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Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.
News
Wyoming Senate Committee Doesn’t Want State Collecting Union Dues
Wyoming senators advanced a bill to ban most state entities from collecting union and political group dues, while dropping new reporting rules for those groups. “The intent is to bust unions and bust associations,” alleged a Wyoming Education Association representative.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Another Election Reform Bill Dies As Lawmaker Rejects National “Populism”
In speaking against an election audit reform bill Thursday, Sen. Tara Nethercott said the state's county clerks don't support the measure and that lawmakers should stop "pandering" to fears manufactured by national rhetoric. The legislation failed 21-9.
David MadisonFebruary 26, 2026
Powell Man Banned From McDonald's After Driving Horses, Wagon Through Drive-Thru
Powell resident Allen Hatch was banned from McDonald's earlier this week for driving his draft horses and wagon through the drive-thru. Although employees were excited to see them, the manager reportedly was not. “We've been 86ed from McDonald's,” he said.
Andrew RossiFebruary 26, 2026
Omaha Public Works Officials Say Broken Water Main Likely Caused Sinkhole
The sinkhole that generated international attention earlier this week for swallowing up two vehicles in Omaha may have been caused by a broken water main. City officials say a water main was broken and actively running water at the time of the collapse.
Andrew RossiFebruary 26, 2026
Mother Sues Manufacturer Over Wyoming Son's Woodchipper Death
A Kentucky mother is suing Bandit Industries, claiming a Bandit Intimidator 18XP woodchipper without key safety features caused her son’s fatal 2024 workplace accident near Alpine, Wyoming. The complaint said her son “frantically” tried to stop the machine but couldn’t.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Bill To Ban Kratom From People Younger Than 21 Passes Wyoming House Committee
A bill to ban the delivery of kratom to people younger than 21 is another step closer to becoming Wyoming law. Even so, some express concern over the unregulated substance and a coroner said it’s “highly addictive and at high doses, can cause death.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Ex-U.S. Army Ranger From Casper Jumps Into The U.S. House Race To Succeed Hageman
A former U.S. Army Ranger on Thursday formally entered Wyoming’s U.S. House race for the seat U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is vacating to run for Senate. David Giralt said by necessity and desire, he will run a “grassroots” campaign.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 26, 2026
The Stem Cell Freedom Act: Your Stem Cells, For Your Treatment
The Hoskinson Government and Policy Center proudly supports the Stem Cell Freedom Act, a bill expanding access to life-saving stem cell treatments in Wyoming. The bill is currently under consideration in the 2026 Wyoming Legislature.
February 26, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, February 26, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Senate, House Choose Teams To Hash Out $170 Million Budget Gap
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman on Wednesday announced the appointment of the five senators he's sending to smooth out $170 million in budget differences between the Senate and the state House of Representatives. The House picked its members Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Tom Lubnau: Cruelty Is Not Conservatism
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "In other words, Rep Rachel Rodriguez Williams, Freedom Caucus Chair, was apparently arguing a life for a life. If the Court system would not protect unborn children, the judges should be eliminated, too."
Tom LubnauFebruary 26, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Thursday's headlines include: * Cody Roberts Plea Deal * Tim Tebow Bill Moves Forward * U.S. Loses 15,000 Small Farms In 2025n
Mac WatsonFebruary 26, 2026
PRCA Bill Stumbles, But $15M From State For Move To Cheyenne Not Dead
A House committee gave a surprise “no” vote Wednesday for $15 million to move the PRCA headquarters to Cheyenne. But the money for the move isn’t dead, supporters say.
Renée JeanFebruary 26, 2026
Controversial Gun Rights Bill Passes Committee, Cops Still Don’t Like It
A Wyoming Senate committee on Wednesday forwarded a gun rights bill to the House floor. While tweaked, law enforcement officers still don’t like it, claiming it could allow criminals to sue them over technicalities.
Mark HeinzFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Bet Big On $87 Million Veterans Home Remodel
Wyoming lawmakers approved an $87 million remodel of the Veterans Home in Buffalo after years of delay and rising estimates. Supporters argued action can’t wait, while skeptics warned the state’s construction spending is “adding up.”
David MadisonFebruary 26, 2026
Buffalo Man Accused Of Making Pipe Bombs After Trying To Buy Fuses At Local Stores
A Buffalo man who walked into two local hardware stores with a length of galvanized steel pipe and asked if the stores sold “fuses” has been arrested on suspicion of making pipe bombs. He told police he makes homemade “fireworks” and “smoke bombs.”
Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Man Cody Roberts Signs Plea Agreement In Notorious Wolf Torture Case
Accused of torturing a wolf two years ago in a case that received global condemnation, Cody Roberts has agreed to plead guilty or no contest to one count of felony animal cruelty. He will face prison time if he fails strict probation requirements.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Massive Turnout As Bill To Purge Sex Books From Kids' Library Sections Heads To Senate
In a passionate debate held Wednesday over a bill that would let people sue libraries for keeping sexually explicit books in the children's section, some argued the Bible could spark lawsuits. “We have a lawsuit hanging over our head,” said Rep. Crago.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
"That Ain't No Coyote": Rancher Kills Wolf In Southeastern Wyoming Near Carpenter
A Laramie County rancher shot a roughly 2-year-old male wolf near Carpenter, Wyoming, where wolves are almost never seen. It may be the first recorded legal wolf killing in the county, and its origin remains unclear.
Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2026
From Hawaii Ranch To Wyoming Range: Casper’s Debbie Pummel Is Tourism Award Winner
Hawaii native Debbie Pummel, a Casper resident for 33 years, won Wyoming’s 2026 BigWYO tourism award for her three decades of leadership in the state’s hospitality industry and her dedication to mentoring future tourism professionals.
Renée JeanFebruary 25, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Sentence For Teen Who Fatally Shot Ex-Girlfriend Appropriate
The Wyoming Supreme Court Tuesday ruled that the lengthy sentence for a Casper teen who pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge was appropriate. The teen’s attorney argued it violated Wyoming statutes and represented “unusual” punishment.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 25, 2026
Senate Committee Forwards Firefighting Bills Over Fear Of Brutal Fire Season
A lone monitoring station on the Laramie Range is reading just 3% of its normal snowpack. That's a number that explains why, 40 miles down the road in Cheyenne, lawmakers were advancing legislation to put more firefighters in the field before fire season.
David MadisonFebruary 25, 2026
USDA Reports 15,000 Small Farms Closed or Consolidated Last Year In The U.S.
The U.S. lost 15,000 small farms in 2025 due to being sold or consolidated. Although Wyoming has avoided major losses, Farm Bureau president Todd Fornstrom said, "When you get rid of so many small farms, you’re taking rural people out of rural America."
Andrew RossiFebruary 25, 2026
There’s Been Hardly Any Winter, So Why So Many Deaths On Wyoming Roads?
There’s been hardly any winter in Wyoming so far this year, but highway fatalities are up nearly double compared to the last two years. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says that shows speed and driver inattention are more deadly than road conditions.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026