Headlines

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

Gillette Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Partner Shot During Fight

A 61-year-old Gillette woman was in court Friday, charged with attempted murder after police say she shot her longtime partner during a fight the day before. Investigators say the shooting was not in self-defense.

Jen KocherFebruary 28, 2026

A Wyoming Senate committee forwarded a trio of gun bills, including one sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, that would allow freshmen to carry concealed weapons on campus at the University of Wyoming while upperclassmen would no longer need permits.

Senate Panel Backs Bills Letting 18-Year-Olds Carry Guns On UW Campus

A Wyoming Senate committee forwarded a trio of gun bills Friday, including one that would allow freshmen to carry concealed weapons on campus at the University of Wyoming while upperclassmen would no longer need permits.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2026

Sen. Tara Nethercott on Friday, February 27, 2026

University Of Wyoming Budget Spared (For Now), Biz Council Reined In

Wyoming legislative negotiators drafted a budget Friday that could spare the University of Wyoming from a $40 million cut while funding the Wyoming Business Council for one year instead of two.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026

Legislator’s Bill Would Push Wyoming Hydrogen Past California To World Markets

A Glenrock legislator pitched California on using Wyoming natural gas to make virtually CO2-free hydrogen, but was shot down. So, he’s pushing a bill that would allow the state to go past California to world markets.

David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026

Jonathan Lange: Heartbeat Act Rebuilds What The Court Tore Down

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “During this final week of the 2026 budget session, there is one bill that can begin to rebuild the wall protecting our most vulnerable citizens – HB126.”

Jonathan LangeFebruary 27, 2026

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office caught 32 illegal immigrant truck drivers during a three-day crackdown called “Truck Around and Find Out.” They made 177 stops overall and wrote 51 tickets.

32 Illegal Drivers Turned Over To ICE During 3-Day Laramie County Truck Crackdown

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office caught 32 illegal immigrant truck drivers this week during a three-day crackdown called “Truck Around and Find Out.” They made 177 stops overall and wrote 51 tickets. "This is a continuing thing for us," the sheriff said.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 27, 2026

Wyoming state House leadership is “looking into” whether a Democratic representative may face consequences after complaints of legislative misconduct were filed, House Speaker Chip Neiman said Friday during a press conference in his office.

Neiman: House Misconduct Complaints Filed, 'Maybe' Against Provenza, Yin

Discussing 'CheckGate' on Friday, House Speaker Chip Neiman said leadership is "looking into" whether Democratic Rep. Karlee Provenza may face consequences after taking the check-passing scandal to the media. He said complaints have been filed.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026

The Thunder Plains mile-long horse racing track will be located 10 miles east of Cheyenne.

Bally’s Corp. Eyes Regional Circuit With Thunder Plains, Wyoming’s First 1-Mile Track

International Bally’s Corporation is taking a majority ownership of Wyoming’s new 1-mile track, Thunder Plains, and aims to open this fall near Cheyenne with a $1.6 million racing purse. Long-term, their vision includes a regional horse-racing circuit.

Renée JeanFebruary 27, 2026

"You tell us what you need, and we'll do it," Sen. Bo Biteman said, describing the administration's posture toward energy. "And if you have any issues or bottlenecks, we need to know, and we'll get rid of those in 24 hours' notice."

"We're Sitting On A Gold Mine": Energy Optimism Overflows At Wyoming Capitol

Lawmakers advanced two bills Friday designed to position Wyoming at the center of America's energy future. Sen. Bo Biteman said the time to act is now as the administration is listening to Wyoming on energy and will get rid of any "issues or bottlenecks."

David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026

Dennis Sun: Future Looks Bright for Dairy

Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Higher beef prices and improved genetics are rewriting the dairy industry. Older dairy cows producing milk at higher numbers and producers using young cows to crossbreed with beef genetics, the business has really changed."

Dennis SunFebruary 27, 2026

Casper Woman Pleads Not Guilty To DUI, Homicide Charges In November Wrong-Way Crash

A 34-year-old Casper woman pleaded not guilty in Natrona County District Court on Friday to DUI and vehicular homicide charges that stem from a Nov. 7 wrong-way crash that killed a mother of two and severely injured the woman’s father.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 27, 2026

Mobs Of Elk Leave National Elk Refuge Near Jackson With ‘False Sense Of Early Spring'

With what locals say is an unprecedentedly mild winter, elk are bailing out of the National Elk Refuge near Jackson, apparently thinking it's spring already. "Because the snowpack is so low, there is little reason to be there," said one photographer.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, February 27, 2026

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

Jake NicholsFebruary 27, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Checkgate Stinks. An Investigation Won’t Clear the Air.

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "When Rebecca Bextel was escorted onto the Wyoming House floor by Rep. Nina Webber, R-Cody, to hand out checks to members of the House of Representatives, no one could have predicted the political wildfire that would follow."

Tom LubnauFebruary 27, 2026

Teton County GOP leader Rebecca Bextel testifies Thursday for the House investigative committee about checks she handed out to legislators on the House floor on Feb. 9, 2026.

CheckGate: Four Members Who Received Checks On House Floor Say It Wasn't Bribery

At the first CheckGate hearing in the Capitol on Thursday, the four members who received checks on the House floor said they never felt it was an act of bribery. Rebecca Bextel, who delivered the checks, said she just “wafted toward the House floor."

Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, February 27, 2026

Friday's headlines include: * CheckGate Hearing * Getting Banned From McD's * Another Election Reform Bill Killed

Mac WatsonFebruary 27, 2026

Guest Column: A Convention Of The States Is Wyoming’s Constitutional Lifeline

Guest columnist Sam Galeotos writes, "If legislators want to protect the Constitution and Wyoming, stop hoping Congress will tie its own hands, because that will never happen. Pass SJR5 in the House. Restore the republic the Founders entrusted to us."

Guest ColumnFebruary 27, 2026

Scott Clem: Wyoming's Poor Are Wyoming's Problem

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "As the Legislature worked through the state budget, one question rose above the rest for what it revealed about our values: Should Wyoming authorize administrative funding to draw down federally funded summer nutrition benefits for low-income children?"

Scott ClemFebruary 27, 2026

Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, presented the bill and walked the committee through a new approach to property tax relief. "It's been a journey, ladies and gentlemen," Hicks said. "And I think we've refined what we're trying to do."

House Panel Advances Major Property Tax Cut For Homeowners 

A House committee Thursday advanced a bill that would lower the tax rate on homes people live in and stop collecting school taxes on those properties, with the state picking up the tab instead of local governments. The bill passed 7-2.

David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026

Representative Andrew Byron, R-Jackson, corner crossing on Thursday, February 26, 2026

Hunters, Ranchers Say Corner Crossing Bill Isn’t Ready As It Heads To Wyoming Senate

A corner-crossing bill received pushback from both hunters and ranchers Thursday but the committee still forwarded it to the Senate. One hunter said, “let’s just go out and corner-cross,” then write a new bill to address any problems that come up.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2026

Bobby Maher, 14, was stabbed to death outside the Eastridge Mall in Casper in April 2024. His death “shocked” Casper and the state, Natrona County District Attorney Dan Itzen said.

30-75 Years For Casper Teen Who Held 14-Year-Old Bobby Maher Down During Stabbing

The now-17-year-old who held 14-year-old Bobby Maher down while a friend stabbed him was sentenced Thursday to 30-75 years in prison. The teen said he’s “found God,” while the prosecutor argued the murder “shocked the conscience of the community.”

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 27, 2026

Dozens of whistle stops have been revealed for the western leg of Big Boy’s historic coast-to-coast tour. In Wyoming, that includes: Laramie, Medicine Bow, Wamsutter, Rock Springs, and Green River.

Dozens Of Wyoming Stops Announced For New Big Boy Train Western Tour

Dozens of whistle stops have been announced for the western leg of Big Boy’s historic coast-to-coast tour in 2026. In Wyoming, that includes: Laramie, Medicine Bow, Wamsutter, Rock Springs, and Green River.

Renée JeanFebruary 26, 2026

Wyoming Inmate Sues, Claims Botched Health Care Led To Leg Amputation

A Rawlins woman claims her leg was amputated because of negligence by the Wyoming Department of Corrections’ former health care contractor. She’s serving 10-15 years in prison for selling meth.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

Under a cloud of public questioning, Gillette Police Chief Chuck Deaton abruptly retired from the department on Thursday. Deaton’s reasoning for the retirement is that it was time “for me to move on.”

Details Scarce As Gillette Police Chief Abruptly Retires

Under a cloud of public questioning, Gillette Police Chief Chuck Deaton abruptly retired from the department on Thursday. Deaton said it a statement that it was time “for me to move on.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

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