the ability to pay their own way.”
Bill SniffinNovember 19, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Creating Jobs By Involving All 30,000 Wyoming College Students
UW President Ed Seidel said, “We realized we could have more success with 30,000 college students as a working number than just the 12,000 students at the University of Wyoming.”
Bill SniffinNovember 15, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Influential National Heritage Foundation Leader Has Deep Wyoming Roots
Bill Sniffin writes: “Heritage President Kevin Roberts predicts Joe Biden will be dumped by the Democrats and California Gov. Gavin Newsom will become their nominee.”
Bill SniffinNovember 11, 2023
Bill Sniffin: We Boomers Were Born On Third Base And Thought We Hit A Triple
Bill Sniffin writes: “Pretty soon, our generation was running the country and the world. Just 46 years after our arrival, we elected our first of four baby boomer presidents with Bill Clinton in 1992.”
Bill SniffinNovember 04, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Mike Dabich and Paul Kruse Among Wyoming ‘Giants’ I Have Known
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “A ‘giant’ human needs to be over 7 feet tall. Two good friends who come to mind are Mike Dabich of Hudson and the late Paul Kruse of Lusk.”
Bill SniffinOctober 28, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Journalism From Slow Wooden Type To Lightning-Fast Digital
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “We called what we did ‘refrigerator journalism.’ Every refrigerator in town had clippings from our paper plastered on the front of it with a magnet.”
Bill SniffinOctober 21, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Eclipse Is When The Heavens Endow Us With A Magnificent Show
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “We did see the eclipse Saturday from the Green River, from the Pilot Butte Historical Site, and from the Merc in Farson. Wyomingites had a great view of the event.”
Bill SniffinOctober 15, 2023
'Ring-Of-Fire' Eclipse Dazzles Viewers Across Wyoming
All eyes were looking up Saturday morning as a "ring-of-fire" eclipse was visible as it made its way southeast across the United States, including some excited viewers in Southwest Wyoming.
Bill SniffinOctober 14, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Is Far From Being A ‘Big Empty’
Bill Sniffin writes: “From my vantage point crisscrossing the state, Wyoming doesn't look empty. It looks like a kaleidoscope of colors as river-formed canyons, big mountains and unique buttes abound all around us.”
Bill SniffinOctober 07, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Bird’s-Eye View Of Wyoming – There Is Nothing Quite Like It
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "One of my most extraordinary flying experiences ever was floating in a helicopter near the face of Wyoming’s highest mountain - Gannett Peak."
Bill SniffinSeptember 30, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Is Full Of Beautiful River Towns, So Which Is The Prettiest?
Bill Sniffin writes: “One of my all-time favorites is Evanston, which has taken its Bear River and made it a dominant item on its landscape. This town might deserve the prize for best use of its river.”
Bill SniffinSeptember 23, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Love-Hate Relationship With Interstate 80
Bill Sniffin writes: “I am always complaining about the 12,000 to 16,000 semitrailer trucks on Interstate 80. Even if 99% are courteous and safe, that other 1% means 120-150 monsters making stupid decisions that risk the lives of all of us.”
Bill SniffinSeptember 16, 2023
Bill Sniffin: A Pair Of 70-Somethings At The ‘Barbie’ Movie — What Could Go Wrong?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “If you can see the opening 10 minutes and the last three minutes, well it gets a partial thumb’s up from me. The rest is a thumb’s down.”
Bill SniffinSeptember 02, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Fantastic Landmark Arch Near Spot Where 15 Brave Firefighters Died 86 Years Ago
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "This past week marks the 86th anniversary of the worst fire fighter disaster in Wyoming history. And that disaster occurred in the shadow of what might be the state’s most unique landmark."
Bill SniffinAugust 27, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Basin To Basin To Basin Trip Is Easy To Do In Wyoming
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Wyoming could be called the Basin State. Because of its big mountains and wide-open spaces in-between, a typical journey can find you doing a basin-to-basin-to-basin trip, like I did this past week."
Bill SniffinAugust 19, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Mentioned In Movie ‘Oppenheimer’ And TV Show About Jerry Buss
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “Wyoming got some mention in the movie “Oppenheimer” and in the HBO series “Winning Time,” which is about the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers and its owner, Kemmerer native Jerry Buss.
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Seeing Green River Was Like Visiting An Old Friend
Bill Sniffin writes: "For some time, Green River has celebrated Expedition Island as the launching place for the famous expedition by John Wesley Powell, which mapped the Green River, the Colorado River, and ultimately the Grand Canyon in 1869. What an adventure!"
Bill SniffinAugust 05, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Hey Wyoming Wannabe - You Like 3 Seasons? Long Distances? No Costco?
Bill Sniffin writes, “I reached out to this couple and found out they were from California and were senior citizens. Yikes. Do we need more West Coasties here?”
Bill SniffinJuly 26, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Tourism Magic Can Be Found On The Loop Road And Sinks Canyon
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Sinks Canyon is the primary gateway to the Wind River Mountain Range from the east. Located just south of Lander, the canyon’s sheer cliffs and magical river make it a haven for sightseers.”
Bill SniffinJuly 22, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Did A Serial Killer Poison 22 Men Here In Wyoming 155 Years Ago?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The rough high desert country around South Pass City was a dangerous place 155 years ago but no place was more threatening than a nondescript boarding house operated by Polly Bartlett.”
Bill SniffinJuly 16, 2023
Bill Sniffin: ‘High Altitudes, Low Multitudes’ Is Best Way To Describe Cowboy State
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “There are mountains higher than Wyoming’s, but are there places more beautiful than the Tetons? Or the Cirque of the Towers in the mighty Wind River Range? Or Square Top Mountain in Sublette County?"
Bill SniffinJuly 08, 2023
Bill Sniffin: I Am A Old Dinosaur Dodging Asteroids Along The Oregon Trail
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "When I wrote my column about the Oregon Trail and how important it was to Wyoming, our political reporter Leo Wolfson asked, with a straight face: 'Bill, tell us, what was it like out there on the trail?'”
Bill SniffinJuly 02, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Most Important Road In American History Passed Through Wyoming Creating Manifest Destiny
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Starting about 1843, over 400,000 emigrants came through Wyoming, crossing through present-day Torrington, Douglas, and Casper and on through current Fremont County and ultimately exiting out the west side.”
Bill SniffinJune 24, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Bountiful Butte, Ageless Joni Mitchell, Glacier Park, Etc.
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “We put in a whole lot of windshield time this past week covering four states and seeing some of the most beautiful places in America."
Bill SniffinJune 15, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Even Out Here In Wyoming, Is This Robot The Scariest Thing We Have Ever Seen?
Bill Sniffin writes: “I have written thousands of articles about the Cowboy State. I asked ChatGPT a question about Wyoming’s future. Here is what it wrote.”
Bill SniffinJune 10, 2023
Remembering Jim Watt: Wyoming Native Who Was Secretary Of Interior For Reagan
Jim Watt was a Lusk, Wyoming native who spent three eventful years as Secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan. He resigned after a public push to oust him. He died at his Arizona a home recently at age 85.
Bill SniffinJune 09, 2023
Bill Sniffin's Report From Yellowstone: Heavy Rain Dampened Idiot Activity
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "We were on full-time Idiot Patrol Wednesday as we passed through Yellowstone National Park on our way to a family event in Washington state."
Bill SniffinJune 08, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Try to Imagine A Wyoming With A Population of 8 Million? Well, Take A Look Around
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Europeans love our small towns. They love to hang out in places with romantic historic names like Cheyenne, Laramie, Rawlins, Cody, and Medicine Bow.”
Bill SniffinJune 04, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Hey Grads, Why Work? Doesn’t The Government Owe You A Living? Sit Back and Enjoy Life!
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Previous generations were looking for companies that would employ them forever when they graduated from high school. Such companies are hard to find today.”
Bill SniffinMay 28, 2023
Bill Sniffin: We Will Miss Randy Wagner And Willie LeClair; And Farewell To College Seniors Who Survived COVID Conditions
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “There were many visions to be had by the folks in Willie LeClair’s sweat lodge that night. I know I sure had a few.”
Bill SniffinMay 20, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Get Out Of My Way! My RV Is Bigger Than You! I May Just Crush Your Little Car! Confessions Of A Motorhome Driver
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Yup, our motorhome is a heck of a lot bigger than your pathetic little car. At 34,000 pounds and almost 60 feet long (towing a car), we are the biggest thing on the road --- except (gulp) those darned 72-foot long, 80,000-pound semi-trucks. But I digress."
Bill SniffinMay 13, 2023
Bill Sniffin: What’s It Like Shopping For An Electric Car? Here’s A Cautionary Tale
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Wyomingites seem to be fascinated by electric cars and trucks. Since we were in Las Vegas around the end of April, we decided to go to a Tesla dealer and get a firsthand look at some of these electric cars."
Bill SniffinMay 06, 2023
Bill Sniffin: My First Visit To Big Horn Medicine Wheel Was Spooky And Spiritual
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “There was no cell phone service and the thought crossed my mind that if I had a heart attack up here, well, I would just have to go to the Happy Hunting Ground with this perplexed look on face.”
Bill SniffinApril 29, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Are We Seeing The Last Days Of Oldest Baby Boomers?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: "Baby boomers are dying at an alarming rate. This is not a good trend for a whole bunch of us. And shoot, I am probably the oldest baby boomer."
Bill SniffinApril 22, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Almost 200,000 Antelope And Deer Dead From Winter Kill. Can We Foresee Such A Headline?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “What a sad time for those of us who love our wildlife. And that includes about 99 percent of the people who live in Wyoming.”
Bill SniffinApril 15, 2023
Bill Sniffin: All Moms Are Special – Here Is My Story About A Wonderful Mother
Bill Sniffin writes: “My mom saw me as a journalist after I had been editor of my high school newspaper. She literally forced my dad to borrow $300 to pay for my journalism short course at Iowa State University.”
Bill SniffinApril 08, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming In 2043? Here Are Some Predictions, Fears, And Hopes
Columnist Bill Sniffin quotes a futurist who says: “In two decades, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will totally dominate all jobs. If you have AI for every job, where people use skilled minds, any mental job will be obsolete.”
Bill SniffinApril 01, 2023
Bill Sniffin: A Season Called ‘Sprinter’ Is Chilling Wyoming This Time Of Year
Bill Sniffin writes: “Some locals love to tease tourists by telling them that these are not snow fences, but bleachers for folks watching the antelope races.”
Bill SniffinMarch 28, 2023
Bill Sniffin: What Will Wyoming Be Like In 20 Years? Let’s Look Back Two Decades For A Clue
Bill Sniffin writes: “Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: "So, what will Wyoming look like in 20 years, in 2043? I hope to be there. We shall see. Before looking forward, it might make sense to take a look back."
Bill SniffinMarch 25, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Dinosaur Digs, Petroglyphs, Big New Museum Are On My 2023 Wyoming Bucket List
Bill Sniffin writes: “I like to keep my list localized to Wyoming and I love to share it with all my friends around the state. Some of them are even kind enough to say they eagerly await my annual list and then travel the state visiting my suggested sites.”
Bill SniffinMarch 18, 2023
Bill Sniffin: ‘Common Sense Republicans’ Are Practical Wyomingites Avoiding Progressive Trends
In response to Rod Miller's column last week, columnist Bill Sniffin writes: 'Common sense Republicans' are folks who are anti-abortion, anti-gender-bending, anti-boys competing against girls, anti-pornographic books in our schools, anti-global warming hysteria, and who are upset about a new emphasis on how bad America is."
Bill SniffinMarch 12, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Welcome To Siberia – Wyoming’s Winter Body Count Has Been High
Bill Sniffin writes: If you made a movie about this years Wyoming winter, it would have to be a survival story. There have been so many great rescue stories but also some awful accident stories.
Bill SniffinMarch 05, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s The Hole In The Donut Compared To Other Rocky Mountain States
Bill Sniffin writes: Wyoming produces 13 times more energy than it consumes. We are the second largest net supplier of energy of the 50 states behind only Texas.
Bill SniffinFebruary 25, 2023
Bill Sniffin: 770 Dead Wyoming Eagles Launched Tom Bell’s Career, Says New Rodger McDaniel Book
Bill Sniffin writes: 50 years ago when a rancher named Herman Werner went to war against various endangered species at his Douglas ranch, some 770 eagles had been shot, along with 222 coyotes, six elk, five bobcats and a bear.
Bill SniffinFebruary 22, 2023
Bill Sniffin: 2 of 3 Wyoming’s ‘USA Record’ Triplets Killed In Crash
Two of the three triplets who were the heaviest ever at birth -- died in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 near Chugwater on Feb. 9.
Bill SniffinFebruary 18, 2023
Brain Fungus-Infected Mutants To Take Over Wyoming Town In HBO Hit ‘The Last Of Us’
Previews for Sunday's sixth episode of HBOs hit series The Last of Us shows the main characters riding horses into a dystopian Wyoming ski town.
Bill SniffinFebruary 16, 2023
Bill Sniffin: The Horrible Winter Of 2022-23 Will Go Down In History – It Was Awful Everywhere We Went
Bill Sniffin writes: We have endured minus 39 temperatures in Lander, snow in Dallas, bitter cold winds in Las Vegas, and snow-packed highways through Denver.
Bill SniffinFebruary 16, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Al Simpson Recalls His Dad Was Upset At The Corner Of Simpson And ‘Millard’ – Doh!
Bill Sniffin writes: They held the street-naming ceremony for Milward Simpson at the corner of Simpson and Milward Streets, but when they unveiled the signs, the signs read Simpson and Millard.
Bill SniffinFebruary 06, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Remembering Susie McMurry
Mick and Susie McMurry looked around and everywhere in their beloved Wyoming they saw needs that were not being met. They saw projects that needed to be done or projects that were stymied because of a lack of dollars.
Bill SniffinJanuary 31, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Has More Guns Than People, And Lots Of Crazy Stories
Bill Sniffin writes: Wyoming is Gun Central in the United States. Two-thirds of the residents own guns and there may be more guns than citizens of this fine state."
Bill SniffinJanuary 27, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Legislature Just Not The Same Without Hank, Clarene, Leland, and Jimbo
Bill Sniffin writes: "The ghosts and/or spirits of Clarene Law, Leland Christensen, Hank Coe, and Jim Angell seem omnipresent when I think of the Wyoming Legislature."
Bill SniffinJanuary 19, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Our Town Has Been Buried In Snow And Enduring Freezing Temperatures This Winter
Bill Sniffin writes: Our first decade in Lander saw the brutal winters of 1972-73 when 216 inches of snow fell, and 1978-79 when the mercury spent most of winter below zero really!
Bill SniffinJanuary 16, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Looking Ahead To 2023
Bill Sniffin writes: The nations short-sighted view of using our vast (and clean) fossil fuel resources will provide blackouts and brownouts across the country.
Bill SniffinJanuary 05, 2023
Bill Sniffin: Looking Back At 2022 – Politics And Weather Were Two Biggest News Explosions
Bill Sniffin writes: The second big news explosion was the weather bomb that buried Wyoming, and most of the country, just before Christmas.
Bill SniffinJanuary 01, 2023
Bill Sniffin: This Christmas, Let’s Remember Two Heroes Who Also Became Victims
Bill Sniffin writes: The people of Wyoming need to give thanks to first responder Tyeler Harris, 29, of Saratoga and to Safety Officer Bruce Lang, 68, of Pine Haven, who lost their lives trying to save others.
Bill SniffinDecember 23, 2022
Bill Sniffin: How Does Minus 63 Sound? That Was 44 Years Ago In Jackson Hole
Bill Sniffin writes: Most amazing thing he saw was the use of portable barbecue kits to warm up vehicle engines. Folks would fire them up and set them under their car engines, hoping to warm them up enough to get started.
Bill SniffinDecember 21, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Here’s A Love Letter To My Wife Nancy On Her Birthday
Bill Sniffin writes about his wife Nancy: I never liked walking in the snow. Until I walked in the snow with you.
Bill SniffinDecember 15, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Worst Winter Road In America – Who Named Our Snow Chi Minh Trail?
Bill Sniffin writes: Some recent research credits a couple of old codger newspapermen as being responsible for coming up with the Snow version of this name for this treacherous stretch of interstate highway.
Bill SniffinDecember 09, 2022
Bill Sniffin: ‘Buy Wyoming’ This Christmas – Here Are Some Good Gift Ideas
Bill Sniffin writes: To me the biggest advantages of going downtown and shopping are both seeing the store employees and seeing my fellow townspeople buying locally.
Bill SniffinDecember 04, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Terrifying Tales Of Treacherous Driving On Interstate 80 In The Winter Time
Bill Sniffin writes: Two and a half years ago, a horrific crash involving hundreds of big trucks and dozens of cars and pickups found themselves slamming into each other on Interstate 80. Four people were killed and dozens were injured. I-80 in the winter time is not to be dismissed."
Bill SniffinNovember 29, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Lots To Be Thankful For – Mainly That Pandemic Is In Our Rearview Mirror
Bill Sniffin writes: I recall seeing a Lander sportsman standing before a teller in a local bank, with his pistol on his hip, wearing a mask and making a withdrawal.
Bill SniffinNovember 23, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Is Tougher Than Shitium, According To These Periodic Tables
Bill Sniffin: In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.
Bill SniffinNovember 18, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Seasonably Reasonable? Difficult Time With Politics, Football, Weather, Kanye . . .
Bill Sniffin writes: The answer is that with politics being as polarizing as it is, voters would vote for a cabbage if it was portrayed as being on their side.
Bill SniffinNovember 16, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Big Red Wave Would Have Helped Wyoming; Our State Races Were Yawners
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: The House is now dominated by Republicans, which brings up the sad fact that Wyoming lost a golden opportunity for increased clout when Rep. Liz Cheney decided to vote to impeach President Trump.
Bill SniffinNovember 11, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Goodbye Clarene Law and Nancy Shelton – Leaders In Wyoming Tourism And Journalism
Bill Sniffin writes: What a pair of great Wyoming gals. Two of my favorite people in my two chosen careers left us recently."
Bill SniffinNovember 02, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Scary Times At The Bottom Of The Wild Food Chain
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: Much like a terrified cartoon character whistling to himself as he walks through a cemetery at night, I was expecting at any second to be devoured by a monster grizzly bear.
Bill SniffinOctober 28, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Wallop’s Use Of Port-A-Potty Ad Helped Make Biggest Wyoming Political Upset Ever
Bill Sniffin writes: "As a young editor-publisher in Lander back in 1976, I recall chatting with Gale McGee just before Election Day. McGee told me he was wrong about Vietnam."
Bill SniffinOctober 18, 2022
Bill Sniffin: What’s Killing Our Wyoming Folks Over 100 Years Old?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: "The last four months appear to have been a terrible time for our folks over 100 years of age in Wyoming we have at least ten who have died."
Bill SniffinOctober 12, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Only One Job Left For Liz Cheney – She Can Be Joe Biden’s Attack Dog
Bill Sniffin writes: Liz Cheney could very well have occupied the Speaker of the House post at an incredibly young age of 56. She could have been speaker for the next 20 years. What might have been?
Bill SniffinOctober 05, 2022
Bill Sniffin: There Is A Lot To Like About Wyoming Roads – But A Few Things Could Be Improved
Bill Sniffin writes: One of the unwritten golden rules of Wyoming is that you NEVER drive past a stranded motorist. Especially on cold, dark wintry days.
Bill SniffinOctober 03, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Where Did Rattlesnakes Go In The Rattlesnake Hills? Does Rattler Taste Like Chicken?
Bill Sniffin writes: Seems that rattlesnakes love to move into dens created by other critters. When they crawled into these seemingly bottomless drill holes, they were never seen again.
Bill SniffinSeptember 29, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Fall Colors, Girl In A Box, Dry Lakebed And Bikes – Lots Of Bikes
Bill Sniffin writes: This day and place were extra special to my wife Nancy and me. It was right there in Sinks Canyon in September 1970 where she said: Oh my God, Bill, I think I could live here in Wyoming!
Bill SniffinSeptember 25, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Here Is A Kuralt-Like Spectacular Wyoming Road Trip
Bill Sniffin writes: "On this day, Jimmy Orr, Dave Simpson, Dave Lerner, Rod Miller, and I honored the late Jim Angell at the new Cowboy State Daily offices. We had a great time telling Jim Angell stories and puffing away on his brand of favorite cigars on a perfect late afternoon."
Bill SniffinSeptember 22, 2022
Bill Sniffin: What Are Wyoming’s 7 Greatest Man-Made Wonders
Bill Sniffin asks: But getting back to the question at hand what would be on such a list of Wyomings 7 greatest man-made wonders? What would qualify?
Bill SniffinSeptember 15, 2022
Wyoming Autumn Bucket List: Driving Through Carbon County Over Battle Mountain
With leaves changing soon, now is the time to head to Carbon County to check out Battle Mountain Pass. There are massive groves of aspen trees all along the way and especially the famed "Aspen Alley."
Bill SniffinSeptember 07, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Ignore Cheney And Trump – The Stars Of August Primary Were Wyoming Voters
Bill Sniffin writes: Cheneys argument might have been more effective had she put up a more impressive campaign but the result for her was ignominious. Her future bully pulpit is diminished by the size of her loss.
Bill SniffinSeptember 02, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Recalling My Daughter’s First Day Of School
Bill Sniffin writes: For five years now, shes believed that anything I told her was true. That all facts emanate from Dad. Ive been her hero.person
Bill SniffinAugust 30, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Message To Liz Cheney: ‘You’re Fired!’
Bill Sniffin writes: Cheneys nonstop criticism of Trump made her a one trick pony and Wyoming voters both did not like the trick nor did they enjoy seeing it played over and over again.
Bill SniffinAugust 19, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Tom Lacock Wins As Best Wyoming Election Guesser
Bill Sniffin writes: Lacock just missed the Drew Perkins-Bob Ide State Senate Race in Casper but guessed the total vote would be 180,000. The actual number was unofficially 171,000.
Bill SniffinAugust 18, 2022
Who Is The Best Political Expert In Wyoming? Time To Take The Cowboy State Daily Political Quiz
Okay folks, who is the smartest political prognosticator of them all? Take our quiz.
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Here Are My Predictions For The 2022 Wyoming GOP Primary Election
Bill Sniffin writes: After crunching my estimated numbers of probable voters, it shows that Liz could win. If Liz can pull off the upset of the decade, it will be because of four factors.
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2022
Bill Sniffin: The Whole World Is Watching Wyoming Politics
Bill Sniffin writes: "The Liz Cheney-Harriet Hageman race for our lone U. S. Rep. seat in the GOP primary is being covered breathlessly by media and watched nonstop by political junkies from just about everywhere."
Bill SniffinAugust 05, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Here Are Wild And Wooly Predictions On Cheney-Hageman Race
Bill Sniffin writes: When I reached out to my network of informed Wyoming citizens, I asked them about my theory that 15,000 Democrats and Independents might cross over. And is there a possibility that even a higher amount might cross over?
Bill SniffinAugust 03, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Yes, Those 15,000 Crossover Voters Could Determine This Year’s Races
Bill Sniffin writes: Nobody in Wyoming has ever seen a campaign like this one where millions of dollars are being spent by the Cheney campaign to convince Democrats and Independents to vote for her.
Bill SniffinJuly 28, 2022
Harriet Hageman Lights Up Crowd At “Save Wyoming” Rally In Lander
Out of a list of more than 50 speakers, U. S. Congressional candidate Harriet Hageman drew the loudest ovations during a rally featuring the most conservative members of the Wyoming Republican Party.
Bill SniffinJuly 24, 2022
Bill Sniffin: These Are The Political Dog Days For Hageman And Cheney
Bill Sniffin writes: Can you be more Democrat than former Gov. Mike Sullivan or former U.S. Senate candidate Rodger McDaniel? Both are now Republicans and voting for Cheney.
Bill SniffinJuly 19, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Is Full Of Wonderful Loop Drives – And I Love Them All
Bill Sniffin writes: In so many ways, this was a typical Wyoming trip for people in the Cowboy State. If you can figure out how to take a long trip and make it interesting, then the whole journey becomes a joy rather than a chore.
Bill SniffinJuly 16, 2022
Nine Collegiate Teams Competing In Coast-To-Coast American Solar Challenge Pit Stop In Lander
Nine different collegiate teams competing in the coast-to-coast American Solar Challenge drove their solar cars through Lander on Wednesday on their way to finish line in Oregon.
Bill SniffinJuly 14, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Al Simpson May Still Be The Most Interesting Man In Wyoming
Bill Sniffin writes when former Sen. Al Simpson, a Republican who is a harsh critic of current Wyoming GOP leadership, receives his Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday, he will say that he is an American who lives in Wyoming and will not be saying that he is a member of the Wyoming Republican Party.
Bill SniffinJuly 06, 2022
Bill Sniffin: In Debate’s Wake, We Are Seeing The Art Of Wyoming Politics, 2022 Edition
Bill Sniffin writes: Interestingly, I believe this debate did move the needle, but not by either Cheney or Hageman.
Bill SniffinJuly 01, 2022
Wyoming July 4 Celebrations: Why Lander’s Fireworks Show Is Spectacular
Lander's 14-hour pyrotechnics show on July 4 is a mixture of the fire department's official fireworks show and townspeople in more than 40 different locations where neighbors have banded together to outdo each other.
Bill SniffinJune 30, 2022
Bill Sniffin: It’s True – Construction Is Name Of The Fourth Season Also Called Summer
Bill Sniffin writes This column is about travel but I could not start it without writing about my favorite place Yellowstone.
Bill SniffinJune 23, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Fire And Rain, Yellowstone Flooding Disaster Breaks My Heart
Bill Sniffin writes: What has happened to the park leaves me feeling very sad. Our old friend has taken one helluva beating.
Bill SniffinJune 16, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Can Liz Cheney Campaign Rise From The Political Ashes?
Bill Sniffin writes: Liz Cheney has become one of the most high-profile politicians in America. She is the darling of the mainstream media, which universally hates Trump.
Bill SniffinJune 12, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Reflections On The Force Of Trump At Ground Zero Wyoming
Bill Sniffin writes: It was one hell of a speech. A one-of-a-kind speech. With barely a note Trump railed against his enemies and touted his successes.
Bill SniffinJune 02, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Military Museum Owner Can’t Help Thinking About Ukraine As He Prepares For Grand Opening Saturday
Wyomings foremost military historian, Dan Starks, will host the grand opening of his massive 140,000 square foot military museum south of Dubois on Saturday.
Bill SniffinMay 26, 2022
Bill Sniffin’s Advice To Grads: Follow Your Dreams But Keep Your Day Job
Bill Sniffin writes: I worry a lot about this generation of graduates, that is, until I spend some time with them.
Bill SniffinMay 19, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Promoter Now Says Green River Water Transfer Is Good For Wyoming?
Bill Sniffin writes: Now Aaron Million thinks he has figured out how to get the water. And he believes that Wyoming people will be happy to hear this newest version of his plan.
Bill SniffinMay 12, 2022
Bill Sniffin: 52 Years Ago, Yellowstone Was An Ill-Defined Place Compared To Today
Bill Sniffin writes: I am literally one of a handful of people still alive who also attended the parks centennial celebration in Cody in 1972.
Bill SniffinMay 07, 2022
Bill Sniffin: With Trump Coming To Wyoming, Will This Be The Biggest Political Crowd In State’s History?
Bill Sniffin writes about the biggest political crowds in Wyoming: Much to Republicans chagrin, up to now, the existing records for political turnouts in the state belong to Democrats.
Bill SniffinMay 04, 2022
Bill Sniffin: The Wind – My God – Why Has The Wind Increased So Much?
Bill Sniffin writes: If a season could be schizophrenic it would be Wyomings spring.
Bill SniffinApril 28, 2022
Bill Sniffin: In World War III, Cheyenne Becomes Biggest Bulls-Eye In The World
Because Wyoming is the home base to 150 sites of ICBM nuclear-tipped missiles around the F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, our state capital would be one of the main targets of Russian missiles.
Bill SniffinApril 21, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Fashion Commentary On Holsters, Fanny Packs, Pocket Protectors, Nose Rings
Bill Sniffin writes: "It looks like my cell phone holster is toast. However, I am definitely not ready for a nose ring.
Bill SniffinApril 16, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Was Prehistoric Land Of Beasts, Rock Art, Mysterious Places
Bill Sniffin writes: Some of the biggest animals that ever lived, both reptile and mammal, lived in Wyoming in earlier times.
Bill SniffinApril 11, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Masters Golf Is This Week; Here Are Some Memories of Wyomingites Who Have Gone
Bill Sniffin writes: But for a few days in April of 2001, this might have been the most fun I have ever had on a golf course and I wasnt even playing.
Bill SniffinApril 06, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Everybody Wants Wyoming Water; How Do We Keep Colorado From Stealing It?
The biggest threat to Wyoming water has been posed by a Fort Collins entrepreneur, Aaron Million. He lusts after that water and has promoted plans upon plans to get it to the Front Range of Colorado.
Bill SniffinApril 01, 2022
Bill Sniffin: The Richest Man In The World Lives Here In The Cowboy State
Bill Sniffin writes about the Richest Man in the World: It is well-known that Joe married up, which means he found himself an ideal wife. People say his wife should not put up with all of Joes hobbies, but she accepts them with a smile, because she likes them, too.
Bill SniffinMarch 29, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Mark Miller Tells The Sordid Story of Big Nose George Better Than Anyone Else
Bill Sniffin writes: "Not sure any Wyoming outlaw endured what poor Big Nose George Parott, a train robber and confessed murderer, had to put up with as an angry mob put an end to his worthless life in Rawlins in 1881."
Bill SniffinMarch 24, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Despite War Worries, Are We Headed To Another Energy Boom?
Bill Sniffin writes: "As the old bumper sticker read: Please God, give me one more boom. This time I promise not to piss it away.
Bill SniffinMarch 16, 2022
Bill Sniffin: UW Fans Out-Yelled UNLV Fans As Team Snaps 19-Game Losing Streak In Vegas
Bill Sniffin writes: "Wyoming fans literally raised the roof Thursday afternoon as their UW Cowboys defeated UNLV, 59-56. And boy, were these fans ever having a lot of fun."
Bill SniffinMarch 11, 2022
So You Think It Has Been Cold Lately In Wyoming? How Does -66 Sound To You?
Bill Sniffin writes: "What is the official coldest temperature ever? UW Historian Phil Roberts said, I think the record is still -66 recorded Feb. 9, 1933 at Moran. I heard the temperature was actually colder, but the thermometers didn't have the capacity to register a lower reading!'"
Bill SniffinMarch 10, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Cheyenne Skyline Looms Over Wyoming In A Big, Positive Way
Bill Sniffin writes: Visiting Cheyenne was a terrific experience. Only downside is that we did not have time to see everything. We plan to go back later this year. This place belongs to all Wyomingites and we are sure proud of how it has evolved over the years.
Bill SniffinMarch 03, 2022
Bill Sniffin: There’s A Lot To Celebrate With Yellowstone’s 150th!
Bill Sniffin writes: "Today marks a big day in Wyoming history! On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the worlds first national park. It is one of the best ideas ever hatched."
Bill SniffinMarch 01, 2022
Bill Sniffin: I Drive Truck – Truckers Complain About Interstate 80 In Winter And Discuss Options
Bill Sniffin writes: The way he said I drive truck might have sounded odd to me back there in 1970, but I have heard it dozens of times since. It was always odd to me that the guys telling me this did not say I drive A truck.
Bill SniffinFebruary 26, 2022
Bill Sniffin: An Alternate I-80 Could Save National Economy $1 Million A Day If Road Stays Open
Bill Sniffin writes: So why not build an Interstate 80 alternate route on the current route of US30? It would be good news for national economy.
Bill SniffinFebruary 18, 2022
Bill Sniffin: An Old Twisted Tree Taught Me An Important Valentine Lesson
Bill Sniffin writes: Maybe this is how married couples can live a long life together. When one is weak and falling down, the other holds up its partner as long as he or she can.
Bill SniffinFebruary 13, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Frontier Airlines Expansion Could Be Good News For Wyoming Air Travelers
Bill Sniffin writes: Wyoming old-timers have lots of stories to tell about Frontier Airlines. It was the major airline for the Cowboy State for almost half a century.
Bill SniffinFebruary 10, 2022
Bill Sniffin: What Kind Of Political Stew Will Occur In Wyoming In 2022?
Bill Sniffin writes: Liz is everywhere. While her stock was rising nationally, her support back here in Wyoming was evaporating. Her battles with former President Donald Trump have reached legendary levels.
Bill SniffinFebruary 04, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Lander Lil Predicts Early Spring In Wyoming; We Hope!
Bill Sniffin writes: Lets see, in six weeks it will be March 15. Now that might be spring in most parts of America but here in Wyoming, that date often signifies our heaviest accumulations of snow.
Bill SniffinFebruary 02, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Was This Poacher Pincher The Tallest Submariner In History?
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: I thought I knew just about everything about my neighbor Bill Crump, but trying to imagine him stooped over in a submarine in World War II, well . . .
Bill SniffinJanuary 30, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Ten Years Normally Seems Like A Long Time, But 2012 To 2022 Was A Blur
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: Ten years ago, I felt, at the age of 65, my time might be running out."
Bill SniffinJanuary 22, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Far Above The Cowboy State Is A Breath-Taking Experience
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: In my opinion, there is no better way to appreciate this land we call Wyoming than seeing it from the air.
Bill SniffinJanuary 12, 2022
Bill Sniffin: Looking To 2022 – Big Election Year! Energy Rebound! Cheney Decision?
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "As for 2022, I think it will be one hell of an exciting year. Lets get out the old crystal ball and make a few predictions..."
Bill SniffinJanuary 07, 2022
Bill Sniffin: From Biden Silliness To Enzi Death To Loss Of Football Players — 2021 Was A Big Loser
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: I call 2021 the beginning of the 'silly season'. Literally, it has been a time when every progressive professor has gotten to unleash his or her 'silly' scheme on the rest of the country.
Bill SniffinJanuary 02, 2022
Bill Sniffin Memory: A Cross At Christmas On Top Of Crump’s Mountain
Publisher Bill Sniffin offers a memory: Without thinking, I placed it vertically against a dead tree -- how about that? Michael disagreed and not really realizing what we were doing, he insisted we lay it out horizontally, which we did. And it suddenly became a cross.
Bill SniffinDecember 23, 2021
Bill Sniffin: The Longest Night Of Wyoming’s Year
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: This time of year, the sun going down at 4:15pm is a shock to the system. In Lander, we lose 20 extra minutes of daylight because the afternoon sun sets behind the Wind River Mountains to our southwest.
Bill SniffinDecember 21, 2021
Bill Sniffin: If Desperate, Buy A Man A Cordless Drill, Other Last Minute Gift Tips
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: Remember the three rules of shopping locally first, it helps the economy; second, you will see all your friends; and third, you will be stunned to see the outstanding selection being carried by your local stores.
Bill SniffinDecember 21, 2021
Bill Sniffin: The Duck Whisperer’s Take On Wyoming’s Political Situation
Publisher Bill Sniffin says: That tag Dead Duck may very well describe Ms. Cheney in about six months. Or sooner if Republicans continue to bail on her. Her actions on the committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol will continue to sour Wyoming voters, we predict.
Bill SniffinDecember 13, 2021
Bill Sniffin: If I Had My Life To Live Over . . .
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: In recent years I have been hanging out with some folks who contend your most important goals in life should be finding truth, goodness, and beauty.
Bill SniffinDecember 06, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Some Ideal Wyoming-Themed Christmas Gifts: Jams, Beef, Sausages, Honey
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: We do not have to worry about supply chains or products being stranded off some California port these gifts are available here in our own back yard."
Bill SniffinNovember 30, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Amazing Temperatures, Casper And Cheyenne Looking Good, And Memories Of Thyra
We published a story in the our local newspaper about the great many broken wrists, arms, legs, and ankles from folks slipping on all the ice. That was how it used to be. Not so, today, at least not this year, yet.
Bill SniffinNovember 21, 2021
Bill Sniffin: ‘Taking Chance’ Is Wonderfully Sincere Movie About The Death Of Wyoming Marine – One Of My All-time Favorites
Publisher Sniffin writes: It is the story about a young Marine from Dubois named Chance Phelps, who was killed on Good Friday, April 9, 2004, in Iraq. The movie is about Lt. Col. Mike Strobls journey in bringing the young mans body home to Wyoming.
Bill SniffinNovember 15, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Has 20 Seasons Or More
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: like to divide our different weather cycles into 20 different seasons. I am not the first to do this, but after a lot of thought and half century of experience, these 20 seasons seem to make the most sense.
Bill SniffinNovember 09, 2021
Bill Sniffin: On A Clear Day, You Can Even See An End To World Pollution
On Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, I looked northwest from the airport on a bluff overlooking Lander and could clearly see the Washakie Needles, almost 100 miles away.
Bill SniffinNovember 02, 2021
November Fund Drive Will Keep Your Cowboy State Daily Coming To You Every Morning!
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "No media in Wyoming has grown like this. And thanks to you, we continue to grow! Our motto is 'Dont just watch us grow join us!'"
Bill SniffinOctober 29, 2021
Bill Sniffin: October Is Breast Cancer Month – Here Is A Story That Is Up Close And Personal
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: October is breast cancer awareness month and it is in that spirit that I write this.
Bill SniffinOctober 23, 2021
Bill Sniffin: If We Live In A Little City, Then, This Must Be Wyoming
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes I love our small population and am not yearning for big increases. But it seems odd that somehow Wyoming has avoided developing that one major-sized city that would be an economic incubator for the state.
Bill SniffinOctober 15, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Here was the time when I missed The Best Part of America the most
Bill Sniffin writes: Those Wyoming mountains in my mind were looking mighty good about then. Wyomings low humidity and bright sunshine were only a distant memory but in between shivers, it kept me going.
Bill SniffinOctober 08, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Travel During The Time Of COVID And Fall Foliage
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes that three Lander friends, all of whom were vaccinated, recently had gotten sick from COVID. Although none died or were even hospitalized, this got our attention.
Bill SniffinOctober 03, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Yellowstone’s Favorite Haunts Just As Special Today As Over Past 150 Years
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: Like No Place on Earth was the official slogan for Wyomings tourism division a few years ago. I liked the slogan but thought it referred more to Yellowstone National Park than anywhere else in the state.
Bill SniffinSeptember 28, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Sinks Canyon and Loop Road are magical places this time of year
Folks who live on the east side of the Wind River Mountains have a tradition of getting looped, as often as possible. This is my term for driving the spectacular Loop Road.
Bill SniffinSeptember 26, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Don’t Let Worry About Crowds Keep You From Yellowstone – It’s Wonderful!
Bill Sniffin writes: Alas, this year mid-September felt like July 4. If you are going you better be patient. And congratulations to the park service for installing those traffic-moving gals with the bullhorns as they were effective in moving traffic along.
Bill SniffinSeptember 20, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Liz Vs Harriet Could Be A Big-Time Heavyweight Boxing Match
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "This is shaping up to be a heavyweight title bout between two very smart and well-funded Wyoming woman candidates."
Bill SniffinSeptember 13, 2021
Bill Sniffin: UW Game Day ‘Back To Normal’ – It Is Just So Much Fun For The Cowboy State
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "A real old-fashioned football weekend at Laramie had not occurred for over two years. But this weekend was just so much fun the tail-gating, the banquets, the pomp, the huge crowds, and it even culminated with a nail-biter of a football game victory."
Bill SniffinSeptember 05, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Joe Biden’s Debacle, Thirsty Bears, And Bursting My Buttons
So, my first column item here is about a bear. Columnist Dave Simpson recently wrote about a beer-drinking bear. This story is better.
Bill SniffinAugust 30, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Dave Bell’s New Coffee Table Book Is Spectacular!
If you love Wyoming, mountains, wildlife, scenery, and images of the Cowboy States most beautiful places, you will love this book.
Bill SniffinAugust 26, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Liz Cheney Is Putting Wyoming In National Media Spotlight
Bill Sniffin writes: "Both 60 Minutes and USA Today were doing major pieces on Liz Cheney last week because of her continued bashing of former President Trump."
Bill SniffinAugust 23, 2021
Bill Sniffin: The End Of ‘Afghanistanism’ In Our Lifetime – Is This A Miracle Or What?
Bill Sniffin writes: "Yes, it is time to get out of our 20-year never-ending war in Afghanistan."
Bill SniffinAugust 15, 2021
UW President Seidel Says UW Is Entering ‘Exciting Time’
The University of Wyoming and the states community colleges are partnering to help improve the states economy, UW President Ed Seidel said
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2021
Indian Veterans Memorial Dedication Thursday Morning At Fort Washakie
Gov. Mark Gordon heads a large group of national and local dignitaries attending the dedication of the Path of Honor Wind River Veterans Memorial Thursday morning.
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Field Of Dreams Hosts Big Game Thursday – It’s An Hour’s Drive From My Hometown
Major League Baseball will host the Field of Dreams Game, featuring a matchup between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox , where "Field of Dreams" was filmed.
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2021
Bill Sniffin: 20 U.S. Senators Attended Mike Enzi Funeral – Unprecedented
Bill Sniffin writes: "On this day thousands of his friends and family members said good-bye and to celebrate a life well lived."
Bill SniffinAugust 09, 2021
Bill Sniffin: My Wyoming Bucket List For 2021 Includes All Of The Cowboy State
This column is my annual Wyoming Bucket List of those places that I have always wanted to visit. Some of them were featured in my three- volume trilogy of coffee table books about Wyoming but many were not.
Bill SniffinAugust 04, 2021
Two More Republicans Surface As Cheney Opponents
An online political publication has identified two more Wyoming Republicans as congressional candidates who were interviewed by former President Donald Trump in his search for a challenger to the re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney.
Bill SniffinAugust 04, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Mike Enzi Goes Down In History As One Of Wyoming’s Greatest Leaders
If Wyoming were to build a Mount Rushmore celebrating its greatest leaders, a strong case could be made to put the late Mike Enzis image up there on the wall.
Bill SniffinJuly 30, 2021
Bill Sniffin: There Is Nothing Even Close To Frontier Days – What An Experience!
Publisher Bill Sniffin wrote about the 2021 "Daddy of 'em All."
Bill SniffinJuly 28, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Trump Stirring Things Up In Wyo Politics Smith, Gray, Bouchard (& Biteman)
After months of slow news, former President Donald Trump is causing a ruckus in the Wyoming political world.
Bill SniffinJuly 23, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Hey Phoenix Zoo, Those Ferrets Are From Meeteetse, Wyoming
This past spring, I noticed that Wyomings Black-Footed Ferret is a rock star at the Phoenix Zoo. In fact, you might think the elusive little critter was native to Arizona. Not so.
Bill SniffinJuly 19, 2021
Bill Sniffin: On The Road In Wyoming: Folks, This Is Construction Season
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes about the construction he saw during a recent trip to Jackson and Pinedale.
Bill SniffinJuly 15, 2021
Bill Sniffin: We Can’t Do It Without You – Please Donate On WyoGives Today
Across the Cowboy State, folks are making donations on Wednesday, July 14, which is known as WYOGIVES to non-profits.
Bill SniffinJuly 14, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Liz Cheney For President? Destiny Calls. Here Is A Scenario That Sees Her Leaving Wyoming Behind
Bill Sniffin writes: "The clout that Liz has been able to tout over her three terms has been diminished. The dominant Trump wing of the Republican Party is trying to bury her."
Bill SniffinJuly 05, 2021
Lander Pastor Makes Emergency Landing On Wyoming Highway After Airplane Engine Blows Up
A Lander pilot successfully landed on a highway near Lander after the engine on his plane blew up at 12,000 feet.
Bill SniffinJuly 03, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Uden Murder Mystery Solved – Some Day We Will Learn About Amy Bechtel
The famous unsolved murder case involving Wyoming's Virginia Uden and her two sons is the topic of a TV show on the Oxygen Cable TV Network Monday night at 6 p.m..
Bill SniffinJune 27, 2021
Wyomingites Featured On TV Show About Solved Cold Case Uden Murders
The famous unsolved murder case involving Wyoming's Virginia Uden and her two sons is the topic of a TV show on the Oxygen Cable TV Network Monday night at 6 p.m..
Bill SniffinJune 26, 2021
Bill Sniffin: It’s Time To Write About Lives Well-Lived And Young Lives Cut Short
Lately, we have been seemingly bombarded by news of the deaths of folks we knew. Not a good trend. It is almost like the grim reaper was in hibernation.
Bill SniffinJune 22, 2021
Bill Sniffin: As Foster Friess Was Laid To Rest, Well-Known Folks Attended His Final Services
At one point during the Jackson funeral, former VP Mike Pence and Gov. Mark Gordon presented Fosters wife Lynn with United States and Wyoming flags. Foster Friess was a veteran and a flag was draped over his casket during the entire service.
Bill SniffinJune 13, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Poverty Of Time Describes These Go-Go And Rush-Rush Times
Time (or the lack of it) has always been a prime topic for people who work hard and miss out on all the fun activities that living in Wyoming can provide.
Bill SniffinJune 11, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Red Desert Is Like A Vast Deep Sea – It Can Devour You
Wyoming's Red Desert is a huge swath of open space just takes over. It stretches from one horizon to the other. It is like being in the middle of the ocean.
Bill SniffinJune 03, 2021
Bill Sniffin: My, How We’ve Grown! Will You Tell Your Friends About Us?
Bill Sniffin writes: "There are thousands of people who still do not know about us. I am asking you to help us out by helping your friends sign up for this wonderful free news service."
Bill SniffinMay 30, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Thank You Foster Friess For Being Such A Kind And Generous Human Being
"You could sum up Foster Friess in one word: Generous. He did more for more people than anyone I have ever known. He and Lynn gave away $500 million in their lifetimes. Amazing."
Bill SniffinMay 27, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Saying Goodbye To My Father – Seems Like Yesterday
Bill Sniffin writes: "Dad was an Irishman. He had freckles and always a twinkle in his eyes and a great sense of humor. And especially in his old age, he had become the perfect grandfather figure."
Bill SniffinMay 23, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Session Reminded Legislator Of Working In Muddy Oil Patch On Worst Day
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: " You are tired, dirty, and beaten down by the experience. But then you look back and you say to yourself, you know, we got quite a bit done."
Bill SniffinMay 14, 2021
Nat’l Museum of Military Vehicles Opens Korean & Vietnam War Galleries
Dubois' National Museum of Military Vehicles announced Monday that its new Korean and Vietnam War galleries will open Wednesday, May 26.
Bill SniffinMay 11, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Today’s Grads Face Both Head Wind And A Tail Wind
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: " Although scary, this is the most exciting time to be alive. Approach these times with optimism and love for your fellow human being and you should turn out just fine."
Bill SniffinMay 07, 2021
Chuck Guschewsky Funeral Set For May 15 Near Lander
Funeral services for Charles F. Chuck Guschewsky, 64, will be held Saturday, May 15, 2021 at the Popo Agie Ranch, 2760 Sinks Canyon Road, in Lander.
Bill SniffinMay 06, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Chuck Guschewsky, CEO Of Fremont Motor Co., Passed Away Saturday
Charles F. Chuck Guschewsky, 64, one of Wyomings most forward-thinking business leaders died at his home Saturday morning.
Bill SniffinMay 03, 2021
Bill Sniffin: What You Do When Things Go Bump In The Night
Patiently, during the entire time of our marriage, I have been awakened in the middle of deep slumber to a voice saying: Honey, did you hear that?
Bill SniffinMay 02, 2021
Bill Sniffin: We Can’t Do It Without You – Thanks So Much To Our Donors!
Thanks for helping us continue our mission of keeping Wyomingites informed. In a year when information literally saved lives, we came through, thanks in no small part to your loyalty, which means so much.
Bill SniffinMay 01, 2021
Bill Sniffin: My Wyoming Bucket List For 2021 Includes All Of The Cowboy State
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: I would encourage you to go. You will be joined by millions of Americans who have been yearning to get 'out there,' and nobody does 'out there' better than Wyoming."
Bill SniffinApril 26, 2021
Spring Donor Drive For Cowboy State Daily Continues – Thanks For The Financial Support And Wonderful Comments
And now during our Spring Donor Drive, the donations are rolling in, which helps us bring you the news every day in two big ways: First, we send you this daily newsletter which we like to call Wyomings Morning News and second, with our news site, which is updated all day long with statewide stories.
Bill SniffinApril 24, 2021
Spring Donor Drive For Cowboy State Daily Continues – Thanks For The Financial Support And Wonderful Comments
Because we have so many subscribers -- lots of you folks do not realize you can go to www.cowboystatedaily.com at any time and see the news updated all day long.
Bill SniffinApril 23, 2021
Cowboy State Daily Donors Offer Up Fan Mail, Too – We Love It! Keep It Coming
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "We had over 120 responses on the first day of our Spring Fund Drive and the checks and credit card payments are coming in."
Bill SniffinApril 19, 2021
This Goose Qualifies As ‘Mother Of Year’ As She Sits On Her Eggs In A Snowbank
Each year some five pairs of geese visit the Sniffin yard in April where they fight with each other for places to lay eggs.
Bill SniffinApril 18, 2021
There Are Good Reasons Subscribers Are Donating To Cowboy State Daily Right Now
Cowboy State Daily has never been more popular and with that in mind, we invite you to donate to us for our Spring 2021 donation drive.
Bill SniffinApril 17, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Why Fathers Worry So Much About Guys Dating Their Daughters
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "And of course, the REAL reason these dads are so protective of their daughters is that they can vividly remember what their own hormones were kicking up about back in the day."
Bill SniffinApril 16, 2021
Bill Sniffin: A View From Over The Hill, Some Wisdom Over The Years
Bill Sniffin writes: "This is a total mish-mash of feelings, observations, and speculations. Yet it feels good to be sitting on some sort of a mountaintop and look down at all that has happened over three quarters of a century."
Bill SniffinApril 09, 2021
Bill Sniffin: April Fool’s Day Literally Made Fools Out Of Many In The Last Few Months
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "So far, the year 2021 has been one long bad April Fools Day joke for our Congresswoman Liz Cheney."
Bill SniffinMarch 31, 2021
Special Advertising Rates For Cowboy State Daily
Take advantage of special low rates now they will be going up soon
Bill SniffinMarch 31, 2021
Bill Sniffin: The Dustbin Of History, A Visit To My Personal Private Library
Most folks of my generation aspire to have their own private libraries. Journalists, business folks, retired teachers or professors or just those well-read folks, love the concept of having hundreds or thousands of favorite books at immediate disposal.
Bill SniffinMarch 29, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Is It Time For Bold Action In Cowboy State?
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "We are so consumed with worries about our faltering economy and where to cut, cut, and cut some more -- well, there is no inclination to think about bold plans. So, what would be an example of a bold plan?"
Bill SniffinMarch 21, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s Long, Long, Long, Long, Long Year Of Plague, Economic Distress
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "The first big bombshell occurred almost exactly a year ago when the state high school basketball tournaments in Casper were cancelled because of a new virus on the world stage."
Bill SniffinMarch 12, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Only Trump Can Beat Cheney Out Here In Cowboy State
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "Nobody holds a grudge better than Trump and he is putting Liz into a special category. Like a crazed pit bull, he says he is coming for her."
Bill SniffinMarch 05, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Modern Wyoming Parable: Who Moved My Severance Tax Cheese?
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "In a few short words, Wyoming is trying to pay for a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget."
Bill SniffinFebruary 26, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Cheney’s Trump Snub Sparks Opinions Down At Coffee Shop
Here is what three Lander guys meeting at a coffee shop had to say about the recent events concerning Liz Cheneys vote to impeach then-President Trump
Bill SniffinFebruary 18, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Dumb Idea With Bad Timing — Canceling Newspaper Public Legal Notices
Using both tight budgets and a Covid pandemic as excuses, the dumb idea of limiting printed public notices in Wyoming newspapers has reared its ugly head again in the Legislature in Cheyenne.
Bill SniffinFebruary 10, 2021
Bill Sniffin: It’s time to hit the road to travel around Wyoming again
In my business column called the 20 things Ive learned in 50 years of business, three rules seem to have dominated my life over the past three years.
Bill SniffinFebruary 06, 2021
Lander Lil Sees Shadow – Wyoming Will Get Six More Weeks Of Winter
For the past 37 years, a prairie dog in Lander has been predicting the future of winter weather for Wyoming. This year on Tuesday, Feb. 2, she saw her shadow, which means six more weeks of winter.
Bill SniffinFebruary 02, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Relief Of Vaccination And The Ugliness Of ‘Mask Trash’
As a newly-vaccinated person, its easy to feel inspired to write another column about the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Bill SniffinJanuary 27, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Tired Of The Plague And Politics? How About Some Good News!
Enough already. Enough about politics. Enough about the deadly virus. Enough about complaining.
Bill SniffinJanuary 22, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Liz Cheney Puts Trump In Her Rear-View Mirror
Bill Sniffin writes: "Cheneys actions sure looked like she really was trying to put President Donald J. Trump in her rearview mirror. But to thousands of Cowboy State voters, it looked like she was also putting Wyoming in her rearview mirror."
Bill SniffinJanuary 18, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Darin Smith Fought To Protect D.C. Barricades From Invaders
Cheyennes Darin Smith said Wednesdays riot in Washington, D.C, was caused by a mob mentality among a small minority of the 50,000 protesters attending a rally.
Bill SniffinJanuary 08, 2021
Bill Sniffin: Here’s How Good It Feels To Get The COVID-19 Shot
By some kind of stroke of luck and good timing, my wife Nancy and I received our COVID-19 vaccinations today (Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021). We got the Pfizer shot, administered by the nice folks at the Lander Medical Clinic.
Bill SniffinJanuary 06, 2021
Bill Sniffin: New Year Prompts Reflections On Blessings From Years Passed
We head into 2021 with our heads up and our spirits high. Lets make it a wonderful year. We can only hope that readers of this column have been as blessed as my Nancy and I have been blessed. Happy New Year!
Bill SniffinJanuary 05, 2021
New Dubois Military Museum Named10th Best New Attraction In Country
Voters from all over America have named the new National Museum of Military Vehicles the 10th best new attraction in the entire country.
Bill SniffinDecember 31, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Predictions – Not All Doom But No Boom Either– But What Am I Missing?
Okay, now that we have 2020 in our rear-view mirror, what do we foresee for 2021? This is my annual prediction column.
Bill SniffinDecember 31, 2020
Bill Sniffin: What A Year 2020 Has Been! We Are Fired Up About Improving Cowboy State Daily In 2021 With Your Help
Please consider making one more tax-deductible donation in 2020 before we venture into the future 2021.
Bill SniffinDecember 30, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Empty Streets And A Busy Holiday Outside In The Cold
Like most house-bound Wyomingites, one of things that my wife Nancy and I like to do during this time of COVID-19 is go for an occasional ride around our little town.
Bill SniffinDecember 28, 2020
Bill Sniffin Memory: A Cross At Christmas On Top Of Crump’s Mountain
Publisher Bill Sniffin writes: "The idea of creating a Christmas Cross on top of Crumps Mountain was not in our original plans."
Bill SniffinDecember 23, 2020
Bill Sniffin: There Are Good Reasons Subscribers Are Donating To Cowboy State Daily Right Now
This has truly been a crazy year. During tough times, it helps to have someone to turn to. This year, Wyomingites turned to Cowboy State Daily in record numbers of subscribers.
Bill SniffinDecember 19, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Here Are Some Ideal Wyoming-Themed Christmas Gifts: Wool Pullovers, Sausages, Books
The year 2020 has been so difficult to Wyoming business people, it just seemed to make sense for us to reach and support Wyoming-made products.
Bill SniffinDecember 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin: COVID-19 Might Just Mean The 19 Pounds We’ve Each Gained The Past Ten Months
The big struggle at our house right now is my wife Nancy and I arguing about getting out all the Christmas decorations.
Bill SniffinDecember 04, 2020
National Museum of Military Vehicles, One Of America’s Great Museums, Is Now Open Just South Of Dubois
Boasting 140,000 square feet of space, the $100 million museum is one of America's great museums.
Bill SniffinDecember 02, 2020
Bill Sniffin: The Biden Bust Will Severely Damage Cowboy State
If Joe Biden gets sworn in as president we will finally see what that Gore-Babbitt model would have looked like. We will be living that reality here in Wyoming for the next four years, at least.
Bill SniffinNovember 30, 2020
Giving Tuesday: A Wonderful Time To Donate To Cowboy State Daily
Tuesday is known as Giving Tuesday and we would like to invite you to consider Cowboy State Daily for your giving.
Bill SniffinNovember 30, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Thankful For Readers, Donors, Writers, And That COVID Is Almost Over!
Back in July, one of every 67 people in Wyoming who tested positive died. Today that number is one in every 125. Now that is something to be thankful for.
Bill SniffinNovember 25, 2020
Big Sky Review: Creepy But Very Much Worth The Watching. I Am Anxious For Next Episode
Five stars is the rating that I gave the TV Show Big Sky, which debuted Tuesday, Nov. 17, based on the book by Wyomingite C. J. Box.
Bill SniffinNovember 18, 2020
Bill Sniffin: COVID-19 Vaccine Is A Moon Shot! The Nation Should Celebrate
Everybody alive today should be celebrating this amazing achievement. It could be argued that not since the landing on the moon in 1969 has this country had a milestone quite like this. And in such a short period of time!
Bill SniffinNovember 18, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Active Cases Went From 608 In August To 9,897 Today; Emotions Run High About Potential Covid-19 Restrictions
It looks like a whole lot of people in Wyoming are fired up about the recent spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths here in the Cowboy State.
Bill SniffinNovember 16, 2020
What’s It Like At 119 Mph Winds? Folks In South Pass Area Found Out
On Friday the 13th, no less, in the year 2020, the folks who live in the area of South Pass between Lander and Farson found out what living a class 3 hurricane feels like.
Bill SniffinNovember 16, 2020
Bill Sniffin: COVID Victim Steve Mossbrook Was A True Wyoming Internet Pioneer
One of the first true internet pioneers in Wyoming was Steve Mossbrook, 74, founder and owner of Wyoming.Com in Riverton.
Bill SniffinNovember 14, 2020
Wyo Business Leaders Tell Gov Gordon: “We Are Losing The Battle” On Covid
While members of Wyoming's chambers of commerce agree something must be done to slow the spread of coronavirus in the state, they disagreed on how to accomplish that goal in an online meeting with Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday.
Bill SniffinNovember 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Where does Wyoming fit in a President Joe Biden world?
As residents of the most Republican Donald Trump-loving state in the country, many Wyoming folks are reeling in the face of the apparent election of their arch-nemesis Democrat Joe Biden.
Bill SniffinNovember 09, 2020
Who Won Cowboy State Daily’s Election Winner Picker Contest? Well, We Don’t Know Yet
Three savvy Cheyenne men so far are tied to win Cowboy State Daily's election winner picker contest.
Bill SniffinNovember 06, 2020
National Museum of Military Vehicles: One of America’s Great Museums is Now Open in Dubois
Boasting 140,000 square feet of space, the $100 million National Museum of Military Vehicles is amazing.
Bill SniffinNovember 05, 2020
Wyoming 2020 General Election Campaigns Were Exciting — Here Are Some of The Most Interesting Results
A brief recap of some of the most interesting races around the state.
Bill SniffinNovember 04, 2020
Who is The Smartest Election Winner Picker in Wyoming?
Cast for your votes for six key races in Wyoming and we'll see who the smartest political pundit in the state is.
Bill SniffinOctober 30, 2020
Bill Sniffin: OK, Who Is Going To Win? Nov. 3 Election Looms
I always tended to believe polls and thought Donald Trump would lose four years ago. Those same polls again predict he will lose the national election. This time, I am not so quickly going to believe these polls.
Bill SniffinOctober 26, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Wow! Here Is Exciting Travelogue About Six Empty States
Our recent 2,000-mile, six-state road trip found us traveling through lots of empty places similar to our long spans of apparent emptiness.
Bill SniffinOctober 23, 2020
Bill Sniffin: 2020 Will Be Remembered As A Whirlpool Of Strange Events
It seems like we all have been in the middle of a vortex during this crazy year of 2020.
Bill SniffinOctober 19, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Mulling Wyoming’s Future With Or Without Trump As The Miles Go By
It was an ideal time for some serious thinking and pondering. We were enduring extensive windshield time recently as Nancy and I hauled our 2005 motorhome to its winter home in Las Vegas.
Bill SniffinOctober 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Trump’s COVID-19 Diagnosis Proves Campaign Could Not Get Any Stranger
In 58 years of covering news, I have never covered a candidate like Trump and never covered campaigns like the ones he has conducted. This one had already taken a strange twist with the bitter debate Tuesday night, but now the virus?
Bill SniffinOctober 02, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Finally, a Road Trip! Fall Colors in Wyoming Spectacular
After six months of behaving ourselves, my wife Nancy and I finally broke away for a road trip to Buffalo, Sheridan, and Casper. And boy, was it liberating!
Bill SniffinOctober 02, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Cowboy State Outback Took A Beating During The Summer
Wyomings gigantic back yard its national forests and wilderness areas took a mighty beating this summer as Americans tried to escape from urban areas and get away from the scourge of the COVID-19 virus.
Bill SniffinSeptember 23, 2020
Bill Sniffin: One More Column About COVID-19. Are We Sick Of Talking About It, Or What?
What a slog the last six months have been, as we have had to deal with a mysterious worldwide viral pandemic called COVID-19.
Bill SniffinSeptember 18, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Mountains Jammed Over Labor Day Weekend
With snow predicted Monday night and Tuesday in many parts of the state, this truly signaled the end of the summer in many peoples minds.
Bill SniffinSeptember 06, 2020
Lander: A Microcosm Of Wyoming’s Growing Pains
Like many cities and towns across Wyoming, Lander residents are choosing up sides when it comes to zoning changes proposed for their communities.
Bill SniffinSeptember 04, 2020
Over 200 Lander Citizens Turn Out For Zoning Discussion
Some 225 Lander citizens jammed the towns community center to comment on a proposal to change zoning in the community to allow for more short-term rentals.
Bill SniffinSeptember 02, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Code Of The West Author Shows How To Age Gracefully, On PBS
Jim Owen is one of the best-known, least-known people in Wyoming. The author of both Cowboy Ethics and The Code of the West, Owen had a huge influence on the state in the last decade by helping Wyoming adopt these codes, which seem to make more sense here in the Cowboy State than anywhere else in America.
Bill SniffinAugust 31, 2020
Bill Sniffin: What Is Wyoming’s Worst Tourist Attraction? Well, Think Again!
Instagram recently did a survey and then published a map of the 50 states which listed the worst tourist attractions in each state.
Bill SniffinAugust 26, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Four Women In The Headlines After Wyoming Primary Elections
National history concerning women was made in Wyoming last Tuesday and it occurred on the 100th anniversary of national suffrage for women. You just cannot make this up.
Bill SniffinAugust 23, 2020
Cowboy State Daily Is Expanding! Will You Help us Grow?
In the last three months alone, our readership has more than quadrupled.
Bill SniffinAugust 21, 2020
Wyoming Election Recap: Tuesday Was Big Day For Conservatives; GOP Shifts To The Right
It sure appeared to be a wonderful night for the conservative Republicans. The battlefield was littered with the carcasses of stalwart candidates who had been labeled moderate.
Bill SniffinAugust 19, 2020
Long lines of voters in Gillette might make results late
In most states, the primary election is just a first act. But in states dominated by one party, like Wyoming, just about all the serious action happens on primary.
Bill SniffinAugust 19, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Recalling 15 Brave Firefighters Who Died In A Wyoming Fire 83 Years Ago
This month marks the 83rd memorial anniversary of the worst forest fire disaster in Wyoming history when it comes to loss of firefighter lives.
Bill SniffinAugust 13, 2020
Legislature Salutes Starks Family For Opening Huge Museum Near Dubois
The Wyoming State Legislature, in an informal joint resolution, praised Dan And Cynthia Starks for their work to open the museum south of Dubois.
Bill SniffinAugust 12, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Lummis Will Excel; I Thought Michelle Obama Would Be Veep Pick
I sure thought Michelle Obama would be Joe Bidens pick for his vice-presidential running mate. That decision could have propelled him to the presidency.
Bill SniffinAugust 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Lummis Will Excel; Watch Out For Michelle Obama
I think Michelle Obama will be Joe Bidens pick for his vice-presidential running mate. That decision could propel him to the presidency.
Bill SniffinAugust 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Wilford Brimley Represented Wyoming Well
Although not a native son, Wilford Brimley personified the Wyoming way of life. He made us proud.
Bill SniffinAugust 03, 2020
Dubois’ $100 Million National Military Museum To Open On August 7
The $100 million National Museum of Military Vehicles south of Dubois, Wyoming will open on Friday, August 7.
Bill SniffinJuly 30, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Alder Bugs Are Bugging My Trees This Summer
We live along Big Dickinson Creek in Lander and have an abundance of what I thought were River Willow trees along its banks. They are junk trees.
Bill SniffinJuly 28, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Cowboy State Crammed Full Of Odd Sites, Curious Sights
Wyoming is such an interesting place. Even when you omit Yellowstone, Grand Teton Park, and Devils Tower Monument, the state is jammed with interesting sites to visit and sights to see.
Bill SniffinJuly 23, 2020
Bill Sniffin: In The Shadow Of A National Forest That Yearns To Burn
During a normal hot summer fire season, the gorgeous red sunsets and haze in the air scare the heck out of people in my part of Wyoming. We live next to the Shoshone National Forest.
Bill SniffinJuly 15, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Yellowstone Beckons! Big Park Ready For Your Visit Now
After a quick visit this past week, I can honestly say my Yellowstone National Park is a different place than from any other time I have seen it in the last half century.
Bill SniffinJuly 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin Best-Selling Coffee Table Books For Sale
Now is your chance to own some of the last remaining copies of these beautiful coffee table books.
Bill SniffinJuly 03, 2020
Bill Sniffin: The Red Desert: Loneliest Place In Loneliest State
This, truly, is the loneliest place in the loneliest state. A place with no permanent human habitation at the present time. Despite that, it is a place that has been occupied by humans for over 1,000 years.
Bill SniffinJuly 03, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Covid Destroying Wyoming Traditions
The new systems and techniques put into place during the last 100 days, will continue on into the future, I predict.
Bill SniffinJune 30, 2020
Wyoming Humanities Awards Nearly $400K In CARES Grants
Wyoming Humanities has awarded nearly $400,000 in Cultural CARES Grants to 50 institutions and organizations throughout the state with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act economic stabilization plan appropriated by the U.S. Congress.
Bill SniffinJune 29, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Covid Be Damned, We Sneaked Off On A Sin City Road Trip
After being confined for exactly three months, we decided it was time to go rescue our 15-year old motorhome, which had been held hostage in 100-degree heat at a Las Vegas RV park.
Bill SniffinJune 22, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Lots To Do In Goshen County, The Welcome Mat Is Out For State Visitors
Not long ago, I made a tour of eastern Wyoming was among the most fun experiences of a near half-century in the state.
Bill SniffinJune 17, 2020
Bill Sniffin: My COVID Bucket List Of Things To See In Wyoming
Because of the virus, this is a time to enjoy the wide-open spaces in the Cowboy State.
Bill SniffinJune 13, 2020
500+ People Gather in Lander to Hold Vigil for George Floyd
Over 500 people gathered in Lander Friday night to hold a vigil, a parade, and to recognize the death of George Floyd.
Bill SniffinJune 06, 2020
Bill Sniffin: I Took a Covid-19 Test. This is What it Was Like
He stuck that thing up my nostril way, way up into the hinterlands of my sinus area and rubbed against my pituitary gland, I am sure.
Bill SniffinJune 03, 2020
Bill Sniffin: In COVID-19 Era, What On Earth Do You Advise To 2020 Graduates?
Wow, what on earth would you say to a graduate this year about his or her future?
Bill SniffinJune 01, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Strange Times During Strange Days In Strange Places
One of my recent columns proudly exclaimed that we only had eight deaths in Wyoming. By the time that column was published by various newspapers, the toll was up to 13. Today the toll is rising.
Bill SniffinMay 26, 2020
Bill Sniffin: With Restrictions Easing, The Tourists Are Coming
Tourism is a powerful force. People today feel their vacation trips are an entitlement. And Wyoming is a place they want to go.
Bill SniffinMay 23, 2020
Cowboy State Daily Launches Memorial Day Funding Campaign
We are reaching out to a group of folks who realize how important it is to have a Wyoming-owned and Wyoming-based news service that reports the news in a fair manner.
Bill SniffinMay 22, 2020
Why Is Wyoming So Exceptional When It Comes To Surviving COVID-19?
No other state, and perhaps no other place in the world, is coming across as healthy as we are, when it comes to this once-in-a-century plague called coronavirus or COVID-19.
Bill SniffinMay 14, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Masks, Social Distancing Define The Class Of 2020 Graduations
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, just about every normal graduation in America has been canceled. And in their places are some unique ways to celebrate.
Bill SniffinMay 11, 2020
Bill Sniffin: When God Created Mothers; Have A Wonderful Weekend!
A special note to my own 96-year old mother, my wife Nancy and our daughters, Alicia, Shelli and Amber, who are also mothers plus daughter in law Lisa Sniffin and finally, granddaughter Mallory Barnett.
Bill SniffinMay 08, 2020
Bill Sniffin: What Will You Remember About The Pandemic Of 2020?
As a journalist, covering the pandemic has been possibly the biggest story of my life. That is the main thing I will remember about this crazy period.
Bill SniffinMay 04, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Man Predicted Pandemic 15 Years Ago, At World Economic Forum
Hank McKinnell of Jackson predicted todays worldwide pandemic during a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 15 years ago.
Bill SniffinApril 27, 2020
Bill Sniffin: Okay, Now What To Do? Open Fast? Open Slowly? What’s A State To Do?
So, is Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon ready to gently lift restrictions on everyday life here in the Cowboy State?
Bill SniffinApril 20, 2020
Huge $100 Million Military Vehicles Museum in Dubois Postpones Grand Opening
The grand opening for the 140,000 square foot facility, which holds 150 military vehicles, is postponed due to the coronavirus.
Bill SniffinApril 16, 2020