John Thompson
Latest from John Thompson
Capturing Knowledge: Wyoming Farmer Documenting Wisdom Being Lost To Time
Knowledge, wisdom and homespun skill passed down through generations of American farm families is being lost to time and giant ag conglomerates. Newcastle's Paul Eitel is one farmer who can’t abide this trend.
John ThompsonJanuary 20, 2024
Drinking Wyoming: Dad’s Bar In Thayne Is An Authentic Cowboy State Honky-Tonk
Dad's Bar in Star Valley is a place where the phrase “because that’s the way we’ve always done it” is never questioned as traditions have been passed down through five owners over the last 90 years.
John ThompsonJanuary 07, 2024
Beaver Dam Cams Are The Captivating Ring Doorbells For Wyoming Wildlife
Beaver Dam Cams are becoming the Wyoming wildlife version of Ring doorbell cams, showing the bears, moose, foxes and other critters that use beaver dams as nature’s highway.
John ThompsonJanuary 06, 2024
Highest Elevation Winter Ultra-Marathon Race In the US Is Wyoming's Grueling "Drift 100"
The Drift 100, an ultramarathon held in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains in early March, is the highest winter ultramarathon in the United States. It begins at the north end of Kendall Valley in Sublette County and gains 9,000 feet in elevation.
John ThompsonJanuary 01, 2024
Evanston’s Historic Chinatown Yields 300,000 Artifacts From The Late 1800s
An archaeological excavation of Evanston’s historic Chinatown, a community that was built in 1868 and burned in 1922, has so far turned up more than 300,000 artifacts.
John ThompsonDecember 24, 2023
Drinking Wyoming: Joe’s Liquor And Bar In Rock Springs, A Landmark That Feels Like The Early 60s
Billed as the smallest bar in Rock Springs, Joe’s Liquor and Bar only seats 14 people. Walking in the bar is like stepping back in time to 1961 -- dimly lit and the walls are covered with dark wood paneling.
John ThompsonDecember 24, 2023
Steel Shipping Containers Made Into 800-Square-Foot Rural Wyoming Home
An 800-square-foot home made from three steel shipping containers hit the real estate market last weekend 10 miles south of Pinedale. The property, which has amazing views, is listed for $315,000, or $393.75 per square foot.
John ThompsonDecember 17, 2023
Wyoming History: Thousands Of Names Carved Into Stone Along Historic Western Trails
Long before people could document their travels on social media, they carved their names into cliff walls along the Oregon, Mormon and California trails through Wyoming. They served not only as unofficial registries but key navigational landmarks.
John ThompsonDecember 16, 2023
Wyoming Ranchers File $7 Million In Claims For 15,000 Head Of Lost Livestock
The brutal winter of 2022-2023 cut a diagonal swath of death across Wyoming that killed nearly 15,000 head of cattle, sheep and goats. Ranchers filed $7 million in claims for those losses.
John ThompsonDecember 14, 2023
Real Wyoming: Pinedale’s Cowboy Bar Was Built By An Outlaw And Won In A Card Game
Pinedale’s Cowboy Bar was built by an outlaw who rode with Butch Cassidy and later owned by a Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Famer who won the bar in a card game. The current owner, Lila Golden, has worked there since she was 6 years old.
John ThompsonDecember 10, 2023
Off The Grid In Wyoming: Power Systems Cost Less, But Require More Know-How
When Cody Lettiere found out it was going to cost about $50,000 to dig a trench and run a power connection to his cabin in the mountains near Dubois, he decided to explore a solar powered alternative.
John ThompsonDecember 10, 2023
Carmakers Dropping AM Radio But Farmers Fighting To Reverse It
Although two major carmakers have dropped AM radio from their vehicles, farmers have banded together to stop that trend. Ford has since reversed its decision to drop it.
John ThompsonDecember 03, 2023
Wyoming Experts Say UN’s Anti-Meat Push For Climate Change Doesn’t Add Up
Wyoming industry experts don’t buy the conclusions of a new U.N. report that suggests eating less meat will help the global fight against climate change.
John ThompsonDecember 03, 2023
Wyoming ‘Bridge Nerd’ On A Mission To Document State’s Historic Bridges
John Bernhisel of Cowley, Wyoming, is on a mission, spending his summers visiting, photographing and chronicling the stories of historic Wyoming bridges and crossings.
John ThompsonDecember 02, 2023
Off The Grid In Wyoming: Wasting Water A Cardinal Sin For Homesteaders
The average American household wastes 90 gallons of water every day, something that would be a cardinal sin on an off-grid homestead, where water is much too valuable and important to waste.
John ThompsonNovember 26, 2023
Mountain Man Hugh Glass’ Real And Embellished Legacy Inspired ‘The Revenant’
Filmmakers consulted with Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale when they made “The Revenant,” and an exhibit shows Glass wielding a Bowie knife in a battle with a grizzly. Now they're hearing rumors of a sequel to the movie.
John ThompsonNovember 26, 2023
Eating Wyoming: The Bear Den In Daniel Lays Claim To State’s Best Burger
Tourists and travelers have been stopping at Daniel Junction since 1940 when the original business on the site was established by Leander “Linn” Sargent and his wife Helen. The Bear's Den restaurant is where the locals eat.
John ThompsonNovember 25, 2023
Living In An Off-The-Grid Subdivision In Southwest Wyoming
Josh Winkler and his family of four live year-round in an off-the-grid community about 20 miles north of Kemmerer. Although the winters can be challenging, Josh says it's worth it -- especially when he straps on his snowshoes and heads out on a full moon night in January.
John ThompsonNovember 23, 2023
Ranchers Shell Out $140K For Unborn Calf Of Famous Million Dollar Angus Bull
Doc Ryan is a famous Angus bull that earns more than $1 million per year for his semen and is so sought after that ranchers recently shelled out $140,000 for one of his unborn calves. The former owner of the bull is Gillette native, Trey Wasserburger.
John ThompsonNovember 18, 2023
Congressman Upset Feds Are Tight-Lipped On $25 Million Yellowstone Bison Plan
It’s been nearly nine months since a $25 million plan to increase Yellowstone bison numbers and improve habitat was announced. A Montana congressman says he’s getting ghosted by agencies about what’s being done.
John ThompsonNovember 16, 2023
Foreign Ownership Of Ag Land A Struggle For Lawmakers In Wyoming And DC
Brett Moline, of the Wyoming Farm Bureau, said his organization supports restricting foreign ownership of U.S. agriculture land. Even though the percentage of overall farmland owned by foreign investors is small, it’s a situation that could quickly get out of hand if left unchecked.
John ThompsonNovember 12, 2023
Wyoming Ag Industry Divided On Reform Of Taxes That Can Fund Anti-Ag Efforts
Congress is considering reform of taxes on the sale of farm commodities that, if misallocated, can find farmers and ranchers attacked by anti-ag lobbying efforts they essentially paid for.
John ThompsonNovember 06, 2023
Evanston Already Planning For Economic Spillover From 2034 Utah Winter Olympics
A border community on Interstate 80, Evanston, Wyoming, has long positioned itself to reap the benefits of Utah’s vibrant economy. The 2034 Olympic Games would bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region.
John ThompsonNovember 05, 2023
Wyoming Soldier Found Hitler’s Photos, But They’ve Been Missing For Decades
Pvt. Alton More of Casper took two photo albums from Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in the Bavarian Alps at the end of World War II and brought them back to Wyoming, but they mysteriously disappeared decades ago.
John ThompsonNovember 04, 2023
As EU Kills Off Cows To Fight Climate Change, Hageman Warns It Could Happen Here
Farms in Ireland and other European Union countries are being forced to cut cattle numbers to reach climate change goals. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman warns it could happen here.
John ThompsonNovember 03, 2023
Two Juveniles In Jail After Wild Crime Spree Across Rock Springs And Green River
A pair of juveniles remain in custody after a Monday crime spree through Rock Springs and Green River that included stealing and crashing two vehicles, shooting up property with a stolen gun and other crimes.
John ThompsonNovember 01, 2023
Off The Grid In Wyoming: Choose The Right Spot For Your Modern Homestead
The days of free government land giveaways for homesteading ended long ago, but that doesn’t mean the spirit of the homesteader is dead. The first step is getting land, and that’s something Wyoming has plenty of.
John ThompsonOctober 29, 2023
Evanston Rallies To Save Historic Wyoming State Hospital From Wrecking Ball
Despite the state seemingly willing to pay more than $50 million to raze the 27 buildings on the historic Wyoming State Hospital campus in Evanston, locals are working to save them from the wrecking ball.
John ThompsonOctober 29, 2023
Wyoming Teacher Makes 180-Mile Trail Run From Lander To Jackson
During a normal week of training, Lander's Gabe Joyes runs about 100 miles while gaining about 20,000 feet of elevation. But in August, he decided to go 180 miles in a mountainous four-day run to get from Lander to Jackson.
John ThompsonOctober 29, 2023
Nets Could Help Cull Lake Trout Threatening Flaming Gorge’s World-Class Fishery
Fisheries experts will recommend to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission that thousands of lake trout should be netted, cut open and sunk to the bottom of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir in order to help the remaining fish flourish.
John ThompsonOctober 22, 2023
Off The Grid In Wyoming: It’s Not That Simple To Live Simply
An electric utility company announcing plans to bump power bills by 30% can be the prompt some people need to begin thinking about life off the grid. But it takes a lot of work.
John ThompsonOctober 22, 2023
$500K Code Compliance Mandate Closes Rock Springs Coffee Shop, More Could Follow
A Rock Springs coffee shop owner was forced to close over a required $500,000 sprinkler system, a building code compliance issue the city’s mayor says could impact more mom-and-pop restaurants.
John ThompsonOctober 21, 2023
Macabre Past Makes Carbon County A Playground For Paranormal Investigators
Some of Wyoming’s creepiest historical artifacts including a notorious criminal’s skull, a death basket, and a mummified foot that originated in Egypt will be used in a paranormal investigation set to take place at the Carbon County Museum in Rawlins on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
John ThompsonOctober 15, 2023
Ken Burns Deliberately Called Documentary "American Buffalo," Not "American Bison"
Despite some people losing their minds over filmmaker Ken Burns's decision to call his documentary "American Buffalo," not "American Bison," Burns said he did it on purpose because the terms are interchangeable.
John ThompsonOctober 14, 2023
$15 Million Wildlife Underpass Project Near La Barge Dedicated On Thursday
A $15 million wildlife underpass near Highway 189 was dedicated Thursday and includes nine underpasses, 33 miles of fencing, and two miles of new road. The goal is to keep wildlife off of the road, thereby protecting motorists and the animals.
John ThompsonOctober 12, 2023
Wyoming Game And Fish Says Invasive Snail Found In Albany County Trophy Fishery
Wyoming Game and Fish officials confirm invasive New Zealand mud snails have been found in an Albany County trophy fishing lake.
John ThompsonOctober 11, 2023
Wyoming Plays Key Role In New Ken Burns Documentary, ‘American Buffalo’
Wyoming is a key part of Ken Burns’ new documentary “American Buffalo,” which explores the connection between the massive herds of the shaggy beasts, Native American culture and settling the West. It debuts on October 16.
John ThompsonOctober 09, 2023
It’s Been 60 Years Since President Kennedy Turned On The Power At Flaming Gorge Dam
Sixty years ago, President John F. Kennedy pressed a button that opened the penstocks at Flaming Gorge Dam and started a system that has produced hydroelectric power for six decades.
John ThompsonOctober 09, 2023
Union Soldier Who Wrongly Had Confederate Headstone For 107 Years, Gets New One
George Henry Eighmy was a Union Civil War veteran who likely fought at Antietam, married seven women and was convicted of felonies in two states. He was buried in Gillette under a wrong Confederate headstone for 107 years. It was recently replaced.
John ThompsonOctober 07, 2023
This Gun Is So Ugly It’s Endearing And So Dangerous It Shouldn’t Be Fired
The Wyoming owner of a Warner Infallible pistol said it’s such a hideous-looking gun that it’s cool. A museum’s firearms expert said the rare pistol, which is more than a century old, also is so dangerous it should not be fired.
John ThompsonOctober 01, 2023
BLM Resource Management Plan An Economic Disaster For Southwest Wyoming, Local Officials Say
The Biden administration doesn’t give a damn about the economies of five southwest Wyoming counties if you believe the consensus of the estimated 500 people who attended a BLM meeting here Wednesday.
John ThompsonSeptember 28, 2023
Study Blames Men Eating Beef For 50% Of Harmful Gas Emissions
Wyoming's beef industry is questioning a recent Tulane University study that claims American men ages 50-65 eat so much beef that if they stopped, greenhouse gas emissions would drop by as much as 50%.
John ThompsonSeptember 24, 2023
Wyoming Halfway House Rehabilitates Instead Of Kills Delinquent Beavers
A partnership was recently created that features a new halfway house for delinquent beavers. Those involved say it’s a better alternative than killing them.
John ThompsonSeptember 24, 2023
Bondurant Elementary, A Modern One-Room Wyoming Schoolhouse With 3 Students
Bondurant Elementary School’s three students are taught with a unique learning style that’s also a challenge for teachers. It’s one of 20 Wyoming one-room public schools with fewer than 10 students.
John ThompsonSeptember 24, 2023
Pioneer Gravesite Near La Barge, Wyoming, A Stark Reminder Of The Rugged West
Elizebeth Mortimer Paul died 160 years ago at age 32 while giving birth to her eighth child, and now lies in a grave near LaBarge - a symbol of her fierce era.
John ThompsonSeptember 23, 2023
What Is It About Pickups That Wyoming Drivers Love So Much?
Pickups have become blinged-out luxury rides with a workhorse DNA, but whether they use them for utility, status or both, there's no denying Wyomingites love their trucks.
John ThompsonSeptember 16, 2023
Wyoming's Legacy Of One-Room Schoolhouses Preserved In Big Piney
One-room schoolhouses were common around Wyoming, including Big Piney in Sublette County. Before class, students would often chop wood and haul coal and water after traveling many miles to school either on foot or by horseback.
John ThompsonSeptember 10, 2023
RVs Are Luxury On Wheels As Custom Coach Travelers Roll Around Wyoming
Pinedale RV park hosts travelers from all walks of life, all states and several foreign countries, many far from roughing it in custom coach RVs which can easily cost more than most homes in Wyoming (except Teton County).
John ThompsonSeptember 04, 2023
Wyoming Hunting Guide Learned The Cowboy Way From Famous Grandpa, Slim Pickens
Western actor Slim Pickens had a special bond with the cowboy way of life and Wyoming. Now his grandson carries on the family legacy as a hunting guide in Sublette County.
John ThompsonSeptember 04, 2023
Rock Springs To Memorialize Darkest Day With Sculpture Dedicated To Chinese Massacre of 1885
City officials have approved $154,000 for a 7-foot sculpture and interpretive display memorializing the Chinese Massacre that claimed the lives of 28 coal miners in 1885.
John ThompsonSeptember 03, 2023
48 Rustled Sheep Reappear On Campbell County Ranch
Northeast Wyoming sheep rancher Guy Edwards says media coverage related to an early July theft of 70 sheep must have given the rustlers cold feet, because 48 of them have been returned.
John ThompsonAugust 28, 2023
What The Heck … Is That Giant Face On The Hill Overlooking Green River?
Mansface Hill on the west edge of Green River rises above the town with its unique rock formations that, from a certain angle, look like a man’s face in profile.
John ThompsonAugust 28, 2023
Sometimes It Takes A Redneck To Get Out Of The Gnarliest Places In Wyoming
During his time rescuing snowmobiles in the backcountry and pulling pickups out of mud holes in western Wyoming, the owner of Redneck Rescue in Alpine said he’s also been credited with saving a few marriages.
John ThompsonAugust 28, 2023
Wyoming Places: Carter, Now A Ghost Town, Is Named For State's First Millionaire
Now it's all but a ghost town, but in Wyoming before statehood, William A. Carter established his namesake town in Uinta County. A cattle baron, merchant and politician, he became Wyoming's first millionaire.
John ThompsonAugust 27, 2023
Ghosts Of Wyoming's Railroad Heyday Haunt Evanston's Historic Roundhouse
The Evanston Roundhouse's heyday was in the early 1940s when its 350-person crew maintained steam locomotives and train cars of all shapes, sizes and purposes.
John ThompsonAugust 26, 2023
Tired Of Being Wyoming’s ‘Bastard Stepchild,’ Evanston Rallies To Save Historic Buildings
Evanston and Uinta County officials claim underhanded politics at play in decisions to demolish buildings on the old Wyoming State Hospital campus, saying they’re frustrated at being treated as the state’s “bastard stepchild.”
John ThompsonAugust 25, 2023
Feds Spending $25 Million On Bison Restoration, But Won’t Give Details
The Department of the Interior announced its plans to restore wild bison herds in states across the West months ago, but has been quiet about the plan ever since. A Montana congressman is calling for transparency.
John ThompsonAugust 21, 2023