🚧 Wyoming Life | Cowboy State Daily

Artwork, wax figures and wildlife mounts are interspersed in the exhibits at the Wind River Heritage Center in Riverton, Wyoming. After the death of Jake Korell, the founder of the center, the future of the collection was uncertain. A new board has recently taken over and with partners such as the Wyoming Historical Society, are saving the collection and once more opening the museum to the public.

One-Of-A-Kind Wyoming Wax Figure Collection On Track To Be Sold, Saved Instead

After years with an uncertain future, a collection of one-of-a-kind Wyoming wax figures that was on track to be dismantled or sold off has been saved instead. Now volunteers and the Wyoming Historical Society plan to display them again.

Jackie DorothyJune 08, 2025

Welcome To Pete’s Service: More Than A 100-Year-Old Pine Bluffs Gas Pump Graveyard

Pete’s Service along U.S. Highway 30 in Pine Buffs, Wyoming, has become a local landmark for the dozens of rusted out old gas pumps that fill up its yard. But the 101-year-old Mobil station is much more than a gas pump graveyard.

Greg JohnsonJune 08, 2025

A Jackson, Wyoming, woman wants to convince at least 500 people to join her in Davey Jackson Soccer Field wearing long underwear and butterfly wings. It’s all about setting a Guinness World Record.

Jackson Woman Wants 500 People To Dress Up As Butterflies To Set A World Record

A Teton County woman is trying to convince 500 people to join her in a local soccer field later this month wearing long underwear and butterfly wings. She's trying to set a Guinness World Record for the most people dressed up in a butterfly costume.

Renée JeanJune 08, 2025

Losing a pet is heartbreaking and most owners don’t want their animals to end up discarded in a landfill, while a shovel and a shoebox also won’t do. The New Hope Shelter in Worland, Wyoming, has a pet crematorium and cemetery for pets.

When A Shovel And A Shoebox Won’t Do, There’s The Worland Pet Cemetery

Losing a pet can be heartbreaking, and most owners don’t want their animals to end up discarded in a landfill. That's why people drive hundreds of miles to bring their deceased pets to Worland to use a specially designed pet crematorium chamber at the New Hope Shelter.

Jackie DorothyJune 08, 2025

Wyoming Geologist Helps ID Oldest Rock In America At 3.5 Billion Years

Wyoming geologist Carol Frost and three of her colleagues have identified a new oldest rock in America. Found in Michigan, researchers estimate it’s more than 3.5 billion years old.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2025

The rodeo world is mourning the death of Hall of Fame bronc riding legend “Cody” Bill Smith at age 83. He loved Cody, Wyoming, so much he adopted it as his hometown and nickname.

Hall Of Fame Bronc Rider Bill 'Cody' Smith Remembered As Rodeo Legend

The rodeo world is mourning the death of Hall of Fame bronc riding legend Bill "Cody" Smith at age 83. A three-time Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association saddle bronc riding champion, he loved Cody so much he adopted it as his hometown and nickname.

Jackie DorothyJune 07, 2025

Drivers In Cheyenne Navigate Traffic, Crashes And The ‘Crazy White Honda Lady’

A woman driving a white Honda sedan has become infamous on Cheyenne’s roads. Known simply as the “Crazy White Honda Lady,” the unknown driver frequently stops in the middle of traffic to yell curses out her window and prolifically flip people off.

Greg JohnsonJune 07, 2025

Myron Cook records an explanation of ancient terraces in Hot Springs State Park.

He Just Wanted To Talk About Geology, Now He’s A YouTube Star

Wyoming's Myron Cook has become the Bob Ross of geology, drawing and explaining everything about rocks on YouTube. With more than 20 million views, his retirement gig is spreading his unique gospel of geology to a whole new audience as a YouTube star.

Reilly Strand & Hannah BrockJune 07, 2025

Wamsutter, Wyoming: A Dusty Blip On I-80 Where Everyone Knows Your Business

Welcome to Wamsutter, Wyoming, a tiny blip along Interstate 80 where life runs through the Love’s truck stop and everyone knows your business. Like the truckers and travelers who undergird its economy, most citizens here have all blown in from elsewhere.

Zakary SonntagJune 07, 2025

Hoop dancing demo at Wyoming Historical Society's Summer Trek in Thermopolis

Delinquent Tax Paperwork Preceded Implosion Of Wyoming History Groups

More details are emerging over the rift that has grown in a decades-long partnership between three of Wyoming’s most prominent history groups. Records show problems leading to their split began much earlier than February.

Renée JeanJune 05, 2025

Social media meme (left). Newly installed Wyoming Historical Society Executive Director Aley Philp (right)

Wyoming Loves Its History But Its History Groups No Longer Love Each Other

A slow-motion blow-up is happening between three long-time history organizations. The resulting implosion is threatening to split Wyoming’s historical community in two.

Renée JeanJune 04, 2025

A seven-shot panorama of an aurora over Sundance taken in the early morning of June 1. The aurora manifested from a G4 coronal mass ejection (CME), one of the strongest seen from Wyoming since 2024.

While Most Of Wyoming Was Cloudy, Sundance Photographer Gets Spectacular Aurora

When a geomagnetic storm reached Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday, most of Wyoming was covered in clouds. David Porter of Sundance, was awakened by his dog, and was awestruck with his view. “Thank goodness the dog had to pee,” he said.

Andrew RossiJune 03, 2025

James Johnson Getty Images 2204456897 6 3 25

Cheyenne's James Johnson Headed To The NBA Finals With Indiana Pacers

James Johnson, a 2007 Cheyenne East High School graduate, will make his first ever appearance in the NBA Finals on Wednesday as a member of the Indiana Pacers.

Matthew ChristianJune 03, 2025

Wyoming Cowboys Snag Commitment From Son Of Former NFL Quarterback

Taylor Hasselbeck, a 6-foot-2 three-star quarterback prospect, has committed to play at the University of Wyoming in 2026. He’s the son of former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and nephew of Super Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

Justin GeorgeJune 03, 2025

‘Fearless’ Laramie Girl, 10, Dies A Week After Hit By Truck

Sawyer Costa loved animals and playing hockey with boys twice her size. The 10-year-old Laramie girl died Saturday, a week after she was hit by a truck. Those who knew her say that most of all, Sawyer was “fearless.”

Greg JohnsonJune 02, 2025

Woman’s Move To Cody Bridges Japanese Heritage And Wyoming Truck Culture

Haruka Takaku has embraced Wyoming truck culture during her stint as the new Japan Outreach Initiative Coordinator for the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation. The center teaches visitors about the experiences of Japanese interned there during World War II.

Amber SteinmetzJune 01, 2025

Kenzley Sims of Riverton, 10, loves barrel racing and wants to go to nationals. To help her reach that dream, her parents have enrolled her in the Cowboy State Virtual Academy in Sheridan. She will be able to do all her public school courses online around her schedule.

Online School Popular Choice For Wyoming Ranch And Rodeo Kids

Wyoming ranch kids have chores and rodeo that take up a lot of time. That's why Riverton's Kenzley Sims (pictured) and other Wyoming kids go to Sheridan’s Cowboy Virtual Academy. They can pursue rodeo while getting an education online.

Jackie DorothyJune 01, 2025

F.E. Warren Air Force Base has a secret underground world full of soldier-created artwork that most people have never seen.

The Secret Underground World Of F.E. Warren Air Force Base Murals

F.E. Warren Air Force Base has a secret underground world full of airmen-created artwork that most people have never seen. Set to disappear after the Minuteman III missiles are replaced, former missileer Jim Warner is determined to save them.

Renée JeanJune 01, 2025

Plans call for Chuck Eckerson’s railroad to run on Sundays through the summer. Here Brent Eckerson is at the controls.

Casper Man Loves Steam-Powered Trains So Much He Built His Own Railroad

A Casper man’s lifelong passion for railroading led to a career as a passenger train conductor. The 82-year-old loves trains so much he built his own steam-powered locomotive and railroad in his yard, and gives rides to local kids.

Dale KillingbeckJune 01, 2025

A Colorado man has become a social media celebrity traveling the world while living out of his $200,000 Lamborghini Urus with Montana license plates. His around-the-world tour has already taken Connor Camperghini through 35 countries.

Man Travels World Living In Lamborghini, Says Border Crossings Are "Interesting"

A Colorado man is traveling the world while living out of his $200,000 Lamborghini. He shipped his car to Germany and has been to 35 countries so far, including Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. He’s trying to figure out how to visit Afghanistan.

Anna-Louise JacksonJune 01, 2025

A 307 First silhouette of a party of buffalo hunters along Interstate 90 just west of Gillette.

Big Steel Western Silhouettes Popping Up Next To Wyoming Highways

As of May 2025, nearly 30 western-themed steel silhouettes have been placed along Wyoming’s highways including Pony Express riders, mountain men, and troupes of pioneers. The group responsible for them say the goal is to place 307 silhouettes.

Andrew RossiMay 31, 2025

A barn at the JO Ranch in Carbon County.

Carbon County's JO Ranch A Throwback To An Untamed Wyoming

Only the hardiest of souls ever lived at the now-abandoned JO Ranch in southern Carbon County. The ranch’s stone buildings, built in 1890, are as old as the state and still standing, a throwback to an untamed Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 31, 2025

The famous photo of Desert Dust was originally a black-and-white photo that was hand-colorized by Verne Wood, and huge portraits hung in important buildings such as the Wyoming Capitol, London’s House of Commons and Canadian Parliament.

A Las Vegas Investigator’s Decades-Long Search For The Most Famous Wild Horse In America

For decades, Wyoming native and Las Vegas detective Gill Gillilan hunted for clues to the story behind Desert Dust, once the most famous wild horse in America. Photos of the Red Desert mustang had sold more than 1 million photos in the 1940s

Jackie DorothyMay 31, 2025

Thunderstorm over Cheyenne on May 24, 2025

Rainy May Welcome, But Not Wet Enough To Bust Southeast Wyoming Drought

Some well-timed rain in May has helped take the edge off extreme dry conditions in southeast Wyoming, but it hasn’t been wet enough to bust the drought. Meteorologist Don Day says the first half of June looks good for more precipitation.