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

Postal Ping Pong: Letter Addressed To Woman In Alabama Gets Sent To Man In Wyoming
A letter mailed to Lisa in Alabama was instead delivered to Roger in Torrington, Wyoming, in what Postal Service called a “rare” error. It was a head-scratcher for Roger who said the name and address on the envelope were both clear and legible.
Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

Meet John L. Blair: Wyoming’s Mozart Of Saddlemaking And Virtuoso With Leather
John L. Blair of Shell, Wyoming, is a master saddlemaker who commands more than $45,000 for a saddle, $15,000 for a leather bowl or $8,500 for a custom purse. He works listening to Mozart, one virtuoso inspiring another to create stunning leather art.
Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

New Jersey Family Claims It Has 2 Billy The Kid Photos From Before His Outlaw Days
A New Jersey family says it has two photos of Billy the Kid from before he was a notorious outlaw. If true, it would be historic as there has only been one verified image of Billy the Kid, a damaged tintype that sold at auction for $2.3 million.
Jackie DorothyApril 18, 2026

War Games On Wyoming Highway Helped Prepare For Daring Iran U.S. Pilot Rescue
A high-risk special forces rescue of a U.S. fighter pilot in Iran earlier this month echoed war games held in Wyoming in 2023, when the military turned a remote, windswept stretch of highway near Rawlins into a simulated rescue mission for a downed pilot.
Renée JeanApril 18, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jeff - Saturday, April, 18, 2026
Jeff in the 307. Saturday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsApril 18, 2026

Guest Column: Which Freedom Caucus Accomplishments Anger You Most?
Rep. John Bear writes, "Wyoming conservatives have provided the blueprint for the rest of the nation. We have proven that when conservatives are given the reins, we do not just hold the line – we advance."
Guest ColumnApril 18, 2026

Dennis Sun: America's Meat Products are the Best
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "People are looking for healthy sources of protein more often, and meat is being recognized by consumers for its many benefits and all of the ways they can cook lamb, pork and beef."
Dennis SunApril 18, 2026

Attorney Says Chuck Gray Lost Privacy On Voter Info By Texting News Outlet
The Cheyenne attorney asking authorities to prosecute Chuck Gray for handing over voter information to the feds now says Gray lost attorney-client privacy by texting a news outlet. Gray calls the new allegation “more lunacy ... from a radical leftwing attorney."
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2026

Casper Angler Named World’s Best Fly-Fishing Guide By Orvis
Dustin White, a guide for the Ugly Bug Fly Shop in Casper, was named the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide of the Year, regarded in the industry as recognition of the best guide in the fly-fishing world. He said making people happy through his job is better than any award.
Mark HeinzApril 17, 2026

Artemis II Astronauts Credit Wyoming-Based NOLS For Prepping Them For Moon Mission
In their first interview Thursday since returning from a trip around the moon, the Artemis II astronauts credited their training at Wyoming-based NOLS for helping prepare for their mission. NASA has contracted NOLS for more than 45 wilderness expeditions.
Kolby FedoreApril 17, 2026

‘Change Is Hard’: American Legion Baseball Officials Defend Combining Divisions
Wyoming American Legion Baseball officials say they’ve had “maybe even thousands” of texts, calls and emails about combining divisions into one 23-team league. “Change is hard,” they say, adding that it will increase competition and draw college scouts.
Andrew RossiApril 17, 2026

Grizzly Transplanted To Yellowstone Has Cubs, Raising Hopes For Genetic Exchange
A female grizzly transplanted from near Glacier National Park to Yellowstone has emerged with two cubs, initiating genetic exchange between bear populations. Some say it’s not enough to impact the debate over delisting grizzlies from federal protection.
Mark HeinzApril 17, 2026

Opponents Say Turbines On Way To Turning Laramie Range Into A ‘Wyoming Wind Wall’
Opponents of a growing number of wind energy projects say they fear the Laramie Range is on its way to becoming a “Wyoming wind wall.” Supporters say the projects mean more than $40 million in annual lease payments for landowners and can be developed responsibly.
Kate MeadowsApril 17, 2026

Cheyenne Coin Shop Killer Dies In Prison 8 Months After Getting 2 Life Sentences
Eight months after drawing two life sentences for killing two men at a Cheyenne coin shop in 2015, Douglas Smith died in a Wyoming prison Thursday. Smith claimed he walked in on the killings, but was arrested in 2023 when his stories didn’t add up.
Greg JohnsonApril 17, 2026

Iowa Man Sued By Reid Rasner Admits Calling Him Names, Says It’s Protected Speech
An Iowa man being sued for defamation by Reid Rasner admits calling him names on social media, but says it’s protected free speech. Rasner’s lawsuit claims he called him a “pedo creep,” while Cooley says Rasner’s “a cookie-cutter Trump cutout.”
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2026

Crews Battle 15-Foot Snowdrifts As Road-Clearing Begins On Beartooth Highway
Despite the warmer than normal winter, road crews are still battling 15-foot snowdrifts as the annual clearing of the Beartooth Highway begins. The 64-mile stretch of highway, with elevations reaching 10,947 feet, isn’t expected to open until May 22.
Andrew RossiApril 17, 2026

People ‘Freaking Out’ Over ‘Elkosaurus,’ Wheatland’s Sinclair Dino With Antlers
“Elkosaurus” started out as some harmless fun, but has turned into a selfie-trap along Interstate 25 in Wheatland. People are "freaking out about our little Elkosaurus,” says the manager of the Sinclair station about its green dinosaur with elk antlers.
Kolby FedoreApril 17, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, April 17, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsApril 17, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, April 17, 2026
Friday's headlines include: * Missing Cody Man Found Dead * Harshman Runs For Education Chief * Who Is Shooting Dogs In Emblem, Wyo?
Mac WatsonApril 17, 2026

Former House Speaker Albert Sommers Wants His Seat In The Legislature Back
Former House Speaker Albert Sommers is running to win back his Sublette County House District 20 seat. The Legislature needs “less political theater and theatrics,” he said about what he’s observed in Cheyenne the last two years.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2026
Woman Charged With Stealing $200K From Special Olympics Has ‘Care And Love’ For Group
The Bar Nunn woman accused of stealing more than $200,000 from Special Olympics Wyoming has “care and love” for the group, her attorney says. “The victims in this case are the community’s most vulnerable,” the judge said during her first court appearance Thursday,
Kolby FedoreApril 16, 2026

Gordon Orders Agency To Start Food Welfare Program, Lawmaker Says 'Stay In Your Lane'
Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday ordered a state agency to start a new summertime food welfare program for students after lawmakers repeatedly rejected the $3 million endeavor. “Stay in your lane, governor,” Rep. Ken Pendergraft warned.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2026

Steve Harshman, Longest Serving House Member, Runs For Wyoming Schools Chief
Casper state Rep. Steve Harshman, the longest-serving Wyoming House member, is running for state superintendent of public instruction. "Bottom line, I love Wyoming schools and spent all my life in Wyoming schools," the longtime teacher and coach said.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2026

Scott Clem: We've Been Here Before — Wyoming's New Energy Moment
Columnist Scott Clem writes, "The question before us is not whether nuclear energy is perfect or risk free. The question is whether Wyoming will approach this moment with the same seriousness that allowed us to harness coal and build decades of prosperity."
Scott ClemApril 16, 2026
