David Madison

Wyoming Life

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

<title>91-Year-Old Nebraska Woman’s Rare Porch Crock Turns Out To Be $32,000 Treasure | Cowboy State Daily</title>

A 91-year-old Nebraska woman thought her rare 30-gallon old Red Wing crock might fetch $100 at auction, and nearly sold it at a garage sale for $20. Instead, a local auctioneer spotted the treasure and sold it for her for $32,000.

91-Year-Old Nebraska Woman’s Rare Porch Crock Turns Out To Be $32,000 Treasure

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

Clair McFarland

Government & Politics

Legislature

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<title>Rep. John Bear Calls Sen. Ogden Driskill A ‘Doofus’ In Clash Over Budget | Cowboy State Daily</title>

House Appropriations Chair John Bear weathered scrutiny this week over his scripts telling other legislators how to tweak the budget. Bear said he was running his motions through others, since he chaired the meetings - and then called Sen. Driskill a 'doofus.'

Rep. John Bear Calls Sen. Ogden Driskill A ‘Doofus’ In Clash Over Budget

You Still Here

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<title>Today In Prank Phone Calls: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Funniest prank phone call we've ever heard.....

Today In Prank Phone Calls: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Daily Darwin

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<title>Daily Darwin: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Why the British are not allowed to celebrate Independence Day.....

Daily Darwin: Saturday, January 17, 2026

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

Renée Jean

Business & Tourism

Economy

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<title>New Owner Of Wyoming Ranch Larger Than Rhode Island Revealed (And It's Not Zelenskyy) | Cowboy State Daily</title>

The new mystery owner of Wyoming’s massive 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches — larger than Rhode Island — has been revealed. Although there was erroneous speculation that Ukrainian President Zelensky bought it, the truth is it's a neighboring land owner.

New Owner Of Wyoming Ranch Larger Than Rhode Island Revealed (And It's Not Zelenskyy)

Headshot of Cowboy State Daily editor Justin George

Justin George

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<title>Broncos Or Bills? Wyoming’s Pro Football Loyalties Face A Big Test Saturday | Cowboy State Daily</title>

For many in Wyoming, Josh Allen has created a Sophie's Choice dilemma. Bills or Broncos? For 3 Cheyenne men, it's all different. One flipped to the Bills when Josh Allen was drafted, one remains a diehard Denver fan and the other will be happy either way.

Broncos Or Bills? Wyoming’s Pro Football Loyalties Face A Big Test Saturday

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

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>

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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>

Mark Heinz

 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>

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.

<title>Jen Kocher | Cowboy State Daily</title>

Jen Kocher

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Mac Watson is the Broadcast Media Director and news anchor. His 30-plus radio career has taken him all over the country, but he now calls Cody home.

Mac Watson

Latest from Mac Watson

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, January 16, 2026

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Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

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

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

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, January, 9, 2026

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