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

$1.7 Million Lighting And Concrete Repairs First Steps To Reopen Green River Tunnel
Transportation work replacing $1.78 million in lighting and concrete pavement are underway as part of the initial work needed to reopen the Green River tunnel since a fiery, fatal, multi-truck accident closed it down four months ago.
Andrew RossiJune 04, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake — Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJune 04, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Wednesday's headlines include: * Wyo Democrats Going Broke * Massive Geothermal Reserve In Wyo * Mangelsen Blames Park Service For Grizzly Deaths
Wendy CorrJune 04, 2025

Lummis Says Schumer And Other Dems Should Issue Stronger Rebuke To Boulder Attack
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis on Tuesday said Democratic leaders need to respond much more strongly to a rash of antisemitic violence including the attack in Boulder. “We need to make sure that antisemitism does not grow in the United States," she said.
Jackson WalkerJune 04, 2025

Wyoming Rancher Says His Cows Mysteriously Fell Over Dead, Like Cows On Colorado Ranch
A Crook County rancher said the baffling deaths of 15 Colorado cattle is eerily familiar. He never did figure out what killed more than 40 of his cows years ago. “It killed them instantly, whatever it was. They just dropped,” Clint Snook said.
Mark HeinzJune 03, 2025

Wyoming Democrats Are Going Broke And Don’t Want The Press To Report It
The Wyoming Democratic Party State Central Committee said during its Sunday meeting in Rock Springs that it's running at about a $5,000 per-month loss. The party also told the press not to report it.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2025

Wyoming's Oil Industry Showing Moderate Growth, According To Latest Projections
New oil industry data shows Powder River Basin wells breaking even at $60 per barrel as global market forces create challenges and opportunities. One analyst says if the price per barrel of oil doesn’t go up, it could cost jobs in Wyoming.
David MadisonJune 03, 2025

Elderly Wyoming Mustangs Enjoy Life On Oregon Sanctuary They Helped Make Famous
Goliath and Blue Zeus are two huge mustang stallions who lived hardscrabble lives on the Wyoming range and now enjoy freedom and plentiful forage on a 9,000-acre horse sanctuary in Oregon. Goliath is 33-years-old while Blue Zeus is 24.
Mark HeinzJune 03, 2025

Campbell County Teen Who Stabbed Mom, Prompting Pig Raffle, Pleads Guilty
A Campbell County man faces 20 years to life in prison after he pleaded guilty last week to stabbing his mother in the back while she slept. To cover the cost of the $67,000 air ambulance ride, the family raffled off the man's pigs.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2025

While Most Of Wyoming Was Cloudy, Sundance Photographer Gets Spectacular Aurora
When a geomagnetic storm reached Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday, most of Wyoming was covered in clouds. David Porter of Sundance, was awakened by his dog, and was awestruck with his view. “Thank goodness the dog had to pee,” he said.
Andrew RossiJune 03, 2025

Cheyenne's James Johnson Headed To The NBA Finals With Indiana Pacers
James Johnson, a 2007 Cheyenne East High School graduate, will make his first ever appearance in the NBA Finals on Wednesday as a member of the Indiana Pacers.
Matthew ChristianJune 03, 2025

Hazing Of Grizzly 1063 Led To Cubs Being Killed, Photographer Tom Mangelsen Says
World famous wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen said he believes the National Park Service's "hard hazing" of Grizzly 1063 last month led to two of her cubs being killed and cannibalized by a large male grizzly. The National Park Service disputes that.
Mark HeinzJune 03, 2025

Wyoming Cowboys Snag Commitment From Son Of Former NFL Quarterback
Taylor Hasselbeck, a 6-foot-2 three-star quarterback prospect, has committed to play at the University of Wyoming in 2026. He’s the son of former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and nephew of Super Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
Justin GeorgeJune 03, 2025

Letter To The Editor: Excuses And Half-Truths Out Of Laramie County School District #1
Dear editor: To truly address what LCSD #1 sees as a problem of decreasing enrollment, they need to look inward instead of making excuses to the public by blaming external factors.
June 03, 2025

Wyoming Part of Massive Geothermal Reserve That Could Power 10% of America
A new U.S. Geological Survey study identifies Wyoming’s western border as part of a massive geothermal reserve. Geologists say it could be tapped to generate electricity equal to 10% of America’s current power supply.
David MadisonJune 03, 2025

Bill Sniffin: Besides Natural Wonders, Wyoming Is Full Of Oddball Places And Sites
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "I love showing off Wyoming’s beautiful places. But there are a bunch of lesser-known odd places that deserve our attention, too.”
Bill SniffinJune 03, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake — Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJune 03, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Tuesday's headlines include: * Mystery: 15 Cows Die In One Day * Wyoming Dems Say Platform Not A Problem * Dept Of Education Investigating UW Over Trans Member
Wendy CorrJune 03, 2025

Torrington Man Who Brutally Beat Ex As She Held Toddler Gets 20-25 Years
A Torrington man was sentenced to 20-25 years for the beating of his ex-girlfriend last year. She was holding the couple’s toddler when she was attacked. Also part of Andrew Atkinson's sentence was a strangulation charge pertaining to a different woman.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2025

North Dakota Woman Accused Of Stabbing Man In Neck While Driving
A North Dakota woman is facing attempted second-degree murder charges after Campbell County Sheriff's Investigators say she stabbed a driver twice in the neck. The woman was on her way to Las Vegas when the stabbing happened.
Jen KocherJune 02, 2025

Department Of Education Investigates UW For Trans Sorority Induction
The U.S. Department of Education on Monday announced it’s investigating the University of Wyoming because it “allowed a man to join a campus sorority." But UW was not the entity that inducted a transgender member into the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2025

National Weather Service Hiring Meteorologists, Cheyenne Uncertain If They'll Get Any
Three weeks after the 24-hour Cheyenne National Weather Service office was forced to shut down overnight operations due to federal staffing cuts, a small number of eliminated positions may be returning – but no one knows if positions will come back to Cheyenne.
Andrew RossiJune 02, 2025

Biden Immigration Policy Enabled Boulder Terror Attack, Wyoming Delegation Says
U.S. Sens. John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman on Monday expressed outrage over an illegal Egyptian national who attacked people in Boulder with a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails. They say Biden’s immigration policy is to blame.
Greg JohnsonJune 02, 2025

Ranch Family Files Lawsuit to Block Wyoming Wind Lease, Citing Generational Legacy
Converse County rancher Mike Stephens has filed a lawsuit against the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners. He says they failed to follow proper procedures in approving the controversial Pronghorn wind project.
David MadisonJune 02, 2025

Yellowstone Pool, Which Exploded In Spectacular Fashion Last Summer, Erupts Again
The Black Diamond Pool, in Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin, blew up on Saturday evening. The area has been closed to the public ever since a spectacular explosion sent tourists screaming and running in all directions last summer.
Andrew RossiJune 02, 2025

‘Fearless’ Laramie Girl, 10, Dies A Week After Hit By Truck
Sawyer Costa loved animals and playing hockey with boys twice her size. The 10-year-old Laramie girl died Saturday, a week after she was hit by a truck. Those who knew her say that most of all, Sawyer was “fearless.”
Greg JohnsonJune 02, 2025

Wyoming Dems Say Nothing Is Wrong With Platform But Will Target Rural Areas
Despite having just eight seats in the 93-member legislature and being on the heels of a rough national election, Wyoming Democrats overwhelmingly told Cowboy State Daily they aren't changing their platform. Their strategy, rather, is to volunteer in rural areas.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2025

15 Cattle Dropped Dead In One Day On Colorado Ranch Remains A Mystery
A Colorado ranch family suffered a devastating loss when 15 head of cattle died suddenly in a single day. Weeks later, they still haven’t figured out why.
Mark HeinzJune 02, 2025

When and Where To Hear Wolves Howling in Yellowstone
Going to Yellowstone and want to hear the howling of wolves? There are a lot of factors at play but the most important is just like real estate: location, location, location. Lamar Valley is your best bet.
Andrew RossiJune 02, 2025

Dave Simpson: Swell Advice From An Oldster
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Do society a favor and don't be an English major like I was in college. Be a plumber. When your toilet backs up, the last thing you need is an English major.”
Dave SimpsonJune 02, 2025

Guest Column: Factional Politics in Wyoming
Rep. Rob Geringer writes, "In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in political behavior that prioritizes loyalty over thoughtfulness. Dissent is treated as betrayal. Policy positions are judged not on merit, but on whether they came from the 'correct' faction."
Guest ColumnJune 02, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake — Monday, June 2, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsJune 02, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Monday, June 2, 2025
Monday's headlines include: * Wyo Dems Elect New Chair * Deadly Parasite Moves Northward * Holy Cow, Get Ready For Northern Lights
Wendy CorrJune 02, 2025

Great American Road Trip Summer 2025: Hotels Will Be More Expensive But Gas Will Be Cheaper
Thanks to the increased demand among people seeking the Great American Road Trip this summer, booking hotels will be more expensive for those road trippers but gas will be the cheapest in many years.
Anna-Louise JacksonJune 01, 2025

Woman’s Move To Cody Bridges Japanese Heritage And Wyoming Truck Culture
Haruka Takaku has embraced Wyoming truck culture during her stint as the new Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator for the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation. The center teaches visitors about the experiences of Japanese interned there during World War II.
Amber SteinmetzJune 01, 2025

As Tough As Moose Are, Tens Of Thousands Of Ticks Can Bring Them Down
Given their massive size and cantankerous attitudes, Wyoming’s moose might seem practically indestructible, but if enough ticks pile on to a moose, they can kill it -- and they do.
Mark HeinzJune 01, 2025

Cassie Craven: For One Grieving Mother, Local Control Ain’t What It Used to Be
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Our school districts are incentivized into a cull the cattle approach. If a child is too problematic, expensive, or sick, it's cheaper to push them off to the next grade level and never address the real root cause.”
Cassie CravenJune 01, 2025

Gail Symons: Wyoming Runs On Faith, And The Springtime Knows It
Columnist Gail Symons writes, "Faith is choosing to believe that our lives have meaning even when the reasons are not immediately visible. That what we plant today will matter - maybe not now, to us - but someday."
Gail SymonsJune 01, 2025

Wyoming Democrats Elect New State Party Chairman To Replace Barbuto
Wyoming Democrats on Sunday elected Lucas Fralik of Laramie as its new state party chairman. Fralik characterized the party as tolerant toward immigration, diverse library content, same-sex marriage, and the working man.
Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2025

Letter To The Editor: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center's Position Is Preposterous
Dear editor: A person seeking medical attention at CRMC should have no concern for the standard of care received no matter if that care is received by an employee or contractor.
June 01, 2025

Online School Popular Choice For Wyoming Ranch And Rodeo Kids
Wyoming ranch kids have chores and rodeo that take up a lot of time. That's why Riverton's Kenzley Sims (pictured) and other Wyoming kids go to Sheridan’s Cowboy Virtual Academy. They can pursue rodeo while getting an education online.
Jackie DorothyJune 01, 2025

Hummingbirds Return to Wyoming, Sucking Down Enough Sugar To Put A Human In A Coma
Hummingbird season is back across Wyoming, drawing out fans of the tiny species known for aerial acrobatics and pollination of flowers. To fuel their sky-high metabolic rate, they suck down about 80% of their body weight in nectar each day.
David MadisonJune 01, 2025

Figuring Out Why So Many High-Growth Business Startups Fail In Wyoming
Wyoming has an enviable overall success rate of up to 77% for startup businesses that are still active after one year. But that stat hides a big problem — high-impact, growth-oriented companies have a success rate that’s much lower
Renée JeanJune 01, 2025

The Secret Underground World Of F.E. Warren Air Force Base Murals
F.E. Warren Air Force Base has a secret underground world full of airmen-created artwork that most people have never seen. Set to disappear after the Minuteman III missiles are replaced, former missileer Jim Warner is determined to save them.
Renée JeanJune 01, 2025
Casper Man Loves Steam-Powered Trains So Much He Built His Own Railroad
A Casper man’s lifelong passion for railroading led to a career as a passenger train conductor. The 82-year-old loves trains so much he built his own steam-powered locomotive and railroad in his yard, and gives rides to local kids.
Dale KillingbeckJune 01, 2025

Cheyenne Companies Plan Biggest Magnesium Operation In North America
Two Cheyenne companies have their sights on building the largest magnesium operation in North America in order to supply the U.S. with the metal of choice for lightweight vehicles and aircraft. China and Russia control over 90% of the global supply of magnesium.
David MadisonJune 01, 2025

Eating Wyoming: What Italians Think Passes For Western Food
There’s a chain of Western-themed restaurants in Italy that tries to tap into the popularity of the Wild West, complete with swinging saloon doors and tables that resemble covered wagons. Wyoming got a shoutout on the menu with the "Cheyenne Chicken."
Anna-Louise JacksonJune 01, 2025

Man Travels World Living In Lamborghini, Says Border Crossings Are "Interesting"
A Colorado man is traveling the world while living out of his $200,000 Lamborghini. He shipped his car to Germany and has been to 35 countries so far, including Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. He’s trying to figure out how to visit Afghanistan.
Anna-Louise JacksonJune 01, 2025

Joan Barron: The Belvoir Ranch Project Moves Ahead But Slowly
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "One of the attributes needed to work in government is patience. The wheels grind very slowly sometimes in achieving a goal. For Cheyenne City Councilman Scott Roybal his pet project — the Belvoir Ranch master plan — took 15 years of effort."
Joan BarronJune 01, 2025

Wyoming History: 1927 Kelly Flood Killed 6, Washed Out 75 Buildings
Millions of tons of debris collapsed off Sheep Mountain in Teton County into the Gros Ventre River 100 years ago, creating a new lake. Two years later, the dam breached, flooding the town of Kelly — killing six and washing out 75 buildings.
Dale KillingbeckMay 31, 2025

Severe Geomagnetic Storm Could Make Spectacular Auroras Over Wyoming
The Space Weather Prediction Center on Saturday issued a Severe geomagnetic storm watch for June 1 and 2 when a massive surge of solar energy reaches Earth. That means some fantastic aurora displays could be in store for Wyoming skywatchers.
Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

Big Steel Western Silhouettes Popping Up Next To Wyoming Highways
As of May 2025, nearly 30 western-themed steel silhouettes have been placed along Wyoming’s highways including Pony Express riders, mountain men, and troupes of pioneers. The group responsible for them say the goal is to place 307 silhouettes.
Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

Why The World’s Best Kayakers Train On The Whitewater Of Montana’s Gallatin River
It’s highwater season on Montana’s Gallatin River, and a growing posse of kayakers are paddling its infamous House Rock section, training for even scarier whitewater. There’s a reason the world’s best kayakers train here.
David MadisonMay 31, 2025

Why It Probably Doesn't Make Any Sense To Keep Searching For Grizzly 399's Cub, Spirit
Since Wyoming’s most famous bear, Grizzly 399, was killed by a car last fall, there hasn't been a verified sighting of her cub, Spirit. Famed wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen, who named the cub, says it would probably take genetic testing to positively identify the bear.
Mark HeinzMay 31, 2025

Carbon County's JO Ranch A Throwback To An Untamed Wyoming
Only the hardiest of souls ever lived at the now-abandoned JO Ranch in southern Carbon County. The ranch’s stone buildings, built in 1890, are as old as the state and still standing, a throwback to an untamed Wyoming.
Renée JeanMay 31, 2025
A Las Vegas Investigator’s Decades-Long Search For The Most Famous Wild Horse In America
For decades, Wyoming native and Las Vegas detective Gill Gillilan hunted for clues to the story behind Desert Dust, once the most famous wild horse in America. Photos of the Red Desert mustang had sold more than 1 million photos in the 1940s
Jackie DorothyMay 31, 2025

Letter To The Editor: Wyoming Is Turning Into A Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland
Dear editor: It's time to stop permitting these so called renewable energy developments that leave our state looking like a scene from some post-apocalyptic movie like 'The Blood of Heroes.'"
May 31, 2025

Letter To The Editor: The Governor Needs To Fix Star Plunge
Dear editor: I recently had to change some vacation plans upon hearing Star Plunge is closed. I would encourage all of you to flood the governor's office with demands that he take action and resolve the conflict quickly.
May 31, 2025

Rainy May Welcome, But Not Wet Enough To Bust Southeast Wyoming Drought
Some well-timed rain in May has helped take the edge off extreme dry conditions in southeast Wyoming, but it hasn’t been wet enough to bust the drought. Meteorologist Don Day says the first half of June looks good for more precipitation.
Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

Wyoming Couple Trade Home In Laramie For Four Years On Luxury Cruise Ship
A Laramie couple sold their home and bought a cabin on the luxury cruise ship Odyssey. Now they’re spending four years cruising around the world for the same cost as their lifestyle in Wyoming.
Renée JeanMay 31, 2025