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

Riley Gaines Gets Called 'Bigot,' And Then Canceled By Penn State; Still Planning UW Visit

After Penn State University president call Riley Gaines a “bigot” and the university canceled her Tuesday event, the women’s rights activist is still expected at UW on Oct. 24.

Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2023

Lawmakers Urge Caution On Changing Laws After Thermopolis Cop Shooting

Wyoming lawmakers say caution is needed when considering changing state laws in the wake of a Thermopolis police officer illegally breaking into a suspect’s home and triggering a fatal shootout.

Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2023

Wyoming Supreme Court building in Cheyenne.

Court: No Problem With Cheyenne Double Murderer Wearing Electric Shock Belt

A judge didn’t abuse her power by making a Cheyenne double murderer wear an electric-shock belt at his trial after the man didn’t show up to court in time to argue against that idea, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandOctober 10, 2023

Jackson Man Accused Of Bear-Spraying Tourist May Have Charges Dropped

Because his alleged victim can’t be reached, a Teton County prosecutor is asking to dismiss the case against a homeless Jackson man accused of bear-spraying a tourist after offering to impregnate her.

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2023

Cheyenne Man Known As ‘K Thuggin' 2’ Gets 7 Years For Dealing Fentanyl

A Cheyenne man who goes by the handle “K Thuggin 2” has been sentenced to seven years in prison for dealing and transporting fentanyl across the Wyoming-Colorado border.

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2023

"Let's Talk About It" by Erika Moon and Matthew Nolan, seen here on a shelf in the teen section of the Laramie County Public Library's main branch at 22nd Street and Pioneer Avenue in Cheyenne, has been challenged in libraries across the nation, including in Wyoming.

Colorado Court Rules Names Of Library Book Challengers Aren’t Public

In a ruling reviewing public records laws similar to Wyoming’s, a Colorado judge says libraries can’t publicly reveal the names of people who submit challenges to books.

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2023

‘Let's Fight To The Death,’ Says Wyoming Woman Before Allegedly Stabbing Idaho Man

A Wyoming woman texted her ex-boyfriend in Idaho "let's fight to the death" before she allegedly stabbed him in the head with a pair of scissors while he slept. She's charged with attempted first-degree murder.

Clair McFarlandOctober 06, 2023

Lander Lawmaker Thinks Free City Park Camping Is Unfair Competition

State Sen. Cale Case and Lander City Attorney Adam Phillips have clashed over people being allowed to camp free in City Park. Case says it’s unfair competition, but Phillips says it’s a public service.

Clair McFarlandOctober 05, 2023

Thermopolis Police Sgt. Mike Mascorro was wounded in an April 2023 officer-involved shooting where he returned fire and killed the suspect.

Thermopolis Cop Cleared In Fatal Shooting, But Illegally Broke Into Home

A special prosecutor has determined Thermopolis Police Sgt. Mike Mascorro illegally broke into a suspect's home in April, causing a fatal shootout, but a provision for police officers in Wyoming's self-defense law protects him from criminal charges.

Clair McFarlandOctober 05, 2023

Clair McFarland: If I Don’t Outrun My Kid It’s The End Of The World

Clair McFarland writes: “I’m not ready for either son to beat me in a race. In fact, I still want to scoop them up in my arms and read to them. But that’s weird, since Firstborn is bigger than I am.”

Clair McFarlandOctober 05, 2023

A memorial for a 15-year-old girl killed in an early morning April 30 drive-by shooting at Lincoln Park in Cheyenne.

Judge Disallows Gun, Marijuana Evidence From Cheyenne Teen's Murder Trial

A Laramie County judge has disallowed evidence about marijuana, gun possession and fighting from a Cheyenne teen’s first-degree murder trial.

Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2023

Wyoming Man Accused Of Blowing A Hole In Motel Room With Stolen Shotgun

An Etna, Wyoming, man suspected of stealing a pair of guns from an acquaintance is accused of firing a shotgun through a motel room wall — right over the head of someone sleeping in the next room.

Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2023

Other Authors

In Hindsight, Broken Electric Buses Not The Best Choice For Jackson

A former Teton County commissioner told Fox News that, in hindsight, Wyoming’s richest county should have bought natural gas-powered buses instead of the electric fleet that has recently broken down.

Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2023

Son Can’t Sue For Inheritance When Dad Dies Before Divorce Is Final, Court Rules

The son of a Wyoming man who died before his divorce was final, leaving half of his $1 million estate to his wife, can’t sue his father’s lawyer for not completing the divorce fast enough, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2023

Hanna Man Accused Of Setting Fire To Neighbor's Grass When He Wouldn't Cut It

After a dispute about the height of his neighbor’s grass posing a fire hazard, a Hanna, Wyoming, man is accused of setting fire to that grass that burned his neighbor’s house.

Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2023

UW Is Hosting Both A Drag Show And Riley Gaines This Month

Saying the University of Wyoming is committing to make free expression a guiding principle, it’s preparing to host both a drag show at a Matthew Shepard memorial event, and women's rights activist Riley Gaines in the coming month.

Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2023

Gillette Inmate Who Hurled Poop Also Cracks Bullet-Resistant Jail Windows

A Gillette man who hurled his own poop and urine at jail officers to draw felony charges and get sent to prison has acted out again, busting bullet-resistant windows in the Campbell County jail.

Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2023

Judge Tosses Rex Rammell Lawsuit Over Brand Inspection Violations

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Wyoming gubernatorial hopeful Rex Rammell, who claimed his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when he was charged for not showing brand inspection permits for his horses.

Clair McFarlandOctober 02, 2023

Some of the painted rocks that were spread around the University of Wyoming campus near the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority house Thursday evening.

Out-Of-State Activists Post Fliers, Chalk Messages Against UW Trans Sorority Member

Activists who placed painted rocks, chalk drawings and fliers around a University of Wyoming sorority house Thursday evening to protest the inclusion of a transgender member were within their free speech rights, the university says.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2023

Cheyenne's Holliday Park on September 29, 2023

Disturbed Man Chases Terrified Mother And 2-Year-Old At Cheyenne Park

A seemingly high and disturbed man was yelling and chasing vehicles at Holliday Park in Cheyenne on Thursday when he suddenly charged at a terrified mother with her 2-year-old son while throwing rocks at them.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2023

Man Videos Himself After Being Shot On Wind River Indian Reservation

A man working a mobile food booth on the Wind River Indian Reservation on Thursday was reportedly shot. The victim posted several videos, including one immediately after the shooting proclaiming, “I just got shot by this f***ing racist.”

Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2023

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