Headlines

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

Wyoming Supreme Court Declares Abortion Bans Unconstitutional

The Wyoming Supreme Court in a 4-1 majority ruled Tuesday that Wyoming’s abortion bans are unconstitutional, under the state Constitution’s promise of health care autonomy.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsJanuary 06, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Tuesday, January 6, 2025

Tuesday's headlines include: * People Keep Hitting Snowplows * Restaurant Lampoons Minn Daycare * Is Venezuelan Oil The New Argentinian Beef?

Mac WatsonJanuary 06, 2026

With Governor's Backing, WYDOT Asks Legislature For $282.8 Million Budget

After Gov. Mark Gordon recommended funding WYDOT’s $282.8 million budget pitch, lawmakers meeting Monday in Cheyenne questioned staffing gaps, taser costs and Highway Patrol needs like GPS and tunnel tech upgrades amid shortfalls.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026

Rob Creager, executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, which is an agency geared toward bolstering the state's energy economy, now has a seat on a federal coal committee that advises the U.S. Department of Energy.

Wyoming Energy Leader Appointed To National Coal Advisory Council

The executive director of the Wyoming Energy Authority, which is an agency geared toward bolstering the state's energy economy, now has a seat on a federal coal committee that advises the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ole BraatelienJanuary 06, 2026

Wyoming has had 97 snowplows hit by vehicles over the past five years, including 15 last winter. Wyoming Department of Transportation officials said Monday that being a plow driver can be dangerous, but higher pay can help keep those jobs filled.

WYDOT Reports 97 Wyoming Snowplows Hit In Last Five Winters

Wyoming has had 97 snowplows hit by vehicles over the past five winters, including 15 last winter. Wyoming Department of Transportation officials said Monday that being a plow driver can be dangerous, but higher pay can help keep those jobs filled.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026

Gillette Man Nicknamed 'CRACKPIPE' Accused In Another Burglary

Gillette police say they caught a man who goes by the alias "CRACKPIPE" stealing a bagel shop baker's purse to buy lockpicks with her credit card. That comes nearly a year after he allegedly burgled a Menard's store. He faces felony charges.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 05, 2026

75-Year-Old Dies When Car Goes Airborne 90 Feet, Plunges Into Wheatland Reservoir

A 75-year-old man died Sunday when his Chevy Cruze plunged off Wyoming Route 310 into Wheatland Reservoir No. 1 after going airborne for 90 feet. Divers recovered the vehicle and victim after two hours, with the cause of the crash under investigation.

Scott SchwebkeJanuary 05, 2026

Drivers Keep Taking Out Cheyenne’s Bronze Sculptures

"Lazy Days," a bronze sculpture of a rabbit in downtown Cheyenne, became the latest to be hit and damaged during a Sunday multi-car crash. It’s the third time a driver has taken out one of Cheyenne’s 100 bronze sculptures.

Andrew RossiJanuary 05, 2026

Gillette’s Airport's Success Prompts United To Drop Air Guarantee Subsidy

United Airlines dropped Gillette’s flight guarantee, proving Wyoming’s subsidy program works as airports mature toward self-sufficiency. Other communities like Cheyenne seek more state money amid rising costs and legislative hurdles.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026

For Wyoming, Is Venezuelan Oil The New Argentinian Beef?

Trump's move to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry after Nicolas Maduro's capture could put downward pressure on prices, squeezing Wyoming oil producers already operating on thin margins. But industry leaders say many questions remain unanswered.

David MadisonJanuary 05, 2026

Cheyenne Restaurant Turns Heads With Money-Making Idea: Open Minnesota Day Care

Espi’s Restaurant in Cheyenne is famous for its green chili, breakfast burritos, and irreverent roadside messages. On Monday, people were stopping to take photos of its latest: “I am so broke, moving to Minn. and opening a daycare.”

Greg JohnsonJanuary 05, 2026

Dave Simpson: Forty Years Later, But It Seems Like Yesterday

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “The coolest families when I was growing up all had daughters. Life. Mystery. Excitement. I grew up with older brothers, but then having a daughter of my own made our house a much more fun place to be.”

Dave SimpsonJanuary 05, 2026

Not Settled Yet: Wyoming Hunter Access Issues Will Likely Repeat In 2026

In 2025, hunters fought public-land access challenges in the courts and even by helicopter. While some legal issues about “corner-crossing” are settled, the tension over hunters accessing public lands remains into 2026.

Mark HeinzJanuary 05, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, January 5, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsJanuary 05, 2026

Cassie Craven: Communism's Mass Graves Aren't Warm and Fuzzy

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Mamdani is something different. Something more dangerous. Happiness is a warm gun. Don’t mistake disconnect and distance with the illusion of freedom and ease.”

Cassie CravenJanuary 05, 2026

Gail Symons: The GOP's Priorities For The Budget Session Don't Include... The Budget

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "Just this week, the Wyoming Republican Party released its list of top priorities for this year's budget session. Notably absent: the budget. That omission matters."

Gail SymonsJanuary 05, 2026

After a “state-of-emergency” power outage in Canada last week — on the heels of a massive outage in Wyoming — some Wyomingites say they’re thankful for off-grid power options. Others say they just hate power companies.

Home Generator Owners Say Peace Of Mind Is Worth The Investment

After a massive “state-of-emergency” power outage in Canada last week — on the heels of a massive outage in Wyoming — those who have invested in generators and other off-the-grid options say it's worth it. Others say they just hate power companies.

Mark HeinzJanuary 05, 2026

Craig Johnson reacts to being the 2025 recipient of the Tucson Festival of Books' Founders Award.

Inside The Loft That Inspires Wyoming Author Craig Johnson’s Award-Winning Career

It was a great year for Wyoming author Craig Johnson who received four lifetime achievement awards from prestigious writing and Western organizations. He created his popular “Longmire” mystery series in a tiny UCross cabin he built himself.

Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, January 5, 2025

Monday's headlines include: * Tragic Murder-Suicide In Lyman * The 17 White Bison On Sublette Ranch * Man Who Chauffeured Mr. Spock In Yellowstone

Mac WatsonJanuary 04, 2026

Kristy Van Der Hoeven lived to do random acts of kindness. After the Cheyenne wife and mother died from a sudden heart attack, her giving spirit lives on with family and friends continuing her kindness, including leaving quarters in gumball machines.

Even After Sudden Death, Cheyenne Is Keeping Mom's Kindness Alive

After Cheyenne mom Kristy Van Der Hoeven’s sudden death, friends and families created a nonprofit to carry on her tradition of committing random acts of kindness like dropping quarters in gum ball machines or leaving dollars in toy aisles.

Renée JeanJanuary 04, 2026

The American West: Calamity Kid Tamed Horses For Buffalo Bill, Tried To Tame Calamity Jane

Clarence L. Oliver broke horses for Buffalo Bill, rounded up Texas longhorns and had a memorable encounter with Calamity Jane in 1901. That's when, to win a bet, he ran down and caught a drunken and naked Calamity Jane in the middle of Cody.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

Wyoming’s own Anna Gibson flexed both uphill and downhill skiing skills in Solitude, Utah, to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. She will compete in an individual Skimo speed event, and a mixed relay with teammate Cam Smith of Crested Butte, Colorado.

Wyoming’s Surprise Olympian Started Training As An 8-Year-Old For Uphill Skiing

Anna Gibson was 8 when she started begging her parents to let her break Jackson Hole resort rules and ski uphill. Eighteen years later, she’s headed to Italy as America’s surprise Olympic hopeful in a sport she’s been training for most of her life.

David MadisonJanuary 04, 2026

LAPD Policeman Jack Brush would take his vacations in Yellowstone National Park every year and eventually signed up as a law enforcement ranger where his favorite assignment was riding his horse, Ace, on patrol around Old Faithful.

LA Cop Who Helped Catch Charles Manson Found Escape By Patrolling Yellowstone On Horseback

Jack Brush was a hardened Los Angeles cop who worked during the L.A. riots and helped catch Charles Manson. In the summers, he would escape the big city to work as a cop in Yellowstone, patrolling the park on horseback.

Jackie DorothyJanuary 04, 2026