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
Biden Nominates Kelly Rankin As Wyoming’s Next Federal Judge
President Joe Biden has nominated U.S. Chief Justice Magistrate Kelly Rankin to replace Judge Nancy Freudenthal as a judge for the U.S. District Court of Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2023
Desperate To Fill Jobs, Wyoming Health Dept Wants To Reimburse Tuition
The Wyoming Department of Health is asking the Legislature for $500,000 to incentivize filling vacancies by reimbursing tuition costs for select new hires in critical roles.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2023
Wyoming Native Who Lives In Jordan Protests Israel War Outside State Capitol
Larry McIlvain is a Cheyenne native who has lived in the Middle East for the last 25 years. Back home for a visit, he spent each day last week demonstrating outside the State Capitol in support of Palestine.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2023
Hageman Rips Head Of SEC For Rule To Allow Foreign Land ‘Rights’
Harriet Hageman is hot over a proposed SEC rule that would allow foreign nations to buy undefined “rights” to certain private and public lands.
Leo WolfsonDecember 16, 2023
Sheridan County Land Swap Critics Worry 630-Acre Ranch Could Be Developed
A controversial proposed land swap in Sheridan County has some worried the state would eventually sell the 630 acres of prime ranch land for development.
Leo WolfsonDecember 16, 2023
Bill Would Help Struggling Wyoming Search And Rescue Groups Recruit Volunteers
Recruiting search and rescue volunteers in Wyoming is becoming more difficult, but the Legislature will consider a bill to help attract more by adding search and rescue to the state’s health insurance.
Leo WolfsonDecember 15, 2023
$1.2M From State Fuels Claims Jackson Is Lying About Housing Project
A $1.2 million state grant for an already controversial Jackson affordable housing project on Teton County Fairgrounds land is boiling over with accusations residents are being flat-out lied to, which town officials deny.
Leo WolfsonDecember 15, 2023
Barrasso Votes For Controversial Military Spending Bill, Lummis & Hageman Vote Against
In a rare splinter, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso broke off from fellow Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Wednesday night to vote in support of a critical military spending bill that was lambasted by some conservatives, saying he supports the military, not woke policies.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2023
Hageman Says Biden Is Lying, Votes To Open Impeachment Inquiry
Rep. Hageman said she believes President Biden has been lying about his involvement in his son’s international business dealings. On Wednesday, she cast a vote to support opening a formal impeachment inquiry into the president, which passed the House.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2023
Gordon’s Task Force, BLM Hold Closed-Door Meeting On Controversial Rock Springs Plan
After a closed-door meeting with the governor’s task force on the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs management plan on Wednesday, the agency’s state director says the BLM and public “aren’t that far apart” on finding a middle ground.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2023
Wyoming Health Dept Wants $121 Million Increase On Top Of Its $2 Billion Budget
With no more federal COVID-19 money to shore up its budget, the Wyoming Department of Health is asking for a $121 million increase in addition to its $2 billion biennial budget.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2023
Hageman Won’t Support Military Spending Bill She Wasn’t Consulted On
Rep. Harriet Hageman said she is refusing to support a military spending bill, saying her colleagues in the Senate didn’t consult with her when bringing their version of the bill.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2023
Wyoming Alums Blast Harvard For Keeping President Who Condones Anti-Semitism
Harvard University alums in the Wyoming Legislature are condemning their former school for retaining its president even after she made remarks to Congress that anti-semitism on campus is acceptable in certain situations.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2023
Gordon Says His $9.9B Budget Defends Wyoming From Biden’s War On Fossil Fuels
Gov. Mark Gordon presented his $9.9 billion biennial budget to the Joint Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, an aggressive proposal he says hedges Wyoming’s bets against a Biden administration set on eliminating fossil fuels.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2023
Cheyenne Political Newcomer Is First To Announce 2024 Candidacy For Legislature
Cheyenne resident Gregg Smith, who moved to Wyoming from Oregon, has no political experience, but has become the first person to officially announce for the 2024 election, challenging lifelong Wyomingite Tara Nethercott for her Senate seat.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2023
Wyoming Capitol Has Largest Chanukah Turnout Ever, Attendees Say War Galvanized Support
Attendees of a Chanukah event at the Wyoming State Capitol on Monday say the attack on Israel was responsible for the largest turnout ever at the annual ceremony in Cheyenne.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2023
Gordon Tells ’60 Minutes’ His Climate Stance Is ‘Well Respected’ In Wyoming
Featured on “60 Minutes” on Sunday, Gov. Mark Gordon admitted his stance that climate change is an urgent crisis has made his seat hotter with some Wyoming Republicans, but overall has “generally … been well-respected” in the Cowboy State.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2023
Controversial Sheridan Land Swap Delayed A Fourth Time For New Appraisals
The State Board of Land Commissioners on Thursday delayed for a fourth time deciding on a controversial land swap in Sheridan County to get new appraisals after valuations have exploded in recent years.
Leo WolfsonDecember 09, 2023
Judge: Former Wyoming Schools Chief’s Bad Faith With Public Records Sets Precedent
A Laramie County judge ruled Friday that Wyoming's former schools chief and his staff acted in bad faith by deliberately dodging a lawful public records request in a case that sets precedent.
Leo WolfsonDecember 09, 2023
Two FE Warren Generals Promoted After Tuberville Ends Standoff Blocking Them
After a 10-month Senate standoff over an abortion rule initiated by President Joe Biden’s administration ended this week, two generals at F.E. Warren Air Force Base will finally receive their promotions.
Leo WolfsonDecember 08, 2023
Land Board Approves $1.2 Million For Affordable Housing In Jackson
A controversial plan to build affordable housing on the Teton County Fair and Rodeo grounds in Jackson was approved Thursday for $1.25 million in federal money, but not without criticism from some of the state’s top elected officials.
Leo WolfsonDecember 08, 2023