Headlines

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

‘RUN MEGAN, RUN!’ Trump Promises Endorsement If Degenfelder Runs For Governor

If she decides to run for governor of Wyoming, Megan Degenfelder has President Donald Trump’s “Complete and Total Endorsement,” the president wrote Friday in a post to Truth Social. Degenfelder has said she’s “strongly considering” a run for governor.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Abortion Is Indeed Healthcare

Dear editor: The recent ruling confirming that abortion is protected under our state constitution is a victory for the rule of law and the plain language of our founding documents.

January 09, 2026

Wyoming Supreme Court building in Cheyenne.

Letter To The Editor: Supreme Court Justices Bent Themselves Into Pretzels

Dear editor: The Wyoming Supreme Court bent themselves into a pretzel and ignored the rest of the Wyoming State Constitution to find that abortion fits the definition of “health care” to keep abortion legal.

January 09, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Gordon Must Be Having A Bobby Knight Moment

Dear editor: I remember the story that Bobby Knight told at the Lander One Shot Antelope Hunt about him throwing a chair.

January 09, 2026

Construction is well underway in south Cheyenne on Meta's mega data center called Project Cosmo. An agreement announced in January 2026 between TerraPower and Meta for up to eight advanced nuclear reactors across the U.S. has put Cheyenne in position to become home to a dual-unit Natrium nuclear plant, a TerraPower executive told Cowboy State Daily.

TerraPower-Meta Deal Could Bring Advanced Nuclear Plant To Cheyenne

An agreement announced Friday between TerraPower and Meta for up to eight advanced nuclear reactors across the U.S. has put Cheyenne in position to become home to a dual-unit Natrium nuclear plant, a TerraPower executive told Cowboy State Daily.

David MadisonJanuary 09, 2026

Dennis Sun: Demand At The Meat Counter Is Strong

Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Positive news is that beef products are in high demand, both in the U.S. and abroad. U.S. beef is noted for its great taste and tenderness, and as consumers shop for protein, beef is at the top of the list."

Dennis SunJanuary 09, 2026

Jonathan Lange: Our Constitution Protects All Human Life

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “At the heart of the 'Life is a Human Right Act' is the second provision of Wyoming’s Constitution. 'In their inherent right to life. . . all members of the human race are equal (Art. 1, Sec. 2).' All means all. It's really that simple.”

Jonathan LangeJanuary 09, 2026

A pygmy goat named Porsche Lane can return to Powell after her owner settled a lawsuit with the city Thursday. The city had denied her owner a permit, which the city called a plain reading of its rules and the goat's owner called an arbitrary use of power.

Woman Can Bring Pygmy Goat Back To Powell After Settling Lawsuit With City

A pygmy goat named Porsche Lane can return to Powell after her owner, Venus Bontadelli, settled a lawsuit with the city Thursday. The city had denied her owner a permit, which the city called a plain reading of its rules and the goat's owner called an arbitrary use of power.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026

Prosecutor Says Legislators Didn't Break Law With Weston County Clerk Subpoena

The prosecutor pursing charges against Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock on Thursday disputed her claim that Wyoming legislators broke the law and violated her rights. He says she’s the one who broke the law by not complying with a legislative subpoena.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026

Cody’s 75-hour 911 outage this week isn’t unique, with 15 outages in Torrington exposing how outdated Wyoming's emergency communications system is. It’s become more and more expensive to run and is losing $3 million a year, state officials say. Above is the Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatch center in Cheyenne.

Wyoming’s Outdated 911 System Faces Mounting Failures And Costly Shortfalls

Problems with Wyoming’s 911 system have been brewing for quite some time and didn’t just start to appear when a cable was cut in Cody, leaving the city without adequate 911 services for 75 hours. Problems have been occurring in other communities as well.

Renée JeanJanuary 09, 2026

The $350 million, 260-mile Ready Wyoming transmission project represents the largest electrical infrastructure investment in Black Hills Energy's history. The company claims it will provide long-term price stability and link Wyoming and South Dakotas power grids.

$350 Million Transmission Project Links Wyoming, South Dakota Power Grids

The $350 million Ready Wyoming transmission project represents the largest electrical infrastructure investment in Black Hills Energy's history. The company claims it will provide long-term price stability and link Wyoming's and South Dakota's power grids.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 09, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, January 9, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJanuary 09, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, January, 9, 2026

Friday's headlines include: * Gordon vs Gray (Again) * Huge Data Center Approved * DUI On Horseback Bill Unveiled

Mac WatsonJanuary 09, 2026

Lawmaker Unveils Bill To Prevent DUI Charges For Drunk Horseback Riding

A state representative from Casper wants to keep people from being charged with drunk driving if they're drunk while riding a horse, mule or donkey. The bill made one defense attorney laugh and left prosecutors wondering if a specific case inspired it.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026

Scott Clem: Red Sky at Morning — America's Imperial Turn

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "Gone are the days of America being one among the nations. We now seek dominance over the nations. We are following the footsteps of imperial Rome."

Scott ClemJanuary 09, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon appeared to have had enough with Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday when he turned to him and asked, "Do you want to step outside.” That came at the end of a marathon special meeting of the state land board in Douglas.

Gordon To Gray At Wind Meeting: 'Do You Want To Step Outside?'

The feud between Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray boiled over Thursday when Gordon asked Gray, “Do you want to step outside” near the end of a marathon Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners meeting in Douglas.

David MadisonJanuary 09, 2026

A herd of cows lingers around a watering hole in Albany County.

Wyoming Cattle Ranchers Cheer New Protein-First National Dietary Guidelines

Wyoming cattle ranchers are applauding the new federal dietary guidelines that prioritize protein like red meat and real foods over processed options. “We’ve been vindicated,” Wyoming cattle rancher Mark Eisele said. “We raise a wholesome, non-processed product.”

Kate MeadowsJanuary 08, 2026

Protesters Slap Stickers Over Trump's Image On National Park Passes, Voiding Them

The inclusion of President Donald Trump’s picture on 2026 “America The Beautiful” national park annual pass has made some people so livid, they’ve put stickers over the president’s image, which invalidates the passes.

Mark HeinzJanuary 08, 2026

A proposed ordinance expanding administrative warrants to access people’s property has rankled some Cheyenne residents who say it crosses the line into government overreach. Fire and building officials say they need them to do post-fire safety inspections.

Cheyenne Proposal To Expand Warrants To Inspect Homes Has Some Crying Overreach

A proposed ordinance expanding administrative warrants to access people’s property has upset some Cheyenne residents who say it crosses the line into government overreach. Fire and building officials say they need them to do post-fire safety inspections.

Scott SchwebkeJanuary 08, 2026

Cheyenne has approved Project Jade, a Tallgrass–Crusoe AI data center using up to 2.7 GW of mostly self-generated power, nearly triple the entire state’s power demand. That’s 50% larger than the 1.8 GW the companies announced in August.

Huge Cheyenne Data Center Grows To 2.7 Gigawatts — Nearly Triple State Power Use

Cheyenne has approved Project Jade, a Tallgrass–Crusoe AI data center using up to 2.7 GW of self-generated power, nearly triple the entire state’s power demand. That’s 50% larger than the 1.8 GW the companies announced in August.

Renée JeanJanuary 08, 2026

Nathan Pfaff, 20, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shooting an 18-year-old friend in the head. A charge of having sex with a junior high student was dropped as part of his plea deal, which calls for 25-40 years in prison.

Cheyenne Man Pleads Guilty To Shooting Friend In Head, Child Sex Charge Dropped

A 20-year-old has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shooting an 18-year-old friend in the head. A charge of having sex with a junior high student was dropped as part of his plea deal, which calls for 25-40 years in prison.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 08, 2026

Orion Schlesinger, 18, has pleaded guilty a plea deal in the arrow killing case of a 23-year-old man.

Big Piney Teen Gets 54 Years To Life For Bow And Arrow Killing Of Autistic Friend

The teen who did not pull the trigger of the compound bow that killed his autistic friend last February, but who conspired to that end and watched the killing, was sentenced Thursday to between 54 years and life in prison.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 08, 2026

Proposed Seminoe Power Plant Aims To Cut Water Use 95% And Slash Emissions

The proposed 2-gigawatt Seminoe Generating Station near Rawlins would pair natural gas and wind power to boost Wyoming’s energy supply. The project aims to cut water use by up to 95% and reduce emissions while creating hundreds of jobs.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 08, 2026

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks to members of the media at a Brooklyn library to make a transition announcement for his administration on December 17, 2025 in New York City.

Letter To The Editor: Cassie Craven Doesn't Have To Worry About Zohran Mamdani In Wyoming

Dear editor: This is about three things. Why New York isn’t a threat to Wyoming and vice versa, where Craven’s argument doesn’t quite hold up, and what we actually mean when we use words like individualism and collectivism.

January 08, 2026

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