Headlines

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

Preston Torres, left, and Rochne Gukeisen.

7 Teens Arrested In Western Nebraska SWAT Raid For Illegal Machine Guns, Drugs

Seven teens were arrested Wednesday in a sweeping western Nebraska raid over illegal machine guns and drugs. Investigators say they found Instagram posts of the teens posing with and firing Glock-style guns equipped with illegal switches.

Kolby FedoreJuly 16, 2026

A road sign reads, "STOP Private Road No Trespassing. A Cheyenne man contends the sign is on a public county road.

Wyoming Hunter Wants To Clear Up Confusion Over Public Lands Marked ‘Private’

A Wyoming hunter is on a mission to undo confusion after repeatedly encountering "Private Property" and "No Trespassing" signs where the public should legally be allowed. "Knowing which roads are actually public is really challenging,” said a landowner.

Kate MeadowsJuly 16, 2026

‘We’re In Trouble’: East Thermopolis Floods After 4.5 Inches Of Rain In An Hour

A wall of water surged through East Thermopolis late Wednesday, stranding people and breaking a gas main after 4.5 inches of rain fell in an hour near the town. "You need to send rescue out here. We’re in trouble,” one resident said when he called 911.

Jackie DorothyJuly 16, 2026

Flash Flood Damages Bridge, Cuts Off Only Access For Park County Residents

Park County officials say a Wednesday flash flood nearly destroyed a bridge over the Shoshone River and cut off access for some county residents. “We watched a wall of debris build up and surging muddy water begin to overflow the banks,” said one witness.

Andrew RossiJuly 16, 2026

Eagles and other raptors are highly vulnerable to colliding with wind turbines.

Wyoming Wind Turbines Killed More Than 23,000 Birds And Bats Last Year

More than 23,000 birds and bats were killed by wind turbines in Wyoming in 2025, according to a report presented Wednesday to the state Game and Fish Commission. “They’re flying around and they’re not paying attention to those blades,” said an official.

Mark HeinzJuly 16, 2026

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake north of Yellowstone Lake on Thursday, July 16, 2026, was felt by people as far away as 30 miles. It’s the largest earthquake of the year so far in the national park. “We typically get around five ‘felt’ earthquakes every year,” said a geologist.

Yellowstone Records Earthquake Thursday Morning, Felt 30 Miles Away

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake in Yellowstone on Thursday was felt by people as far away as 30 miles. It’s the largest earthquake of the year so far in the national park. “We typically get around five ‘felt’ earthquakes every year,” said a geologist.

Andrew RossiJuly 16, 2026

Degenfelder Releases Trump Double-Down Endorsement With A Month Before Primary

Megan Degenfelder’s campaign for Wyoming governor released a video early Thursday of President Donald Trump doubling down on his endorsement of her. The push comes with a month to go before Wyoming’s hotly contested Republican Primary election.

Clair McFarlandJuly 16, 2026

Guest Column: Data Centers — Lead, Follow, Or Get Out of the Way

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon writes, "President Trump, in a recent statement said this, 'Data centers are tremendous wins for the states and communities that are lucky enough to get them.' I concur. He is exactly right."

Guest ColumnJuly 16, 2026

Galloping Horse Is Galloping Again Over The Wrangler In Downtown Cheyenne

The Galloping Horse is galloping again — or at least it will be when someone at The Wrangler turns the power on. After years of being inoperable, the iconic 400-pound folk art cowboy was fixed, refurbished and put back in place Thursday morning.

Greg JohnsonJuly 16, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, July 16, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJuly 16, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Thursday's headlines include: Rep. Allemand Pleads Guilty Yellowstone Bison Won't Be Euthanized Most Powerful Tornado In Wyoming History

Mac WatsonJuly 16, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Fair Play Cuts Both Ways — The Truth About The 2023 Marriage Bill

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "I’ve been predicting mailers will come out that certain legislators would be branded as child abusers and pornographers this legislative session. I did not anticipate it being John Bear and Chip Neiman."

Tom LubnauJuly 16, 2026

Guest Column: How Long Before Wyoming Elects A Socialist?

Rep. John Bear writes, "Gillette’s community organizations were barred from handing out U.S. Constitutions and Bibles during the Independence Day 250 parade. Is July Fourth really the best day to trash the very FIRST Amendment to the American Constitution?"

Guest ColumnJuly 16, 2026

Most Destructive Tornado In Wyoming’s History Leveled Cheyenne 47 Years Ago

It was 47 years ago on July 16, 1979, when a massive tornado ripped through Cheyenne, leveling hundreds of homes and killing a 14-month old. Decades later, it’s still the most destructive tornado in Wyoming history.

Kerry DrakeJuly 16, 2026

Jerry Johnston of Cheyenne holds up a copy of the photo (top) that he took of the tornado that hit the capital city on July 1, 1979.

Reporter’s Notebook: How Photo Of 1979 Cheyenne Tornado Made National News

Cowboy State Daily reporter Kerry Drake covered the July 16, 1979 Cheyenne tornado for the Wyoming State Tribune newspaper. Now, 47 years later, Kerry discusses how he and his colleague reported on the deadly tornado, the biggest to ever hit the state.

Kerry DrakeJuly 16, 2026

Rep. Bill Allemand Pleads Guilty To DUI, Gets Probation And $500 Fine

Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand pleaded guilty to DUI in court Wednesday and was given one year probation and fined $500. He faces 88 days in jail if he fails probation.

Clair McFarlandJuly 15, 2026

The bison that tossed a 65-year-old Washington state man 8 feet in the air and broke his femur in four places won’t be killed. The man "couldn’t have done much to prevent that charge,” said a bison expert. “I don’t know if I would have done any better.”

Yellowstone Won’t Kill Angry Bison That Tossed, Seriously Hurt Man At Campground

Yellowstone National Park will spare the life of the bison that seriously hurt a 65-year-old grandpa from Washington. Park officials said “no management action” will be taken against the bison which means it won’t be relocated or euthanized.

Andrew RossiJuly 15, 2026

Grizzly bears, such as this female with cubs near Cody, would be brought under state management, according to a proposal put forward by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

Full Implications Of Fed Move To Hand Grizzly Management Over To States Unclear

It remained unclear Wednesday whether a federal decision to hand management of grizzlies over to the state will set the stage for a full delisting of grizzlies. But Rep. Harriet Hageman said efforts will continue to get them delisted through legislation.

Mark HeinzJuly 15, 2026

A helicopter flies over the scene of Wednesday's crash on U.S. 20/26 east of Shoshoni as emergency responders assist those involved.

Crash Shuts Down Highway 20/26 Near Shoshoni For Hours In Near 100-Degree Heat

A blown tire on a semitrailer sent it into the opposite lane, sideswiping a GMC Yukon and closing U.S. 20/26 near Shoshoni for more than four hours Wednesday, stranding motorists in near 100-degree heat.

Kolby FedoreJuly 15, 2026

Crews work on the arch structure for a wildlife overpass on U.S. Highway 189 near Kemmerer.

$30M Kemmerer Wildlife Crossing Ahead Of Schedule, $28M Dubois Project Stalled

A $30 million wildlife crossing in a “death zone” for deer on U.S. Highway 189 near Kemmerer is about a year ahead of schedule. But another $28 million project near Dubois, which conservationists say is equally vital, is stalled over money.

Mark HeinzJuly 15, 2026

As people across Wyoming raise concerns over license plate reader cameras, people are mapping cameras that might not actually be license plate readers. A new Deflock.org entry saying Lusk has them is right, but it’s wrong about Cody and Gillette.

License Plate Reader Map Right That Lusk Has Them, Wrong About Cody And Gillette

As people across Wyoming raise concerns over license plate reader cameras, they're mapping cameras that might not actually be license plate readers. A new Deflock.org entry saying Lusk has them is right, but it’s wrong about Cody and Gillette.

Clair McFarlandJuly 15, 2026

Former Shoshoni Senior Center Official Accused Of Scamming $33K From 93-Year-Old

The former assistant director of the Shoshoni Senior Center has been charged on suspicion of scamming more than $33,000 from a 93-year-old client. She told police the woman would sometimes hand her $1,000 and say, “Go have fun."

Kolby FedoreJuly 15, 2026

Family Hurt In Semi Crash That Killed 2 West Of Casper Sues Trucker, Company

A family hurt in a crash west of Casper that killed two people when a semitruck plowed into a construction zone is suing the trucking company and the as-yet unidentified truck driver. No criminal charges have yet been filed as an investigation continues.

Kolby FedoreJuly 15, 2026

Wyoming Senate President and U.S. House candidate Bo Biteman meets with "The Gentry" in Riverton. He was joined by fellow House candidate and former Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jillian Balow, back center.

U.S. House Hopefuls Biteman, Balow Grilled By Riverton's Political Old Guard

U.S. House hopefuls Bo Biteman and Jillian Balow became the latest candidates to face a grilling Wednesday, by Riverton's political old-guard coffee group "The Gentry." Balow said the race has people of good character, and some "of suspect character."

Clair McFarlandJuly 15, 2026