Headlines

Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.

Jaime Cronin encountered the Barber Fire as she drove home to Casper from Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday evening. She snuck through Interstate 25 just before authorities closed it from Douglas to Casper.

Much Of Northern Wyoming Is On Fire, But Converse County Is OK For Now

Lightning-caused fires are devouring huge swaths of northern Wyoming, but to the south, Converse County got a lucky break when a Wednesday-evening rainstorm helped stifle its large fire.

Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

Cleanup continues after a devasting hailstorm that dropped baseball-sized stones at Devils Tower and closed the monument. At the KOA campground near the base of the tower, they've been repairing damage and clearing away more than 200 trees that were downed by the storm.

Devils Tower Reopens, But “Will Never Look The Same” After Huge Hailstorm

Devils Tower National Monument reopened Wednesday afternoon after clearing more than 200 fallen trees and 5 inches of hail. But the national monument “will never look the same” after huge hailstones pummeled the area.

Andrew RossiAugust 22, 2024

Although the fall is fast approaching, it still feels like summer across Wyoming. At Holiday Park in Cheyenne on Thursday, the walking path around the lake was busy.

As Wildfires Burn Across State, Wyoming Can Expect “Fall-Like Weather”

Heat and wind are helping fan a number of wildfires across Wyoming, but there could be some relief on the way. A cold front is expected to bring “fall-like” and cooler weather to Wyoming this weekend.

Andrew RossiAugust 22, 2024

Huge plumes of smoke from the House Creek Fire as it burns past the home of Ashley Malcom near Buffalo, Wyoming. Malcom said the fire moved fast, but thankfully missed her property.

Northern Wyoming Wildfire Explodes To Nearly 200,000 Acres, Others Also Burning

A wildfire burning out of control in northern Wyoming east of Buffalo has exploded and is pushing 200,000 acres. Ranchers are scrambling to help fight that and other wildfires in the area to save their homes and animals.

Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 22, 2024

After Primary Loss, Green River Incumbent Bashes Opponent As “One-Term Failure”

State Rep. Tony Niemiec, R-Green River, was less than conciliatory after losing his primary Republican reelection bid Tuesday night. He bashed opponent Marlene Brady as weak and predicted she’ll “be a one-term failure.”

Leo WolfsonAugust 22, 2024

The area known as Adobe Town in Wyoming's Red Desert is part of the 3.6 million acres in soutwest Wyoming impacted by the BLM's Rock Springs Resource Management Plan.

BLM Releases Controversial Rock Springs Plan, Wyoming Officials Already Hate It

After a year of controversy, the BLM’s Rock Springs Resource Management Plan was released Thursday. Wyoming officials already hate it, saying the Biden administration is “pushing Wyoming off an economic cliff.”

Mark HeinzAugust 22, 2024

Sally Ann Shurmur: Fanning The Flames, And Not Just Fire

Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, "Turns out, you can get redder than red. And the moderates look left, and the right looks middle. But guess what? It’s what the people who voted want, pundits and the media be damned."

Sally Ann ShurmurAugust 22, 2024

Letter To The Editor: May You Live In Interesting Times

Dear editor: When I got to my office on Monday morning, August 19, the day before the primary, I discovered someone had taken down the three signs, laid them flat on the ground and put a pile of dog feces in the middle of each sign.

August 22, 2024

Wildfire burns overnight in northern Wyoming, forcing evacuations and putting others on notice of possible evacuations.

Evacuations, Road Closures As Wildfires Blow Up Across Northern Wyoming

Hot, windy and dry conditions have conspired to blow up new and existing wildfires across northern and central Wyoming. The fires have also prompted evacuations and closures of parts of Interstates 90 and 25.

Clair McFarlandAugust 22, 2024

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Thursday, August 22, 2024

Thursday's headlines include: - Huge Shakeup For Wyoming Coal - Mudslinging Pays Off In Primary Election - Where Do Wind Turbine Blades Go When They Die?

Wendy CorrAugust 22, 2024

Voters at the Storey Gym in Cheyenne on primary day, Aug. 20, 2024.

Mudslinging Was A Theme Of The Wyoming Primary, And It Seems To Have Paid Off

Negative and vicious campaigning was a theme leading up to Tuesday’s Wyoming primary. But the results show mudslinging has seemed to pay off with success at the ballot box.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

The Horse Draw Fire in Johnson County flared up Wednesday, forcing a closure of Interstate 90 and evacuations. In this still shot from a short video posted by YouTube user @bec4337, huge plumes of smoke are ahead as cars are stranded on a closed I-90.

Northern Wyoming Wildfire Spreads To 5,000-Plus Acres, Forces Evacuations

A wildfire spread to more than 5,000 acres Wednesday, forcing about 10 Johnson County families to evacuate. It’s also shut down I-90 between Buffalo and Gillette.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

This GMC Yukon that sits crashed and abandoned in rugged terrain off Highway 14-16-20 in northwest Wyoming sparked a lot of speculation. Truth is, a suspected drunk driver left it there.

She Claimed Carjackers Got Her SUV Stuck, And It’s Been There For 2 Months

More than two months after an allegedly drunk woman claimed carjackers got her SUV stuck off Highway 14/16/20, it’s about to be recovered. But it’s going to be a bear of a job, requiring two wreckers and a crew of at least five.

Andrew RossiAugust 21, 2024

Six times in the past four months, an arrangement of dead animals has been left at the intersetion of South Greeley Highway and East Nation Road in Cheyenne.

“We Don’t Get It”: Someone Keeps Arranging Dead Animals At Cheyenne Intersection

Six times in the past four months, someone has arranged dead animals at Cheyenne intersection. The carcasses are all intact and seem to be purposely left. “It’s certainly bizarre,” an Animal Control officer says. “We don’t get it either.”

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

In the early afternoon in Laramie, turnout was pretty low at Laramie High School. But turnout at this polling place usually hits its peak after people get off work.

Low Turnout Could Be Why All The Close Wyoming Primary Races And Upsets

One of the major takeaways from Tuesday’s Wyoming primary election is the number of close races and upsets. One reason for that could be low voter turnout.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Tom Lubnau: Identifying The Techniques Politicians Use To Dodge Tough Questions

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Since the primary election is over, we should evaluate the political deflection techniques used by candidates in the heat of the election. A deflection technique is a way to redirect attention away from the real topic."

Tom LubnauAugust 21, 2024

Most discussion about the plans for Hot Springs State Park have turned around what's happening to the Star Plunge, but the plan's scope is much larger than any one amenity.

Star Plunge Operator Claims Wyoming Agency Cheated It Out Of Lease Deal

The Thermopolis company that’s operated the Star Plunge hot springs for nearly 50 years is suing over losing its contract. It claims Wyoming State Parks cheated it in favor of a new concessionaire.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

A tanker hauling jet fuel crashed on Interstate 80 near Wamsutter early Wednesday morning, spilling about 1,500 gallons of fuel and shutting down the interstate for several hours.

Tanker Truck Rolls, Spills 1,500 Gallons Of Jet Fuel On Interstate 80

A tanker truck crashed into an occupied and parked car on I-80 overnight Tuesday, rolled and spilled about 1,500 gallons of jet fuel. Wamsutter fire plugged the leaks to prevent the rest of the tanker's 10,000 gallons from gushing out.

Clair McFarlandAugust 21, 2024

Voting at Lusk North and Lusk South precincts Tuesday for the 2024 Niborara County Primary. In the county's highlight race, JD Williams won in a primary rematch with Allen Slagle.

JD Williams Scores Rematch Victory Over Allen Slagle In House District 2 Seat

After losing by 12 votes to Allen Slagle in the 2022 Republican primary, former House member JD Williams won Tuesday’s rematch. This time it wasn’t as close.

Renée JeanAugust 21, 2024

A large coal shovel fills a haul truck at the North Antelope Rochelle Mine.

Huge Shakeup For Wyoming Coal: Arch To Merge, Peabody Sells 10% To Hedge Fund

In a huge shakeup for Wyoming's legacy coal industry, Arch announced a $5 billion merger Wednesday and a hedge fund has bought 10% of Peabody Energy. The companies represent more than half the coal production in the Powder River Basin.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

A wind turbine graveyard near Sweetwater, Texas.

Why Old Wind Turbine Blades Aren’t Being Buried In Landfills Anymore

Until a few years ago, it was common for old wind turbine blades to be discarded in local landfills. That’s not happening much anymore as landfills require them to be ground up “into really tiny pieces,” which is expensive.

Pat MaioAugust 21, 2024

Rod Miller: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus Wins Some Big Pots

Columnist Rod Miller writes, "When the voters dealt the river card in Tuesday’s primary election, the Wyoming Freedom Caucus hit some inside straights and walked off with a lot of chips. All the bluffs and tells of the game were over."

Rod MillerAugust 21, 2024

Wyoming Freedom Caucus Has Huge Republican Primary, Could Gain 11 Seats

Tuesday’s Wyoming Republican Party was huge for the Freedom Caucus. Should candidates that align with the group win out in November, it could gain 11 seats in the Wyoming House.

Leo WolfsonAugust 21, 2024

Nan Gilbert, a Laramie County election judge, waits for voters to arrive at the David R. Romero Park polling center. She's been an election judge for 20 years in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Primary Roundup: Other Contested Races

Cowboy State Daily published stories about 18 of the most important contested races in Tuesday’s Wyoming primary. There were no contested Democratic races, making the primary all about the Republicans.

August 21, 2024

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