David Madison

Outdoors

Public Lands

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Cowboy State Daily is Wyoming’s largest newspaper with Wyoming’s most experienced journalists. 

<title>Up To 35% Of Wyoming's High Country Is Dead 'Ghost Forest’ — And It's Spreading | Cowboy State Daily</title>

It’s estimated 25% to 35% of Wyoming’s forests are now dominated by “ghost forests” — standing dead timber from beetle epidemics and disease. Researchers say it's time to start paying attention to limber pine before it follows the whitebark into crisis.

Up To 35% Of Wyoming's High Country Is Dead 'Ghost Forest’ — And It's Spreading

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Mark Heinz

Hunting

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<title>Group Says Prairie Dog ‘Massacre’ Litters Plains With Lead-Riddled Carcasses | Cowboy State Daily</title>

People who “massacre” prairie dogs in Colorado should have to pick up the lead-riddled carcasses, says a group calling for more regulation of hunting the rodents. The hunting also leads to other wildlife getting lead poisoning, it says.

Group Says Prairie Dog ‘Massacre’ Litters Plains With Lead-Riddled Carcasses

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's general assignment reporter, Clair McFarland.

Clair McFarland

Crime & Courts

Courts

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<title>Judge Dismisses Claim Against Lawmaker That She Cheated Ex Out Of African Safari | Cowboy State Daily</title>

The judge overseeing a small claims dispute has dismissed the case in which the ex-boyfriend of state Rep. Nina Webber accused her of cheating him out of $6,000 for a ticket to an African hunting safari she didn’t join.

Judge Dismisses Claim Against Lawmaker That She Cheated Ex Out Of African Safari

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Tom Lubnau

Opinion

CSD Columnists

<title>Tom Lubnau: How to Ruin Wyoming on Purpose — A Practical Guide for the Ambitiously Foolish | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "History shows us that many kingdoms have fallen not by the sword, but by the arrogance of their own legislatures. Here’s a ten-step plan to effectively dismantle our beloved state – and it concerns me several legislators are advancing the plan of destruction."

Tom Lubnau: How to Ruin Wyoming on Purpose — A Practical Guide for the Ambitiously Foolish

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, Jackie Dorothy.

Jackie Dorothy

Government & Politics

Politics

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<title>Kristi Noem Lands In Worland, Spends Night On Ranch Near Ten Sleep | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem made a pit stop in the Bighorn Basin overnight Sunday. Her Coast Guard jet landed in Worland and Noem spent the night at a ranch near Ten Sleep. She was gone early Monday before most people knew she was there.

Kristi Noem Lands In Worland, Spends Night On Ranch Near Ten Sleep

Wildlife

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<title>Wyoming Animal Rescue Says Raccoon Reunion With Her Babies Favorite Story Of 2025 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Patricia Wyer has seen many animals come and go at her wildlife rescue center near Cheyenne, but her most heartwarming tale of 2025 is that of a momma raccoon who lost her babies, trashed a pickup in her angst, but then got a second chance.

Wyoming Animal Rescue Says Raccoon Reunion With Her Babies Favorite Story Of 2025

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's founder Jimmy Orr

 is co-founder and executive editor of Cowboy State Daily.

Orr is a longtime journalist who was on the masthead at the Los Angeles Times and the Christian Science Monitor as the Managing Editor, Digital.

In the political arena, Orr served as a spokesman for the White House and directed digital strategy for President George W. Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Prior to these positions, Orr worked for Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer and U.S. Senators Malcolm Wallop and Al Simpson.

He was also a co-founder of The Sports Show with ESPN's Woody Paige and was the executive producer of Clay Travis' Outkick the Show.

<title>Jimmy Orr | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Jimmy Orr

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 is managing editor for Cowboy State Daily at the headquarters in Cheyenne.

A veteran journalist of more than 31 years covering Western issues and politics, Greg spent stints in Wyoming as managing editor for the Gillette News Record and Laramie Boomerang. Greg's produced award-winning journalism, and has built a national reputation for his extensive coverage of Wyoming energy -- especially coal.

He previously spent seven years editing and reporting in Alaska, and was managing editor for Sarah Palin's hometown paper when she was tapped as John McCain's running mate in 2008. Greg studied music and English at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Outside the office, Greg likes photography, reading and all things sports.

<title>Greg Johnson | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Greg Johnson

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily editor Justin George

Justin George is a journalist and editor who has worked for eight news organizations across four states & Washington, D.C., including the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun & Tampa Bay Times. Over nearly 25 years, he has covered public safety, transportation, education, the Department of Justice and local government. In 2015, George embedded with the Baltimore Police Department during the internal investigation of the death of Freddie Gray. His coverage contributed to the Baltimore Sun being named a 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist. 

<title>Justin George | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Justin George

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 is a general assignment reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Riverton, Wyoming. She specializes in crime and court reporting and social issues coverage. Clair also writes a twice-monthly column on motherhood and country living.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Previously, Clair wrote for The Ranger, the Lander Journal and the Wind River News. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist and poet, who joined Cowboy State Daily on Valentines Day, 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<title>Clair McFarland | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's outdoor and wildlife reporter, Mark Heinz.

[{"type":"text","text":"Mark Heinz covers the outdoors and wildlife for Cowboy State Daily."}]

He previously worked or freelanced for numerous newspapers and magazines across Wyoming, Idaho and Montana  covering all manner of news and feature stories. He has a strong background in topics related to wildlife, hunting, and wildlands conservation. Hes written extensively since the 1990s about the controversies surrounding wolves, grizzly bears and mustangs.

He also enjoys people-centric stories with quirky edge of humor and has written several such pieces for Cowboy State Daily.&nbsp;

Mark lives in Laramie with his wife, Kendy, and the youngest of their five children.

<title>Mark Heinz | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's business and tourism reporter, Renée Jean

 is the business and tourism reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. Previously, Ren&eacute;e spent seven years covering energy and agriculture in North Dakota and Montana. She has won many writing awards over a 30-year career, and has written magazine articles for Guideposts.

<title>Renée Jean | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Renée Jean

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, Dale Killingbeck

Killingbeck is glad to be back in journalism after working for 18 years in corporate communications with a health system in northern Michigan. He spent the previous 16 years working for newspapers in western Michigan in various roles.

<title>Dale Killingbeck | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Dale Killingbeck

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, Jen Kocher.

[{"type":"text","text":"Jen Kocher is Cowboy State Daily's reporter in Gillette, Wyoming."}]

Hard-hitting, thorough, and relentless, Kocher is a bulldog who prides herself in finding the stories that are challenging, meaningful, and difficult for others to attempt.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Jennifer has lived all over the West and moved to Wyoming just under a decade ago where shes written for dozens of magazines and publications throughout the state.

With masters degrees in creative writing and nonfiction and several awards under her belt, she loves writing features and long-form stories as well.

Outside of work, Jennifer loves anything to do with birds, wine, hiking or traveling.

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