Headlines

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

Wildfire burns overnight in northern Wyoming, forcing evacuations and putting others on notice of possible evacuations.

Evacuations, Road Closures As Wildfires Blow Up Across Northern Wyoming

Hot, windy and dry conditions have conspired to blow up new and existing wildfires across northern and central Wyoming. The fires have also prompted evacuations and closures of parts of Interstates 90 and 25.

Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Thursday, August 22, 2024

Thursday's headlines include: - Huge Shakeup For Wyoming Coal - Mudslinging Pays Off In Primary Election - Where Do Wind Turbine Blades Go When They Die?

Wendy CorrAugust 22, 2024

Voters at the Storey Gym in Cheyenne on primary day, Aug. 20, 2024.

Mudslinging Was A Theme Of The Wyoming Primary, And It Seems To Have Paid Off

Negative and vicious campaigning was a theme leading up to Tuesday’s Wyoming primary. But the results show mudslinging has seemed to pay off with success at the ballot box.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

The Horse Draw Fire in Johnson County flared up Wednesday, forcing a closure of Interstate 90 and evacuations. In this still shot from a short video posted by YouTube user @bec4337, huge plumes of smoke are ahead as cars are stranded on a closed I-90.

Northern Wyoming Wildfire Spreads To 5,000-Plus Acres, Forces Evacuations

A wildfire spread to more than 5,000 acres Wednesday, forcing about 10 Johnson County families to evacuate. It’s also shut down I-90 between Buffalo and Gillette.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

This GMC Yukon that sits crashed and abandoned in rugged terrain off Highway 14-16-20 in northwest Wyoming sparked a lot of speculation. Truth is, a suspected drunk driver left it there.

She Claimed Carjackers Got Her SUV Stuck, And It’s Been There For 2 Months

More than two months after an allegedly drunk woman claimed carjackers got her SUV stuck off Highway 14/16/20, it’s about to be recovered. But it’s going to be a bear of a job, requiring two wreckers and a crew of at least five.

Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2024

Six times in the past four months, an arrangement of dead animals has been left at the intersetion of South Greeley Highway and East Nation Road in Cheyenne.

“We Don’t Get It”: Someone Keeps Arranging Dead Animals At Cheyenne Intersection

Six times in the past four months, someone has arranged dead animals at Cheyenne intersection. The carcasses are all intact and seem to be purposely left. “It’s certainly bizarre,” an Animal Control officer says. “We don’t get it either.”

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

In the early afternoon in Laramie, turnout was pretty low at Laramie High School. But turnout at this polling place usually hits its peak after people get off work.

Low Turnout Could Be Why All The Close Wyoming Primary Races And Upsets

One of the major takeaways from Tuesday’s Wyoming primary election is the number of close races and upsets. One reason for that could be low voter turnout.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Tom Lubnau: Identifying The Techniques Politicians Use To Dodge Tough Questions

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Since the primary election is over, we should evaluate the political deflection techniques used by candidates in the heat of the election. A deflection technique is a way to redirect attention away from the real topic."

Tom LubnauAugust 21, 2024

Most discussion about the plans for Hot Springs State Park have turned around what's happening to the Star Plunge, but the plan's scope is much larger than any one amenity.

Star Plunge Operator Claims Wyoming Agency Cheated It Out Of Lease Deal

The Thermopolis company that’s operated the Star Plunge hot springs for nearly 50 years is suing over losing its contract. It claims Wyoming State Parks cheated it in favor of a new concessionaire.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

A tanker hauling jet fuel crashed on Interstate 80 near Wamsutter early Wednesday morning, spilling about 1,500 gallons of fuel and shutting down the interstate for several hours.

Tanker Truck Rolls, Spills 1,500 Gallons Of Jet Fuel On Interstate 80

A tanker truck crashed into an occupied and parked car on I-80 overnight Tuesday, rolled and spilled about 1,500 gallons of jet fuel. Wamsutter fire plugged the leaks to prevent the rest of the tanker's 10,000 gallons from gushing out.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

Voting at Lusk North and Lusk South precincts Tuesday for the 2024 Niborara County Primary. In the county's highlight race, JD Williams won in a primary rematch with Allen Slagle.

JD Williams Scores Rematch Victory Over Allen Slagle In House District 2 Seat

After losing by 12 votes to Allen Slagle in the 2022 Republican primary, former House member JD Williams won Tuesday’s rematch. This time it wasn’t as close.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

A large coal shovel fills a haul truck at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine.

Huge Shakeup For Wyoming Coal: Arch To Merge, Peabody Sells 10% To Hedge Fund

In a huge shakeup for Wyoming's legacy coal industry, Arch announced a $5 billion merger Wednesday and a hedge fund has bought 10% of Peabody Energy. The companies represent more than half the coal production in the Powder River Basin.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

A wind turbine graveyard near Sweetwater, Texas.

Why Old Wind Turbine Blades Aren’t Being Buried In Landfills Anymore

Until a few years ago, it was common for old wind turbine blades to be discarded in local landfills. That’s not happening much anymore as landfills require them to be ground up “into really tiny pieces,” which is expensive.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

Rod Miller: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus Wins Some Big Pots

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "When the voters dealt the river card in Tuesday’s primary election, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus hit some inside straights and walked off with a lot of chips. All the bluffs and tells of the game were over."

Rod MillerAugust 21, 2024

Wyoming Freedom Caucus Has Huge Republican Primary, Could Gain 11 Seats

Tuesday’s Wyoming Republican Party was huge for the Freedom Caucus. Should candidates that align with the group win out in November, it could gain 11 seats in the Wyoming House.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Nan Gilbert, a Laramie County election judge, waits for voters to arrive at the David R. Romero Park polling center. She's been an election judge for 20 years in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Primary Roundup: Other Contested Races

Cowboy State Daily published stories about 18 of the most important contested races in Tuesday’s Wyoming primary. There were no contested Democratic races, making the primary all about the Republicans.

August 21, 2024

Charlie Scott won another primary on Tuesday, setting up for a 14th term in the Wyoming Legislature if he wins in November. Without a Democratic opponent, that seems likely.

Charlie Scott Beats Rob Hendry In Bid For 14th Term In Legislature

Charlie Scott, R-Casper, easily beat former Natrona County Commissioner Robert Hendry in Tuesday’s Republican primary. If he wins in November, it’ll be his 14th term in the Wyoming Legislature.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

Jayme Lien upset incumbent Tom Walters in Tuesday's primary.

Jayme Lien Stuns Incumbent Tom Walters in District 38 GOP Primary Upset

Challenger Jayme Lien stunned incumbent Tom Walters in the District 38 Wyoming House primary race Tuesday, denying him a seventh term.

Dale KillingbeckAugust 21, 2024

Scott Smith won his Republican primary on Tuesday. In the background, poll workers bring ballots in to the Niobrara County Courthouse Tuesday night after the polls close.

Goshen County GOP Gives Incumbent Smith Strong Support For House District 5

Incumbent Rep. Scott Smith won a second term representing House District 5 in Tuesday’s Republican primary. A member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, Smith beat out Jackie Van Mark.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

Ann Lucas upset longtime Cheyenne legislator Dan Zwonitzer in the Republican primary Tuesday.

Longtime Cheyenne Legislator Dan Zwonitzer Loses Bid For 11th Term In Office

Longtime state Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, was beaten by Freedom Caucus-endorsee Ann Lucas in his primary election Tuesday night. His run in the House ends at 10 terms.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Wednesday's headlines include: - House Speaker Albert Sommers Loses In Senate Race - Clark Stith, 3rd Highest Ranking Member of House, Beaten - Longest Serving Legislator In House Ousted By Unknown Opponent

Wendy CorrAugust 21, 2024

In a stunning defeat, Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers, who was first elected to the Legislature a dozen years ago, lost to Kemmerer resident Laura Taliaferro Pearson, who entered politics during the pandemic because of concerns over pandemic masking mandates.

Kemmerer Bus Driver Beats House Speaker Albert Sommers In Stunning Senate Race Upset

In a stunning defeat, Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers lost to Kemmerer resident Laura Taliaferro Pearson, in Senate District 14 which covers Sublette, Lincoln, Sweetwater and Uinta counties.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

State Rep. Ken Clouston, R-Gillette, left, and George Dunlap.

Ken Clouston Wins House District 32 Primary Over George Dunlap

In the most interesting race of the Campbell County Republican primary election, incumbent Ken Clouston beat George Dunlap.

Jen KocherAugust 21, 2024

State Rep. Crago Scores Win Over Rep. Mark Jennings In Senate Primary

In a race between two rival state House members vying for a State Senate seat, Rep. Barry Crago of Buffalo prevailed over Rep. Mark Jennings of Sheridan.

Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2024

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