AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Newsletter
CM
Crime and Courts Reporter

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.  

Find Clair McFarland

Latest from Clair McFarland

A bomb squad was called Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in response to what looked like a pipe bomb along Landers Idyllic Popo Agie River walk. The device was X-rayed and determined to be a fake pipe bomb.

Bomb Squad Called For Device Found Near River In Lander — It Was A Fake Pipe Bomb

A bomb squad was called Wednesday to disarm what looked like a pipe bomb along Lander's Popo Agie River. An X-ray image showed the device to be a fake pipe bomb. It's the second time in three months people have found fake explosives in Fremont County.

Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025

Four people were arrested Tuesday, accused of drag racing "multiple high-end luxury sports cars" in Grand Teton National Park. A Wyoming auto writer says that’s foolish, and wonders “what would happen to a Lamborghini if it hit a black bear?” In this file photo, a car drives fast on a hairpin turn on Signal Mountain in Grand Teton National Park.

Four Arrested For Drag Racing ‘High-End Luxury Sports Cars’ In Grand Teton Park

Four people were arrested Tuesday, accused of drag racing "multiple high-end luxury sports cars" in Grand Teton National Park. A Wyoming auto writer says that’s foolish, and wonders “what would happen to a Lamborghini if it hit a black bear?” 

Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025

Republican state Rep. Jacob Wasserburger is again seeking to ban buying junk food using Wyoming SNAP benefits. The federal government sends nearly $65 million a year into Wyoming homes through the program.

Wyoming Again Considers Banning Buying Junk Food With SNAP Benefits

A Republican state lawmaker is again seeking to ban buying junk food using Wyoming SNAP benefits. The federal government sends nearly $65 million a year into Wyoming homes through the program.

Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025

Some Wyoming House members donned red jackets Tuesday to a Legislative committee meeting as a warning of a projected nearly $700 million deficit. Detractors of the visual protest say those same lawmakers helped gouge state revenues. They are, from left, Republican Reps. John Bear (Gillette), Scott Smith (Lingle), Abby Angelos (Gillette) and Bill Allemand (Casper).

Wyoming Legislators Wear Red To Warn Of Projected $700 Million Budget Deficit

Some Wyoming House members wore red jackets Tuesday to a legislative committee meeting as a warning of a projected nearly $700 million deficit. Detractors of the visual protest say those same lawmakers helped gouge state revenues.

Clair McFarlandJune 25, 2025

Campbell county sheriff

Gillette Man Who Admitted Child Sex Crimes While Applying For Deputy Job Gets Deal

A Gillette man is set to plead guilty to child molestation Monday. Prosecutors say he confessed to the crimes while applying for a job at the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office before he was to take a polygraph test.

Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025

After intense backlash over his plan to sell off federal public land in 11 Western states, including Wyoming, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is scaling it back. He said late Monday he will “significantly reduce” the scope of his plan.

After Intense Backlash, Lee To ‘Significantly Reduce’ Public Lands Up For Sale

After intense backlash over his plan to sell off federal public land in 11 Western states, including Wyoming, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is scaling it back. He said late Monday he will “significantly reduce” the scope of his plan.

Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025

Authorities on Saturday arrested a Riverton man for DUI and felony eluding after he bolted northward through a construction zone, hitting 130 mph in a car chase. Wyoming troopers did a tactical intervention, and the car rolled repeatedly.

Riverton Car Chase Hits 130 MPH, Ends In Rollover

Authorities on Saturday arrested a Riverton man for DUI and felony eluding after he bolted northward through a construction zone, hitting 130 mph in a car chase. Wyoming troopers did a tactical intervention, and the car rolled repeatedly.  

Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025

An debate over selling federal land reminds those in opposition of Wyoming leaders’ efforts to shift those lands into state hands last year. State Rep. Karlee Provenza says now Gov. Mark Gordon and Harriet Hageman are "partners in the public land grab."

Provenza Says Gordon, Hageman Are 'Partners In Public Land Grab'

As debate intensifies over the sale of federal lands, state Rep. Karlee Provenza says actions last year in a federal court case show Gov. Mark Gordon and Harriet Hageman are "partners in the public land grab."

Clair McFarlandJune 24, 2025

The 29-year-old Riverton man who stole a car with a baby inside in it in February pleaded guilty Friday to one count of felony kidnapping. He faces a sentence of between eight and 10 years in prison or could be sent to a “boot camp” program.

Riverton Man Who Stole Car With Baby Inside Pleads Guilty

The 29-year-old Riverton man who stole a car with a baby inside in it in February pleaded guilty Friday to one count of felony kidnapping. He faces a sentence of between eight and 10 years in prison or could be sent to a “boot camp” program.

Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2025

Rock Springs County Sheriff’s Office says no arrests have yet been made, but there is a person of interest in a Saturday evening altercation that left a man shot in the neck. An investigation continues, and there’s no threat to the public.

Rock Springs Man Shot In Neck During Weekend Altercation, No Arrests Yet

Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office says no arrests have yet been made, but there is a person of interest in a Saturday evening altercation that left a man shot in the neck. An investigation continues, and there’s no threat to the public.

Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2025

Despite the school district saying a Cheyenne man arrested Thursday at the national high school speech competition wasn’t there with the East High team, witnesses and evidence show he was. A parent and student say he hung out with the team and coaches.

Witnesses, Evidence Say Man Arrested At Speech Tournament Was With East High Team

Despite the school district saying a Cheyenne man arrested Thursday for causing a panic and stampede at the national high school speech competition wasn't associated with the East High team, witnesses and evidence say he was.

Clair McFarlandJune 21, 2025

Leaders of the Wyoming Legislature range from lukewarm to angry about the proposed sale of federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. And even though they can’t do anything about it, they’re hearing from constituents. Pictured are House Speaker Chip Neiman, left, and Senate President Bo Biteman; background is Adobe Town in the Red Desert of southwest Wyoming.

Wyo Legislative Leaders Range From Lukewarm To Angry On Public Lands Sale 

Leaders of the Wyoming Legislature range from lukewarm to angry about the proposed sale of federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. And even though they can’t do anything about it, they’re hearing from constituents.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

Other Authors

Jayden Roccaforte, a 22-year-old Cheyenne man with four national speech championship wins to his name, was arrested Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, on claims he caused a “disturbance” at the National Speech and Debate tournament that caused the clearing of the event venue.

Cheyenne Man Arrested After Causing Panic At National Speech And Debate Tourney

A 22-year-old Cheyenne man with four national speech championship wins to his name was arrested Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, on claims he created a panic at the National Speech and Debate tournament that cleared the venue. He faces charges of disorderly conduct and drug possession.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

A Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper rolled his vehicle Friday morning, June 20, 2025, near Cheyenne while grappling the truck wheel of a homicide suspect who was fleeing Colorado, the local sheriff says.

Wyoming Trooper Rolls Vehicle Stopping Colorado Homicide Suspect

A Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper rolled his vehicle Friday morning near Cheyenne while grappling the truck wheel of a homicide suspect who was fleeing Colorado, the local sheriff says.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

Jaycee Morgan Cherny

In ‘Extremely Rare’ Case, Rock Springs Woman Charged With Making Child Porn

In what authorities say is an “extremely rare” case, a Rock Springs woman is facing child pornography charges in Sweetwater County felony court. She’s scheduled to plead Monday on charges she made, delivered and possessed child porn.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

Wyoming School Boards Association executive director Brian Farmer fields numerous questions about school insurance during a Wednesday meeting of the select committee on school finance recalibration in Casper.

Wyoming Schools Say Banning Gun-Free Zones Is Hiking Insurance Rates

Multiple Wyoming school districts say the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones has prompted hikes in their liability insurance costs. The situation sparked debate between supporters and detractors of the new law at a legislative committee this week.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

Wyoming highway patrol photo 6 19 25

Brief: Two Gillette Motorcyclists Killed In Head-On Near Wright

Two Gillette men died Wednesday when a work truck collided head-on with both their motorcycles on the highway between Wright and Newcastle. Fatigue for the truck driver is being investigated as the cause of the crash.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder testifies for the Senate Education Committee during thed Wyoming Legislature's 2025 session in this file photo.

Degenfelder Plans $6.4 Million School Choice Payout, But Judge Could Stop It

As a lawsuit against the program escalates, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder is still planning at this point to pay out $6.44 million for school choice July 1. A judge could decide next week to halt the payments.  

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

A Tramadol overdose in November killed Rhonda Parker, 66, who was living at a Gillette assisted living center. Her family sued the care facility Wednesday, claiming caretakers ignored severe signs of her overdose for hours before she died.

Gillette Nursing Home Ignored Signs Of Fatal Overdose, Family Claims In Lawsuit

A Tramadol overdose in November killed Rhonda Parker, 66, who was living at a Gillette assisted living center. Her family sued the care facility Wednesday, claiming caretakers ignored severe signs of her overdose for hours before she died.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025

Man protests outside of the U.S. Supreme Court as the justices hear arguments in a case on gender-change treatments for kids. Washington, D.C.

US Supreme Court Upholds Child Sex-Change Ban That’s Similar To Wyoming’s

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Tennessee’s ban on medical treatments related to gender changes for kids. That smooths the way for Wyoming's similar ban to survive in federal court, though it's still unclear how it would fare in state court.  

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025

With voids of unfilled technical education jobs in Wyoming — like welders, plumbers and construction workers — the state needs to adjust its education system to those fields. That was the message from the state’s blue-collar sector to legislators Tuesday.

Blue-Collar Sector To Wyoming Schools: Give Us More Welders

With voids of unfilled technical education jobs in Wyoming — like welders, plumbers and construction workers — the state needs to adjust its education system to those fields. That was the message from the state’s blue-collar sector to legislators Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025

Previous
Page 11
Next