Headlines

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

Letter To The Editor: Wyoming’s Next Industry Isn't Replacing Fossil Fuels. It's Being Powered By Them.

Dear editor: Wyoming doesn't have to choose between its energy heritage and its economic future. Data centers can strengthen both by creating a new market for Wyoming natural gas while keeping more jobs, investment, and tax revenue in the state.

August 21, 2026

Rod Miller: Tuesday Night Massacre And Life In Post-Freedom Caucus Wyoming

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was nearly a Custer-esque asskicking, and the Wyoming GOP primary election left the flyblown corpses of right wing populist politicians festering under the hot sun of the Big Empty. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is dead."

Rod MillerAugust 21, 2026

Libertarian Party Nominates Republican Cale Case And Democrat Karlee Provenza

In a statement about how it should be able to send anyone it chooses into the election, the Libertarian Party nominated Republican Sen. Cale Case and Democrat Rep. Karlee Provenza at its convention. The Secretary of State’s Office rejected the nominations.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026

Horse advocates say it’s been proven that mustangs rounded up in Wyoming have been sent to slaughterhouses in Canada.

Mustang Advocates Say Report Proves Wild Horses From Wyoming Sent To Slaughter

Mustang advocates say a New York Times report proves horses rounded up from the range in Wyoming and other states have been sent to slaughter. An advocacy group is now asking Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to shut down all sales of wild horses.

Mark HeinzAugust 20, 2026

Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Is Back In Wyoming Jail

John Smallbone was Wyoming’s most wanted man for less than four hours after no-showing an arraignment hearing on 72 child sex abuse and pornography charges. Now he’s back. “He’s here. We got him back this morning,” said the Converse County undersheriff.

Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

South Dakota Man Charged With Murder In Wyoming Says He Was Defending Tinder Date

A 24-year-old South Dakota man doesn’t deny shooting and killing another man while in Newcastle on a Tinder date gone wrong, but it wasn’t murder, his defense attorney said Wednesday. He was defending the woman he had driven nearly 90 miles to meet.

Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

Wyoming Man Says He Cruised Billings Homeless Shelters 'Looking For Hookers'

A 78-year-old Wyoming man has pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated sex trafficking after telling investigators he was “looking for hookers” as he cruised Billings, Montana, homeless shelters. He allegedly offered women cash, food and vodka for sex.

Kolby FedoreAugust 20, 2026

Eric Barlow (right) speaks to a voter days before the primary election.

No, Closet Democrats Didn't Nominate Republican Barlow For Gov., Politicos Say

Despite claims that Eric Barlow won the Republican primary for governor due to closet Democrats, political analysts disagree. Also, an analysis of voter registration and turnout percentages predicts Barlow winning even without the margin of likely crossover.

Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2026

The Impact Of Trump's Expansion Of Hunting, Fishing On Wildlife Refuges In Wyoming

Three of Wyoming's national wildlife refuges will see modest changes from the new plan to open 92 million acres to hunting and fishing. It's touted as the "largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

Mark HeinzAugust 20, 2026

Wolf 1090F, of the Mollie’s pack in Yellowstone National Park, recently hit the age of 12 years. That makes her her the oldest living wolf in the park, and one of the oldest ever.

Nevada Hunter Vows To Kill Famous Yellowstone Mollie's Pack Wolf 1090F In Wyoming

A Nevada hunter and social media influencer is vowing to come to Wyoming to kill the leader of Yellowstone National Park's oldest wolf pack, the Mollie's. “The matriarch 1090F is going down on the 15th of September,” he says.

Mark HeinzAugust 20, 2026

Alibi Wood Fire Pizzaria & Bakery, a Laramie landmark for decades, is being sold.

Laramie Landmark The Alibi, Made Famous By Guy Fieri, On The Market For $3 Million

The Alibi, a Laramie landmark since 1953 and a favorite for generations of University of Wyoming students, is on the market for nearly $3 million. Now known for its wood-fired pizza, it was made famous by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026

Image of the sky, green mountains and a city below. Caracas: the capital city of Venezuela.

Bibles for Venezuela: Hope in the Midst of Devastation

Vision Beyond Borders has helped bring God’s Word to people throughout Venezuela. Following two devastating earthquakes, the need for both Bibles and humanitarian assistance has become even greater.

August 20, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, August 20, 2026

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

Jake NicholsAugust 20, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, August 20, 2026

Thursday's headlines include: * Freedom Caucus: We're Not Dead! * Coffee Shop: Non-Stop Death Threats * What Are Those Cattle Doing In Yellowstone?

Mac WatsonAugust 20, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Post-Election Musings

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Nine of 10 legislators tied to 'Checkgate' were excused from office. The Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee endorsed a slate of candidates for state office. For state-level officials, they batted zero."

Tom LubnauAugust 20, 2026

Wyoming Freedom Caucus Says It’s Not Dead After Devastating Primary Losses

After Tuesday's Republican primary election gutted the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, the caucus says it’s far from dead — and will regroup. “I don’t think any of us anticipated this kind of loss,” said former chair John Bear.

Clair McFarlandAugust 20, 2026

Lake Helen in Wyoming's Cloud Peak Wilderness, part of the state's more than 3 million acres of federal roadless areas.

Fate Of 3.3 Million Acres Of Roadless Areas In Wyoming About To Be Decided

The 2001 Clinton-era Roadless Rule could soon end, opening 3.3 million acres of national forests in Wyoming for road construction. Harriet Hageman calls the rule a disaster, while roadless supporters say it protects prime hunting, fishing and tourism.

Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026

Joe Ricketts speaks Wednesday at the Saving Yellowstone summit at the Jackson Fork Ranch near Bondurant.

Polarizing Billionaire Joe Ricketts Says He’s Focused On 'Saving Yellowstone'

Billionaire Joe Ricketts once wanted to build a mega-resort on his 1,300-acre ranch and rename Bondurant “Little Jackson Hole.” Now he's focused on "Saving Yellowstone." "If we don’t move now, it will be gone forever,” he said Wednesday.

Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026

Laramie County Sheriffs Office truck 2 11 25

Attempted Murder Charge For Teen Accused Of Putting Gun To Head Of Another Teen

A Cheyenne 17-year-old has been charged as an adult with attempted murder for allegedly putting a gun to the head of a Colorado teen, then shooting at him multiple times as the other teen was driving away.

Kerry DrakeAugust 19, 2026

Herd Of Wandering, Hungry Cattle Doesn’t Care Grazing Is Banned At Yellowstone

A herd of cattle inadvertently broke into Yellowstone National Park earlier this week, grazing where no cattle have grazed for more than 120 years. That’s because the park has banned issuing grazing permits in Yellowstone.

Andrew RossiAugust 19, 2026

House Speaker Chip Nieman and other Wyoming Freedom Caucus members outside the Capitol during this year's legislative session.

The Great Wyoming Freedom Caucus Massacre — By The Numbers

After Tuesday’s primary, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is being gutted from about a 35-member bloc in the state House to about 10. Of those likely to reach the House after the general election, about 43 say they don’t align with the controversial caucus.

Clair McFarlandAugust 19, 2026

An Alta coffee shop owner asked pro-life group not to meet at his Driggs, Idaho, shop — then compared his right to do so in his business to refusing to host the KKK. Death threats have been "nonstop" since their clash went viral.

Alta Coffee Shop Owner: 'Nonstop Death Threats' Since Clash With Pro-Lifers

An Alta, Wyoming, man says he and his wife have received "nonstop death threats" since a confrontation with a pro-life group inside their Driggs coffee shop, Wydaho Roasters, went viral. “You'd think we're performing abortions in our shop," the owner said.

Kolby FedoreAugust 19, 2026

Plan For Data Center Puts Spotlight On Lax Fremont County Zoning Laws

A small data center is taking shape in Fremont County, but officials there say they don't know much about the project and aren't sure just how much regulatory power they'll have. Fremont has some of Wyoming’s most permissive zoning laws.

Kate MeadowsAugust 19, 2026

The 11-turbine Casper Wind Farm is on its way out.

Defunct For Years, 'Eyesore' Casper Wind Farm Turbines Finally Coming Down

The 11 turbines at the Casper Wind Farm north of Evansville are finally coming down after years of inactivity. There were high hopes for the turbines when commissioned in 2009, but a former county commissioner now calls them an "eyesore."

Dale KillingbeckAugust 19, 2026

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