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A Wyoming hunter called in a bull moose to within 10 feet of where he stood while hunting elk Tuesday. The hunter said he experienced a “pure rush,” and was safe because he was behind a tree. “I’m brave, but I’m not an idiot,” he said.

Wyoming Hunter Calls Bull Moose To Within 10 Feet To Experience ‘Pure Rush’

A Wyoming hunter called in a bull moose to within 10 feet of where he stood while hunting elk Tuesday. The hunter said he experienced a “pure rush,” and was safe because he was behind a tree. “I’m brave, but I’m not an idiot,” he said.

Mark HeinzOctober 01, 2025

When the Laramie County dispatch center was cut off from the public with a phone line problem early Wednesday, the Laramie County dispatch center offered a workaround: go out and find a cop on the street or get to the police station.

When Phone Lines Go Out, Laramie County Dispatch Advises Find A Cop On The Street

When the Laramie County dispatch center was cut off from the public with a phone line problem early Wednesday, the Laramie County dispatch center offered a workaround: go out and find a cop on the street or get to the police station.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 02, 2025

Famed Wyoming wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen and legendary British primatologist Jane Goodall enjoyed a picnic lunch during Goodall’s first visit to Yellowstone National Park in 2001.

Famed Wyoming Photographer Looks Back On 25-Year Friendship With Jane Goodall

Famed Wyoming wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen said his close friend, iconic British primatologist Jane Goodall, was driven in her mission, but charming enough to connect with all sorts of people. Goodall died Wednesday at age 91.

Mark HeinzOctober 02, 2025

The Wyoming Libertarian Party and Americans for Prosperity Wyoming want school-choice opponents to reconsider, saying teachers can use the system to their advantage. The Wyoming Education Association says those claims don't change its stance that the state's program is unconstitutional. Tyler Lindholm, pictured, is the state director for Americans for Prosperity Wyoming.

Wyoming Libertarian Party Says School Choice Doesn't Have To Be 'MAGA'

The Wyoming Libertarian Party wants school-choice opponents to reconsider, saying teachers can use the system to their advantage. The Wyoming Education Association says those claims don't change its stance that the state's program is unconstitutional. 

Steve BohnelOctober 01, 2025

More than 300 people filed into the Cam-plex Heritage Center Theater on Tuesday night for a presentation from BWXT about its proposed nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Gillette.

BWXT Pitches Nuclear Fuel Plant In Gillette As Locals Wrestle With Mixed Emotions

BWXT officials promise a $500 million nuclear fuel plant will bring more than 200 jobs to Gillette without creating or storing nuclear waste there. But residents told the company Tuesday they're wrestling with the idea of a nuclear future.

David MadisonOctober 01, 2025

President Trump posted memes mocking Democratic leaders on Wednesday that Republicans said were in jest. Some Democrats called them racist.

Wyoming Delegation Mum On Trump’s Sombrero Memes Mocking Dems

Wyoming’s congressional delegation declined to weigh in Wednesday on memes posted by President Donald Trump that mock top Democrats. Both memes feature House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York with a fake sombrero and handlebar mustache.

Sean BarryOctober 02, 2025

The Casper Police Department says a false reporting charge may come from Tuesday’s hourslong search of the North Platte River after a man claimed his brother fell in. The brother was found safe “at his residence” and he was never in the river.

False Reporting Charge May Come From Bogus Claim Man Fell Into Casper River

The Casper Police Department says a false reporting charge may come from Tuesday’s hourslong search of the North Platte River after a man claimed his brother fell in. The brother was found safe “at his residence” and was never in the river.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 01, 2025

A University of Wyoming NIL partnership features a live cow and student-athletes in Dairy MAX ads in a crossover promotion that bridges the state's agricultural industry and sports marketing.

Live Cow, Student-Athletes Star In University Of Wyoming Dairy NIL Deal

A University of Wyoming NIL partnership features a live cow and student-athletes in Dairy MAX ads in a first-of-its-kind crossover promotion that bridges the state's agricultural industry and sports marketing.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 01, 2025

Former University of Wyoming Dean of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Cameron Wright.

Judge Says Ousted UW Dean Can Keep Suing For ‘Retaliation’ Demotion

A former University of Wyoming dean can keep suing the university over his demotion, a judge ruled Tuesday. He claims the demotion was “retaliation” for not funneling money to a school headed by the UW president’s partner.

Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2025

Star Valley Health hospital in Afton, Wyoming.

Star Valley Health Sues, Says Billing Company Shorted It More Than $2.5 Million

Afton-based hospital Star Valley Health on Tuesday sued the company running its billing system, claiming it caused the hospital to lose at least $2.5 million. This follows community outcry in late April about financial shortfalls at the hospital. 

Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2025

Wyoming’s members of Congress blame Democrats for not voting with Republicans to keep the government open. From the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. John Barrasso said a shutdown would be a result of the “idiocy” of Democrats.

Wyoming Delegation Pins Likely Federal Shutdown On ‘Idiocy’ Of Democrats

Wyoming’s members of Congress blame Democrats for not voting with Republicans to keep the government open. From the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. John Barrasso said a shutdown would be a result of the “idiocy” of Democrats.

Sean BarryOctober 01, 2025

A safety watchdog group says Wyoming leads the nation in trucking fatalities, but state industry leaders dispute the ranking, blaming harsh weather and per capita math for skewed stats. Most crashes involve out-of-state drivers on dangerous highways.

Wyoming Tops List Of Deadliest Trucking States, Industry Group Says It’s Skewed

A safety watchdog group says Wyoming leads the nation in trucking fatalities, but state industry leaders dispute the ranking, blaming harsh weather and per capita math for skewed stats. Most crashes involve out-of-state drivers on dangerous highways.

Scott SchwebkeSeptember 30, 2025

Edmond Barseghian

Five Fined Over Supercar Drag Race In Grand Teton, YouTube Star Still In Court

Five men were fined, and four were banned from Grand Teton National Park for two years, after a supercar drag race in the park in June. A YouTube influencer also arrested for the race is still facing charges, with a hearing in October.  

Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2025

Baiting big game with corn, salt licks and other treats is illegal and frowned upon as unethical across the West. But it didn’t used to be, and was once standard practice in Wyoming. It’s still allowed in other places, such as Texas.

Baiting Elk With Salt Licks Was Once OK Wyoming, But Is Now Illegal

Baiting big game with corn, salt licks and other treats is illegal and frowned upon as unethical across the West. But it didn’t used to be, and was once standard practice in Wyoming. It’s still allowed in other places, such as Texas.

Mark HeinzSeptember 30, 2025

Ronald Mickulin

Wyoming Supreme Court Reverses Seizure Of $54K From 76-Year-Old Caught With Drugs

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed a judge's order that the state could take $54,226 from a retired Wamsutter trucker. The state claimed the money was part of a drug conspiracy, but the judge let the state have it too easy in court.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 30, 2025

Exporting Wyoming coal to Asian markets could help the state make up for lost revenues with federal royalty rates dropping from 12.5% to 7%, Gov. Mark Gordon said Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. He also said AI and data centers present huge potential for the state.

Gordon: Coal Exports, Production Boost Could Make Up For Lower Revenues

Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday said exporting Wyoming coal to Asian markets could help the state make up for lost revenues with federal royalty rates dropping from 12.5% to 7%. He also said AI and data centers present huge potential for the state.

David MadisonSeptember 30, 2025

A bighorn sheep ram spotted on the Moss Ranch near Lovell. This ram has a unique genetic mutation where one of its horns seems to have grown much faster than the other, creating a lopsided look that's common in this population.

Bighorn Sheep With Rare, Weird Horn Mutations Keep Showing Up Near Lovell

A number of bighorn sheep rams in the foothills of Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains exhibit a rare genetic mutation where one horn grows faster than the other. That's why people keep seeing weird-horned bighorns near Lovell.

Andrew RossiSeptember 30, 2025

A Natrona County Sheriff’s Office deputy talks with members of the Search and Rescue Team along the North Platte River.

Missing Casper Man Found Alive After 10-Hour Search Along North Platte River

A 10-hour, multi-agency search along the North Platte River early Tuesday for a Casper man who fell in was called off a little after noon. Casper police say he was found alive and “unharmed,” but gave little other information.

Dale KillingbeckSeptember 30, 2025

While touting her work in returning $10.6 million to Wyoming residents through her negotiations between people and federal agencies, Rep. Harriet Hageman called out the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for lacking transparency and efficiency.

While Touting Her Work With Feds, Hageman Calls Out Bureau Of Indian Affairs

While touting her work in returning $10.6 million to Wyoming residents through her negotiations between people and federal agencies, Rep. Harriet Hageman on Tuesday called out the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for lacking transparency and efficiency.

Jackson WalkerSeptember 30, 2025

Six Wyoming lawmakers attended the 50 States One Israel trip this month. From left, Sen. Dan Laursen, Rep. Daniel Singh, Sen. Stephan Pappas, Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, and Sen. Tim Salazar.

Wyoming Legislators Criticized For Israel Visit Say Trip Was Worth It

Six Republican state lawmakers were criticized by some for their visit to Israel this month, where they toured the ruins of the Hamas attack and spoke with officials. Those who went say they found many themes relevant to Wyoming.

Steve BohnelSeptember 30, 2025

Sens. Bob Ide and Dan Laursen, and Reps. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams and Jayme Lien prepared for their subcommittee meeting on the Weston County Clerk’s botched 2024 election.

Weston County Clerk No-Shows Subpoena From Committee Investigating Her

The Weston County clerk accused of botching portions of the 2024 general election in northeast Wyoming and filing a false post-election audit did not show up Monday for a legislative subcommittee meeting for which she was subpoenaed. 

Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2025

Bradley Hudson II, 19, was sentenced Monday to up to 24 years in prison for molesting three young girls. He confessed to the sexual abuse during a polygraph test when applying for a job at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

Gillette Man Who Admitted To Child Sex Crimes While Applying For Job As Jailer Gets 24 Years

A Gillette 19-year-old was sentenced Monday to up to 24 years in prison for molesting three young girls. He confessed to the sexual abuse during a polygraph test when applying for a job at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.

Renée JeanSeptember 30, 2025

Hunter who shot a huge bull elk has been accused of trespassing to access public lands for the hunt. This map from onX Hunt, left, shows the private parcel with public enclaves inside its boundaries.

Hunter Who Shot Huge Bull Elk On Public Land Accused Of Trespassing During Hunt

A Gillette hunter who says he shot the bull elk of a lifetime is facing a trespassing charge. A land manager says the hunter had to cross his private property to get to the public land where the bull was killed, and he was cited by a game warden.

Mark HeinzSeptember 30, 2025

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon with U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Interrior Secretary Doug Bergum during Monday's announcement of the Trump administration's $625 million investment in coal-fired power plants and production.

Wyoming Cheers As Trump Injects $625M Into U.S. Coal, Opens 13M Acres For Leasing

Wyoming’s coal industry is cheering Monday’s announcement that President Trump’s Department of Energy is injecting $625 million into coal-fired plants and mining. Department of Interior is also opening 13.1 million acres of federal land for coal leases.

Renée JeanSeptember 29, 2025

Albany County Courthouse 1 9 29 25

Furious Albany County Residents Gather At Court For Felony Horse Torture Hearing

Dozens of outraged residents gathered at the Albany County courthouse on Monday to witness the arraignment of a man accused of charging a wild horse with an ATV, leading to it being euthanized.

Jackson WalkerSeptember 29, 2025

A pair of hikers claim that a GPS mapping app called AllTrails left them stranded in a storm on Medicine Bow Peak, prompting a rescue by Albany County Search and Rescue. The app said they were on a trail that wasn't there.

Hikers Rescued From Medicine Bow Peak Say GPS App Left Them Stranded

A pair of hikers claim that a GPS mapping app called AllTrails left them stranded in a storm on Medicine Bow Peak, prompting a rescue by Albany County Search and Rescue on Sunday. The app said they were on a trail that wasn't there.

Mark HeinzSeptember 29, 2025

A crowd of about 40 people had stopped on a road in Yellowstone National Park photographing a large grizzly gnawing on a carcass in a recent wildlife photo op. While they were focused on the bear, a large bison crashed the party, sending them scrambling.

Yellowstone Photographers Scramble After Bison 'Comes Out Of Nowhere'

About 40 photographers in Yellowstone abandoned their thousand-dollar cameras and were sent running last week when a bison "came out of nowhere" and ruined their photo op. They had been watching a grizzly eat a carcass when the animal crashed their party.

Andrew RossiSeptember 29, 2025

Wyoming Rep. Bill Allemand has adamantly and publicly opposed public money for nuclear energy projects. On Monday, he denied a claim by Bar Nunn's Public Works director that he leases land to wind farms.

Lawmaker Who Hates Nuke Subsidies Denies Claim He Leased Land To Wind Farms

Wyoming Rep. Bill Allemand has adamantly and publicly opposed public money for nuclear energy projects. On Monday, he denied a claim by Bar Nunn's Public Works director that he leases land to wind farms.

Jackson WalkerSeptember 29, 2025

Plane crash aerial acrobatics 555927013 122256651182190104 6389810603481298290 n 9 29 25

Pilot Hurt When Acrobatic Plane Crashes During Emergency Landing Near Torrington

Mechanical failure forced an acrobatic kit plane into a crash landing near Torrington Municipal Airport on Saturday afternoon. The plane flipped and the pilot was hurt. He was rescued by local first responders and transported to the hospital in Torrington.

Scott SchwebkeSeptember 29, 2025

The J.C. O'Mahoney Federal Courthouse in Cheyenne.

Casper Woman Gets Prison For Stealing $86K From Social Security Meant For Kids

A Casper woman was sentenced to nearly two years in prison Thursday for stealing $86,000 in Social Security survivor benefits meant for her kids. She also told a federal agent that while she uses illegal drugs, she paid for them with other money.

Scott SchwebkeSeptember 29, 2025

Terri Geissinger holds up the 1976 National Geographic with the cover story by Robert Redford about his outlaw ride. In 1967, he first sat at the Hole-in-the-Wall bar that now resides at the Hot Springs County Museum. The first time Redford saw the bar, it was still being used in the Hole-in-the-Wall Bar, a saloon that had first opened in the 1890s and welcomed the local outlaws in.

Three Weeks And 600 Miles: Robert Redford’s True Adventure On The Outlaw Trail

Robert Redford’s love of the West, Wyoming and their notorious outlaws was well-known. It led him in 1976 to retrace 600 miles of The Outlaw Trail on horseback, by car and by boat over three weeks for National Geographic magazine.

Jackie DorothySeptember 28, 2025

Many of the insects Aaron Clark finds on his ranch with the help of Allie Hazen are very small. The vial Clark is holding up contains a dozen or so specimens.

Wyoming’s Insect Cowboy Has Discovered New Bugs That Are In The Smithsonian

Aaron Clark has a small cow-calf operation on a ranch near Wheatland. But what he likes to lasso most are insects, and he's discovered several new ones in Wyoming — and some are now in the Smithsonian.

Renée JeanSeptember 28, 2025

The 8 millimeter-long eggshell found by the Oertijdmuseum in Lusk. A microscopic analysis of this eggshell concluded that it came from a Late Cretaceous dinosaur, which the research team strongly suspects was a Tyrannosaurus rex.

First-Of-Its Kind Dinosaur Eggshell Find Could Lead To T. Rex Nest Near Lusk

The first dinosaur eggshell ever found from the Lance Formation in Niobrara County has paleontologists excited. They believe it came from a Tyrannosaurus rex nursery and that full eggs are still buried there.

Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2025

The 101-year-old Spotted Horse Bar and Grill is an off-the-beaten dive bar on Highway 14-16 between Gillette and Sheridan. It's famous for its ranch burgers and famous spotted horse statue out front, which was rescued from a Montana brothel.

Drinking Wyoming: The Spotted Horse’s Famous Spotted Horse Rescued From A Brothel

The 101-year-old Spotted Horse Bar and Grill is an off-the-beaten dive bar on Highway 14-16 between Gillette and Sheridan. It's famous for its ranch burgers and spotted horse statue out front, which was rescued from a Montana brothel.

Renée JeanSeptember 28, 2025

Migrating snow geese in North Dakota getty 9 28 25

Wyoming Duck And Goose Seasons Open, But Still Too Warm To Bring Many Birds

The weather isn’t cooperating as Wyoming duck and goose seasons opens this weekend. It’s still too warm to bring many birds south, but that should change soon. Storms and cooler weather will draw more birds to the state.

Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2025

Four years ago, Gillette elk hunter Terrance Monger spotted a gigantic bull elk in a public land hunting area. After hunting for it every season since, he bagged the behemoth Sept. 18.

After Four Years Of Trying, Gillette Hunter Bags Gigantic Bull Elk On Public Land

Four years ago, Gillette elk hunter Terrance Monger spotted a gigantic bull elk in a public land hunting area in northeastern Wyoming. After hunting for it every season since, he finally bagged the behemoth Sept. 18.

Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2025

Virginia Broersma came from her studio in Los Angeles, California, for a three-week residency in Ucross, Wyoming. Artists from many different disciplines compete for the chance to practice their chosen art, from writing to composing, at the working ranch thanks to a program offered by the Ucross Foundation. Broersma was given an artist studio where she painted when she wasn’t hiking the property or enjoying the wide-open skies.

Artists From Around The World Compete For Coveted UCross Residency Program

Artists from around the world compete for coveted residency spots in tiny UCross, Wyoming. The town of 26 triples in size with the prestigious program, which has drawn American and international talent for 40 years.

Jackie DorothySeptember 28, 2025

Construction of the Queen's Laundry Bath House started in 1881, but it was never finished. Nevertheless, it's still standing as the oldest building in Yellowstone National Park, and the first structure ever built for public use in a national park.

Yellowstone's First Public Building Is An Unfinished 144-Year-Old Bathhouse

Construction of the Queen's Laundry Bath House started in 1881, but it was never finished. Nevertheless, it's still standing as the oldest building in Yellowstone National Park, and the first structure ever built for public use in a national park.

Andrew RossiSeptember 28, 2025

Sugar beets lovell scaled

Wyoming Sugar Beet Growers Project Near-Record Harvest And Sugar Content

Rain across northern Wyoming temporarily halted sugar beet harvest operations last week, but growers are confident they can keep pace with factory demands as the annual harvest ramps up. If projections hold, this season will mark the second-highest sugar content on record.

David MadisonSeptember 28, 2025

Some modern history sleuths believe Butch Cassidy, right, died when he blew himself up with dynamite in 1900. Nope, says a prominent historan. That was Cassidy's cousin, Robert Parker Heap, left, not the infamous outlaw.

Wyoming History: A Counterfeit Butch Cassidy Blew Himself Up In Laramie In 1900

Some modern history sleuths say Butch Cassidy died when he blew himself up with dynamite in 1900. Nope, says a prominent historian. That was Cassidy's cousin, Robert Parker Heap, not the infamous outlaw, whose real name was Robert Parker.

Jackie DorothySeptember 28, 2025

Campbell County's 20-year-old Remotec F6B robot named Judy, originally bought with post-9/11 Homeland Security grants, will retire. That announcement caused a commissioner to wonder, "Where do old robots go to die?"

'Where Do Old Robots Go To Die?' Campbell County Retires 20-Year-Old Bomb Squad Robot

Campbell County's 20-year-old Remotec F6B robot named Judy, originally bought with post-9/11 Homeland Security grants, is retiring. That announcement caused a commissioner to wonder, "Where do old robots go to die?"

David MadisonSeptember 28, 2025

After vanishing over the Pacific in 1942, Sgt. Thomas Cotner was presumed lost forever. Now a researcher's discovery in a remote New Guinea jungle has revealed the sacrifice of a young Casper, Wyoming, man who flew directly into the teeth of war.

Missing Wyoming WWII Vet’s B-17 Bomber Discovered In New Guinea Jungle

After vanishing over the Pacific in 1942, Sgt. Thomas Cotner of Casper was presumed lost forever. Now eight decades later, wreckage of the B-17 Flying Fortress where Tom served as a radio operator and gunner was discovered.

David MadisonSeptember 27, 2025

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Thursday, October 2, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Vicki Blakeman in Dubois. Vicki writes, "The clouds and color in the trees were perfect. The fall color is amazing!"

Photo by Vicki Blakeman

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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Dave Simpson: You Call Bunker Busters 'Chickening Out?'

Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “In the latest pathetic, ham-handed, all-thumbs attempt to dirty up President Donald Trump, our Democrat friends came up with the 'TACO' slogan, which stood for “Trump Always Chickens Out.”

Dave SimpsonSeptember 01, 2025

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Gail Symons: There's A Four-Part Test For Good Politicking. Hold 'Em To It

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "Good policy makers should ask: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

Gail SymonsAugust 31, 2025

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Cassie Craven: Career Criminals Aren’t Always What You Think

Columnist Cassie Craven writes: "One of the most unfair provisions in Wyoming law is our 'habitual offender' law. It pressures people with a shot at acquittal into giving up and pleading guilty."

Cassie CravenAugust 31, 2025

Wyoming Life

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