Headlines

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

Wyoming Railroad President Seth Kucera said the Casper rail yard offers an opportunity for Central Wyoming businesses to access rail.

Small Casper Railroad's 18-Track Yard Is More Than A Parking Lot For Rail Cars

Wyoming Railroad’s 18-track rail yard in Casper used to deal with 500 rail cars a month on its 19,000 feet of track. Now it’s about 150. It’s an alternative for smaller companies that want to use rail instead of trucks.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 09, 2026

Gail Symons: These Candidates Better Have More Than Fear And Blame To Give

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "If a candidate answers your questions, you’re learning something about governance. If the candidate only says who should be feared, blamed, defeated pr excluded, you’re getting pummeled with grievance politics."

Gail SymonsAugust 09, 2026

The new Theodore Roosevelt National Library in North Dakota offers a winding and interactive high-tech journey through the extraordinary life of America's 26th president. The building fits seamlessly into the prairie landscape that lured Roosevelt West.

Visiting The New High-Tech Teddy Roosevelt Library In Medora, North Dakota

Cowboy State Daily's Anna-Louise Jackson visited the new Theodore Roosevelt National Library in Medora, North Dakota. She highly recommends the journey as it offers a winding and interactive high-tech journey through the extraordinary life of America's 26th president.

Anna-Louise JacksonAugust 09, 2026

Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County is so low a proposed pumped-water storage project wouldn’t work and could devastate Wyoming's famus Miracle Mile trout fishery, opponents say. Scientists say they the North Platte to remain vulnerable to drought.

Critics Say Proposed Seminoe Power Project Won’t Have Enough Water

Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County is so low a proposed pumped-water storage project wouldn’t work and could devastate Wyoming's famous Miracle Mile trout fishery, critics say. Scientists say the drought won't end any time soon.

Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2026

Newspapers dubbed 28-year-old Bill Carlisle the "Gentleman Bandit" after Wyoming crime sprees in 1916 and 1919 that earned him favor with locals. “He was always so good to the people that he was robbing," says R.J. Gillian, a Carlisle family friend.

Wyoming's 'Gentleman Bandit' Was National Sensation For Polite Train Robberies

Newspapers dubbed Bill Carlisle the "Gentleman Bandit" after crime sprees in the early 1900s that earned him favor with Wyoming locals. “He was so good to the people that he was robbing," said an 82-year-old whose grandma was a friend of the bandit.

Jackie DorothyAugust 09, 2026

Colorado cowboy and journalist Will Grant rode all 2,000 miles of the Pony Express trail on horseback. His trip was inspired by the legacy of America’s pioneers, and he said their Code-of-the-West grit and hospitality is still alive, especially in Wyoming.

Cowboy Rides All 2,000 Miles Of Pony Express, Says Wyoming Weather Overwhelming

Cowboy and journalist Will Grant rode all 2,000 miles of the Pony Express trail on horseback. He said the trip gave him a newfound respect for Wyoming weather. Mosquitoes in Jeffrey City are bad, while South Pass can be freezing cold even in July.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

The only way to get to Alta, Wyoming, unless you want to climb over the Tetons, is to drive through at least 20 miles of Idaho.

Alta Rancher Will Sue After Teton County Says He Can’t Build Huge Barn On His Land

An Alta-area ranch owner says he plans to sue after Teton County rejected his plan to build a huge 6,500-square-foot barn on his land. Some neighbors also don’t want it, calling it more of “an amusement park” than a working barn.

Kolby FedoreAugust 09, 2026

When agriculture took a nosedive in the 1980s, five ranching families in the tiny town of Chugwater decided to do something about it. They formed a company called Chugwater Chili, and 40 years later the chili — and the town — are still going strong.

Chugwater Chili At 40: How Five Families Came Together And Saved Chugwater

When agriculture took a nosedive in the 1980s, five ranching families in tiny Chugwater, Wyoming, decided to do something about it. They formed a company called Chugwater Chili, and 40 years later the chili — and the town — are still going strong.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

Two years ago, a GMC Yukon left U.S. 14-16-20 and bounced off giant boulders in Oregon Basin. It's still there and likely in its final resting place because recovering it would be "a fruitless effort," Zac Beardall of Zac's Towing and Recovery says.

SUV That Went Off Wyoming Cliff 2 Years Ago Still There With No Plans To Recover

Two years ago, a GMC Yukon flew off a highway in Park County and bounced off giant boulders in Wyoming's Oregon Basin. It's still there and likely there to stay because recovering it would be a fruitless effort, said the owner of a local tow company.

Andrew RossiAugust 09, 2026

Milanii Sojos dropped out of high school, became a mother at 17, endured abuse and spent years caught in a cycle of fighting and drinking. “Why can’t I be the one to change it?” she says about becoming a CNA and now healing people instead of hurting them.

Eastern Shoshone Boxing Champ Used To Fight Everyone. Now She’s A Healer

Milanii Sojos dropped out of high school, became a mother at 17, endured abuse and spent years caught in a cycle of fighting and drinking. Today, she sees her future in a combination of two fields — caring for people and understanding the justice system.

Kate MeadowsAugust 09, 2026

The grain elevator has an enormous footprint.

Cheyenne Woman Saving 1910-Era Grain Elevator Wants To Resurrect City’s West Side

The owner of T-Joe’s Steakhouse in Cheyenne just spent $850,000 on a cluster of 1910-era buildings that includes the old Ful-O-Pep grain elevator to resurrect the city’s west side. “It will take a little work, but it won’t take very long,” she said.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

'It's A Terrible Way To Live,’ Says Former Addict About Wyoming’s Fentanyl Crisis

Waking up in a hospital with a naloxone drip in her arm after an overdose finally scared Lisa sober, and she's now warning people about the growing access to fentanyl in Wyoming. "It's a terrible way to live, worse than anything else," she says.

Jen Kocher & Kolby FedoreAugust 09, 2026

Finding a job after prison is hard, and keeping it is harder, according to a Wyoming man who knows the corrections system and is helping felons get jobs. "It was the hardest I've ever worked for a job for the least amount of pay," says a fromer inmate.

From Prison To Paycheck: Wyoming Man Finds Jobs For Felons To 'Stay Free Forever'

Finding a job after prison is hard, and keeping it is harder, says one Wyoming man who knows the corrections system and helps felons get jobs. Clifford Fewel says new freedom has a lot of tripwires and his goal is to help these people "stay free forever."

Kolby FedoreAugust 09, 2026

Eric Barlow Jokes About Negative Mailers By Pulling ‘Yak Crap’ From Mailbox

Highly targeted gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow joked Saturday about all the negative campaign ads by donning a vet glove and pulling yak dung from his own mailbox. “That’s not how we treat people in Wyoming,” he said in a social media video.

Clair McFarlandAugust 09, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Welcomes Jeff Welsch As Managing Editor For Features & Weekend

Cowboy State Daily is excited to announce the addition of Jeff Welsch to its masthead. Welsch, an award-winning editor, reporter, writer, and columnist, will serve as the managing editor for weekend and features content.

August 09, 2026

Letter To The Editor: The Only Remedy To Chuck Gray Is At The Ballot Box

Dear editor: At least 21 federal courts have since found no lawful basis for the Trump administration's demand for state voter data. No court has ruled otherwise. Yet, thanks to Chuck Gray, our confidential information remains in the hands of the federal government, unprotected.

August 09, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Why Conservative Youth Support Chuck Gray

Dear editor: Mr. Gray has also shown that he takes no heed to what the liberal and RINO establishment opposition throws at him, often calling them out himself with a public audience. This defiance stands out to us in an environment rife with gatekeeping.

August 09, 2026

In 1916, well-respected Laramie County Sheriff Frank Roach, also a rancher who had three horses stolen by thieves, pursued them into Colorado. He was gunned down by the thieves — shot in the back of the head — on a ranch a few miles across Wyoming's southern border.

Wyoming History: Laramie County Sheriff Was Gunned Down By Horse Thieves In 1916

In 1916, well-respected Laramie County Sheriff Frank Roach had three horses stolen by thieves and pursued them into Colorado. He was gunned down by the thieves — shot in the back of the head on a ranch a few miles across Wyoming's southern border.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 09, 2026

Sophie, the 85% complete Stegosaurus stenops, on display at London's Natural History Museum. The dinosaur was originally named "Sarah" after the daughter of the Shell landowners where the skeleton was discovered, but was renamed "Sophie" after the daughter of a donor who made it possible for the museum to acquire the skeleton.

Sophie, The World's Most Complete Stegosaurus, Was Found In Shell, Wyoming

A Stegosaurus discovered near Shell, Wyoming, is believed to be the most complete and well-preserved specimen ever found. When it was unveiled as the centerpiece exhibit at the Natural History Museum of London, paleontologists praised it as the best in the world.

Andrew RossiAugust 09, 2026

Dylan Sparks of Buffalo open carries a large Ka-Bar (or K-Bar) fixed-blade knife with him wherever he goes. Wyoming law permits carrying such knives, but it’s illegal to carry them in some other states.

Knife Rights Advocates Say Second Amendment Should Apply To Blades, Too

Knife rights advocates say knives should be protected like guns as the Second Amendment doesn't say ‘firearms,' it says ‘arms’, says UW professor George Mocsary. Wyoming adults with clean records can carry almost every type of knife, a right not all states enjoy.

Mark HeinzAugust 08, 2026

Vampire bats are expanding their range northward. A wildlife disease expert thinks they could start carrying chronic wasting disease, or CWD.

Biologists Concerned Vampire Bats Could Transmit Chronic Wasting Disease To Cattle, Humans

As vampire bats move north from Mexico and chronic wasting disease moves south from the Northern Rockies, a disease expert worries that the bats could start carrying the disease and transmitting them to cattle or even humans.

Mark HeinzAugust 08, 2026

A firefighter tends to a field of burning cheatgrass in Wyoming.

Cheatgrass An Nightmare For Wyoming Rangeland, Costing $110 Million In Losses

Cheatgrass has become a nightmare for Wyoming ranchers, costing an estimated $110 million in annual losses. Hot Springs rancher Chip Axtell estimates 20% of his own rangeland has been taken over by cheatgrass. “It grabs up all the moisture," he said.

Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2026

Reuben Reifschneider posed in his blacksmith work clothes at the request of Art Linkletter, the host of a popular CBS variety show. Reifschneider had won the title of Wyoming's Ugliest Man in 1964 and 1965 after traveling to Hollywood. While the other contestants wore outrageous costumes, Reifschneider remained himself. His "ugly" was the ability to pop out an eye and his teeth.

'Wyoming's Ugliest Man' Earned Title Proudly On TV By Popping Out Eye And Teeth

Reuben Reifschneider proudly earned the title of “Wyoming’s Ugliest Man” twice by popping out a glass eye and his teeth on Art Linkletter’s “House Party” TV show in 1964 and 1965. “Reuben was just himself. He didn't need a costume at all,” said a friend.

Jackie DorothyAugust 08, 2026

Bill Sniffin: Political Crunch Time Brings Out Desperation And A Few Funny Lines

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “This is a desperate time for politicians. Just how negative can they go? Here in Wyoming, we discovered it is pretty darned deep.”

Bill SniffinAugust 08, 2026

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