Headlines

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

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray (file photo)

Letter To The Editor: We Need To DOGE Secretary of State Gray’s Big Bureaucracy, Voter Bills

Dear editor: Sec. of State Chuck Gray and others are advancing an agenda that grows government, increases unnecessary regulations and imposes government overreach and unfunded mandates.

January 13, 2026

Mom Accused Of Killing Her 11-Month-Old Son Wants Out Of Jail, Judge Says No

The woman accused of absconding with her son from Wyoming, then killing the 11-month-old when authorities caught up with her, wants out of jail. A New Mexico judge on Monday said no, she’ll remain locked up as she faces a first-degree murder charge.

Jen KocherJanuary 13, 2026

Lander Police Chief Says There Are Multiple Suspects In Fatal Bar Fight

The Lander Police Department has multiple suspects in a Friday-night bar fight that turned fatal. The police chief expects arrests in “the next couple days,” he told Cowboy State Daily on Monday.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

This young black bear was photographed still out and about on Christmas Eve near Kelly Warm Springs in the Jackson area. Witnesses reported spotting it still out in early January.

Young Jackson-Area Bear Still Out In January Might Be Confused By Warm Weather

A young black bear has caused a stir in the Jackson area, spotted still awake and running around in January. A local wildlife tour guide said it’s not unheard of, but the unseasonably warm weather may have confused the bear about when bedtime is.

Mark HeinzJanuary 12, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon wants nearly $112 million for state employee raises. The Joint Appropriations Committee on Monday denied that request on a motion by Republican Rep. Scott Smith, inset left. Democratic Rep. Trey Sherwood, right, argued not compensating workers is shortsighted.

Wyoming Lawmakers Resist Gordon’s Push For $111.8 Million For State Worker Raises

The Wyoming legislative committee crafting a preliminary state budget voted Monday to deny the governor’s $111.8 million recommendation to give state employees raises. The debate is not over — the whole Legislature gets the budget next month.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing coal-fired power plants in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of the Ray D. Nixon Power Plant in Colorado Springs, which burns Wyoming coal. Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western is the Region 8 administrator for the EPA.

Trump’s EPA Rejects Closure Of Colorado Power Plant That Burns Wyoming Coal

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing a coal-fired power plant in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of a plant that burns Wyoming coal.

David MadisonJanuary 12, 2026

Dave Simpson: Freedom Caucus Criticism Is All The Rage For Weaksauce Republicans

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "Freedom Caucus critics have declared the votes we cast in 2024 - putting the Freedom Caucus in the driver's seat - were a big mistake, and we should be ashamed, apologize, and seek forgiveness from the all-knowing status quo."

Dave SimpsonJanuary 12, 2026

A snowmobiler in the Wyoming backcountry died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, after he and another rider triggered an avalanche southeast of Afton that buried him about 2 feet below the surface and under his snowmobile.

Snowmobiler Dies In Avalanche Triggered In Wyoming Backcountry

A snowmobiler in the Wyoming backcountry southeast of Afton died Sunday after he and another rider triggered an avalanche that buried him about 2 feet below the surface and under his snowmobile.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 12, 2026

William Autery, 25, is accused of stabbing an older Cheyenne man in the back while trying to steal his backpack and sunglasses. The suspect, who faces an attempted murder charge, claims the stabbing was in self-defense.

Transient Accused Of Stabbing Cheyenne Man While Stealing Backpack, Sunglasses

A 25-year-old transient is accused of stabbing an older Cheyenne man in the back while trying to steal his backpack and sunglasses. The suspect, who faces an attempted murder charge, claims the stabbing was in self-defense.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 12, 2026

Harold Wayne Sarvis, 69, was involved in a four-hour standoff at a Cheyenne motel with police Friday is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge. Surveillance video at the motel shows the men arguing, then the suspect shooting the other man, police say.

Cheyenne Motel Standoff Suspect Faces Attempted First-Degree Murder Charge

The man involved in a four-hour standoff at a Cheyenne motel with police Friday is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge. Surveillance video at the motel shows the men arguing, then the suspect shooting the other man, police say.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 12, 2026

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder was "strongly considering" a run for governor, but committed to the move Monday morning - three days after the president endorsed her.

Degenfelder Officially Running For Governor After Trump Endorsement

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Monday announced she is running for governor. Degenfelder had been "strongly considering" the move and had received an endorsement from President Trump urging her to run last week.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, both R-Wyoming.

Barrasso Endorses Hageman's Candidacy For U.S. Senate

Wyoming’s senior U.S. Senator announced Monday morning that he’s endorsing U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman to serve alongside him in the upper chamber. He said Hageman “is going to be terrific in the U.S. Senate.”

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, January 12, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJanuary 12, 2026

Gail Symons: Hopefully The Newbies In Cheyenne Can Pass A Budget

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "Wyoming has seen tense budget finishes before, but now it faces a compressed timeline, an inexperienced House appropriations bench, and an incentive structure that rewards conflict."

Gail SymonsJanuary 12, 2026

Cassie Craven: I Still Believe Life Is A Human Right

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “If you watched someone attack a newborn with a hammer you’d do everything you could to stop it and protect that baby. But you say she has no value just moments prior?"

Cassie CravenJanuary 12, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, January 12, 2026

Monday's headlines include: * Utah, Wyoming Booze * Protecting Wyo’s Ranch Dogs * Wolf Sets Yellowstone Longevity Record

Mac WatsonJanuary 12, 2026

The prime rib buffet at Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel & Restaurant in Cody, Wyoming.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Are Back In Wyoming And Across The U.S.

Buffets are back in a big way after the COVID pandemic put a huge hurt on dining out around Wyoming and across the U.S. At Cody’s Irma Hotel and Restaurant, a record 13,000 people loaded up their plates in 2025.

Anna-Louise JacksonJanuary 12, 2026

The Bennett family of Big Piney found out that Dayton, 13, is a match to donate bone marrow to his little brother Traxton, 2, who is battling a rare form of leukemia.

Big Piney Teen To Donate Bone Marrow To Save Toddler Brother From Leukemia

Following up on a story we did last month, the medical verdict came in and 13-year-old Dayton of Big Piney is the perfect match to donate bone marrow to his 2-year-old brother Traxton, who is battling a rare form of leukemia.

Mark HeinzJanuary 11, 2026

Mule deer, like these in Wyoming’s Prospect Mountains, are having their habitat threatened by invasive cheatgrass.

'It's Bad Stuff': Aftermath Of Huge Wyoming Wildfires Threatens Wyoming Mule Deer

As if Wyoming’s mule deer aren’t facing enough problems, invasive cheatgrass moving into areas scorched by Wyoming's huge 2024 wildfires is ruining their habitat. "It's bad stuff," one Wyoming rancher said, "I can't emphasize that enough."

Mark HeinzJanuary 11, 2026

Cary Lambert poses with a set of his Happy Valley dog calendars, which have helped seniors on fixed incomes in 15 states afford vaccinations for their pets. At right is Doc Holliday, covered in dirt on a tractor.

Laramie County Dogs Are Helping Senior Citizens Pay For Pet Vaccinations In 15 States

To help senior citizens pay for pet vaccinations, a UPS driver who delivers in Laramie County put together a dog calendar. Proceeds will help senior citizens pay for pet vaccinations in 15 states.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2026

Utah’s worst drunk drivers who want to skirt a new law that bans them from buying alcohol shouldn’t cross into Wyoming to get their booze. That’s the message from bars and liquor stores in Evanston just across the border, like Border Beverage.

Evanston To Utah’s ‘Extreme’ Drunk Drivers: Don’t Try To Buy Your Booze Here

Utahns who are banned from buying alcohol due to “extreme” DUIs won’t find sympathetic liquor dealers in Wyoming. “If Utah says you can’t buy alcohol because you’re too bad of a drunk driver, then we’re not going to sell to you either,” one dealer said.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 11, 2026

Al Ellis is a Navy veteran and former commercial abalone diver who built a successful pack llama business in Western Wyoming. He’s donated his 207-acre Boulder llama ranch as a sanctuary for veterans and first responders.

Wyoming Man Donates Llama Ranch As Sanctuary For Veterans, First Responders

Right before Christmas, Navy veteran Al Ellis donated his 207-acre llama ranch in Sublette County as a sanctuary for veterans and first responders. “We want other people to enjoy this — people who deserve it, people who we owe something to,” Ellis said.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 11, 2026

Wyoming People: Gene Baldwin Was The ‘Voice Of The Dogies’ For Newcastle Football

For decades, Gene Baldwin was known around Weston County as the “Voice of the Dogies” at Newcastle High School football games. He also was a rancher, teacher and cowboy poet. He died in December at age 99.

Jackie DorothyJanuary 11, 2026

Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn were married in 1940 at the Cheyenne Depot.

Wyoming History: Ernest Hemingway Loved Wyoming

Author Ernest Hemingway, for about a decade in the late 1920s, enjoyed Wyoming as his summer retreat, where he found inspiration to write and recreate. In 1940, Wyoming was where he married his third wife at the Cheyenne Depot.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 11, 2026

Page 103