Headlines

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

Agitated Man With Hatchet Forced Out Of Wheatland Basement With Pepper Gas

After reportedly threatening a woman in a Wheatland home Monday evening, an agitated man with a hatchet locked himself in the basement and made threats toward police. A pepper gas grenade brought a quick end to the standoff.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 13, 2026

The big blue slide at Hellie's TePee Pools in Thermopolis has been dismatled after 34 years. It was removed to make way for a yet-to-be-announced water feature.

After 34 Years, Thermopolis' Big Blue Water Slide Comes Down

The big blue water slide at Hellie’s Tepee Pools in Hot Springs State Park has been dismantled and given away after 34 years of summer fun. A new water feature is on hold while the future of Thermopolis' hot spring facilities is tied up in court.

Andrew RossiJanuary 13, 2026

Trenton Thornock, Founder and CEO of Prometheus Hyperscale and Brady Thornock on their family’s ranch in Uinta County.

Prometheus Hyperscale Sets New National Standard For Data Center Sites

Prometheus Hyperscale commits to community benefit agreements, local hiring, and transparency for all Wyoming data center sites.

January 13, 2026

Jillian Balow, Former Wyoming Schools Chief, Announces Run For House

Republican Jillian Balow, former Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, is running for the state's lone U.S. House Seat. This pits her against Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Casper businessman Reid Rasner, both MAGA-style candidates.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJanuary 13, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Tuesday's headlines include: * Degenfelder For Governor * No Raises For State Workers * Snowmobiler Dies In Avalanche

Mac WatsonJanuary 13, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from members of the media during a meeting with oil and gas executives in the East Room of the White House on January 9, 2026

Dear Editor: Congress Isn't Blocking Trump's Runaway Power Grab

More than 70 Wyoming lawyers and retired judges write: "The recent dramatic deterioration of our constitutional guardrails is the unprecedented assertions of executive power by President Trump and the accompanying unwillingness of our Congress to restrain him."

January 13, 2026

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray (file photo)

Letter To The Editor: We Need To DOGE Secretary of State Gray’s Big Bureaucracy, Voter Bills

Dear editor: Sec. of State Chuck Gray and others are advancing an agenda that grows government, increases unnecessary regulations and imposes government overreach and unfunded mandates.

January 13, 2026

Mom Accused Of Killing Her 11-Month-Old Son Wants Out Of Jail, Judge Says No

The woman accused of absconding with her son from Wyoming, then killing the 11-month-old when authorities caught up with her, wants out of jail. A New Mexico judge on Monday said no, she’ll remain locked up as she faces a first-degree murder charge.

Jen KocherJanuary 13, 2026

Lander Police Chief Says There Are Multiple Suspects In Fatal Bar Fight

The Lander Police Department has multiple suspects in a Friday-night bar fight that turned fatal. The police chief expects arrests in “the next couple days,” he told Cowboy State Daily on Monday.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

This young black bear was photographed still out and about on Christmas Eve near Kelly Warm Springs in the Jackson area. Witnesses reported spotting it still out in early January.

Young Jackson-Area Bear Still Out In January Might Be Confused By Warm Weather

A young black bear has caused a stir in the Jackson area, spotted still awake and running around in January. A local wildlife tour guide said it’s not unheard of, but the unseasonably warm weather may have confused the bear about when bedtime is.

Mark HeinzJanuary 12, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon wants nearly $112 million for state employee raises. The Joint Appropriations Committee on Monday denied that request on a motion by Republican Rep. Scott Smith, inset left. Democratic Rep. Trey Sherwood, right, argued not compensating workers is shortsighted.

Wyoming Lawmakers Resist Gordon’s Push For $111.8 Million For State Worker Raises

The Wyoming legislative committee crafting a preliminary state budget voted Monday to deny the governor’s $111.8 million recommendation to give state employees raises. The debate is not over — the whole Legislature gets the budget next month.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing coal-fired power plants in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of the Ray D. Nixon Power Plant in Colorado Springs, which burns Wyoming coal. Former Wyoming legislator Cyrus Western is the Region 8 administrator for the EPA.

Trump’s EPA Rejects Closure Of Colorado Power Plant That Burns Wyoming Coal

The Trump administration’s EPA has finalized its rejection of closing a coal-fired power plant in Colorado, drawing sharp criticism from environmental and health groups. The decision extends the life of a plant that burns Wyoming coal.

David MadisonJanuary 12, 2026

Dave Simpson: Freedom Caucus Criticism Is All The Rage For Weaksauce Republicans

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "Freedom Caucus critics have declared the votes we cast in 2024 - putting the Freedom Caucus in the driver's seat - were a big mistake, and we should be ashamed, apologize, and seek forgiveness from the all-knowing status quo."

Dave SimpsonJanuary 12, 2026

A snowmobiler in the Wyoming backcountry died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, after he and another rider triggered an avalanche southeast of Afton that buried him about 2 feet below the surface and under his snowmobile.

Snowmobiler Dies In Avalanche Triggered In Wyoming Backcountry

A snowmobiler in the Wyoming backcountry southeast of Afton died Sunday after he and another rider triggered an avalanche that buried him about 2 feet below the surface and under his snowmobile.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 12, 2026

William Autery, 25, is accused of stabbing an older Cheyenne man in the back while trying to steal his backpack and sunglasses. The suspect, who faces an attempted murder charge, claims the stabbing was in self-defense.

Transient Accused Of Stabbing Cheyenne Man While Stealing Backpack, Sunglasses

A 25-year-old transient is accused of stabbing an older Cheyenne man in the back while trying to steal his backpack and sunglasses. The suspect, who faces an attempted murder charge, claims the stabbing was in self-defense.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 12, 2026

Harold Wayne Sarvis, 69, was involved in a four-hour standoff at a Cheyenne motel with police Friday is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge. Surveillance video at the motel shows the men arguing, then the suspect shooting the other man, police say.

Cheyenne Motel Standoff Suspect Faces Attempted First-Degree Murder Charge

The man involved in a four-hour standoff at a Cheyenne motel with police Friday is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge. Surveillance video at the motel shows the men arguing, then the suspect shooting the other man, police say.

Greg JohnsonJanuary 12, 2026

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder was "strongly considering" a run for governor, but committed to the move Monday morning - three days after the president endorsed her.

Degenfelder Officially Running For Governor After Trump Endorsement

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Monday announced she is running for governor. Degenfelder had been "strongly considering" the move and had received an endorsement from President Trump urging her to run last week.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, both R-Wyoming.

Barrasso Endorses Hageman's Candidacy For U.S. Senate

Wyoming’s senior U.S. Senator announced Monday morning that he’s endorsing U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman to serve alongside him in the upper chamber. He said Hageman “is going to be terrific in the U.S. Senate.”

Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, January 12, 2026

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

Jake NicholsJanuary 12, 2026

Gail Symons: Hopefully The Newbies In Cheyenne Can Pass A Budget

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "Wyoming has seen tense budget finishes before, but now it faces a compressed timeline, an inexperienced House appropriations bench, and an incentive structure that rewards conflict."

Gail SymonsJanuary 12, 2026

Cassie Craven: I Still Believe Life Is A Human Right

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “If you watched someone attack a newborn with a hammer you’d do everything you could to stop it and protect that baby. But you say she has no value just moments prior?"

Cassie CravenJanuary 12, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, January 12, 2026

Monday's headlines include: * Utah, Wyoming Booze * Protecting Wyo’s Ranch Dogs * Wolf Sets Yellowstone Longevity Record

Mac WatsonJanuary 12, 2026

The prime rib buffet at Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel & Restaurant in Cody, Wyoming.

All-You-Can-Eat Buffets Are Back In Wyoming And Across The U.S.

Buffets are back in a big way after the COVID pandemic put a huge hurt on dining out around Wyoming and across the U.S. At Cody’s Irma Hotel and Restaurant, a record 13,000 people loaded up their plates in 2025.

Anna-Louise JacksonJanuary 12, 2026

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