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

Second Wildfire Breaks Out Near Devils Tower, Monument Still Closed
Just as firefighters seemed to be getting a handle on a nearly 300-acre fire burning just outside the southwest boundary of a closed Devils Tower, another fire erupted to the southeast Sunday. “It sucks,” was the blunt assessment from a county official.
Greg JohnsonAugust 02, 2026

In 1976, Laramie Boy's Bicentennial Quest Took Him All Over North America & White House
Fifty years ago, it was all about the Bicentennial and Laramie's Manus Hand embarked on a project that took him to dozens of towns, cities and counties named Wyoming. Wyoming's Dick Cheney was President Ford's chief of staff and hosted the 12-year-old and his family.
Kerry DrakeAugust 02, 2026

NASA Using Laramie Company’s Big-Wheeled Drone To Crawl Into Tight Spaces
When NASA needed to inspect a tight crawlspace for its Artemis 3 project, they contacted a small tech company in Laramie for help. The small robot features big squishy wheels and a simple body that can flip, turn and get itself out of tight spots.
Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2026

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Is Make-Or-Break For Businesses In Small Wyoming Towns
A stream of bikers on their way to and from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally create the biggest business week of the year for small northeast Wyoming towns. Bikers stay at motels, pack bars, eat and gas up — helping some businesses thrive, and others survive.
Renée JeanAugust 02, 2026

Life Of A Modern-Day Muleskinner: Starring In Movies & Beer Ads And Guiding Hunts
As modern-day muleskinners, Randy and Alesha Melton said their mules’ film career started with a commercial for Coors. Their latest movie was “Horizon” with Kevin Costner. They also appeared on "Killer of the Flower Moon," and “The Last of Us."
Jackie DorothyAugust 02, 2026
Chugwater's Igloo House Is Earthquake Proof, Fire Resistant And Can Withstand Tornadoes, Owner Says
That igloo-like structure near Chugwater is a monolithic dome house. It’s been pummeled by hailstorms without a scratch, can stay warm even in the harshest of winters and they claim it could stand-up to a tornado.
Kevin KilloughAugust 02, 2026

Whoopup Canyon Has One Of The Oldest And Largest Petroglyph Sites In North America
One of the most extraordinary petroglyph sites in North America is hidden away in a secret spot near Newcastle, Wyoming. The petroglyphs of Whoopup Canyon depicted in 150 sandstone panels are between 3,000 and 10,500 years old. Access is extremely limited.
Andrew RossiAugust 02, 2026

How A Cheyenne Man Trademarked The Famous Hollywood Sign Because He Was In Love
As a young man, Cheyenne native George Wienbarg figured out how to trademark the famous Hollywood sign in L.A. He did that because he fell in love with a Korean fashion student and promised to make her line of clothing famous by associating it with that sign. And he has all the receipts....
Renée JeanAugust 02, 2026
Why Texas Turned To Casper Scottsdale Mint To Produce Gold, Silver Coins
As the first state to authorize official commemorative coins and have a depository for precious metals, the State of Texas turned to Casper's Scottsdale Mint to produce gold and silver coins. They chose Casper because it rivals the quality of the U.S. Mint.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 02, 2026
After Losing Their Dad, Wyoming Kids Help Heal Their Heartbreak On Horseback
After their father's death last fall, Aden and Evelyn Waller spent four days riding horses, creating art and connecting with other grieving children at a Casper camp designed to help kids heal after loss. "Horses don't judge," said one counselor.
Kolby FedoreAugust 02, 2026

Searchers Optimistic They'll Find Uden Bodies In Barrels At Bottom Of Fremont Lake
Searchers are optimistic that the barrel and a trash can they found two weeks ago at the bottom of Fremont Lake contain the bodies of a young mother and her two sons murdered by notorious killer Gerald Uden. Their next step is to recover the barrels.
Jen KocherAugust 02, 2026

‘This Is Genuinely Serious’: Race On To Contain Wildfire That Closed Devils Tower
Devils Tower National Monument continues to be closed as a wildfire burning just southwest of the monument’s boundary has so far consumed nearly 300 acres without containment. “This is genuinely serious,” observed a nearby camper.
Greg JohnsonAugust 02, 2026

How "Wire Winders" Roll Up Old Fencing Quickly, Keep Wildlife From Getting Tangled
With countless miles of rusty old fences threatening wildlife across Wyoming, conservationists say devices called wire winders are a game changer. They can roll up a half-mile of old fence in two minutes, a task that would take a half-day by hand,
Mark HeinzAugust 02, 2026

Bill Sniffin: Can Megan Overtake Barlow? Or Can Bien Overtake The Two Leaders?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Barlow touts his polls as showing him with a comfortable lead. Degenfelder says her polls show her doing just fine, and she is pleased with where she stands. Bien was unavailable for comment, so we were unable to ask him about his polling."
Bill SniffinAugust 01, 2026

Joan Barron: Is A GOP Sea Change On The Way?
Joan Barron writes, “Degenfelder, the current State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was endorsed twice by President Donald Trump. That endorsement did not help her with this group of Republican Central Committee members."
Joan BarronAugust 01, 2026

As Wyoming's Prime Trout Waters Heat Up, Anglers Urged To Quit Casting After Noon
Summer heat has sent water temperatures soaring above 70 degrees in some of Wyoming's prime trout fishing waters, so Game and Fish is urging anglers to quit before noon. When it gets that hot, catch-and-release fishing stress and can kill trout.
Mark HeinzAugust 01, 2026

How A Saratoga Woman Built An International Western Fashion Brand From Her Bedroom
A Saratoga woman was determined to remain a stay-at-home mom, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t build an international Western fashion brand. Her business Pure Dixie started in a 150-square-foot bedroom, now takes up two warehouses and continues to grow.
Renée JeanAugust 01, 2026

Cowboy John's Hole-In-The-Wall Antiques Is A Western Time Capsule In Meeteetse
From Dillinger’s death mask to items owned by Buffalo Bill, “Cowboy” John Fremlin collects relics for his Hole-in-the-Wall Antique Store in Meeteetse that speak to him and have a story to tell. "I select items that have the 'wow' factor," Fremlin says.
Jackie DorothyAugust 01, 2026

Neighbors Rally Against Planned 95-Unit Apartment Complex Near Laramie Greenbelt
Opponents of a proposed 80-to-95-unit apartment complex along the Laramie Greenbelt say it will push floodwaters toward a historic neighborhood and ruin wildlife habitat. The city says "that isn't a major concern" and housing needs are urgent.
Mark HeinzAugust 01, 2026

Lander Man Keeps Building Benches For Community And Thieves Keep Stealing Them
After the first two benches he built were stolen, a Lander man is giving it a third attempt. He's built yet another wooden bench and gave it to his neighbors so they can enjoy the iconic views of the popular Tomato Loop hiking trail. "Third time's the charm," he said.
Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2026

‘I Didn't Want To Die In This Car’: Trapped In Flood, Journalist Almost Became The Story
Kerry Drake was planning a quick trip to Colorado on the evening of Aug. 1, 1985, when he was suddenly trapped in his car by rising floodwaters in Cheyenne. "My car was literally floating down the street, and I had no control over its movement," he writes.
Kerry DrakeAugust 01, 2026

Cody's Wayfarer's Chapel: A Peaceful Place To Worship, But Bring Your Bear Spray
The Wayfarer’s Chapel is a sacred spot to worship on the Shoshone National Forest between Cody and Yellowstone. It’s also one of the only chapels where you should bring bear spray. “We had a grizzly stroll through a Father’s Day service," the reverend said.
Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2026

T Diamond Ranch, Legacy Black Hills Spread, Hits Wyoming Market For $5 Million
Another of Wyoming’s legacy ranches is hitting the market after nearly a century of stewardship. The T Diamond Ranch in Crook County comes with a 7,500-square-foot mansion, trout streams, scenic red bluffs, and a front-row seat to the Black Hills.
Renée JeanAugust 01, 2026

South Pass City Saloon's Piano Man Has Entertained Gold Rush Visitors Since 1974
John Mionczynski has entertained patrons of the South Pass City Saloon since 1974, when the state resurrected the gold-rush town. Watching him play a flawless rendition of “The Entertainer," one would never guess that once he couldn’t use his fingers at all.
Renée JeanAugust 01, 2026
