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
Accused Gillette Kidnapper Doesn't Help Case By Apologizing In Court
A Gillette man accused of kidnapping a woman and leading deputies on a high-speed chase up to 170 mph didnât help his case by apologizing in court Thursday. Although warned by the judge not to incriminate himself, he said, âI feel sorry for what I did."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2025
Senate Committee Advances Bill Banning DEI Mandates In Wyoming Government
A Wyoming legislative committee advanced a bill Thursday that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion mandates across the state's agencies and colleges. It would also ban UW and colleges from using most money, even private donations, on DEI. Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2025
Campbell County High School In Gillette Is Falling Apart
Campbell County High School in Gillette is falling apart. The Wyoming House sent a proposed $165.4 million rebuild plan to the Senate for approval Tuesday â but amid fears that the Legislature's property tax cuts could torpedo the project.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 31, 2025
Wyoming Man Faces 548 Years In Prison Over Disturbing Child Porn Allegations
A Reliance, Wyoming, man is facing a half-millennium in prison on claims he kept and transferred disturbing child-sex pictures and videos. He pleaded not guilty to 31 of the 54 charges against him Wednesday.Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 30, 2025
Eight Wyoming Sheriffs Seeing Mystery Drones Still Have No Answers
The White House says the drones over New Jersey last year were authorized. But that doesn't explain what multiple Wyoming sheriffs who reached out to Cowboy State Daily say they're seeing over power plants and oil fields.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025
Fake "Bitcoin Billionaire" Cheated Jackson Businesses Out Of $212K, Prosecutors Say
Passing himself off as a "bitcoin billionaire," a 30-year-old California man was able to cheat Jackson, Wyoming, businesses out of nearly $212,000 for resort stays, bar tabs and a new Dodge Ram, prosecutors allege.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025
Bill Would Ban Forcing Government Workers To Use âPreferredâ Pronouns Of Coworkers
A bill prohibiting Wyoming state and local government agencies from forcing employees to use a coworkerâs âpreferredâ pronoun passed the state House on Tuesday. Detractors call it murky, while supporters say it promotes truth and freedom.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 29, 2025
Cheyenne Woman Accused Of Stabbing Husband, Who Died After Refusing Treatment
A Cheyenne woman accused of stabbing her husband now faces a murder charge after he died four days later, the Cheyenne Police Department reported Tuesday. The alleged victim initially refused treatment at the scene. Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Trump Says Mystery Drones "Not The âEnemy"; Wyoming Sheriff Still Seeing Them
The mysterious drones that befuddled New Jersey residents last fall were authorized by the U.S. government, President Trump relayed Tuesday. Meanwhile, a Wyoming sheriff says he's still seeing them and wondering what theyâre doing.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Barron Trump Incorporated Business In Wyoming, Then Dissolved It
The presidentâs 18-year-old son had a real-estate business incorporated in Wyoming last July, but dissolved it nine days after Donald Trump won the general election. His famous father has also been linked to businesses incorporated in the Cowboy State. Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Bill To Make All Felony Voyeurs Register As Sex Offenders Heads To Wyoming Senate
A bill that would require all felony-level convicted voyeurs to register as sex offenders heads to the Wyoming Senate after a committee approved it 4-0. Currently, only Wyoming voyeurs with child victims have to register. Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Transient Pleads Guilty To Breaking Laramie Womanâs Face
A transient man accused of breaking his ex-girlfriendâs face after she asked him to leave her home pleaded guilty Monday in a Laramie courthouse. David Leyba, 60, evaded arrest for nearly a year after the attack.Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Bill To Block Firing Of Doctors Who Prescribe Ivermectin For Covid Advances
A bill that would block Wyoming hospitals and clinics from firing doctors who prescribe drugs for off-label uses, such as Ivermectin for Covid, passed a state House committee on Monday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Wyomingites Can Still Sue Cops For Negligence After Committee Lets Bill Die
A bill died in a Wyoming legislative committee that would have restricted criminal suspects from suing police officers for conducting negligent investigations. It was supposed to reverse a state court ruling that created the rare lawsuit mechanism. Â
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Casper Man Caught Fleeing With 14-Year-Old Gets 37-45 Years
A Casper, Wyoming, man caught transporting a minor across state lines with intent to engage in sex acts faces 37-45 years in federal prison. The then-36-year-old was caught with his 14-year-old victim in Arizona.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025
Bills To Keep Boys Out Of Girlsâ Bathrooms, Locker Rooms Headed To Floor Debate
A pair of bills that would separate the use of public bathrooms, showers and locker rooms by biological sex cleared committees Friday in the Wyoming House and Senate. One bill focuses just on schools, while the other is for all public spaces.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025
Committee Kills Bill That Would Have Forced Sheriffs Into Immigration Contracts
After vocal opposition from sheriffs around Wyoming, a legislative committee Friday killed a bill that would have required every sheriff in the state to enter into federal immigration contracts. Another, similar bill is still pending in the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025
Locals Remember Thermopolis Woman Killed In Hit-And-Run As "Remarkable"
Bernie Blacketer was a "remarkable" woman whose death is a blow to the town of Thermopolis, Wyoming, the town's mayor said Friday after Blacketer was killed in a hit-and-run. Blacketer would be "preaching forgiveness" over the incident, the mayor said.
Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyJanuary 24, 2025
Thermopolis Police Say They Found Driver In Hit-And-Run That Killed Pedestrian
A pedestrian was struck and killed Friday morning by a driver in Thermopolis, Wyoming, who didnât stop to help after the collision, authorities say. Authorities announced Friday morning they'd found the driver. Â
Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyJanuary 24, 2025
Even Sheriffs Who Work With ICE Hate Legislation To Make Them Work With ICE
Wyoming sheriffs who work well with immigration authorities on Thursday torched two bills that would force them to sign federal immigration contracts. They characterized the bills as government overreach and short-sighted. Â
Clair McFarland & Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Former Wyoming Police Chief Accused Of Helping Girlfriend Elude Cops Arrested Again
The former Manderson, Wyoming, police chief is in trouble again, accused of violating a judgeâs order and texting a woman investigators say he helped elude a drug investigation. He bonded out of jail Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025