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Yellowstone Always On Alert To Avoid Repeat Of Devasting 1988 Wildfires
When it comes to wildfire seasons, there’s no forgetting the devastating fires that hit Yellowstone National Park in 1988. They burned 800,000 acres, which is why even small fires today get an aggressive response.
Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2025

Wildlife Agents Still Search For Whoever Poached A Park County Grizzly
Wildlife agents are still trying to track down whoever shot and killed a grizzly bear found dead in late May alongside a remote hiking trail in Park County. A bear expert says if the grizzly had been killed in self-defense, it would’ve been reported.
Mark HeinzAugust 01, 2025
Casper Woman Who Stabbed Mother Twice Thought She Was ‘A Witch With Dark Energy’
A 25-year-old Casper woman was in court Thursday accused of stabbing her mother twice and slashing her tires. She also told an investigator she thought her mother was “a witch with dark energy” and tried to run her over.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 01, 2025

Barrasso: Holding Up Trump Nominees Part Of Democrat Tantrum Over Losing Election
Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said Friday that Senate Republicans aren’t losing patience with what he calls deliberate “obstructionist” tactics by Democrats. He said they’ve lost it entirely as 160 Trump nominees await confirmation.
Greg JohnsonAugust 01, 2025

Delisting Grizzlies Drives Support — And Opposition — For Nesvik’s Confirmation
Former Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik is poised to be the new chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His stance in favor of taking grizzly bears off the endangered list drives much of his support — and opposition.
Mark HeinzJuly 31, 2025

Vote Near For Wyoming’s Brian Nesvik To Lead US Fish & Wildlife Service
Nearly four months after committee approval, U.S. Senate confirmation is imminent for Wyoming’s Brian Nesvik as head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sen. John Barrasso on Wednesday blasted Democrats for blocking Trump’s nominees.
Sean BarryJuly 31, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, August 1, 2025
Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.
Jake NicholsAugust 01, 2025

Other Yellowstone Visitors Horrified Watching Man Walk On Grand Prismatic Spring
Other Yellowstone visitors were horrified Monday as they watched a man in flip-flops walking off the board walk onto the bacterial mats around Grand Prismatic Spring. He was picking up hats that had blown off people’s heads — and breaking the law.
Andrew RossiJuly 31, 2025

Turbulence Over Wyoming Forces Delta Jet To Divert; 25 Hospitalized
Passengers described a terrifying midair ordeal as severe turbulence over Wyoming injured dozens Wednesday aboard a Delta flight bound for Amsterdam, forcing an emergency landing in Minneapolis. Upon landing, 25 were sent to hospitals for evaluation.
Justin GeorgeJuly 31, 2025

Man Dubbed The ‘High Country Harasser’ Has Mental Health Issues, Mother Says
A man accused of harassing hikers along the Continental Divide Trail in Wyoming needs mental help, his mother says. She also takes issue with his being dubbed the “High Country Harasser,” but agrees he could pose a danger to others and himself.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
One Dead, Another Hurt In Head-On With Semi On Highway 220 Near Muddy Gap
“You need to get people coming,” a commercial truck driver said he told the 911 operator Wednesday night about a head-on crash between a car and a semi. Authorities confirm one person was killed in the crash on Wyoming Highway 220 near Muddy Gap.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025

Lummis, Hageman Introduce Bill Targeting Endless Endangered Species Listings
Wyoming Republicans Cynthia Lummis and Harriet Hageman want to rename the Endangered Species Act the “Endangered Species Recovery Act.” It’s a reminder that species shouldn’t be listed forever if they have recovered enough for delisting, they say.
Mark HeinzJuly 31, 2025

Wyoming Legislators Advance Plan To Boost Oil Recovery, Reject CO2 Pipeline Pact
Wyoming legislators voted Wednesday to move forward with a $250 million plan to boost oil recovery using carbon dioxide injection. They also rejected a proposal for a regional CO2 pipeline compact with neighboring states and Canadian provinces.
David MadisonJuly 31, 2025

Trump Nominates Cheyenne Legislator To Be U.S. Attorney For District Of Wyoming
Trump on Wednesday nominated state Sen. Darin Smith for the U.S. Attorney post in Wyoming. If confirmed, Smith would lead federal prosecutions across Wyoming, including national parks and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025

Legislators Clash Over Proposed Bill That Would Allow Spent Nuclear Fuel In Wyoming
State legislators and Wyomingites clashed Wednesday over a proposed bill that would pave the way to build nuclear microreactors in the state. It also would allow the spent fuel to come back to Wyoming. After hours of testimony, the bill was tabled.
David MadisonJuly 31, 2025

Cheyenne Fifth Grade Teacher Arrested, Accused Of Molesting Girls
An elementary school teacher in Cheyenne has been arrested on suspicion of touching multiple female students inappropriately during the past school year. Brian Wrhel, 55, remains in the Laramie County Detention Center.
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2025

Money Could Be Coming For Wildlife Crossings, Including $30M Project Near Dubois
A planned $30 million wildlife crossing near Dubois — which could save hundreds of deer — is on hold because of a lack of federal money. Supporters of wildlife crossings say that money could start coming soon.
Mark HeinzJuly 30, 2025

Laramie County Fire Chief, Wife Accused Of Starving, Imprisoning Boy Free On Bond
A Laramie County fire chief and his wife were in Cheyenne Circuit Court on Wednesday. They were arrested Monday after warrants were issued accusing them of starving and imprisoning their 13-year-old adopted son. They are now free on bond.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 30, 2025

Cody Police Say Man Wielded Knife Before Officer Shot Him
The man shot by a Cody Police Department officer Monday evening was wielding a knife, the agency reported Wednesday. The 22-year-old Gillette man also was wanted on warrants for alleged domestic abuse, including assaulting a pregnant woman.
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2025

TerraPower Nuclear Security Force Could Get Legal Protection Under Wyoming Bill
Wyoming lawmakers weigh liability concerns as TerraPower lobbies for state legal protection for the armed security force at its nuclear power facility in Kemmerer. TerraPower says its guards’ training exceeds typical local law enforcement standards.
David MadisonJuly 30, 2025

With 2 Wildfires Burning Near Ten Sleep, Town Becomes Ground Zero For Responders
With a pair of wildfires less than 15 miles from the town, Ten Sleep has become ground zero for wildland firefighting crews. Residents can see the smoke, and “at night you can see the orange glow,” the mayor says.
Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2025

Wyoming Man Arrested For Drunken Golf Cart Rampage Through New York Airport
A 29-year-old Cheyenne man was arrested Monday for taking a motorized golf cart off-roading inside the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. He was “visibly intoxicated,” drove the cart on a motorized walkway and faces a list of criminal charges.
Andrew RossiJuly 30, 2025

Teen Hiking Near Yellowstone Geyser Suffers ‘Significant Thermal Burns’
A 17-year-old tourist suffered “significant thermal burns” while hiking in the Lone Star Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park on Monday morning. He broke through the thermal crust and into the scalding water.
Andrew RossiJuly 29, 2025

Cheyenne Man Tells Investigator He ‘Hoards’ Child Porn, Faces Felony Charges
A 28-year-old Cheyenne man faces five felony child pornography charges following a three-month investigation, according to court records made available Tuesday. He told an investigator he “hoards” child porn and finds the images “interesting and weird.”
Dale KillingbeckJuly 30, 2025

Anglers Upset Over Plan To Ban Boats On Wyoming’s Famed Miracle Mile
A proposal to ban watercraft on the upper stretch of the North Platte River’s Miracle Mile section near Casper is drawing fire from some anglers who want to kill the rule before Gov. Mark Gordon signs off on it.
Mark HeinzJuly 29, 2025

One Dead In Officer-Involved Shooting East Of Cody
A man who led Cody police on a chase through the town Monday night was killed in an officer-involved shooting after he stopped. The incident began with police trying to pull the man over for not having a license plate, police say.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025

Pressure Cooker That Closed Casper Streets Not A Bomb, But Linked To Drugs
Casper Police Department continues to investigate why someone left a pressure cooker on a street corner, prompting street closings and a bomb squad response. It didn’t contain explosives, but did hold items associated with illegal drug use.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 29, 2025

Cheyenne To Get Massive AI Data Center Powered By Gas And Carbon Capture
Cheyenne is about to get its largest artificial intelligence data center yet, at 1.8 gigawatts. Wyoming company Tallgrass and Texas-based Crusoe say the center will be powered by Wyoming natural gas, along with carbon capture technology.
Renée JeanJuly 29, 2025

Supreme Court Sides With Wyoming Public Defender Who Quit Over Contempt Order
A Gillette-based state judge didn’t take the proper steps when holding a tardy public defense attorney in contempt, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The lawyer quit after the judge punished him, worsening a critical shortage of public defenders.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025

Wyoming Won’t Repeal Carbon Capture Law As EPA Targets Key Climate Regulation
Wyoming lawmakers reject efforts Tuesday to repeal the state’s carbon capture mandate. At the same time, the EPA announced a major effort to roll back greenhouse gas regulations.
David MadisonJuly 29, 2025

Sudden Death Of Casper 21-Year-Old In Rollover Leaves Family Devastated
The sudden death of a 21-year-old Casper man has left his family devastated. Braeden Rayner was traveling on I-25 Sunday when the SUV he was in rolled. A year ago, he prophetically posted to Facebook how life can end “in the blink of an eye.”
Dale KillingbeckJuly 29, 2025

Wyoming Fire Chief, Wife Accused Of Starving Adopted Son, 13, Blocking Room Shut
Arrest warrants were issued last week for the chief of Laramie County Fire District No. 1 and his wife, who are accused of starving their adopted son, 13, and blocking his room shut. The teen weighed 50 pounds when the alleged abuse was discovered.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 28, 2025

Wyoming Mining Tech Company Sells Its First 100-Ton-Per-Hour Separation System
Casper-based DISA Technologies has made the first sale of its mineral separation system, which can handle 100 tons of ore an hour. In development for years, the proprietary system can extract minerals as well as be used to clean up abandoned uranium mines.
David MadisonJuly 29, 2025

Hageman's Popularity Has Many Uncertain If They’ll Run For Governor
Harriet Hageman’s potential bid for Wyoming governor has put other candidates on hold. Only two have officially declared and others, including Secretary of State Chuck Gray, wait for her decision.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025

Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers To Take On ICE Functions
Wyoming Highway Patrol has joined a growing list of agencies that have agreed to do some ICE enforcement. Gov. Mark Gordon announced the agreement Monday for WHP troopers to “assist ICE with immigration enforcement while performing their regular duties.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2025

Cheyenne Man Pulls 9 Gs With Thunderbirds, Then Takes A Nap
Cheyenne’s Bryan “Alf” Grzegorczyk had planned a celebratory drink following his once-in-a-lifetime Thunderbirds flight to salute everyone who nominated him for the honor. But after flying at 9 Gs, all Alf could manage was a celebratory nap.
Renée JeanJuly 28, 2025

Floater And Fishing Access Fight Flares Over Channel Near Pinedale
Anglers and locals say a new landowner is blocking a historic channel connecting Pine Creek and the New Fork River near Pinedale, raising the temperature over public access and state law.
Mark HeinzJuly 28, 2025

Colorado Halfway Done With World’s Largest Wildlife Overpass Spanning I-25
Colorado is about halfway through building what officials are touting as the world’s largest wildlife overpass. It’s a $15 million megastructure spanning six lanes of Interstate 25 south of Denver.
Mark HeinzJuly 29, 2025

Former Lusk Domestic Violence Center Director Accused Of Stealing $65K From Group
The former director of a domestic violence center in Lusk is facing a felony theft charge on claims she stole more than $65,000 from the nonprofit group. An investigative report alleges Sabrina Kruse had a secret debit card linked to the center’s account.
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2025

Game And Fish Says Disease Caused Dozens Of Doves Drop Dead In Rock Springs
A lifeless dove found near a curb. Another beneath a tree. Then dozens more, mostly found within a tight radius of Rock Springs known as the “Tree Streets.” They died of a virus — not bird flu — Wyoming Game and Fish told Cowboy State Daily on Monday.
Tracie SullivanJuly 28, 2025

Women Bronc Riders Break All The Rodeo Stereotypes
From bruised riders to seasoned champions, women ranch bronc riders are breaking all the rodeo stereotypes. They compete in a dangerous sport, challenge decades of exclusion and prove they’re not costume cowgirls.
Zakary SonntagJuly 27, 2025
FBI, ATF Called To Casper After ‘Suspicious Package’ Closes Neighborhood
The FBI and ATF are being called in to help Casper Police Department investigate a “suspicious package” that closed streets and prompted recommendations that area residents leave their homes Monday.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 28, 2025

The Oil Field Worker Behind Casper Planet, Wyoming’s Most Popular Fake News
When Casper Planet founder Justin Hathaway wrote a story about a semitruck spilling hundreds of king cobras on I-25, it made international headlines. His satirical page continues to outrage and fool people, which only fuels his desire to keep it going.
Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2025

At Camp Courage Wyoming, Kids Living With Cancer Can Just Be Kids
Kids living with cancer, tumors and other life-threatening ailments often have to grow up quickly to deal with some very adult things. At Camp Courage in Dubois, Wyoming, they get to put cancer on the back burner for awhile and just be kids.
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025

Former Yellowstone Bus Driver Solves Mystery While Restoring 90-Year-Old Coach
Despite little evidence that the 90-year-old White 706 bus in David Swingle's driveway was a Yellowstone coach, he had a hunch it was authentic. He drove them back in the 1960s. Through tremendous amounts of sleuthing, he proved his hunch was right.
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025

Yoder Cowgirl Says National High School Rodeo Title A Testament To Her Rodeo Family
Hadley Thompson of Yoder, Wyoming, won the National High School Finals Rodeo women’s all-around title last weekend. She said her passion for the sport comes from hours of practice and a family dedicated to rodeo .
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025

Huge Milk Bottle Collection Traces 175 Years Of Wyoming’s Rich Dairy History
Steve Wallace grew up milking cows on a dairy farm, but now he’s milking Wyoming history for all it’s worth. The Casper man’s huge milk bottle collection traces 175 years of Wyoming’s rich dairy history.
Andrew RossiJuly 27, 2025

After A Decade-Long Closure, 29 Miles of Mormon Trail Through Wyoming Reopens
After a decade-long hiatus, a 29-mile section of the Mormon Trail through Wyoming was recently fully reopened. It means members of the LDS church can make the historic two-day trek along the trail in period clothing pulling handcarts.
Mark HeinzJuly 27, 2025

Couple Steals Show With Surprise Proposal During Cheyenne Frontier Days Concert
Romance wasn’t in the air when Brandon Boyer and Shilee Calhoun met, but they fell in love anyway. That led to a surprise proposal that stole the spotlight for a moment during Ian Munsick’s Cheyenne Frontier Days concert.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

New Book On Deadwood By Accomplished Historian Will Dispel Myths, He Says
Accomplished historian Peter Cozzens latest book focuses on Deadwood, South Dakota between 1876 and 1879. He says those who watched the HBO series will “be surprised.” Spoiler alert: the HBO version wasn't exactly accurate when it came to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 27, 2025

Wyoming History: 250 Years Ago, Pivotal Battle Was Fought On Roundtop Mountain
Roundtop Mountain near Thermopolis, Wyoming, is now a popular hiking destination, but it’s also where the Shoshone are said to have gotten their first horses. That came from a pivotal battle fought there against settlers about 250 years ago.
Jackie DorothyJuly 27, 2025

ICE Grabs Illegal Immigrants In Western Wyoming As Agency Eyes Massive Expansion
ICE officers arrested multiple foreign nationals in a coordinated early-morning operation across Western Wyoming this week. They also discussed implanting teams and offices across Wyoming with a massive new funding increase.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025
Inside UW’s New $289 Million Gothic, State-Of-The-Art Dorms And Dining Hall
The finishing touches are being put on the University of Wyoming’s new $289 million dormitories and dining hall. Here’s an inside look at the classic Gothic, state-of-the-art buildings that will open for students next month.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 26, 2025

Wacey Schalla: What It's Like To Be The World's Top-Ranked Bull Rider
Bull riders have been coming to Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo for close to a century. But they arrived this year in a moment when rodeo, and the wider Western culture, has never been cooler, as the entire nation appears enthralled with anything to do with the American West.
Zakary SonntagJuly 26, 2025

What Do Locals Do At Cheyenne Frontier Days? Play CFD Bingo
Cheyenne's Harvey Deselms shares the Cheyenne Frontier Days Bingo card every year. He says the most entertaining part is seeing how many of the squares you can check off by looking in a mirror. "I had the coolest mullet," he said.
Greg JohnsonJuly 26, 2025

Artists Team Up To Build New Foundry In Meeteetse After Cody Foundry Burned Down
Bronze sculptor Vic Payne lost nearly $8 million and eight years of work when the Caleco Bronze Foundry in Cody burned down last year. Now he and a pair of artists are working to fill that void by building a new foundry in Meeteetse.
Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2025

Wyoming Landowner Builds Golf Course Around Charles Kuralt’s ‘Mistress Cabin’
Buzz Warner, a former Wyoming Landowner of the Year, is close to opening his new golf course in Montana. It’s a monument to conservation that’s built around former owner Charles Kuralt’s infamous “Mistress Cabin.”
David MadisonJuly 27, 2025

‘Yellowstone’ Actor Mo Brings Plenty Advises On New Frontier Days Indian Village
“Yellowstone” television series actor Mo Brings Plenty is helping shape the new Morning Star Indian Village, a multimillion-dollar project at Cheyenne Frontier Days set for completion in 2026.
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025

Family Of Missing Sheridan Man More Desperate As Creek Search Turns Up No Clues
With still no clues, Sheridan police and the family of a man missing for three months are baffled by what might have happened to James “Bo” Galloway. A volunteer search of Big Goose Creek last week turned up nothing.
Jen KocherJuly 26, 2025
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Ron Mischke. Ron writes, "Morning in Sheridan."
Today's question to Don Day
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.
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
Opinion
Jonathan Lange: Wildflowers and Life’s Wonders
Opinion by Jonathan Lange
Dennis Sun: The Story on Hormones
Opinion by Dennis Sun
Tom Lubnau: Which Gubernatorial Candidates Can Raise the Funds Necessary to Run
Opinion by Tom Lubnau
Bill Sniffin: Four Years Later, The Late Sen. Mike Enzi Remembered As One Of Wyoming’s Great Leaders
Opinion by Bill Sniffin
Dave Simpson: Another Year At The Daddy Of 'Em All
Opinion by Dave Simpson
Opinion
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Dave Simpson: Another Year At The Daddy Of 'Em All
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “In the world of theater, they talk about 'suspension of disbelief' to enjoy a play. Here in Cheyenne during Frontier Days, you have to 'suspend thrift and frugality' to enjoy yourself. It ain't cheap.”
Dave SimpsonJuly 28, 2025

Clair McFarland: Sure, Let The 11-Year-Old Drive. It'll Be Fine
Clair McFarland writes: "The little, feisty twin gripped the wheel and stared down our neighborhood of empty dirt roads and winding canals. I threw a goodbye kiss to my home and thanked the Lord for the 35 good years he gave me on this earth."
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2025

Gail Symons: Don't Die Of This, But Democracy Brought Wyoming Into Existence
Columnist Gail Symons writes: "The founders used 'democracy' and 'republic' interchangeably in many contexts because they understood what our modern ghost writers apparently don't: that a republic IS a form of democracy."
Gail SymonsJuly 27, 2025
Wyoming Life
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80 Years After His Dad Fought On Iwo Jima, Dan Starks Makes Rare Visit To Island
Renée JeanJuly 27, 2025
Gold Prospecting More Than Flash-In-The Pan Hobby For Worland Man
Amber SteinmetzJuly 26, 2025
Alan O'Hashi: My Days As A Carny At Cheyenne Frontier Days
Alan O'HashiJuly 26, 2025
Small Armies Of Volunteers Dig Up Dinosaurs At Wyoming’s Famous Jurassic Mile
Andrew RossiJuly 26, 2025
Quadriplegic Photographer’s ‘Epic’ Slow Motion Bull Ride Video Is 21 Seconds Of Pain
Dale KillingbeckJuly 25, 2025
Outdoors
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18 Months After Name Change, Wyomingites Still Argue Over ‘Swastika Lake’
Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025
Rancher Tries To Save Elk Calf Mauled In Mountain Lion Attack
Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025
Rule Would Let Trappers Off Hook For Some Otter Killings, But They Can’t Keep Pelts
Mark HeinzJuly 25, 2025
Congress Moves To Stop Killing Of 500,000 Barred Owls To Save Spotted Owls
Mark HeinzJuly 24, 2025
Not Everyone Thrilled With Colorado’s Wolf Boom — Four New Litters
Mark HeinzJuly 23, 2025
Crime & Courts
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Grand Jury For Cody Roberts Over Wolf Torture A Rare Route In Wyoming
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025
Evanston’s Hillcrest Motel, A Sanctuary For Squatters, Catches Fire Again
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025
'High-Country Harasser' Arrested on Continental Divide Trail In Carbon County
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025
Officer Who Set Off Fatal Shootout Gives Up Certification, Can’t Be A Wyoming Cop
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2025
Man Who Walked Into Sheriff's Office And Confessed To Molesting Child Makes Plea
Clair McFarlandJuly 25, 2025