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
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires At Rock Springs Dump Could Signal Bigger Disasters
A surge in garbage fires linked to lithium-ion batteries at the Rock Springs Landfill has officials warning of bigger, future hazards. One expert said he's working out a plan to shut down grid portions and cordon off areas if an electric car ignites.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2025
Brother Of Yellowstone Shooter Can’t Keep ‘Getaway’ Car, Federal Magistrate Says
The brother of a Yellowstone concession worker who died in shootout July 4, 2024, can’t get the shooter’s car. With a federal magistrate's Friday order, the government can keep the 2021 Nissan that Lucas Fussner reportedly intended as his "getaway" car.
Clair McFarlandAugust 05, 2025
Gillette Nursing Home Sued For Woman's Overdose Death Wants Lawsuit Dismissed
The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette denies any wrongdoing in Rhonda Parker’s fatal opioid overdose in a Friday court filing. The center is asking a judge to throw out a wrongful death lawsuit.
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2025
Cheyenne Man Not Guilty In Stabbing Death Of Estranged Wife’s Boyfriend
A jury found a Cheyenne man not guilty Friday in the stabbing death of his estranged wife’s boyfriend. The man told Cowboy State Daily on Monday that the boyfriend had consumed a large amount of meth and charged him during a confusing scuffle.
Clair McFarlandAugust 04, 2025
Wyoming Man In Prison For Removing EPA-Mandated Filters Seeks Trump Pardon
A 65-year-old Wyoming man is in federal prison for pulling EPA-mandated emissions systems from ailing diesel engines. As the Trump administration inches toward reversing those mandates, Troy Lake's family is pushing for the president to pardon him.
Clair McFarlandAugust 02, 2025
As Corp. For Public Broadcasting Shuts Down, Wyo. PBS and Public Media Press On
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Friday it’s shutting down after Congress stripped it of the next two years' federal funding. What that means for Wyoming PBS is less money, but not a shutdown, CEO Joanna Kail says.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
Worland Man Guilty Of Shooting HIs Dog Six Times To ‘Put It Out Of My Misery’
A Worland man was found guilty this week of shooting his own dog six times, with court documents saying he wanted to “put it out of my misery.” The dog’s new owner said Friday that the 1-year-old border collie mix is still recovering.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
Man Dubbed The ‘High Country Harasser’ Has Mental Health Issues, Mother Says
A man accused of harassing hikers along the Continental Divide Trail in Wyoming needs mental help, his mother says. She also takes issue with his being dubbed the “High Country Harasser,” but agrees he could pose a danger to others and himself.
Clair McFarlandAugust 01, 2025
Grand Jury For Cody Roberts Over Wolf Torture A Rare Route In Wyoming
A grand jury is being convened for Cody Roberts, the Daniel, Wyoming, man who ran down a wolf, taped its mouth shut and showed it off before killing it in 2024, according to a Wyofile report. Convening a grand jury is rare in Wyoming, but not unheard of.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025
One Dead, Another Hurt In Head-On With Semi On Highway 220 Near Muddy Gap
“You need to get people coming,” a commercial truck driver said he told the 911 operator Wednesday night about a head-on crash between a car and a semi. Authorities confirm one person was killed in the crash on Wyoming Highway 220 near Muddy Gap.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025
Trump Nominates Cheyenne Legislator To Be U.S. Attorney For District Of Wyoming
Trump on Wednesday nominated state Sen. Darin Smith for the U.S. Attorney post in Wyoming. If confirmed, Smith would lead federal prosecutions across Wyoming, including national parks and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandJuly 31, 2025
Cody Police Say Man Wielded Knife Before Officer Shot Him
The man shot by a Cody Police Department officer Monday evening was wielding a knife, the agency reported Wednesday. The 22-year-old Gillette man also was wanted on warrants for alleged domestic abuse, including assaulting a pregnant woman.
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2025
Cheyenne Fifth Grade Teacher Arrested, Accused Of Molesting Girls
An elementary school teacher in Cheyenne has been arrested on suspicion of touching multiple female students inappropriately during the past school year. Brian Wrhel, 55, remains in the Laramie County Detention Center.
Clair McFarlandJuly 30, 2025
Supreme Court Sides With Wyoming Public Defender Who Quit Over Contempt Order
A Gillette-based state judge didn’t take the proper steps when holding a tardy public defense attorney in contempt, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. The lawyer quit after the judge punished him, worsening a critical shortage of public defenders.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025
One Dead In Officer-Involved Shooting East Of Cody
A man who led Cody police on a chase through the town Monday night was killed in an officer-involved shooting after he stopped. The incident began with police trying to pull the man over for not having a license plate, police say.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025
Hageman's Popularity Has Many Uncertain If They’ll Run For Governor
Harriet Hageman’s potential bid for Wyoming governor has put other candidates on hold. Only two have officially declared and others, including Secretary of State Chuck Gray, wait for her decision.
Clair McFarlandJuly 29, 2025
Former Lusk Domestic Violence Center Director Accused Of Stealing $65K From Group
The former director of a domestic violence center in Lusk is facing a felony theft charge on claims she stole more than $65,000 from the nonprofit group. An investigative report alleges Sabrina Kruse had a secret debit card linked to the center’s account.
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2025
Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers To Take On ICE Functions
Wyoming Highway Patrol has joined a growing list of agencies that have agreed to do some ICE enforcement. Gov. Mark Gordon announced the agreement Monday for WHP troopers to “assist ICE with immigration enforcement while performing their regular duties.”
Clair McFarlandJuly 28, 2025
Clair McFarland: Sure, Let The 11-Year-Old Drive. It'll Be Fine
Clair McFarland writes: "The little, feisty twin gripped the wheel and stared down our neighborhood of empty dirt roads and winding canals. I threw a goodbye kiss to my home and thanked the Lord for the 35 good years he gave me on this earth."
Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2025
ICE Grabs Illegal Immigrants In Western Wyoming As Agency Eyes Massive Expansion
ICE officers arrested multiple foreign nationals in a coordinated early-morning operation across Western Wyoming this week. They also discussed implanting teams and offices across Wyoming with a massive new funding increase.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025
Evanston’s Hillcrest Motel, A Sanctuary For Squatters, Catches Fire Again
One of the buildings of the defunct Hillcrest Motel in Evanston, Wyoming, was destroyed Saturday in an early-morning fire. There have been about eight fires in three years with a persistent squatter inhabitation at the motel complex.
Clair McFarlandJuly 26, 2025