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

Wyoming Man Accused Of Killing Woman, Having Sex With Body Smart Enough For Trial
Multiple brain injuries and a low IQ wonât keep a Wyoming man from facing prosecution on claims that after murdering a woman and having sex with her body, he tried to hide her body in Park County, a judge has ruled.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2024

Under Threat Of Takeover, Fremont County Library Changes Sex Book Policies
Under pressure from county commissioners to change how it handles controversial and sexually-themed material or lose its board chair, the Fremont County Library Board approved a handful of changes Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandApril 18, 2024

Guilty Plea For Wyoming Man Accused Of Torturing And Starving Boy
A Wyoming man accused of torturing, starving and locking up his 13-year-old stepson has made a plea agreement, where heâll spend at least 10 years in prison, or possibly life.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2024

Wyoming Ranch Denies Claims It Enslaved, Trafficked Troubled Boys
The Triangle Cross Ranch in Powell, Wyoming, denies in court filings it was a nightmare for a pair of teen boys housed there 10 years ago, who claim they were used as forced labor and trafficked.
Clair McFarlandApril 17, 2024

Mental Issues Donât Keep Lander Man Accused Of Killing Drinking Buddy Out Of Court
Though he said one day earlier that he couldnât understand his court hearings, a Lander man accused of killing his drinking buddy following an unwanted sexual advance said Tuesday he can handle it.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2024

BRIEF: One Person Arrested For Weekend Killing On Wyoming Reservation
The FBI has released little information about an unidentified suspect arrested in connection with a Sunday homicide on Wyomingâs Wind River Indian Reservation.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2024

Sheridan County Commissioner Arrested For DUI, Swerving âAll Over The Roadâ
Sheridan County Commissioner Christine Haswell has pleaded not guilty to DUI and allegations she was intoxicated when people reported her allegedly swerving âall over the roadâ and leaving the scene of a collision with a brick structure.
Clair McFarlandApril 16, 2024

Lander Man Accused Of Killing Drinking Buddy For Making A Pass At Him
A Lander man accused of hitting a drinking buddy in the head with a metal pipe and killing him, allegedly told police he just tried to âknock him outâ after the other man made a pass at him and wouldnât leave.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2024

Riverton Man Pleads Not Guilty To Having Porn Featuring Baby, Toddler and Dog
A Riverton man has pleaded not guilty to felony charges he had and distributed child pornography, including videos featuring molestation of an infant and toddler, as well as a dog performing a sex act on a child.
Clair McFarlandApril 15, 2024

US Supreme Court Ruling Could âHave Significant Impactsâ On Jackson Housing Fees
Elected officials have to make sure theyâre only charging impact fees that match up to the publicâs goals, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Friday. Otherwise, the fees amount to government extortion. This could significantly impact Teton County.
Clair McFarlandApril 14, 2024

Boston Woman Got Kidnapped Her First Day In Wyoming, But Built A Life Here Anyway
A Massachusetts woman who moved to Wyoming last May was kidnapped her first day in the state. She escaped her attacker, reported the incident to police, got a job on a ranch and fell in love with Wyoming anyway.
Clair McFarlandApril 13, 2024

Sheridan Man Arrested For Stash Of Printed Guns, Home-Grown Marijuana
A Sheridan man reportedly found with a cache of 3D-printed guns and home-grown marijuana now faces a dozen misdemeanor charges in Sheridan Circuit Court.
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024

Colorado Lawmaker Leaves Loaded Pistol Unattended In Capitol Bathroom
A Colorado lawmaker left a loaded pistol unattended in a bathroom in the state's Capitol, heating arguments about whether Colorado should ban guns altogether from its state Capitol. Wyoming, meanwhile, has been trying to go the opposite direction and allow guns in its state Capitol.
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024

Gillette Woman Accused Of Stashing Meth In Pepsi Bottle, Herself
A Gillette woman faces a felony drug possession charge for allegedly trying to hide meth in a Pepsi bottle â and in a body cavity.
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024

Why A Cheyenne Credit Union Didnât Cash Womanâs $1 Million Check
When a Wisconsin woman tried to use a $1 million check at a Cheyenne credit union earlier this week, it was a spectacular failure. Bank personnel told Cowboy State Daily an attempt of that amount was âcrazy.â
Clair McFarlandApril 12, 2024

Town of Hudson, Wyoming, Considers Lifting Ban On Pit Bulls, Rottweilers
Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are illegal in Hudson, Wyoming, but the town is considering lifting the ban. Nationwide, pit bulls are responsible for 67% of dog-bite fatalities, yet a local vet said they can have successful family lives if well socialized.
Clair McFarlandApril 11, 2024

Wyoming Department Of Health Gives $3,000 For Annual Drag Show; Freedom Caucus Livid
The Wyoming Department of Health has pledged $3,000 to help throw a drag queen bingo event in Laramie later this month. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus said taxpayers should not be funding a "perverted and scandalous event."
Clair McFarlandApril 11, 2024

Public Officials, Law Agencies Flooded With Threats Over Reports Of Wolf Torture
The outrage over reports of a Wyoming man allegedly capturing, tormenting then killing a wolf has boiled over with people from all over the world threatening local, state and law enforcement officials, including death threats.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024

Charges âUnlikelyâ For Neighbor Who Shot Man In Cheyenne Domestic Fight
Laramie Countyâs top prosecutor told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that itâs âunlikelyâ charges will be filed against a resident who shot and killed a man while intervening in a loud domestic fight in his Cheyenne apartment complex.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024

Cheyenne Bank Stops Woman From Cashing Forged $1 Million Check
A Cheyenne bank helped stopped a Wisconsin woman on Monday from cashing someone elseâs check from the federal government for nearly $1 million, by allegedly forging the check-ownerâs name on it.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024

Wyoming Supreme Court Wonât Answer Abortion Questions Early
The Wyoming Supreme Court declined late Tuesday to decide whether abortion is unconstitutional in the state, saying a lower-level district court should grapple with those questions first.
Clair McFarlandApril 10, 2024
