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

Intense flames driven by wind has grown the Short Draw Fire burning in northern Wyoming and southern Montana to more than 30,000 acres as of Thursday night, Sept. 12, 2024.

Crews Work Furiously To Save Homes From Huge Wildfire In Northeast Wyoming

Firefighting crews on both sides of the Wyoming-Montana border are working furiously to save homes and ranches from a volatile and out-of-control wildfire. The Short Draw Fire has so far burned 30,500 acres.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 13, 2024

Crews from the Tongue River Electric Cooperative work in the dark to try and save power poles from the Short Draw Fire.

Huge Wildfire In Northeast Wyoming Now 30,500 Acres And Growing Fast

A wildfire north of Recluse, Wyoming, near the Montana border has exploded to an estimated 30,500 acres and is growing fast. People in the area have been urged to evacuate as the fire burns uncontrolled.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 12, 2024

Eastbound Interstate 80 at milepost 223 is closed after two semitrailers crashed Saturday morning.

Semi Hitting Another Parked On Shoulder Caused Fatal Crash That Closed I-80

The fiery and fatal crash that closed I-80 for more than eight hours Saturday was caused by a semi smashing into another parked on the shoulder. The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Monday said the driver who hit the parked semi was killed.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 09, 2024

Aftermath of a collisison between two semitrailers that killed one person and engulfed a truck in flames Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

One Dead After Fiery Semi Crash On Interstate 80 Near Rawlins

A fiery and fatal crash involving two semitrailers Saturday morning closed eastbound I-80 for miles before and after Rawlins for most of the day.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 07, 2024

The Broadus Volunteer Fire Department out of Montana has sent engines and personnel to help fight the Silver Spoon Fire.

Silver Spoon Fire Evacuations Lifted, Crews Now “Mopping Up”

Evacuations for folks potentially in the path of the Silver Spoon Fire north of Recluse in northeast Wyoming were lifted Tuesday. Fire crews now are “just mopping up” hot spots and establishing containment.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2024

Delcy Bayles shared photos and a report from her ranch near where the Silver Spoon Fire is burning in northeast Wyoming.

Progress On Silver Spoon Fire May Allow Evacuees To Return Home

Local fire crews and ranchers made “good progress” fighting the 1,721-acre Silver Spoon Fire north of Recluse, Wyoming, on Monday. Area residents ordered to evacuate may be allowed to go home Tuesday.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 03, 2024

The Silver Spoon Fire burning in northeast Wyoming, as seen from the entrance to the Silver Spoon Ranch.

Silver Spoon Fire Burning Through “Pretty Rough Country” In Northeast Wyoming

An evacuation order remains in place Monday as a wildfire burning in “pretty rough country” in northeast Wyoming continues to grow. A fire also was reported burning near a coal mine silo north of Gillette.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2024

Double Dub's owner Trent Weitzel, left, and franchisee Dallas Lopez show off the hardware Weitzels Wings won at the 2024 National Buffalo Wing Festival, including Festival Favorite.

Wyoming’s Double Dub’s Wins 3rd Straight Festival Favorite At Buffalo Wing Fest

For the third straight year, Wyoming-based Weitzels Wings, aka Double Dub’s, has won Festival Favorite at the National Buffalo Wing Festival. It’s the first time in the history of the contest anyone has three-peated.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 02, 2024

Crews respond to one of a pair of large wildfires burning near Gillette. Now Campbell County Fire Department is being aggressive with a new fire reported Sunday north near the Montana border.

Evacuations Ordered For New Campbell County Wildfire

A new wildfire discovered Sunday in northeast Wyoming has prompted an evacuation order for an area near the Montana border. The Silver Spoon Fire in Campbell County is about 1,000 acres and reportedly spreading fast.

Greg JohnsonSeptember 01, 2024

Wyoming Suspect Gives Up Cocaine And Fentanyl Hidden In Buttocks

A Gillette man saved himself a felony charge Tuesday night when he gave up the cocaine and fentanyl he had hidden in his buttocks. Even more common are suspects claiming they’re not wearing their own pants.

Greg JohnsonAugust 28, 2024

The Weitzels Wings team poses for a photo in front of one of the four food trucks they brought to Cheyenne to smash two world records for selling buffalo wings in July 2023.

New York Casino Breaks Weitzels Wings’ 24-Hour Chicken Wing Sales Record

The Village Casino in New York sold nearly 56,000 chicken wings in 24 hours over the weekend to reclaim the world record from Wyoming’s Weitzels Wings. Owner Trent Weitzel said he wants to take it back decisively next year by selling 75,000.

Greg JohnsonAugust 05, 2024

From L-R: Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Kistler, Autumn Nelon Clark, Jason Clark.

Three Members Of Gospel Group The Nelons Killed In Wyoming Plane Crash

Three members from the gospel group The Nelons were killed in a plane crash on Friday afternoon in northeast Wyoming. At least seven passengers were onboard the plane. There were no survivors.

Jimmy Orr, Greg Johnson & Clair McFarlandJuly 27, 2024

Other Authors

This Pilatus PC-12/47E single-engine aircraft crashed just south of the Montana border in Campbell County, Wyoming, while on its way to Billings, Montana, on July 26, 2024.

'Super, Super Nice People': Plane Fueled Up In Nebraska Before Crashing In Wyoming

A single-engine aircraft that crashed in northeast Wyoming on Friday afternoon had fueled up in Nebraska. The manager of the airfield said they were regular customers and just "super, super nice people." There were no survivors.

Clair McFarland & Greg JohnsonJuly 26, 2024

Record-Setting Death Valley Heat Wave On The Way To Wyoming

A heat wave that saw Death Valley hit a record high of 128 degrees Sunday is coming to Wyoming. While the heat won’t be that extreme here, some spots in eastern Wyoming could have a record-setting string of highs in triple digits.

Greg JohnsonJuly 08, 2024

The famous Budweiser Clydesdales lead off the third annual Rock Springs Liberty Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales Wow Rock Springs Fourth Of July Paradegoers

Hundreds of people waited for hours Thursday to watch the word-famous Budweiser Clydesdales lead off the Rock Springs Liberty Parade. And the gentle giants didn’t disappoint.

Greg JohnsonJuly 04, 2024

Big Boy 4014 makes the first stop on its 2024 summer tour in Laramie, Wyoming, on Sunday morning, June 30, 2024. Hundreds of curious people and serious train buffs waited for more than two hours to get a good viewing spot.,

Big Boy 4014 Gets Big Welcome At First Whistlestop In Laramie

In the world of steam engines, Big Boy 4014 is a rock star, and it got a rock star welcome on Sunday. Hundreds of people lined up in downtown Laramie for the first whistlestop on its 2024 summer tour.

Greg JohnsonJune 30, 2024

Rozet Man Accused Of Stealing 168 UPS Packages Says He Did It For ‘The Rush’

A man who worked as an overnight cleaner at a Gillette UPS facility allegedly told investigators he stole at least 168 packages for “the rush” he gets by taking things. He waived a Monday hearing and elevated to felony-level court.

Greg JohnsonJune 24, 2024

Casper Man Shot While Allegedly Trying To Get Officer’s Gun Identified

The Natrona County Coroner’s Office has identified the man shot and killed by police Thursday while allegedly trying to get an officer’s gun as Trae Spurlock, 26. But the office denies releasing other details of the shooting.

Greg Johnson & Dale KillingbeckJune 11, 2024

Bison in Yellowstone National Park aren't usually aggressive, but can be dangerous if their space is violated.

Yellowstone Bison Was ‘Defending Its Space’ When It Gored Elderly Woman

An 83-year-old South Carolina woman visiting Yellowstone National Park was gored by a bison Saturday that was “defending its space,” the National Park Service reported Monday. She was airlifted to a hospital in Idaho.

Greg JohnsonJune 04, 2024

Casper Man Accused Of Sex With Infant, Possessing Child Porn

A 25-year-old Casper man accused of having sex with an infant and asking other adults to participate was in court Wednesday to face 10 felony charges of child sexual abuse and child pornography.

Dale Killingbeck & Greg JohnsonMay 17, 2024

Hanna Holtmeier, one of six University of Wyoming Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter members, speaks on the steps of the Byron White U.S. Courthouse in downtown Denver on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Wyoming Kappa Sisters Defiant And Determined To Keep Sororities For Women

Riley Gaines was among a defiant and determined group that rallied for Wyoming Kappa Kappa Gamma members Tuesday, saying the sorority let down its UW chapter by giving the sisters “the brother they never wanted.”

Greg JohnsonMay 14, 2024

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