Headlines

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

Scarlett Hamrick, a Jackson snowmobile guide, won the Survivor 50 Challenge this past week, finding a hidden immunity idol to promote the 50th season of "Survivor." She won a chance at tickets to the live season finale in Los Angeles later this year.

Jackson Tour Guide Finds ‘Survivor' Immunity Idol Hidden Near Jackson

Scarlett Hamrick, a Jackson snowmobile guide, won Wyoming's Survivor 50 Challenge this past week, finding a hidden idol to promote the 50th season of "Survivor." Wyoming’s challenge was touted as the most exciting as it consisted of a two- to four-hour adventure that required skis or snowmobile

Andrew RossiFebruary 16, 2026

As unseasonably warm weather, dry winds and a lack of snow continue to plague most regions of Wyoming, people are watering their trees and fields as if it was spring or summer. Experts say it is vital to water in winter when temps soar above 40.

Arborists Say It's Vital To Water Trees, Fields In Unseasonably Warm Weather

As unseasonably warm weather, dry winds and a lack of snow continue to plague most regions of Wyoming, arborists say it's vital to water trees and fields as if it was spring or summer.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 16, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, February 16, 2026

Monday's headlines include: * Check Scandal Investigation * Remembering The Hitching Post * Inside TerraPower’s World-First Nuke Project

Mac WatsonFebruary 16, 2026

Ray Hunkins: The History, Tradition And Future Of UW Football

Columnist Ray Hunkins writes, "Times have changed, but principles haven’t. Most fans want loyalty from athletes who choose to play for UW. Most Wyoming people also want the state’s only university to excel in all its endeavors, including intercollegiate athletics."

Ray HunkinsFebruary 15, 2026

Rock Springs removed a free downtown EV charger after WYDOT said the city owed fuel tax on the electricity it was giving away. A new bill from Rep. Mike Yin would exempt Level 2 chargers and streamline EV taxes.

Rock Springs Removes Free Downtown EV Charger Because Of Wyoming Tax Rules

Rock Springs removed a free electric vehicle charger installed as a perk for visitors because WYDOT said they had to pay taxes on electricity it was giving away. Because the town had no way of tracking the distribution of electricity, they took it down.

David MadisonFebruary 15, 2026

Cassie Craven: The Republicans And Democrats Are All Over The Place

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Too much important work depends on this Legislature’s ability to act with precision. In my opinion, the lives of innocent babies and the ability of a working class to survive depend on it.”

Cassie CravenFebruary 15, 2026

Gail Symons: Who Is Really Out Of Touch On The University Of Wyoming's Budget?

Columnist Gail Symons writes, "Freedom Caucus leaders keep calling the University of Wyoming “out of touch.” Their presentation of the budget to the House this week exposed who is actually “out of touch.”

Gail SymonsFebruary 15, 2026

Despite his reputation and prolific outlaw career, Butch Cassidy was only incarcerated once, from 1894-1896 in the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. He had been pinched for grand larceny for horse-stealing.

Wyoming History: The Prison That Launched Butch Cassidy’s Outlaw Legend

The only time Butch Cassidy was locked up, he served 18 months in the Wyoming Territorial Prison in Laramie. Far from being reformed, Cassidy vowed that if he was going to be treated like an outlaw, “he would show them what an outlaw was."

Jackie DorothyFebruary 15, 2026

Malyna Si Hotel Jackson's executive chef Malyna Si is a contestant on Padma Lakshmis celebrity chef competition "America's Culinary Cup."

Jackson Hotel Chef Picked For $1 Million Competition On CBS

Hotel Jackson’s executive chef Malyna Si has been chosen to compete for a $1 million prize on Padma Lakshmi’s celebrity chef competition "America’s Culinary Cup" on CBS. Before coming to Jackson, she led a Michelin-starred restaurant in Florida.

Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2026

Guest Column: Wyoming’s Future Shines Bright With Nuclear Power

Former State Sen. Eli Bebout writes, "Nuclear power — especially the new generation — offers Wyoming a path not only to remain an energy leader, and to expand our economic strength, stabilize communities, and secure a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

Guest ColumnFebruary 15, 2026

Oregon Animal Rights Activists Push To Basically Ban Hunting, Fishing, Ranching

Animal rights activists in Oregon are pushing a ballot initiative that would effectively ban hunting, fishing and ranching. Should it pass, one Oregon resident said there aren’t enough prisons in the country to hold all the “lawbreakers” it would create.

Mark HeinzFebruary 15, 2026

Earl Newton was a friend of Buffalo Bill Cody and had been a cowboy, miner, stage driver, rancher, and sheep man. He also was lonely. In 1902, he married a mail-order bride, Eliza Bushnell, of Cherokee, Iowa. She arrived by train and their were married by Judge M.O. Newton right away.

Mail Order Brides: When Wyoming Men Outnumbered Women 10-1, They ‘Imported Wives’

Back in the early 1900s, when Wyoming men outnumbered women 10-1, they formed matrimonial clubs to bring out mail-order brides from back East. Historians say many fourth- and fifth-generation Wyoming families may trace their roots to these “imported wives."

Andrew RossiFebruary 15, 2026

Did You Know? Highest Cathedral In The United States Is In Laramie, Wyoming

At an elevation of 7,276 feet above sea level, St. Matthew's Cathedral and its 118-foot spire in Laramie, Wyoming, is the highest cathedral in the United States. There are others much larger and taller, but none with the rare air of Laramie's altitude.

Wendy CorrFebruary 15, 2026

TerraPower is building a massive mechanic shop for its Natrium plant in Kemmerer, called the Test and Fill Facility. The crane behind the building is 200 feet tall, while the building is 167 feet tall.

Inside TerraPower’s World-First Nuclear Project Being Built Just Outside Kemmerer

Work is progressing fast just outside Kemmerer at TerraPower’s first-of-its-kind nuclear power project. Cowboy State Daily went on a tour to get an inside look at the 167-foot-tall facility that will stress-test massive Natrium reactor components.

Renée JeanFebruary 15, 2026

Silver Stream Farm grew by 850% in 2025, from serving 63 direct customers in 2024 to more than 280 in 2025. The western Wyoming operation has 25,000 square feet growing produce at 8,000 feet elevation.

Pinedale Greenhouses Grow 25,000 Square Feet Of Produce At 8,000 Feet Elevation

Those glowing greenhouses in Sublette County aren't just nice to look at. Silver Stream Farm's 25,000-square-foot operation grows fresh produce at 8,000 feet and grew rapidly last year, from serving 63 direct customers in 2024 to more than 280 in 2025.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 15, 2026

The traditional practice of feeding livestock in winter from a horse-drawn sleigh seems labor-intensive and less efficient than using modern technology. Some Wyoming ranchers do it anyway — a nod to old-time Western ranching.

Why These Wyoming Ranchers Feed Winter Livestock With Horse-Drawn Sleighs

Many Wyoming ranchers stick to the traditional way of doing things when feeding livestock in the winter — with a team of workhorses and a sleigh loaded with hay. "I don't have to worry about whether the engine will start," rancher Pete Arambel says.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 15, 2026

Tom Lubnau: We Need Answers About CheckGate

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Traveling to Cheyenne with $15,000 worth of checks to give to candidates who have not filed for office yet looks, at minimum, like sloppy influence peddling — particularly when the influence peddler is championing legislation opposed to affordable housing rules in Jackson. At worst, it’s bribery."

Tom LubnauFebruary 15, 2026

Sheriff Investigating Check Passing Scandal In Wyoming Legislature

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday that his agency is investigating the Monday incident in which a Teton County GOP leader handed checks to lawmakers on the state House floor after adjournment — after multiple citizens voiced bribery concerns.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 15, 2026

The Preferred Service snow removal crew was busy in Cheyenne in March 2021, after the largest two-day snowfall on record. This year, they’ve had almost no work.

Dry Winter Leaves Wyoming Snow Removal Crews With No Work Or Doing Other Jobs

A lack of snowfall this winter has left local snow-removal businesses with almost no work and falling back on doing other jobs. “In a typical year, we’ve billed out 20-25 times for snow removal by now," one business owner said.

Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2026

WolfQuest is a computer game in which people create their own wolf characters in a virtual Yellowstone National Park and try to find prey while avoiding fights with other wolves or being shot by hunters.

Hundreds Of Thousands Pretend They're Yellowstone Wolves In Online Game ‘WolfQuest’

Every day some 5,000 people worldwide are playing the online game WolfQuest. That's where you become a wolf in Yellowstone and do everything wolves do like kill elk, avoid being shot, and fight with other wolves.

Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2026

Bill Sniffin: W. Edwards Deming, Wyoming Genius Who Taught World About Quality

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Ed Deming grew up on a dry farm near Powell. And yet he changed the world. Those early tough years helped frame his business genius.”

Bill SniffinFebruary 14, 2026

Joan Barron: Budget Session Starts With A Stunner

Columnist Joan Barron writes, ''The defeat of the election reform bills and others supported by the hard-right-wing Freedom Cause was a surprise.”

Joan BarronFebruary 14, 2026

Trenton Thornock, Founder and CEO of Prometheus Hyperscale and Brady Thornock on their family’s ranch in Uinta County. In the background is Meta's huge data center under construction in Cheyenne.

1.2-Gigawatt Data Center Near Evanston In Talks With Meta And Microsoft

Uinta County is sending letters of support to Microsoft and Meta to move into the Prometheus Hyperscale 1.2-gigawatt data center being built near Evanston. “My optimism ... is for some more good-paying jobs,” said county commission chair Mark Anderson.

Renée JeanFebruary 14, 2026

Roller derby is making a comeback in Wyoming as women swap their mundane day jobs for hard-hitting action on skates. Teams across the state are rebuilding after the pandemic, embracing the sport’s mix of strength and strategy.

Roller Derby Is Back In Wyoming And Teachers Ain't Messing Around

At the Fremont County Fair Building in Riverton, teachers are transformed into hard-hitting racers as they practice for their next roller derby bout. The fast-paced, full-contact sport, which peaked in the 1970s, is growing in popularity around Wyoming.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 14, 2026

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