Headlines

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

Letter To The Editor: Public Lands Made Me a Hunter. Wyoming Should Lead in Protecting Them.

Dear editor: I urge legislators in both chambers to support SJ0009. It honors Wyoming’s sporting traditions, supports working landscapes, and keeps public lands available to the people who rely on them today and the generations riding in behind us.

February 18, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Rebecca Bextel Should Be Banned

Dear Editor: Does it really surprise anyone (anyone!) that it is Rebecca Bextel who perpetrated one of the most categorically shameless stunts ever to hit the Wyoming legislative chamber?

CSD StaffFebruary 18, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Seventeen Years Without Change — Wyoming’s Retirees Are Feeling It

Dear editor: For more than 17 years, Wyoming state retirees have gone without a single increase to their retirement. In that time, the cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and especially healthcare has steadily climbed.

February 18, 2026

Former Wyoming Rep. James Byrd Announces Run For U.S. Senate

Former Democratic state Rep. James Byrd could square off against U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman for a U.S. Senate seat, if both win in their primary elections.

Kate MeadowsFebruary 18, 2026

Return Of Winter Leads To Multiple Crashes On Wyoming's Highways

A return of winter led to multi-vehicle crashes and several semitrailer blow-overs across Wyoming on Tuesday. The Wyoming Highway Patrol was busy responding to multiple crashes involving 16-20 vehicles with confirmed injuries.

Andrew RossiFebruary 18, 2026

Rocky, a Labrador-boxer mix, escaped his harness during a walk near the mountain town of Montezuma, Colorado, on Dec. 28. He was rescued last week, having survived alone for 43 days in subzero nights and wolf territory.

Dog Rescued After 43 Days Lost In The Colorado Rockies

Rocky, a Labrador-boxer mix, survived alone for 43 days in subzero nights in the Colorado mountains after escaping from his harness on a walk. “He’s a survivor,” said the rescuer. “He went from 50 pounds down to 26 pounds. He went against all the odds.”

Andrew RossiFebruary 18, 2026

In response to what's become known as "CheckGate," Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday banned campaign contributions on state property. So did the Senate in areas it controls. Meanwhile, the state's top election official, Chuck Gray, remains silent on the controversy.

Gordon Bans Campaign Donations On State Property, Chuck Gray Silent

Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday banned campaign contributions on state property. So did the Senate, in areas it controls, in response to the "CheckGate" controversy. Meanwhile, the state's top election official, Chuck Gray, remains silent on the controversy.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2026

Committee OKs Bill To Keep Some Landowners From Claiming All Hunting Tags

Landowners won’t be able to claim all the tags in certain big game hunting areas under a bill a legislative committee forwarded to the Wyoming Senate floor on Tuesday.

Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2026

"Ain't Nobody Stabbing Nobody": Wyoming House, Senate Battle Tuesday Over Budget

The Wyoming Senate voted Tuesday to restore the governor's $11 billion budget, but the House voted against it. Things got heated when Rep. Mike Yin said budget-planners stabbed agencies they disliked. "Ain't nobody stabbing nobody," House Speaker Chip Neiman said.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026

Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day says it's going to be a busy week.

Beggars Can't Be Choosers: Snow On The Way, Not Great But Better Than Nothing

Meteorologists aren’t seeing a persistent trend yet, but they see this week of winter weather as a promising sign. And after the winter season so far, beggars can’t be choosers. “The next several days are going to be very busy,” said meteorologist Don Day

Andrew RossiFebruary 17, 2026

Beth Butler, a Converse County cattle rancher with a background in petroleum remediation, told the committee she supports the bill but wants to preserve the option of using wastewater for hydrogen production.

Wyoming Lawmakers Move To Ban “Destruction” Of Water For Hydrogen Production

A bill born from the fight over a controversial Converse County wind and hydrogen project passed the House Ag Committee 8-1 on Tuesday. The legislation could impact its sister project in Niobrara County — and any future effort to split Wyoming water into fuel.

David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026

CheckGate Committee Votes To Pause Investigation Because Of Sheriff's Involvement

The chair of the Wyoming legislative committee investigating the check-passing controversy that unfolded last week told his colleagues Tuesday the committee wants to pause its work – because the local sheriff's office has undertaken its own investigation.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2026

Wyoming Wants To Do What No Other State Has Done: Take Over Federal Mineral Leasing

The Wyoming Senate is advancing a first-of-its-kind resolution asking Congress to let the state run the federal mineral leasing program within its borders. Even supporters acknowledge it's a heavy lift.

David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026

The legendary Wyoming Range mule deer herd was starving and freezing during the brutal winter of 2022-2023. With this year’s mild winter, the deer are getting chunky.

Wyoming Mule Deer Fat And Happy Now But Biologists Say Snowfall Is Needed

Unlike the winter of 2022-2023, when mule deer were starving and dying by the thousands in Wyoming, this year the herd is looking quite healthy. “The deer are fat. They look awesome,” said avid hunter and deer conservationist Zachary Key of La Barge.

Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Tuesday, February 17, 2026

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

Jake NicholsFebruary 17, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Tuesday, February 16, 2026

Tuesday's headlines include: * Senate Forwards Bill Rescuing Biz Council * Former Lawmakers Angered Over Check-Gate * Gordon Says Jonah Field Ruling Is “Direct Assault” On Wyo

Mac WatsonFebruary 17, 2026

Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell testifies Monday for the Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee.

Senate Committee Advances Bill To 'Freeze,' Rebuild Wyoming Business Council

The state Senate advanced a bill Monday that would rescue the Wyoming Business Council by rebuilding the controversial agency. It also would freeze its work while lawmakers and others reevaluate the council.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026

Montana Cowgirl Recovers Stolen Trailer, 'Will Never Stop Looking' For Saddles

Montana bronc rider Brittany Miller recovered her stolen horse trailer and some of her custom-made equipment after it was stolen Jan. 31. Now, she hopes her social media posts and anonymous tips will help her recover the rest of her stolen gear.

Andrew RossiFebruary 17, 2026

Young Driver Saved By Life360 App After Hitting A Cow In Sheridan County

First responders saved a young driver after he hit a cow on a dark Sheridan County road Friday night. They were alerted to the crash by the Life360 app, which sent an emergency alert to the driver's parents and first responders.

Andrew RossiFebruary 17, 2026

Future Of Wyoming’s Derecho Supercomputer Uncertain Amid Management Change

The future of Wyoming’s Derecho supercomputer is uncertain after the National Science Foundation announced plans to shift operations to a third party, leaving state and university leaders seeking to preserve its local role.

Renée JeanFebruary 17, 2026

Dave Simpson: Laramie County Sheriff Enters 'CheckGate' Scandal

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Laramie County's sheriff might have to open a satellite office at the Capitol, with 93 lawmakers, receiving campaign donations from long lists of folks, and each lawmaker casting multiple votes on hundreds of bills each session.”

Dave SimpsonFebruary 16, 2026

Guest Column: Respect For The People’s House

State Sen. Ed Cooper writes, "Wyoming is plagued by money from unknown sources. In 2024, a lot of our good, thoughtful legislators came under attack with lies peddled by out of state groups and their dark money donors. Many of those legislators lost their seats."

Guest ColumnFebruary 16, 2026

15 Child Porn Charges For Casper Man On Parole For Having Child Porn

A 61-year-old Casper man on parole for possessing child pornography is behind bars again, accused of having a secret cellphone with hundreds of depictions of violent sex acts with children. He said he had an addiction to adult porn, then “got curious.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2026

Heidi Kennedy testifies at the Senate Labor Committee Meeting on Bill SF0057 - Transparency in hospital service pricing.

Wyoming Senators Advance Hospital Price Transparency Bill To Curb Sticker Shock

After a 46-year-old Gillette man suffered a stroke while driving a truck in the oil fields, he faced a $300,000 medical debt. And then came the other bills for therapy. But no pricing was available at the hospital. A bill was advanced Monday requiring it.

David MadisonFebruary 16, 2026

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