Headlines

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

‘A Gut Punch’: Nebraska Town Shell-Shocked By Tyson Closing Huge Beef Plant

About 3,200 of Lexington, Nebraska’s 11,000 residents work at a huge Tyson Foods beef processing plant — for another month. News that the plant will close next month was an unexpected “gut punch” many fear will devastate this rural cow town.

Greg JohnsonDecember 20, 2025

Wyoming Awards $100 Million To BWXT For Nuclear Fuel Plant In Gillette

Gov. Mark Gordon on Friday announced that $100 million in matching funds will be awarded to BWXT to build a nuclear fuel plant in Gillette. He said the award is about ensuring Wyoming is competitive with other states that are also vying for these projects.

Renée JeanDecember 20, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon has received five formal requests to remove county officials from office. Former Wyoming governors Mike Sullivan, from left, Jim Geringer, and Dave Freudenthal can't recall getting any such requests.

Former Wyoming Governors Say Requests To Remove County Officials Unprecedented

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has received five clusters of complaints asking him to oust county officials from their offices. Three former Wyoming governors on Friday called that number unprecedented, citing growing political strife.

Clair McFarlandDecember 20, 2025

A cow elk viciously stomping a mountain lion, and her own calf, is indicative of the pressure Idaho elk feel from predators, a hunter said.

Cow Elk Stomps Mountain Lion In Desperate Bid To Save Calf

Caught between wolves, mountain lions and grizzly bears, elk are struggling to fend off predators. A trail camera video shows the elk's desperation as it viciously pummels a mountain lion that has her calf by the neck.

Mark HeinzDecember 19, 2025

Starlings fly in a tight, swirling pattern called “murmuration” over farmland north of Torrington.

Weird Bird Tornado Near Torrington Was A Wild Flight Of Starlings

A swirling “bird tornado” over farmland near Torrington turned out to be a flock of European starlings. While a sight to see, starlings are an invasive species in Wyoming that harm native birds and crops.

Mark HeinzDecember 19, 2025

Casper Police Department Asks For Help Finding Stabbing Suspect

Casper police are asking for help in finding a 41-year-old stabbing suspect involved in an incident that left an adult with serious injuries. The suspect's facial tattoos could be of assistance in locating him.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 19, 2025

Dennis Sun: Christmas Way Out West

Columnist Dennis Sun shares a Christmas poem by Rhonda Sedgewick Stearns

Dennis SunDecember 19, 2025

Jonathan Lange: Wyoming’s Delegation Delivered Coal for Christmas

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: The repeal of the Buffalo RMPA was a wonderful Christmas present to the people of Wyoming. Hageman, Barrasso, and Lummis preserved an entire economic ecosystem for generations to come.

Jonathan LangeDecember 19, 2025

Sheridan EMT And Family Escape Blaze But Lose Home In Wind-Whipped Fire

An EMT, his wife and their two young children escaped a blaze fanned by 50-mph winds early Thursday. Sheridan Fire and Rescue reported the winds hampered efforts to save the property, which burned to the ground. The family lost everything.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 19, 2025

With New Sublette County Helium Plant, Wyoming Will Supply 30% Of World's Helium

A new helium plant in Sublette County will boost Wyoming’s share of global helium output to about 30% and generate nearly $2 billion in taxes and royalties. The plant begins construction on May 1, 2026.

Renée JeanDecember 19, 2025

Five Wyoming Measles Cases Linked To Out-Of-State Travel

Wyoming health officials are urging people to protect vulnerable children and those who have compromised immune systems from the measles, following five new cases identified in Fremont County. The new cases were traced to out-of-state travel.

Renée JeanDecember 19, 2025

Lummis Announces She's Not Running For Re-Election

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, the first woman elected to the Senate from Wyoming, on Friday announced she is not running for a second term. She said, "“in the difficult, exhausting session weeks this fall I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me.”

Clair McFarland & Jimmy OrrDecember 19, 2025

Train derailment near the former town of Federal, Wyoming, on Friday, December 19, 2025

Massive Train Derailment Occurs 17 Miles Northwest Of Cheyenne

A BNSF train carrying dozens of double-stacked freight cars derailed early Friday morning northwest of Cheyenne. Although no cause has been given, residents blame the wind. "This is the worst wind we've ever seen, and it’s been blowing for days now."

Andrew Rossi & Jimmy OrrDecember 19, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, December 19, 2025

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsDecember 19, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Friday, December 19, 2025

Friday's headlines include: * 144 MPH Winds * House From Hell For Sale * Wildlife Chief On Delisting Grizzlies

Mac WatsonDecember 19, 2025

Scott Clem: Generosity, Not Scarcity, Built Wyoming's Wealth

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "Gov. Hathaway’s shift toward abundance and generosity cast a vision for the benefit of others. With a little sacrifice, the value of finite minerals could be multiplied through stewardship for the benefit of multiple generations."

Scott ClemDecember 19, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump displays an executive order with Howard Kessler (R) that Trump signed in the Oval Office of the White House on December 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. During the ceremony, Trump signed the order reclassifying marijuana as a schedule III drug.

Trump's Move To Soften Marijuana Rules Could Push Wyoming To Do The Same

Saying Americans should have more access to medical marijuana, President Donald Trump took steps Thursday toward downgrading its federal classification. The move could push Wyoming to do the same, or announce why it won’t.

Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2025

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz and wind farm

Wyoming AG Appeals Wind Lease Ruling As Gordon, Gray Clash Over Decision

Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday he's appealing a ruling that voided a wind lease on state lands. He said the appeal is bigger than the wind issue, as widespread interpretations of state laws also hinge upon it.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonDecember 19, 2025

Nearly four months after committee approval, U.S. Senate confirmation is imminent for Wyoming’s Brian Nesvik as head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sen. John Barrasso on Wednesday blasted Democrats for blocking Trump’s nominees.

New Wildlife Chief Brian Nesvik Says Grizzly Delisting Could Be Two Years Away

New U.S. wildlife chief Brian Nesvik told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that It could take another two years to work through an analysis of the data on grizzlies and reach a final decision regarding delisting. As for hunting, he said that would be left to the states to decide.

Mark HeinzDecember 19, 2025

Wyoming Manhunt For Fugitive Sex Assault Suspect Enters Second Month

Deputies in northern Wyoming have been searching for weeks for Anthony Pease, a Byron man reportedly wanted on six counts of felony sexual assault of a minor. Authorities believe people are helping the man avoid arrest.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025

Hageman Blames Southern Poverty Law Center For Inciting Political Violence

Rep. Harriet Hageman on Tuesday said the Southern Poverty Law Center demonizes mainstream conservatives and fosters a climate for political violence. At the hearing it was noted Charlie Kirk was labeled an extremist by the group one day before he was killed.

Sean BarryDecember 18, 2025

Wind-Whipped Fire Forces Cheyenne Families To Abandon Homes, Christmas Presents

Families scrambled to evacuate themselves and their pets after 70 mph winds sparked a fire south of Cheyenne on Wednesday evening threatening two subdivisions. More than 100 firefighters converged to put out the grassfires and 40 homes remained evacuated.

Renée JeanDecember 18, 2025

A snowmobile chases a wolf across a snowy landscape in Canada.

House Bill Targets Wolf ‘Whacking’ With Snowmobiles On Federal Land

For the second time in as many years, a bipartisan coalition introduced a bill in the U.S. House to ban using snowmobiles to run over wolves and other predators on federal lands. The act was inspired by the alleged wolf torture in Wyoming in 2024.

Mark HeinzDecember 18, 2025

Sued For Defamation, Former State Senator Says WyoFile Should Be Sued Too

Sued for defamation on claims he hurt the reputation of Casper businessman Reid Rasner, former state Sen. Anthony Bouchard is calling for the news outlet WyoFile to be sued as well after it republished another paper's story, which was critical of Rasner.

Clair McFarlandDecember 18, 2025

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