Clair McFarland
Clair McFarland is a general assignment reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Riverton, Wyoming. She specializes in crime and court reporting and social issues coverage. Clair also writes a twice-monthly column on motherhood and country living.
Previously, Clair wrote for The Ranger, the Lander Journal and the Wind River News. She is an award-winning journalist, columnist and poet, who joined Cowboy State Daily on Valentine's Day, 2022.
Latest from Clair McFarland
Prosecutor Wants Jury To Hear Evidence Accused Murderer Threw Dog Down Stairs
In the case of an Evanston man who claimed he acted in self-defense when allegedly killing his father last November, the prosecutor is asking to allow extra evidence of murder threats and violence. That includes a claim he threw a dog down the stairs.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Incoming University Of Wyoming President Wants To Build Bridges, Dissolve Drama
Incoming U.W. President Brigadier General Shane Reeves told Cowboy State Daily he wants to build bridges and dissolve drama at the university, as well as build trust and connections throughout the state by talking to state legislators and stakeholders.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Now Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock To Be Arrested, Court Docs Say
Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock may be arrested next week, as prosecutors form a new felony case over her handling of the 2024 election, her lawyer says. That would be in addition to a misdemeanor case, a civil action, and a legislative investigation.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2026
Riverton Man Whose Mother’s Home Was Ripped Open During Standoff Gets Plea Deal
After he was accused of thrusting a sword through his bedroom door at police officers and sparking an 11-hour standoff during which law enforcement ripped open his mother’s Riverton home last spring, Ron Allington reached a plea agreement Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2026
Megan Degenfelder Apologizes For 'Unredacted' Student Info Release
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder has apologized for her department's release of unredacted student information in a public records request. She said the release was the result of "human error" and those involved have been reprimanded.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2026
Conservative Activist Steve Friess, Son Of Foster, Runs For Wyoming U.S. House Seat
Conservative activist Steve Friess, son of former political candidate Foster Friess, is running for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat. He and his family helped Charlie Kirk start Turning Point USA and describes his philosophy as pro-Trump, pro-life, and pro-gun.
Clair McFarlandApril 02, 2026
CheckGate Fallout: Legislature To Get More Ethics Training
The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council decided Wednesday to add more ethics training for state legislators. The move comes in the wake of the House CheckGate a controversy this past session.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2026
Transgender Woman Challenges 'What Is A Woman Act' In Wyoming Supreme Court
A Natrona County transgender woman is challenging the What is a Woman Act in the Wyoming Supreme Court to change the sex on a birth certificate. The law defines sex by biological status from birth. The challenger calls it unconstitutional.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2026
Famous Wyoming Diesel Mechanic Worries New EPA Rule Causes More Harm Than Good
Wyoming's most famous diesel mechanic, his techy son, and a third well-known mechanic who suffered federal prosecution all worry the EPA's new rule against "DEF" sensors could hurt engines overall.
Clair McFarlandApril 01, 2026
Retired Judge Won't Let Pro-Choice Group Lump New Challenge Into Old Case
A retired Wyoming judge Tuesday refused to let abortion-rights advocates include new heartbeat-ban challenge into their older case . He ruled the nearly trial-ready case is too far along to introduce their latest challenge.
Clair McFarlandMarch 31, 2026
Judge Rejects Plea Deal, Gives Wheatland Band Teacher Harsher Molestation Term
A Platte County judge Monday rejected a plea deal and sentenced former teacher Evan Bradley to 49–57 years in prison for sexually abusing two students. “I’m not going to abide by the plea agreement,” the judge said. “I’m going to increase the sentence."
Clair McFarlandMarch 31, 2026
Former Dean Who Clashed With UW President Running For Legislature
A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and engineering professor whose clash with UW President Ed Seidel exploded into the news cycle last year is running for a seat in the Wyoming Legislature. He will face House Majority Whip Ocean Andrew.
Clair McFarlandMarch 31, 2026
Trump's Popularity On Trial In Lawmakers' Defamation Case
Whether backing Trump makes a person a true Republican in Wyoming is a key point in the defamation case two lawmakers are waging against Wyoming Freedom Caucus' campaign group. The group falsely claimed the lawmakers voted to keep Trump off the ballot.
Clair McFarlandMarch 30, 2026
Wyoming House Rep. Abby Angelos — Not John Bear — Runs For Barlow’s Senate Seat
Wyoming Rep. Abby Angelos is running for the Gillette-area Senate seat now held by Eric Barlow — which means House Appropriations Chair John Bear will not. Bear said he resents when conservatives "split the vote," and hasn't announced if he'll run again.
Clair McFarlandMarch 28, 2026
Cheyenne Cops Win Two Lawsuits On The Same Day, Under Different Judges
Cheyenne police won two civil cases this month on the same day, on the same grounds, with the same lawyers. The different, federal-court judges ruled that people they took to the ground during arrest failed to show excessive force.
Clair McFarlandMarch 27, 2026
Fremont County Man Says He ‘Snapped’ When He Slit Friend's Throat Over Dead Sister
A 32-year-old Fremont County man confessed Thursday in court that three years ago he “snapped,” stabbed his drinking companion and slit his throat. He claimed the former friend bad-mouthed his deceased sister.
Clair McFarlandMarch 27, 2026
Wyoming Reporter Now Facing An Additional 10 Felony Charges
A Wyoming reporter is facing an additional 10 felony charges after allegedly forging USDA loan documents for a property purchase. She's already facing 10 felony charges for submitting forged documents and lying under oath before the Industrial Siting Council.
Clair McFarlandMarch 26, 2026
Major Conservative Group Confuses Two Frank Chapmans, While One Runs For Congress
The Conservative Political Action Conference has confused which Frank Chapman of Wyoming is speaking at its Texas event this week. They promote the Frank running for U.S. House, but credit him wrongly with being Wyoming's first public defender in 1978 - when he was 10.
Clair McFarlandMarch 26, 2026
Biden-Era Social Media Censorship Lawsuit Ends; Hageman: "It Was Pretty Blatant"
Long before the famous COVID-era censorship lawsuit Missouri v Biden ended Wednesday, Rep. Harriet Hageman called out the federal government for badgering social media companies. “It was pretty blatant what was going on,” she told Cowboy State Daily.
Clair McFarlandMarch 26, 2026
Rep. Allemand DUI Case: Body Cam Video Shows Arrest, Now Judge Considers Legality
In a Buffalo courtroom Wednesday, a magistrate watched body cam video of Rep. Bill Allemand’s Dec. 28 DUI arrest and listened to a combination of evidence, testimony and closing statements. Now the magistrate is deciding whether that arrest was lawful.
Clair McFarlandMarch 26, 2026
Former Gov Policy Advisor Announces Bid For Superintendent Of Public Instruction
Chad Auer, who served recently as a senior policy adviser for the governor, declared Tuesday he's running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Auer said he hasn’t sought any endorsements yet, but the governor has encouraged him to run.
Clair McFarlandMarch 24, 2026