Headlines
Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.
News
3 Wildfires Have Burned More Than 61,000 Acres In Bighorn Basin, 0% Containment
As of Saturday morning, a trio of fast-growing wildfires have burned more than 61,000 acres in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, with 0% containment on any of them. The largest is the Red Canyon Fire at 40,000 acrea, which has exploded on cheatgrass.
Greg JohnsonAugust 16, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Morning Show — Saturday, August 16, 2025
It's the Saturday morning show with John Baggett from 6-10AM.
Jake NicholsAugust 16, 2025
Lummis, Neiman Back Pardon Effort For 65-Year-Old Mechanic EPA Put In Prison
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Wyoming House Speaker Chip Neiman support a pardon for a mechanic in prison for deleting emissions systems from diesel engines. Troy Lake's family seeks a presidential pardon, saying the Biden administration was over-zealous prosecuting him.
Clair McFarlandAugust 16, 2025
Wyoming’s Mountain Lions Can’t Roar Like African Lions, But They Can Purr
Wyoming’s mountain lions aren’t lions in the true scientific sense. African lions are classified among “roaring cats,” while mountain lions fall in the less glamorous-sounding “purring cat” category. And they do purr.
Mark HeinzAugust 16, 2025
Man Who Once Blew Up Cop’s Car With Dynamite Accused Of Hauling 4 Pounds Of Meth
A 71-year-old Riverton man who blew up a Fremont County undersheriff’s patrol car with dynamite 52 years ago was arrested again this week — this time on felony-level drug charges. Investigators say they caught him with four pounds of meth in an F-150.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Letter To The Editor: The Freedom Caucus’s Misguided War on Free Markets
Dear editor: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has embraced a bold strategy! Being anti-free market and anti-energy at the same time!
August 15, 2025
The Roundup: A Conversation With Wildlife Photographer Tom Mangelsen
This week, host Wendy Corr has an in-depth chat with famed wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen. From his iconic "Catch of the Day" photo to his relationships with Jane Goodall and Grizzly 399, Tom's career has brought wildlife to the world.
Wendy CorrAugust 15, 2025
Charging Grizzlies Spark Rare And Widespread ‘Bear Warning’ In Canada
For the first time in nearly a decade, a roughly 2,500-square-mile county in Alberta, Canada, has issued a county-wide “bear warning,” after numerous reports of people being charged by grizzlies.
Mark HeinzAugust 15, 2025
Cheyenne’s Dyno Nobel Wants To Turn Explosives Waste Into Food Cooling Packs
Dyno Nobel is known for making explosives for Wyoming’s mining industry, and it may soon be shipping right to your door. The company announced Friday it’s building a new plant in Cheyenne and a partnership to turn its waste CO2 into food cooling packs.
David MadisonAugust 15, 2025
Casper Couple Dedicated To Helping Disabled People Live Full, Independent Lives
Kids and adults with developmental disabilities are often overlooked by mainstream society, but not by Nick and Kerin Dillon. The Casper couple is dedicated to helping them live full, independent lives.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 15, 2025
Dennis Sun: Leave Our Water Alone
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The lower basin states – with their exploding populations – have really mismanaged their water, from Las Vegas to Phoenix. Now they are starting to realize they have a problem with water usage."
Dennis SunAugust 15, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Hiding Constituent Emails Violates Democracy
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “Constituents that trust the LSO to deliver their comments to specific legislators may be lied to. Their emails may be labeled 'junk' or may disappear without a trace.”
Jonathan LangeAugust 15, 2025
Committee Tables Bill That Would Fine Libraries $50,000 When Kids Access Sex Books
A bill that would create penalties for when kids access sex books and obscene materials in school or public libraries was tabled this week by a Wyoming legislative committee. Among the penalties is $50,000 for each time a kid accesses explicit materials.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Second Teen Pleads Guilty In Stabbing Death Of Casper 14-Year-Old
The teen who held 14-year-old Bobby Maher down while another fatally stabbed him outside a Casper mall in April 2024 pleaded guilty Friday. Dominique Harris faces 30-75 years in prison. His partner in the crime, Jarreth Plunkett, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in May.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 15, 2025
Out-Of-Control Red Canyon Fire Near Thermopolis Now Nearly 35,000 Acres
The Red Canyon Fire is burning out of control about 11 miles east of Thermopolis, blowing up to nearly 35,000 acres on Friday. Oil field workers saw the lightning bolt that started the fire, then could only watch it spread.
Greg JohnsonAugust 15, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, August 15, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsAugust 15, 2025
Wyoming People: Brittany Heseltine Is A Real Working Cowgirl And Range Rider
Brittany Heseltine is foreman and range rider for the Upper Green River Cattle Association. She has 3 horses, 4 dogs, 4 other range riders, and 800 cattle in her charge. She spends 5 months each year, June through October, mostly on her own, working in the shadow of the Wind River Range.
John ThompsonAugust 15, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Video News: Friday, August 15, 2025
Friday's headlines include: * Gerry Spence Dies * Taco John's Says Goodbye * Health Insurance Co. Leaves Wyo
Wendy CorrAugust 15, 2025
Despite Being Booted From Committee Agenda, Columnist Gets Half-Hour Testimony
Despite a lawmaker removing him from a legislative meeting’s official schedule over his controversial column, former Wyoming House Speaker Tom Lubnau was allowed to testify Thursday — for 28 minutes.
Clair McFarlandAugust 15, 2025
Wildfire East Of Thermopolis Explodes To 20,000 Acres, Prompts Evacuation
What was a small wildfire reported about 14 miles east of Thermopolis on Wednesday evening has exploded to an estimated more than 20,000 acres Thursday. The Red Canyon Fire has also prompted some evacuations.
Greg JohnsonAugust 14, 2025
Why Is An African Antelope On A Wyoming Air Force Base T-Shirt?
In a mix-up over different meanings of the term “antelope,” the F.E. Warren Base Exchange store ended up with T-shirts depicting an African antelope, not a Wyoming pronghorn.
Mark HeinzAugust 14, 2025
Riverton Resident ID’d Through Fingerprints As Man Killed In Casper Shooting
A 34-year-old man has been identified as the man killed in a Sunday shooting outside a Casper convenience store, the Natrona County Coroner’s Office reported Thursday. No arrests have been made and the investigation is active, Casper police say.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 14, 2025
Mountain Health Co-Op, One Of State’s Few Major Insurers, Pulling Out Of Wyoming
Mountain Health Co-Op told its members Wednesday that it won’t cover Wyoming residents anymore after the end of the year. The move follows the sunset of health care tax credits and leaves Wyoming with just two major providers.
Renée JeanAugust 14, 2025
After 56 Years, Taco John’s Says Adios To Its Cheyenne Corporate Headquarters
Taco John’s was born in Cheyenne and, for 56 years, was Wyoming-based with its headquarters here. Now the chain has said adios to Cheyenne, completing a move of its home base to Minnesota. It’s an emotional break for many, former execs say.
David MadisonAugust 14, 2025