Headlines
Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.
News
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wild: Ice Cracking On Wyoming Reservoir Sounds Like A ‘Star Wars’ Laser Gunfight
About midmorning on Sunday, as the temperature crept above freezing, the ice sheet on Boysen Reservoir started making sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. Scientists say the otherworldly noises come from ice cracking under warming temperatures.
Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2026
Wyoming Petitions To Overturn Halt Of 3,500-Well Jonah Field Expansion
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Monday said that state is petitioning a federal legislative panel to reverse its decision to kill the $17.85 billion, 3,500-well Jonah Field expansion. The ruling “is a direct assault on Wyoming’s economy," Gordon said.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2026
Wyoming Senator Offers $126 Million Compromise To Embattled School Funding Bill
Sen. Chris Rothfuss on Monday offered a $126 million increase to Wyoming's $3.6 billion, two-year grant to its public schools. That's a compromise that followed months of educator outcry and debate between lawmakers. Soon the full Senate may consider his amendment.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026
Lummis Announces Kraken Will Fund Trump Accounts For Every Wyoming Newborn In 2026
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis told the Wyoming Senate on Monday that Kraken, the cryptocurrency exchange that moved its global headquarters to Cheyenne last year, will sponsor Trump $1,000 Accounts for every child born in Wyoming in 2026.
David MadisonFebruary 16, 2026
Former Wyoming Lawmakers Voice Shock, Anger Over 'CheckGate' Controversy
Former Wyoming lawmakers say someone coming onto the House floor to distribute checks was "brazen," "shocking," and "unprecedented." "When it comes to ethics violations, I don’t recall anything of this magnitude," said former Rep. Ron Micheli.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 16, 2026
Teton County GOP Condemns Check Passing On House Floor By Its Own Committeewoman
The Teton County Republican Party on Saturday condemned the actions of its committeewoman, Rebecca Bextel, for handing out checks on the House floor. The Wyoming Republican Party distanced itself too, saying she was not representing the party.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026
Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, February 16, 2026
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsFebruary 16, 2026