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
Flu Tracking In Wyo Back After Two Years, Infections Slightly Above Projections
After a hiatus of nearly two years, the Wyoming Department of Health is tracking influenza infections once again. Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 08, 2022
Bill Making Meth Use By Pregnant Women A Felony Dies In Senate
State Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, told the Senate he opposed the bill because he wanted to see more emphasis on treatment and was worried women would get abortions in prison.
Clair McFarlandMarch 08, 2022
Wyoming House, Senate Approve $2.7 Billion Budget; On Its Way To Governor’s Office
A two-year budget detailing spending of roughly $2.7 billion from the states main bank account in fiscal 2023-24 was approved Monday by both the Wyoming House and Senate. Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2022
Senate Committee Approves Bill Creating Felony For Meth Use While Pregnant
A bill classifying methamphetamine use while pregnant a felony crime  narrowly passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday, winning approval on a 3-2 vote despite some vocal opposition.
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2022
Wyoming Experts On Indian Culture Welcome Elimination Of ‘Squaw’
The prospect of changing landmark names in Wyoming to remove the word squaw -- like "squaw teats" -- is being met with sighs of relief from two Indian culture experts in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2022
Legislature Nears Final Approval Of Own Budget
The Wyoming Legislature has nearly finalized its plan to spend $22 million on its own operations over the next two years.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2022
Bill Making Meth Use While Pregnant A Felony Moves To Wyoming Senate
A bill that make it a felony for pregnant women to use methamphetamine or illegal opiates is awaiting Senate review following its approval in the House on Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2022
Wyoming Author Ron Franscell’s Latest Book Tracks Sadistic Montana Serial Murderer In ‘ShadowMan’
Ron Franscell's latest non-fiction book traces a 1960s and 70s Montana serial killer motivated by control and sadism, and the brutal deaths of innocent children and at least one young woman that followed.
Clair McFarlandMarch 01, 2022
Genetic Privacy Bill Clears Senate Committee
A bill forbidding online ancestry websites from selling Wyoming customers DNA data is moving through Wyomings Legislature with little resistance.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2022
Shoshone Tribe Offers $500 Incentive For Child Vaccinations
The Eastern Shoshone Tribe is offering its members $500 to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2022
Bill Making Meth Use By Pregnant Women A Felony Clears House Hurdle
A bill that would make the consumption of methamphetamine or illegal opiates by pregnant women a felony has been approved in its initial review by the full House of Representatives.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 28, 2022
Sen. Bouchard, WyGO’s Aaron Dorr Decry Committee Censorship on Gun Bill
Both Wyoming Gun Owners policy director Aaron Dorr and Sen. Anthony Bouchard claimed they were not allowed to speak at a hearing on a gun bill which they opposed. But footage of the meeting appeared to show little effort by either to do so.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2022
Government Fraud Hotline Bill Moves To Senate Floor
Despite lobbyist and lawmaker resistance, a bill that would establish a public hotline for reporting government fraud, waste, or abuse of resources has been approved in its first full review by Wyoming's Senate.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2022
Clair McFarland: Peaceful Family Moments Are The Real Magic
Clair McFarland writes: "We needed a miracle. 'For my first trick, I will turn this LEGO into a coin,' said the 8-year-old magician. I had some doubts."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2022
Video Of Incident Between Sens. Driskill and James Released
The Capitol Police on Thursday released video footage showing the incident between Sen. Ogden Driskill and Sen. Tom James on the floor the senate Tuesday evening.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 24, 2022
Driskill Apologizes For Bumping Into Sen. James; Says It Was An Accident
Sen. Ogden Driskill on Wednesday apologized on the senate floor for "accidentally bumping into" Sen. Tom James after a heated debate on gun legislation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2022
State Senators Get Heated Following Contentious Debate On Gun Bill
Sen. Ogden Driskill and Sen. Tom James were involved Tuesday evening in what some are calling an altercation on the Senate Floor, after a heated debate regarding a gun bill. Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2022
Northern Arapaho Tribe Requires COVID Booster For Employees
The Northern Arapaho Tribe is requiring its employees who are eligible for the coronavirus booster shot to get the extra vaccination.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2022
Wyoming Female Legislators Take Part In ‘No-Makeup Monday’
As a way to promote positive self-image among girls, a small number of female state representatives participated in the first No-Makeup Monday in the Wyoming House of Representatives this week.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2022
Bill Restricting Release Of Mugshots Clears House Judiciary Committee
A bill that would prevent the release of a persons mugshot until convicted was approved Monday by a House committee.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2022
Wyo Bill Restricting Sale of DNA Data Passes Introduction
If passed, DNA-mapping compaies like Ancestry.com and "23 And Me," would be restricted from using or selling genetic data without obtaining specific permissions.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 18, 2022