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Bryan Pedersen, chair of the Wyoming Combat Sports Commission, has drafted the nation's first regulatory framework for "synthetic combatants" — robots designed to compete in combat sports against each other or against human fighters.

Wyoming Ready To Be First State To Have Human Vs. Robot Combat Sports

When — not if — humans start competing against robots in combat sports, Wyoming is ready. The Wyoming Combat Sports Commission has already outlined the nation’s first rules for “synthetic combat." It's coming, they say. China just hosted the first World Humanoid Robot Games in August.

David MadisonNovember 01, 2025

A year ago, the historic Bell Building in Downtown Cheyenne was boarded up. Now the 1911 building has a new facade and is on its way to again being a capital city showpiece.

Cheyenne’s Historic Downtown Bell Building Was Boarded Up, Now It’s Becoming A Showpiece

For decades, the historic Bell Building in Downtown Cheyenne was boarded up and had little hope for a future. Now, against all odds, the 1911 building has a new facade and is on its way to again being a capital city showpiece.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2025

A mysterious masked rider terrorized the Laramie Peak area around Wheatland in 1930, targeting rustlers and a man three times because he hated the man’s red hair. Turns out, the redhead was the vigilante and shot himself to throw off the law.

Wyoming History: Wheatland Terrorized In 1930 By Masked "Phantom Rider"

As 1930 dawned, bringing in the Great Depression and a decade of lawlessness spawning the likes of Machine Gun Kelley, Alvin Karpis and John Dillinger, a masked man rode hard around Wheatland and was a masked savior to some, a bandit to others.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 01, 2025

Nearly seven months after a semitrailer plowed through an Upton storage building and a rental home, the owner says she’s trapped in insurance hell. “It’s not fair,” she said, while the buildings remain piles of cinder blocks, twisted metal and motor oil.

7 Months After Semi Plows Through House And Workshop, Upton Woman In Insurance Hell

Nearly seven months after a semitrailer plowed through an Upton storage building and a rental home, the owner says she’s trapped in insurance hell. “It’s not fair,” she said, while the buildings remain piles of cinder blocks, twisted metal and motor oil.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 31, 2025

An Buffalo, Wyoming-area elk hunter claims that he and others are denied hunting opportunities by a landowner hoarding the herd by deliberately driving elk away from public land, like in this file photo of Wyoming elk on winter range.

Hunters Claim Wyoming Landowner Hoards Elk By Driving Them Away From Public Land

An Buffalo, Wyoming-area elk hunter claims that he and others are denied hunting opportunities by a landowner hoarding the herd by deliberately driving elk away from public land.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

Casper Republican state Rep. J.R. Riggins says he plans to introduce a bill that would allow people with older vehicles to pay less to renew their license plates. He says changing the fee structure would put more money in the pockets of Wyomingites.

Casper Legislator Wants To Cut License Plate Fees For Older Vehicles

Casper Republican state Rep. J.R. Riggins says he plans to introduce a bill that would allow people with older vehicles to pay less to renew their license plates. He says changing the fee structure would put more money in the pockets of Wyomingites.

Jackson WalkerOctober 31, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon declared a Wyoming welfare emergency Friday, ordering up to $10 million in state money for emergency food assistance if federal SNAP benefits run out “due to the Schumer shutdown.”

Gordon Declares Wyoming ‘Welfare Emergency,’ Orders Up To $10M For Food Benefits

Gov. Mark Gordon declared a Wyoming welfare emergency Friday, ordering up to $10 million in state money for emergency food assistance if federal SNAP benefits run out “due to the Schumer shutdown.”

Jackson WalkerOctober 31, 2025

Brayden Lovan was an airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne when he died on duty Sunday, July 20, 2025.

Air Force Base Shooter Pointed Gun At Airman's Chest In 'Joking Manner’

A Wyoming-based U.S. Air Force member was killed when a fellow airman at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base pointed a Sig Sauer M18 pistol at his chest in a joking manner while his finger was on the trigger, the 90th Missile Wing reported Friday.

Clair McFarlandOctober 31, 2025

Fall is a great time to fish on the North Platte River near Casper, with cooler weather, clear water and thinner crowds.

Fall Not Just For Hunting: Wyoming Anglers Say It’s The Best Time For Fishing

Wyoming outdoors enthusiasts are obsessed with hunting during the fall, but anglers say it’s also the best time of year to go fishing.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office is urging the state Supreme Court to give legislators more time to tweak school funding before being forced by a court order. That includes a computer for every kid and elementary mental health counselors.

State Asks Court To Give Legislators A Breather While They Tweak School Funding

The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office is urging the state Supreme Court to give legislators more time to tweak school funding before being forced by a court order. That includes a computer for every kid and elementary mental health counselors.

Clair McFarlandOctober 31, 2025

Wyoming state Reps. Ken Pendergraft, from left, Abby Angelos, and Scott Smith during a press conference at the Wyoming Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Freedom Caucus Members Say Record Investment Revenue Should Drive More Cuts

Freedom Caucus members of the House Appropriations Committee in an impromptu press conference Thursday laid out its goals for the coming budget session. They highlighted conservative fiscal principles and called for a return to “pre-COVID” spending.  

Jackson WalkerOctober 31, 2025

The revenues and forecasts report given to legislators Thursday shows that the state's investments outpaced projections by hundreds of millions of dollars. Record-high investment earnings of $1.86 billion “dominated” the fiscal year, the report says.

Wyoming Investment Earnings Blow Past Projections By Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars

The Consensus Revenue Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) report given to legislators Thursday shows that the state's investments outpaced projections by hundreds of millions of dollars. Record-high investment earnings of $1.86 billion “dominated” the 2025 fiscal year.  

Clair McFarlandOctober 30, 2025

Casper police pd 10 31 25

Gillette Teen Avoids ‘Nearly A Life Sentence’ For Casper Crime Spree

A 17-year-old from Gillette avoided “nearly a life sentence” Friday when he pleaded guilty to stealing cars, guns and breaking into homes in Casper. In a plea deal, the district attorney will recommend he be sent to the state boot camp.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 31, 2025

After nearly losing his life last year, Glen Chavez has a new you-only-live-once philosophy. That led the Cheyenne L.A. Dodgers superfan to make a sudden dream World Series trip this week with his wife Annette — to watch them lose twice.

Cheyenne LA Dodgers Superfan Makes Dream World Series Trip — Then They Lose Twice

After nearly losing his life last year, Glen Chavez has a new you-only-live-once philosophy. That led the Cheyenne L.A. Dodgers superfan to make a sudden dream World Series trip this week — to watch them lose twice.

Zakary SonntagOctober 30, 2025

A barred owl, inset, with a group of spotted owls.

Federal Plan To Massacre Nearly 500,000 Owls To Save Other Owls Is Back On Track

The U.S. Senate cleared the way Wednesday for wildlife agents to kill nearly 500,000 barred owls to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, barred owls could be moving in on native great gray owls in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt arrived in Cinnabar on his special train. The small town became known as the “Western White House” during the sixteen days the president was at Yellowstone National Park. Nine days after Roosevelt boarded his train and left, Cinnabar was abandoned. The railroad had diverted their train to the rival town of Gardiner and Cinnabar lost the tourists they depended on.

Haunted Wyoming: Spectral Train Still Runs Through Ghost Town Of Cinnabar

Each year, a spectral train is said to pull up to the Cinnabar Depot at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. But Cinnabar is a ghost town, abandoned more than 120 years ago — and the train tracks have long been pulled up.

Jackie DorothyOctober 31, 2025

Snake River and Teton Range Sunset by Dave Bell

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday; Should Wyoming 'Fall Back And Stay'?

Clocks "fall back” at 2 a.m. Sunday when daylight saving time ends, and many Wyomingites are tired of the twice yearly yo-yo of leaping forward, then back again. Many want the U.S. to "fall back and stay back,” adopting permanent standard time year-round.

Andrew RossiOctober 31, 2025

The damage done to "Buffalo Nation," a bronze sculpture by Chris Navarro on the corner of Pioneer Avenue and W. 19th Street in Cheyenne. The sculpture wasn't damaged but has been removed so it can be fitted to its pedestal with new bolts to make it even more secure.

"Thieves Or Turds" Vandalize Chris Navarro Bronze Bison In Downtown Cheyenne

A bronze sculpture featuring bison by famous Wyoming artist Chris Navarro placed in downtown Cheyenne in memory of a woman’s late husband has been vandalized. Local art dealer Harvey Deselms said whoever did it are either “thieves” or “turds."

Andrew RossiOctober 30, 2025

Zero is one of more than 100 animals rescued from a hoarder earlier in October, and seems to be having no issues adapting to his new home with the Clayton Harward-Willmer family.

Finding Homes For 100+ Hoarded Animals A Huge Effort For Cheyenne Shelter

After escaping reportedly horrific hoarding conditions, more than 100 Cheyenne animals are finding new homes. Their personalities are changing, and so are their names, as animal shelter staff work to pair them with new families.

Jackson WalkerOctober 30, 2025

Casper PD police Car 2

Casper Burglar Who Broke Into Wrong House To Stay In Prison

One of the two men who broke into a Casper home two years ago — not expecting to encounter a scrappy sheriff’s deputy the deputy’s pregnant, pistol-packing wife — has to keep serving his 22-to-25-year prison term, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandOctober 31, 2025

An investigation into the June shooting death of a Pine Bluffs crop duster and former university-level rodeo athlete that left friends puzzled for months is now closed. The shooting was self-defense, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

Pine Bluffs Crop Duster's Shooting Death Ruled Self-Defense

An investigation into the June shooting death of a Pine Bluffs crop duster and former university-level rodeo athlete that left friends puzzled for months is now closed. The shooting was self-defense, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2025

Kai Montoya in his skeleton outfit for Halloween. He was born with complex congenital heart disease and has his feeding tube placed when he was 21 days old.

Meet Kai, The Laramie 2-Year-Old Who Doesn’t Want Candy On Halloween

Meet Kai Montoya, a 2-year-old Laramie boy who loves Halloween and wearing his skeleton costume. He also is fed through a tube after heart surgery at birth, which means he doesn’t want candy — but he’s thrilled with pencils, stickers, and other toys.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 30, 2025

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office arrested a pair of undocumented truck drivers Tuesday for immigration violations. Sheriff Brian Kozak says they’re examples of the work being done by the department’s new immigration task force. One of the drivers got off I-25 at College Avenue in Cheyenne, above.

Laramie County Puts New ICE Task Force To Work, Busts Illegal Truckers

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office arrested a pair of undocumented truck drivers Tuesday for suspected immigration violations. Sheriff Brian Kozak says they’re examples of the work being done by the department’s new immigration task force.

Jackson WalkerOctober 29, 2025

The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that Kemmerer Natrium project poses “no adverse impact to the environment.” It is the first advanced commercial facility to receive such a distinction.

Nuclear Panel Says Bill Gates-Backed Kemmerer Project Is Environmentally Safe

The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that the Bill Gates-backed Kemmerer Natrium project poses “no adverse impact to the environment.” It is the first advanced commercial facility to receive such a distinction.

Jackson WalkerOctober 29, 2025

Wyoming hunters say it’s unfair when big game hunting tags in some areas all go to landowners. A legislative committee advanced a bill Wednesday that could cap landowner tag allocations at 40% under some circumstances.

Committee OK's Bill To Cap Landowner Hunting Tags, Leaving More For Public

Wyoming hunters say it’s unfair when big game hunting tags in some areas all go to landowners. A legislative committee advanced a bill Wednesday that could cap landowner tag allocations at 40% under some circumstances.

Mark HeinzOctober 29, 2025

A wildlife photographer said she was mesmerized watching Yellowstone’s Wapiti wolf pack devour an elk near a road. At one point, a “runaway dinner" rack of ribs tried to make a getaway down the Yellowstone River, but one persistent wolf went in after it.

‘Runaway Dinner’: Wolf Wades Into Yellowstone River After Floating Rack Of Ribs

A wildlife photographer said she was mesmerized watching Yellowstone’s Wapiti wolf pack devour an elk near a road. At one point, a “runaway dinner" rack of ribs tried to make a getaway down the Yellowstone River, but one persistent wolf went in after it.

Andrew RossiOctober 29, 2025

The Fremont County Library's Riverton branch.

Ousted Library Board Member Files Case Against Fremont County Commission

David Mossburg, ousted from the local library board last week by a surprise Fremont County Commission re-vote, petitioned a court Wednesday to reinstate him. A local newspaper has claimed the secret ballot vote that led to his appointment is illegal.

Clair McFarlandOctober 30, 2025

Bernard D. Hale

Jury Chooses Lighter Penalty For CNA Who Let Dementia Patient Freeze

A jury found a former Gillette assisted living center CNA who lost track of a dementia patient, who then got outside and froze to death, guilty of misdemeanor negligent homicide. But the jury acquitted him of the manslaughter felony he originally faced.  

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2025

Much to the relief of folks in Green River, the westbound Green River Tunnel reopened to traffic on Wednesday. It comes more than eight months after a fiery and fatal 26-vehicle crash that burned and damaged it.

8 Months After Fatal 26-Vehicle Crash, Westbound Green River Tunnel Reopens

Much to the relief of folks in Green River, the westbound Green River Tunnel reopened to traffic on Wednesday. It comes more than eight months after a fiery and fatal 26-vehicle crash burned and damaged it.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 29, 2025

A rumor that Ukranian President Zelensky is buying the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranch in Wyoming spread like wildfire Monday. But, it’s not true. However, an offer is pending on the $79.5 million ranch.

No, Zelenskyy Isn’t Buying 916,000-Acre Pathfinder Ranches — But Someone Is

A rumor that Ukrainian President Zelensky is buying the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranch in Wyoming spread like wildfire Monday. But, it’s not true. However, an offer is pending on the $79.5 million ranch.

Renée JeanOctober 28, 2025

A Halloween display in Thermopolis. Trick-or-treaters approaching this home won't have to be scared of the weather, as the forecast for Halloween calls for above-average but still chilly temperatures that evening.

Trick-Or-Treaters Can Load Up: No Snow, Bone-Chilling Wind Expected For Halloween

Some places in Wyoming usually get more snow on Halloween than on Christmas, but not this year. The not-so-frightening forecast for All Hallows' Eve calls for temperatures in the 40s and 50s, no precipitation, and no howling winds.

Andrew RossiOctober 29, 2025

Jamie Pullos, a 10-year volunteer at St. Joseph's Food Pantry — the largest in Cheyenne — says the organization has been getting more calls recently as people expect SNAP benefits to stop Nov. 1 during the government shutdown.

SNAP Fallout Has Wyoming Dem, Freedom Caucus Saying The Same Bible Verse

On the national scale, the federal government’s suspension of SNAP benefits has blue states suing the Trump administration. In Wyoming, the Freedom Caucus and a prominent Democrat have responded by quoting the same Bible verse.

Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2025

In the 1900s in Saratoga, women in an upper-class household, such as the Saratoga woman in this photo, were frightened by unexplained bumps in the night. The men tried to explain away the thumping by saying that the servant girl was bumping her head against her headboard each night when the clock chimed the half-hour. Reports do not say if the women believed this explanation.

Haunted Wyoming: The Headless Woman Of Cheyenne, And Other Terrifying Tales

Young women working the steam laundry in West Cheyenne were terrified by a headless woman who haunted their way to work. As bone-chilling as that was, sometimes the truth is even more bizarre.

Jackie DorothyOctober 29, 2025

After an eight-year investigation, 10 people have been busted, accused of faking Wyoming residency to get hunting tags in a Sweetwater County scam. Wyoming Game and Fish announced the violations Monday.

After 8-Year Investigation, Hunters Busted Faking Wyoming Residency To Get Tags

After an eight-year investigation, 10 people have been busted, accused of faking Wyoming residency to get hunting tags in a Sweetwater County scam. Wyoming Game and Fish announced the violations Monday.

Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2025

A pack of wolves were the primary consumers of a bull elk carcass near Togwotee Pass.

Death Feeds Life: Cameras Capture Wolves, Other Critters Picking Elk Carcass Clean

A wildlife filmmaker set up his cameras shortly after a bull elk died near Togwotee Pass. The video captured the different animals which moved in to feed on the carcass over a six week period and offers a rare view of how death feeds life in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2025

Chris Hicks has spent more than half of his 39 years in prison for being an accessory in two Gillette murders in 2005.

3 Life Sentences For Gillette Teen Not ‘Cruel And Unusual,’ Supreme Court Says

A Gillette man who got three life terms at age 19 for his involvement in killing two people won’t get resentenced. The Wyoming Supreme Court wasn’t swayed by science Christopher Hicks claimed shows that sentence for someone so young is “cruel and unusual."

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2025

Cheyenne residents are debating the level of a joint police-sheriff’s office SWAT response Monday to a man barricaded in a building armed with a knife. Some call it extreme while others say they’re glad to be protected.

Neighbors Watch Large Cheyenne SWAT Response To Barricaded Man With Knife

Cheyenne residents are debating the level of a joint police-sheriff’s office SWAT response Monday to a man barricaded in a building armed with a knife. Some call it extreme while others say they’re glad to be protected.

Jackson WalkerOctober 28, 2025

Two people seen in video near the Capitol about the time an explosive was left there last week have been identified as “subjects of interest” and referred to prosecutors, DCI confirmed Tuesday. The agency says it is “not looking for any other persons."

Two 'Subjects of Interest’ In Explosive Left At Capitol Referred To Prosecutors

Two people seen in video near the Capitol about the time an explosive was left there last week have been identified as “subjects of interest” and referred to prosecutors, DCI confirmed Tuesday. The agency says it is “not looking for any other persons."

Jackson WalkerOctober 28, 2025

Bar Nunn Elementary School is on of two schools targeted for closure in 2025 -26.

Only Elementary In Bar Nunn One Of 2 Natrona County Schools Set To Close

The only elementary in Bar Nunn is one of two Natrona County schools set to be closed, meaning kids would be bused to Casper. More than 30 parents, teachers and students appealed to the school board Monday to not close it and the Woods Learning Center.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 28, 2025

Reclusive Wyoming billionaire Timothy Mellon has been identified by The New York Times as the anonymous donor of $130 million to troops during the federal shutdown. Mellon wrote that he moved to tax-friendly Wyoming in 2005 to get away from the “rat race."

Who Is Timothy Mellon, The Reclusive Wyoming Billionaire Who Gave $130M To Troops?

Reclusive Wyoming billionaire Timothy Mellon has been identified by The New York Times as the anonymous donor of $130 million to troops during the shutdown. Last year, Mellon funded a billboard on the state line that warned drivers that Colorado was Venezuela.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 28, 2025

“Black cat bias” is a real thing that keeps them from being adopted from Wyoming animal shelters — even during the Halloween season. Despite their reputation, shelter workers say black cats aren’t witches in disguise or bring bad luck.

‘Black Cat Bias’: Even At Halloween, Wyoming Shelters Can’t Find Homes For Them

“Black cat bias” is a real thing that keeps them from being adopted from Wyoming animal shelters — even during the Halloween season. Despite their reputation, shelter workers say black cats aren’t witches in disguise or bring bad luck.

Andrew RossiOctober 28, 2025

Kevin Pino

Burglar Who Shot Riverton Shop Manager Gets 23-30 Years In Prison

The man who robbed a Riverton oil field shop and shot the manager when confronted got 23-30 years in prison Tuesday. “This is what’s wrong with our community,” said the manager’s wife, who was against a plea agreement dropping an attempted murder charge.

Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Greg Anderson. Greg writes, "It is a wonderful day in Crook County. Sunrise over the Belle Fourche river near Hulett."

Photo by Greg 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

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Men holding firearms at an auction house.

Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions Finds a New Frontier in Cody

What began as a two-person operation in Cody has grown into a homegrown success story — now employing more than 30 locals and operating as one of the nation’s leading sellers of used firearms.

October 31, 2025

WYO Right To Read advocates.

Wyoming Voices Unite for Literacy Equity

Across Wyoming, families, educators, advocates, the Department of Education, Professional Teacher Standards Board and the University of Wyoming are rallying behind a single, urgent goal: ensuring that every child has the right to read.

October 30, 2025

Portrait photo of Charles Hoskinson

Announcing the Hoskinson Government and Policy Center

The Policy Center plans on taking an active role in the 2026 elections in Wyoming as well and will coordinate with its Wyoming Integrity Political Action Committee throughout the election cycle.

October 15, 2025

Opinion

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Joan Barron: Smile When You Subpoena Me, Pardner!

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The use of its subpoena power by a minor  committee may ultimately damage the Legislature’s relationship with local government officials."

Joan BarronNovember 01, 2025

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: It Can't Happen Here? Don't Be So Sure

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “Lawfare is meant to chill the speech of anybody who doesn't want to suffer the same harassment. If you think this madness is far from Wyoming, you would be wrong.”

Jonathan LangeOctober 31, 2025

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Tom Lubnau: Playing Political Games With Our Safety

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Certain legislators are making a taxation for highway financing a campaign issue, instead of a safety priority. Remember the joys of driving poorly maintained roads when you find yourself in the ballot box next year."

Tom LubnauOctober 29, 2025

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