Headlines
Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.
News
Rawlins Rodeo Murders, Part 2: Did Ted Bundy Kill Four Wyoming Girls 52 Years Ago?
In the second of a two-part series on the infamous "Rawlins Rodeo Murders" of 1974, many in the community believe serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the deaths of the four girls. Others pin the blame on long haul trucker Russell Royal Long.
Jen KocherJune 07, 2026
Why The Heck … Is There A Castle In The Middle Of Rock Springs, Wyoming?
No one knows why German immigrant and master stonemason John Schlacter built a castle overlooking Rock Springs more than a century ago. He spent five years building it by hand, hauling locally quarried stone by horse and wagon before finishing it in 1914.
Kolby FedoreJune 07, 2026
Wyoming Sheriff Orders "Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter" Look For New Cruiser
When Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak wanted a new design for the newest SUV in the fleet, he asked a local artist to create a "Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter" look. "It looks pretty badass," Kozak said, noting he's received many compliments.
Kolby FedoreJune 06, 2026
Wyoming History: How The Sundance Kid Earned His Infamous Nickname
Harry Longabaugh became the legendary outlaw the Sundance Kid after a series of thefts and escapes landed him in the jail in Sundance, Wyoming. While serving his 18-month sentence, he met other notorious outlaws and gained his infamous nickname.
Jackie DorothyJune 06, 2026
Rare Genetic Condition Took Kemmerer 7-Year-Old's Eyesight, Threatens His Life
A Kemmerer couple is on medical leave taking care of a newborn and their 7-year-old son who has a rare genetic condition that took his eyesight. All the little boy wanted to do was go hunting this year, instead he's fighting for his life.
Dale KillingbeckJune 06, 2026
The Place Where Tourists Can Watch Grizzlies Destroy Campsites
Grizzlies at a center near Yellowstone have full-time jobs testing bear-resistant garbage cans and occasionally a fake campsite. The goal is to teach visitors what not to do while camping in grizzly country, and what can happen if they ignore rules.
Mark HeinzJune 06, 2026
Gillette Marine Vet With PTSD Struggles To Pay Off Funeral Debt From Son’s Suicide
A 45-year-old Gillette Marine Corps veteran struggles with PTSD, along with paying off funeral debt from his 19-year-old son’s suicide last year. "I was really looking forward to getting to know him as a man,” said Matthew Hohnholt.
Dale KillingbeckJune 06, 2026
Fake $100 Bills Making The Rounds In Wyoming, Counterfeit Pens Don't Detect Them
Counterfeit $100 bills are getting passed throughout Wyoming and store clerks say iodine counterfeit detector pens won't detect the fake bills. “The counterfeit pens are garbage,” said one store manager
Renée JeanJune 06, 2026
Oilman Says BLM Delay Stalls His Powder River Basin Oil Wells — And 1,323 Statewide
Oilman Howard Cooper says an unsigned BLM analysis is holding up his Powder River Basin oil wells. It's also stalled more than 1,300 other leases, says the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. "It’s always next week, and next week never comes,” Cooper said.
Renée JeanJune 06, 2026
Kids Still Ride Horses To This One-Room Wyoming Schoolhouse
Kids who attend the one-room school near Parkman, Wyoming, still ride horses to their schoolhouse on the first and last days of class. “If you let one horse start trotting, then you’re going to have a horse race on your hands,” one ranch mom said.
Renée JeanJune 06, 2026
Bill Sniffin: For Boomers, The America Dream Started With Owning Your First Home
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “How does one get ahead in life? The surest way is owning your home. It sure worked for me and my family.”
Bill SniffinJune 06, 2026
Joan Barron: Hold The TV Candidate Ads. Please.
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "During every break, two campaign ads popped up: The first from Megan Degenfelder, the second from Frank Chapman. The campaign spiel was about the same — emphasis on Wyoming values and connections."
Joan BarronJune 06, 2026
More Than 50 Years Later, ‘Rawlins Rodeo Murders’ Of Young Girls Remain Unsolved
More than 50 years after four young girls vanished in what has become known as the “Rawlins Rodeo Murders," the case remains unsolved. "We lost our innocence. That summer we lost that. We were never again the same,” said one longtime resident.
Jen KocherJune 06, 2026
Oh No. The Last Working Pay Phone In Yellowstone National Park Is Dead.
A woman who has made it her mission to document the last remaining pay phones in Yellowstone has bad news. The last working pay phone in the park appears to be dead. It was still working last summer but when she checked it days ago, no dial tone.
Andrew RossiJune 06, 2026
Cheyenne Man Arrested After Overnight Armed Standoff
A man who has reportedly threatened “suicide by cop” multiple times held police in a 2.5-hour standoff early Saturday morning. “They are putting him in a squad car, guys. It’s over,” says the man behind Fubar on Patrol, who livestreamed the standoff.
Greg JohnsonJune 06, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Show with Jeff - Saturday, June 6, 2026
Jeff in the 307. Saturday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJune 06, 2026
Jonathan Lange: Let’s Give Kids What They Need Most
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Ask a kid, any kid, what he or she wants the most. When you get past the cotton candy and the shiny objects, boys and girls alike want to live with their own mothers and fathers in homes filled with love."
Jonathan LangeJune 06, 2026
Six Bighorn Basin Rock Art Sites Burned, Shot In ‘Irreparable’ Vandalism
The BLM is investigating multiple incidents of “irreparable” vandalism at rock art sites in the Bighorn Basin. They were burned, shot and had names scratched into them. "People get away with this all the time,” said a Wyoming archaeologist.
Andrew RossiJune 06, 2026
Dennis Sun: Not The Right Decision For Public Lands
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I recently came across an article in Cowboy State Daily which really concerned me. The article was about President Trump lifting all restrictions on off-road vehicles on public lands. I think it is a horrible action."
Dennis SunJune 06, 2026
Letter To The Editor: Why Is Dave Simpson Always Wrong About Everything?
Dear editor: This letter is in response to Dave Simpson's column which asks 'Wouldn't you think...?' Simpson wants to know if the reader, or Democrats, could see the merit in something this failing president has done.
June 06, 2026
Deer Killed, Ducks Maimed: Montana Wildlife Keeps Getting Shot With Blow Darts
Montana game wardens are trying to crack the case of a mule deer fawn being killed with a blow dart, along with ducks and geese getting attacked. Aside from maiming and killing the animals, shooting them with blow darts is illegal.
Mark HeinzJune 05, 2026
California Man Says Grizzly Dragged Him 30 Feet In Glacier National Park Attack
A California hiker said after he surprised two grizzlies last month on a trail in Glacier National Park, the larger bear bit through his arm and dragged him 30 feet. “I did as you’re told, I alerted the bear,” he said, but the bear attacked him anyway.
Jimmy OrrJune 05, 2026
Laramie Closes Popular Greenbelt Park After Bear Sighting
The city of Laramie closed sections of Laramie River Greenbelt Park on Friday because of a bear sighting in the area. Barricades were installed on streets in the vicinity of the sighting, and residents were asked to avoid the area for their own safety.
Andrew RossiJune 05, 2026
'No Permission, Just Shoot': Instagram Videos Lead To Wyoming Poaching Charges
A Washington man faces 14 Wyoming poaching-related charges after Game and Fish investigators say Instagram videos and phone data exposed illegal hunts over more than 10 years. “No permission, just shoot,” the man messaged, Game and Fish says.
Kolby FedoreJune 05, 2026