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

Charges Refiled Against Wyoming Ranchers For Bleaching Penis Shapes Onto Cows
After a judge dismissed his earlier attempt at the case, a Crook County prosecutor is re-filing charges against two Wyoming ranchers accused of bleaching penis shapes onto their neighbor’s cows. This time there’s more evidence of lost value.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2024

Wyoming House Says UW Can Keep $100K Despite Teaching Transgender Treatments
The Wyoming House of Representatives changed course Wednesday and voted against using the budget to strip $100,000 from the University of Wyoming for teaching gender-transition treatments to medical students.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2024

Wyoming Senate Kills Bill To Make Adults Who Sext Kids Register As Sex Offenders
A proposed law that would have made people who send obscene material to minors register as sex offenders failed to pass the Wyoming Senate on Wednesday.Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2024

Thermopolis Releases Edited Body Cam Video Of Deadly Shootout With Officer
The town of Thermopolis on Wednesday released an edited and narrated video from the body cam of Sgt. Mike Mascorro, who illegally and without a warrant broke into a man’s home last April, sparking a shootout that left the man dead.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2024

Cat Still Missing From Sheridan Home Destroyed In Police Standoff
A week after Sheridan woman's home was destroyed in a 32-hour standoff with a man who reportedly shot and killed a Sheridan police officer, her cat is still missing.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2024

Wyoming Woman Accused Of Torturing Son Wants Out To Be With Her 5 Other Small Kids
A Wyoming woman who could face life in prison if convicted of torturing, starving and confining her 13-year-old son is pleading with the court for release to “re-unite” with her other five small children.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2024

Brief: Police Ask For Tips About Man Found Dead Outside Riverton Church Â
Riverton police are asking for tips about what led to a man being found dead near a local church Monday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2024

Cody Radio Mogul To Serve 15 Months In Prison For Evading $2.5M In Taxes
Susan Patrick, who has co-owned more than 20 Wyoming radio stations, was sentenced to 15 months in prison Tuesday for doctoring her personal and business books to evade paying $2.5 million in taxes.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2024

Riverton Man Convicted Of Breaking Into Home, Shooting Man In Back Of The Head Â
A Riverton man who broke into another man’s home and killed him by shooting him in the back of the head was convicted of first-degree murder, the U.S. Attorney for Wyoming announced Tuesday. He faces mandatory life in prison.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2024

'Suspicious' Driving Sparked Fatal Cheyenne Street Shootout
A deadly shootout last week in Cheyenne started because one of the shooters thought a man was driving through his neighborhood “suspiciously,” court documents say. The driver reportedly shot and killed the man's brother.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2024

After Committee Kills Bill, State Can Still Vax Kids Without Parent OK In Emergencies
A bill that would have removed the state’s authority to vaccinate Wyoming kids without parental consent in extreme circumstances was killed in committee Monday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2024

Head-On Near Laramie Kills Three, Including 5-Month-Old
A young Laramie, Wyoming, mother and father — along with their 5-month-old baby — were killed Saturday in a head-on collision. Three more people were injured and one horse also died.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2024

Senate Will Consider Bill Banning Some Sex Offenders From Working Around Teens
Wyoming Senator Affie Ellis is sponsoring a bill that would ban some sex offenders from working or volunteering at teen hangouts, such as fast-food restaurants and arcades.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2024

Runaway Wyoming Teens Found Safe In Northeastern Colorado
A pair of Lander, Wyoming, teens alleged to have fled the state with guns in a stolen 1969 Chevelle more than a week ago were found safe in Colorado on Friday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2024

Who Will Pay For Damages To Sheridan House Destroyed By Police Standoff?
The Sheridan woman whose home was destroyed during a 32-hour standoff between police and a suspected cop killer may have few legal options to recover her losses. Wyoming attorneys say her best bet could be a state court.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2024

One Dead, Two Others Wounded In Cheyenne Shooting
A man was killed in a Thursday afternoon shooting in Cheyenne, while two other males “involved” in the shooting were wounded and taken to a hospital.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2024
Rock Springs Parents Don’t Want To Settle Over School Trans Policy
The chances of a Rock Springs couple settling their lawsuit against a local school district over allegedly helping gender transition their teen behind their backs are low, the couple’s attorney said.Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 15, 2024

Sgt. Nevada Krinkee Remembered As Proud Family Man, Leader And Role Model
Sheridan Police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee was killed in the line of duty Tuesday, and is being remembered by his friends and neighbors as a proud family man, excellent leader and a role model.
Pat Maio, Clair McFarland & Andrew RossiFebruary 15, 2024

'He Just Took Over The House': Sheridan Homeowner Didn’t Know Suspected Cop Killer Â
The Sheridan woman whose house became the scene of a 32-hour fatal standoff with a suspected cop killer did not know the man who "took over" her house, her daughter says.Â
Clair McFarlandFebruary 15, 2024

'A Small Whimper': Two Dogs Rescued From Sheridan Barricade House
Two pets were rescued from the remains of the house where an armed shooting suspect barricaded himself for 30-plus hours. A German Shepherd was found in the flooded basement where he took refuge on a pile of debris in 2-3 feet of icy water. A smaller dog was found later in the rubble.
Clair McFarland & Andrew RossiFebruary 15, 2024

Suspected Sheridan Cop Killer Shot, Killed While Trying To Escape
The man suspected of killing a Sheridan Police sergeant Tuesday is dead after police shot him on Wednesday when he tried to flee the house in which he barricaded himself for more than 30 hours, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation reports.
Clair McFarland, Andrew Rossi & Pat MaioFebruary 15, 2024
