Headlines
Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.
News
Boyfriend Of Missing Gillette Woman Irene Gakwa Set For Prison Release
The boyfriend of Irene Gakwa, a Gillette nursing student missing for three years, is set to be released from prison this month. Nathan Hightman drained her accounts after she disappeared and remains a “person of interest” in the case.
Jen KocherMarch 15, 2025
Joan Barron: More Wyoming Women Should Run For Election
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The three senior women Senate leaders to watch are Tara Nethercott, a Cheyenne lawyer and majority floor leader; Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, a Torrington rancher; and Wendy Schuler, a retired Evanston teacher."
Joan BarronMarch 15, 2025
Bill Sniffin: The World Says Good-Bye To A Giant – Big Al Simpson’s Style Will Rarely Be Seen Again
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The biggest news story I ever wrote was done working closely with Big Al. In 1990, a Lander gal named Midge Olson told me her husband died of cancer caused by working in the uranium mines. His body was so radioactive, grass would not grow on his grave."
Bill SniffinMarch 15, 2025
Crews With Trucks And Chainsaws Have Begun Months-Long Process Of Clearing Yellowstone Roads
Construction vehicles outfitted with snowplows and blowers have started the months-long process of clearing roads in Yellowstone National Park. Crews also use chainsaws and avalanches to move massive amounts of snow.
Andrew RossiMarch 15, 2025
Utah To Become First State To Ban Fluoride In Drinking Water
While Wyoming hasn’t passed a statewide ban on adding fluoride to tap water, some communities like Casper, Evanston, and Thermopolis have enacted their own. Utah voted this month to eliminate fluoride in drinking water, the first statewide ban in the nation.
David MadisonMarch 15, 2025
Too Young To Drive? Not If You’re A Wyoming Farm Kid
Wyoming is one of nine states that still issues “hardship” driver’s licenses to 14-year-old ranch kids. But in reality, growing up rural in the Cowboy State means most farm and ranch kids have already been driving for years by then.
Zakary SonntagMarch 15, 2025
Westbound Green River Tunnel May Not Reopen Until Next Winter
It’s been more than a month since a devastating 26-vehicle Valentine’s Day crash killed three people in the Green River Tunnel on westbound Interstate 80. The Wyoming Department of Transportation says it will take months to repair and hopes to have it open by next winter.
Greg JohnsonMarch 15, 2025
The American West: Susan Magoffin on the Santa Fe Trail
Samuel Magoffin was an experienced trader who used the Santa Fe trail when he set off in June of 1846 with fourteen big wagons, each one pulled by six yoke of oxen. His young wife, on the other hand, had no clue what was in store for her on the trail.
March 15, 2025
Gordon Vetoes Bill Making New Attempt To Ban Abortion In Wyoming
Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill on Friday that attempted a new approach at banning abortion in Wyoming. Gordon said he vetoed the bill because it would add further confusion to Wyoming’s abortion bans that are being considered in court.
Leo WolfsonMarch 15, 2025
The Roundup: A Conversation With Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson
This week, host Wendy Corr chats with Cowboy State Daily politics reporter Leo Wolfson. Leo shares his observations on the 2025 legislative session and what it will for Wyomingites.
Wendy CorrMarch 15, 2025
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso Joins Jake Nichols To Discuss Al Simpson's Legacy
U.S. Sen. John Barrasso on Friday morning joined Cowboy State Daily radio host Jake Nichols to discuss the passing of former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson and what Simpson meant to Wyoming.
March 15, 2025
Democrats Blink: Barrasso, GOP Win Shutdown Standoff
U.S. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso dared Senate Democrats this week to block an emergency bill to fund the government. In the end, ten Democrats joined with Republicans and a midnight shutdown was averted.
Sean BarryMarch 14, 2025
Ski-Lift Accident Kills Montana Skier But Experts Say Fatalities Are Rare
A Billings skier died earlier this week after he fell out of a ski chair lift in Red Lodge, Montana. One expert told Cowboy State Daily that although accidents do happen, statistics show "chairlift fatalities are very, very, very rare."
Clair McFarlandMarch 14, 2025
Congress Passes HALT Fentanyl Act, Barrasso Says Law Will Cripple Cartels
Congress passed a bill Friday cracking down on fentanyl trafficking — legislation that U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said will cripple cartels smuggling the drug into the country. “They’re running scared," he said. "Now is the time to turn up the heat."
Sean BarryMarch 14, 2025
Jonathan Lange: The Weston County Clerk’s False Filing Cannot Be Ignored
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Clerk Hadlock has had more than four months to explain to the public how her false report of November 6, 2024, was not willfully false. Now the ball is in Governor Gordon’s court."
Jonathan LangeMarch 14, 2025
Dennis Sun: The Volatile Egg Industry
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "With egg prices at a record high and rising, multiple management methods are at work to try to solve the issue of low egg supplies. However, high egg prices are not entirely due to highly pathogenic avian influenza."
Dennis SunMarch 14, 2025
'Bitcoin Billionaire' Wanted In All 50 States After Friend Pays, Loses $50K Bond
Investigators say a man who cast himself as a ‘bitcoin billionaire’ during a Jackson Hole spending spree was committing fraud. He skipped court this week - after convincing a friend to pay his $50,000 cash bond. Kevin Segal is now wanted in all 50 states.
Clair McFarlandMarch 14, 2025
AG's Office Says Gillette Judge Didn't Break Rules By Holding Public Defender In Contempt
The judge who fined a public defender $100 and ordered him to write an apology letter for being late says he followed the rules in doing so. The public defender quit after paying the fine and writing the letter.
Clair McFarlandMarch 14, 2025
Well-Known Bear Likely First Grizzly Caught On Video This Year, Near West Yellowstone
Photographers believe the grizzly seen ambling past a trail camera on Thursday night in Yellowstone is the same huge male that is often one of the first bears to make an appearance each spring.
Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2025
Gun Advocates Praise Study Showing Citizens Stop More Mass Shooters Than Police
Wyoming gun rights advocate Mark Jones told Cowboy State Daily that a new study showing armed citizens stopped more active shootings than police proved Wyoming was right to repeal gun-free zones.
Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2025
World, Wyoming Delegation Mourns Al Simpson’s Death
People from around Wyoming and the world expressed their condolences over the passing of former Wyoming U.S. Senator Al Simpson, who died Friday morning. His wife Ann told Sen. Barrasso that it was a full moon and “Al went to heaven on a moonbeam.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025
Casper Man Pleads Not Guilty To Charges From January Stabbing
A 71-year-old Casper man pleaded not guilty Friday to three charges stemming from a January stabbing at his apartment. He allegedly told police one of the stabbings was an accident.
Dale KillingbeckMarch 14, 2025
Rob Wallace: Al Simpson -- A Wyoming Kid Who Conquered The World
Guest columnist Rob Wallace writes of a photo in Al Simpson's room: "In the front row looking directly at Al were presidents Trump, Bush, Obama, Carter, and Clinton all laughing uncontrollably at something he had just said. It was the perfect memory of a kid from Wyoming who conquered the world."
CSD StaffMarch 14, 2025
Former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Al Simpson Dies At 93, Remembered As Gentle Giant
Former U.S. Sen. Alan K. Simpson died early Friday morning at the age of 93, leaving a legacy of a man who transcended Wyoming culture and politics. Standing 6-foot-7, he’s remembered by friends and colleagues as a gentle statesman who truly served Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025