Managing Editor

Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson is managing editor for Cowboy State Daily at the headquarters in Cheyenne.

A veteran journalist of more than 31 years covering Western issues and politics, Greg spent stints in Wyoming as managing editor for the Gillette News Record and Laramie Boomerang. Greg's produced award-winning journalism, and has built a national reputation for his extensive coverage of Wyoming energy -- especially coal.

He previously spent seven years editing and reporting in Alaska, and was managing editor for Sarah Palin's hometown paper when she was tapped as John McCain's running mate in 2008. Greg studied music and English at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Outside the office, Greg likes photography, reading and all things sports.

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Latest from Greg Johnson

Trent Weitzel with a handful of trophies won at the 2022 National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, New York, including the coveted Festival Favorite.

Wyoming’s 'Double Dub's' Aims To Repeat As National Buffalo Wing Fest Champs

Fresh off setting two world records, Wyoming’s Weitzels Wings (aka Double Dub's) is preparing to defend its title as Festival Favorite at the National Buffalo Wing Festival in New York over Labor Day Weekend.

Greg JohnsonAugust 27, 2023

Doug and Dayna Jobe, right, were among the visitors to get up close to the Ames Monument on Saturday.

What The Heck Is … That 60-Foot Pyramid In the Middle Of Nowhere Off I-80?

Just minutes off Interstate 80 about 20 miles east of Laramie is the Ames Monument, a 60-foot pyramid in the middle of Wyoming pastureland.

Greg JohnsonAugust 19, 2023

The Vore Buffalo Jump National Historic Site is about six miles from the South Dakota border near Interstate 90.

What The Heck Is … The Vore Buffalo Jump Along I-90 In Northeast Wyoming?

Discovered in 1969, the Vore Buffalo Jump in northeast Wyoming contains the bones of more than 20,000 bison that were herded into and slaughtered there by Plains Indians. The site also has tools used to butcher the bison, arrowheads and even toys.

Greg JohnsonAugust 07, 2023

Stuart Flynn lets kids sit in the saddle of his Sinclair dinosaur, Dino.

What The Heck Is … With Betty Boop, Big Boy And That Sinclair Dinosaur North Of Cheyenne?

People first notice Bob’s Big Boy, a saddled-up Sinclair dinosaur and Betty Boop on roller skates. And there’s much more on Stuart Flynn’s property along Yellowstone Road just north of Cheyenne.

Greg JohnsonJuly 31, 2023

Andrew Gregory was in this warehouse building June 23 when a category EF2 tornado destroyed it at the North Antelope Rochelle coal mine in Wyoming. He lived to tell about the terrifying experience.

Wyoming People: Andrew Gregory Survived A Tornado Dropping A Warehouse On Him

Andrew Gregory had just ended his shift at North Antelope Rochelle Mine on June 23 when a tornado ripped through, dropping a warehouse on top of him. He lived to tell about it.

Greg JohnsonJuly 30, 2023

This larger-than-life painted bronze sculpture honoring the Apollo 11 astronauts stands at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A California filmmakers said he's going to build a replica in Wyoming.

Filmmaker To Build Memorial Commemorating 1969 Apollo 11 Mission In Wyoming

A California filmmaker says because Wyoming is the first state to celebrate July 20 as Moon Landing Day in recognition of the historic 1969 Apollo 11 mission, he plans to build an Apollo 11 monument here.

Greg JohnsonJuly 18, 2023

Standing 42.5 feet tall from base to top, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument seems to be looking down at travelers as they drive along Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The monument is in recognition of the Lincoln Highway, which in 1913 became the first transcontinental road across the U.S., following the railroad route.

What The Heck Is … That Giant Abraham Lincoln Head Overlooking I-80 At The Top Of Sherman Hill?

That gigantic Abraham Lincoln head at the highest point on Interstate 80 in the country represents an important milestone in U.S. transportation, recognizing the importance of the Lincoln Highway, America's first east-west cross-country stretch of road.

Greg JohnsonJuly 16, 2023

Former UW star and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has bought a Southern California home for $7.2 million.

Former University Of Wyoming QB Josh Allen Buys $7.2 Million Home In California

Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen has bought a $7.2 million home in Southern California close to the ocean and a private golf club.

Greg JohnsonJuly 13, 2023

Wyoming’s Big Boy 4014 Locomotive Rescues Freight Train Stuck In Nebraska

During a break in its recent tour of the tracks between Cheyenne and the College World Series in Omaha, Big Boy 4014, the heaviest locomotive of all time, powered up to help move a stuck freight train.

Greg JohnsonJuly 10, 2023

Passengers on a mine transport bus exit through a window after a head-on crash on Highway 59 on Sunday morning.

One Dead, Another Life-Flighted After Head-On With Wyoming Mine Transport Bus

A Sunday morning head-on collision between a pickup and a mine transport bus south of Wright on Highway 59 killed the driver of the truck and sent the driver of the bus to the hospital in a helicopter.

Greg JohnsonJuly 10, 2023

The grave of Clement S. Bengough sits on a hill overlooking Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins.

What The Heck Is … That Lonely Grave On A Hill Overlooking Interstate 80?

Ever wonder who’s buried in that lonely grave on a hill overlooking Interstate 80 between Laramie and Rawlins? It’s Clement S. Bengough, born into English nobility and died a recluse in Albany County, Wyoming.

Greg JohnsonJuly 09, 2023

Capt. Scott Montefusco is in full gear after pulling into Laramie recently. He's driving his 1952 Willys Jeep across the United States.

Former Marine Driving Vintage Army Jeep Across America Says Wyoming ‘Full Of Patriots’

Capt. Scott Montefusco, a retired U.S. Marine and FBI agent, made several stops in Wyoming on his way from San Francisco to New York City. He says he loves Wyoming because “it’s full of patriots.”

Greg JohnsonJuly 03, 2023

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Tree Rock is a limber pine discovered growing out of a boulder in 1868 when the Union Pacific Railroad build the railroad 50 feet from it. It's now in the middle of Interstate 80 about 30 miles west of Cheyenne.

What the heck is … That Lonely Tree Growing Out Of A Rock In The Middle Of I-80?

That weird little tree growing out of a rock in the middle of Interstate 80 is more than a curiosity, it’s Wyoming history. And it could be old — very, very old.

Greg JohnsonJuly 02, 2023

Double Dub's at the 2022 National Buffalo Wing Festival.

Weitzels Wings A Month Away From World Record Try At Selling 42,000 Buffalo Wings In 24 Hours

Wyoming's Weitzels Wings aims to sell nearly 50,000 buffalo wings over 24 hours next month to set a new world record.

Greg JohnsonJune 30, 2023

Pro Rodeo Cowboy Was On His Horse With Rope In Hand When Lightning Struck And Killed Him

The rodeo community is stunned in the wake of the death of Nebraska pro roper Terrel Vineyard, 27, who was on horseback with a rope in his hand when lightning struck him. Vineyard and his horse were killed.

Greg JohnsonJune 28, 2023

Gillette Man Uses Fake $100 Bill To Pay For Court-Ordered Drug Testing

A 36-year-old participant in Campbell County’s 24/7 drug program may face more charges after he paid for his court-ordered twice-daily drug testing with a fake $100 bill.

Greg JohnsonJune 28, 2023

Lori Townsend shared dramatic photos of a giant supercell thunderhead that moved over southeast Wyoming on Monday to the Wyoming Through The Lens Facebook page.

Giant Supercell That Dropped Tornadoes, 2.5-Inch Hail On Wyoming Was Visible From Denver

A pair of supercell thunderheads created dramatic thunderstorms across much of eastern Wyoming on Monday, dropping tornadoes and 2.5-inch hail.

Greg JohnsonJune 27, 2023

Vehicles and railcars were flipped during Friday's tornado at North Antelope Rochelle mine.

It's ‘Miraculous’ Tornado That Hit Wyoming Coal Mine Wasn’t A ‘Mass-Casualty Event’

There were an estimated 400-600 workers at the North Antelope Rochelle coal mine in northeast Wyoming when an EF2 tornado with wind speeds estimated at 120-130 mph hit it Friday.

Greg JohnsonJune 26, 2023

Images showing the aftermath of Friday evening's tornado at the North Antelope Rochelle coal mine are being shared widely on Facebook.

Wyoming Coal Mine Hit By Tornado To Resume Operations By Tuesday

About 36 hours after a large tornado ripped through part of the North Antelope Rochelle coal mine 60 miles south of Gillette, nobody remains hospitalized and operations at the mine are expected to resume by Tuesday, says mine owner Peabody Energy.

Greg JohnsonJune 25, 2023

Samuel De Leon shared this dramatic photo of the storm cell and tornado that swept through southern Campbell and northern Converse counties Friday evening.

Tornado Blasts Coal Mine In Northeastern Wyoming; Eight Hospitalized, Trains Flipped

Update: Eight people were hospitalized Friday evening when a tornado made a 'direct hit' on the North Antelope Rochelle Mine which straddles Campbell and Converse counties. The twister flipped train cars, destroyed vehicles, and hit at least one building.

Greg JohnsonJune 24, 2023

In a dramatic video he posted to Twitter, Brad Wilson captured a large tornado that hit North Antelope Rochelle mine about 60 miles south of Gillette on Friday evening.

Tornado Flips Trains, Levels Building At Wyoming Coal Mine; Responders Assume ‘Mass-Casualty Event’

The North Antelope Rochelle coal mine south of Gillette took a “direct hit” from a tornado Friday evening, flipping trains and destroying a building. No word on the extent of the impact, but responders “treating this as a mass-casualty event.”

Greg JohnsonJune 24, 2023

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