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Explosion Creates 20-Foot Crater of Boiling Water in Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory confirmed Tuesday that a hydrothermal explosion occurred in Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin that created a 21-foot-wide pool filled with boiling, silty water, a 60-foot fissure, and water spouting 30 feet into the air.
Andrew RossiJune 23, 2026

Cheyenne OK’s Huge Microsoft Annexation, Rejects $50M Community Benefits Deal
Cheyenne’s City Council moved a massive 3,500-acre data center annexation closer to approval Monday night, rejecting an effort to secure a $50 million community benefits agreement that Mayor Patrick Collins recently described as "extortion."
Renée JeanJune 23, 2026

Colorado Woman Accused of Stealing $2,000 in Fireworks, Nearly Running Over Employees
A Colorado woman, accused of stealing $2,000 worth of pyrotechnics at a fireworks dealer south of Cheyenne, is headed to district court. The 61-year-old woman allegedly drove toward store employees at a "high rate of speed" to avoid being detained.
Kolby FedoreJune 23, 2026

Boomers Rejoice: McDonald's Iconic Fried Apple Pie Returns To Wyoming For 250th
My assignment was to write a story about the reintroduction of McDonald’s iconic dessert, the fried apple pie, which hasn’t been available under the golden arches since 1992. The pie went on sale a week early in Wyoming, not Tuesday as was nationally advertised.
Kerry DrakeJune 24, 2026

Wyoming Supreme Court Declines To Appoint Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray
The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a Cheyenne-based attorney’s request for an order appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Secretary of State Chuck Gray for handing sensitive voter data to the federal government.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026

Kinnear Woman Pleads Not Guilty Again To Latest Citation Over Roving Guard Dogs
A Kinnear-area woman embroiled in a years-long feud over roaming livestock guardian dogs pleaded not guilty Tuesday to her latest animal-at-large charge. Several ranchers have alleged her dogs have harassed livestock and contributed to calf deaths.
Kolby FedoreJune 23, 2026

Wyoming Lawmakers Call For Raises For Prosecutors And Judges
Wyoming lawmakers started work Tuesday to lift the upper limit on county prosecutors' salaries from $153,700 to $180,000. The bill would raise Wyoming Supreme Court Justices’ salaries to nearly $225,000 and district court judge salaries to almost $202,000.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026

Now That It's Summer, Wyoming Is Losing Daylight Every Day
Parts of Wyoming saw more than 15 hours of daylight on June 21, the summer solstice. Now the days are getting shorter. “It’s not that noticeable now, but we’ll be losing two minutes per day by the end of July," said UW planetarium's Max Gilbraith.
Andrew RossiJune 23, 2026

Millions Of Bees Swarm On Trees In Yellowstone After Hives Smashed In Semi Crash
Almost a week after a semitruck carrying millions of bees flipped over in Yellowstone National Park and destroyed hundreds of hives, bees are still swarming on trees in the area. “It’s what's called a swarming mechanism,” said a Wyoming beekeeper.
Andrew RossiJune 22, 2026

How Black Hills Energy Is Preparing For Surge Of Power-Hungry Wyoming Data Centers
Black Hills Energy says it’s ready for a surge of power-hungry Wyoming data centers that can each use as much electricity as a small state. The bottom line is making those projects pay their own way, said a company official.
Renée JeanJune 23, 2026
Wyoming Uranium Surges As Nuclear Demand, National Security Concerns Align
Demand for nuclear fuel, a ban on imports from Russia and booming data center-driven electricity needs are sending uranium producers back into Wyoming. "We need the fuel, and the fuel starts with Wyoming uranium," said mining association chief Travis Deti
Kate MeadowsJune 22, 2026

Wyoming Business Council Chief Spars With Committee That Tried To Kill Agency
The head of the Wyoming Business Council sparred Monday with the Joint Appropriations Committee, which has tried to kill it. "No answer, no money," was the reply CEO Josh Dorrell got when he said he won't know the WBC's budget ask until August.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2026

Wyoming Records Driest Spring In Decades, Forecasters Expect Exceptionally Dry Summer
Data from the National Weather Service reveals the last three months have been the driest spring on record for most of Wyoming. That's following one of the driest winters on record. And now meteorologists say they are expecting an exceptionally dry summer.
Andrew RossiJune 23, 2026

Why World Chili Champions Come To Tiny Chugwater For Its Annual Chili Fest
Terlingua, Texas, crowns the world’s chili champions, but many say their favorite contest is in Chugwater, Wyoming. For 40 years, the Chugwater Chili Cook-off has been a Father's Day bucket-list contest for the best chili cooks on the planet.
Renée JeanJune 22, 2026

Just Like In Wyoming, There's A Big Argument In Alberta Over Hunting Grizzlies
As in Wyoming, grizzlies are showing up in Alberta, Canada, in places they haven't been seen in 50 to 100 years. And just like Wyoming, their arrival has sparked emotional debate over whether to hunt the endangered species again.
Mark HeinzJune 22, 2026

Casper Keeps College National Finals Rodeo For Next 10 Years
The Natrona County Commissioners approved an agreement to keep the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper for the next 10 years. The CEO of Visit Casper said the economic boost is a big one as last year's event generated $3 million in economic impact.
Kolby FedoreJune 22, 2026

Mount Rushmore Expects Huge Turnout For 250th With Return Of Fireworks, Maybe Trump
Mount Rushmore expects a huge turnout for the nation's 250th Independence Day celebration that will feature fireworks return for the first time in six years. There's also speculation that Trump might attend, but the White House hasn't confirmed.
Kate MeadowsJune 22, 2026

How First Responders Relocated A Moose That Wandered Into Wheatland
When a bull moose wandered too close to Interstate 25 near Wheatland early Sunday, wildlife agents tranquilized it and then had to get the massive, comatose animal into a waiting horse trailer. “Once he woke back up, he was not too pleased,” said a fire-rescue responder.
Mark HeinzJune 22, 2026

Why A Shortfall Of More Than 20,000 Homes Isn’t Enough To Get Wyoming Building
Wyoming needs tens of thousands of new homes, but only a fraction of the need is under construction because builders say the math doesn’t work. Middle-class wages aren’t high enough to afford to buy houses while home-building costs just continue to rise.
Renée JeanJune 21, 2026

Facing Huge Staffing Shortfalls, Wyoming Prisons Recruiting Military Veterans
Wyoming’s prisons have 109 vacant positions, despite years of recruiting. Now they're turning to military veterans because of their training. "The veterans we recruited were excellent correctional officers," said former corrections chief Bob Lampert.
Kolby FedoreJune 21, 2026

The Yellowstone You’ll Never See: Filmmaker Spends 50 Years Capturing Its Secrets
Most tourists see just 5% of Yellowstone from roads and boardwalks. Bozeman filmmaker Stephen Quayle has spent 50 years filming the places most never reach. “It’s like a whole different world,” he said. “You literally wouldn’t know you’re on planet Earth.”
Renée JeanJune 21, 2026

Wyoming ‘Worm Wrangler’ Says Nightcrawlers Are Popular But Worm Poop Is Bestseller
Laramie's Erika Babbitt-Rogers considers herself to be a professional “worm wrangler." She says anglers and pet owners are regular customers, but the real demand is for worm poop. “Everybody’s wanting that worm poop on their gardens,” she said.
Mark HeinzJune 21, 2026

When Trees Become People: The Strange Reality Of Running 100 Miles In Wyoming
This weekend, runners descended on Sheridan for one of the West's most respected ultramarathons. They'll tell you the 100-mile race is a test of what a person can endure: aching muscles, phantom voices and trees that suddenly look like people.
Kolby FedoreJune 21, 2026

Wyoming’s Last Drive-In Theater, Powell’s American Dream, Open For 78th Season
The American Dream in Powell, Wyoming’s last operating drive-in theater, has survived since 1949 as a retro experience for movie-goers. The current owner bought it in 2004 just to save it. “I didn't want it to get knocked down," Kathleen Heny said.
Renée JeanJune 20, 2026

Wyoming Communities: How Dubois, Wyoming, Got Its Name And Its Pronunciation
Dubois is a name that, to this day, is spoken out of spite. It's pronounced “dew-boys” instead of the French “deh-bwah" as a slight to U.S. senator Fred Dubois — who named the town after himself — and hated it when people mispronounced his French surname.
Andrew RossiJune 21, 2026

Teapot Dome Oil Fields Were Plenty Scandalous Before Historic Scandal Of 1920s
Years before armed Marines invaded Wyoming and a cabinet secretaries went to prison for the Teapot Dome scandal of the 1920s, those same oil fields were already plenty scandalous. Arguments over land were often settled by whoever had the quickest draw.
Jackie DorothyJune 21, 2026

From Casper To Alcatraz: Former Bus Driver Hit No. 2 On FBI’s Most Wanted List
A former Casper oil worker and bus driver in the 1920s careened into a life of crime with the infamous Karpis-Barker gang that included murders, kidnappings, and robberies. He was the FBI's No. 2 most-wanted before being caught and sent to Alcatraz.
Dale KillingbeckJune 21, 2026

Casper Man Selling His 1984 AMC Eagle 'Chick Magnet' Because Wife Wants It Gone
A Casper man says his wife is making him sell his beloved Bigfoot-hunting rig — a lifted 1984 AMC Eagle wagon with 150,000 miles he says attracts too much female attention. "I knew this day would come, but that doesn't make it hurt any less,” he said.
Kolby FedoreJune 20, 2026

It’s Been 55 Years Since Bill Briggs Became The First To Ski Down Grand Teton
This week marks the 55th anniversary of one of the most daring feats in Wyoming history, when Bill Briggs — the “father of extreme skiing” — became the first person to ski down the face of Grand Teton. “It was harder than I thought,” the 94-year-old recalled.
Kerry DrakeJune 20, 2026

Wyoming Woodcarvers Say Their Work Is A Hobby, Others Call It Art
Sheridan's Don Johnson and Roger Haight may not consider themselves artists, but they create extraordinary works based on what they see every day. Johnson builds modern birdhouses while Haight carves lifelike birds, and both are being hailed as Wyoming folk artists.
Jackie DorothyJune 21, 2026

How Modern Technology Is Reshaping The Search For Gold In Historic Wyoming Mines
Helicopters, artificial intelligence, and geology are giving a modern mining company a second shot at finding gold in historic Wyoming mines. The company believes there's a hidden gold belt and technology allows them to see 400 meters below the surface.
Renée JeanJune 20, 2026

Discovery Channel Wants To Film Reality Show In Laramie County Sheriff Kozak's Jail
The Discovery Channel wants to film an episode of its reality show "120 Hours Behind Bars" in the Laramie County jail. It's the latest bit of national attention Sheriff Brian Kozak has received since his "Truck Around and Find Out" sweeps made national news
Kerry DrakeJune 20, 2026

Rare Tornado Spotted In Sublette County On Saturday
A tornado made a rare appearance in Sublette County on Saturday, bringing with it more than 700 power outages. Meteorologist Don Day called it a "landspout" tornado which has the capability of 90 mph winds. "They can certainly cause damage," Day said.
Andrew RossiJune 20, 2026

Rodeo Week In Casper Means Mustaches, Mullets And Visitors Buying Up Western Wear
Fringe, pearl snaps and enough cologne to stun a horse. For one week each June, thousands of competitors, families, vendors and spectators pour into Casper for the College National Finals Rodeo. Judging by the attendees, western fashion is alive and well.
Kolby FedoreJune 20, 2026

Legend Of Vietnam War Gun Truck ‘Uncle Meat’ Lives On At Wyoming Museum
The "Uncle Meat" gun truck is the latest important artifact at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois. “I know a lot of these truck drivers and a bunch of them ended up dying of Agent Orange and nobody knows their story,” the museum's owner said.
Renée JeanJune 20, 2026
Wyoming History: Surviving A Dangerous Childhood Growing Up In Coal Town Of Dietz
The ghost town of Dietz was once a thriving coal mining community near Sheridan. Stanley Kuzara grew up around the mines where explosions were commonplace. Families would rush to the mines to discover if the men working that shift had survived.
Jackie DorothyJune 20, 2026

Rare Near-Perfect Wyoming Triceratops Skull Debuts In Netherlands Museum
“Veronika,” an extremely rare near-perfect Triceratops skull from eastern Wyoming, has been unveiled in a museum in the Netherlands. Norwegian paleontologists were so excited by the find that they are sending more teams out to areas near Lusk to search for more.
Andrew RossiJune 20, 2026

What The Heck … Is That 30-Foot-Long Winchester On Top Of A Building In Cody?
On July 4, 1976, John Wayne paraded through Cody with a 30-foot-long Winchester rifle. 50 years later, that rifle was still sitting on a rooftop next to the Irma Hotel until it was temporarily taken down but it will make its glorious return by July 4.
Andrew RossiJune 20, 2026

Yellowstone Tourists Learn That Nature Can Be Brutal When Grizzly Attacks Elk Calf
Tourists in Yellowstone got a brutal taste of reality Thursday when a grizzly went after a live elk calf and devoured it. John Winnie, an ecology professor at Montana State who was there, said most people don't "grasp just how high elk calf mortality is."
Mark HeinzJune 20, 2026

Lander Man Faces Homicide Charges, 42 Years In Double Fatal Riverton Crash
A Lander man faces homicide charges and up to 42 years in prison in connection with a Wednesday Riverton crash that killed two people. “I’m terribly sorry about what happened,” he said in court on Friday. “I’ve just been fighting addiction my whole life.”
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

Judge Orders Wyoming Board Of Equalization To Enforce 4% Property Tax Cap — For Now
A Cheyenne judge Friday ordered the Wyoming Board of Equalization to apply a law capping residential property tax increases at 4% annually — for now — despite the board’s claim the cap violates the Wyoming Constitution. Gov. Gordon sued the board this week.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

We Know Surveillance Cameras Are Being Used, But So Are Surveillance Microphones
While Wyoming debates surveillance cameras, what's gone largely unsung and un-debated is sound sensor technology. Law enforcement authorities in Cheyenne say they are using noise sensors to detect gunshot sounds. Some worry it could lead to "mission creep.”
Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2026

Rock Springs Man Accused Of Torturing Woman For Days With Razor Blade And Fork
A Rock Springs man was in court Thursday, accused of holding a woman captive for days and torturing her with a razor blade and fork. "I will murder your cat,” police say he told her. "I will murder your ... family if you get the cops involved."
Kolby FedoreJune 19, 2026

U.S. Solar Power Generation Passes Coal For First Time
For the first time ever, more U.S. electricity was generated from solar power than coal in May. Wyoming energy experts say that’s a reflection of greater demand for power than a decline in coal, and that “coal's not going away anytime soon."
Kate MeadowsJune 19, 2026

California, New York Aim To Ban 3D Printers That Can Make ‘Ghost Guns’
In the latest twist in efforts to ban 3D-printed “ghost guns,” lawmakers in New York and California are pushing to ban printers capable of making them. From a technical standpoint, the bans won’t work, said Kevin Thomas, owner of T&G 3D Printing in Basin.
Mark HeinzJune 20, 2026

Yellowstone Rangers Bulldoze 2,000-Pound Bison Roadkill While Grizzly Circles
Yellowstone rangers used a front-end loader and creativity to get a 2,000-pound bison carcass away from a busy road near Canyon Village on Friday. A wildlife photographer said a grizzly was circling the area determined to have the roadkill for breakfast.
Andrew RossiJune 19, 2026

More Charges For Former Newcastle Cop Accused Of Assaulting And Terrorizing Woman
A now-former Newcastle police sergeant already charged for allegedly stalking and assaulting a woman faces more charges, accused of terrorizing the woman for 10 months. In once instance, he threatened to “knife her to death,” according to court documents.
Kolby FedoreJune 19, 2026

Utah Hunting Guide Accused Of Poaching Also Caught Shooting At Cows With Bow
While investigating a Utah hunting guide for poaching a deer, wildlife officials came across a video of him shooting at cows with a bow. “It’s appalling,” says a Rock Springs bowhunter. “That sort of outfitter would never get a license in Wyoming."
Mark HeinzJune 19, 2026

Mother Of Cheyenne Man Who Shot Himself In Police Car Files Wrongful Death Petition
The mother of a Cheyenne man who shot and killed himself while handcuffed in the back of a police car in January has filed a wrongful death petition. “I don’t want this to happen to anybody else’s family,” the mother said shortly after his death.
Greg JohnsonJune 19, 2026

Dark Assignment: Wyoming Pony Express Riders Deliver Through The Night
The annual Pony Express re-ride crossed into Wyoming early Friday morning. By 1:35 a.m., riders made it to the Old Fort Laramie Bridge. “We’re on a time schedule,” 75-year-old rider Jay Jensen said. “We’ve got 59 hours to get through Wyoming.”
Dale KillingbeckJune 19, 2026

License Plate Cameras At Entrances To Wind River Reservation Spark Controversy
The Drug Enforcement Administration has installed license plate cameras on or around the Wind River Reservation, authorities confirmed Thursday. "All this stuff is somewhat '1984'-ish," Sen. Cale Case said. "It’s a big step in our surveillance society.”
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

Firearms Expert Says Supreme Court Marijuana Case Important For Wyoming Gun Owners
George Mocsary, a firearms law expert, says the U.S. Supreme Court's Thursday opinion upholding a marijuana user's right to keep a gun is important for Wyoming. "The case is ultimately about whether government can take away a constitutional right," he said.
Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2026

'Don't Be This Guy': Yellowstone Selfie Seeker Steps Illegally Onto Hot Spring
A man in Yellowstone was caught stepping illegally onto a fragile hot spring could get jail time and a hefty fine when park rangers catch up to him. “Don’t be this guy,” said a visitor who posted a photo of the offender on Thursday.
Andrew RossiJune 18, 2026

Ultimate Test: Wyoming Antelope vs African Cheetah To See Which Animal Is Faster
What a drag! A long-awaited speed test to see whether Wyoming pronghorn are faster than Africa’s cheetahs was a bust. The pronghorn didn’t feel like running and never went faster than 27 mph. Officials are hoping to do another test in the winter.
Mark HeinzJune 18, 2026
Daily Features
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Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Nicole Vigil. Nicole writes, "Taken from my back deck overlooking beautiful barley fields and the Big Horn River outside of Manderson.

Don Day's Wyoming Weather Forecast: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Chance of rain in much of Wyoming on Wednesday and overnight. Greater chance east of the divide and severe storms possible in the southeast. Highs from near 70 to upper 80s. Lows from near 40 to mid 50s.

Daily Cartoon 2: Wednesday, June 24, 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
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Wyoming Public Libraries Offer Free Blood Pressure Kits to Save Lives
Wyoming public libraries are helping residents combat heart disease by providing free, bilingual blood pressure monitoring kits across all 23 counties to encourage proactive health tracking.
June 23, 2026

The Cause of Your Leg Pain Might Not be What You Think
Wyoming’s vein specialists offer non-surgical solutions to restore circulation, relieve symptoms, and support lasting results.
June 15, 2026

Wyoming-Based Ministry Helps Meet Demand for Bibles in Honduran Schools
Casper-based Vision Beyond Borders responds to growing demand for 2 million Bibles in Honduras' public schools.
June 11, 2026
Opinion
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Rod Miller: Make The Whole State Of Wyoming Our Capitol
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow proposed an idea the other day that resonated with me, and it’s worthy of your consideration. It's cowboy as hell."
Rod MillerJune 19, 2026

Tom Lubnau: Sure, Pass Unconstitutional Bills And Blame 'Activist Judges'
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Stupidity is a defense, but it has its limits. Four years of passing the same unconstitutional abortion bills stretches that defense past the breaking point."
Tom LubnauJune 17, 2026

Ray Hunkins: UW Athletics At A Crossroads With Pending Bill In Congress
Columnist Ray Hunkins writes, "Gone from college athletics is the amateur model, developed and refined over 174 years. In its place is the Wild West model and what I call the helter-skelter model, a chaotic, no-holds-barred free-for-all, without adult supervision."
Ray HunkinsJune 17, 2026
Wyoming Life
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500 American Flags Line Three City Blocks As Cody’s Patriotic 'Field Of Honor'
Amber SteinmetzJune 22, 2026
50 Years Of Controversy Over Yellowstone's Only Known 'Petroglyph'
Andrew RossiJune 21, 2026
Giant Banana Pulled Over in Montana: Driver Says Cops Have Stopped Him 100s Of Times
Kolby FedoreJune 18, 2026
Oh, The Humanity! Hundreds Of Swallows Pooping Everywhere In Mountain View, Wyoming
Andrew RossiJune 17, 2026
Cody Fire Department Back In Stampede Parade, Allowed To Throw Water Balloons
Andrew RossiJune 16, 2026
Outdoors
View allRare 1-In-30,000 Albino Robin Hangs Out In Yard Of Cheyenne-Area Couple
Kolby FedoreJune 16, 2026
Wyoming Game And Fish Kills Bighorns That Wandered Into Cheyenne
Mark HeinzJune 15, 2026
‘A Very Bad Optic’: Wyoming Man Apologizes For Controversial Coyote Killing Video
Mark HeinzJune 15, 2026
Powered Exoskeletons Could Turn Wyoming Hikers, Hunters Into Backcountry Cyborgs
Mark HeinzJune 14, 2026
Wyoming Outfitters, Hunters Say Screwworm Would Be Wildlife Disaster If It Hits State
Mark HeinzJune 13, 2026
Crime & Courts
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Cheyenne 14-Year-Old Charged As Adult In Mom’s Shooting Set For Trial
Greg JohnsonJune 18, 2026
Two Dead, One Tackled And Arrested in Riverton Crash
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026
Jury Finds Former Cheyenne Water Manager Guilty Of Stealing $350K Over A Decade
Kolby FedoreJune 17, 2026
Sheriff Says Baggs Suspect Who Shot Deputy Likely Was Planning 'Large-Scale Act'
Greg JohnsonJune 17, 2026
Supreme Court Upholds 21-To-26-Year Sentence For Casper Cop Who Caused Standoff
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026

