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Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.

Gail Symons: Show Up This Christmas

Columnist Gail Symons writes: “Faith traditions remind us that celebration and compassion belong together. They also remind us that many blessings arrive through other people's hands.”

Gail SymonsDecember 15, 2025

Cassie Craven: We Love Wyoming, Keep Her Free

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “As the Joint Appropriations Committee hears from the bureaucrats this month about how many hundreds of millions they need of our money, I want to remind our public servants who they are fighting for."

Cassie CravenDecember 15, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, December 15, 2025

Monday's headlines include: * Nebraska’s New Producer-Owned Packing Plant * Search Resumes 20 Years Later For Missing Cowboy * In Wyoming, It Was Grizzly 399. In Canada, It’s The Boss

Mac WatsonDecember 15, 2025

Male ruffed grouse attract mates by cupping their wings and flapping them rapidly, to create a “drumming” sound that can be heard a quarter-mile away.

When A Ruffed Grouse Starts Air Drumming, He's Looking To Get It On

When a male ruffed grouse is looking for some action, he doesn't put on a Barry White record while having some Courvoisier. Instead he begins air drumming by beating the air with his wings. It’s rare to catch them in the act, as one lucky wildlife photographer did.

Mark HeinzDecember 14, 2025

Ben McArthur of Casper and his son Mateo like filling their family’s freezer with elk mean from late cow elk tags.

Late-Season Cow Elk Hunts Fill Freezers But Test Hunters’ Grit In Wyoming

Elk hunter Ben McArthur said he appreciates availability of late-season cow elk tags in Wyoming as it's challenging. “It's fun because it matches up with holiday weekends. Weather conditions can be miserable, but if you get after it, you can be successful."

Mark HeinzDecember 14, 2025

Casper food truck owner Ticker Lock transforms into the “Jolliest Claus,” a top-hatted Santa who entertains kids at events, home visits and parades. He mixes humor, heartfelt moments and faith while keeping his own naughty list.

Casper’s ‘Jolliest Claus’ Swaps His Food Truck For Top Hat Santa Magic

Casper's Ticker Lock goes from running his Rockin Burgers N Dogs Food Truck to donning his elaborate Santa outfit for 20 or more appearances during the holiday season. “It’s seeing the kids’ reaction that makes it all worthwhile," he said.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 14, 2025

A popular Yellowstone National Park grizzly called Ojo claws the brains from a bison carcass. He was one of four male grizzlies feasting on the carcass.

Why A Yellowstone Grizzly Eating Bison Brains Is So Interesting

Wildlife biologists say it's rare for grizzlies to eat from the head of a bison because it would be difficult to get through the thick skull. That's what makes the instance of Ojo, a one-eyed Yellowstone bear, eating the brains of a bison so unique.

Mark HeinzDecember 14, 2025

Left, this original authenticated tintype of Billy the Kid sold for $2.3 million at auction. This record sale, the most ever paid for an outlaw photo, created a buzz and a surge of fake Billy the Kid photos. That's what many historians think this photo at the right is, an image that claims to show the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid in a sweater playing croquet. American West historian Corey Recko, who has authenticated other historic photos, believes the croquet player is not Billy the Kid.

Photo Of Billy The Kid Playing Croquet Debunked Just Like All The Others (Except One)

There has only been one verified photo of Billy The Kid and it sold for $2.3 million in 2011. Since then, there have been a wave of newly "discovered" Billy The Kid photos but all have been debunked, including the one of him supposedly playing croquet.

Jackie DorothyDecember 14, 2025

The Legend Of The Little People Who Inhabit Wyoming's Pryor Mountains

Tales of encounters with the “little people” of Wyoming's Pryor Mountains aren’t limited to Native American lore. One professor said he knows several people in modern times who have seen the legendary creatures with their own eyes.

Wendy CorrDecember 14, 2025

The Jessen Reindeer Ranch rents rendeer for events in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. Raising and caring for reindeer is expensive, but can easily bring in more than $100,000 in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Colorado Ranch Earns More Than $100,000 During Holidays Renting Reindeer

The Jessen Reindeer Ranch rents reindeer for events in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. Raising and caring for reindeer is expensive, but can easily bring in more than $100,000 in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Andrew RossiDecember 14, 2025

Flock Safety cameras are positioned around Jackson, and after two years surveilling passing cars, Mayor Arne Jorgensen and the Jackson Town Council recently asked city staff to review how the cameras and data gathered by them is managed and protected.

Privacy Advocates Worry About “Robot Army” Of Surveillance Cameras In Jackson

Critics of the 28 license plate-reading cameras in Jackson say they are the equivalent of robo-cops writing down your license plate number every time you drive by. They say the cameras amount to a surveillance state and citizens should be alarmed.

David MadisonDecember 14, 2025

Rocky jogging past Siberian villagers, filmed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Remember When: Rocky’s Siberian Training Site In “Rocky IV” Happened In Wyoming

When Rocky Balboa opted for the isolation and desolation of frigid Siberia while training for his revenge fight with the Soviet’s indestructible prizefighter Ivan Drago, it’s actually Wyoming that plays the part of the Russian wasteland. The filming happened 40 years ago outside of Jackson.

Jake NicholsDecember 14, 2025

How Yellowstone Rangers Use Heavy Equipment To Drag 1,000-Pound Carcasses Away

When a 1,000-pound bison dies too close to tourist hotspots in Yellowstone National Park, rangers have to move it. That’s a big job that takes tractors, winches, and front-end loaders.

Andrew RossiDecember 14, 2025

Roy Vavra mysteriously disappeared in January 2006 when he failed to show up for a hunt with his close friend. Over the past 20 years, there have been no sightings or significant clues to indicate what might have happened to him.

Family Picks Up Search For Missing Gillette Cowboy After Nearly 20 Years

Roy Vavra mysteriously disappeared in January 2006 after friends reported seeing an unknown white pickup parked in his driveway. Apart from one unconfirmed sighting, there have been no traces of the Gillette man in nearly two decades.

Jen KocherDecember 14, 2025

Wyoming History: Gillette Named For Railroad Surveyor Who Never Lived There

Surveyor Edward Gillette saved a railroad thousands of dollars by rerouting tracks near Donkey Creek in northeast Wyoming, and the grateful company named the new town of Gillette after him. Before then it was known as Donkey Town.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 13, 2025

3D printing has revolutionized many fields, now it’s becoming an option for mounting hunters’ trophy antlers and horns, with 3D printed big game skulls.

3D-Printed Skulls Mean Hunters Don’t Have To Boil Heads To Mount Trophy Antlers

Until 3D printing technology along, hunters would boil an animal’s skinned head for hours making it easier to scrape off the remaining flesh or get a tank full of carnivorous beetles, eager to devour the flesh and brains, picking the skull clean.

Mark HeinzDecember 13, 2025

At least 14 Black Angus cows have vanished from multiple ranches northeast of Greeley, Colorado. Ranchers suspect theft as authorities investigate the baffling disappearances.

Mystery Deepens Over Missing Cattle In Northern Colorado

Dozens of Black Angus cows have vanished from multiple ranches northeast of Greeley, Colorado. Ranchers suspect theft as authorities investigate the baffling disappearances. Rancher Chad Sanger, who is missing 9 cows, says there are no holes in his fences.

Scott SchwebkeDecember 13, 2025

Wyoming’s infamous winter winds were in full force this week, leaving dozens of blown-over semitrailers littered across the state’s highways. Just off I-25 in Chugwater, it was even too windy to pour a cup of coffee.

Just Off I-25 In Chugwater, It’s Too Windy Even For A Cup Of Coffee

Wyoming’s infamous winter wind was in full force this week, leaving dozens of blown-over semitrailers littered across the state’s highways. Just off I-25 in Chugwater, it was too windy even to pour a cup of coffee.

Renée JeanDecember 13, 2025

The lowly sloppy Joe might be at the bottom of Americana comfort food totem pole, but it’s enjoying a revival. At Smith Alley Brewing Co. in Sheridan, chef Andrew Nord combined Steamboat Stout with a simple blend of ingredients and created his spin on the classic sammy.

The Humble Sloppy Joe Is Making A Comeback and Sheridan Chef Is Leading The Charge

The lowly Sloppy Joe might dwell at the bottom of Americana comfort food totem pole, but it’s enjoying a revival. Chef Andrew Nord at Smith Alley Brewing in Sheridan is reinventing the sandwich with a gourmet makeover featuring the brewery's Steamboat Stout.

David MadisonDecember 13, 2025

Grizzly 122, The Boss, is Canada’s favorite bear. He lives in Banff National Park, Alberta.

Meet 'The Boss,' Canada's Legendary 700-Pound, 28-Year-Old Grizzly Who Beat A Train

In Wyoming, the most famous bear was Grizzly 399. In Canada, it's a gigantic 700-pound grizzly known as "The Boss." Not only did he walk away after being hit by a train but biologists say he's fathered half the cubs in Banff National Park in Alberta.

Mark HeinzDecember 13, 2025

Joan Barron: Hands Off Wyoming's Exclusive Miners' Fund

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Miners are in a special class when it comes to budgets. They have their very own program, with a healthy pot of money. But, like all healthcare programs, it is faced with increasing costs. Today it totals $99,275,233."

Joan BarronDecember 13, 2025

Bill Sniffin: A Love Letter To My Wife Nancy On Her Birthday

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “When you have spent 60 years with your best friend, the person you love, it is appropriate to write her a personal love letter. This is my best attempt.”

Bill SniffinDecember 13, 2025

Bryan Price, his wife, Siqi, and Homes For Our Troops Executive Director Bill Ivey, prepare for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Price home southwest of Casper.

Wyoming Army Veteran And Paralympian Gets A New House Near Casper

Army veteran and two-time Paralympian Bryan Price received a fully accessible house near Casper from Homes For Our Troops. It gives his family long-term stability and independence after years in spaces not suited for his wheelchair.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 13, 2025

Buried In Snow, Yellowstone's Bison Have No Problems Weathering Winter

Wyoming’s Yellowstone bison look miserable when caked in snow and frost, but their thick coats, fat reserves and efficient digestion keep them warm and fueled through brutal winters. Snow acts as extra insulating layer, said one biologist.

Mark HeinzDecember 13, 2025