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5 Shocking Facts About The Cody Enterprise: From Buffalo Bill’s Founding To The Modern AI Scandal

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As of December 19, 2025, the *Cody Enterprise* remains one of the most historically significant local newspapers in the American West, yet its storied 125-year legacy was recently tested by a sensational and unprecedented scandal involving the use of artificial intelligence. This twice-weekly publication, co-founded by the legendary William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, found itself at the center of a national debate on journalistic ethics after a reporter was caught fabricating quotes using generative AI for multiple news stories. The incident has thrust the small-town newspaper into the spotlight, forcing a critical examination of trust and truth in local media. This deep dive explores the full profile of the *Cody Enterprise*, from its iconic frontier beginnings in the late 19th century to its current ownership and the profound challenge it now faces in restoring public confidence following one of the first known cases of deliberate AI-driven fabrication in a major U.S. newsroom.

The Cody Enterprise: Institutional Biography and Profile

The *Cody Enterprise* is more than just a newspaper; it is a historical pillar of Park County, Wyoming, intrinsically linked to the founding and development of the town it serves. Its institutional profile is a rare blend of Wild West history and modern media challenges.

  • Publication Type: Twice-weekly newspaper (Print and Digital).
  • Location: Cody, Wyoming, situated near the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
  • Founders: William "Buffalo Bill" Cody and Col. John Peake.
  • Year Founded: August 1899.
  • Town Founding: The newspaper was established just three years after Buffalo Bill Cody founded the town of Cody in 1896.
  • Current Ownership: Blackbird LLC, an independent Wyoming publisher led by J. Louie Mullen.
  • Historical Significance: It is one of the few continuously operating newspapers directly founded by a legendary figure of the American frontier.
  • Key Coverage Area: Local news, government, business, tourism, and community events within Cody and the Bighorn Basin region.

From Buffalo Bill’s Vision to AI Scandal: A Legacy Under Scrutiny

The foundation of the *Cody Enterprise* is an integral part of the narrative of the American West. William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, a showman, scout, and entrepreneur, co-founded the paper in August 1899 with Col. John Peake.

Buffalo Bill’s intention was clear: to promote his newly established town of Cody, Wyoming, and attract settlers, investors, and tourists to the Bighorn Basin. The paper served as a vital tool for civic promotion, chronicling the town’s ambitious early days, including major irrigation projects and the establishment of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Over the decades, the *Enterprise* maintained its role as the primary voice of the community. Notable figures like Caroline Lockhart, a celebrated novelist and journalist, served as editor and publisher in the early 20th century, cementing the paper's reputation for robust, if sometimes colorful, local reporting.

In a significant shift in recent years, the newspaper was acquired by Blackbird LLC, led by J. Louie Mullen, as part of a trend of independent publishers consolidating local Wyoming news outlets. This ownership change positioned the paper to navigate the financial pressures facing the modern newspaper industry.

However, no challenge in its long history compares to the recent crisis of journalistic integrity. In a story that made national headlines, a novice reporter for the *Cody Enterprise* was found to have fabricated quotes and even entire sources for at least four articles by using generative artificial intelligence tools.

The scandal was exposed not by an internal audit, but by a competing local news organization, the *Powell Tribune*. The reporter quickly resigned, and the *Enterprise* attached corrections to the compromised articles, acknowledging the profound breach of trust with its readership.

The Digital Dilemma: Journalistic Integrity in the Age of Generative AI

The AI fabrication incident at the *Cody Enterprise* has become a landmark case, positioning the Wyoming newsroom as "ground zero" for fears about the misuse of artificial intelligence in journalism.

The core issue was the deliberate creation of fictitious quotes to fill out news stories, a practice that directly violates the fundamental principles of verifiable reporting. This wasn't a case of a simple error; it was a clear act of deception that utilized modern technology to mimic authentic human voices and interviews.

In the aftermath, the *Enterprise* publisher and editor issued a public apology, vowing to implement stricter editorial safeguards and training to ensure such an event could never happen again. The incident sparked immediate discussions across the industry about the ethical boundaries of AI integration, particularly in small newsrooms that often operate with limited staff and tight deadlines.

For a community like Cody, where local news is a vital source of information about everything from the Cody Stampede to Yellowstone tourism updates, the breach of trust is particularly damaging. The reliance on local reporters to cover critical topics like city council meetings, Park County governance, and the local economy makes journalistic integrity a non-negotiable asset. The paper's response and commitment to transparency moving forward are now crucial to rebuilding its credibility with the community.

The scandal serves as a stark warning to other local news organizations globally: the pressures of the digital age cannot justify shortcuts that compromise the truth. The *Cody Enterprise* is now tasked with leading the charge in demonstrating how a historic newspaper can adapt to new technologies while fiercely protecting its core mission of factual reporting.

Serving the Bighorn Basin: The Enterprise’s Role Beyond the Headlines

Despite the recent controversy, the *Cody Enterprise* remains an essential institution in the Bighorn Basin. Its coverage extends far beyond local politics and into the heart of what makes Cody a unique place to live and visit.

The newspaper is a critical partner to the local tourism industry, frequently covering events and attractions that drive the local economy. Stories about the opening of Yellowstone National Park gates, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and local outdoor recreation opportunities are staples of the *Enterprise*'s twice-weekly run.

Furthermore, the paper’s dedication to community life is evident in its consistent coverage of local high school sports, civic achievements, and public safety announcements from the Cody Police Department. This deep local focus ensures that residents are informed about the events that directly affect their daily lives, from grizzly bear relocations handled by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to city planning initiatives.

The *Cody Enterprise* acts as a historical record for Park County, preserving the stories of its citizens and the evolution of a town founded by one of America's most famous figures. Its archives, a valuable resource for historians and researchers, chronicle over a century of life in the shadow of the Absaroka Range.

As the *Enterprise* moves forward, its challenge is to leverage its deep historical roots and community trust to overcome the digital-age crisis. By recommitting to transparent, verifiable, and ethical journalism, the paper can ensure that Buffalo Bill Cody’s legacy—a voice for the town of Cody—endures for another century.

5 Shocking Facts About The Cody Enterprise: From Buffalo Bill’s Founding to the Modern AI Scandal
cody enterprise cody wyoming
cody enterprise cody wyoming

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