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.

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Latest from Clair McFarland

A Riverton man fought with and shot a home intruder in August 2024.

Riverton Man Shot By 85-Year-Old Homeowner Faces Felony Intrusion Charge

A 21-year-old Riverton man who was shot after allegedly breaking into an 85-year-old man's house last August had a court hearing Monday. The judge ruled there's enough evidence to keep prosecuting the man for unlawful entry.

Clair McFarlandMarch 10, 2025

After a four-day search, the Campbell County Sheriff's Office arrested Kamren Crousore on Saturday evening. Crousore is the 18-year-old man wanted in connection with the shooting of another teen March 4, 2025. He was considered "armed and dangerous," the agency had said.

‘Armed And Dangerous’ Gillette 18-Year-Old Shooting Suspect Caught

After a four-day search, the Campbell County Sheriff's Office arrested Kamren Crousore on Saturday. Crousore is the 18-year-old wanted in connection with the shooting of another teen Tuesday. He was considered "armed and dangerous," the agency had said.

Clair McFarlandMarch 09, 2025

Gillette Shooter On The Run Had Just Been Sentenced To Probation For Theft Spree

Campbell County, Wyoming, authorities are still searching for a Gillette man considered “armed and dangerous” and implicated in a shooting. He was sentenced to probation for a theft spree eight days before Tuesday’s shooting, according to his court file.

Clair McFarlandMarch 08, 2025

No New Trial For Casper Man Who Blames Antidepressant For Brutal Stabbing

A Casper man who brutally stabbed his mother-in-law and killed her husband says a double dose of antidepressants pushed him over the edge. The Wyoming Supreme Court disagreed, denying his attempt to get a new trial in a Wednesday ruling.

Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2025

Few Details Released About Death Of Wyoming Reservation Teen

The FBI is investigating the death of an 18-year-old Fort Washakie High School student who died on Tuesday, but few details are being released. Her father says the family is heartbroken, but is hesitant to talk about his daughter because of the federal investigation.

Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2025

Judge Sends Worland Man Accused Of Shooting His Own Dog 6 Times To Higher Court

A Worland man accused of shooting his own dog six times in a torturous fashion is headed to a felony-level court. The sheriff's office accuses Donald W. Wright, 59, of shooting his border-collie mix, "Axel," in his back yard during a wild spree.

Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2025

Wind river reservation sign 3 16 22 scaled

Wyoming Man Gets 25 Years For Molesting Runaway

A Crowheart, Wyoming, man was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old Wind River Indian Reservation runaway. Court documents say Quinlin James Hernandez put the girl in a chokehold, then assaulted her multiple times.

Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2025

Teton County Sheriff Changes Mind, Will Hold Inmates For ICE

The Teton County sheriff who refused to hold onto inmates for federal immigration authorities without a criminal warrant changed course Wednesday, and said he will now honor civil detention requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2025

'Armed And Dangerous' 18-Year-Old Suspect Sought In Gillette Shooting

Campbell County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for Kamren Crousore, an 18-year-old they suspect shot a 19-year-old on Tuesday on Echeta Road in Gillette, Wyoming. He's considered "armed and dangerous," the department says.

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2025

Evanston Woman Accused Of Driving Off With Arresting Cops In Her Truck

An Evanston, Wyoming, woman will be in court Thursday after being accused of driving off with two cops in her truck. She was mad that a local grocery store wouldn’t sell her prescription drugs, and even called 911 to report the cops were harassing her.

Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2025

Denver Mayor Mike Johnson, inset, testified for a congressional committee Wednesday, March 5, 2025, about his city's sanctuary policies. Meanwhile in Wyoming, a bill banning sanctuary cities hit Gov. Mark Gordon's desk.

Wyoming Ban On Sanctuary Cities Hits Gordon's Desk

A law banning sanctuary city immigration policies in Wyoming awaits a signature or veto from Gov. Mark Gordon after the Legislature approved it Wednesday. Meanwhile, four U.S. mayors were grilled by Congress over their immigration-friendly policies.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2025

One of two bills targeting transgender use of bathrooms in Wyoming would include most public spaces in the state, including the Wyoming Capitol.

Wyoming Governor Signs Trans Bathroom, Changing Room Ban Into Law

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill that allows people to sue the state if they encounter a biologically born male in a female-designated restroom or changing room in a public facility, and vice versa.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2025

Other Authors

The Dick Cheney Federal Building has been put on a list of “non-core” properties for the General Services Administration to dispose of according to a website post.

Dick Cheney Federal Building In Casper Shows Up On Federal Hit List To Be Sold

Dick Cheney has been on President Donald Trump’s political hit list for some time. Now a federal building named for the former vice president was on a Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) hit list to be sold amid a federal downsizing frenzy.

Clair McFarland & Dale KillingbeckMarch 05, 2025

Wyoming Governor Signs Government DEI Ban Into Law

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed into a law a bill banning DEI programs at government agencies, while also vetoing another similar bill. The bill he vetoed, he said, was ill-defined and overly broad.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2025

Former Roommate Of Wyoming Man Accused Of Murdering Woman Says He's Not Insane

The former roommate of Joseph Underwood, who’s accused of killing a woman and dumping her body in a Park County, Wyoming, ravine, says he isn't insane. He says Underwood is probably trying to cheat justice with his insanity plea.

Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2025

To address pressing concerns in her county, Sen. Stacy Jones, R-Rock Springs, sponsored Senate File 132, which will now give local law enforcement agents the ability to recommend criminal charges against drone operators who fly over critical infrastructures, with some exceptions. Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed the bill late Monday, but Tuesday afternoon, the Legislature overturned his veto.

Wyoming Legislature Overrides Governor’s Mystery Drone Veto

The Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday afternoon overrode the governor’s veto of a bill that gives local officials authority to deal with mystery drones over critical infrastructure. That includes allowing law enforcement to bring them down.

Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2025

Women's sports rights activist Riley Gaines is blasting U.S. Senate Democrats who voted down a federal bill that would ban males from female-designated sports. She's seen here in May 2024 rally for a handful of University of Wyoming women suing their sorority for admitting a transgender member.

Barrasso Says Senate Democrats Who Killed Federal Trans Sports Law 'Out Of Touch'

Sen. John Barrasso says Senate Democrats are "out of touch" in blocking a federal bill Monday to ban males from female school sports. The move came days after two bills that would have expanded Wyoming’s state-level trans sports ban died, while one remains viable.

Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2025

Dones have been reported flying over the Jim Bridger Power Plant, usually at about 2 or 3 a.m.

Gordon Vetoes Bill To Fight Mystery Drones, Wyoming Sheriff Still Worried

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill late Monday meant to give state law enforcement more options to deal with mystery drones over critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, one Wyoming sheriff says the mysterious aircraft are still being reported.

Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2025

The only survivor of a Casper-area drunk-driving crash that killed three people in 2022, Tahayla Kohtala says she still replays the scene in her head every day.

Lone Survivor Of Triple-Fatal Drunk Driver Crash 'Wouldn't Wish It On Anyone'

The drunk Casper man who killed three people in a crash in May 2022 has been sentenced to 18-20 years, according to a court order filed Friday. Meanwhile, the only survivor of that crash says she still replays the horrific scene in her head every day.

Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2025

Clair McFarland: Sure, False Spring, I’ll Fall For You

Columnist Clair McFarland writes, "I’m not blind to the fact that it’s going to snow tomorrow. This warm spell was a trickster and a flirt, designed to put me off my guard. And it succeeded."

Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2025

Man Applying To Be Jail Officer Allegedly Admits Molesting Kids During Polygraph

A Gillette, Wyoming, man who tried to get a job as a detention officer is now incarcerated in the jail where he’d hoped to work. That’s because during a pre-employment polygraph, he confessed to molesting children, court documents allege.

Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2025

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