Headlines
Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.
News
45 Hours On Hold: Torrington Man’s Insurance Nightmare Shows How Broken System Is
After UnitedHealth left Wyoming's Medicare Advantage insurance market, Torrington's Roger Huckfeldt tried to find a new provider for his 85-year-old mom. That's when a nightmare began, navigating weeks of robocalls, hangups, and 45 hours on hold. And he's still waiting.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2026
91-Year-Old Nebraska Woman’s Rare Porch Crock Turns Out To Be $32,000 Treasure
A 91-year-old Nebraska woman thought her rare 30-gallon old Red Wing crock might fetch $100 at auction, and nearly sold it at a garage sale for $20. Instead, a local auctioneer spotted the treasure and sold it for her for $32,000.
David MadisonJanuary 17, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Show with Jeff - Saturday, January 17, 2026
Jeff in the 307. Saturday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJanuary 17, 2026
Rep. John Bear Calls Sen. Ogden Driskill A ‘Doofus’ In Clash Over Budget
House Appropriations Chair John Bear weathered scrutiny this week over his scripts telling other legislators how to tweak the budget. Bear said he was running his motions through others, since he chaired the meetings - and then called Sen. Driskill a 'doofus.'
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2026
New Owner Of Wyoming Ranch Larger Than Rhode Island Revealed (And It's Not Zelenskyy)
The new mystery owner of Wyoming’s massive 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches — larger than Rhode Island — has been revealed. Although there was erroneous speculation that Ukrainian President Zelensky bought it, the truth is it's a neighboring land owner.
Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2026
Broncos Or Bills? Wyoming’s Pro Football Loyalties Face A Big Test Saturday
For many in Wyoming, Josh Allen has created a Sophie's Choice dilemma. Bills or Broncos? For 3 Cheyenne men, it's all different. One flipped to the Bills when Josh Allen was drafted, one remains a diehard Denver fan and the other will be happy either way.
Justin GeorgeJanuary 16, 2026
Dennis Sun: So Long Sugar, Hello Steak
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I like how the current report gives us the basics on food but leaves the decision of how much up to the individual. We don’t want some vegan Harvard professor telling us not to eat meat and what to drink."
Dennis SunJanuary 16, 2026
Jonathan Lange: Let’s Get Our Court Docs On The Internet
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “Our courts are still operating as if ‘Al Gore’ never invented ‘the internets,’ as Dubya would say. Luddite rules suppress free access to public information.”
Jonathan LangeJanuary 16, 2026
World’s Largest Soda Ash Company Credits Lummis With Averting India Tariffs
The world's leading producer of soda ash on Thursday credited U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis for averting India's planned tariffs on the product. They say the tariffs would have hurt Wyoming trona producers and Lummis' action saved jobs and millions of dollars.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2026
For 99 Years It’s Been Illegal To Mail A Handgun, That Soon Could Change
Wyoming gun advocates are applauding Thursday's U.S. Dept. of Justice opinion that says a 1927 law banning the practice of mailing handguns is unconstitutional. UW law professor George Moscary says to use caution, however, as "it's a complicated area of law."
Mark HeinzJanuary 16, 2026
Casper Political Activist Announces Bid For Wyoming State House District 37
Local Casper political activist Ross Schriftman has announced his candidacy for the Wyoming State House District 37 seat, currently held by Rep. Steve Harshman. Harshman, who has been in office since 2003, has not yet decided whether to seek a 13th term.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 16, 2026
Sheridan Vet In Viral Video Says He's Five-Years Sober, Rebuilding His Life
The Sheridan man whose arrest video from five years ago went viral this week said the police and EMS should have recognized he had a medical emergency. But after several brain surgeries and a bankruptcy, Rick Davis says he’s sober and rebuilding his life.
David MadisonJanuary 16, 2026
Fentanyl Seizures Up 264% In Wyoming; Drugs Funneled By Two Mexican Cartels
Last year, the DEA seized nearly 9 million fentanyl pills and 3,100 pounds of meth across the Rocky Mountain region, with fentanyl seizures in Wyoming up by 264%. The DEA says the drugs are being funneled to Wyoming by two primary Mexican cartels
Jen KocherJanuary 16, 2026
Wyoming vs Texas: JAC Approves $15 Million To Lure PRCA To State
The Joint Appropriations Committee approved $15 million to help lure the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association to Wyoming. The PRCA is interested in Wyoming but other states, like Texas, are vying for it too.
Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, January 16, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJanuary 16, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, January 16, 2026
Friday's headlines include: * Hurricane Winds In Wyoming * Body Cam Footage Outrage In Sheridan * Hageman: Grizzlies Maul Too Many Hunters
Mac WatsonJanuary 16, 2026
Riverton Man Accused Of Stabbing Family Member And Dog In Bloody Clash
Police say a 22-year-old Riverton man stabbed a family member and wounded a pit bull that was trying to protect the victim. The suspect was arrested hours later hiding in an abandoned home. He faces up to 23 years in prison.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2026
Wyoming vs China? JAC Advances $16M Rare Earths Loan In Budget To Counter China
In what he called a win over China, Sen. Ogden Driskill advanced a proposed $16 million state-backed loan to bolster a rare earths processing plant. One industry rep said, "This is truly Upton versus China — this is how Wyoming pushes back against China.”
Clair McFarland & Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026
Guest Column: Budget Bloodbath — Wyoming’s Future on the Chopping Block
Guest columnist Albert Sommers writes, "The actions of the House Freedom Caucus and their allies in the Senate were a blood bath for Wyoming’s future. These cuts were punitive, designed to send a political message instead of moving Wyoming forward."
Guest ColumnJanuary 16, 2026
Scott Clem: Like Miley Cyrus, The Legislature Is Coming In Like A Wrecking Ball
Columnist Scott Clem writes, "The legislature has a problem. Maybe their actions really are good for Wyoming. Maybe our state is being set up for success for years to come. But that's not how it's coming across."
Scott ClemJanuary 16, 2026
Avalanche Fatalities Keep Snowmobilers On Alert
Unseasonably warm weather created dangerous avalanche conditions in the Bridger-Teton region of Wyoming, with two avalanche-related deaths reported within a three-week time span, including a Utah man who was buried beneath his snowmobile under three feet of snow.
Kate MeadowsJanuary 16, 2026
Resurfaced Sheridan Police Body Cam Video Causes Outrage On Social Media
Bodycam footage from nearly 5 years ago in Sheridan between 3 police officers and a disoriented man have created outrage on social media. The video maker says the man suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgeries and was not treated properly by police.
David MadisonJanuary 15, 2026
Hageman To Nesvik: Grizzlies Need To Be Delisted Because They Keep Mauling Hunters
At a hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman told Fish & Wildlife Dir. Brian Nesvik that grizzlies need to be delisted because they are mauling too many hunters. Nesvik agreed and said he believes the grizzly population has recovered.
Mark HeinzJanuary 15, 2026
Gov's Office: "This Is Nuts" As Bill To Kill Wyo Biz Council Heads To Legislature
The governor's policy director told members of the Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday that their advancement of a proposal to kill the Wyoming Business Council was "crazy" and "nuts." The bill will now head to the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2026