Leo Wolfson
Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.
Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.
Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
UW Wants $1.5M From State For Its Share Of $2.7B NCAA Settlement To Pay Athletes
The University of Wyoming asked legislators Tuesday for $1.5 million more to help run the athletics department. The school is facing a shortfall after paying out its share of a massive $2.7 billion NCAA settlement with student-athletes.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2024
Wyoming Bitcoin Company Gets $4.1 Million In Chinese Crypto Mine Settlement
Wyoming-based Bison Blockchain will receive $4.1 million in a settlement over a Chinese-owned cryptocurrency mine in Cheyenne. The Chinese company was shut down by President Joe Biden earlier this year over national security risks.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2024
Wyoming Car Dealers Not Surprised By Utah Man Who Drove New Car Into Dealership
When a Utah Mazda dealership wouldn’t take back a new car, the angry customer drove it through the front doors. While extreme, Wyoming car dealers say they’re not surprised.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2024
Legislators Say They’re Not Going To Give Gordon A Blank Check For Wildfires
The Joint Appropriations Committee grilled members of Gov. Mark Gordon’s staff Monday about how much it will cost to fix the damage caused by Wyoming’s historic wildfire season. They also said they’re not willing to give Gordon a blank check.
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024
Cheyenne Council Passes Controversial Ban On Huge RVs Parking On City Streets
Despite vocal — and at times emotional — opposition, Cheyenne City Council on Monday passed a ban on parking huge RVs and other “oversized” vehicles on city streets. The only exceptions are during the summer months or with a permit.
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024
Democrats, Freedom Caucus, Unhappy With Legislative Committee Assignments
Democrats and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus are both unhappy with some of the committee assignments for the upcoming session. The Freedom Caucus condemns Senate appointments in particular, saying committees will be controlled “by Liz Cheney Republicans.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024
Trump Says He Won’t Go After Cheney For J6 Committee, But She Should “Go To Jail”
President-elect Donald Trump said on “Meet The Press” on Sunday that he will not direct his top law enforcement officials to go after Liz Cheney and members of the J6 Committee, but believes they “should go to jail.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 09, 2024
Wyoming Dems Upset With Legislative Committee Assignments; Neiman Says He Tried To Be Fair
Although Democrats say they are outraged after Saturday’s announcement of committee assignments for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, incoming House Speaker Chip Neiman said he tried to be as fair as possible.
Leo WolfsonDecember 08, 2024
Students, Parent Argue Against Banning Cellphones In Wyoming Schools
Wyoming teens and a parent say there are good reasons for students to have cellphones at school. They argue banning them won’t be a slam dunk answer to poor test scores and lack of socialization, and could increase safety risks.
Leo WolfsonDecember 07, 2024
Lummis Joins Elon’s DOGE Push In “Herculean Effort” To Cut Government Pork
Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has joined the DOGE Caucus in Congress to help Elon Musk and the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to cut government pork. Lummis said Friday it will be “a Herculean effort” to slash spending by $2 trillion.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Insiders Speculate Biden Will Issue Pardon For Liz Cheney
Although the New York Times and Politico are reporting that President Biden may issue a preemptive pardon for Liz Cheney, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, an attorney, believes it’s an “absolutely absurd” proposal which would turn “justice on its head.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Legislator Wants To Ban Cellphones In Wyoming Classrooms
Kids using cellphones during class at school has gotten out of hand, says state Sen. Wendy Schuler. She's proposing legislation that would ban cellphones in class across Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Wyoming Hasn’t Had A Democrat In Congress Since Teno Roncalio, 46 Years Ago
It’s been 46 years since Wyoming was represented by a Democrat in Congress. That was Teno Roncalio, who served five terms in the U.S. House, ending in 1978.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Study: Wyoming Third Worst State For Personal Freedoms
A new study from the Libertarian-leaning Cato Institute finds that Wyoming is the third worst state in the nation for personal freedoms. Bringing the state down is education, drug laws and incarceration rate.
Leo WolfsonDecember 05, 2024
BLM Expects Controversial Rock Springs Plan To Be Final Before Biden Leaves
Gov. Mark Gordon will make a last effort to fight the finalizing of the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs Resources Management Plan. But a Wyoming BLM official expects the plan to be made final before President Joe Biden leaves office.
Leo WolfsonDecember 05, 2024
Legislators Table Bill To Protect Utility Companies From Wildfire Lawsuits
The Joint Minerals Committee expressed interest in a bill that would have given public utilities liability protection from wildfire lawsuits. Legislators ultimately killed the plan Monday, saying it’s not ready.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024
Hated By Many Republicans, Democrats Also Blast Liz Cheney For Supporting Harris
Already hated by many Republicans, it seems independents and Democrats also weren’t big fans of Liz Cheney’s support for Kamala Harris against Donald Trump. A new poll shows Cheney many have actually hurt her chances.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024
Wyoming’s Sleeping Giant Ski Area Is For Sale, Listing At $500,000
The owner of Sleeping Giant Ski Area near Cody, Wyoming, says he's "not running away" from the business, but he listed the resort for sale Tuesday. He wants $500,000 from a strategic partner to help run the resort, or for someone to buy it outright.
Leo WolfsonDecember 03, 2024
“Larger Than Life”: Former UW Football Coach Dana Dimel Dies At 62
Former University of Wyoming football coach Dana Dimel was a popular figure while coaching the Pokes from 1997-1999. He died Tuesday at the age of 62.
Leo WolfsonDecember 03, 2024
Biden Pardoned His Son; Will Trump Do The Same For Jan. 6 Participants?
Wyomingites have mixed opinions about whether President-elect Donald Trump will, or should, pardon participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Some say Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son makes Jan. 6 pardons easier for Trump.
Leo WolfsonDecember 03, 2024
Former Laramie Council Hopeful Pleads To Sabotaging Wyoming Public Radio Equipment
Former Laramie City Council candidate Paul Montoya has pleaded no contest to sabotaging Wyoming Public Radio equipment. He maintains his innocence, telling Cowboy State Daily on Monday the charges weren’t “worth the time and expense” to bring.
Leo WolfsonDecember 03, 2024