Headlines

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

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Tuesday's headlines include: * ICE Wants Alleged Kidnappers * 75 Inches Of Snow On Snowy Range * Incredible Helicopter Rescue Of Stranded Elk

Mac WatsonDecember 09, 2025

Western Community College Cuts Jobs As Budget Overhaul Reshapes College Workforce

Western Wyoming Community College will cut 33 jobs and redesign 30 more as part of a $4 million budget overhaul. Officials say the move affects 20% of staff but is driven by finances, not performance.

Tracie SullivanDecember 09, 2025

Duo Charged With Kidnapping Teenage Girl Wanted By ICE

The two men the Wyoming Highway Patrol arrested last week for kidnapping a teenage girl are wanted by ICE. The men, 33-year-old Pedro Giron Perez and 22-year-old Alexcer Solis Gomez, remained Monday in the Carbon County Detention Center.

Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025

Pine Bluffs Mayor Chosen To Fill Rep. John Eklund's Seat

Pine Bluffs Mayor Justin Fornstrom is vacating his town seat to fill the House vacancy left by the late Rep. John Eklund. He said balancing a budget, serving his community, backing traditional Wyoming industries and doing things to "make John proud" are his priorities.

Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025

Photographer Beth Moos captured the dramatic rescue of four bull elk, which involved some aerial dynamics provided by a helicopter from Central Copters Inc.

Photographer Captures Dramatic Helicopter Rescue Of Elk Stuck In Icy Lake

When photographer Beth Moos heard of some elk stuck in an icy lake, she grabbed her camera. What she captured was an incredible helicopter rescue that saved all of the animals. Even better, the rescuers did it out of the kindness of their hearts.

Andrew RossiDecember 09, 2025

Stephanie Linke, 36, and Michael Gruchacz, 35, are accused of torturing a 14-year-old boy. Prosecutors say the teen was forced to drink gallons of water and live in a basement. Doctors say he nearly died and showed clear signs of abuse and malnutrition.

Cheyenne Pair Await Arraignment For Allegedly Forcing Gallons Of Water Down Teen

A Cheyenne pair await arraignment in Laramie County District Court on charges of aggravated child abuse. They allegedly forced a 14-year-old to drink gallons of water a day, prompting him to have seizures and nearly die.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 08, 2025

Riverfront Jackson Hole Lodge Lists For $39.5M With Grand Teton Views

A 21-acre Jackson estate in a coveted neighborhood has just hit the market for $39.5 million. It offers private Snake River frontage, as well as winding creeks full of trout, cinematic views and serene wilderness. Plus, it's just 5 minutes from downtown.

Renée JeanDecember 08, 2025

Saddle Bronc riders Brody Cress and Brody Wells and bullfighter Dustry Tuckness are all participating in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas

Wyoming Cowboys Take Center Stage At National Finals Rodeo In Las Vegas

Brody Wells of Powell and Brody Cress of Hillsdale are both competing this week in the country’s most prestigious rodeo — The National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. They're joined by Meeteetse bullfighter Dusty Tuckness who's been invited an unprecedented 17 times.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Holy Cow! Wyoming's Snowy Range Gets 75 Inches of Snow From Weekend Snowstorm

Areas in the Snowy Range in Albany County received over 75 inches of snow in 40 hours over the weekend. The wet, heavy snow boosted the snowpack in Wyoming's southern mountains by more than 30% during that period. The town of Centennial received 12 inches.

Andrew RossiDecember 08, 2025

House Appropriations Chair John Bear (left) and Wyo Dept. of Health Director Stefan Johansson (right). FILE PHOTOS

Wyoming Lawmakers Worry 'Bear Care' Is Just More Government In Insurance Market

Wyoming lawmakers on Monday criticized the Wyoming Department of Health’s proposed emergency insurance program, “Bear Care.” Rep. John Bear said, "Government created the problem in the first place. I'm not inclined to want to compete in the private sector."

Clair McFarlandDecember 08, 2025

Despite it being December, most of the angling at Flaming Gorge Reservoir is still open-water fishing.

Ice Fishing In Wyoming Way Behind Schedule, Anglers Still Fishing Open Water

Despite being early December, most Wyoming anglers are still fishing open water due to warm weather. It may not be until the beginning of the year until ice fishing season begins, which is more than a month behind schedule.

Mark HeinzDecember 08, 2025

Statue honoring the nation’s first female justice of the peace, Wyoming’s Esther Hobart Morris, in state capitol on Dec 8, 2025

It's Over: Wyoming History Groups Finalize Split, Chart New Independent Paths

Two of Wyoming’s most influential historical organizations say they have finalized their split with the Wyoming Historical Society. The Wyoming Historical Foundation and WyoHistory.org say they will move forward together without the society.

Renée JeanDecember 08, 2025

Dave Simpson: Surprise! You've Got New Neighbors!

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “I'm surprised that Cheyenne's current economic boom has arrived in our neighborhood with so little advance warning.”

Dave SimpsonDecember 08, 2025

Darious Tillman, one of the "Generation Warrior" participants.

'Generation Warrior' Documentary Dives Deep Into Lives Of Wyoming’s Native Youth

“Generation Warrior," a documentary that premieres on Wyoming PBS on Tuesday, follows eight Native teens from the Wind River Reservation over four years. It highlights their family bonds, culture and resilience in the face of big life decisions.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, December 8, 2025

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

Jake NicholsDecember 08, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, December 8, 2025

Monday's headlines include: * 2025 Grizzly Deaths * Wyo Rancher Saves Lions * Wyo Richest Town Doesn’t Exist

Mac WatsonDecember 08, 2025

Cassie Craven: City of Cheyenne - An Ode to Local Government

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “In an era of Wyoming politics, in which RINOS and Dems decry “local control” losses, are they really crying about their inability to run the table?”

Cassie CravenDecember 08, 2025

The first Christmas tree in Wyoming was put up in Deer Creek, near present-day Glenrock in 1859. Captain Raynolds read scriptures in English and Braeuninger preached the gospel in German. They sang hymns, enjoyed the Christmas tree and presented small gifts to Indians in attendance

Wyoming History: German Missionaries Put Up The First Christmas Tree In 1858

It was 167 years ago when Wyoming’s first Christmas tree was decorated with candles by German missionaries who had brought their traditions to the remote territory. From this, the tradition grew until nearly every home had a tree of its own.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

After moving from Oregon to Casper, sculptor Toby Wayne Larson found new inspiration in Wyoming’s wildlife. Using clay and fire, he creates animals like owls and horses into works that capture the spirit of the West.

Wyoming People: Wildlife Inspires Sculptor After Move To Casper

Toby Wayne Larson followed his wife, a fifth-generation Wyomingite, back home to Casper and began playing with sawdust and fire. "Coming from Oregon, I never saw any kind of animals like bison," he said. "And, man, these things are so beautiful and the power is incredible."

David MadisonDecember 08, 2025

Gail Symons: For The New GOP It's Loyalty Over Leadership

Columnist Gail Symons writes, "It's laughable that the current leaders of the state Republican Party, fused with their Freedom Caucus cohorts, blather about the so-called old guard. In over 50 years, I have not seen the level of cronyism that these folks have institutionalized."

Gail SymonsDecember 08, 2025

Nobody knows when or how "Infrastructure Spring" appeared in Yellowstone's West Thumb Geyser Basin, but it's one of the most unique thermal features in the park. The water that created the mudpot flows through old pipes.

Old Yellowstone Pipes Taken Over By Mysterious Spring To Feed A Bubbling Mudpot

Every thermal feature in Yellowstone has a natural system of subterranean "plumbing" that feeds water and steam to the surface. "Infrastructure Spring" is unique in that it has claimed human plumbing into its own system.

Andrew RossiDecember 08, 2025

Warren “Bud” Wittstruck was a Cheyenne stonemason and artist whose hand-carved monuments and historic markers are works of art. His craftsmanship left a legacy etched in stone long before technology replaced his craft.

Cheyenne Stonemason's Hand-Carved Monuments Are Etched Deep Across Wyoming

Warren “Bud” Wittstruck was a Cheyenne stonemason and artist whose hand-carved monuments and historic markers all across Wyoming are works of art. His craftsmanship left a legacy etched in stone long before technology replaced his craft.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Frontier Brewing Company and Taproom’s closure in Casper comes amid a national downturn in alcohol consumption, with Gen Z getting “sober curious.” The health movement could be a challenge for Wyoming breweries.

Frontier Brewing Co. In Casper Closes, Could Be A Sign Of Gen Z Just Not Drinking

Saturday was the last day of operation for Frontier Brewing Company and Taproom in downtown Casper, one of the city’s first craft breweries. Co-owner Shawn Houck says national trends like people drinking less alcohol is a significant factor in the closure.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2025

Wyoming’s Housing Market Is Starting To Look A Lot Like California’s

The similarity between California and Wyoming’s housing market was glaringly apparent on a map created by Harvard economist Eric Protzer. He shared the map with Albany County leaders who are grappling with unaffordable housing in the Laramie region.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2025

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