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When the Mount St. Helens volcano blew its top on May 18, 1980, former Powell resident Valerie Pierson was a young forester at the site. She ran for her life that day, and also met the man she would marry.

Former Powell Woman Recalls Being At Mount St. Helens When It Erupted 46 Years Ago

When the Mount St. Helens volcano blew up on May 18, 1980, a longtime Powell resident was a young forester at the site. "I glanced up at the mountain, and I saw the top of it shaking. And then I watched the whole thing come right off," she said.

Wendy CorrMay 16, 2026

A Cheyenne attorney and his father, a former Wyoming attorney general, saw what they describe as a huge, super-bright UFO driving Highway 59 in 1991. How 35 years later, Richard Barrett says he’s still trying to figure out what they saw.

35 Years After UFO Encounter, Cheyenne Man Still Trying To Figure Out What He Saw

A Cheyenne attorney and his father, a former Wyoming attorney general, saw what they described as a huge, super-bright UFO while driving on Highway 59 in 1991. Now 35 years later, Richard Barrett says he’s still trying to figure out what they saw.

Dale KillingbeckMay 16, 2026

Drivers on a Texas highway stopped under an overpass during a hailstorm caused a traffic jam and outraged people stuck out in the hail. It’s not legal, and trying that in Wyoming would get someone a ticket — or worse if they cause a crash.

No, You Can't Legally Park Under A Wyoming Overpass During A Hailstorm

No more how tempting it is to park your car under an overpass during a hailstorm, it's illegal. Not only does it impede traffic but could cause major pileups. For emergency vehicles, not being able to get through could mean a matter of life or death.

Andrew RossiMay 16, 2026

Two people are dead after what Casper police describe as a domestic-related shooting Friday between two people at or near this parking lot who knew each other. “I watched them pull a stretcher out here,” says a neighbor who witnessed the aftermath."

2 Dead In Casper Shooting Involving People ‘Known To Each Other’

Two people are dead after what Casper police describe as a domestic-related shooting Friday between two people who knew each other. “I watched them pull a stretcher out here,” said a neighbor who witnessed the aftermath."

Kolby Fedore & Dale KillingbeckMay 16, 2026

A black bear was shot and killed late Friday morning in a subdivision north of Cheyenne. This is the second black bear spotted in the Cheyenne area this week. The property owner gave a neighbor, who had a bear hunting tag, permission to shoot the bear.

Black Bear Killed In Subdivision North Of Cheyenne; 2nd Bear In Area This Week

A black bear was shot and killed late Friday morning in a subdivision north of Cheyenne. This is the second black bear spotted in the Cheyenne area this week. The property owner gave a neighbor, who had a bear hunting tag, permission to shoot the bear.

Mark HeinzMay 15, 2026

U.S. Attorney Darin Smith

Judges Dismiss Nine Felony Cases, Including Murder, Over Darin Smith Misconduct

Wyoming’s federal judges on Friday dismissed nine felony-level criminal cases, including one first-degree murder case, due to prosecutorial misconduct through “inflammatory and inappropriate” comments interim U.S. Attorney nominee Darin Smith made to a grand jury.

Clair McFarlandMay 15, 2026

John Knepper, left, and Artemis Langford.

Wyoming Lawyer Not Liable For Embarrassing Claims In Trans Sorority Member Lawsuit

An attorney who tried getting a court to void the membership of a University of Wyoming transgender sorority member was found not liable Friday for personal and embarrassing claims he and his co-counsel included in the bombshell case's public court file.

Clair McFarlandMay 16, 2026

Rebecca Bextel, a conservative political activist from Teton County, is running for the Constitution Party's nomination for governor in hopes of getting enough votes to make the Constitution Park Wyoming third major political party.

Constitution Party Hopes Bextel Run For Governor Makes Wyoming A Three-Party State

Running Rebecca Bextel as a Constitution Party nominee for governor is part of a larger strategy to get enough votes to make Wyoming a three-party state. “We are transitioning from a protest party to a legitimate party,” says the party’s chairman.

Clair McFarlandMay 15, 2026

Wyoming’s world-famous Fossil Cabin was built from more than 6,000 dinosaur bones, weighs 52 tons and was a target for vandals along U.S. Highway 30. It made a nail-biting, 7-mile crawl this week to a new permanent home at the Medicine Bow Museum.

Wyoming’s Fossil Cabin, ‘World’s Oldest Building,’ Moved To Medicine Bow Museum

Wyoming’s world-famous Fossil Cabin was built from more than 6,000 dinosaur bones, weighs 52 tons and was a target for vandals along U.S. Highway 30. It made a nail-biting, 7-mile crawl this week to a new permanent home at the Medicine Bow Museum.

Renée JeanMay 15, 2026

A Fremont County man faces 17 animal cruelty charges after deputies say they found dogs and 12 puppies living in a trailer without food and covered in feces. The “overwhelming odor of feces” was so bad a HAZMAT team had to recover the animals. Above, some of the puppies recovered from the trailer.

Fremont County Man Accused Of Keeping Puppies In House Of Horrors Covered In Feces

A Fremont County man faces 17 animal cruelty charges after deputies say they found dogs and 12 puppies living in a trailer without food and covered in feces. The “overwhelming odor of feces” was so bad a HAZMAT team had to recover the animals.

Kolby FedoreMay 15, 2026

The East Entrance of Yellowstone opening this month was a big day for Cody businesses, but Google Maps told visitors it was closed. Randomly closing Yellowstone entrances in Wyoming is an ongoing problem that's no closer to being fixed, officials say.

Why Google Maps Keeps Closing Yellowstone’s East Entrance When It’s Open

The East Entrance of Yellowstone opening this month was a big day for Cody businesses, but Google Maps told visitors it was closed. Randomly closing Yellowstone entrances in Wyoming is an ongoing problem that's no closer to being fixed, officials say.

Andrew RossiMay 15, 2026

Donny Paul of Cody likes to go bear hunting in the Bighorn Mountains.

Wyoming Hunter Angry After Putting Out Bait, Then Another Uses It To Shoot Bear

A Park County hunter is angry after putting out bear bait only to have other hunters use his bait to shoot a bear. He says that’s “unethical and immoral,” while one of the other hunters says they never got close and it’s a misunderstanding.

Mark HeinzMay 15, 2026

Rather than a luxury expansion, the new owners of Meadowlark Ski Resort in Washakie County plan to keep it small. “There are going to be some skeptics” because “you have a group from Florida who came in and bought a mountain,” the new owner admits.

New Owner Of Meadowlark Ski Resort Says He Wants To Keep It Small

Rather than a luxury expansion, the new owners of Meadowlark Ski Resort in Washakie County plan to keep it small. “There are going to be some skeptics” because “you have a group from Florida who came in and bought a mountain,” the new owner said.

Renée JeanMay 15, 2026

Andrew Beau Barrett

Casper Man Who Bit Deputy’s Finger Off, Barks Like Dog Gets 28-35 Years In Prison

A 40-year-old Casper man who bit the tip of a deputy’s finger off and barked like a dog at a judge was sentenced Friday to 28-35 years in prison. He was on parole for earlier nearly biting off the finger of a hospital security guard.

Dale KillingbeckMay 15, 2026

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'Trump Interstate' Proposed For All 1,800 Miles Of Highway 287, Lummis Supports

The 460 miles of Highway 287 in Wyoming would be called the "Trump Interstate" if federal legislation passes renaming the entire highway stretching from Texas to Montana. The "I-47 Future Interstate Act" would designate US-287 as a future interstate.

Greg Johnson & Kolby FedoreMay 14, 2026

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a judge’s block of the state’s $50 million school choice program. State schools chief Megan Degenfelder says she’s “thrilled by the unanimous decision” and plans to reopen school choice immediately.

Wyoming Supreme Court Overturns Block On $50 Million School Choice Program

The Wyoming Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a judge's block of the state’s $50 million school choice program. State schools chief Megan Degenfelder says she’s “thrilled by the unanimous decision” and plans to reopen school choice vouchers immediately.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

Quality Technology Services data center Georgia Elijah Nouvelage Bloomberg via Getty Images 5 13 26

Georgia 30 Million Gallon Water Grab Puts Cheyenne Data Centers Under New Scrutiny

When a Georgia data center quietly drew 30 million gallons of water during a drought, no one noticed until residents’ water pressure dropped. This controversy is causing concern in Cheyenne where 70-some data centers are in various stages of discussion.

Renée JeanMay 14, 2026

Chase Christensen

After A Sheridan County Schools Chief Fired, Two Board Members Quit On The Spot

After a Sheridan county school board voted 3-2 Wednesday to terminate its superintendent’s contracts, two board members quit on the spot. A "lack of decision-making” by the board made the termination not surprising, says the former schools chief.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

Workers erect a tower to string power transmission lines in this image from Rocky Mountain Power.

Rocky Mountain Power Says 8.8% Rate Hike Request Not Because Of Data Centers

Rocky Mountain Power is asking Wyoming regulators for another rate hike prompted by rising costs, this time for 8.8%, the company announced Wednesday. “None of the increases ... have anything to do with data centers,” the company says.

Kate MeadowsMay 14, 2026

Raspberry, a favorite Yellowstone grizzly, is pictured here with her last cub, Little Bear.

Raspberry, The ‘Grizzly 399 Of Yellowstone’ Missing For A Year, Feared To Be Dead

It’s been a year since the last sighting of Raspberry, the “Grizzly 399 of Yellowstone.” She usually emerged in May and was highly visible from the road on the park’s east side. Fans are worried she's succumbed to an injury from a 2022 vehicle strike.

Mark HeinzMay 14, 2026

Russia’s state-run nuclear company owned Wyoming uranium assets until 2021. How that happened remains murky, wrapped in closed federal reviews. “No one knows how they got permits,” says the CEO of Uranium Energy Corp., which eventually bought out the Russians.

How Russia Controlled A Huge Chunk Of Wyoming Uranium, And How Wyoming Got It Back

Russia’s state-run nuclear company owned Wyoming uranium assets until 2021. How that happened remains murky, wrapped in closed federal reviews. “No one knows how they got permits,” says the CEO of the U.S. company that eventually bought out the Russians.

Renée JeanMay 14, 2026

Cody Roberts outside of Sublette County District Court on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Animal Groups Paid $15,000 To Cody Roberts Whistleblower In Wolf Abuse Case

A pair of animal welfare groups said Thursday they paid $15,000 to a whistleblower who “contributed meaningfully” to the criminal case against Daniel, Wyoming, wolf abuser Cody Roberts. They say the informant came forward “at great personal risk."

Kolby FedoreMay 14, 2026

The appartment complex where a fatal shooting happened in Riverton in the early morning hours of March 3, 2026.

Riverton Teen Charged With Shooting Friend In Head During Horseplay With Gun

More than two months after a Riverton 18-year-old was shot in the head during a night of drinking and horseplay with a gun, another teen has been charged with pulling the trigger. The teen reportedly said he “didn’t mean to do that” before running off.

Kolby FedoreMay 14, 2026

Wyoming’s largest livestock marketing company sold 9,000 head of cattle in a special drought sale on Wednesday when it typically sells 400-700 head a week. “Guys are selling because they’re droughted out,” said the owner of Torrington Livestock Markets.

Wyoming Ranchers Selling Off Cattle As Drought Tightens Grip Across State

Wyoming’s largest livestock marketing company sold 9,000 head of cattle in a special drought sale on Wednesday when it typically sells 400-700 head a week. “Guys are selling because they’re droughted out,” said the owner of Torrington Livestock Markets.

Kate MeadowsMay 13, 2026

Paul Norfleet, a sheep rancher who recently moved to Chugwater, spoke about the challenges of farming and said NextEra's Chugwater Energy Project would allow his ranch to make some money. That revenue, he said, would go toward regenerating the land.

450-MW Chugwater Wind And Solar Project Gets Unanimous OK From County Planners

A huge wind and solar project near Chugwater to generate 450 megawatts of wind and solar power was unanimously approved Wednesday by Platte County planners. "I want to be able to earn some money off my land,” said one rancher in support of the plan.

Kate MeadowsMay 13, 2026

Wyoming congressional delegation is firmly behind the Trump administration’s move to rescind the 2001 federal Roadless Rule. But opponents of doing away with the rule say that will get grizzlies killed and derail efforts to delist them.

Opponents Say Rescinding Roadless Rule Will Get Grizzlies Killed, Derail Delisting

At a press conference Wednesday to voice concern over the expected rescinding of the 2001 federal Roadless Rule in national forests, opponents said doing away with the rule will get more grizzlies killed and could derail delisting.

Mark HeinzMay 13, 2026

A day after Secretary of State Chuck Gray asked Fremont County commissioners to take “immediate” steps to eliminate a race-based county voting district, he sent a similar letter to Gov. Mark Gordon about Wyoming’s lone race-based state House district.

Gray Wants Gordon To Act To Change Wyoming’s Race-Based House Voting District

A day after Secretary of State Chuck Gray asked Fremont County commissioners to take “immediate” steps to eliminate a race-based county voting district, he sent a similar letter to Gov. Mark Gordon about Wyoming’s lone race-based state House district.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

Teton County GOP leader Rebecca Bextel during testimony Thursday for the House investigative committee about checks she handed out to legislators on the House floor on Feb. 9, 2026.

CheckGate's Rebecca Bextel Running For Governor With Wyoming Constitution Party

The Jackson woman who gained notoriety for passing out campaign donation checks on the state House floor is running for the Wyoming Constitution Party nomination to be governor. Rebecca Bextel announced it Wednesday morning, the party chair confirmed.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026

Bill Allemand 5 13 26

Allemand Going To White House, Gets A Break From Random Alcohol Tests

Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand, who was charged late last year with drunk driving, doesn’t have to undergo court-ordered random alcohol testing while he’s in Washington, D.C., with other lawmakers, a Buffalo-based magistrate has decided.

Clair McFarlandMay 14, 2026

Juliette Martinez, left, and Joseph Hanson

Cheyenne Parents Accused Of Killing 4-Month-Old Plead Not Guilty, To Have Trials

A Cheyenne mother charged with murder in the death of her 4-month-old son pleaded not guilty this week. That, along with an earlier not guilty plea from the father, sets the table for both parents to be tried for first-degree murder in separate trials.

Kolby FedoreMay 13, 2026

A suspicious package left near Gate 1 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base on Thursday, April 16, 2026, prompted an evacuation of nearby homes and the Wyoming State Capitol. “They came in and whispered in the governor’s ear,” then cleared the building.

What Was In Package Left At F.E. Warren That Evacuated Capitol Remains A Mystery

Cheyenne residents will likely never know what was in the package left at F.E. Warren Air Force Base last month that evacuated the neighborhood and state Capitol. “Yeah, I’d kind of like to know,” says a man whose granddaughter was locked down in school.

Greg JohnsonMay 13, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray (right) and Fremont County Commissioner Clarence Thomas

Chuck Gray Tells Fremont County To End Race-Based Districting Immediately

After the Supreme Court blocked a racial gerrymander, Secretary of State Chuck Gray told the Fremont County Commission on Tuesday to eliminate its race-based district. Commissioner Clarence Thomas said it's not about race but unique cultural divisions.

Clair McFarlandMay 13, 2026

Bob Beck, the longtime voice and leader of Wyoming Public Radio, returns Saturday for the University of Wyoming to give him its highest accolade — an honorary doctoral degree. “I am not speechless often,” says Beck, but he was about this surprise honor.

Bob Beck, Longtime Voice Of Wyoming Public Radio, To Get Honorary Doctorate From UW

Bob Beck, the longtime voice and leader of Wyoming Public Radio, returns Saturday for the University of Wyoming to give him its highest accolade — an honorary doctoral degree. “I am not speechless often,” says Beck, but he was about this surprise honor.

Wendy CorrMay 13, 2026

Glenn Patterson

70-Year-Old Cheyenne Man Accused Of Punching Kid In Face For Riding Bike Too Fast

An argument over riding a bike too fast in a Cheyenne park escalated to a 70-year-old man allegedly punching a 12-year-old boy in the face Monday. The man told police the boy called him a gay slur, then they both ended up with black eyes.

Kolby FedoreMay 13, 2026

Michelle St. Louis (left) is being sued by U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner (right) for defamation after making online comments about him.

Woman Sued By House Candidate Reid Rasner Urges Ban On Frivolous Lawsuits

After hearing the testimony Tuesday of a woman currently facing a defamation lawsuit by U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner, the Wyoming Joint Judiciary Committee voted to draft a bill to deter frivolous lawsuits that intimidate people into silence.

Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2026

Wyoming’s already hot nuclear sector just went global, with Taiwan and Wyoming signing an agreement on modular nuclear reactors to serve the island’s surging, AI-driven demand.

Wyoming Uranium Industry Could Boom With Taiwan's Embrace Of Nuclear

Wyoming’s already hot nuclear sector just went global, with Taiwan and Wyoming signing an agreement on modular nuclear reactors to serve the island’s surging, AI-driven demand. "This deal bodes well for Wyoming," said Wyoming mining honcho Travis Deti.

Renée JeanMay 12, 2026

RJ Kost 5 12 26

Park County GOP Sends Candidate No Confidence Letter Over Voter Registration Ad

The Park County GOP condemned the actions of former Sen. RJ Kost, who is running for office again, for placing a newspaper ad telling people how to change their party affiliation. They said his ad "undermines the principles of a constitutional republic."

Clair McFarlandMay 12, 2026

A coyote pushed its luck too far with a mountain lion in the Red Desert and ended up becoming supper. Most of the time, run-ins between the two end with both walking away unharmed. "It's a rough world out there," said biologist Franz Camenzind.

Coyote Loses Bid Against Mountain Lion In Red Desert, Ends Up Becoming Supper

A coyote pushed its luck too far with a mountain lion in the Red Desert and ended up becoming supper. Most of the time, run-ins between the two end with both walking away unharmed. "It's a rough world out there," said biologist Franz Camenzind.

Mark HeinzMay 12, 2026

Singer, songwriter Michael DeGreve played at Cheyenne's Hitching Post for 30 years

Cheyenne Musical Legend Michael DeGreve Dies At 78

Longtime Cheyenne performer Michael DeGreve, who sang at The Hitching Post six nights a week for 30 years, died Monday in Oregon. The singer, who performed with Neil Young, Graham Nash and other legends, had been battling prostate cancer, his wife said.

Zakary SonntagMay 12, 2026

Daily Features

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PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Sunday, May 17, 2026

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Dahl Simpson in Afton. Dahl writes, "It’s a beautiful frosty morning in Western Wyoming as the icicles on the fence cling for safety as the morning sunlight bids them farewell."

Photo by Dahl Simpson

Today's question to Don Day

Mark James Mullins of Douglas
In regard to your thunderstorm season article, can you reassess the data on a per-capita basis, especially when considering population of the states? It could affect me as I own a hill on my property which I plan a communications tower and likely will have a lightning rod installed when it goes in.
Don Day
FEMA has a good lightning database that takes into account lightning risk, potential property loss, etc. based on population and lightning frequency. Data is available on a county by county basis. Lots and lots of lightning data available here which may help in quest for more lightning information. https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/lightning
DD

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Opinion

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Joan Barron

Joan Barron: Time To look At Home Rule Again

Columnist Joan Barron writes, “The growing public concern over the crush of data projects, the huge man camps and gambling parlors show that the influx is too much to absorb, and needs to slow down.”

Joan BarronMay 16, 2026

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Bill Sniffin: Three Women and Three Unusual Deaths; Hantavirus Outbreak Memories

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “During my long newspaper career, I covered many strange deaths. These three were probably among the strangest involving exotic diseases not expected to be found in Lander.”

Bill SniffinMay 16, 2026

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Fred Harrison: The Authentic Family — How Courts, State Diminished The Human Person

Columnist Fred Harrison writes, "In 1960, just 5.3 percent of children were born out of wedlock. Today, non-marital births hover at 40 percent, and a quarter of American children grow up without a father — driving poverty, crime, and generational trauma."

Fred HarrisonMay 15, 2026

Wyoming Life

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Crime & Courts

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