Headlines

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

A Casper radiologist and adrenaline junkie who’s climbed the tallest peaks on six of the world’s seven continents took on the brutal Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon last week. It starts with a grueling swim from The Rock to San Francisco — twice.

Casper Man Tackles Brutal Alcatraz Triathlon For 8th Time, Sets Personal Swim Best

Casper radiologist Dr. Joe McGinley last week took on the brutal Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon for his eighth time. At age 51, McGinley finished in the top half of the field for all ages involved and set a personal best in the icy swim across the bay.

Dale KillingbeckJune 13, 2026

Ken Wige holds a pistol in a holster that he took out of the Colorado River. He estimates it was there at least 10 years. Divers who plunge the depths of the Colorado River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir find all kinds of treasure, from Old West six-shooters to cellphones. One woman burst into tears when given her phone back that had her grandchild’s birth video on it.

Six-Shooters And Cellphones: Divers Find All Kinds Of Treasure In Colorado River

Divers who plunge the depths of the Colorado River and Flaming Gorge Reservoir find all kinds of treasure, from antique six-shooters to cellphones. One woman burst into tears when given her phone back that had her grandchild’s birth video on it.

Dale KillingbeckJune 13, 2026

When Iranian forces brought down a U.S. Army helicopter Monday, Dillon Jackson’s reaction wasn't shock so much as recognition. “There’s a lot of ways that could have gone differently,” said the Kemmerer native, who spent 22 years flying Navy helicopters.

Wyoming Navy Pilot Flew Missions Over Strait Of Hormuz, Now Watches War From Home

Dillon Jackson, a Kemmerer native, spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy flying helicopters over some of the world’s most volatile waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz. “The thing most people don’t understand is just how narrow it is," Jackson said.

Zakary SonntagJune 13, 2026

Up To 2,600 Pounds Each, Powder River Percherons Are Huge At Wyoming Parades

Anyone who’s been to a parade in Wyoming in the past 25 years knows the Powder River Percherons, teams of dapple-gray draft horses that tower over crowds. Also called the "war horse of France," they're 2,600 pounds each and 6 feet tall at the withers.

Renée JeanJune 13, 2026

David and Jennifer Sinclar were leaving a gas station in Canada when the tow base plate on their RV broke. A video of them dragging their Chevy Colorado's bumper down the road has gone viral.

Oh No! Full-Time RV Couple Lose Truck When Front Bumper Tears Off While Towed

Longtime Yellowstone RV travelers David and Jennifer Sinclair were leaving a gas station in Canada when the front bumper of their truck tore off while being towed. A video of them dragging the bumper down the road has been viewed millions of times.

Andrew RossiJune 13, 2026

A health expert said Friday that closing rural Wyoming hospitals is “an economic earthquake” in a rural state that already has huge holes in its access to health care. Six Wyoming hospitals are at risk of closure, including three within three years.

Six Wyoming Hospitals Are At Risk Of Closure, Wyoming Health Official Warns

At a healthcare summit in Laramie on Friday, one health official said six Wyoming hospitals are at risk of closure. Natrona Collective Health Trust CEO Beth Worthen said closing rural Wyoming hospitals would be “an economic earthquake."

Kerry DrakeJune 13, 2026

Sandy and Jack Crawford say they’ve been essentially homeless a chimney fire damaged their house near Laramie in February 2025.

Couple Says Insurance Company’s Mishandling Of Fire Claim Has Made Them Homeless

An Albany County couple who lost most of their possessions in a fire that left their house unlivable say that their insurance company’s mishandling of the situation has left them essentially homeless for nearly a year and a half.

Mark HeinzJune 13, 2026

Jonathan Lange: It’s Time to Repeal Wyoming’s Surrogacy Law

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “Every child has the right to his or her own parents. Full stop. Adults do not have any right to purchase children - whether the parents are consenting or not.”

Jonathan LangeJune 12, 2026

Dennis Sun: Beef, It’s What Consumers Want

Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "All the buzz this week is about cattle, beef products and how New World screwworm being found in Texas and New Mexico may impact the price of meat, especially beef."

Dennis SunJune 12, 2026

NOAA Officially Declares El Niño Is Here, Don Day Still Ain't Buying It Yet

NOAA and the National Weather Service have officially declared an El Niño has formed, which could mean more of what Wyoming doesn’t need — warmer, drier conditions. Wyoming meteorologist Don Day says he still ain’t buying it yet calling predictions "clickbait."

Andrew RossiJune 12, 2026

Wyoming doesn’t charge sales taxes on large data center equipment purchases because lawmakers in 2010 wanted to compete with Texas to attract a major tech company’s project. Then, there were four data centers in the state, now there are 31 and counting.

Here's Why Wyoming Gives Tax Breaks To Huge Data Centers

Pro-economic development legislators pushed through a popular tax break for huge data centers in 2010. A rogue Republican tried to undo it in 2021, but his GOP colleagues, industry advocates, and economic development agencies opposed him.

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Big Horn County Sheriff and green sign 4 10 26

Case Advances Against Greybull Woman Charged With Taking $155K From Elderly Parents

A Greybull woman accused of siphoning more than $155,000 from her elderly parents over the course of a decade advanced Wednesday to felony-level District Court. She could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Kolby FedoreJune 12, 2026

Car Dealer Faces 15 Felonies In Alleged $2 Million Resale Of Hail-Damaged Cars

A Utah car dealer is facing 15 Wyoming felony charges for the alleged attempted illegal resale of nearly $2 million worth of hail-damaged vehicles. Investigators describe a trail of alleged forged signatures, fake notary stamps and dead vehicle owners.

Kolby FedoreJune 12, 2026

A demonstration outside a clinic that performs abortions in Casper, Wyoming, in a 2023 file photo.

Judge Strikes Down Another Set Of Wyoming’s Abortion Restrictions

A retired Wyoming judge on Friday struck down three state-level abortion laws, including one requiring abortion clinics be licensed as surgical centers. He said the pro-choice group challenging the laws provided evidence “that abortion is inherently safe.”

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Sgt. Zach Burns remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times by a suspect in Baggs on Monday. “It wasn’t a good thing that happened, but it was a great thing” in how people reacted, the mayor said, which was “like heroes.”

Deputy Shot In Baggs Saved By Quick-Acting Residents

Sgt. Zach Burns remains in critical condition after being shot multiple times by a gunman in Baggs on Monday. “It wasn’t a good thing that happened, but it was a great thing” in how people reacted, the mayor said, which was “like heroes.”

Greg JohnsonJune 12, 2026

Investigation Launched In Graphic Coyote Torture Video Allegedly Shot In Wyoming

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is investigating a graphic video where an alleged Wyoming man tortures a seemingly wounded coyote. The video shows a man grabbing the coyote by its tail and then tossing, kicking, stabbing, and taunting the animal.

Mark HeinzJune 12, 2026

Developer Puts Massive 5,600-Worker Cheyenne Man Camp On Hold, Looks For New Site

A proposed 5,600-worker man camp south of Cheyenne that would have been larger than 84 Wyoming cities and towns has been put on hold after weeks of community backlash. The developer says it's still “desperately needed” and is looking for a new site.

Renée JeanJune 12, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, June 12, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJune 12, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, June 12, 2026

Friday's headlines include: * Kayaker Dead In Lake Yellowstone * Custer Bison Escapes Death Penalty * Wyo Tax Board Says Cap Is Unconstitutional

Mac WatsonJune 12, 2026

Wyoming Tax Board Says 4% Cap On Property Tax Is Unconstitutional, Won't Accept It

Wyoming’s state-level property tax board told counties on Thursday that a 4% cap on yearly increases in residential property taxes is unconstitutional and it will refuse to certify this year's property tax assessment figures if the cap remains.

Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Rod Miller: Backtracking Part Two - Blood and Heat At The ID Ranch

Columnist Rod Miller writes: "So I took my family (the blood) and Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken (the heat), to the old ranch country where I expect my kids to scatter my ashes. Here’s what went down."

Rod MillerJune 11, 2026

Grizzly 122, The Boss, is pictured here last fall in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. This spring, he managed to slip out of his radio tracking collar, and nobody knows where he is.

Canada’s Favorite 700-Pound Grizzly ‘The Boss’ Rips Off Tracking Collar

Canada’s favorite grizzly, a 700-pound monster called The Boss, has lived a storied life, brawling with other males and surviving getting hit by a train. His latest stunt was removing an electronic tracking collar that wildlife agents had just put on him.

Mark HeinzJune 11, 2026

Letter To The Editor: An Opportunity Postponed Is An Opportunity Lost

Dear editor: I spoke before the Cheyenne City Council to oppose the proposed 12-month moratorium on new data center construction and am writing today to thank the council for its wise decision to vote it down.

June 11, 2026

The first job for Union Pacific’s new Trump-themed locomotive No. 4547 was carrying parts of the Artemis III rocket. It rolled through Wyoming without much notice last week.

New Trump Locomotive No. 4547 Rolls Through Wyoming Carrying Artemis III Rocket

The first job for Union Pacific’s new Trump-themed locomotive No. 4547 took it through Wyoming carrying the Artemis III rocket. Nobody except railroad watchers noticed. “They were just these weird-looking, covered capsule-looking things,” one said.

Renée JeanJune 11, 2026

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