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
People Keep Calling Local 911 Lines To Report Wildfires Already Being Fought
With local agencies stretched thin fighting large wildfires in northeast Wyoming, they say a large number of 911 calls stretch them more. In many cases, people are reporting smoke from fires already being fought.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2024
Northeast Wyoming Wildfires Getting Under Control, Teton Crews Still Fight Timber
A handful of large wildfires that have consumed nearly 460,000 acres across northern Wyoming and southern Montana are getting under control. But timber in the Fish Creek and Flat Rock fires hold heat longer than grasslands.
Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 28, 2024
Remington, Flat Rock Fires Now Half Contained As Upstart Blaze Pops Up
Firefighters made significant progress on large wildfires that have burned nearly 460,000 acres in Wyoming and Montana. The huge 200,000-acre Remington Fire is now 50% contained, and Flat Rock Fire 54%. But new fires are a concern.
Clair McFarlandAugust 28, 2024
Gillette Man Barricades Self In Room After Asking Mom, “Do You Want To Die?”
A Gillette man was in court Monday after creating a standoff-style scene in a Gillette neighborhood over the weekend. He allegedly beat his mother, threatened her with a knife and asked her, “do you want to die?”
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Cheyenne’s “Voodoo Man” Accused Of Tearing Up Election Center
Cheyenne’s “Voodoo Man” stands 6-foot-4, throws “hexes” at people, threatens them with a staff and spews death threats. He’s accused of tearing up an election center Aug. 6, and his case was elevated Friday to felony-level court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Riverton Police Officer Faces Felony For Receiving Illegal Steroids
A Riverton police officer accused of receiving illegal steroids by mail was served with a felony charge Monday. Logan Alley allegedly told investigators “maybe not the extent” when asked if he knew the drugs were illegal.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Progress Made On Wildfires That Have Burned 460,000 Acres In Wyoming, Montana
Rain helped crews make progress on two of Wyoming’s five major wildfires Monday, though a third that saw rain didn't benefit much from it. The fires have burned nearly 460,000 acres in Wyoming and southern Montana but showed little growth Monday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 27, 2024
Critics Claim Wyoming Fire Department “Didn’t Lift A Finger” To Stop Wildfires
Some heavy equipment operators in northeast Wyoming claim the Campell County Fire Department “didn’t lift a finger” to help them stop a pair of large wildfires. Others, however, say that claim is baseless and the CCFD is saving their land.Â
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Judge Tosses Lawsuit To Halt Wyoming’s New THC Laws, Wyoming Sellers To Appeal
A judge dismissed their lawsuit challenging a new Wyoming law restricting the amount of THC legal for sale in Wyoming. But state hemp and THC sellers are taking their case to the federal appeals court.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Wyoming To Pay $127,500 For Cops’ Illegal Entry, Takedown Of Cheyenne Man
Wyoming is paying $127,500 to a Cheyenne man who was arrested after police entered his home illegally to arrest him four years ago. The Friday settlement ends a lawsuit against three former Cheyenne police officers.Â
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Remington Fire Now At 200,000 Acres, But Wildfire East Of Gillette Has Priority
The Remington Fire that started in Wyoming and sprinted into Montana has grown to about 200,000 acres Monday and is 5% contained. But because of nearby residential and ranch neighborhoods, a 53,000-acre blaze west of Gillette has priority.
Clair McFarlandAugust 26, 2024
Riverton Fire Department Disavows Former Member After Sex Assault Claims
The Riverton Volunteer Fire Department has disavowed a retired firefighter accused of sexually attacking women. The agency says Charlie Lawrence retired in 2020 and no longer has a connection with the department.
Clair McFarlandAugust 25, 2024
Wildfires Have Blazed Through 430,000 Acres In Northern Wyoming And Montana
The Remington Fire that started in northern Wyoming and ran into Montana exploded again overnight Saturday and Sunday to nearly 200,000 acres. Including other major events in the region, wildfires have blazed through more than 430,000 acres.
Clair McFarlandAugust 25, 2024
Construction Crews, Ranchers With Weed Sprayers Battle Huge Wyoming Fires
With aggressive wildfires having already burned 250,000 acres across northern Wyoming, it’s all hands on deck. In addition to firefighters, construction crews with bulldozers and ranchers with weed sprayers are also on the fire lines.
Clair McFarland & Jackie DorothyAugust 23, 2024
16-Hour Standoff At Casper Apartment Ends With Nobody Hurt
A standoff with a subject barricaded in a Casper apartment since about 11:30 p.m. Thursday is over. The standoff ended "peacefully" Friday afternoon after about 16 hours.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024
Wildfires Have Ravaged More Than 250,000 Acres Across Northern Wyoming Â
Friday update: Wildfires raging across northern Wyoming have burned more than 250,000 acres. No deaths or injuries have been reported, but agencies have had to call in firefighting machines and personnel from many other regions.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024
Brief: Police Suspect Shooting-Suicide At Lander Apartment Complex
Police in Lander, Wyoming, are investigating a person who shot another then shot his- or herself Friday morning. An investigation continues, and police say there’s no threat to the community.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024
Riverton Man Accused Of Offering Women Rides, Then Attacking Them
A Riverton man faces up to 35 years in prison for allegedly offering women rides, then sexually attacking them. He case rose to felony-level court Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandAugust 23, 2024
With Wildfires Burning All Around, Sheridan County Fights Its Own 10,000-Acre Blaze
With wildfires burning more than 200,000 acres nearby, firefighting resources are thin in northern Wyoming. Sheridan County is pressing on fighting its own 10,000-acre blaze near the Montana state line.
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024
Much Of Northern Wyoming Is On Fire, But Converse County Is OK For Now Â
Lightning-caused fires are devouring huge swaths of northern Wyoming, but to the south, Converse County got a lucky break when a Wednesday-evening rainstorm helped stifle its large fire. Â
Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024
Northern Wyoming Wildfire Explodes To Nearly 200,000 Acres, Others Also Burning
A wildfire burning out of control in northern Wyoming east of Buffalo has exploded and is pushing 200,000 acres. Ranchers are scrambling to help fight that and other wildfires in the area to save their homes and animals. Â
Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 22, 2024