AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
The World Famous Corral Bar in Pinedale may not actually be “world famous,” but it is a favorite spot for locals. The family that’s owned the bar for the last 25 years has decided it’s time to sell, listing it for about $1.5 million.

Pinedale’s World Famous Corral Bar For Sale For $1.5 Million

The World Famous Corral Bar in Pinedale may not actually be “world famous,” but it is a favorite spot for locals. The family that’s owned the bar for the last 25 years has decided it’s time to sell, listing it for about $1.5 million.

Renée JeanApril 25, 2025

A truck hauling sand drives through Yoder, Wyoming. It's one of up to 150 a day that haul sand through the town.

Mayor Says Company’s Fracking Sand Continues To “Drift Like Snow” Across Yoder

A local company’s fracking sand continues to “drift like snow” across Yoder in eastern Wyoming, resulting in another round of clean air violations. The mayor says it’s causing him to cough and pushed a neighbor out of town.

David MadisonApril 25, 2025

Charlie kirk 4 24 25

Charlie Kirk Tells UW Students To Reject Woke Ideologies, Traditional College Education

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk implored an audience at the University of Wyoming on Thursday night to cast away traditional liberal beliefs and woke ideologies

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

The Sheridan Broncs walk out on War Memorial Field before their 4A championship game Nov. 16, 2024.

Wyoming Activities Association Consider Allowing High School Athletes To Get Paid

High school athletes in Wyoming may be soon able to make money off their athletic performance. The Wyoming High School Activities Association is considering a policy that would allow athletes to pursue Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals in the Cowboy State. 

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Black Butte High School in Rock Springs is operated out of the Western Wyoming Community College campus. The school, and Sweetwater County School District No. 1 officials, are accused of transitioning a student without parental knowledge.

Former Rock Springs Teacher Emailed Student About Gender Transition

In an ongoing lawsuit about whether a Rock Springs school district helped to gender-transition a girl behind her parents' backs, the district is asking the judge not to let a former teacher's emails - which have surfaced in the case file - go to trial.

Clair McFarlandApril 24, 2025

Dave Johnston Power Plant aerial 4 24 25

Wyoming Power Plant May Be Proving Ground For Emissions-Free Coal Burning

The Dave Johnston Power Plant near Glenrock is where PacifiCorp is trying to prove new tech that can achieve emissions-free coal burning. Some experts are optimistic about the prospect, while others wonder if it can be done and at what cost.

David MadisonApril 24, 2025

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, held an in-person town hall meeting in Buffalo on Thursday, April 24, 2024. It was much less contentious and disruptive than previous town halls she's recently held, but still feisty.

Cheers, Challenges And Some Boos As Hageman Resumes In-Person Town Halls

Wyoming Republican U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman returned to hosting in-person town halls around the state Thursday. A split crowd in Buffalo was both rowdy and receptive.

Greg JohnsonApril 25, 2025

Kevin Christopherson has used trail cameras to capture numerous images of wildlife on land he owns in the Box Elder Canyon area south of Glenrock.

Proposed Limits On Landowner Hunting Tags Could Cut Out Many Property Owners 

Hunters worry that a plan to more than double the amount of land that people need to own to qualify for landowner hunting tags could cut out property owners across Wyoming.

Mark HeinzApril 24, 2025

Curt meier 4 24 25

State Treasurer Plans To Invest Billions To Help Bring Manufacturing To Wyoming

State Treasurer Curt Meier said he has plans to use $1 billion to $1.5 billion of the state’s investment earnings to bring more manufacturing to Wyoming. The timing of this proposal is in direct alignment with President Trump’s ongoing tariff war, he said.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Beartooth highway 4 24 25

Let The Clearing Begin: Transportation Crews Attack The Snow On Beartooth Highway

The Montana Department of Transportation started clearing its side of the Beartooth Highway on April 18. The National Park Service will handle the rest, tentatively clearing the way for the entire expanse to open Memorial Day weekend.

Andrew RossiApril 25, 2025

Anatolian Shepherds are huge livestock guardian dogs fierce enough to chase off grizzlies and wolves. And it turns out that they’re also great at keeping an eye on toddlers.

Local Rancher Not Surprised Anatolian Pyrenees Dog Rescued Lost Arizona Toddler

Montana rancher Lauren Stoddard told Cowboy State Daily that she wasn’t the least bit surprised by the account of an Anatolian Pyrenees rescuing a lost toddler in Arizona this month. “These dogs identify need," Stoddard said.

Mark HeinzApril 24, 2025

Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis so far has more than $1.5 million at her disposal heading into her 2026 race for reelection. That’s after she and her PAC raised about $420,000 in the first quarter of the year, according to campaign finance reports.

Lummis Has More Than $1.5M So Far For 2026 Race, Campaign Finance Reports Show

Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis so far has more than $1.5 million at her disposal heading into her 2026 race for reelection. That’s after she and her PAC raised about $420,000 in the first quarter of the year, according to campaign finance reports.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Rene Maria Manzanares

Hotel Housekeeper Accused Of Stealing Elderly Couple's Coins Makes Plea Deal For Probation

The former head housekeeper of the Plains Hotel in Cheyenne agreed to a plea deal for probation in a stolen coin case. Rene Maria Manzanares is accused of stealing nearly $26,000 in coins from an elderly couple who lost their home in a mudslide.

Clair McFarlandApril 24, 2025

Headquarters for the Wyoming Republican Party at 1714 Capitol St. in Cheyenne.

Wyoming GOP Slams Lawsuit Brought By ‘Liz Cheney Republicans’

The Wyoming Republican Party slammed the Hot Springs County GOP and a former state legislator Wednesday as "Liz Cheney Republicans" in response to a lawsuit against the state party’s efforts to tell the county party how to conduct its elections.

Leo WolfsonApril 23, 2025

On the floor of a natural gas drilling rig, roughnecks move 25-ton blocks over a section of drilling pipe 8 miles north of Evanston, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Wyoming Union Group Says Gordon Not Doing Enough To Prevent Workplace Deaths

The Wyoming State AFL-CIO says Gov. Mark Gordon has not done enough during his time as governor to prevent workplace fatalities. Worker deaths spiked by 25% last year to the highest rate per capita in the country.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

A view of the terminal at the Sheridan County Airport.

Runaway Costs Have Wyoming’s Small Airports Facing Financial Turbulence

Small regional airports around Wyoming are being squeezed hard by inflation and runaway costs. Airports in Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan and Gillette in particular face a fight to keep airline service next year.

Renée JeanApril 23, 2025

Ammunition for sale at Frontier Arms & Supply in Cheyenne. Displays like this, where customers can grab their own ammunition while shopping, will be illegal in Colorado under a new law.

New Ammo Sales Restriction In Colorado Could Push More Customers To Wyoming

A new Colorado law will require retailers to lock up the ammunition in their stores. A Wyoming gun store manager says Colorado’s firearms policies could push more customers toward Wyoming.

Mark HeinzApril 23, 2025

Joshua Hayden-Ali, 43, aka "Wisdom," is known around Cheyenne for throwing "hexes" at people, threatening them with a staff and making death threats.

Cheyenne Voodoo Man Charged With Tearing Up Election Center Says He Was Set Up

Nicknamed "Wisdom," Joshua Hayden-Ali, is choosing to have a bench trial in which a judge, not a jury, will decide if he's guilty of tearing up an election center. He told Cowboy State Daily he's been set up by a secret organization.

Clair McFarlandApril 23, 2025

A rare triple conjunction of Venus, Saturn and the moon will appear as a "space smiley" above Wyoming on Friday morning for anyone willing to wake up early enough to see it before sunrise.

Rare ‘Space Smiley’ Will Be Visible In The Early Morning Sky On Friday

A rare triple conjunction of Venus, Saturn and the moon will appear as a "space smiley" above Wyoming on Friday morning for anyone willing to wake up early enough to see it before sunrise.

Andrew RossiApril 23, 2025

A lot of elk getty 4 23 25

Wyoming Rancher Worries More Elk Tags Will Make Herds Hide From Hunters

Elk hunters in northeast Wyoming are facing a quandary — how to give hunters access to kill enough elk to keep the herds in check. An area rancher worries more tags will make the herds hide from hunters.

Mark HeinzApril 23, 2025

Screenshot from graphic body camera video that shows the Pocatello, Idaho, Police Department's lethal response to a disabled teen brandishing a long knife and threatening family members.

Body Cam Video Shows Shooting Death Of Autistic Idaho Teen By Police

Body camera video has been released showing the shooting death by Pocatello, Idaho, police of a non-verbal autistic teen brandishing a large knife. The incident has sparked protests of the local police.

David MadisonApril 23, 2025

Alisher M. Sabirov

Uzbekistani Trucker Accused Of Chasing Another Trucker With Knife

An Uzbekistani truck driver was arrested after a road rage incident along Interstate 80 in southwest Wyoming, which escalated into him chasing another trucker with a knife, court documents say. He's scheduled for a Friday court hearing.

Clair McFarlandApril 23, 2025

A conservation dog helps find moose ticks, also known as winter ticks.

Red-Vested Dogs Deploy Around Wyoming And The World To Help Save Wildlife

Conservation dogs are easily identifiable by their red vests and noses to the ground. They’re trained to sniff out invasive plants, identify other animals and can even intercept poachers.

Anna-Louise JacksonApril 23, 2025

Liam Cobb, 19, a wind turbine technician from Dougals, died from a fall while working on a turbine in Carbon County. His family says he’ll be remembered for his kindness and intense curiosity about the world.

Mom Says 19-Year-Old Wind Tech Who Jumped From Turbine Struggled Long Before Death

Cristy Cobb, the mother of a 19-year-old wind energy technician who died when he jumped from a turbine earlier this month, said he battled mental health issues long before his death. She wants his story to now help others.

Leo WolfsonApril 23, 2025

Steven Marler, left, consults with his attorneys following a morning court session last week.

Casper Foster Dad Found Guilty Of Sexually Abusing Adopted Girls

It took a Casper jury more than six hours Tuesday afternoon and evening to convict Steven Marler on eight of 11 charges of sexually abusing two adopted daughters, including one of rape.

Dale KillingbeckApril 23, 2025

Brad Cundy was overwhelmed to find he had a 5-year-old granddaughter, Taylee, following his son's death.

After Son’s Suicide Devastates Family, DNA Reveals Miracle Grandchild

When Matt Cundy of Casper took his own life at age 27, the family he left behind was devastated. DNA later revealed that he had also left them with something special — a 5-year-old daughter they never knew he had.

Jen KocherApril 20, 2025

Authorities declined Tuesday to confirm to Cowboy State Daily whose body they found on the Wind River Reservation, but the daughter of a man missing since December said it may be her father, Rex Allen Lofts.

Body Found On Wind River Reservation May Be Missing Father, Daughter Says

Authorities declined Tuesday to confirm to Cowboy State Daily whose body they found on the Wind River Reservation, but the daughter of a man missing since December said it may be her father.

Clair McFarlandApril 23, 2025

Jake in studio small

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake — Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsApril 23, 2025

Bernard D. Hale

Police Say Gillette Dementia Patient Froze After Nursing Assistant Ignored Alarm

A nursing assistant at a Gillette senior living center was formally charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter for the freezing death of an 88-year-old dementia patient. Police say he ignored an alarm she triggered when she went outside in January.

Jen KocherApril 22, 2025

A fracking rig in Wyoming in this file photo.

Unpopular Choices May Be Ahead To Pay For Wyoming Schools As Minerals Money Shrinks

How Wyoming can make up for declining oil and gas revenues to fund public schools was a main topic of discussion at a state trust land forum held in Laramie on Tuesday. It could mean some unpopular choices may be ahead to raise money.

Leo WolfsonApril 22, 2025

Overpass 9 14 22

With Federal Grants In Question, Wyoming Wildlife Crossing Projects Are On Hold

With federal grants frozen as the Trump administration combs through federal budgets, some major Wyoming wildlife crossing projects are on hold.

Mark HeinzApril 22, 2025

Justin Ernest Golay

Wyoming Man Accused Of Having Deceased Child Porn Gets 22-27 Years In Prison

A Wyoming man originally accused of having pornographic images of babies, toddlers and dead children has been sentenced to 22-27 years in prison. He pleaded “no contest” to 23 of the 54 child porn charges against him, says a Tuesday court order.

Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025

The Dave Johnston power plant's four units were built between 1959 and 1972. It's owned by PacifiCorp.

Clean Energy Company Says Its Tech Could Eliminate Smokestacks On Coal Plants

The smokestacks towering above the Dave Johnston power plant are a fixture on the skyline outside of Glenrock. A group of engineering and technology experts are meeting there this week with the goal of making them obsolete.

David MadisonApril 22, 2025

Cheyenne has taken steps to improve a problem downtown parking garage and make it safer. But business owners say there continue to be nightly noise violations, as well as vandalism.

Downtown Cheyenne Parking Garage A Nightmare, Nearby Business Owners Say

Cheyenne has taken steps to improve a problem downtown parking garage and make it safer. But business owners say there continue to be nightly noise violations, as well as vandalism.

Renée JeanApril 22, 2025

Protecting the “Path of the Pronghorn” migration route is vital for the Sublette antelope herd, which is a national treasure, a biologist says. Drilling technology could help keep the path clear for Wyoming’s prized pronghorn.

Horizontal Drilling Could Keep Wyoming’s ‘Path Of The Pronghorn’ Clear

Protecting the “Path of the Pronghorn” migration route is vital for the Sublette antelope herd, which is a national treasure, a biologist says. Drilling technology could help keep the path clear for Wyoming’s prized pronghorn.

Mark HeinzApril 22, 2025

Newcastle KASL Radio via Flickr 4 22 25

Newcastle Police Find Unexploded Bottle Bombs, Shoot Them To Neutralize

Newcastle police are investigating the discovery of three 2-liter bottle bombs on a sidewalk in town. Filled with drain or toilet-bowl cleaner and aluminum foil, the bombs were safely exploded from a distance by shooting them.

Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025

Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin Joins Board of Ramaco Resources.

Former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin Joins Ramaco Resources Board

The company developing a rare earth element mine in Ranchester added former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to its team. While in office, Manchin was a leading advocate for the mining industry.

David MadisonApril 22, 2025

Steven Marler, left, and attorneys John Hummel and Devon Petersen leave the Natrona County District Court.

Jury Has Case Of Casper Man Who Told Girl ‘I know I Shouldn’t Love You Like This’

A Natrona County District Court jury started deliberating Tuesday the fate of a Casper foster father accused of sexually abusing multiple young girls. One alleged victim told the jury he said to her, “I know I shouldn’t love like this, but I do.”

Dale KillingbeckApril 22, 2025

This U.S. Marine Corps C-130J is nicknamed "Fat Albert" and is assigned to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team.

Wyoming National Guard Base To Be Home For Fleet Of C-130J Tankers

The Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne is the latest base awarded top-flight C-130J air tankers. Starting in 2028, it will be home for a fleet of eight C-130Js, which will be a huge boost for fighting wildfires.

Renée JeanApril 22, 2025

The new leadership of the Hot Springs County Republican Party has sued the state GOP over a decision it made earlier this month to reject county election results and call for a recount. In the lawsuit, the county calls the state party a “Soviet-style politburo.”

Hot Springs County Republicans Sue ‘Soviet-Style Politburo’ State Party

The new leadership of the Hot Springs County Republican Party has sued the state GOP over a decision it made earlier this month to reject county election results and call for a recount. In the lawsuit, the county calls the state party a “Soviet-style politburo.”

Leo WolfsonApril 22, 2025

Steven Marler

Judge Tosses 8 Of 19 Charges Against Former Foster Dad In Child Sex Abuse Trial

The Natrona County District Judge in the Steven Marler trial tossed eight of 19 sexual abuse charges against Marler. Final arguments in the trial are expected Tuesday.

Dale KillingbeckApril 21, 2025

Former Campbell County public library director Terri Lesley on Monday sued the county, two county boards and six county leaders and employees, alleging employment discrimination. Lesley was fired in 2023 after years of sparring with officials and residents over LGBTQ and sexually-themed books.

Ousted Librarian Sues Campbell County After Pride Month, Books Controversies

Former Campbell County public library director Terri Lesley on Monday sued the county, two county boards and six county leaders and employees, alleging discrimination. Lesley was fired in 2023 after years of sparring over LGBTQ and sexually-themed books.

Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025

Thirteen Bozeman police officers were caught playing games of “Crime Bingo,” the department reported Thursday. The customized bingo cards included incidents to check off during traffic stops, like “arrest 2 people” or “butt-ass naked.”

Montana Cops Caught On Duty Playing ‘Crime Bingo’ With Traffic Stops

Thirteen Bozeman police officers were caught playing games of “Crime Bingo,” the department reported. The customized bingo cards included incidents to check off during traffic stops, like “arrest 2 people” or “butt-ass naked.”

David MadisonApril 21, 2025

Gillette police 5 31 23

Gillette Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge In Shooting Of Romantic Rival

A 22-year-old Gillette man is accused of shooting a man whom he called the ex-boyfriend of a woman he was seeing. He faces a charge of aggravated assault and attempted second-degree murder.  

Clair McFarlandApril 22, 2025

A surge of solar energy will make the Northern Lights even more visible Tuesday and Wednesday nights — and Wyoming will be in a prime location to view them.

Another Northern Lights Show Is Anticipated Over Wyoming This Week

A surge of solar energy will make the Northern Lights even more visible Tuesday and Wednesday nights — and Wyoming will be in a prime location to view them.

Andrew RossiApril 21, 2025

A former Jackson Hole fire chief, Ned Brady Hansen, charged with child sex crimes in Utah is now being sued by two girls who claim he abused them and distributed nude photos of them. They were younger than 7 and 5, and he would have been in Jackson for part of that timespan.

Lawsuit Claims Man Molested Girls While He Was Jackson Hole Fire Chief

A former Jackson Hole fire chief charged with child sex crimes in Utah is now being sued by two girls who claim he abused them and distributed nude photos of them. They were younger than 7 and 5, and he would have been in Jackson for part of that timespan.

Clair McFarlandApril 21, 2025

Stacy O’Nell caught photos of this extremely rare black fox in Yellowstone National Park, when it made a brief appearance along the roadside last week. The fox’s unusual coloring is probably the result of a condition called melanism, which can cause black skin, fur or feathers in numerous species.

Rare Black Fox Pops Out Along Roadside In Yellowstone

A fox with rare black fur made a brief roadside appearance in Yellowstone National Park last week. The fox’s coloring is probably the result of a condition called melanism.

Mark HeinzApril 21, 2025

Bryan Miller, left, and Rebecca Bextel are running for the top leadership position in the Wyoming Republican Party.

Two-Horse Race To Be Next Chairman Of Wyoming Republican Party

Wyoming is one of the reddest states in the nation politically, which makes leading the Republican Party in the Cowboy State a high-profile position with influence. There’s a two-horse race for GOP state chairman.

Leo WolfsonApril 21, 2025

Daily Features

View all
"Flew out of Cheyenne during sunrise at 6 a.m. and made a turn above I-80. So pretty."
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Saturday, April 26, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Ashley Anderson. Ashley writes, "Flew out of Cheyenne during sunrise at 6 a.m. and made a turn above I-80. So pretty."

Photo by Ashley Anderson

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
Sally ann headshot 12 28 23

Sally Ann Shurmur: Easter Week Has Been Rough, But Still There Is Hope

Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Clouding the hope of the Resurrection has been a spate of death. But even in the sadness, there is hope.”

Sally Ann ShurmurApril 24, 2025

Lubnau head 2

Tom Lubnau: Why Do Public Boards Appear To Be Hiding Things When They Discipline Employees?

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Do you ever wonder why public employers rarely comment on termination of government employees?  The simple answer is Wyoming law prohibits comments by public officials regarding terminations."

Tom LubnauApril 23, 2025

Candy moulton 4 16 24

Candy Moulton: Joseph Marshall III Completes His Circle

Candy Moulton writes: “Joseph Marshall III was a tremendous writer, an inspiring speaker, an imposing figure. And I’m grateful to say, a friend of mine, who was always so willing to share his Lakota ways and understanding.”

Candy MoultonApril 22, 2025

Newsletter

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all