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

$25M Lawsuit Against Jackson Newspaper Settled: "Should Have Never Been Published"
An Arizona man settled what was originally a $25M defamation suit vs. the Jackson Hole News & Guide over the paper claiming he'd abused his son. The paper wrote, "We acknowledge, plainly and without qualification, that this article should never have been published."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026

Wyoming Chef Says The Best Way To Cook Groundhog Is With A Pork Rub
Groundhogs don't have to be just ceremonial animals that allegedly predict when spring arrives. They can be good eating too. One of Wyoming’s top chefs says groundhog is best when cooked in a smoker with a pork rub.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2026

Lawmakers Worried About Foreign-Owned Ag Land, Real Estate Agents Not So Much
The newly unveiled USDA portal that tracks foreign-owned ag land in the U.S. has been hailed by GOP lawmakers and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins as a good step in the right direction. Real estate agents, however, don't seem as concerned with the issue.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 04, 2026

Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman 'Looking Seriously' At U.S. House Run
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman told Cowboy State Daily he is considering a run for Wyoming's U.S. House and has formed an exploratory committee to look into a campaign. "I will have a decision after session – one way or another," he said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026

Wyoming To Gain 70+ Minutes Of Daylight In Feb.; Could Trigger Wet Heavy Snow Too
Wyoming will gain over 70 minutes of daylight in February as "solar spring" begins, which will make days longer and warmer. Meteorologists say that can lead to massive amounts of wet, heavy snow like the kind that paralyzed Cheyenne five years ago.
Andrew RossiFebruary 04, 2026

Tom Kelly Announces Run For Superintendent Of Public Instruction
Tom Kelly, a freshman lawmaker from Sheridan who is also a college professor, said Wednesday he is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. He arrived in Wyoming in 2019 leaving Illinois for Colorado, until Colorado became "just Illinois with mountains."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026

Split Ruling Keeps Star Plunge Case Alive, Lets State Proceed With Improvements
A state judge’s mixed decision on Monday will allow redevelopment to continue at Hot Springs State Park and lets the Star Plunge lawsuit proceed. That leaves the popular amenity at the park in limbo.
Renée JeanFebruary 04, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsFebruary 04, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Wednesday's headlines include: * Cody Roberts To Go Trial * Freedom Caucus Vs PRCA * Greatest Way To Haul A Snowmobile
Mac WatsonFebruary 04, 2026

Gordon Says Facing $40M Cut, UW Should ‘Listen To The People Of Wyoming'
Gov. Gordon said that as the University of Wyoming faces a proposed $40 million cut, it should “listen to the people of Wyoming.” He also fielded questions about K-12 funding and dismantling the Wyoming Business Council during a Tuesday forum in Lander.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026

Snowmobile Strapped To A Nissan 'About As Backwoods Redneck As You Can Get'
Wyoming drivers gawked at a snowmobile strapped to a broken-down Nissan Altima on Highway 26 near Casper over the weekend. A passing motorist called the jerry-rigged setup "about as backwoods redneck as you can get."
Andrew RossiFebruary 03, 2026

Ken Buck: Even Newsom Socialists Can't Support California's 'Billionaire Tax'
Columnist Ken Buck writes, "California already has the highest and most progressive tax rate in the country. What does it have to show for it? The state's own analysis forecasts an $18 billion budget deficit this year, which is estimated to grow to as much as $35 billion annually."
Ken BuckFebruary 03, 2026

Feds Pushing Grizzly Rules To December Could Be Step Toward Delisting
Delisting grizzlies could be imminent, hunting advocates say, as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers regulations for bear hunting. They say pushing the deadline for the agency's decision on bears to December could be a step toward delisting.
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2026
From Bear Wrestling To Wildlife Monitoring, AI And Tech Evolution Fuels Research
Wildlife researchers are using technology to take a hands-off approach to studying wildlife, stressing animals less and saving researchers from eye-blurring data crunching. It's a huge leap from the days of wrestling bears in the name of science.
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2026

'I Will Shoot You In The Head': Evanston Man Posts Video Threat To Kill Neighbors
A 62-year-old Evanston man faces felony charges after posting a video online threatening to shoot and kill his neighbors over a property dispute. Wearing a cowboy hat, he leans into the camera and says, “I will (expletive) shoot you in the head."
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 03, 2026

Body Of Cody Man Missing Since Jan. 23 Found In Beck Lake
The body of David Kelsey was found in Beck Lake and recovered Tuesday. The 50-year-old Cody man had been missing for more than a week.
Jen KocherFebruary 03, 2026

No Dismissal For Cody Roberts In Wolf Torture Case, Trial Could Start Next Month
A request to dismiss an animal cruelty charge against accused wolf torturer Cody Roberts was denied Tuesday. The Sweetwater County judge in the case confirmed he won’t dismiss the case early and that Roberts’ case can go to trial, set to begin March 9.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2026

BLM Officer, Family Members Plead Not Guilty In Fatal Lander Bar Fight
A BLM law enforcement officer and two members of his family pleaded “not guilty” to murder and manslaughter charges Tuesday in a shared arraignment hearing in Fremont County District Court. They’re accused of killing a man in a Lander bar brawl last month.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2026

Freedom Caucus Pushes Back On $15M Bid To Bring PRCA Headquarters to Cheyenne
Some Wyoming Freedom Caucus legislators question using $15 million in state lodging tax money to lure the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from Colorado to Wyoming. “Business and industry should be able to stand on their own,” Rep. Scott Heiner said.
Renée JeanFebruary 03, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsFebruary 03, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Tuesday's headlines include: * Robot Road Repair * Curt Gowdy's Wife Dies At 101 * Yellowstone's Remote Animal Graveyard
Mac WatsonFebruary 03, 2026

Gun Silencers Go From Fringe To Mainstream After Tax Elimination
People with firearms suppressors or silencers no longer have to pay a $200 federal tax. That could be the tipping point that makes the devices the next big thing for hunters, gun sellers say.
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2026

Temps Up To 13 Degrees Above Average Makes This Wyo.'s Warmest Start To Winter Ever
Data collected across Wyoming shows temperatures between 2 and 13 degrees warmer than average in December and January, making it the warmest start to winter ever.
Andrew RossiFebruary 03, 2026

Dave Simpson: Sen. Case Asks Democrats To Cross Over
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Republican Sen. Cale Case encouraged the large crowd at a Democrat-sponsored forum to vote in the GOP primary in August, to blunt recent advances by Wyoming Freedom Caucus Republicans.”
Dave SimpsonFebruary 02, 2026
