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
Gordon Signs 'Heartbeat' Abortion Ban; Clinic 'Prepared To Challenge' It
Gov. Mark Gordon signed Wyoming’s Human Heartbeat Act on Monday, banning most abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be heard. The state's only abortion clinic says it is an "attack on Wyomingites’ constitutional freedom" and is ready to challenge it.
Clair McFarlandMarch 09, 2026
Judge Tosses Most Claims In San Jose State Trans Volleyball Lawsuit
A federal judge in Colorado dismissed nearly all claims by college volleyball players challenging San Jose State’s inclusion of a trans athlete. The controversy erupted in 2024 when UW and other teams boycotted games because a SJSU player was transgender.
Clair McFarlandMarch 09, 2026
Legislature Overrides 4 Of Gordon's 25 Line-Item Vetoes; Biz Council Program Survives
The Wyoming Legislature overrode four of Gov. Mark Gordon's 25 line-item vetoes to the budget Friday. The House failed by one vote to win an override that would have defunded the Business Ready Communities program.
Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2026
Gordon Says Second Amendment Protection Act Is Fundraising Disguised As Legislation
Gov. Gordon didn’t mince words when discussing the Second Amendment Protection Act. He called it an “embarrassment,” noting all 23 sheriffs in Wyoming oppose it. The bill currently sits on the governor’s desk. He vetoed a similar bill last year.
Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Hope $3.9 Billion School Spending Package Good Enough For Courts
Wyoming lawmakers have sent a roughly $3.9 billion school spending package to the governor's desk hoping it will survive the latest round of court scrutiny. "I’m confident the court will look very favorably on (these efforts)," Sen. Chris Rothfuss said Friday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026
Bill Blocking State Agencies From Collecting Union Dues Heads To Gov's Desk
 A bill banning Wyoming public agencies and schools from collecting union and political advocacy group dues is headed to the governor. Rep JD Williams says workers keep their right to pay dues and engage in union activities but the state won't be involved.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026
Gordon Uses Line-Item Veto To Help Biz Council, Rescue State Jet, NIL, UW Funding
Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday used his line-item veto authority to rescue the Wyoming Business Council’s Business-Ready Communities program, the state colleges’ flexibility to use state money on NIL, and one of the executive branch’s two jet airplanes.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026
Gordon Signs Bill Letting All Wyoming Cops Pull Non-English Speaking Truckers From Roads
By the stroke of Gov. Mark Gordon's pen Thursday, now all Wyoming police officers and deputies, not just federally-certified state troopers, can pull non-English-proficient commercial truck drivers from the roads. Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026
To Become A Judge, Clark Stith Leaves Behind Two High-Profile Political Lawsuits
By accepting a judgeship in Sweetwater County, former Rep. Clark Stith is leaving behind arguably the two most high-profile political lawsuits in Wyoming and is "shopping around" for a lawyer to take them over.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026
Cody Roberts Pleads Guilty In Wyoming Wolf Torture Case
In a notorious case that snagged global headlines, Wyoming man Cody Roberts on Thursday pleaded guilty to torturing a wolf and apologized publicly, after establishing a plea agreement. “I’d just like to say I sincerely regret my actions,” Roberts said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026
CheckGate Investigation: House Committee Rules No Bribery Or Misconduct
A committee charged with investigating the so-called CheckGate controversy over handing out checks on the Wyoming House floor said Wednesday it found no bribery or misconduct. However, it also determined it was bad conduct that “must never occur again."
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026
Wyoming Senate Refuses To Rescue Bill Purging Sex Books From Children's Library
Sen. Troy McKeown tried and failed Wednesday to resurrect a bill that sought to pull sexually-explicit books from children’s sections in libraries, after the Senate let it die. His effort failed 13-18.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026
Converse County Commissioner Announces Run For Secretary Of State
Robert Short, a three-term county commissioner in Converse County, announced Wednesday he will run for Secretary of State. He said if elected, he wouldn't push as much for law changes. “The Secretary of State’s job is to enforce law, not make it," he said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026
Wyoming State Rep Says He Was Unlawfully Interrogated In Drunk Driving Arrest
Rep. Bill Allemand is asking the court to throw out his drunk driving case, arguing he was unlawfully handcuffed and questioned without Miranda rights. Allemand allegedly had a blood alcohol content level three times the legal limit
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026
Gordon Signs Bill To Keep NIL Money Out Of Wyoming High School Sports
A Wyoming bill to keep name, image, and likeness payouts out of high school sports is now law after Gov. Mark Gordon signed it Tuesday. Gordon said it's a commonsense measure after what's happened to college sports.Â
Clair McFarland & David MadisonMarch 04, 2026
Legislators Say No To Letting Districts Use Teacher, Class Money For Other Things
Wyoming legislators denied amendments Tuesday to allow districts to use money for instruction and teacher pay on other things. Some say districts need leeway, others that the rule guards against districts “continually saying, 'Not enough, need more.’"
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026
Riverton Man Fatally Shot In Apartment, Shooter Flees
A Riverton man was shot and killed in an apartment just after midnight Tuesday, according to official and witness reports. An apartment complex assistant manager on scene told Cowboy State Daily the victim had a headshot wound, and the shooter fled.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2026
Wyoming 'Bounty' Bill Inspired By Minnesota Fraud Dies, But Could Return Next Year
A Wyoming legislative committee on Monday voted down a bill that would have promised whistleblowers a cut of penalties against people who cheat the government out of money. “I love the concept of this bill,” one lawmaker said before voting to table it.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2026
Governor, Freedom Caucus Claim Victory As Legislature Passes $9.9 Billion Budget
Despite compromises from all sides, Gov. Gordon, Senate leaders, and House leaders all claimed victory on Monday as the Wyoming Legislature passed a $9.9 billion, two-year budget. “What a win for Wyoming!” the governor said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2026
Attempt To Resurrect Teton County Housing Bill Linked To CheckGate Fails In Senate
A vocal minority in the Wyoming Senate tried and failed Monday to resurrect a housing bill linked to the "CheckGate" scandal. Senate President Bo Biteman said the bill was "tainted" and should be handled next year.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2026
University Of Wyoming Budget Spared (For Now), Biz Council Reined In
Wyoming legislative negotiators drafted a budget Friday that could spare the University of Wyoming from a $40 million cut while funding the Wyoming Business Council for one year instead of two.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026