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
Hageman Picked As Chairwoman For House Anti-Woke Caucus
Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman was named chairwoman of the House Anti-Woke Caucus on Monday. The caucus is dedicated to fighting the growing influence of "woke" ideologies in government, business and society.
Leo WolfsonDecember 31, 2024
Cheyenne Woman Recalls Grilling Jimmy Carter With Questions When She Was 12
Cheyenne resident Susan Allen will likely never forget the moment when then-President Jimmy Carter picked up the phone and talked to her. It was 1977, she was 12 and asked the president what he does to unwind and his thoughts on solar power.
Leo WolfsonDecember 31, 2024
$100M Kelly Parcel Sale One Of The Largest Of Its Kind In American History
The sale of the Kelly Parcel in Teton County to Grand Teton National Park for $100 million became official Monday. It’s one of the largest federal government purchased from the Land and Water Conservation Fund in its nearly 60 year history.
Leo WolfsonDecember 30, 2024
Wyoming Leaders Remember Former President Jimmy Carter
Although not regarded as an effective president, Wyoming leaders who interacted with Jimmy Carter said he had an affable spirit and a kind heart. "He was a marvelous human being," former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson told Cowboy State Daily.
Leo WolfsonDecember 29, 2024
After Decades Of Debate, $100 Million Sale Of Kelly Parcel Is Final
The controversial Kelly Parcel land transfer in Teton County is finally complete after decades of negotiations and debate between Wyoming officials and the federal government. Gov. Mark Gordon announced Friday that he’s officially certified the sale.
Leo WolfsonDecember 28, 2024
Extension Keeps Rural Wyoming Connected For Remote Health Care
Tucked into the government spending bill that averted a shutdown this past weekend is something important for rural Wyomingites. It’s an extension of remote health care.
Leo WolfsonDecember 25, 2024
It Didn't Help U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas' Fear Of Flying When A Door Flew Off Mid-Flight
Late U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas didn’t like heights and really didn't like flying -- especially after after experiencing a door flying off mid-flight. But that didn't stop him from flying back to Wyoming almost every week while serving in Washington.
Leo WolfsonDecember 25, 2024
Casper Legislator Wants Special Elections, Not Appointments, To Fill Vacancies
Casper Republican Steve Harshman wants to change how Wyoming fills its top elected seats when there are vacancies. He says there should be special elections, not appointments from political parties.
Leo WolfsonDecember 23, 2024
Wyoming’s State Planes Get Some Criticism; Others Say They Pay For Themselves
Wyoming’s two current state planes were purchased during former Gov. Jim Geringer’s administration. He recalled the time when the door flew off mid-flight while he and U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas were onboard. “He about lost it,” Geringer laughed. “I don’t blame him.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 23, 2024
Cody Native Living Dream As Notre Dame Makes Run For College Football Title
Cody native Luke Talich was on the field Friday as Notre Dame beat Indiana to advance in the College Football Playoffs. He told Cowboy State Daily that the playoffs are another chapter of an incredible season for the walk-on from Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Wyoming Delegation Votes To Avoid Shutdown, Praises Trump And Musk’s Leadership
Wyoming’s congressional delegation voted to pass a temporary spending measure Friday night that will keep the federal government from shutting down. Cynthia Lummis praised Donald Trump and Elon Musk for exhibiting leadership while Biden didn’t.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Trump, Congress May Get Rid Of Those Annoying Twice-A-Year Clock Changes
People who hate daylight saving time and changing their clocks twice a year may finally have something to look forward to. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to get rid of it, and so do congressional Republicans.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Bill Would Require Tighter Regulation Of Wyoming Abortion Clinics And Doctors
State Rep. Martha Lawley is bringing back a bill Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed this past session to require tighter regulation of Wyoming abortion clinics and doctors. Opponents call it an attempt to end abortions in the state.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Musk-Trump Spending Overhaul Has Congress Scrambling To Avoid Shutdown
Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman supports President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s overhaul of a 1,500-page spending package. Their 116-page version failed Thursday night with a Friday shutdown deadline looming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 20, 2024
Chuck Gray Wants Legislators To Ban Ballot Drop Boxes In Wyoming
Secretary of State Chuck Gray said during a press conference Thursday that he plans to push legislation banning ballot drop boxes in Wyoming. He also wants Wyoming legislators to pass a number of other election security bills.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2024
Legislator To Resurrect Landmark Bill To Eliminate Wyoming Property Taxes
State Rep. Steve Harshman is bringing back a landmark property tax bill for the upcoming session that would eliminate property taxes for most Wyoming homeowners. To make up for that lost revenue, the state sales tax rate would be increased.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2024
Freshman Legislator To Reintroduce Bill To Define Gender At Birth In Wyoming
Casper Republican Jayme Lien promises to reintroduce one of the most high-profile bills of the last session in the What is a Woman Act. It would define gender as a person’s biological sex at birth for use of bathrooms and other public facilities.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2024
Trump Says Liz Cheney ‘Could Be In A Lot Of Trouble’ Over New Jan. 6 Report
President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney “could be in a lot of trouble.” A House subcommittee report released Tuesday calls for an investigation into Cheney for alleged witness tampering.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2024
Residents Outraged As Laramie Council Gives City Manager $43,000 Raise
Despite getting an earful from local residents, Laramie City Council gave its longtime city manager a $43,000 raise Tuesday. It’s a nearly 25% hike from her current salary, and brings the position in line with other larger Wyoming city managers.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2024
Wyoming Legislator Mad State Pharmacy Board Still Won’t Allow Public Comment
The Wyoming State Pharmacy Board continued Tuesday not allowing public comment at its meetings. That includes Casper state Rep. Jeanette Ward, who is calling out the group for not listening to public input on the closure of a Cheyenne pharmacy.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2024
John Bear Thinks Micro Plants Could Help Wyoming Coal, Create Power Autonomy
State Rep. John Bear is promoting the development of micro coal-fired power plants to serve Wyoming communities across the state. It’s a concept he says could help stabilize coal, attract industry and create power autonomy.
Leo WolfsonDecember 17, 2024
House Committee Accuses Liz Cheney Of “Criminal Witness Tampering”
A U.S. House committee report released Tuesday accuses Liz Cheney of “criminal witness tampering” during the Jan. 6 Select Committee hearings. One Wyoming political opponent calls the report a sign of how “dishonest the Cheneys really are.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 17, 2024
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto Is Running For DNC Vice Chair
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto is running to be vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. If elected, he would become the first Wyoming resident since former Gov. Nellie Tayloe Ross in 1928 to hold a DNC leadership position.
Leo WolfsonDecember 17, 2024
Bill Would Allow Concealed Carry In Wyoming Schools With “Enhanced” Permit
The sponsor of a bill that would allow concealed carry of firearms in Wyoming schools with an “enhanced” permit says it’s a compromise to repealing gun-free zones. There’s a strong chance those zones could be banned in the upcoming legislative session.
Leo WolfsonDecember 16, 2024
Author Gets Heat For Grizzly 399 Children's Book Put Out After Death Of Famous Bear
Former Cody resident Matthew Thomas is being accused of trying to profit off of Grizzly 399’s recent death by publishing a children’s book about the bear. Thomas says the book was almost done when she was hit by a car and killed in October.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2024
Wyomingites At U.S. Capitol On Jan. 6 Say ‘No Surprise’ FBI Informants Were Part Of It
Two Wyoming residents who were at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021 say there’s “no surprise” to learn the FBI had at least 26 informants there that day. A new report released Thursday also says many of those informants committed illegal acts.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2024
Wyoming Trona Mine Closer To Being Powered By 8 Tiny Nuclear Reactors
Tata Chemicals announced Friday that it has signed a new letter of intent for using up to eight nuclear microreactors to power its Green River trona operation. Tata is the first company in the U.S. to pursue small-scale industrial nuclear power.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2024
Powell Saddle Bronc Rider Brody Wells On A Tear At National Finals Rodeo
Powell, Wyoming, saddle bronc competitor Brody Wells has been on a tear at the National Finals Rodeo this week, including a massive 90-point ride. He’s placed four times and has earned nearly $90,000 so far.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2024
A Strip Club Outside Yellowstone? Not Yet, But New Rules Could Open The Door
There are no plans to put a strip club or other adult business outside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. But new Park County development standards could open the door.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2024
Wyoming Sues BLM Over “Narrow-Minded” Plan To End Coal In Powder River Basin
Gov. Mark Gordon has made good on a threat to sue the BLM over what he calls its “narrow-minded” plan to end coal in the Powder River Basin by 2041. Filed Wednesday, the lawsuit claims the plan is illegal and ignores the state’s concerns.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
Freedom Caucus Upset Over Using State Jet To Fly Around Major UW Donors
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is upset the University of Wyoming flew some major donors in a state-owned jet last month. The trip to watch the UW men’s basketball team play Texas Tech was a perk for donors who give more than $10,000 to the Cowboy Joe Club.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
Proposal Would Give Wyoming Cities And Towns More Control Of Gaming Machines
The Joint Appropriations Committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would allow cities in Wyoming to decide if they want historical horse racing in their communities. Another bill would allow operators to broadcast local horse racing nationwide.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
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