Headlines

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

After photo of Mary Ann Murphy, Patient at Aspen Ridge Dental.

“I Didn’t Realize How Much My Teeth Were Negatively Impacting My Life”

How a routine dental visit uncovered the root of years of pain and discomfort.

February 23, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, February 23, 2026

Monday's headlines include: Chancy Williams' Fiddler Crossover Day At Legislature Remembering Cheyenne's Cloud 9

Mac WatsonFebruary 23, 2026

Laramie’s 1937 Hitchcock House was once home to University of Wyoming presidents. Not quite a mansion, the nearly 5,000-square-foot house has hit the market, listing at $1.03 million.

Laramie Mini-Mansion, Former Home For UW Presidents, Hits The Market For $1 Million

Laramie’s 1937 Hitchcock House was once home to presidents at the University of Wyoming. Not quite a mansion, the nearly 5,000-square-foot house has hit the market, listing at $1.03 million.

Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2026

Gail Symons: Just Here For The Circus... In The House

Columnist Gail Symons writes, "The coming negotiation will not resemble a routine compromise. It will be the John Bear version versus the Senate version, with Wyoming’s fiscal stability in the balance. Watch the conference. Ask your legislators where they stand."

Gail SymonsFebruary 22, 2026

Cassie Craven: Signing Off

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “There is a season for everything. Reading the Catholic Saints will remind you quickly that you may be called to suffer for truth. But politics, must never cost your soul. And, your first loyalty is to God, not to power, party or success.”

Cassie CravenFebruary 22, 2026

Elk might be regarded as walking septic tanks, insofar as the range of bacteria and other flora in their guts allows them to process all sorts of things that other animals, such as deer, might not be able to handle.

Did You Know? Elk Are Nature's Garbage Disposals, They'll Eat Anything

Elk could be regarded as walking septic tanks in that the range of bacteria in their gut allows them to eat things other animals can't handle. They have a multi-stomach digestive system and the first stomach is “essentially a fermentation vat."

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Radiant Manufacturing of Rock Springs is the industry leader in giant sequin displays. In an increasingly digital world, its "old-school" sequin designs stand out with three-dimensional textures and dazzling movement.

Rock Springs Company Makes Giant Sequin Displays For The NFL, Disney, Coca-Cola

When the NFL, Disney and Coca-Cola want to make a dazzling "old school" impression, they call a Rock Springs number. That's where Radiant Manufacturing is located. The world's best known brands contract with Radiant for its patented sequin panel displays.

Andrew RossiFebruary 22, 2026

To ward off coyotes and other predators, some ranchers are attaching flashing ear tags to their livestock.

Ranchers Are Putting Flashing Lights On Cattle And Sheep To Keep Predators Away

Seeking a cheap and effective way to protect livestock from predators, Utah researchers think they have an answer — put flashing lights on sheep and cattle to scare them off. Critics say predators will get used to them and go back to killing livestock.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Lucas Rowley and staff at Rescue River work at their craft of making high-end fishing flies.

Casper Man Trades Tech Career For Rescuing Women In Uganda By Tying Fishing Flies

A Casper man traded his very successful tech career in Austin for a far different mission — rescuing sex-abused women in Uganda. He and his wife are teaching them to be self-sufficient by tying high-end fishing flies and selling them in the U.S.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 22, 2026

Billings Animal Shelter Has New Home After PD Burned 200 Pounds Of Meth In Crematorium

The Billings animal shelter finally has a new home months after police flooded it with smoke from 200 pounds of meth burned in a shared crematorium. There still hasn’t been an answer to why the PD burned meth in a crematorium typically used for animals.

Anna-Louise JacksonFebruary 22, 2026

“A Deep Seat and a Long Rein” is a 15.5-foot-tall monument that stands in the new roundabout at Ivinson Avenue and 15th Street on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie.

The Story Behind Chris Navarro's 15-Foot Bronze Of Steamboat At U.W.

It took over a year for celebrated Wyoming bronze artist Chris Navarro to create the 15-foot sculpture of Steamboat located on the University of Wyoming campus. “It’s more than just a symbol of UW. It’s a symbol of Wyoming," Navarro said.

Andrew RossiFebruary 22, 2026

How A Classically Trained Violinist From Casper Became Chancey Williams' Fiddler

Brooke Latka was born and raised in Casper and classically trained as a violinist, but was drawn to the personality of country fiddle. For the past 17 years, she's been the fiddler for country music star Chancey Williams and his band.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 22, 2026

A pair of Wyoming college students were among the 300 extras cast in the sci-fi classic “Starship Troopers” 30 years ago. They recall hot days in Hell’s Half Acre doused with alien blood as dead bodies. “I want more blood!” the director would yell. Here, extra Melissa Parkinson poses for a photo in her suit during the filming.

30 Years Later: Looking Back On The Filming Of 'Starship Troopers'

30 years ago this summer, Melissa Parkinson and Tana Libolt landed the most unusual job they ever had. They were hired to be dead bodies at Hell’s Half Acre for the filming of 'Starship Troopers.' They were among 300 who answered a newspaper ad in Casper.

Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2026

Richard McCoy III and Chanté McCoy talk about their father's parachute during a presentation with Dan Gryder at the DTSB Aviation Safety Summit in Orlando in January 2026.

Part 4: Who Is D.B. Cooper? FBI’s ‘One-In-A-Billion’ Parachute Returns

Part 4 In A Series: A parachute found on D.B. Cooper suspect Richard McCoy’s family property was seized and tested by the FBI, then quietly returned in December, 2025, without explanation. The ambiguous action and closed lips from the FBI is fueling new theories about the notorious skyjacking.

Jen KocherFebruary 22, 2026

House Approves Raises For Wyoming State Employees

On Saturday evening a Wyoming Republican representative from Casper and a Democratic representative from Laramie found a way to get House approval for giving state employees raises. The move is not final but it stands a chance.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Checkgate Theater — Everyone Knows The Ending To The Investigation

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Disband the committee. Stop wasting time. Stop pretending the outcome is uncertain. What happened stinks. It may not be illegal, but it damaged the institution — and pretending otherwise only deepens the damage."

Tom LubnauFebruary 22, 2026

Bald eagles and ravens compete for scraps from the carcass of a bison killed by the Wapiti wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park.

Circle Of Life: Eagles, Ravens Feast On Bison Killed By Wolves In Yellowstone

Bald eagles might be regarded as the most fearsome predators of the sky, but like any other wild creature, they do whatever it takes to survive winter. Accordingly, they scavenge more than hunt during the cold months, biologists told Cowboy State Daily.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Teamster Rick Edney of Nevada is training mules to pull several wagons to recreate the freight train that used to haul goods into the fledging town of Thermopolis, Wyoming in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He said that it is time consuming retraining his mules to a jerk line but is excited reenact the feats of Henry "16-Mule Team" Johnson.

Before Wyoming Became A Major Semitruck Route, 16-Mule Teams Hauled Freight

Rick Edney is training mules to pull several wagons to recreate the freight train that hauled goods into Thermopolis in the late 1800s. He said it's time consuming but is excited to reenact the feats of Henry "16-Mule Team" Johnson for 'Trailblazer Days.'

Jackie DorothyFebruary 22, 2026

$Katrin Glenn-Bittner got photos of a dead Tex, the only grizzly bear on Texada Island in British Columbia, that were shared on the TEX — The Texada Island Grizzly Bear Facebook page.$

Death Of Grizzly Called ‘Tex’ In Canada Mirrors Controversies Over Wyoming Bears

The controversy over grizzlies in southwestern British Columbia mirrors the situation in Wyoming, as grizzlies wander into new places and run afoul of people and cattle. Such was the case with a grizzly called Tex who was killed by residents protecting their cows.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Bill Sniffin: Smells Permeate Our Lives — Fresh Sage Is My Favorite Wyoming Odor

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “With a last name like Sniffin, it was probably inevitable that someday I would write a column about smells. Today is that day. My favorite is the odor of sagebrush after a fresh rain. I also love the odor of grilled steak!”

Bill SniffinFebruary 21, 2026

Joan Barron: This Will Be 'The Check-Gate Session'

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The check passing wasn’t just an amazing error of judgment. It was a monumental breach of protocol and the ethics of the Legislature."

Joan BarronFebruary 21, 2026

If You Want To Live In A Fallout Shelter, This Cokeville 'Basement Home' Is It

If you ever wanted to live in a fallout shelter, there’s a “basement home” in Cokeville, Wyoming, that checks all the boxes. The idea behind these post-World War II 1950s starter homes was to grow upward when there was enough money to go above ground.

Renée JeanFebruary 21, 2026

"I Forgot To Eat My Wheaties!”: Rep. Dalton Banks Collapses On House Floor

After a week of late nights, early mornings, and marathon debates on how Wyoming should spend money for the next two years, two state representatives had medical events on the House floor this week, including Rep. Dalton Banks, who collapsed on Saturday.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026

As 41 states open their doors to NIL deals for high school athletes, Wyoming lawmakers backed by a well-known football family are moving to bolt theirs shut. But money is already available for teen sports stars — right next door in Colorado. Above, Gary Crum, R-Laramie, was a football star at Rawlins High School and the University of Wyoming. He says NIL deals don't belong in high school sports.

Former UW Lineman-Turned-Legislator Says Keep NIL Money Out Of High School Sports

As 41 states open their doors to NIL deals for high school athletes, Wyoming lawmakers backed by Sen. Gary Crum, a former UW lineman, are moving against it. But money is already available for teen sports stars — right next door in Colorado.

David MadisonFebruary 21, 2026

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