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Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, Jackie Dorothy.
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Jackie Dorothy

Jackie Dorothy is a reporter for Cowboy State Daily based in central Wyoming.

Over the past 20 years, Jackie has worked in television, radio and print across Wyoming. In this role, she has won numerous writing and history awards including the Wyoming Governor’s Journalist of the Year and SBA Journalist of the Year.

Jackie is also the podcast host of ‘Pioneers of Outlaw Country’ that explores little known historical stories of Wyoming with entertaining narrative.

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Latest from Jackie Dorothy

What began as a few local bagpipers honoring the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has become the Lander Bag Pipers, which has become a fixture in the town and memorializes the anniversiary of 9/11 each year since. Above, that first group performs a month after the attacks, as published in the Riverton Ranger/Lander Journal.

Lander Bagpipe Band Began 25 Years Ago As A Response To 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

The Lander Pipe Band began as a one-time performance in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Now 25 years later, it’s played at every local 9/11 memorial service and has become a fixture in the central Wyoming town.

Jackie DorothySeptember 10, 2026

Daisha Thomas, 15, competed in the Excel National Festival at nationals in Boston. Just before she was to compete, another skater ran into her and she ended up with stitches and a black eye. This did not deter the Wyoming skater to skate her best and become ranked 21 nationally at her level. 

15-Year-Old Cody Girl Moving Up National U.S. Figure Skating Rankings

Wyoming isn’t built for competitive figure skating, with few ice rinks and elite coaching only available online. Even so, a 15-year-old Cody girl is ranked 21st nationally and the first ever from Wyoming to qualify for the U.S. Figure Skating Excel Series.

Jackie DorothySeptember 07, 2026

Many Native American tribes have legends of the "Thunder Bird," a giant bird that would soar high above the clouds. In 1890, a pair of cowboys claimed to have stumbled on a giant bird in the Arizona desert but skeptics now wonder if it was a hoax rather than a scientific discovery. Locals who claimed to have talked to these ranchers say that it was true though the creature only had a 30 foot wingspan, not 160 feet.

Wyoming History: Was Legend Rock Winged Monster Also Arizona’s ‘Thunderbird’?

Was the winged monster etched in sandstone at Legends Rock State Petroglyph Site in Wyoming also the "Thunderbird" seen in Arizona skies in 1890? A Tombstone newspaper reported it was, but there's no proof and today it lives on only in Plains Indian lore.

Jackie DorothySeptember 06, 2026

Melissa Hemkin has grown garlic for years in the Wind River Range near Lander. When she decided to expand her farm commercially, she said she chose her garlic strains not only for their flavor and ability to grow in the cooler climate, but for their backstory.

Lander Woman Grows 800 Pounds Of Heirloom Garlic, Including 400-Year-Old Variety

A Lander woman grows about 800 pounds of heirloom garlic a season in the Wind River Range, including a 400-year-old variety. Their similarity is they're all hardneck — garlic that prefers cold weather and high altitude — but range widely in taste and heat.

Jackie DorothySeptember 06, 2026

Aaron Vigil is an engineering student from University of Wyoming and grew up Worland. Although he was fascinated by space, he never thought he would work for NASA. Sunday morning, a telescope he has worked on for the past four years was launched into space.

Worland Engineer 'In Awe' Watching Sunday Launch Of NASA Telescope He Helped Build

Worland’s Aaron Vigil watched in awe Sunday as the powerful Roman telescope he helped build was launched successfully on a million-mile journey. The University of Wyoming grad spent four years helping to construct the telescope's Solar Array Sunshield.

Jackie DorothyAugust 31, 2026

The Bettis family of Danville, Virginia, has just biked through Wyoming on their 2,700-miles on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

Mom, 8 Kids Nearly Caught In Wyoming Wildfire On 2,700-Mile Great Divide Bike Ride

A Virginia mom and eight of her 15 kids nearly got caught in a wildfire near Lander and a hit-and-run in Montana while on an epic ride of the 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. She's doing it to help heal from the effects of domestic violence.

Jackie DorothyAugust 29, 2026

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