Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News
News
Headlines
View allChevron Plans To Blow Up Wind Turbines With Explosives This Week Near Casper
Residents could notice a brief loud noise and temporary vibration when Chevron uses explosives later this week to remove 11 defunct wind turbines outside of Casper. The fire department says portions of the base will be blown up to bring down the towers.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2026

"He Can Swim!": Three-Legged Bison Amazes Fans By Swimming Yellowstone River
"Tiny Tim," a bison that's survived two winters hobbling on three legs, swam the Yellowstone River on Saturday during a 10-mile journey. “He only had one leg to pull himself out of the water, but he did it. It was phenomenal," said one photographer.
Andrew RossiAugust 25, 2026

A Stretch Of U.S. 287 From Laramie To Fort Collins Is Going To Bottom Of A Lake
Colorado is moving a part of U.S. 287 to make room for a massive reservoir, meaning some of the existing route will be under about 200 feet of water. "The old highway will be basically at the bottom of the reservoir," said the developer.
Kolby FedoreAugust 25, 2026

Wyoming State Agencies Spend Millions On Commercials, Lawmakers Split On Appropriateness
Wyoming state agencies spend millions annually on commercials - some for required notices, some to influence driver behavior and some to promote vaccines. Legislators vary on where they draw the line with funding government ads.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2026

Wild Weekend: 4 More Calls Add To Big Horn County Search & Rescue's Record Pace
Big Horn County Search & Rescue responded to four calls over another wild weekend and is on a record pace in 2026, second only to Teton County. The calls keep coming, regardless of whether they have enough money — which they don't, said the coordinator.
Kate MeadowsAugust 25, 2026

Ho, Ho, Ho! They're Celebrating Christmas In Yellowstone National Park
It's August 25, and that means folks in Yellowstone are celebrating Christmas. Seasonal staff at Old Faithful Inn have been setting up trees, dressing as elves, and welcoming Santa in a 1936 Yellowstone bus for more than six decades.
Andrew RossiAugust 25, 2026

Prometheus Pushes Ahead On $32B Wyoming Data Centers As Legal Challenge Fades
Prometheus Hyperscale is pressing ahead with a massive data center near Evanston after a judge tossed opponents’ bid for an administrative review. Company officials say the $32 billion investment could boost county tax revenues by about 70%.
Renée JeanAugust 25, 2026

Extraordinary All-Out Search Launched North Of Casper For Runaway Livestock Guard Dog
An extraordinary search for a 120-pound white livestock guard dog has been launched after he ran away on Friday. Personnel from Wyoming Game and Fish, law enforcement, someone with a plane and even the previous owners have all joined in on the search.
Kolby FedoreAugust 24, 2026

Shots Fired: Nevada Sues Over Water Cuts, Could Drag Wyoming Into Court
Nevada sued the federal government Monday to dispute a water usage plan that it calls unfair to the economy of Las Vegas and surrounding areas. The act could drag Wyoming and other states into litigation, after they spent years negotiating outside court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026

Polls: Wyoming Has Highest Approval Rating Of President Trump In The Nation
President Trump’s approval rating may be dropping nationally but remains the highest in Wyoming. Two national polls say Wyoming has the highest approval rating for the president. Wyoming gives Trump a 14% net approval in The Economist poll and 22% in Newsweek.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026

At Monday Press Conference, Game And Fish Refuses To Discuss Director's Departure
Wyoming Game and Fish’s interim leadership team declined to address former director Angi Bruce's abrupt Aug. 6 departure during a press conference Monday. "I will not be addressing the transition that occurred a few weeks ago," the interim director said.
Mark HeinzAugust 25, 2026

Governor's Race: Write-In Effort For Brent Bien Emerges, But He's Not Behind It
A groundswell of Brent Bien supporters are vowing to write him in for Wyoming's gubernatorial race in the general election. Bien told Cowboy State Daily he's flattered, but not pushing a write-in campaign. “I’ve got plenty to do, personal stuff," he said.
Clair McFarlandAugust 24, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Tuesday's headlines include: * Colorado River Lawsuit * Extraordinary Search For Dog * Game & Fish Won’t Discuss Departure
Mac WatsonAugust 25, 2026

Sheridan Man Shot By Police Now Accused Of Trying To Murder Three Officers
A Sheridan man appeared in court Monday to face three attempted murder charges after allegedly opening fire on police officers who then shot him in his driveway. He allegedly fired shotgun blasts out of a window screaming "Just let me die!"
Kolby FedoreAugust 24, 2026

Coloradans Call For Bear Baiting And Hounds To Deal With Unprecedented Bear Conflicts
Some Colorado residents want the state to allow using bait and hounds again to hunt black bears due to a substantial rise in conflicts. Colorado's sightings and conflicts have doubled to more than 6,000 this year, including six attacks on humans.
Mark HeinzAugust 24, 2026

What A Mountain Of Free Potatoes Says About The Economy
A 42,700-pound pile of free Idaho potatoes outside a Cheyenne food pantry drew retirees, union workers, young families and Good Samaritans. It offered a snapshot of how inflation is squeezing almost everyone.
Renée JeanAugust 24, 2026

Cody LDS Temple Opens For Tours Monday So Public Can 'Feel The Spirit That's Here'
The controversial new Cody Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple opened up for public tours on Monday. The 9,950-square-foot structure will be dedicated Oct. 25, after which only LDS members in good standing will be allowed inside.
Andrew RossiAugust 24, 2026

Evanston Woman Accused Of Cooking ‘Bath Salts,’ Burning Batch Too ‘Dangerous’ To Sell
An Evanston woman admits she was cooking the synthetic drug known as “bath salts”, including a burned batch she deemed too "dangerous" to sell. She is charged with having an unlawful clandestine drug lab operation and faces up to 30 years in prison.
Kolby FedoreAugust 24, 2026

Bears’ Fall Feeding Frenzies Can Get Them Into The Strangest Places — And Trouble
When bears go into a fall feeding frenzy to fatten up for winter, they can end up in odd places. One died in a car in Colorado Springs, Game and Fish once baited a grizzly with M&M’s candy, and a black bear roamed the halls of a Montana high school.
Mark HeinzAugust 24, 2026

More Evidence Found During Intense Search For Gillette Man Missing Since June
An intense search in rugged territory in northern Campbell County this past week has found more evidence of 43-year-old Derek Schaff of Gillette, who has been missing more than two months. It brings officials closer to “the answers our family so desperately needs,” said his sister-in-law.
Jen KocherAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming History: 30 Years Ago Clinton Plane Crashed Into Jackson Mountain
It was a pitch-black night 30 years ago this week when a President Clinton support C-130 ignored takeoff protocol and slammed into Sheep Mountain above Jackson at 200 mph, killing all nine onboard. The impact created a fireball that could be seen for miles.
Jake NicholsAugust 23, 2026

Feral Cats Of Casper Turn Remodel Of Trashed House Into Contractor’s Nightmare
A Casper contractor has spent weeks trying to make a trashed house livable again, tearing out urine-soaked flooring, ripping down drywall and digging moldy cat food from clogged drains. There’s just one problem. The cats refuse to move out.
Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming Police Departments Testing AI To Generate Reports, Look At Evidence
Wyoming police are testing artificial intelligence to write reports and analyze evidence, but the rules of how that happens haven’t caught up. A former Wyoming attorney general has mixed reactions on it and said her concern is AI's ability to "hallucinate."
Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Wyoming Historian Uncovers Only Known Photo of Hole-in-the-Wall Outlaw Harve Ray
Wyoming historian Michael Bell has officially verified a photo of the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall outlaw Harve Ray who ran with Butch Cassidy in the late 1800s. The 1897 photo, the only known photo of the outlaw, shows him at a branding on Kirby Creek.
Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

Golfer Sets New World Record For Longest Drive At Rawlins Golf Course
Kyle Berkshire sent a golf ball screaming above a windswept Rawlins golf course for 588.1 yards on Wednesday, breaking his own world record for distance. It took the 29-year-old long-drive specialist from Maryland more than 200 swings to do it.
Kolby FedoreAugust 22, 2026

Developers Now Targeting Public Lands To Build Huge AI Data Centers
Wyoming is courting massive AI data center projects, but so far none have been proposed for the state's 30 million acres of public lands. But a fight in Nevada is raising questions about building data centers on public lands.
Kate MeadowsAugust 24, 2026

Jackson's Astoria Hot Springs Offers Soak And Million-Dollar Views For Under $30
The collective charms of Astoria Hot Springs Park include milky turquoise water, wildlife sightings, and million-dollar mountain views along the Snake River. And because it's run by a nonprofit, the fee is less than $30, a bargain for Jackson Hole.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

No, Thomas Edison's 'Eureka!' Light Bulb Moment Wasn't While Fishing In Wyoming
Legend has it that Thomas Edison's "Eureka!" electric light bulb moment came from a burning pole while fishing at Battle Lake in Wyoming in 1878. There's even a historical marker at the site. But Wyoming historian Phil Roberts says the story is a myth.
Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

Wyomingites Among America’s Most Generous Tippers, Averaging Nearly 21%
According to a new restaurant industry report, Wyomingites are among the nation's most generous tippers, averaging nearly 21%. One Casper bartender says 20% is normal. She considers 15% on the low end and estimates her own tips average closer to 30%.
Kolby FedoreAugust 23, 2026

Pennsylvania Couple Starts Tradition With First Brand At Wyoming Ranch Wedding
When Spencer Long and Morgan Kulik got married at the Diamond View Ranch near Powell earlier this month, they had a branding — with their own brand. The Pennsylvania couple's goal is to own ranch where horses and cattle will bear their family’s brand.
Andrew RossiAugust 23, 2026

Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey Among Big Names To Play Elk Mountain’s Garden Spot
In America’s golden age of big bands, the tiny out-of-the-way Garden Spot Pavilion in Elk Mountain drew the biggest names of the day. Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and others were on regular rotation to play to raucous, alcohol-fueled crowds until 4 a.m.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Two Eastern Greenhorns Get A Crash Course In Wyoming’s Western Ways
There’s a moment when every first-time Cowboy State visitor realizes Wyoming does not operate by the same laws of physics, fashion, or hospitality as the rest of the world. That’s what a pair of Eastern greenhorns learned when they landed in Jackson Hole.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Drinking Wyoming: Glenrock’s Smoky Deer Creek Lounge A Down-And-Dirty Dive
It’s a hot August afternoon at the Deer Creek Lounge in Glenrock, and a man named Nile is reflecting proudly on the time he clocked his 84-year-old brother in the mouth. “I should have hit him a second time,” he said.
Zakary SonntagAugust 22, 2026

Only Home On Lake De Smet's Eastern Shore Is Available For $7.5 Million
The only deeded residential property on the eastern shore of Lake De Smet is for sale and priced at $7.5 million. Texaco once owned the property, but it became a retreat with views of the lake, Bighorn Mountains and the legendary "Smetty" lake monster.
Renée JeanAugust 23, 2026

Beloved Pinedale Teacher Says His Final Goodbye In A Poem
Cornelius “Cork” Kelly left Pinedale one final poem — a humorous, tender and deeply personal obituary. He lived as a teacher, poet and father of 10. "I am dead. And regardless of the manner of my dying, at least I am on the road again," Kelly wrote.
Kate MeadowsAugust 22, 2026

Why America’s Energy Grid Has To Change — And What It Means For Wyoming
To the “tech bros,” the future is simple. Either America rebuilds its energy grid fast, or it will hand the coming AI revolution — and the billions in economic impact that comes with it — to foreign countries, some of whom aren’t America’s friends.
Renée JeanAugust 22, 2026

Wyoming History: Wagon, Whitewater Only Way To ‘Doc’ Barry’s Bighorn Dude Ranch
“Doc” Barry arrived in the Bighorn Canyon in the 1890s seeking gold, but after losing a fortune, he built a luxury dude ranch where guests could only get to via wagon or whitewater. All that remains today is a ghost camp infused with memories.
Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2026

What The Heck … Is That Giant Snoopy Head High In Wyoming’s Sierra Madre Range?
Somewhere on the long dirt road to Hog Park in Carbon County, Snoopy has been hanging out for at least 30 years. Nobody knows who painted the giant beagle on a Sierra Madre Range boulder, but Wyoming families have grown up visiting him.
Kolby FedoreAugust 22, 2026

First Responders Send Hundreds Of ‘Hero Patches’ To 4-Year-Old Rock Springs Girl
In the month since Cowboy State Daily told 4-year-old Charlee Lacey's story of collecting “hero patches” from first responders, she’s been flooded with hundreds of them. Her mother says there are "no words" to express how much they mean to the girl.
Andrew RossiAugust 22, 2026

Cheyenne-Area Squatters Tell Homeowner He Can’t Touch Them — Then Get Arrested
A couple accused of moving into a locked-up home and selling off the owner’s possessions allegedly told the homeowner they were squatters, they have rights, and he couldn’t do anything about it. Then they were arrested.
Greg JohnsonAugust 21, 2026

How An Injured Football Player Became UW’s First Male Cheerleader 61 Years Ago
When Nick Vuko was sidelined with a football injury in 1965, the Wyoming tailback refused to stay off the field — returning with buddy David Kolesky as UW’s first male cheerleaders. It helped that they weren't afraid to make spectacles of themselves.
Jackie DorothyAugust 22, 2026

PAC That Spent $550K Helping Freedom Caucus Had 87% Failure Rate
For Virginia-based PAC “Make Liberty Win” $479,000 of the $550,000 it spent helping Freedom Caucus-aligned candidates went to lost races. Sen. Cale Case, who was targeted by the group, said he was unsurprised: "(People) are really tired of the negative campaigning.”
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2026

Another Trump Call For Imported Beef Riles Up Wyoming Ranchers
Wyoming ranchers are riled at President Trump’s Friday announcement that the U.S. will allow up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef to be imported without tariffs. They say Wyoming would be better off if allowed to sell state-inspected beef across state lines.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2026

After Director Quits, People Asking What’s Up With Wyoming Game And Fish?
As fall hunting season nears, Wyoming Game and Fish is facing public scrutiny after the sudden resignation of Director Angi Bruce and the appointment of an interim director. In a rare move, Game and Fish will give a state of the agency update Monday.
Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming Police Push To Name Mountain Peak After Fallen Officer Sgt. Krinkee
A former Wyoming police chief wants to name the tallest peak in Sheridan County for Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, who was killed in the line of duty in 2024. The 11,000-foot peak known to locals as “Sheridan High Point” doesn’t have an official name.
Kolby FedoreAugust 21, 2026

Rod Miller: Tuesday Night Massacre And Life In Post-Freedom Caucus Wyoming
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was nearly a Custer-esque asskicking, and the Wyoming GOP primary election left the flyblown corpses of right wing populist politicians festering under the hot sun of the Big Empty. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is dead."
Rod MillerAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming 'Future-Proofs' Oil And Gas Industry With Nation's First Bonding Pool
On the heels of a Biden administration proposal to raise oil and gas bonding requirements by 1,900%, Wyoming is creating the nation’s first state-backed bonding pool to shield independent producers. "We're not on defense now," an industry spokesman said.
Renée JeanAugust 21, 2026

Wyoming Hunters Are Already Filling Their Freezers With Early Season Cow Elk
With Type 8 tags, Wyoming hunters can go after cow elk as early as August — despite the heat — in places where numbers have swollen well over Wyoming Game and Fish objectives. Hunters say access to private land is the key to success.
Mark HeinzAugust 21, 2026
Daily Features
View all
Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Craig Benjamin. Craig writes, "Charlie the dog stands in front of a storm rolling in at sunrise."

Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Mostly sunny in Wyoming on Wednesday with a chance of afternoon rain in some areas. Some storms in the southeast could be severe. Chance of rain in a few locations overnight. Highs from the upper 70s to near 90. Lows from the mid 40s to near 60.

Daily Cartoon 2: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
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
Fred Harrison: Cultural Suicide — How Feminism Failed Women and Left Wyoming Empty
Opinion by Fred Harrison
Rod Miller: Checkgate Becky And The Wyoming Governor’s Office
Opinion by Rod Miller
Dave Simpson: Voters Got It Wrong On The Freedom Caucus
Opinion by Dave Simpson
Gail Symons: Wyoming Voters Rejected Arrogance And Detachment, Not Ideology
Opinion by Gail Symons
Joan Barron: After The Freedom Caucus Crash, What’s Next?
Opinion by Joan Barron
Sponsored
View all
Bibles for Venezuela: Hope in the Midst of Devastation
Vision Beyond Borders has helped bring God’s Word to people throughout Venezuela. Following two devastating earthquakes, the need for both Bibles and humanitarian assistance has become even greater.
August 20, 2026

Wyoming’s Real Election Is Tuesday
Wyoming chooses its next governor in the August primary, not in November. Here is the arithmetic, and why a third of the vote can be enough to decide it.
August 14, 2026

Brent Bien’s 50% Property Tax Initiative Puts Wyoming Homeowners First
Wyoming’s first citizen initiative on the statewide ballot in 30 years would cut the taxable value of a primary residence by 50%—a first step toward Brent Bien’s goal of eliminating residential property taxes.
August 11, 2026
Opinion
View all
Bill Sniffin: Political Crunch Time Brings Out Desperation And A Few Funny Lines
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “This is a desperate time for politicians. Just how negative can they go? Here in Wyoming, we discovered it is pretty darned deep.”
Bill SniffinAugust 08, 2026

Rod Miller: Changes Around The Ol’ Campfire
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was a hot, sultry night in the Red Desert, without a breath of cooling breeze. All that could be heard was the grumbling of the exhausted cowboys and rattlesnakes copulating in the sagebrush."
Rod MillerAugust 07, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Why You Should Consider Steve Friess For U.S. House
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Chuck Gray's approach to politics is akin to a yapping Chihuahua, making lots of noise and getting headlines, but getting little done. Most concerning is Gray dumping all of Wyoming voters’ election data to an agency of the federal government whose use is unrestricted."
Tom LubnauAugust 05, 2026
Wyoming Life
View all
"Unusual And Spectacular": Next Week's Lunar Eclipse Will Be Blood-Red And 96% Full
Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2026
Llamas Are Becoming A Big Tourism Draw At Farm In Elk Mountain, Wyoming
Renée JeanAugust 16, 2026
Wyoming History: Disgraced Pastor Shocked State By Killing Family, Self In 1926
Dale KillingbeckAugust 16, 2026
Elk Mountain Old-Timers Keep Remote Town’s Wild History Alive One Story At A Time
Renée JeanAugust 16, 2026
Nobody Will Ever Claim $10K Reward For Wyoming's Missing Pedro Mountain Mummy
Kerry DrakeAugust 16, 2026
Outdoors
View all
Bob Richard Grew Up In Wilderness Before Becoming Famed Yellowstone Historian
Leo WolfsonAugust 22, 2026
Polarizing Billionaire Joe Ricketts Says He’s Focused On 'Saving Yellowstone'
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2026
Could 'Toxic Soup' From Great Salt Lake Lakebed Dust Impact Southwest Wyoming?
Kate MeadowsAugust 14, 2026
Under Severe Drought Conditions, Wyoming’s Powder River Has Completely Stopped Flowing
Mark HeinzAugust 14, 2026
Hooray! Ranch Hand Rescues Squealing Elk Calf Entangled In Barbed Wire
Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2026
Crime & Courts
View all
Mexican National Accused Of Snake River Canyon Rampage Wasn't Drunk, Prosecutors Say
Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2026
Douglas Man Wanted On 72 Child Sex-Related Charges Is Back In Wyoming Jail
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026
South Dakota Man Charged With Murder In Wyoming Says He Was Defending Tinder Date
Greg JohnsonAugust 20, 2026
Wyoming Man Says He Cruised Billings Homeless Shelters 'Looking For Hookers'
Kolby FedoreAugust 20, 2026
Attempted Murder Charge For Teen Accused Of Putting Gun To Head Of Another Teen
Kerry DrakeAugust 19, 2026
