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.

Find Greg Johnson

Envelope

Latest from Greg Johnson

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a 10% bonus tax credit for “nuclear communities” with significant nuclear-related employment. That won’t include Wyoming nuclear hubs like Kemmerer and Gillette because the act says the credit is for urban areas. In Kemmerer, Bill Gates-backed TerraPower is already working on its planned nuclear power plant.

TerraPower Gets OK To Build Wyoming Nuclear Plant, First Approval In 10 Years

TerraPower was approved Wednesday for a construction permit to build a first-of-its-kind nuclear power plant near Kemmerer, Wyoming. It’s the first such approval in 10 years in what the company calls “a historic day for the United States’ nuclear industry.”

Greg JohnsonMarch 04, 2026

Cop car and Gros Ventre River Zuma Press Inc via Alamy 3 2 26

Jackson Man To Plead To 5th DUI For Driving Chevy Tahoe In The Gros Ventre River

A 53-year-old Jackson man who drove his Chevy Tahoe about a mile up the Gros Ventre River is scheduled to plead guilty to his fifth DUI in 10 years on Tuesday. He almost hit a fisherman before getting the SUV stuck in the middle of the river.

Greg JohnsonMarch 03, 2026

Thermopolis Caregiver Accused Of Neglecting 87-Pound Deaf And Blind Elderly Man

A Thermopolis woman is accused of neglecting an elderly man in her care who’s deaf, mostly blind, and weighs 87 pounds. A visiting doctor reported finding him wearing adult diapers that hadn’t been changed in 10-14 days.

Greg JohnsonMarch 02, 2026

‘A Total Loss’: Fire Guts Landmark Glenrock Restaurant Fort Diablo

The 70-year-old Fort Diablo in Glenrock was gutted by a fire Sunday, leaving the landmark restaurant “a total loss.” “I just couldn’t believe it,” owner Kevin Tate said about watching it burn. “This just sucks.”

Greg JohnsonMarch 02, 2026

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office caught 32 illegal immigrant truck drivers during a three-day crackdown called “Truck Around and Find Out.” They made 177 stops overall and wrote 51 tickets.

32 Illegal Drivers Turned Over To ICE During 3-Day Laramie County Truck Crackdown

The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office caught 32 illegal immigrant truck drivers this week during a three-day crackdown called “Truck Around and Find Out.” They made 177 stops overall and wrote 51 tickets. "This is a continuing thing for us," the sheriff said.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 27, 2026

Wyoming Inmate Sues, Claims Botched Health Care Led To Leg Amputation

A Rawlins woman claims her leg was amputated because of negligence by the Wyoming Department of Corrections’ former health care contractor. She’s serving 10-15 years in prison for selling meth.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

Under a cloud of public questioning, Gillette Police Chief Chuck Deaton abruptly retired from the department on Thursday. Deaton’s reasoning for the retirement is that it was time “for me to move on.”

Details Scarce As Gillette Police Chief Abruptly Retires

Under a cloud of public questioning, Gillette Police Chief Chuck Deaton abruptly retired from the department on Thursday. Deaton said it a statement that it was time “for me to move on.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

Buffalo Man Accused Of Making Pipe Bombs After Trying To Buy Fuses At Local Stores

A Buffalo man who walked into two local hardware stores with a length of galvanized steel pipe and asked if the stores sold “fuses” has been arrested on suspicion of making pipe bombs. He told police he makes homemade “fireworks” and “smoke bombs.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 26, 2026

This is what was left of a semitrailer that exploded on impact with an illegally parked semi along Interstate 80 on Feb. 1. Driver inattention is being investigated as a potential factor in the truck drifting from the far left lane, through the right lane and into the parked semi.

There’s Been Hardly Any Winter, So Why So Many Deaths On Wyoming Roads?

There’s been hardly any winter in Wyoming so far this year, but highway fatalities are up nearly double compared to the last two years. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says that shows speed and driver inattention are more deadly than road conditions.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. At 1 hour, 47 minutes, it was the longest on record.

‘What A Difference A Year Makes’: Delegation Praises Trump’s State Of The Union

Wyoming’s congressional delegation praised President Trump’s Tuesday State of the Union address, with Sen. John Barrasso comparing his first year to Biden’s time in office: “What a difference a year makes.” State Democrats say that year has been disastrous.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026

First-Degree Murder Charge For Wind River Man Accused In Retaliation Ambush

A Fremont County man accused of helping ambush a man on the Wind River Reservation has been charged with first-degree murder and bound over for trial on Friday. Five others were also allegedly involved, including one who told informants he “took him out.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026

Rock Springs Bookkeeper Admits Stealing From Union For Years

A Rock Springs woman who was a bookkeeper for a local contractors union for 25 years admitted to police she’s taken nearly $30,000 since 2016. She said she would write checks to herself when “having a hard time paying her bills.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 23, 2026

Other Authors

While Laramie Woman Was Fighting In A Bar, Her 2-Year-Old Was Home Alone

Breaking up a fight between two women at a Laramie bar led police to discover the 2-year-old child of one had been left home alone for hours. Police found the child in a dark, 90-degree room wearing a soiled diaper, say court documents available Monday.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 23, 2026

‘She’s The Devil’: Buffalo Mom Of 5 Accused Of Assaulting Kids With Knife, Hammer

A 33-year-old Buffalo mom of five is accused of assaulting two kids with a knife, another with a hammer, and telling them she wishes they were dead. Her oldest, 10, told police that “she’s the devil.” She was bound over for trial on Thursday.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 21, 2026

A small protest ranging from four to six people at any given time convened over the lunch hour between Sweetwater County District Court and the busy Green River thoroughfare on which it sits, moments before a Jan. 28, 2026, motions hearing for Cody Roberts. Protestors said they want to change Wyoming’s laws and attitude to instill more respect for wildlife, including predators.

Prosecutor Says Cody Roberts Chasing Wolf, Taping Its Mouth Aren’t ‘Prior Acts’

The Sublette County attorney prosecuting Cody Roberts for cruelty for allegedly torturing a wolf says chasing it down and taping its mouth are all part of the crime. Roberts’ attorney argues those are “prior acts” to what he faces trial for.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 20, 2026

Couple In White Bronco Promise Casper Homeless Men Jobs, Leave Them Facing Felonies

Duped by a couple in a white Ford Bronco into cashing more than $22,000 worth of bogus checks at local banks, four down-on-their-luck Casper men now face felony charges. One man said he cashed a check he found “with his name conveniently written on it.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 19, 2026

Brothers Wanted By ICE Get 27 Months For Hauling 75 Pounds Of Drugs Across Wyoming

A pair of brothers from Ecuador and wanted by ICE will spend more than two years in prison for hauling nearly 75 pounds of illegal drugs across Wyoming, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday. After their prison time, they’ll be deported.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 18, 2026

15 Child Porn Charges For Casper Man On Parole For Having Child Porn

A 61-year-old Casper man on parole for possessing child pornography is behind bars again, accused of having a secret cellphone with hundreds of depictions of violent sex acts with children. He said he had an addiction to adult porn, then “got curious.”

Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2026

Wyoming Petitions To Overturn Halt Of 3,500-Well Jonah Field Expansion

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Monday said that state is petitioning a federal legislative panel to reverse its decision to kill the $17.85 billion, 3,500-well Jonah Field expansion. The ruling “is a direct assault on Wyoming’s economy," Gordon said.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2026

Park County Man Accused Of Terrorizing Pregnant Woman, Two Young Kids With Hammer

A Park County man is accused of terrorizing his pregnant fiancée and her two young kids with a hammer during a three-day drinking binge. He was bound over to felony-level court on Wednesday.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 13, 2026

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, W-Wyoming, with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, during a ceremony to sign an executive order designating coal-fired power generation as critical to national security.

Wyoming Cheers End Of Obama-Era EPA Climate Change Rule

Wyoming officials are universally cheering the Trump administration’s Thursday repeal of an Obama-era rule that was the linchpin for EPA climate regulations. Meanwhile, environmental groups say the move ignores science and invites legal challenges.

Greg JohnsonFebruary 13, 2026

Page 2