Headlines

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

Chris McGuire retired in October after 35 years as a Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatcher, where she handled everything from blizzards to domestic disputes. It's a job for an adrenaline junkie with an eye for detail and bedside manner of a doctor.

Last Call For Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatcher After 35 Years Of Chaos And Crisis

After 35 years as a dispatcher with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Chris McGuire has retired. Handling everything from domestic disputes to blizzards, long hours were a constant, she said. During one snowstorm, she worked 37 hours straight.

Jen KocherDecember 06, 2025

Move over Jackson — two national lists are claiming a place called Sleepy Hollow in Albany County near Laramie is Wyoming’s richest small town. But it doesn’t exist, sparking debate over whether faulty artificial intelligence is behind the ranking.

Sleepy Hollow Near Laramie Named Wyoming’s Wealthiest Town — But It Doesn’t Exist

Move over Jackson — two national business publications are claiming a place called Sleepy Hollow (allegedly near Laramie) is Wyoming’s richest small town. But the town doesn’t exist, sparking debate over whether faulty artificial intelligence is behind the ranking.

Renée JeanDecember 06, 2025

Her name was Florence, but everyone called her Flo, which had double meaning for a woman who lived life in constant motion. That’s how hundreds of people in Jackson remembered Florence McCall-Phillips on Saturday, June 28, 2025, a week after her sudden death.

Jackson Man Agrees To 10-12 Years In Prison For DUI Crash That Killed Photographer

A Jackson man agreed to plead guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI for a June 21 crash that killed a photographer riding her bicycle near South Park Loop. Jody Utter faces 10-12 years in prison if the judge accepts the plea deal.

Clair McFarlandDecember 06, 2025

Mike Stephens holds up a photo of the view from his land that will be permiated with wind turbines if a proposed wind project is completed. He sued the state over leasing public land to the company.

Judge Rules For Landowner, Stops Controversial Wind Lease In Converse County

A Converse County district judge has sided with a local rancher and reversed the State Board of Land Commissioners' approval of a wind energy lease. The judge said the project doesn't meet the state's own definition of wind energy leasing because it won't connect to the electrical grid.

David MadisonDecember 06, 2025

Skinned black bear paws eerily resemble human hands, said bear hunter Owen Miller, who provided this photo of a skinned bear paw.

‘Human Hand’ Found In Park County Dump Turns Out To Be Skinned Bear Paw

A freaky-looking severed “human hand” reportedly found at the Park County dump turned out to be a skinned bear paw. Outdoorsman Owen Miller said it is an easy mistake to make because, when skinned, they can look so much like human hands it's "creepy."

Mark HeinzDecember 06, 2025

Laramie Teacher Surprised With $25,000 Milken Award — The 'Oscar Of Teaching’

Garrid Halsey, a STEM teacher at Laramie Middle School, received the Milken Educator Award in a surprise assembly Friday. Considered the “Oscar of teaching,” the award comes with an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a $25,000 check.

Andrew RossiDecember 05, 2025

Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell, from left, Gov. Mark Gordon, and state Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan.

Legislators Grill Wyoming Business Council, Say It ‘Picks Winners And Losers’

The Wyoming Business Council was grilled by legislators this week over its $111.8 million budget request, while Gov. Mark Gordon recommends it receive about half that. At least one legislator wants to eliminate the agency.

Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025

Dennis Sun: It Takes Two to Engage

Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The last convention of the year will be the WSGA Winter Roundup in Casper on Dec. 8-10 at the Ramkota Hotel. This winter meeting is a great place to engage, express opinions and learn about opportunities in the cattle industry. And, you can bet your voice will be heard."

Dennis SunDecember 05, 2025

Jonathan Lange: We Need a Realistic Approach to Teen Suicide

Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “We have had a 500-percent spike in teen suicides that hardly anybody talks about. What happened? What accounts for such an alarming increase?”

Jonathan LangeDecember 05, 2025

When bad weather hits and drivers see road closure gates lowering in Wyoming, some motorists race to get past them before they’re down. In the process, many gates have been hit and destroyed. Not to mention, being on a closed road is a bad idea.

Drivers Are Destroying Road Closure Gates By Racing Past Them Before They Lower

When bad weather hits and drivers see road closure gates lowering in Wyoming, some race to get past them before they’re down. In the process, many gates have been hit and destroyed. Not to mention, being on a closed road is a bad idea.

Andrew RossiDecember 05, 2025

Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory, from left, Bill Phillips, Jacob Yingling, and Michael Woods, conducting research for the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment.

Breakthrough: Idaho Lab Produces World’s First Molten Salt Fuel For Nuclear Reactors

Idaho National Laboratory announced a breakthrough this week that it’s created the world’s first molten salt fuel for nuclear reactors. That has Wyoming’s growing nuclear industry excited for its potential use in advanced nuclear power plants.

Kate MeadowsDecember 05, 2025

A glitch in the software of this electronic sign at Alpine Animal Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming, shows it's minus 196 degrees. If true, it would by far be the coldest place ever recorded on the planet.

Polar Vortex Is About To Make Things A Lot Colder Across Wyoming

The Arctic polar vortex is expected to move south, which some say will lead to the coldest, harshest winter in years. Wyoming meteorologist Don Day plays down those dire predictions, even though he says the frigid air would make Wyoming colder.

Andrew RossiDecember 05, 2025

Why Does Gas Cost 70-80 Cents A Gallon Less In Denver Than Cheyenne?

An aggressive gas price war in the Denver metro area has prices there as low as $1.67 a gallon, while in Cheyenne the average is $2.45. Industry experts say there are several reason why motorists there are paying so much less.

Scott Schwebke & Greg JohnsonDecember 05, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, December 5, 2025

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

Jake NicholsDecember 05, 2025

Cowboy State Daily Radio Newscast: Friday, December 5, 2025

Friday's headlines include: * I Didn’t Shoot, Says Road Rage Trucker * Former Wyoming Schools Chief Remembered * Daughter Of Police Chief Gets Jail For Poisoning Dog

Mac WatsonDecember 05, 2025

Scott Clem: Why Would We Give More Power To State Government?

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "Will changing the constitution benefit some while harming many others? I question the wisdom of transferring more of the people's inherent power to the government. Am I the only one?"

Scott ClemDecember 05, 2025

Daughter Of Rock Springs Police Chief Gets 42 Days For Poisoning Roommate's Dog

The daughter of the Rock Springs, Wyoming, police chief was sentenced to 42 days in jail and $2,224 restitution Wednesday for poisoning her roommate’s dog, leading to its having to be put down.

Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025

Allie Coghan was one of the original seven plaintiffs who sued the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority in 2023, saying it broke faith with its members by admitting a transgender member amid special treatment during the election process the previous autumn. She's pictured here at the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver in May 2024.

UW Graduate In Transgender Sorority Member Lawsuit Speaks At White House

A former University of Wyoming student who sued her sorority for admitting a transgender member spoke Wednesday at a White House education event. She joined a discussion on political bias in U.S. universities.

Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025

Tucker Bass, 12, of Shoshoni caught this 2-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass in Fremont County. It sets the new world record in the 4-pound line class, junior divison.

Father And Son Named Bass Reel In Wyoming’s First World-Record Largemouth

When John and Tucker Bass moved from Tennessee, they were unsure about Wyoming’s bass fishing. Then Tucker, 12, caught a world record-setting largemouth bass in Fremont County.

Mark HeinzDecember 04, 2025

Former Laramie Mayor, Lobbyist Accused Of Stealing From Mental Health Group

Former Laramie mayor and lobbyist Andi Summerville is accused of stealing over $31,000 from a Wyoming mental health nonprofit she led, facing eight felony charges after investigators found unauthorized purchases and self-written checks.

Clair McFarlandDecember 04, 2025

Guest Column: Keeping Public Lands in Public Hands is a Wyoming Value

Alex Bakken writes, "Here's an invitation for Sens. Barrasso and Lummis and Rep. Hageman to affirm something that already unites this state by joining leaders from neighboring states as members of the Public Lands and Senate Stewardship caucuses."

Guest ColumnDecember 04, 2025

Residents Trash Cheyenne Homeless Center, Closing It For Holidays

Clients have trashed rooms at Cheyenne’s Journey Center for Families, a nonprofit for the homeless operated by COMEA, forcing the organization to close for the holidays. The center says it won’t reopen until sometime next year.

Dale KillingbeckDecember 04, 2025

The USGS estimates 4.7 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas remains in the Mesaverde-Lance formations in southwest Wyoming. Combined with other recent assessments, federal scientists have identified enough undiscovered gas to supply the country for 18 months.

Feds Say Southwest Wyoming Is Sitting On Trillions Of Cubic Feet Of Natural Gas

The USGS estimates 4.7 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas remains under southwest Wyoming. Combined with other recent assessments, federal scientists have identified enough gas to supply the entire country for 18 months.

David MadisonDecember 04, 2025

Former Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole and her husband Glenn

Former Wyoming Schools Chief Judy Catchpole Dies, Remembered For Humor, High Energy

Wyoming’s leaders, past and present, are mourning the loss of former Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole, who died on Thursday at the age of 81. Catchpole is remembered for her boundless energy, sense of humor and advocacy for children.

Jimmy OrrDecember 04, 2025

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