Politics and Government Reporter

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.

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U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman visits with staff from the Sheridan Veterans Administration facility Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Hageman, House Committee Staff Visit Sheridan VA To Investigate Complaints

U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman and Republican staff from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs visited the Sheridan VA on Thursday after receiving multiple concerning reports about the facility.

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

Twice-Deported Man Accused Of Smuggling 18,000 Rounds Of Ammo Skips Court

A twice-deported Mexican immigrant with suspected cartel-ties accused of smuggling 18,000 rounds of ammunition through Wyoming skipped federal court Friday. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

Charlie Kirk Tells UW Students To Reject Woke Ideologies, Traditional College Education

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk implored an audience at the University of Wyoming on Thursday night to cast away traditional liberal beliefs and woke ideologies

Leo WolfsonApril 25, 2025

State Treasurer Plans To Invest Billions To Help Bring Manufacturing To Wyoming

State Treasurer Curt Meier said he has plans to use $1 billion to $1.5 billion of the state’s investment earnings to bring more manufacturing to Wyoming. The timing of this proposal is in direct alignment with President Trump’s ongoing tariff war, he said.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

The Sheridan Broncs walk out on War Memorial Field before their 4A championship game Nov. 16, 2024.

Wyoming Activities Association Consider Allowing High School Athletes To Get Paid

High school athletes in Wyoming may be soon able to make money off their athletic performance. The Wyoming High School Activities Association is considering a policy that would allow athletes to pursue Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals in the Cowboy State.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Lummis Has More Than $1.5M So Far For 2026 Race, Campaign Finance Reports Show

Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis so far has more than $1.5 million at her disposal heading into her 2026 race for reelection. That’s after she and her PAC raised about $420,000 in the first quarter of the year, according to campaign finance reports.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

On the floor of a natural gas drilling rig, roughnecks move 25-ton blocks over a section of drilling pipe 8 miles north of Evanston, Wyoming, in this file photo.

Wyoming Union Group Says Gordon Not Doing Enough To Prevent Workplace Deaths

The Wyoming State AFL-CIO says Gov. Mark Gordon has not done enough during his time as governor to prevent workplace fatalities. Worker deaths spiked by 25% last year to the highest rate per capita in the country.

Leo WolfsonApril 24, 2025

Headquarters for the Wyoming Republican Party at 1714 Capitol St. in Cheyenne.

Wyoming GOP Slams Lawsuit Brought By ‘Liz Cheney Republicans’

The Wyoming Republican Party slammed the Hot Springs County GOP and a former state legislator Wednesday as "Liz Cheney Republicans" in response to a lawsuit against the state party’s efforts to tell the county party how to conduct its elections.

Leo WolfsonApril 23, 2025

Liam Cobb, 19, a wind turbine technician from Dougals, died from a fall while working on a turbine in Carbon County. His family says he’ll be remembered for his kindness and intense curiosity about the world.

Mom Says 19-Year-Old Wind Tech Who Jumped From Turbine Struggled Long Before Death

Cristy Cobb, the mother of a 19-year-old wind energy technician who died when he jumped from a turbine earlier this month, said he battled mental health issues long before his death. She wants his story to now help others.

Leo WolfsonApril 23, 2025

$A fracking rig in Wyoming in this file photo.$

Unpopular Choices May Be Ahead To Pay For Wyoming Schools As Minerals Money Shrinks

How Wyoming can make up for declining oil and gas revenues to fund public schools was a main topic of discussion at a state trust land forum held in Laramie on Tuesday. It could mean some unpopular choices may be ahead to raise money.

Leo WolfsonApril 22, 2025

Hot Springs County Republicans Sue ‘Soviet-Style Politburo’ State Party

The new leadership of the Hot Springs County Republican Party has sued the state GOP over a decision it made earlier this month to reject county election results and call for a recount. In the lawsuit, the county calls the state party a “Soviet-style politburo.”

Leo WolfsonApril 22, 2025

Bryan Miller, left, and Rebecca Bextel are running for the top leadership position in the Wyoming Republican Party.

Two-Horse Race To Be Next Chairman Of Wyoming Republican Party

Wyoming is one of the reddest states in the nation politically, which makes leading the Republican Party in the Cowboy State a high-profile position with influence. There’s a two-horse race for GOP state chairman.

Leo WolfsonApril 21, 2025

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Bigfoot came out of wherever he hides out in the woods to make a rare public appearance Wednesday night in Fort Collins, Colo. Going by the stage name Saxsquatch, the baddest sax-blowing bigfoot in the forest, came out of hiding to play a concert.

Saxsquatch, The Baddest Sax-Blowing Bigfoot, Comes Out Of Hiding For Concert

Bigfoot came out of wherever he hides in the woods to make a rare public appearance Wednesday night in Fort Collins, Colo. Going by the stage name Saxsquatch, the baddest sax-blowing bigfoot in the forest, put on a monstrous concert.

Leo WolfsonApril 19, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon meets with members of Wyoming's military stationed in the Middle East.

Gordon On Middle East, Asia Tour To Build Wyoming’s International Business Profile

Gov. Mark Gordon is piling up the frequent flier miles on a Middle East and Asia tour to build Wyoming’s international business profile. He’s also meeting with Wyoming military stationed overseas.

Leo WolfsonApril 18, 2025

Luke Talich (28) closes in on a ball carrier during last weekend's spring game for the University of Notre Dame football program. Talich was a walk-on to the powerhouse team as a freshman and earned a scholarship and playing time last season as a sophomore. He's on track to be a starter on the Irish defense in the fall.

Cody’s Luke Talich Dominates Spring Game, Could Start For Notre Dame Football

Cody native Luke Talich has gone from a walk-on to full scholarship football player for the University of Notre Dame. After dominating on defense in the annual spring game, Talich is a strong contender to earn a spot in the starting lineup.

Leo WolfsonApril 18, 2025

Wyoming Delegation Strikes Back Against Judicial Activism, Criticism Of Trump

Wyoming’s congressional delegation says people shouldn’t be concerned with the Trump administration’s criticism of judges. Instead, they should be worried about judicial activism.

Leo WolfsonApril 17, 2025

State Lands Will Generate Close To $250 Million For Wyoming Schools This Year

Wyoming has a new Office of State Lands and Investments director in Stacia Berry, tasked with balancing public access and earning income. This year, Wyoming’s public lands are expected to generate close to $250 million for Wyoming schools.

Leo WolfsonApril 17, 2025

Cheyenne resident Joseph Kibler is so far the only declared candidate for Wyoming governor. The socially conservative Republican admits he’s “a nobody” and that his chances are beyond a longshot.

Republican Candidate For Wyoming Governor Admits He’s ‘A Nobody’

Cheyenne resident Joseph Kibler is so far the second declared candidate for Wyoming governor. The socially conservative Republican admits he’s “a nobody."

Leo WolfsonApril 16, 2025

Public Broadcasting Chief Calls Cuts ‘Devastating,’ Trump Says PBS “Very Biased”

The chairwoman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, who lives in Riverton, Wyoming, says Trump’s promise to cut funding for PBS and NPR would be “devastating.” Trump says the organization is “very biased” and pushes liberal agendas.

Leo WolfsonApril 16, 2025

University of wyoming student union 8 8 23

It’s Not Known If The 6-10 UW Students Who Had Visas Revoked Are Still On Campus

The University of Wyoming says six to 10 international students have had their visas revoked by President Donald Trump’s administration. The university says it doesn’t know why the visas were revoked or if any of the students are still on campus.

Leo WolfsonApril 16, 2025

The University of Wyoming confirmed to Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, that “a few” international students have had their visas to be in the United States revoked. Just how many students and why isn’t clear.

University of Wyoming International Students Have Visas Revoked

The University of Wyoming confirmed to Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday that “a few” international students have had their visas to be in the United States revoked. Just how many students and why isn’t clear.

Leo WolfsonApril 15, 2025

In a “WKRP In Cincinnati”-inspired test, Cowboy State Daily columnist Rod Miller demonstrated the dangers of drunk driving. On a closed-course demonstration hosted by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, he took shots and drove a riding lawnmower through cones.

National Police Conference To Feature Laramie County Drunk Driving Lawn Mower Test

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said the WKRP-inspired video of Wyoming columnist Rod Miller getting drunk and then driving on a riding lawnmower will be getting some national exposure. The video, which illustrates the dangers of drunk driving, will be featured at a national police conference.

Leo WolfsonApril 15, 2025

Gov. Mark Gordon, left, and Dr. Eric Cubin.

Judge Tosses Casper Doctor’s Lawsuit To Get Back On Wyoming Board Of Medicine

A federal court judge threw out Casper radiologist Eric Cubin’s lawsuit against Gov. Mark Gordon on Monday, rendering a blow to his effort to get back on the Wyoming Board of Medicine.

Leo WolfsonApril 15, 2025

Wyoming’s congressional delegation and Secretary of State Chuck Gray say that the SAVE Act will not prevent married women from registering to vote. They say those claims and more by Democrats are “radical left” hype and “a complete fallacy.”

Wyoming Delegation, Chuck Gray Say Opposition To SAVE Act Is ‘Radical Left’ Hype

Wyoming’s congressional delegation and Secretary of State Chuck Gray say that the federal SAVE Act will not prevent married women from registering to vote. They say those claims and more by Democrats are “radical left” hype and “a complete fallacy.”

Leo WolfsonApril 15, 2025

Park County Animal Shelter Director Resigns Over Cat Abortions Policy

Cody resident Jona Harris recently resigned her position as executive director of the Park County Animal Shelter over the shelter’s policy to perform spay abortions on pregnant cats.

Leo WolfsonApril 14, 2025

The Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube channel already has nearly 220,000 views this year, more than all of 2024. Politics is becoming more of a spectator sport as more people watch livestreamed meetings and floor debates.

Legislature’s YouTube Views Explode As Politics Becomes More Of A Spectator Sport

The Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube channel already has nearly 220,000 views this year, more than all of 2024. State politics is becoming more of a spectator sport as more people watch livestreamed meetings and floor debates.

Leo WolfsonApril 14, 2025

Members of the 1949 Reliance state championship basketball team. Top row, from left: Coach Jack Smith, Ronald Wilson, Robert Burns, Tony Tsakakis, Everett Hernandez, John Fortuna, George “Bud” Nelson, Stan Kouris, Claude Thomas, Walter Sawick, assistant coach Thomas Manatos. Bottom row: Manager Henry Telck, George Jelaco, Michael Fresques, James Rafferty, William Strannigan, Ernest Mecca, Spiro Varras.

Wyoming’s ‘Hoosiers’: How Tiny Reliance Beat The Unbeatable To Make Run At 1949 Title

Forget Hollywood, Wyoming had its own real “Hoosiers” Cinderella story in 1949. That’s when the high school basketball team from the tiny coal town of Reliance beat the unbeatable, defending state champion Cheyenne High School, to make the title game.

Leo WolfsonApril 12, 2025

A judicial nominating commission tasked with helping Wyoming's governor fill a seat left vacant by the state Supreme Court’s chief justice has nominated three candidates for his consideration, including Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill. She's seen here during a fireside chat with state attorneys general presented by the Techology Policy Institute.

Gordon Appoints Attorney General Bridget Hill To Wyoming Supreme Court

Gov. Mark Gordon announced Friday that he’s selected Attorney General Bridget Hill to fill an upcoming opening on the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Leo WolfsonApril 12, 2025

Liam Cobb, 19, a wind turbine technician from Dougals, died Wednesday from a fall while working on a turbine in Carbon County. His family says he’ll be remembered for his kindness and intense curiosity about the world.

19-Year-Old Wyoming Wind Technician Dies In Fall From Turbine

Liam Cobb, 19, a wind turbine technician from Douglas, died Wednesday from a fall while working on a turbine in Carbon County. His family says he’ll be remembered for his kindness and intense curiosity about the world.

Leo WolfsonApril 11, 2025

Barrasso, Lummis Support Selling Off Public Land For Affordable Housing

Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday they support a Trump administration plan to sell federal land to help ease an affordable housing crunch.

Leo WolfsonApril 10, 2025