AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter

Cowboy State Daily - Wyoming News

News

Headlines

View all
Jake in studio small

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, November 5, 2026

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

Jake NicholsNovember 05, 2026

Afton arch Janice and Nolan Braud 11 4 26

Prop. 1 Only Survived One County, Lincoln, And Niobrara Rejected It The Hardest

Lincoln County was the only Wyoming county to vote in favor of Proposition 1 in Tuesday’s general election, a controversial measure to cut residential property tax by 50% for most homeowners. Niobrara, the state’s reddest county, rejected it the hardest.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

After he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a more than eight-hour manhunt, a Cheyenne man had a question for police. How is “the guy I shot,” Adrian Maggos wanted to know, police say.

Street Shooting Trial Day 2: Victim Pleaded For Son While Bleeding Out On Pavement

While bleeding in a Cheyenne street thinking he was going to die, the man allegedly shot by Adrian Maggos in front of his house told a jury Wednesday that he left a message for his son. “Please tell him I’m sorry for being such a f***-up,” he testified.

Kerry DrakeNovember 05, 2026

A video from the Wapiti area appears to show hunters driving toward deer, shooting near houses and using a pickup’s hood as a rifle rest, all illegal.

Video Appears To Show Wapiti Hunters Illegally Shooting At Wildlife Close To Houses

A video from the Wapiti area appears to show hunters driving toward deer, shooting near houses and using a pickup’s hood as a rifle rest, all illegal. "Disgusting," is how one outdoorsman described the scene, while Game and Fish says they had permission.

Mark HeinzNovember 05, 2026

Cheyenne police say a cloud of dust is to blame in the Oct. 22 death of street sweeper Damon Shaw, who was hit by an SUV while cleanining up spilled cement powder, saying the cloud created poor visibility.

Police Say Cement Dust Cloud To Blame In Cheyenne Street Sweeper's Death

Cheyenne police say a cloud of dust is to blame in the Oct. 22 death of a street sweeper who was hit by an SUV while cleanining up spilled cement powder, saying the cloud created poor visibility. “There was no visibility at all,” a witness said.

Kate MeadowsNovember 04, 2026

Tech giants are pouring billions into Cheyenne data centers as Wall Street warns the AI bubble could burst. “There is no plan,” said one City Council member while warning the city could be left with huge empty buildings if the AI tech industry collapses.

‘There Is No Plan’: Could Cheyenne Become A Tech Ghost Town If AI Bubble Bursts?

Tech giants are pouring billions into Cheyenne data centers as Wall Street warns the AI bubble could burst. “There is no plan,” said one City Council member while warning the city could be left with huge empty buildings if the AI tech industry collapses.

Emma Jane JacksonNovember 04, 2026

Semitrailer driver Roberto Figueroa passed this military convoy carrying ballistic missile components on Interstate 80 near Burns, Wyoming, one day.

Yes, You Can Pass A Nuclear Missile Driving On Interstate 80 Through Wyoming

For those who’ve wondered what’s in those industrial-looking semitrailers with military escorts on I-80 through Wyoming, it could’ve been a nuclear missile. “I was thinking, ‘Oh my god.’ I was terrified,” said a trucker who passed a missile convoy.

Andrew RossiNovember 04, 2026

Traffic along East Second Street in Casper on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 3, 2026.

Casper Residents Fed Up With Drivers Using East Second Street 'Like It's A Dragway’

Casper residents say motorcycles, cars and pickups race down East Second Street "like it’s a dragway. They drive like maniacs,” says one woman about the speeding, roaring engines and reckless driving that's frustrated neighbors for years.

Kolby FedoreNovember 04, 2026

Armed SWAT officers and a Cheyenne Police armored rescue vehicle outside a Cowboy Road residence Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, during the arrest of Jacob Miller.

SWAT Uses Flash-Bang To Subdue Cheyenne Man Accused Of Taking Hostage

A Cheyenne man accused of holding a household member hostage for hours surrendered to a SWAT team Wednesday after a flash-bang was deployed. Months earlier, deputies had to pry open a locked camper to find him.

Kolby FedoreNovember 04, 2026

Steve Harshman, right, and Eric Barlow won the largest vote share of contested statewide races in Tuesday’s general election.

Harshman Gets Most Votes Of Contested Statewide Winners, Chuck Gray Least

Steve Harshman and Eric Barlow won the largest vote share of winners in contested statewide races in Tuesday’s general election, and Chuck Gray the least. The Constitution Party won major party status getting more than 10% of votes for governor.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Election Day during the 2026 General Election at Archer Event Center in Cheyenne on Nov. 3, 2026.

Wyoming Voters Reject Proposition 1, Won’t Slash Property Taxes By 50%

Wyoming voters rejected a ballot initiative Tuesday that sought to cut residential property tax by 50% for most homes. The measure drew opposition from local-level agencies that said that would decimate their budgets and ability to provide services.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Eric Barlow, a state legislator of 14 years, is Wyoming’s next governor.

Republican Eric Barlow Elected Wyoming's Next Governor

Eric Barlow, a state legislator of 14 years, is Wyoming’s next governor. Barlow won every county by more than 59% Tuesday evening, defeating Democratic nominee Ken Casner and Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Aili Wang

Laramie Judge Sends Chinese National Accused In UW Poisoning To Felony Court

A Laramie judge Tuesday elevated the case of Aili Wang, a Chinese national accused of poisoning her University of Wyoming colleague, to Albany County’s felony-level court. The judge found probable cause for attempted murder and aggravated assault charges.

Clair McFarlandNovember 03, 2026

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman’s victory streak continued Tuesday when she beat Democrat James Byrd for one of Wyoming's two U.S. Senate seats.

Harriet Hageman Cruises To U.S. Senate Win After Two Terms In House

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman’s victory streak continued Tuesday when she won one of Wyoming’s two U.S. Senate seats. With 90% of the vote counted late Tuesday, she'd won 64.5% of the vote, to Byrd's 35.5%.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Tuesday won Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat.

Republican Secretary Of State Chuck Gray Wins Wyoming’s U.S. House Seat

Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Tuesday won Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat. Gray’s election follows six years in the state Legislature, one term as secretary of state, and one of the most contentious U.S. House campaigns in Wyoming memory.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Paul and Lynn Montoya still have few answers a week removed from being stranded in Cambodia when their cruise ship abruptly went bankrupt and kicked them off.

A Week After Cruise Ship Dumped Them In Cambodia, Wyoming Couple Has Few Answers

A Wyoming couple still has few answers a week removed from being stranded in Cambodia when their cruise ship abruptly went bankrupt and kicked them off. They’re now lugging suitcases around Kuala Lumpur and trying to regroup.

Renée JeanNovember 03, 2026

Work at the $1.2 billion Related Ditigal campus in east Cheyenne.

City Council Divided As Cheyenne Rushes To Regulate Development Of Data Centers

As Cheyenne scrambles to regulate its explosive data center development, some City Council members are divided about whether the rules are enough or being rushed. "Why not do it right the first time?” asked Councilman Pete Laybourn on Monday.

Kate MeadowsNovember 03, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon appeared to have had enough with Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Jan. 8, 2026, when he turned to him during a meeting and asked, "Do you want to step outside.” That came at the end of a marathon special meeting of the state land board in Douglas.

Court Upholds Wind Lease That Made Chuck Gray And Mark Gordon Fight For Months

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed a state board's lease for a Converse County wind project, that Gov. Mark Gordon and Chuck Gray fought about for more than a year. "Do you want to step outside?” Gordon asked Gray at one point.

Clair McFarlandNovember 03, 2026

Britney Tennant

Democrat Britney Tennant Picks Up Cheyenne's House District 11

A Democrat won back a red Wyoming state House seat Tuesday night, as Britney Tennant edged out economist Dan McIntosh for Cheyenne’s House District 11. Tennant won 1,080 votes to McIntosh's 1,026, unofficial results show.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans has won reelection for the second time, defeating outspoken Republican challenger Daron Wyatt. ICE detainers was a major issue in the campaign, with Appelhans saying he would not honor them.

Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans Wins Reelection Against Outspoken Republican

Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans has won reelection for the second time, defeating outspoken Republican challenger Daron Wyatt, 7,426 - 5,670, according to unofficial results.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr won his reelection bid Tuesday after a contentious campaign against Republican nominee Eric Snow, a deputy under Carr.

Democratic Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr Wins By Huge Margin Amid Controversy

Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr won his reelection bid Tuesday after a contentious campaign against Republican nominee Eric Snow. He won by a huge margin, according to unofficial Teton County results, with more than 73% of the vote to Snow's nearly 20%.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Karlee Provenza won reelection to Laramie’s House District 45 on Tuesday over Republican challenger Ross Davenport.

Democrat Karlee Provenza Wins A Fourth Term Representing Laramie House District 45

Karlee Provenza won reelection to Laramie’s House District 45 on Tuesday over Republican challenger Ross Davenport, 2,275 to 770. She gained statewide support in 2025 by organizing public-lands enthusiasts to oppose an ultimately unsuccessful selloff measure.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Three-term Democratic state Rep. Trey Sherwood held her Laramie-based House District 14 seat Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Emily Study.

Laramie Democrat Trey Sherwood Holds Off GOP Challenger To Win Fourth Term

Three-term Democratic state Rep. Trey Sherwood held her Laramie-based House District 14 seat Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Emily Study. Sherwood’s district is a rare “purple” region in Wyoming, and she’s often faced Republican opposition.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Gregory Crandall

Embattled Uinta County Coroner Reelected Despite 1,138 Write-Ins To Oust Him

Despite his arrest on five felony charges less than two weeks before Election Day, longtime Uinta County Coroner Greg Crandall won reelection unopposed Tuesday with 3,564 votes. A last-minute write-in campaign to oust him drew 1,138 votes.

Kate MeadowsNovember 04, 2026

Steve Harshman, longtime state legislator and Natrona High football coach, has been elected Wyoming's next superintendent of public instruction. He's seen Tuesday at a poll watching party at WYO Sports Ranch in Casper.

Longtime Legislator Steve Harshman Elected Wyoming’s Next Schools Chief

Steve Harshman, longtime state legislator and Natrona High football coach, has been elected Wyoming's next superintendent of public instruction. He's called for undoing the recalibration of K-12 schools that has some districts closing rural schools.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Republicans Curt Meier, right, and Kristi Racines have won their unopposed reelection bids for Wyoming state treasurer and state auditor, respectively.

Republicans Meier, Racines Win Unopposed Races For State Treasurer And Auditor

Republicans Curt Meier and Kristi Racines have won their unopposed reelection bids for Wyoming state treasurer and state auditor, respectively. Meier beat his lone opponent in the primary election, while no challenger ran against Racines in the primary. 

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Republican Robert Short, who ran on a promise to "make the secretary of state's office boring again," won election to the post Tuesday. He waited for election returns at a part at the WYO Sports Ranch in Casper.

Robert Short Wins Secretary Of State On Promise To Make Office 'Boring Again'

Republican Robert Short, who ran on a promise to "make the secretary of state's office boring again," won election to the post Tuesday. His boring-again slogan was a play on the controversial tone set by Chuck Gray, who ran this year for U.S. House.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Adrian Maggos

Street Shooting Trial Day 1: Victim Says He Never Saw Attack Coming

A Cheyenne man who was shot at point-blank range in the chest, then pistol-whipped twice, told a jury Tuesday that he never saw the attack coming. Adrian Maggos, on trial for attempted second-degree murder, then taunted the victim, prosecutors say.

Kerry DrakeNovember 04, 2026

Democratic state Rep. Ivan Posey secured a second term in the Fremont County-based House District 33 on Tuesday. Posey is a leader of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the only enrolled tribal member serving in the Wyoming Legislature in the upcoming term.

Democrat Ivan Posey Fends Off GOP Challenger To Represent Wind River Reservation

Democratic state Rep. Ivan Posey secured a second term in the Fremont County-based House District 33 on Tuesday. Posey was a leader of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the only enrolled tribal member serving in the Wyoming Legislature in the upcoming term.

Clair McFarlandNovember 04, 2026

Don day map 11 3 26

Wyoming Forecasters: Earlier-Than-Ever Polar Vortex Could Mean Frigid Thanksgiving

Wyoming meteorologists are watching the earliest polar vortex forming in the Arctic Circle in recorded history and it could mean significant winter weather by Thanksgiving. "This is Mother Nature saying, ‘Hold my beer,’” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiNovember 03, 2026

Buckboard Marina on the Wyoming side of Flaming Gorge Reservoir has been rendered useless by drawdowns of water sent to Lake Powell on the Utah-Arizona state line.

"Our Marina Is Gone!" Lake Powell Surges But Drawdowns Continue At Flaming Gorge

The situation at Flaming Gorge remains dire as drawdowns are continuing despite billions of gallons of water being dumped into Lake Powell last month. Tony Valdez said his Buckboard Marina is practically dry. “Our marina is gone," he said.

Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2026

Rocky Mountain Power and transmission lines 11 3 26

Wyoming Regulators Launch Investigation Into Rocky Mountain Power

The Wyoming Public Service Commission launched an investigation last week into Rocky Mountain Power and whether the utility has been fair to its industrial customers. “Unnecessarily burdensome and punitive,” is how RMP's president described the probe.

Emma Jane JacksonNovember 03, 2026

Andrew Vining

Douglas Man Charged With First-Degree Arson After RV Burns, Propane Tanks Explode

A Douglas man faces a first-degree arson charge after an RV burned to the ground, nearby trees caught fire and propane tanks exploded. “This mother will be burned to the ground,” a witness heard him say just before the fireworks.

Kolby FedoreNovember 03, 2026

A well-known female grizzly known as Snow is pictured with her cub in Yellowstone National Park.

Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Deaths Hit A Record 81 In 2026, And It's Likely Higher

A record 81 grizzly bears have died in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in 2026, and wildlife advocates as many as 80% of deaths go unreported. Livestock predation is the No. 1 reason for bear mortality, but poaching is also a leading cause.

Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2026

Latrell Grayson

Cheyenne Man Accused Of Hitting Man With Car, Firing Gun When People Chase Him

A Cheyenne man accused of hitting a pedestrian with his car, then getting out and firing a gun outside a busy bar on Halloween faces up to 11 years in prison. Witnesses chased the driver down until he got out, fired five shots, then left, police report.

Kolby FedoreNovember 03, 2026

A 28-year-old Mills man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to threatening a couple with a “monster” black powder pistol in August, telling a man that he was going to “kill” him.

Mills Man Pleads Not Guilty To Threatening To Kill Man With "Monster Of A Handgun"

A 28-year-old Mills man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to pointing a “monster of a handgun” at a couple in his truck and threatening to kill the man. A neighbor said he was waving the "massive" gun around and “screaming get the (expletive) out of my truck.”

Dale KillingbeckNovember 03, 2026

Kandice Gunter, 30, was found dead Sunday after having been missing for days when she failed to pick up her kids from the Boys and Girls Club in Casper. “She was such a loving, kindhearted person,” her sister said. "It's not fair." 

‘It’s Not Fair,’ Says Sister Of Casper Mom Found Dead After Desperate Search

A Casper mother was found dead Sunday inside her wrecked vehicle on Casper Mountain following a desperate dayslong search after she didn’t pick her kids up from the local Boys & Girls Club. "It’s not fair and we will get justice for her,” said her sister.

Kolby FedoreNovember 02, 2026

A grizzly bear and a wolf have a standoff over an elk carcass the bear had claimed and buried near a roadway in the Alum Creek area of Yellowstone National Park Oct. 27.

Wildlife Photographer Mangelsen Calls Yellowstone Ranger "Asshole" For Hazing Wildlife

Renowned wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen called a Yellowstone ranger an "asshole" for hazing a grizzly and wolves away from a carcass. He said it ruined a once in a lifetime opportunity for tourists who traveled thousands of miles to see the wildlife.

Mark HeinzNovember 02, 2026

Republican Chuck Gray and Democrat Lisa Kinney, running for Wyoming’s lone U.S. House seat, filmed each other during a verbal clash Saturday at a forum in Centennial. They accuse each other of lying and underhanded behavior during their campaigns.

US House Rivals Chuck Gray And Lisa Kinney Film Each Other As They Argue At Forum

Republican Chuck Gray and Democrat Lisa Kinney, running for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat, filmed each other during a bizarre argument Saturday at a forum in Centennial. They accused each other of lying and underhanded behavior during their campaigns.

Clair McFarlandNovember 03, 2026

Roger Huckfeldt of Torrington was shocked to find his lilacs blooming in November.

Why The Heck … Are Wyoming Lilacs Still Blooming In November?

Roger Huckfeldt’s lilacs in Torrington are doing a strange thing. They are blooming out as if it were spring, leaving Huckfeldt to wonder if his longtime lilac shrubs are doomed. In the meantime, he's getting a lot of really bad advice....

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2026

The shattered entrance to Hat Six Travel Center after a van crashed through the Evansville business early Sunday. 

'Somebody's Looking Over Me': Trucker Escapes As Van Plows Through Evansville Store

A slow cashier kept one trucker at the counter just long enough to save his life before a fleeing van plowed straight through an Evansville truck stop Sunday. "If I got my change right away, I'd have been walking right through that door," he said.

Kolby Fedore & Emma Jane JacksonNovember 02, 2026

A line of people waiting to cast their early ballots was out the door Monday at the Laramie County Clerk's Office in downtown Cheyenne.

"This Is Stupid": Wyoming GOP Poll Watchers Say DOJ Election Monitors Were Courteous

Countering Gov. Mark Gordon's secondhand account that DOJ election monitors in August had been aggressive, three Wyoming GOP election watchers in Cheyenne said they were courteous. “No aggression. Those gentlemen weren’t like that,” one said.

Clair McFarlandNovember 02, 2026

Wyoming emergency responders routinely cross into neighboring states to fight fires and respond to crashes. Tongue River Fire District Chief Jeff Barron says the practice saves lives and protects Wyoming property, but questions have been raised about what it costs taxpayers.

Wyoming Firefighters Cross State Lines To Save Lives, But Who Pays The Bill?

Wyoming emergency responders routinely cross into neighboring states to fight fires, respond to crashes or do rescues. Some question the costs but a Sheridan County fire chief who crosses into Montana says emergencies do not recognize state boundaries.

Kate MeadowsNovember 02, 2026

pprentice falconer Tessa Clifton of Park County trapped, trained, and hunted with a red-tailed hawk that she called Trip, and then released him back into the wild.

Wyoming Falconer Catches Hawks By Dropping Caged Pigeons From Moving Vehicle

An apprentice Park County falconer catches red-tailed hawks to train for hunting by dropping caged pigeons from her moving vehicle. The process often catches the attention of people who stop to help the pigeons — and end up scaring away the hawk.

Mark HeinzNovember 02, 2026

Semi-trucks line Interstate 80 during a controlled reopening amid winter conditions on Jan. 30, 2023, following a crash that killed a Utah couple.

Couple Sues For $5M Over Cheyenne I-80 Semi Crash That Left Them Permanently Hurt

A Utah couple filed a $5 million lawsuit Monday claiming the semi that slammed into their truck near Cheyenne on a snowy, bitterly cold day in 2023 “radically changed their lifestyles.” They’ve both been left permanently hurt, the lawsuit says.

Kolby FedoreNovember 03, 2026

Wy Fresh Farm and green sign 11 2 26

Cheyenne Committee Recommends Forced Annexation Of Urban Farm

Cheyenne's Public Services Committee recommended Monday that the City Council annex Wy Fresh Farm despite months of intense opposition from the urban farm’s owners. "Mark my words, it absolutely will put us out of business,” said an owner.

Kate MeadowsNovember 03, 2026

A paedomorphic western tiger salamander found in LaBonte Lake retains the feathery external gills characteristic of its juvenile form.

'Peter Pan' Salamanders That Get Bigger, But Never Grow Up, Found In Laramie Lake

Scientists have discovered what they call “Peter Pan” salamanders in a Laramie pond. While their siblings move onto land and area residents escort them across roads, this version of Wyoming's only native salamander grows up but never leaves home.

Kolby FedoreNovember 02, 2026

In 2009, Texas billionaire Russell Gordy asked the state for a massive land swap he said was meant to keep wind turbines off a Natrona County mountain. Now his ranch says a huge data center is still on the way, even though the developer walked away.

Natrona County Data Center’s Billionaire Landowner Once Fought Against Turbines

In 2009, Texas billionaire Russell Gordy asked the state for a massive land swap he said was meant to keep wind turbines off a Natrona County mountain. Now his ranch says a huge data center is still on the way, even though the developer walked away.

Emma Jane JacksonNovember 03, 2026

Daily Features

View all
Sunrise small 11 5 26
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, November 5, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Penny Beckham. Penny writes, "Beautiful sunrise in Thermopolis this morning taken from our porch this morning."

Photo by Penny Beckham

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

Sponsored

View all

Opinion

View all
Gail symons 3 23 25

Gail Symons: It's Almost Anyone-But-Chuck November, Choose Wisely

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "In one of my earliest memories of Chuck Gray, he was berating a former U.S. senator who'd come to Wyoming to support the Convention of States effort. The outburst wasn't a one-off, and I won't vote for Chuck Gray."

Gail SymonsOctober 05, 2026

Sniffin headshot 7 2 25

Bill Sniffin: I Left My Heart At The Snow King Inn, In Old Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Our family’s go-to place in Jackson Hole was the Snow King Inn at the foot of the town hill in Jackson. Why on earth would you change the name? It makes me sad. The old resort had the best initials in the ski business: S-K-I."

Bill SniffinOctober 03, 2026

Joan barron headshot 4 27 24

Joan Barron: The Legislature Is Running Out Of Old Hands

Columnist Joan Barron writes, “A record bunch of freshmen lawmakers will need to be educated, or at least helped to find the bathroom.”

Joan BarronOctober 03, 2026

Wyoming Life

View all

Outdoors

View all

Crime & Courts

View all