AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
Sean Brennan, 57 of Hudson, Wyoming, was confronted Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Lander for allegedly having sexually-charged online conversations with decoys he thought were underage girls.

Hudson Man Caught By Video Vigilante Pleads Guilty To Federal Child Porn Charge

A Hudson man will go to prison for at least 10 years after pleading guilty Thursday to possessing child pornography. He was caught in September when a video vigilante tracked him to his job in Wyoming and confronted him. His boss fired him on the spot.

Leo WolfsonApril 03, 2025

Transmission lines getty 5 26 23

Report: Wyoming Leads Coal-Burning States With Lowest Power Rates In The U.S.

Wyoming and other coal-friendly energy states have low power rates, with Wyoming ranking as the lowest in the nation. That’s what the American Legislative Exchange Council says in its annual report.

David MadisonApril 03, 2025

When 15-year-old Roxton Lookingbill didn’t catch any fish Wednesday evening on the Wind River, he started walking back toward his grandmother’s house — then something caught his eye. It was a metal box, and inside were four live hand grenades.

Teen Finds Four Live Hand Grenades Near River In Riverton

When 15-year-old Roxton Lookingbill didn’t catch any fish Wednesday evening on the Wind River, he started walking back toward his grandmother’s house — then something caught his eye. It was a metal box, and inside were four live hand grenades.

Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2025

Records show that Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill hasn’t filed charges on any of the 16 cases referred to her office by Secretary of State Chuck Gray in 2024. She says her office is still investigating half of them.

Wyoming Attorney General Hasn’t Prosecuted 16 Complaints Referred By Chuck Gray

Records show that Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill hasn’t filed charges on any of the 16 election complaints referred to her office by Secretary of State Chuck Gray in 2024. She says her office is still investigating half of them.

Leo WolfsonApril 03, 2025

Robert Hoover

Former Bar Nunn Fire Chief Denies Stealing From Fill The Boot Fundraiser

A former Bar Nunn fire chief pleaded not guilty Thursday to allegations he stole more than $2,600 from the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Fill the Boot fundraiser. He’s also accused of more than $20,000 worth of misuse of a department credit card.

Dale KillingbeckApril 03, 2025

A drilling rig near Pinedale, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Microbes Used To ‘Supercharge’ Gas Production From Powder River Basin Coal Seams

Recent USGS research shows naturally occurring underground microbes can “supercharge” natural gas production from Powder River Basin coal seams.

David MadisonApril 03, 2025

With the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones, concealed carrying of firearms will be allowed in University of Wyoming buildings starting July 1. It’s already to legal to carry outside on campus grounds.

UW To End Gun-Free Zones July 1 And Allow Concealed Guns Inside Buildings

With the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones, concealed carrying of firearms will be allowed in University of Wyoming buildings starting July 1. It’s already legal to carry outside on campus grounds.

Mark HeinzApril 02, 2025

Two applicants to be the next Fremnt County attorney are Fremont County Acting Attorney Micah Wyatt, 47, of Lander, right, and private attorney Jason Gay, 47, of Green River.

GOP Scrambles To Find Top Prosecutor For One Of Wyoming's Roughest Counties

Fremont County GOP leaders are scrambling to nominate three candidates to replace longtime County Attorney Patrick LeBrun in one of Wyoming's roughest counties. So far, two have applied to replace LeBrun, who left Monday.

Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2025

U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso, both R-Wyoming.

Barrasso, Lummis On Short End Of ‘Meaningless’ Canada Tariffs Vote

Four Senate Republicans broke ranks, voting with Democrats late Wednesday to overturn President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs on most Canada goods. But Sen. John Barrasso said the vote is "meaningless" because the measure won't get through the House.

Sean BarryApril 03, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming

Hageman Tried To Block GOP Rebellion That Shut Down House Floor

Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman says she tried unsuccessfully Tuesday to prevent a GOP floor rebellion that led to votes being canceled for the rest of the week in the House.

Leo WolfsonApril 02, 2025

Republican state Rep. Lee Filer runs a Cheyenne-based cryptocurrency mining operation, and that tariff threats with Canada are spiking equipment prices. “I didn’t think it would hit my business, but it did,” Filer said.

Wyoming Crypto Miner Says Tariff Threats Spiking Prices For Equipment

Republican state Rep. Lee Filer runs a Cheyenne-based cryptocurrency mining operation, and that tariff threats with Canada are spiking equipment prices. “I didn’t think it would hit my business, but it did,” Filer said.

Leo WolfsonApril 02, 2025

Adobe town, south of Rock Springs along rough gravel and dirt roads, is one of Wyoming’s most isolated locations.

Sweetwater County Turns To Hageman For Help On BLM Rock Springs Plan

It remains uncertain how the Bureau of Land Management’s plan for 3.6 million acres in south-central Wyoming will pan out. But Sweetwater County officials hope it stays to their liking.

Mark HeinzApril 02, 2025

Tyler Gray

Rawlins Inmate Accused Of Attacking Guards Over Forbidden Gingerbread Supplies

A 25-year-old Gillette man who is already in prison for assaulting jail officers is now accused of attacking prison guards when they wouldn’t let him keep gingerbread-making supplies in his cell.

Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2025

Donald W. Wright, 59, of Worland, Wyoming, has been charged with cruelty to animals, accused of shooting his own dog, Axel, six times. He reportedly said he hoped the dog would "bleed out."

Worland Man Accused Of Shooting His Dog Six Times Pleads Not Guilty

Donald Wright of Worland, accused of shooting his dog six times, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges Wednesday. The dog, Axel, still has four bullets in his body and a plate in his jaw, but is taking well to his training.

Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2025

The way some Wyoming county Republican parties have been conducting their elections this spring is causing some to feud with the state party. In one case, the conflict may have impacted results.

County Republicans Feuding With State GOP Over Local Party Elections

The way some Wyoming county Republican parties have been conducting their elections this spring is causing some to feud with the state party. In one case, the conflict may have impacted results.

Leo WolfsonApril 02, 2025

Wyoming ranchers, farmers and small business owners can still get money for their solar energy projects. It’s there if they revise them to align with President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.

Trump’s Energy Order Includes Solar Money For Ranchers, Small Businesses

Wyoming ranchers, farmers and small business owners can still get federal money for their solar energy projects. It’s there if they revise them to align with President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order.

David MadisonApril 02, 2025

Colin Pitet stares out at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple being built next door to his home.

As Construction Moves Fast, Divide Over 101-Foot Cody LDS Temple Remains Wide

As a controversial 101-foot-tall LDS temple is taking shape in Cody, locals remain strongly divided over it. There’s still plenty of open opposition to the temple, including protest signs.

Leo WolfsonApril 01, 2025

Ricardo Paez Quinones

Prosecutor Challenges Release Of Twice-Deported Man With 18,000 Rounds Of Ammo

A federal prosecutor last week challenged the release of a twice-deported Mexican immigrant accused of carrying 18,000 rounds of ammunition through Wyoming. The bust indicates cartel activity, the prosecutor argued.

Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, asks questions about federal judges and overreach during a joint subcommittee meeting of the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Barrasso, Hageman Take Aim At Nationwide Injunctions Against Trump

Republicans in Congress, including Wyoming’s John Barrasso and Harriet Hageman, are considering legislation to rein in the power of federal district court judges. Some are mulling impeachment of judges, as well.

Sean BarryApril 01, 2025

Megan Leann Jonas

Torrington Woman Accused Of Stealing $60K From Little League

A woman Torrington police say stole about $62,000 from the local Little League Association faces one count of felony theft and up to 10 years in prison. Her case will be heard in felony-level court, where she's scheduled for an April 23 arraignment.

Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2025

David Belus is hoping for rain to help heal his ranch after 50,000 acres of it went up in smoke in Johnson County.

Wyoming Farmers Fear Potential For Devastation From Drought

Drought is hurting farmers in southeast and central Wyoming, and the USDA is offering emergency loans. Many farmers are hoping that more rain is ahead and that they won’t need the assistance.

Renée JeanApril 01, 2025

Specialty license plates 4 1 25

Wyoming's Specialty License Plates Are Few, Similar And On Probation

There will be 21 specialty license plates available to Wyoming residents in 2025, even if most of them look similar. Compared to other states, Wyoming is next-to-last in number of available specialty plates.

Andrew RossiApril 01, 2025

The city of Rock Springs has contracted with the Wyoming-based Goat-Green LLC company to bring in 300 goats. The goats are gobbling their way through brush and grass that’s clogging up drainages near the city center.

Rock Springs Hires Goat Army To Munch Its Way Through Clogged Canals

Rock Springs has weeds, brush and grass clogging vital drainage canals through the heart of town. An army of 300 goats has been let loose to gobble their way through.

Mark HeinzApril 01, 2025

Home surveillance video shows Clint White leaving his house in Powell, Wyoming, just before 2 a.m. last Wednesday. Nobody’s seen him since. His mysterious disappearance has the family and police baffled.

Large Focus Area, Almost Nothing To Go On Impacts Search For Missing Powell Man

Nearly a week after Powell resident Clint White, 52, disappeared from his home, his family and local police still have almost nothing to go on. Also impacting the search is a 30-mile radius area outside the city looking for his car.

Jen KocherApril 01, 2025

Luka Rasmussen

Casper 18-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty In Shooting Death Of 16-Year-Old Friend

A Casper 18-year-old pleaded not guilty Tuesday to shooting and killing his 16-year-old friend while hanging out and playing video games. Police say he also has a history of showing off guns and pointing them at people.

Dale KillingbeckApril 01, 2025

Glamping tents at the base of the Tetons in affluent Teton County, Wyoming.

Supreme Court Rules Against Jackson Group Challenging Glamping Septic System

That a Jackson Hole environmental group has spent $500,000 on projects in the area doesn’t give it standing to sue a local glamping business, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Monday. The group had sued over the glamour camping outfit’s septic system.

Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2025

If Riggin Schaffer went after something, ‘It was with his whole soul,” said his mother Stephanie Schaffer.

Family Remembers 18-Year-Old Good Samaritan As Hero Who Died Helping Another

Family and friends of Riggin Schaffer say they’re remembering the 18-year-old as a hero who died helping another. Schaffer was assisting a crash victim on a Wyoming highway March 23 when another car struck them.

David MadisonMarch 31, 2025

The family and close friends of former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson gave him a final goodbye in Cody on Monday, sharing laughs, tears and hugs. His brother and lifelong best friend Pete got a standing ovation for his tribute.

Tears, Laughter As Family And Friends Give Final Goodbye To Al Simpson

The family and close friends of former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson gave him a final goodbye in Cody on Monday, sharing laughs, tears and hugs. His brother and lifelong best friend Pete got a standing ovation for his tribute.

Leo WolfsonMarch 31, 2025

Alfred Packer confessed to cannibalism for eating his five companions in the winter of 1874. He had been hired as their guide and instead got them lost in the San Juan mountains of Colorado during a blizzard. The spelling of his first name is wrong on this sign, a common mistake because Packer himself had a tattoo with his first name misspelled "Alfred."

A Wyoming Sheriff Caught Infamous Cannibal Alfred Packer, Brought Him To Justice

After eating his five traveling companions in the Colorado mountains in the winter of 1874, Alfred Packer eluded capture for nearly a decade. One of the most infamous cannibals in U.S. history was caught and brought to justice by a Wyoming sheriff.

Jackie DorothyMarch 29, 2025

Home surveillance video shows Clint White leaving his house in Powell, Wyoming, just before 2 a.m. last Wednesday. Nobody’s seen him since. His mysterious disappearance has the family and police baffled. His body was found Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Police, Family Baffled By Powell Man’s Mysterious Disappearance

Home surveillance video shows Clint White leaving his house in Powell, Wyoming, just before 2 a.m. last Wednesday. Nobody’s seen him since. His mysterious disappearance has the family and police baffled.

Jen KocherMarch 31, 2025

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has called in Donald Trump to educate locals on VIN inspections. Or at least a deputy impersonating the president, who urges people to not be like “greenies” from Colorado and “make VIN inspections great again.”

Laramie County Sheriff Calls In 'Trump' To 'Make VIN Inspections Great Again'

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office called in Donald Trump to educate locals on VIN inspections. Or at least a deputy impersonating the president, who says even "Greenies" from Colorado need to get their vehicles checked when they change hands.

Clair McFarlandMarch 31, 2025

Yellowstone grizzlies may be at the top of the food chain, but even the apex predator has to think twice about tangling with a herd of ornery bison. The Old Faithful webcam Monday caught the herd sending a grizzly running for cover.

Grizzly Chased From Old Faithful By Ornery Yellowstone Bison Herd

Yellowstone grizzlies may be at the top of the food chain, but even the apex predator has to think twice about tangling with a herd of ornery bison. The Old Faithful webcam Monday caught the herd sending a grizzly running for cover.

Andrew RossiMarch 31, 2025

An Irish woman is suing a Wyoming dude ranch for a vacation gone wrong that left her with a crushed ankle. Her lawsuit, filed last week, claims the injury happened when a guide inadvertently bear-sprayed her horse.

Irish Woman Sues Dubois Dude Ranch Over Ankle Crushed By Bear-Sprayed Horse

An Irish woman is suing a Wyoming dude ranch for a vacation gone wrong that left her with a crushed ankle. Her lawsuit, filed last week, claims the injury happened when a guide mistakenly bear-sprayed her horse.  

Clair McFarlandMarch 31, 2025

Daily Features

View all
"Steamboat Point on the skyline. The snow helps hide the effects of last fall's Elk Fire that burned off the face of the Big Horns in this area." Wolf, WY
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Friday, April 4, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Marianne Gambill in Wapiti Valley. Marianne writes, "Foggy bottom."

Photo by Marianne Gambill

Today's question to Don Day

Mark James Mullins of Douglas
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
Don Day
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
DD

Opinion

View all
Dave simpson head 10 3 22

Dave Simpson: This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things 

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “It was a vociferous majority, on steroids. Some in the crowd of around 500 at the Laramie Civic Center were screaming profanities at Hageman from the start, and giving our two-term representative the middle finger." 

Dave SimpsonMarch 31, 2025

Lubnau head 2

Tom Lubnau: Now The Jury Decides If A Budget Vote Was Some Anti-Trump Scheme

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "The Sweetwater County defamation lawsuit revolves around the alleged falsehood that Reps. Wylie and Larson made a vote to take Trump off the ballot. No vote was ever taken in the Wyoming legislature on any bill, resolution or proposal to keep or remove Trump from any ballot."  

Tom LubnauApril 03, 2025

Sally ann headshot 12 28 23

Sally Ann Shurmur: Hoping Al Simpson's Family Gets Chance To Grieve Well

Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “The celebration of life began the only way it could have, with Western Thunder Marching Band playing 'Ragtime Cowboy Joe.' Now with the funerals over, I pray to God that Ann gets a nap."

Sally Ann ShurmurApril 03, 2025

Newsletter

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all