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State Rep. Christopher Knapp, R-Gillette, testifies for the House Minerals Business and Economic Development Committee on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

Anti-ESG Bill Hits Wall Of Opposition, Debate Will Continue Monday

An anti-ESG bill that would block investment into companies that go against Wyoming’s oil and gas industries hit a wall of opposition Friday. That includes state Treasurer Curt Meier, who said half his staff could walk out if the bill passes.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2025

State Rep. Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, has proposed a bill that would give more freedom to parents to homeschool their children.

Bill Would Give Homeschool Parents More Freedom Over What They Teach

A bill introduced Friday to the House Education Committee would give homeschool parents in Wyoming more freedom over what they teach. It’s a plan that also has the support of the state’s top education official.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 17, 2025

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem testifies at her confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security under President-elect Donald Trump.

GOP Senators Confident Kristi Noem Can Secure Border As Head Of Homeland Security

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem promised Friday to secure America’s southern border with Mexico as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Homeland Security.

Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 17, 2025

State Reps. Elissa Campbell, R-Casper, left, and Ken Chestek, D-Laramie, debate the "What is a Woman Act" on the House floor Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Capitol in Cheyenne.

Debate Gets Heated On House Floor Over “What Is A Woman Act”

A heated Wyoming House floor debate over the “What is a Woman Act” erupted Thursday. Supporters say it’s needed to protect women, while opponents say it sets people up for invasive genital checks.  

Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2025

Gillette, Wyoming, police confirmed Thursday they are investigating the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center. A cause of death hasn’t been released.

88-Year-Old Patient Found Dead Outside Gillette Assisted Living Center

Gillette, Wyoming, police confirmed Thursday they are investigating the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center. A cause of death hasn’t been released.

Jen KocherJanuary 16, 2025

State Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, apologizes on the Senate floor Thursday for his Tuesday call-out of Sen. Eric Barlow's voting recordon abortion.

“I Apologize”: Hicks Backs Off Call-Out Of Committee Chair’s Abortion Voting Record

Wyoming Sen. Larry Hicks apologized Thursday for criticizing Sen. Eric Barlow over his voting record on abortion to keep him from being name chairman of a committee. Barlow says he won’t get caught up in “divisive rhetoric or political theater.”

Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025

Between Friday and Tuesday, Wyomingites will experience the coldest temperatures of the winter season so far. Don Day says to expect dangerously low wind chills, black ice and wind-driven snow squalls. In this file photo, all three are happening along a Wyoming highway.

Subzero Surge To Bring Snow Squalls, Black Ice And Dangerous Wind Chills

Between Friday and Tuesday, Wyomingites will experience the coldest temperatures of the winter season so far. Don Day says to expect dangerously low wind chills, black ice and wind-driven snow squalls.

Andrew RossiJanuary 16, 2025

The Wyoming House killed an amendment brought by a Jackson Democrat Mike Yin that would have expanded a proposed bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters to all voters.

House Kills Democrat’s Amendment To Make All Voters Show Proof Of Citizenship

The Wyoming House killed an amendment by a Jackson Democrat that would have expanded a proposed bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters to all voters.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 17, 2025

State Sens. Jared Olsen, left, and John Kolb during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

Laws Making It Easier To Kick Out — Or Arrest — Squatters Sail Through Committee

Two bills that would make it easier to kick squatters out, and sometimes arrest them, sailed through a Wyoming legislative committee Thursday. The bills would let police intervene in an area of law that is typically handled in civil courts.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2025

A Chinese bitcoin mining facility near F.E. Warren Air Force Base just west of Cheyenne was shut down by the Biden administration as a potential national security threat.

Bill Banning Foreign Adversaries Setting Up Shop Near Critical Areas Advances

The Senate Appropriations Committee gave a unanimous thumbs up Thursday to a bill that would ban foreign adversaries from setting up near critical infrastructure in Wyoming.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2025

Noncitizen drivers license sample 1 16 25

Senate Committee OKs Bill To Make Non-Citizen Status Stand Out More On State IDs

A Wyoming Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill Thursday that will make someone’s non-citizen status stand out more on Wyoming IDs. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says it’s needed to help prevent election fraud.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum pledges to boost America’s energy supply as secretary of the Interior. During his confirmation hearing Thursday, John Barrasso implored him to stop the feds from “punishing the West.”

Barrasso Looks To Trump Interior Nominee To Stop Feds From “Punishing The West”

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum pledges to boost America’s energy supply as secretary of the Interior. During his confirmation hearing Thursday, John Barrasso implored him to stop the feds from “punishing the West.”

Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 16, 2025

Mark Chanez

Casper Man Who Said He Had 1,000 Child Porn Pics To Help Police Pleads Not Guilty

A 59-year-old Casper man who DCI investigators linked to more than 1,000 images and video of child pornography pleaded not guilty. Thursday. He also allegedly told investigators he collected the porn to help police.

Dale KillingbeckJanuary 16, 2025

Wyoming Stock Growers Assocition Executive Vice President Jim Magagna testifies against an eminent domain bill for the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. Inset, committee member Rep. John Eklund, R-Cheyenne.

Controversial Eminent Domain Bill Passes Over Protests From Ag, Energy Industries

Wyoming legislators passed a controversial eminent domain bill Thursday that would ban anyone except public utilities from using eminent domain to take land for electrical systems. Both the state’s ag and energy industries argued against it.

Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2025

The Pilot Travel Center at 289 Bear River Drive in Evanston, Wyoming. The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled the county can charge the state property tax for the parcel because it rents the land out for a non-governmental purpose.

Wyoming Lawmakers May Block Counties From Charging The State Property Taxes

Wyoming lawmakers may pause a state Supreme Court ruling that allows counties to charge state government property taxes. The high court ruled in October that the state can be charged for renting property for non-governmental purposes.    

Clair McFarlandJanuary 16, 2025

Kelly Melvin

Missing Green River Pilot Found Dead In Crash Near Rock Springs

Search crews that have scoured a mountainous region of Sweetwater County, Wyoming, for a missing pilot and plane since Tuesday afternoon found the pilot dead amid signs of a plane crash Wednesday afternoon.  

Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso introduced a bill Jan. 15, 2025, that could withhold U.S. money for the World Health Organization over its pandemic policies. The president and two-thirds of the Senate would have to OK any pandemic money for the group.

Barrasso Again Takes Aim At World Health Organization Over Pandemic Policies

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso introduced a bill Wednesday that could withhold U.S. money for the World Health Organization over its pandemic policies. The president and two-thirds of the Senate would have to OK any pandemic money for the group.

Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 16, 2025

Left: Dr. Rich Guggenheim, director of legislation for Gays Against Groomers testifies in favor of House Bill 32 on Jan. 15, 2025. Right: Wyoming Equality Executive Director Sara Burlingame testifies against HB 32.

House Committee Passes Wyoming’s “What Is A Woman Act” After Confrontational Testimony

Wyoming’s “What is a Woman Act” to define men and women biologically cleared its first hurdle Wednesday, passing out of a House committee. But not before the national Gays Against Groomers group took shots at Wyoming’s LGBTQ advocacy organization.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025

Secretary of State Chuck Gray testifies in favor of strengthening Wyoming's voter ID laws.

Bills To Tighten Voter Registration In Wyoming Sail Through House Committee

Two bills that would tighten requirements to register to vote in Wyoming sailed through a House committee on Wednesday. They would require living in the state for at least 30 days and prove U.S. citizenship to vote.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025

The Granite Creek Ranch, which was listed for nearly $9 million in Jackson, Wyoming, has been bought by billionare Joe Ricketts.

Billionaire Joe Ricketts Plans Luxury Resort With Teton County Ranch He Bought

Billionaire Joe Ricketts has announced his plans for the Granite Ranch in Teton County, which he bought last fall. It will be a swanky luxury resort, echoing many of the same themes as his abandoned Homestead Resort project in Bondurant.

Renée JeanJanuary 15, 2025

State Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams sponsored a bill to keep government DEI out of public schools, which passed out of the House Education Committee on Jan. 15, 2025.

House Committee Unanimous On Keeping DEI Out Of Wyoming Schools

A Wyoming House committee unanimously advanced a bill Wednesday prohibiting all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) government mandates and instruction in state schools.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025

The House Rules Committee, including Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, discuses replacing traditional roll call votes with electronic push-button voting.

Legislature Could Replace Traditional Roll Calls With Push-Button Voting

The House Rules and Procedure Committee passed a rule Wednesday that will set the stage for potentially using electronic, push-button voting at the Legislature. Votes are now conducted by a traditional roll call.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 16, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon delivers his 2015 State of the State address at the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne.

Gordon Asks Legislature To Not Be “Cheap, Short-Sighted” With His $692M Budget Ask

Gov. Mark Gordon urged legislators during his State of the State speech Wednesday to use common sense and not be “cheap, short-sighted” with his $692 million supplemental budget request.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025

Turbine blades and Eagle Butte mine via Alamy 1 15 25

Wyoming Doubles Down On Wind Blade Disposal In Coal Mines, Tabling Alternative

Wyoming legislators tabled a bill Wednesday that would have created landfill deposits at wind farm sites to dispose of their worn-out turbine blades. State agencies say coal mine disposal — just approved by federal government — is better.

Renée JeanJanuary 15, 2025

Tyler Jordan Hall

Montana Fitness Guru Faces Jail For Selling Unapproved Drugs To Fight Man Boobs

A Montana fitness-based business owner faces jail time for illegally selling bodybuilding drugs that fight "man boobs." He pleaded guilty to selling drugs not approved by the FDA, says the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.

David MadisonJanuary 15, 2025

A vew from the top of Little Mountain southwest of Rock Springs, Wyoming, in this file photo.

"Ground Disturbance" Found Near Rock Springs Could Be Missing Plane

Authorities are searching an area near Little Mountain southwest of Rock Springs for a missing Wyoming man and his plane where a “ground disturbance” has been found. The plane went missing Tuesday and a night-searching helicopter deployed that evening.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Energy Chris Wright testifies during his Senate Energy and Natural Resources confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Wright On Track: Trump’s Pick For Energy Secretary Headed For Confirmation

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for energy secretary, oil company executive and technology innovator Chris Wright, sailed through a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday.

Sean Barry for Cowboy State DailyJanuary 15, 2025

Wyoming Republican Party Vice Chair David Holland.

Head Of Wyoming Democrats Slams GOP State Vice Chair For Racist Post

The head of the Wyoming Democratic Party is slamming as racist a post shared by state GOP Vice Chair David Holland. Holland says the post was a joke, isn’t racist and that people are too uptight about being politically correct.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 15, 2025

State Rep. Laurie Bratten, R-Sheridan

Freshman Lawmakers Vote Down Court Program For Offenders With Mental Illness

Five freshman legislators on the Wyoming House Judiciary Committee voted down a bill Wednesday that would have given courts an option to send people who commit minor crimes into mental health treatment before they’re convicted.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2025

The Wyoming House of Representatives members are sworn in on the first day of the 2025 Wyoming General Session, Jan. 14, 2025, at the state Capitol in Cheyenne.

Politicking Already In Full Swing As Legislature Sworn In, Begins 2025 Session

The 68th Wyoming Legislature was sworn in Tuesday, officially opening the first session for the Freedom Caucus holding a majority. And politicking is already in full swing at the state Capitol in Cheyenne.

Leo WolfsonJanuary 14, 2025

Daily Features

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"Sunrise over La Bonte Creek, Converse County, Wyoming. January 8, 2025. (my birthday)"
PinYour Wyoming Sunrise: Friday, January 17, 2025

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by Kellie Clausen. Kellie writes, "Sunrise over La Bonte Creek, Converse County, Wyoming. January 8, 2025. (my birthday)"

Photo by Kellie Clausen

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

Opinion

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Rod miller headshot scaled

Rod Miller: The Big Empty Needs One Good Lawless County

Rod Miller writes, “The legislature can set aside a few hundred-thousand acres in Wyoming for the malcontents and the ungovernable. Let them fend for themselves on their own little piece of heaven.”

Rod MillerJanuary 12, 2025

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Joan Barron: Freedom Caucus Calling For Unity Is “The Big Switcheroo.”

Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The biggest surprise to me was the declaration that the Freedom Caucus will strive for unity this session. This is a real switcheroo for a group that banned traditional Republican lawmakers from their caucuses."

Joan BarronJanuary 11, 2025

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Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Fans Love Josh Allen – Bills Play Broncos In Playoffs Sunday

Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Can you believe Josh Allen has been gone from UW for seven years? I never saw a player like him. He was super-human. He was our superman.”

Bill SniffinJanuary 11, 2025

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