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Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State Daily

Latest from Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State Daily

Nathan McLeland inspects a pumpjack on a stripper well in Weston County.

Wyoming Fights Biden Rule Some Say Tries To Price Out Oil And Gas Operators

Wyoming legislators have fought back against a Biden administration effort some say tries to price out oil and gas producers by hiking bond rates 1,400% and more. A $45 million pool of money will help those operators with their bonding.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyMarch 04, 2025

Snowmobilers ride in Togwotee Pass near a sign post in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming.

Snowmobilers About To Pay More To Ride Wyoming’s Premier Trials

A bill that hikes annual registration fees for snowmobilers to ride Wyoming’s premier trails has passed both the state House and Senate. Proponents say it’s needed to keep up with the growing costs of keeping those trails among the nation’s best.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 20, 2025

Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Parker Smith with his wife, Aby, and 4-year-old son PJ, and 2-year-old son Christian.

Wyoming Trooper Faces Worst Nightmare — Responding To His Own Family’s Crash

A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper faced his worst nightmare last week — responding to a crash involving his own family. A witness tells Cowboy State Daily about the urgent rescue of the trooper’s 2-year-old son, who remains in serious condition.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 18, 2025

With the westbound lane of Interstate 80 through the Green River Tunnel closed, a lot of commercial truck traffic is moving through the small southwest Wyoming city.

Green River Flooded With Semis With Tunnel Closed After Devastating Crash

The small city of Green River, Wyoming, lies next to Interstate 80, one of the busiest commercial truck routes in the U.S. After Friday’s devastating crash that closed the busy Green River Tunnel, thousands of vehicles are driving through town instead.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 17, 2025

Burned vehicles inside Green River tunnel on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Third Fatality Confirmed In Green River Tunnel Crash, 26 Vehicles Involved

A third person has been confirmed dead in Friday’s devastating multivehicle crash in the westbound lane of the Green River Tunnel, officials reported Sunday. It’s believed 26 vehicles were involved.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State Daily & Greg JohnsonFebruary 16, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon speaks to state Sen. John Kolb following a press conference on the Green River tunnel

Responders Still Putting Out Fires, Clearing Vehicles At Green River Tunnel

At a press conference on Saturday, officials said emergency responders were still working to extinguish fires and clear piled-up vehicles, after a wreck in the Green River tunnel killed at least two people and sparked a raging blaze.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 15, 2025

Emergency crews worked around the clock responding to a massive crash and fire in the Green River Tunnel on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Massive Response To Green River Tunnel Crash, Death Toll May Rise

The Wyoming Highway Patrol on Saturday said fatalities could rise as the number of vehicles involved in a massive crash inside a tunnel on I-80 near Green River has not yet been confirmed. First responders worked through the night to fight the fire inside the tunnel.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 15, 2025

Wyoming’s Oil And Gas Industry Excited Over Trump's Pick To Head BLM

Leaders in Wyoming’s oil and gas sector are excited about Kathleen Sgamma, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 13, 2025

Fishing Could Be Limited To Lures, Flies Because Too Many Released Fish Are Dying

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is considering changes to fishing regulations on the North Platte drainage to artificial flies and lures at the Gray Reef and Fremont Canyon dams because too many released fish are dying.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyFebruary 06, 2025

Casper’s Backwards Distilling Co. makes its own liquors, then turns them into show-stealing cocktails. Many of the creations — and atmosphere — are inspired by the circus.

Drinking Wyoming: Cocktails Steal The Show At Casper’s Backwards Distilling Co.

Casper’s Backwards Distilling Co. makes its own spirits, then turns them into show-stealing cocktails. Many of the creations — and atmosphere — are inspired by the circus.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyDecember 29, 2024

Atreus Knapp spent the first seven months of his life in the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital of Colorado. Now he also has a new bed to sleep in after Saturday's donation from Homes for the Holidays by Slumberland Furniture. The store donates 40 beds to deserving children every December. He's pictured here with mom, Cora.

All Some Wyoming Kids Want For Christmas Is A Bed To Sleep In

The Christmas wish lists for some kids in Wyoming don’t include smartphones or video game consoles. They just want a bed to sleep in. That wish was realized for 40 families Saturday in Casper with the annual Homes for the Holidays bed giveaway.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyDecember 09, 2024

Austin Olson talks about the resurgence of mustache culture.

Beards Are Still Tops For Wyoming Men, But Mustaches Making A Comeback

Although beards are still most popular for Wyoming men, mustaches are making a comeback. Mostly millennials, these mustachioed men say they're drawn to the variety of 'staches they can grow and scratching an itch to try something new.

Zakary Sonntag for Cowboy State DailyNovember 29, 2024