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

Dennis Sun: America's Meat Products are the Best

Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "People are looking for healthy sources of protein more often, and meat is being recognized by consumers for its many benefits and all of the ways they can cook lamb, pork and beef."

Dennis SunApril 18, 2026

Attorney Says Chuck Gray Lost Privacy On Voter Info By Texting News Outlet

The Cheyenne attorney asking authorities to prosecute Chuck Gray for handing over voter information to the feds now says Gray lost attorney-client privacy by texting a news outlet. Gray calls the new allegation “more lunacy ... from a radical leftwing attorney."

Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2026

Fly-fishing guide Dustin White, left, and Ugly Bug Fly Shop owner Blake Jackson show off White’s Orvis Fly Fishing Guide of the Year Award.

Casper Angler Named World’s Best Fly-Fishing Guide By Orvis

Dustin White, a guide for the Ugly Bug Fly Shop in Casper, was named the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide of the Year, regarded in the industry as recognition of the best guide in the fly-fishing world. He said making people happy through his job is better than any award.

Mark HeinzApril 17, 2026

In their first interview Thursday since returning from a trip around the moon, the Artemis II astronaut and mission Commander Reid Wiseman credited their training at Wyoming-based NOLS for helping prepare for their mission. NASA has contracted NOLS for more than 45 wilderness expeditions.

Artemis II Astronauts Credit Wyoming-Based NOLS For Prepping Them For Moon Mission

In their first interview Thursday since returning from a trip around the moon, the Artemis II astronauts credited their training at Wyoming-based NOLS for helping prepare for their mission. NASA has contracted NOLS for more than 45 wilderness expeditions.

Kolby FedoreApril 17, 2026

‘Change Is Hard’: American Legion Baseball Officials Defend Combining Divisions

Wyoming American Legion Baseball officials say they’ve had “maybe even thousands” of texts, calls and emails about combining divisions into one 23-team league. “Change is hard,” they say, adding that it will increase competition and draw college scouts.

Andrew RossiApril 17, 2026

A female grizzly that was captured and moved from the Glacier National Park are to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem emerged with two cubs this month. Wildlife managers say it’s important step toward genetic exchange between northern Yellowstone bear populations.

Grizzly Transplanted To Yellowstone Has Cubs, Raising Hopes For Genetic Exchange

A female grizzly transplanted from near Glacier National Park to Yellowstone has emerged with two cubs, initiating genetic exchange between bear populations. Some say it’s not enough to impact the debate over delisting grizzlies from federal protection.

Mark HeinzApril 17, 2026

Opponents Say Turbines On Way To Turning Laramie Range Into A ‘Wyoming Wind Wall’

Opponents of a growing number of wind energy projects say they fear the Laramie Range is on its way to becoming a “Wyoming wind wall.” Supporters say the projects mean more than $40 million in annual lease payments for landowners and can be developed responsibly.

Kate MeadowsApril 17, 2026

Eight months after drawing two life sentences for killing two men at a Cheyenne coin shop in 2015, Douglas Mark Smith, 71, died in a Wyoming prison Thursday. Smith claimed he walked in on the killings, but was arrested in 2023 when his stories didn’t add up.

Cheyenne Coin Shop Killer Dies In Prison 8 Months After Getting 2 Life Sentences

Eight months after drawing two life sentences for killing two men at a Cheyenne coin shop in 2015, Douglas Smith died in a Wyoming prison Thursday. Smith claimed he walked in on the killings, but was arrested in 2023 when his stories didn’t add up.

Greg JohnsonApril 17, 2026

Wyoming U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner, left, and Iowa resident Michael “Mike” Leonard Cooley Jr.

Iowa Man Sued By Reid Rasner Admits Calling Him Names, Says It’s Protected Speech

An Iowa man being sued for defamation by Reid Rasner admits calling him names on social media, but says it’s protected free speech. Rasner’s lawsuit claims he called him a “pedo creep,” while Cooley says Rasner’s “a cookie-cutter Trump cutout.”

Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2026

Annual clearing of the Beartooth Highway has begun

Crews Battle 15-Foot Snowdrifts As Road-Clearing Begins On Beartooth Highway

Despite the warmer than normal winter, road crews are still battling 15-foot snowdrifts as the annual clearing of the Beartooth Highway begins. The 64-mile stretch of highway, with elevations reaching 10,947 feet, isn’t expected to open until May 22.

Andrew RossiApril 17, 2026

People ‘Freaking Out’ Over ‘Elkosaurus,’ Wheatland’s Sinclair Dino With Antlers

“Elkosaurus” started out as some harmless fun, but has turned into a selfie-trap along Interstate 25 in Wheatland. People are "freaking out about our little Elkosaurus,” says the manager of the Sinclair station about its green dinosaur with elk antlers.

Kolby FedoreApril 17, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, April 17, 2026

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

Jake NicholsApril 17, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, April 17, 2026

Friday's headlines include: * Missing Cody Man Found Dead * Harshman Runs For Education Chief * Who Is Shooting Dogs In Emblem, Wyo?

Mac WatsonApril 17, 2026

Former Speaker of the House Albert Sommers is running to reclaim the seat he occupied for House District 20.

Former House Speaker Albert Sommers Wants His Seat In The Legislature Back

Former House Speaker Albert Sommers is running to win back his Sublette County House District 20 seat. The Legislature needs “less political theater and theatrics,” he said about what he’s observed in Cheyenne the last two years.

Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2026

Christine Rodriguez appears via closed-circuit video in Natrona County Circuit Court on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Woman Charged With Stealing $200K From Special Olympics Has ‘Care And Love’ For Group

The Bar Nunn woman accused of stealing more than $200,000 from Special Olympics Wyoming has “care and love” for the group, her attorney says. “The victims in this case are the community’s most vulnerable,” the judge said during her first court appearance Thursday,

Kolby FedoreApril 16, 2026

Gordon Orders Agency To Start Food Welfare Program, Lawmaker Says 'Stay In Your Lane'

Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday ordered a state agency to start a new summertime food welfare program for students after lawmakers repeatedly rejected the $3 million endeavor. “Stay in your lane, governor,” Rep. Ken Pendergraft warned.

Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2026

Steve Harshman, Longest Serving House Member, Runs For Wyoming Schools Chief

Casper state Rep. Steve Harshman, the longest-serving Wyoming House member, is running for state superintendent of public instruction. "Bottom line, I love Wyoming schools and spent all my life in Wyoming schools," the longtime teacher and coach said.

Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2026

Scott Clem: We've Been Here Before — Wyoming's New Energy Moment

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "The question before us is not whether nuclear energy is perfect or risk free. The question is whether Wyoming will approach this moment with the same seriousness that allowed us to harness coal and build decades of prosperity."

Scott ClemApril 16, 2026

Cody Man Missing Since April 5 Found Dead In Parked Car At Airport

The body of Cody resident Shawn Hughes, who had been missing since Easter, was found on Thursday afternoon in a parked car at Yellowstone Regional Airport. “He was so full of life,” said his sister, adding that the family is in shock.

Jen KocherApril 16, 2026

Two manums of Chateau Lafite 1870 hit the auction block at Sotheby's on Friday, April 17, 2026, sending a buzz round the wine world. Both could go for more than $50,000, says Sydney Werry, sommolier at the Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga. They're part of a stash from Glamis Castle in Scottland considered the best in the world. Also in the auction is a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1865, far left, which isn't expected to fetch quite as much.

Brush Creek Ranch Sommelier: Ultra-Rare 1870 Wine Will Get More Than $50K At Auction

The sommelier at Wyoming’s 5-star Brush Creek Ranch says the Friday auction of two bottles of ultra-rare 1870 Chateau Lafite discovered in an ancient castle should get more than $50,000 each. “This wine is in the category of never-to-be-seen-again," she said.

Renée JeanApril 16, 2026

Rocco, a 6-year-old pit bull, with a pellet wound between his eyes after being shot in Emblem. The dog's owner, Tessa Walbert, said her dog was outside her home when he was shot by ".410 or a lower gauge" shotgun, resulting in this wound and several grazes from other pellets.

Owners Alarmed, Want Answers After Two Dogs Shot In Drive-Bys In Rural Wyoming

Residents in tiny Emblem, Wyoming, are alarmed and looking for answers after two dogs were shot in two days in drive-by incidents this past week. “He’s lucky to have a thick skull,” says the owner of a pit bull that took a shotgun blast to the face.

Andrew RossiApril 16, 2026

Elk on the beach are a common sight at Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Tourists Try To Ride Elk Which Are Taking Over Beaches In Coastal Oregon Town

As herds of elk have overtaken a beach in a small Oregon coastal town, tourists have tried to put their children on them to ride and others attempt to feed them carrots. “We have visitors who don't know elk are wild animals,” said the local chamber.

Mark HeinzApril 16, 2026

Many of this year’s Country Music Award nominees have played Jackson’s Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, continuing a legacy of being a favorite venue for up-and-coming stars and country music legends. That includes Entertainer of the Year nominee Ella Langley. She's pictured here performing at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson, Wyoming.

Ella Langley, Other CMA Nominees This Year Played Jackson’s Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Many of this year’s Country Music Award nominees, including Entertainer of the Year Ella Langley, have played Jackson’s Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. Not only is it a place for up-and-coming stars but country music legends keep coming back.

Kolby FedoreApril 16, 2026

A suspicious package left near Gate 1 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base on Thursday, April 16, 2026, prompted an evacuation of nearby homes and the Wyoming State Capitol. “They came in and whispered in the governor’s ear,” then cleared the building.

Suspicious Package Left At F.E. Warren Gate Prompts Evacuation, Including Capitol

A suspicious package left near Gate 1 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base on Thursday prompted an evacuation of nearby homes and the Wyoming State Capitol. “They came in and whispered in the governor’s ear,” then cleared the building, said a meeting attendee at the Capitol.

Greg JohnsonApril 16, 2026

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