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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Latest from Leo Wolfson

Judge Will Choose From Rejected GOP Finalists To Fill Vacancy On Sheridan County Commission

A district court judge ruled Friday that she will only choose from the three rejected Sheridan County Republican nominees to fill a vacancy on the county commission.

Leo WolfsonSeptember 01, 2023

This four-bedroom, three-bath home on 3 acres in Jackson is listing for $3,995,000.

Effort On To Slash Property Tax Assessments By 50% In Wyoming

The Secretary of State’s office Thursday certified a ballot initiative that, if successful, would allow homeowners to have their property taxed at 50% of its assessed value.

Leo WolfsonSeptember 01, 2023

A UH-1 helicopter from F.E. Warren Air Force Base flipped and crashed at the Cheyenne Regional Airport on Wednesday morning. A witness told Cowboy State Daily he watched those on board get out and it doesn't appear anyone was seriously hurt.

Witness Says Helicopter May Have Had Engine Trouble Before Crash At Cheyenne Airport

A witness to a UH-1 military helicopter attached to F.E. Warren Air Force Base that crashed at Cheyenne Regional Airport on Wednesday told Cowboy State Daily it appeared, and sounded, like it was having engine trouble.

Leo WolfsonSeptember 01, 2023

The Flying J truck stop at Exit 7 of Interstate 25 in south Cheyenne is one of the busiest in the area for truckers to fuel up.

Wyoming Lawmakers Consider Fuel Tax Hike, Break On Registration Fees

A Wyoming legislative committee is considering a plan that would hike the state’s diesel fuel tax 5 cents a gallon and gasoline 2 cents in return for giving residents a reduction on their vehicle registration bills.

Leo WolfsonAugust 31, 2023

Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, left, helps U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in July after McConnell suddenly froze up during a press conference. After another episode Wednesday, there's talk about who would succeed McConnell. As the No. 3 Republican in the Senate, Barrasso is near the top of the list.

Another McConnell Freeze Puts Wyoming’s Barrasso In Leadership Spotlight

With Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s health in even more doubt after another awkward public freeze up on Wednesday, Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso is near the top of possible replacements.

Leo WolfsonAugust 31, 2023

The Econo Lodge Motel at 300 W. F St. in Casper had closed because of water damage, but has since had millions of dollars worth of damage done to it by homeless people squatting inside.

Homeless Squatters Trash Casper Hotel, Getting Out Of Hand, Mayor Says

Damage that homeless squatters have caused to a local hotel as well as city staff having to clean up hundreds of pounds of human feces from public areas are a few symptoms of what some see as a growing problem in Casper.

Leo WolfsonAugust 31, 2023

Sheridan County Commission Chair Christi Haswell, from left, Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Sheridan County Republican Party Chair Bryan Miller.

Sheridan County GOP Livid Over Non-Appointment Of New Commission Member

A Sheridan County Commission meeting turned turbulent Tuesday when the four-member board rejected all three county Republican Party candidates to fill a vacant seat on the commission.

Leo WolfsonAugust 30, 2023

Witness: Watching Military Helicopter Crash At Cheyenne Airport Was 'Pretty Scary'

A UH-1 helicopter from F.E. Warren Air Force Base crashed and flipped upside down on a runway at Cheyenne Regional Airport on Wednesday morning. A witness says watching it happen was "pretty scary."

Leo WolfsonAugust 30, 2023

Walter Clapp, a 35-year-old attorney from Red Lodge, Montana, is taking his horse-drawn wagon around Wyoming and other states in a long shot bid for the White House in 2024.

Long Shot For President Barnstorms Wyoming, Says George Washington Is ‘By My Side’

Walter Clapp is a 35-year-old Red Lodge, Montana, attorney who’s been barnstorming his way across Wyoming and other states says he should be the next U.S. president because George Washington is “by my side.”

Leo WolfsonAugust 30, 2023

There are hundreds of meetings that were livestreamed over YouTube then saved to the platform for people to watch as they wish at the Wyoming Legislature's YouTube page.

It’s Expected, But Livestreaming Public Meetings In Wyoming Isn’t Required

The pandemic has quickly accelerated efforts to livestream public meetings in Wyoming, which made not doing so for a Monday Joint Appropriations Committee meeting, a surprise for even some lawmakers.

Leo WolfsonAugust 29, 2023

Cheyenne City Council has killed a ban on single-use plastic bags, like grocery bags.

After More Opposition, Cheyenne Plastic Bag Ban Dies On Close Council Vote

In a close 5-4 vote, the Cheyenne City Council rejected a proposal to ban the sale of plastic bags in city limits on Monday night, but not before getting another earful from residents who opposed the plan.

Leo WolfsonAugust 29, 2023

FAA Investigates Laramie Regional Airport Over User Complaints

The Federal Aviation Administration outlines in a letter that a number of complaints made by Laramie Regional Airport users are the focus of an active investigation.

Leo WolfsonAugust 29, 2023

Other Authors

The Wyoming Regulatory Reduction Task Force is looking into reports that some people are afraid to voice public criticism of governmental entities out of fear of retaliation. Many people do participate, like in this recent Laramie County School District 1 board meeting, but task force members say others report they don't feel comfortable speaking honestly about issue.

Many Won’t Criticize Wyoming Government Out Of Fear Of Retaliation

After people say they’re afraid to voice public criticism of state agencies, a Wyoming legislative task force is allowing anonymous feedback about how their government can be improved.

Leo WolfsonAugust 28, 2023

Historic Growing Season Leaves Southeast Wyoming A Sea Of Sunflowers

Goshen County sunflower growers and locals report the mild, wet summer has produced a prolific growing season for southeast Wyoming sunflowers.

Leo WolfsonAugust 28, 2023

Lawmakers Question If Wyoming Is Too Lax With Shell Corporations

Wyoming is considered to have some of the most private trust laws in the country, regulation that was put in place for the state to advertise itself as having a more business-friendly environment. Trust companies in Wyoming manage at least $31.5 billion in assets.

Leo WolfsonAugust 25, 2023

State Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander, wants to expand the range of criminal charges for voter intimidation in Wyoming to include a misdemeanor. Now, only a felony-level charge is available.

Case Wants To Expand Range For Charging Voter Intimidation As A Crime

State Sen. Cale Cale on Thursday say he wants Wyoming prosecutors to have the option to charge people with voter intimidation as lower- or higher-level crime, depending on how serious it is.

Leo WolfsonAugust 25, 2023

Case Concerned Crossover Voting Proposal Would Violate First Amendment

Sen. Cale Case on Thursday said he has First Amendment concerns over a proposal that would lock-in Wyoming voter registrations and party affiliations before candidates can start filing to run for election.

Leo WolfsonAugust 24, 2023

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray talks with the Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee on Thursday about a 30-day residency requirement to vote in Wyoming.

Chuck Gray Wants 30-Day Residency Rule To Vote In Wyoming Elections

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray urged state lawmakers Thursday to advance a bill that would require people to live in Wyoming for at least 30 days to vote in elections here.

Leo WolfsonAugust 24, 2023

Groceries are bagged at King Soopers in Cheyenne.

Even Without 10-Cent Tax, More Angry Opposition To Cheyenne Plastic Bag Ban

A compromise to remove a 10-cent fee from a plastic bag ban in Cheyenne has done little to garner public support. One business owner said a plastic bag costs her about 1-2 cents, while a paper bag runs about 50 cents.

Leo WolfsonAugust 24, 2023

Knight Lake, formerly Swastika Lake, in southern Wyoming.

Wyoming's Swastika Lake To Get A Name Change

The executive director of the Wyoming Board on Geographic Names told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that the name of Swastika Lake outside Laramie is expected to be changed soon.

Leo WolfsonAugust 23, 2023

An election judge observes as voters sign in at a polling place in Cheyenne in November 2022.

Buffalo Woman Says She Was Intimidated By Former Legislator At Polls

A Buffalo woman says she was intimidated by a former state legislator when she went to vote in 2021. A legislative committee will discuss the topic of voter intimidation when it meets Thursday in Douglas.

Leo WolfsonAugust 23, 2023

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