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
Judge Won't Quit Transgender Case Over Pronouns Rule, Volleyball Players Try Appeal
A federal judge said he will not recuse himself from a lawsuit over a transgender playerâs inclusion on a college womenâs volleyball team. The women who asked for the recusal requested an appeal Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 12, 2025
Degenfelder Praises Dept. Of Education Cuts, Says They Will Empower Parents
Wyoming education chief Megan Degenfelder praised President Trump for slashing staff at the U.S. Dept. of Education. "Weâre taking education decisions out of the hands of unelected officials and giving them back to parents and teachers," she said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 12, 2025
Prosecutor Says Casper Man Accused Of Illegal Gambling âKnew What He Was Doingâ
Wyomingâs gambling laws arenât so vague that a Casper businessman accused of running illegal gambling houses couldnât have known he was breaking the law, a state prosecutor says. Scott Lee Shroefel âknew what he was doing,â she argued.
Clair McFarlandMarch 12, 2025
Accused Gillette Wife-Stabber Sane Enough For Trial, State Hospital Says
A Wyoming state mental health evaluator says a Gillette man was sane enough to realize what he was doing when he allegedly stabbed his wife eight times. She survived the terrifying attack, and his attempted second-degree murder trial is set for June.
Clair McFarlandMarch 12, 2025
Supreme Court Wonât Block Climate Change Lawsuits In Wyoming, Other Red States
The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a request from Wyoming and 18 other red states to block a handful of other states, including California, from suing oil and gas companies in their own courts over climate change. Â Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 11, 2025
Big Piney Teens Accused Of Killing Man In Bow-And-Arrow Ambush Sent To Higher Court
A pair of Big Piney teens could get life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of working together to kill a local man with a bow and arrows. A judge sent their case to a higher court Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 11, 2025
Two Charged For Allegedly Helping Hide 'Armed And Dangerous' Gillette Suspect
Two people have been charged with helping an 18-year-old attempted-murder suspect elude law enforcement in Campbell County. Each could face up to three years in prison if convicted of being accessories after the fact.Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 11, 2025
In Sweetwater County, Law Enforcement Nabs 12 People For ICE In One Day
The jail in Sweetwater County took custody of 12 people on Thursday for ICE. The sudden influx, which consisted entirely of males between the ages of 21 and 41, is well above the jailâs daily average of ICE detainee bookings. Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 11, 2025
Mexican National In 'Catastrophic' Crash That Killed Two Pleads Guilty
A Mexican national who smashed into a Harley trike, killing its two riders, pleaded guilty to killing one of the people Monday. Through an interpreter, he told the judge he was drunk and high in August 2023 when he hit the Harley south of Torrington, Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandMarch 10, 2025
$1 Million Bond, Attempted Murder Charge For Gillette 18-Year-Old In Shooting
A Gillette judge Monday set bond at $1 million for an 18-year-old charged with shooting another teen before eluding arrest for four days. Kamren Crousore was caught Saturday evening and has been charged with attempted second-degree murder.
Jen Kocher & Clair McFarlandMarch 10, 2025
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
âArmed And Dangerousâ 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 âarmed and dangerousâ and implicated in a shooting. He was sentenced to probation for a theft spree eight days before Tuesdayâs 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.Â
Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2025
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 Sheriffâs 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. Â Â
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 wouldnât sell her prescription drugs, and even called 911 to report the cops were harassing her.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2025
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