Headlines

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

Cowboy State Daily Radio Newscast: Monday, November 24, 2025

Monday's headlines include: * The Josh Allen Weekend * Wolves Smart Enough For Tools? * Rural EMS Crews Struggle With Funding

Mac WatsonNovember 24, 2025

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 1866 236-mile ride through a blizzard from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous. This painting depicts Portugee arriving at Fort Laramie.

Wyoming History: The 236-Mile Blizzard Ride Dubbed 'Greatest In History'

John “Portugee” Phillips’ legendary 236-mile ride through a blizzard in 1866 from Forts Phil Kearny to Laramie has been dubbed by some as "the greatest ride in history." Now a historian says new evidence suggests the ride may have been less perilous.

Jackie DorothyNovember 23, 2025

A Hypacrosaurus skeleton on display at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis in Indiana.

Paleontologists Think They've Figured Out A Way To Determine A Dinosaur's Gender

Have paleontologists found a way to tell the gender of a dinosaur? Based on some sexual kinks, preserved in their bones for over 66 million years, it’s a possibility. It seems that while male dinosaurs got some tail, they broke some tail -- and that's key.

Andrew RossiNovember 23, 2025

Susan Bigelow of Sheridan caring for her mother at home.

Wyoming’s ‘Sandwich’ Generation: 106,000 Caring For Children, Aging Parents

More than 106,000 Wyomingites are unpaid caregivers for an aging parent, and many do so while also juggling full-time jobs and raising children. Some are forced into early retirement, putting their savings at risk.

Renée JeanNovember 23, 2025

Dave Montgomery built a Wyoming media empire with grit and creativity, partnering with NFL legend Kenny Stabler to create sports history. Now retiring, Montgomery’s stories about The Snake mark the end of a wild, influential era of broadcasting.

Working With Kenny Stabler: Wyoming Radio Man Recalls Wild Days With The Snake

Wyoming radio man Dave Montgomery has had a wild ride in his career, but none more interesting than his time with NFL Hall of Famer, Kenny Stabler. With Stabler, he witnessed the last days of a pre-internet golden age where cell phones, thankfully, didn't exist.

David MadisonNovember 23, 2025

Gerald Crist of Greybull, Wyoming, has a staredown with a penguin at McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

The 'Greybull Mafia' Who Kept Antarctica Research Station Running

The town of Greybull sent a disproportionately large number of workers to Antarctica in the '80s and '90s to keep the McMurdo Station research outpost running. Called the 'Greybull Mafia,' years on the ice at minus 80 forged friendships and even marriages.

Wendy CorrNovember 23, 2025

The new Taco John's has modernized, including using AI and data analytics to challenge Taco Bell's youth market. Inset is one of the first Taco John's in Cheyenne, along with an updated restaurant near the state Capitol.

Wyoming-Born Taco John's Taps Big Data To Challenge Taco Bell's Youth Market

Although Wyoming-born Taco John’s is turning to data wizards in New York to help them compete with Taco Bell’s youth market, some of its biggest hits have come locally. Like the stuffed grilled taco, which a student invented from Glenrock High School.

David MadisonNovember 23, 2025

Volunteers load up a Clear Creek Wood Bank rack that holds one-seventh of a cord.

The Innovative "Wood Bank" In Buffalo That Provides Free Firewood For People In Need

"The first person who showed up to Buffalo's Clear Creek Wood Bank was missing a leg,” the founder said. “He was in tears. He couldn’t believe we were going to keep his house warm. He was a veteran; he was everything we were trying to achieve.”

Dale KillingbeckNovember 23, 2025

Tyler and Stephanie Spear of Laramie say they not only love Josh Allen for what he's done for University of Wyoming football and the state, but that he's a good role model for their kids.

He Didn’t Grow Up Here, But Wyoming Loves Josh Allen Because He’s ‘A Cowboy’

Decked out in full Josh Allen gear, the Spear family made attending Saturday’s University of Wyoming football game a mini vacation. “Josh’s character is really good for these kids to look up to,” said mom, Stephanie Spear.

Anna-Louise JacksonNovember 23, 2025

Researchers claim that wolves pulling on lines to steal bait from underwater crab traps is proof that they’re “using tools.” But some wolf experts dispute that idea.

Researchers Say Wolves Are Smart Enough To Use Tools

Wolves have been stealing bait from underwater crab traps in British Columbia which some researchers claim amounts to “tool use." Some Rocky Mountain wolf experts say it’s impressive behavior, but a stretch to call it that.

Mark HeinzNovember 23, 2025

Lawrence K. Lunt spent the last years of his life writing and traveling between Tucson, Belgium, and Saratoga, Wyoming.

Wyoming History: The CIA Informant Who Survived 14 Years In A Cuban Prison

Wyoming rancher Lawrence Kirby Lunt Jr. moved to Cuba, became a CIA informant, and was imprisoned for 14 years after being caught by Fidel Castro’s regime. He was freed in a 1979 prisoner swap brokered, in part, by Wyoming Gov. Ed Herschler.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 23, 2025

Big game carcasses are butchered at Yellowstone Wild Game Processing near Bozeman, Montana.

Fewer Wyoming Wild Game Butchers Struggle To Keep Up With Hunter Demand

Butcher shops that will process hunters’ wild game meat are getting fewer and farther between in Wyoming. That means this time of year the ones left are doing a booming business — and struggling to keep up with hunter demand.

Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2025

Clair McFarland: What I Want To Say Before The Bots Take Over

Clair McFarland writes: "Artificial intelligence is threatening to replace real human beings with the sum of our least complete thoughts. But for the space of this column, let me be an individual."

Clair McFarlandNovember 22, 2025

Former University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at midfield during halftime of Saturday's Nov. 22, 2025, game against Nevada to have his No. 17 retired. He got a huge ovation from the crowd, especially when he concluded his remarks with, "And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!"

‘I Love You Guys’: Josh Allen Gets Huge Ovation As His No. 17 Retired By UW

“I love you guys,” Josh Allen proclaimed as nearly 30,000 fans exploded at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday as the University of Wyoming retired his No. 17 jersey. It was almost as big a pop as when he concluded with, “And it will always suck to be a CSU Ram!”

Anna-Louise JacksonNovember 22, 2025

The TIV2 (Tornado Intercept Vehicle) was made famous by the Discovery television series "Storm Chasers." A Colorado man now owns the Mad Max-style weather chasing tank and uses it to pursue tornadoes across Wyoming and the High Plains.

Famous Mad Max Weather Tank Chases Tornadoes Across Wyoming And High Plains

A Colorado storm chaser was in Cheyenne last week to show off his TIV2 Mad Max-style weather tank made famous by the Discovery TV show “Storm Chasers.” He said he uses it to chase tornadoes in eastern Wyoming, Nebraska and northeast Colorado.

Renée JeanNovember 22, 2025

Sister Refuses To Give Up Search 6 Years After Casper Man Vanished

Jose Mendoza disappeared on a trip home to Casper six years ago after visiting his mother in Utah. He also left behind mysterious clues that his sister believes point to someone harming him, and she refuses to give up the search for him.

Jen KocherNovember 22, 2025

Utah Population To Explode To 5.6 Million People By 2065, Wyoming On Pace For 1 Million In 170 Years

A new research study says Utah's population will grow from 3.6 million people now to 5.6 million people by 2065. Neighboring Wyoming, however, won't hit 1 million people for 170 years at its current pace of 0.4% growth.

Andrew RossiNovember 22, 2025

Joan Barron: UW Tax Exemptions Have Laramie Steamed

Columnist Joan Barron writes, “The amount of property tax income lost to the City of Laramie and to Albany County from the University of Wyoming exemption totals about $4 million to more than $5 million a year. And the citizens would prefer the payments be in cash."

Joan BarronNovember 22, 2025

Mass-casualty training for volunteers sponsored by Campbell County Health in August in preparation for the Pathfinders Camporee in Gillette.

Rural Wyoming EMTs Struggle To Keep Ambulances Rolling — Even When Wheels Fall Off

Wyoming’s rural EMS crews are struggling to keep their ambulances rolling amid staff shortages, aging equipment, and a $30 million annual funding gap. They even have to adapt when the wheels literally fall off during an emergency transport.

Scott SchwebkeNovember 22, 2025

This year’s undefeated football championship run by the Sheridan Broncs was business as usual since former Head Coach Don Julian started a winning tradition current Head Coach Jeff Mowry continues. The secret to their success? Building leadership skills during retreats in the woods. A program describing the retreats includes photos of trust exercises and the team circled up for prayer.

The Secret To Sheridan High Football's 55-0 Dynasty: Blindfolds And Book Clubs

The Sheridan Broncs completed their fifth consecutive undefeated football season last week, extending their state record winning streak to 55 games. They say their success is built on trust exercises and exercising their minds through book clubs.

David MadisonNovember 22, 2025

Susan Denker of Cheyenne says she owes her life to her poodle Lily, who alerted a friend after Denker suffered a heart attack.

Hero Poodle Named Lily Saves Cheyenne Woman's Life After Heart Attack

A Cheyenne woman credits her poodle Lily for saving her life after having a heart attack. “If it hadn't been for Lily alerting my friend, I would not be talking to you, because they did pronounce me dead at one point,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Zakary SonntagNovember 22, 2025

Former University of Wyoming quarterback, and reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen visits with current UW football players Friday night after arriving in Laramie ahead of Saturday's halftime ceremony to retire his No. 17 jersey.

Josh Allen Is In Laramie, And Fans Are Going Nuts For His UW Return

From buying thousands of bobbleheads to chugging beers, fans in Laramie are going nuts for Josh Allen’s celebrated return to the University of Wyoming. He arrived in Laramie on Friday, and one fan compared Allen’s return to the second coming of Christ.

Anna-Louise JacksonNovember 22, 2025

Harriet Hageman says California has neglected its water infrastructure while demanding more Colorado River water from Wyoming. She says it and other Lower Basin states need to get in gear with that before going after more from Upper Basin states.

Hageman Says California Needs To Get In Gear, Stop Going After Wyoming’s Water

Harriet Hageman says California has neglected its water infrastructure while demanding more Colorado River water from Wyoming. She says California and other Lower Basin states need to get in gear with that before going after more from Upper Basin states.

Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2025

Guest Column: Dick Cheney's Checkered Conservation Legacy

Western Watersheds Project's Erik Molvar writes, "Cheney had one major conservation achievement: the Wyoming Wilderness Act of 1984. Otherwise, his record was dominated by environmental destruction."

Guest ColumnNovember 21, 2025

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