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Opposition to data centers is growing more vocal in Cheyenne — and spreading across Wyoming to Evanston and Casper. "It’s very creepy what we put up with now that we said we’d never put up with,” Sen. Cale Case says about the impacts of AI and tech. Above, a small data center under construction in east Cheyenne.

Opposition And Pushback On Data Centers Spreads Beyond Cheyenne, Across Wyoming

Opposition to data centers is growing more vocal in Cheyenne — and spreading across Wyoming to Evanston and Casper. "It’s very creepy what we put up with now that we said we’d never put up with,” Sen. Cale Case said about the impacts of AI and tech.

Renée JeanMay 23, 2026

A 73-year-old Sheridan retiree Scotty Bosworth DoorDashes to help pay for his medications, but with gas prices up 82% since January, he’s refusing more orders than ever. “When I started, I was paying about $35 to fill up my car,” he said. “Now I’m paying about $55.”

With Gas Prices Up 82%, Wyoming DoorDashers Turning Down More Deliveries

A 73-year-old Sheridan retiree DoorDashes to help pay for his medication, but with gas prices up 82% since January, he’s refusing more orders than ever. “I think some customers believe we’re getting paid a lot more from DoorDash than we are,” he said.

Kolby FedoreMay 23, 2026

Whether she’s calming a group of rambunctious 3-year-olds or coaxing a smile from a woman who’s 102, Casper’s Merrily Johnston is an amazing performer. Recently honored as America's Clown of the Year, her celebrity in goes mostly unnoticed. She has a magic touch with kids eager to wear one of her face paintings.

Did You Know? Casper's Merrily Johnson Is America's "Clown Of The Year"

Earlier this year, Casper's Merrily Johnson's 30-year dedication to being a professional clown was recognized with the community’s highest honor when she stood in Nashville to accept the award for “Clown of the Year.”

Zakary SonntagMay 23, 2026

Red Foxes that live at high altitudes in the Silver Gate/Cooke City area near Yellowstone National Park aare among the most genetically pure wild foxes.

Biologists Worry People Getting Too Close To Cooke City Red Foxes With Rare Genetics

Biologists say red foxes in the Cooke City/Silvergate area near Yellowstone have rare, nearly pure wild genes dating back to the Ice Age. That could be ruined if they keep getting too close to people, they say.

Mark HeinzMay 24, 2026

A 70-year-old tourist was killed this week when attacked twice by a bull bison on a popular hiking route in Custer State Park. “As they got closer to the bulls, one of them turned around and came at her,” the sheriff told Cowboy State Daily.

Bison Attacks And Kills Hiker On Trail In Custer State Park

A 70-year-old tourist was killed after being thrown six feet in the air by a bull bison on a popular hiking route in Custer State Park. “As they got closer to the bulls, one of them turned around and came at her,” the sheriff told Cowboy State Daily.

Kate MeadowsMay 22, 2026

A newly described fossilized owl pellet from the Eocene Willwood Formation of Wyoming. The red box highlights a cluster of bones from an armored glyptosaurid lizard. Since lizards are diurnal, mostly active during the day, paleontologists believe this is evidence that the earliest owls were also diurnal, not nocturnal like their modern descendants.

Why 54-Million-Year-Old Owl Vomit Found In Bighorn Basin Is A Big Deal

A team of paleontologists that analyzed a 54-million-year-old fossilized chunk of owl vomit have learned that owls, famous for being nocturnal hunters, didn’t use to be. Owls ate lizards during the day, not rodents at night as they do now.

Andrew RossiMay 23, 2026

Some people still swear by slicing up your license plate tags to keep people from peeling them off, but it’s no necessary. Most thieves now are more likely to just “steal your whole dang license plate,” says a Cheyenne auto shop manager.

Forget Slicing Up Tags, Most Thieves Will Just Steal Whole Wyoming License Plate

Some people still swear by slicing up your license plate tags to keep people from peeling them off, but it may not be necessary. Most thieves now are more likely to just “steal your whole dang Wyoming license plate,” said one Cheyenne mechanic.

Andrew RossiMay 24, 2026

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Worland Champion For WWII Japanese Americans Comes Home For Final Time

Grant Ujifusa won a championship as quarterback for the Worland High football team, was a Harvard grad, book editor, and a champion for WWII Japanese Americans, earning a knighthood from Japan. He died in 2024, and will come home for the final time in June to be buried.

Dale KillingbeckMay 23, 2026

A devastating accident at age 9 left Wyoming’s Kutler Hill and his family with a choice — years of surgery but he wouldn't run again, or amputation and he could. “I just decided to amputate my leg so I could run again,” he said.

After Losing Leg To Cancer, Evanston Teen Dreams Of Being Elite Athlete

An Evanston High School junior who lost a leg to cancer at age 9 is racing toward a goal to represent the United States in the Paralympic Games. “I just decided to amputate my leg so I could run again," said Kutler Hill.

Dale KillingbeckMay 23, 2026

Cracked and weatherworn beside South Street in Wheatland, the strange concrete dome looks more like a stranded UFO than the old Wyoming DMV it once was.

What The Heck … Is That Squatty 'Star Wars'-Looking Building In Wheatland?

In south Wheatland, there's a squatty dome with peeling stucco that looks like a run-down version of Luke Skywalker’s home in “Star Wars.” The building’s owner says people want him to knock it down, but he refuses, saying it just needs a little love.

Kolby FedoreMay 23, 2026

Charles Hoskinsons’ $250 million bid to put the “Mayo Clinic of the West” in Gillette, Wyoming, is ending, clinic leaders confirmed on Friday, with closure targeted for late summer. “The organization is no longer financially sustainable,” the clinic says.

Gillette’s Hoskinson Health Clinic To Close, 'No Longer Financially Sustainable'

Charles Hoskinson's plan to build the “Mayo Clinic of the West” in Gillette, Wyoming, is ending, clinic leaders confirmed on Friday, with closure targeted for late summer. “The organization is no longer financially sustainable,” the clinic says.

Renée JeanMay 22, 2026

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Fiery Reception For Chuck Gray As Lawmakers Punt On Racial Gerrymandering Dispute

Protestors carried signs criticizing Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Friday at a committee meeting in Lander, as the secretary urged lawmakers to address potential racial gerrymandering. Legislators declined to take action on the issue.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

Joel Guggenmos

Fremont Clerk Says Guggenmos Ineligible For Reelection But Up To Chuck Gray

Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese told Rep. Joel Guggenmos that he's not eligible to run for reelection this year because he lived outside his district. However, Secretary of State Chuck Gray must make the final decision.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

Mason Stillman, right, talks to a colleague at Campbell County Health where he serves as a psychiatrist.

How Wyoming Is Bringing Doctors Back Home — And Keeping Them

A 30-year program is keeping Wyoming doctors in the Cowboy State, retaining up to 80% of its graduates. For a state that consistently ranks among the lowest in the nation for physicians per capita, that's a huge step forward.

Renée JeanMay 22, 2026

The Montana Department of Transportation had to rescue a driver from an SUV that crashed through a guardrail, toppled down an embankment and landed on the roof of a garage this week. Most people, however, say the real hero is the garage roof.

Montana Driver Falls Asleep, Crashes Through Guardrail And Lands On Roof

A driver in Montana was cited for careless driving Wednesday after falling asleep, crashing through a guardrail, driving down an embankment, and ending up on someone’s garage. Contractors applauded the construction of the garage for holding up.

Andrew RossiMay 22, 2026

Cheyenne police have arrested Christophe Carabajal, accused of setting the fire that ripped through the 134-year-old Historic Pumphouse on Saturday. The suspect has been arrested, and was allegedly captured on video breaking into and leaving the pumphouse at the time of the fire.

Police Say Suspect In Cheyenne Pumphouse Fire Is On Video Breaking Into Building

Cheyenne police have arrested a suspect in the fire that ripped through the 134-year-old Historic Pumphouse on Saturday. The suspect has been arrested, and was allegedly captured on video breaking into and leaving the pumphouse at the time of the fire.

Kolby FedoreMay 22, 2026

The Beartooth Highway wasn't open as scheduled Friday morning after more than a foot of heavy snow was cleared from its summit. The National Park Service "tentatively" hopes it will be open by Saturday morning. 

Beartooth Highway Opening Delayed By Snow, Should Be Ready Saturday

The Beartooth Highway wasn't open as scheduled Friday morning after more than a foot of heavy snow was cleared from its summit. The National Park Service said it “tentatively” hopes the entire 64 miles will be open to travelers by Saturday morning.

Andrew RossiMay 22, 2026

Wyoming regulators are cracking down on bar raffle games like Queen of Hearts and Music Bingo that raise money charities, saying they’re illegal gambling. Above, Brian "Alf" Grzegorczyk has helped raise more than $4.5 million for local charities through his Thankful Thursday events.

Charity Bar Games Getting Shut Down By Wyoming Gambling Crackdown

Wyoming regulators are cracking down on bar raffle games like Queen of Hearts and Music Bingo that raise money for charities, saying they’re illegal gambling. “Why is horse racing an exception, but not charity?” asks an event organizer. 

Renée JeanMay 21, 2026

People are blaming — and crediting — the Wyoming Freedom Caucus for the Wyoming Legislature’s nearly $4 billion school spending package. Whether the caucus deserves either depends on whom you ask. It had “overwhelming support” across the Legislature. Above, Freedom Caucus members outside the state Capitol in Cheyenne during the 2026 legislative session.

Why Are People Blaming The Freedom Caucus For $4 Billion School Funding Package?

People are blaming — and crediting — the Wyoming Freedom Caucus for the Legislature's nearly $4 billion school spending package. Whether the caucus deserves either depends on whom you ask, but the package had "overwhelming support" from both parties.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

Converse County this week rescinded an order that could have fast-tracked data centers and given the county more control in the process. It's a legal issue, but people also "lost their minds” when they heard “fast-track,” said a local legislator.

After Attorney General Says Don't, Converse County Won’t Fast-Track Data Centers

Converse County this week rescinded an order that could have fast-tracked data centers and given the county more control in the process. It's a legal issue. But people also "lost their minds” when they heard “fast-track,” said a local legislator.

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2026

Outdoorsman and wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson encountered 47 grizzly bears before noon in the high country of the Southern Absaroka mountains. The bears were congregating to gorge themselves on army cutworm moths.

Filmmaker Finds 47 Grizzlies Gorging On Moths High Up Absaroka Mountains

A wildlife filmmaker spotted 47 grizzlies in the Absaroka Mountains before noon, more than twice as many as he's ever seen in one day in the Yellowstone area. They were feasting on moths, so he tried one. "They taste like honey-roasted peanuts,” he said.

Mark HeinzMay 21, 2026

Some Wyoming firearms manufacturers say that YouTube has censored their content, without offering any solid reason why. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” one company representative said.

Wyoming Firearms Companies Say YouTube Unfairly Targets Gun-Related Content

Some Wyoming firearms companies say YouTube is unfairly censoring and banning them without giving solid reasons why. "I hate to lose the audience, but I don't miss the BS,” said a video creator about dealing with YouTube before getting kicked off.

Mark HeinzMay 22, 2026

Steve Price was skilled at keeping a bidding war going higher, such as for a Josh Allen jersy at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter’s Fur Ball fundraiser.

Remembering Steve Price: Wyoming Cowboy, Auctioneer And Money-Raising ‘Legend'

Steve Price was a real Wyoming cowboy, auctioneer, and a “legend” raising money for Cheyenne people and causes. “I don’t know anybody who wasn’t his friend,” a fellow auctioneer said about Price after his death earlier this month.

Dale KillingbeckMay 21, 2026

A former BLM director says Steve Pearce’s confirmation to lead agency is good news for Wyoming’s energy industries, ranchers and land use. “It’s supposed to be used for all sorts of things,” William Perry Pendley said about federal public lands.

Former BLM Director Says Steve Pearce’s Confirmation Is Good News For Wyoming

A former BLM director says Steve Pearce’s confirmation to lead agency is good news for Wyoming’s energy industries, ranchers and land use. “It’s supposed to be used for all sorts of things,” William Perry Pendley said about federal public lands.

Kate MeadowsMay 21, 2026

A man accused of drunkenly driving a stolen skid steer into a motel in Lusk could get up to 10 years in prison if convicted. “People do stupid things when they’re drunk,” said the motel manager. "This could have been really, really bad.” 

Police Say Drunk Lusk Man Rammed Stolen Skid Steer Into Local Motel

A man accused of drunkenly driving a stolen skid steer into a motel in Lusk could get up to 10 years in prison if convicted. “People do stupid things when they’re drunk,” said the motel manager. "This could have been really, really bad.” 

Kolby FedoreMay 21, 2026

Parts of Wyoming got up to 2 inches of water from this week’s storm that shut down I-80 and Rawlins for more than a day. But it wasn’t a drought-buster. “Getting rid of a drought is like eating an elephant — one bite at a time,” said meteorologist Don Day. Rawlins, pictured above, caught the brunt of the storm.

Storm Brings Up To 2 Inches Of Water, But Not Close To Busting Wyoming’s Drought

Parts of Wyoming got up to 2 inches of water from this week’s storm that shut down I-80 and Rawlins for more than a day. But it wasn’t a drought-buster. “Getting rid of a drought is like eating an elephant — one bite at a time,” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMay 21, 2026

Releases of up to 1 million acre-feet of water downriver from Flaming Gorge are gutting the gorge’s world-famous kokanee fishery and has marinas racing to survive. “This is like a holocaust for nature,” said one marina owner about the impact. Above, Buckboard Marina before last year's season. The water level is dramatically lower now, and getting lower.

Flaming Gorge Marinas Race To Survive As 1M Acre-Feet Of Water Sent Downriver

Releases of up to 1 million acre-feet of water downriver from Flaming Gorge are gutting the gorge’s world-famous kokanee fishery and has marinas racing to survive. “This is like a holocaust for nature,” said one marina owner about the impact.

Renée JeanMay 20, 2026

A cow shows the effects of an attack by what its owner believes is roaming Great Pyranese dogs that have allegedly been killing cattle for years.

‘We’re Just Tired Of It’: Another Calf Found Dead In Wyoming Ranch Dog Feud

Another calf was killed near Kinnear overnight Tuesday as a bitter feud over roaming Great Pyrenees dogs escalates. “We’re just tired of it,” a rancher said about one of her bottle-fed calves found partially eaten.

Kolby FedoreMay 20, 2026

Our Lady of Fatima Church in Casper.

Former Wyoming Minister 'Unequivocally Denies’ Claims Of Sex Abuse Against Boys

A former Wyoming minister “unequivocally denies” in a Wednesday court filing claims that he sexually abused three boys in the 1990s. "He has never hurt a young person,” his attorney says, adding that despite the lawsuit, “he is praying for all involved."

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2026

Emotions were mixed for the 450-MW Chugwater Energy Project before getting its final unanimous approval from Platte County on Wednesday, May 20. 2026. “If people really didn’t want wind turbines they should have bought” the land, one of the 30 project landowners said.

Huge Chugwater Wind And Solar Project Gets Final Unanimous OK From Platte County

Emotions were mixed for the 450-MW Chugwater Energy Project before getting its final unanimous approval from Platte County on Wednesday. “If people really didn’t want wind turbines they should have bought” the land, one of the 30 project landowners said.

Kate MeadowsMay 21, 2026

State politicos told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”

‘Don’t Step Out Of Line’: Massie Loss A Message To All Republican Candidates

State politicos told Cowboy State Daily that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”

Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2026

A weekend fire that gutted Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse may not be the end for the run-down 134-year-old building that, as recent as six months ago, was set for demolition. “We’ve really tried hard not to be the council to tear it down,” says the mayor.

Devastating Fire May Not Be End For Historic 134-Year-Old Cheyenne Pumphouse

A weekend fire that gutted Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse may not be the end for the run-down 134-year-old building that, as recently as six months ago, was set for demolition. “We’ve really tried hard not to be the council to tear it down,” says the mayor.

Greg JohnsonMay 20, 2026

Rumors of a data center development in Lincoln County has provoked fear as locals get more vocal against them. “Everybody’s talking about them,” a county commissioner said — and jumping the gun, because there are now no data center projects on the table.

Data Center Rumors Provoke Fear, Concern In Lincoln County

Rumors of a data center development in Lincoln County has provoked fear as locals get more vocal against them. “Everybody’s talking about them,” a county commissioner said — and jumping the gun, because there are now no data center projects on the table.

Kate MeadowsMay 20, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Nick DeLuca. Nick writes, "This was my first visit to Curt Gowdy State Park and it did not disappoint. It was a cool morning and it warmed with the rising sun."

Photo by Nick DeLuca

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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Opinion

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Joan Barron

Joan Barron: Seniors And Young Men Are Gambling More

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "It wasn’t too long ago that bingo, calcutta and parimutuel races were the only types of gambling that were legal in Wyoming. There’s no going back now. Not with all that money rolling in."

Joan BarronMay 23, 2026

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Bill Sniffin: Wyoming’s False Spring — 90 Degree Temps & Wet Snow In Same Week.

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "Wyoming’s remarkable ability to dish out Jekyll-and-Hyde weather was on full display. In Lander, we hit the 90s on May 13 and then got blasted with wet snow on May 17."

Bill SniffinMay 23, 2026

Lange at chic fil a

Jonathan Lange: Courage Made America’s Noble Ideals Reality

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, “No matter how obvious, no matter how viscerally known, no matter how fundamental to America’s founding it is, the proposition that ‘all men are created equal’ cannot stand without personal acts of courage.”

Jonathan LangeMay 22, 2026

Opinion

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Ken Buck: Kentucky's Electoral Lesson — The Price of Fiscal Accountability

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "Tuesday night's results in Kentucky's primary reveal the cost of principled leadership that puts our country's financial health ahead of party dogma. Massie may not be heading back to Washington next year, but he sure put his country ahead of his ego, and he deserves our gratitude for it."

Ken BuckMay 20, 2026

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Tom Lubnau: What The CCP And Wyoming Republican Central Committee Have in Common

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "At first glance, a comparison between the Chinese Communist Party and the Wyoming Republican Central Committee seems almost absurd. What could they possibly share in common? Quite a bit, it turns out."

Tom LubnauMay 20, 2026

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Dave Simpson: Data Centers Popping Up Like Dandelions

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “It's hard to think of a community that is more out on a limb than Cheyenne if data center problems ensue, and the tax-dollar dreams of local officials turn into something entirely different. Like it or not, we're up to our necks in this, folks.”

Dave SimpsonMay 19, 2026

Wyoming Life

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