Headlines

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

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, December 8, 2025

Monday's headlines include: * 2025 Grizzly Deaths * Wyo Rancher Saves Lions * Wyo Richest Town Doesn’t Exist

Mac WatsonDecember 08, 2025

Cassie Craven: City of Cheyenne - An Ode to Local Government

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “In an era of Wyoming politics, in which RINOS and Dems decry “local control” losses, are they really crying about their inability to run the table?”

Cassie CravenDecember 08, 2025

The first Christmas tree in Wyoming was put up in Deer Creek, near present-day Glenrock in 1859. Captain Raynolds read scriptures in English and Braeuninger preached the gospel in German. They sang hymns, enjoyed the Christmas tree and presented small gifts to Indians in attendance

Wyoming History: German Missionaries Put Up The First Christmas Tree In 1858

It was 167 years ago when Wyoming’s first Christmas tree was decorated with candles by German missionaries who had brought their traditions to the remote territory. From this, the tradition grew until nearly every home had a tree of its own.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

After moving from Oregon to Casper, sculptor Toby Wayne Larson found new inspiration in Wyoming’s wildlife. Using clay and fire, he creates animals like owls and horses into works that capture the spirit of the West.

Wyoming People: Wildlife Inspires Sculptor After Move To Casper

Toby Wayne Larson followed his wife, a fifth-generation Wyomingite, back home to Casper and began playing with sawdust and fire. "Coming from Oregon, I never saw any kind of animals like bison," he said. "And, man, these things are so beautiful and the power is incredible."

David MadisonDecember 08, 2025

Gail Symons: For The New GOP It's Loyalty Over Leadership

Columnist Gail Symons writes, "It's laughable that the current leaders of the state Republican Party, fused with their Freedom Caucus cohorts, blather about the so-called old guard. In over 50 years, I have not seen the level of cronyism that these folks have institutionalized."

Gail SymonsDecember 08, 2025

Nobody knows when or how "Infrastructure Spring" appeared in Yellowstone's West Thumb Geyser Basin, but it's one of the most unique thermal features in the park. The water that created the mudpot flows through old pipes.

Old Yellowstone Pipes Taken Over By Mysterious Spring To Feed A Bubbling Mudpot

Every thermal feature in Yellowstone has a natural system of subterranean "plumbing" that feeds water and steam to the surface. "Infrastructure Spring" is unique in that it has claimed human plumbing into its own system.

Andrew RossiDecember 08, 2025

Warren “Bud” Wittstruck was a Cheyenne stonemason and artist whose hand-carved monuments and historic markers are works of art. His craftsmanship left a legacy etched in stone long before technology replaced his craft.

Cheyenne Stonemason's Hand-Carved Monuments Are Etched Deep Across Wyoming

Warren “Bud” Wittstruck was a Cheyenne stonemason and artist whose hand-carved monuments and historic markers all across Wyoming are works of art. His craftsmanship left a legacy etched in stone long before technology replaced his craft.

Jackie DorothyDecember 08, 2025

Frontier Brewing Company and Taproom’s closure in Casper comes amid a national downturn in alcohol consumption, with Gen Z getting “sober curious.” The health movement could be a challenge for Wyoming breweries.

Frontier Brewing Co. In Casper Closes, Could Be A Sign Of Gen Z Just Not Drinking

Saturday was the last day of operation for Frontier Brewing Company and Taproom in downtown Casper, one of the city’s first craft breweries. Co-owner Shawn Houck says national trends like people drinking less alcohol is a significant factor in the closure.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2025

Wyoming’s Housing Market Is Starting To Look A Lot Like California’s

The similarity between California and Wyoming’s housing market was glaringly apparent on a map created by Harvard economist Eric Protzer. He shared the map with Albany County leaders who are grappling with unaffordable housing in the Laramie region.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2025

Ned LeDoux Crosses Over From Country Music Stage To Western Movie Stardom

Wyoming singer-songwriter Ned LeDoux is appearing in two films by Wyoming filmmaker Raen LeVell. The first, “Outriding the Devil,” premiers Tuesday at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Chancey Williams is in the cast as is former Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead.

Renée JeanDecember 07, 2025

Denver’s growth is slowing as fewer people move there, driven in part by high housing costs and changing migration trends. Wyoming hopes to benefit, but still struggles keeping young professionals from leaving the Cowboy State.

Denver's Real Estate Market Has Cooled Down Dramatically And That's Not Good For Wyoming

For years, Denver's real estate market was one of the hottest in the country but that's no longer. The Denver metro area has seen a 70% decline in net migration and that's not good for Wyoming. “We need businesses and people to be interested in the Front Range,” Cheyenne Chamber CEO Dale Steenbergen said.

Kate MeadowsDecember 07, 2025

Mario Harris of Casper says he is glad to have the face tattoo that he got as a teenager removed.

Tattoo Regret: Wyoming Residents Pay Big Money For Tattoo Removal

Across Wyoming, more people are paying big money to erase tattoos they regret having done. “I tell them don’t be embarrassed, because they were young and dumb, but now have grown up and are trying to get a job and can’t have tattoos," one technician said.

Scott SchwebkeDecember 07, 2025

A grizzly bear found shot to death outside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming in a 2023 file photo.

Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Death Toll On Track To Match Last Year’s Record Of 72

So far this year, 71 grizzlies have died in and near Yellowstone, compared to a record of 72 in 2024. Seasoned black bear hunter Joe Kondelis of Cody said he's not surprised as he's seeing more grizzlies than ever. “This spring, I saw 35 grizzlies in 20 days,” he said.

Mark HeinzDecember 07, 2025

Letter To The Editor: Militarization Of Northern Border Is Nothing New And Should Be Supported

Dear editor: Any county sherif in northern Montana and North Dakota will happily tell you about the amount of meth that comes south, and the human trafficking in both directions.

December 07, 2025

Doug Samuelson remains involved with lion and elephant conservation work through the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance.

How A Wyoming Rancher Is Bringing Back Lions To African Area Riddled By Poaching

Wyoming rancher Doug Samuelson expected to hear lions while camped out in Mozambique but was crushed to hear poaching had wiped them out. So Samuelson went to work. His coalition has pulled off the largest international relocation of lions ever attempted.

David MadisonDecember 07, 2025

Letter To The Editor: God Kept a Promise. We Must Keep Ours To Wyoming’s Children

Dear editor: The Freedom Caucus is preparing to defund our children's schools. Budget hearings began in Cheyenne this week, and public education is once again a target for huge funding cuts. Those decisions weigh on me as I move through my own preparations.

December 07, 2025

Calamity Jane in Billings, Montana, before she boarded a train for Deadwood, South Dakota in the spring of 1903. When she got aboard, she didn’t have a ticket and conductor Dick Nelson explained he was going to have to let her off in Sheridan, Wyoming. Instead sympathetic fans paid her fare and everyone made sure she made it safely to her destination.

Wyoming History: Fans Saved A Destitute Calamity Jane On Her Last Ride Home

Destitute and convinced she was dying, Calamity Jane boarded a train in Billings, Montana, without a ticket. When she was about to be kicked off in Sheridan, Wyoming, sympathetic fans paid her way so she could get home to Deadwood.

Jackie DorothyDecember 07, 2025

Joey Puettman of Sheridan, Wyoming, has been building fly rods since he was 10 years old. He now owns two fly rod companies and has taught over 3,000 people how to build their own fly rods.

Sheridan Man Builds Premium Fly-Fishing Rods — And Teaches Others To Make Them

Joey Puettman of Sheridan turned his passion for fly-fishing into a career building premium fly fishing rods. Over the past 20 years, Puettman has also taught more than 3,000 people how to fly fish and build their own rods.

Jackie DorothyDecember 07, 2025

A beaver slide hay stacker photo posted by a Weston rancher who asked if people knew what it was brought a lot of different responses.

What The Heck ... Are Those Contraptions That Look Like Medieval Torture Devices?

Those contraptions that can still be found in fields across Wyoming and the West look like Medieval torture devices. Turns out, the 30-foot rectangular gadgets are called beaver slides, and they have nothing to do with beavers.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 07, 2025

Joan Barron: No Fix Yet For Wyoming's Bumpy Highways

Columnist Joan Barron writes, “The need to do something about a $600 million deficit in the highway funding budget of the Wyoming Department of Transportation” may have to “wait until after the next election.”

Joan BarronDecember 07, 2025

Dude Dad, aka Taylor Calmus, stopped by a police officer after driving a pirate ship on city streets.

Dude Dad, Internet Comedian Who Roasts Colorado, Is Coming To Wyoming

Taylor Calmus, aka Dude Dad, will kick off a new comedy series benefiting Wyoming nonprofits by bringing his “Parents Night Out” tour to Cheyenne and Laramie. He's grown a huge following poking fun of his home state of Colorado.

David MadisonDecember 07, 2025

Steamboat Geyser, The World’s Tallest, May Not Blast Off Again For Decades

There have been only two major eruptions of Yellowstone’s Steamboat Geyser in 2025, and it's been more than 200 days since its last eruption. Scientists have no idea when it will erupt again as it has stopped exhibiting one of its only predictable behaviors.

Andrew RossiDecember 07, 2025

Chef Nicholas Pissare brought two Michelin Keys to a resort in Colorado, that state’s only such facility. If he can do the same at Brush Creek Ranch, that would expand Wyoming’s Michelin footprint somewhere else besides Jackson Hole.

Wyoming's Brush Creek Ranch Aims For Michelin Acclaim With New Chef

Brush Creek Ranch's new Chef Nicholas Pissare brought two Michelin Keys to a resort in Colorado, that state’s only such property. If he can do the same here, that would expand Wyoming’s Michelin footprint somewhere else besides Jackson Hole.

Renée JeanDecember 06, 2025

Marty Simonich has driven his white Legacy sedan nearly 1 million miles through snowstorms, across the Bonneville Salt Flats at 120 mph, and into at least four deer. Now he's hoping the achievement will catch the attention of Subaru's corporate office.

Utah Man's 2001 Subaru Is About to Hit 1 Million Miles

Marty Simonich has driven his white 2001 Subaru Legacy sedan nearly 1 million miles. He has driven through snowstorms, across the Bonneville Salt Flats at 120 mph, into at least four deer and through Jackson Hole, where the odometer turned 777,777.

David MadisonDecember 06, 2025

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