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

Park County School Board Fires Cody Coach After Misconduct Investigations
Park County School District 6 unanimously voted Tuesday to fire teacher and girls’ basketball coach Sam Buck after two Title IX probes found misconduct with students. Buck denies the allegations and called the process a flawed witch hunt.
Kate MeadowsJanuary 21, 2026
Bighorn Ewe Draws A Dozen Amorous Rams In Late Rut Frenzy Near Yellowstone
A single bighorn ewe kept a dozen or more rams busy for hours, butting heads and trying to mate with her. Observers say she was no worse for wear from the aggressive attention.
Mark HeinzJanuary 21, 2026

New FBI Policy Boots Conservative From Fremont County School Board
Fremont County School District 1 board member Scott Jensen, a federal police officer, said he must resign because of a new policy barring special agents from elected roles. He's spent six years on the board pushing parental rights and book challenges.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Wyoming Quietly Completes $10 million Gold Buy Required By New State Law
The state of Wyoming quietly bought $10 million in gold in December as required by a new state law. Sponsors of the law hail it as a hedge against dollar devaluation while critics say there’s no good way to cash in on gold’s increasing value.
Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2026

Casper Man Admits He Bit Off Deputy’s Fingertip In Plea Deal
A 40-year-old Casper man on Wednesday admitted biting off the fingertip of a deputy as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Originally facing life in prison as a habitual offender, he now could get up to 35 years in prison.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 21, 2026

Judge Declines To Toss Criminal Charge Against Weston County Clerk
A Wyoming judge declined Wednesday to dismiss misdemeanor charges against Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock for defying a legislative subpoena on 2024 election issues. Her attorney Ryan Semerad said he'll appeal the ruling "as soon as I'm done walking my dog."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Guest Column: A Confounding Crossroads Moment For Wyoming’s University
UW Pres Ed Seidel writes: This $40 million cut would mean we’d be unable to do as much as the people of Wyoming need, expect and deserve. It would cause damage that will last years. A confounding situation when state government is not suffering financially.
Guest ColumnJanuary 21, 2026

Suspect In Four-Hour Armed Standoff In Cody Surrenders
A more than four-hour standoff between a man wanted on a warrant and police in Cody ended Wednesday when the man surrendered peacefully. The standoff included multiple law enforcement agencies and, at one point, non-lethal shots were fired.
Andrew RossiJanuary 21, 2026

Federal Judges Halt Jonah Field Expansion, Throw Out Lengthy Permitting Process
A two-judge panel ruled Tuesday that the BLM violated the Clean Air Act in approving a 3,500-well project. Jonah Energy says the decision punishes voluntary emissions efforts. "The impact to Wyoming is severe," said Jonah's Paul Ulrich.
David MadisonJanuary 21, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJanuary 21, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Wednesday's headlines include: * Platte County Wind Hearing * Casper Man Blows Up, But Survives * Rancher-Owned Packing Plant Steaks In Walmart
Mac WatsonJanuary 21, 2026

‘Woke Wind' Critic Chuck Gray Has Voted To OK Leases For At Least 3 Wind Projects
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray is arguably the most vocal and high-profile opponent of wind-energy projects in the state, calling the industry “woke wind.” But he’s voted to approve wind leases at least three times since 2023.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Platte County Passes Wind And Solar Rules Officials Say Protect Property Rights
Platte County commissioners unanimously approved new wind and solar energy regulations Tuesday afternoon they said protect private property rights for landowners and neighbors.
David MadisonJanuary 21, 2026

Casper Man Stable After Explosion Lands Him In Denver Hospital With Serious Burns
A 30-year-old Casper man is recovering in a Denver hospital with second- and third-degree burns following an explosion Monday afternoon outside his home.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 21, 2026

Clair McFarland’s Book Review: Infinite Jest
Clair McFarland writes: "Welcome to my book review, which I’m writing because my four sons (now teen- and pre-teen-aged) are getting squishy about having their adventures published. In December I read 'Infinite Jest,' by David Foster Wallace."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2026

Guest Column: It’s Open Season In Wyoming for Preborn Babies
Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams writes, "The court is failing to protect the most vulnerable population, preborn babies without a voice to speak for themselves. A woman’s womb is now the most dangerous place in Wyoming."
Guest ColumnJanuary 20, 2026

Beef From New Rancher-Owned Packing Plant In Nebraska Hits Walmart Shelves
Trey Wasserburger, a cofounder of a new rancher-owned packing plant in western Nebraska, is celebrating as the company's prime steaks hit Walmart shelves — sourced partly from Wyoming cattle. “We hope to be in all Walmart stores fairly soon,” he said.
Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2026

Cody Horse Trainer Tries To Rebound After Devastating Barn Fire
A horse trainer in Cody, Wyoming, is trying to rebound after a devastating fire burned not only her barn, but all her saddles, tack, and supplies. She thought the barn was insured, but her insurer told her otherwise.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 20, 2026

Does BLM Pulling Montana Grazing Leases For Bison Reclassify Them As Wildlife?
A Wyoming bison rancher is concerned that a BLM Montana decision to pull grazing leases for bison could lead to reclassifying the large animals as wildlife. That could make raising bison illegal in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzJanuary 20, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Says Court Changed Law To Legalize Abortion
The Wyoming Attorney General's office filed a petition Tuesday for a re-hearing, saying the state Supreme Court's ruling striking down two abortion bans betrayed legal precedent. It ignored the Constitution and changed its own rules, the filing claims.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2026

Casper Man Pleads Not Guilt To Threatening Woman, Shooting Into Her Apartment
A 26-year-old Casper man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to making violent threats against a woman who lived in the apartment above him before firing four shots into his ceiling. Two bullet fragments penetrated through the victim's floor, police say.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 20, 2026

Wyoming Man Shot By Nebraska Cops After Chase In Critical Condition
A 42-year-old Torrington man remains in critical condition in a Denver hospital Tuesday after a chase through two Nebraska counties ended with him being shot by pursuing law enforcement officers.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 20, 2026

Wyoming Public Media Scrambling After State Push To Defund
The fate of Wyoming Public Media hangs in the balance after the Joint Appropriations Committee last week voted to discontinue providing state funds to the entity. “It is important for journalism to be independent of government,” said Rep. Ken Pendergraft
Kate MeadowsJanuary 20, 2026

Guest Column: The Wyoming Business Council Is Long On Rhetoric, Short On Results
Wyoming House Speaker Chip Neiman writes: "Over the past two decades, the WBC has spent roughly a billion dollars in the name of economic development. During that same period, economic growth has actually worsened in Wyoming."
Guest ColumnJanuary 20, 2026
