Government & Politics
News
Gordon Declares Wyoming ‘Welfare Emergency,’ Orders Up To $10M For Food Benefits
Gov. Mark Gordon declared a Wyoming welfare emergency Friday, ordering up to $10 million in state money for emergency food assistance if federal SNAP benefits run out “due to the Schumer shutdown.”
Jackson WalkerOctober 31, 2025
Freedom Caucus Members Say Record Investment Revenue Should Drive More Cuts
Freedom Caucus members of the House Appropriations Committee in an impromptu press conference Thursday laid out its goals for the coming budget session. They highlighted conservative fiscal principles and called for a return to “pre-COVID” spending.
Jackson WalkerOctober 31, 2025
State Asks Court To Give Legislators A Breather While They Tweak School Funding
The Wyoming Attorney General’s Office is urging the state Supreme Court to give legislators more time to tweak school funding before being forced by a court order. That includes a computer for every kid and elementary mental health counselors.
Clair McFarlandOctober 31, 2025
Casper Legislator Wants To Cut License Plate Fees For Older Vehicles
Casper Republican state Rep. J.R. Riggins says he plans to introduce a bill that would allow people with older vehicles to pay less to renew their license plates. He says changing the fee structure would put more money in the pockets of Wyomingites.
Jackson WalkerOctober 31, 2025
Barrasso Says SNAP Benefits Illegal In Shutdown; Schumer Blames Trump
Sen. John Barrasso on Thursday said SNAP benefits cannot legally continue because of the government shutdown. Sen. Chuck Schumer disagreed, saying that President Trump is refusing to fund SNAP.
Sean BarryOctober 30, 2025
Wyoming Investment Earnings Blow Past Projections By Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars
The Consensus Revenue Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) report given to legislators Thursday shows that the state's investments outpaced projections by hundreds of millions of dollars. Record-high investment earnings of $1.86 billion “dominated” the 2025 fiscal year.
Clair McFarlandOctober 30, 2025
SNAP Fallout Has Wyoming Dem, Freedom Caucus Saying The Same Bible Verse
On the national scale, the federal government’s suspension of SNAP benefits has blue states suing the Trump administration. In Wyoming, the Freedom Caucus and a prominent Democrat have responded by quoting the same Bible verse.
Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2025
Only Elementary In Bar Nunn One Of 2 Natrona County Schools Set To Close
The only elementary in Bar Nunn is one of two Natrona County schools set to be closed, meaning kids would be bused to Casper. More than 30 parents, teachers and students appealed to the school board Monday to not close it and the Woods Learning Center.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 28, 2025
Cheyenne Asking State For Nearly $500,000 To Offset Chugwater Wind, Solar Impacts
The Cheyenne City Council on Monday voted to ask for nearly $500,000 in state money to offset community or infrastructure impacts from a new wind and solar project proposed for the Chugwater area.
Jackson WalkerOctober 28, 2025
Wyoming GOP 'Probably' Broke Law With Unusual Arbitration, Judge Says
An Evanston-based judge on Monday declined to dismiss a legal challenge by Thermopolis Republicans accusing the Wyoming GOP of waging backroom power plays to cheat people of fair representation. The judge said the state party "probably" broke the law.
Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2025
Who Is Timothy Mellon, The Reclusive Wyoming Billionaire Who Gave $130M To Troops?
Reclusive Wyoming billionaire Timothy Mellon has been identified by The New York Times as the anonymous donor of $130 million to troops during the shutdown. Last year, Mellon funded a billboard on the state line that warned drivers that Colorado was Venezuela.
Scott SchwebkeOctober 28, 2025
How Barrasso Convinced Trump To Speak At UW Border War Game
When President Trump welcomed fans to the UW game on Saturday, it was because Sen. John Barrasso convinced him it was a good idea. “You will receive a hero’s welcome,” Barrasso wrote. “[The] election shows that no state supports you more than Wyoming.”
Jackson WalkerOctober 27, 2025
Kathy Karpan, 'Tough As Nails' Former Wyoming Secretary of State, Dies At 83
Former Wyoming Secretary of State Kathy Karpan died Friday at the age of 83. Longtime friend Rodger McDaniel said Karpan was battling cancer and outlived her doctor's expectations "She was tough as nails," he said.
Clair McFarlandOctober 25, 2025
In Stunning Turnaround, Bernie Sanders Praises Trump On Border
Jaws dropped when Vermont socialist Bernie Sanders praised President Donald Trump this week for his work to secure the southern border. “Apparently, even Bernie Sanders admits” the effectiveness of Trump's policies, Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso said.
Sean BarryOctober 25, 2025
Ousted Fremont County Library Board Member Says He’s Taking Commission To Court
The Fremont County Commission is caught between a local newspaper and an ousted library board member. The paper says a vote appointing David Mossburg to the library board was illegal, while Mossburg says it's the re-vote that ousted him that broke the law.
Clair McFarlandOctober 25, 2025
After 47 years, Charlie Scott Writing Book On Lifetime In Wyoming Legislature
Wyoming’s longest-serving legislator is writing a book about his extensive experience over 47 years in state politics. He hopes it will encourage a future generation of lawmakers.
Jackson WalkerOctober 24, 2025
Hageman Reintroduces Bill Requiring Country Of Origin Labeling For Beef
In the wake of President Trump signaling support for increasing low-tariff beef imports from Argentina to remedy record beef prices, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman introduced a bill on Friday to require country of origin labeling.
Clair McFarlandOctober 24, 2025
The Laramie Lab Geniuses Leading Wyoming's Biotech Boom
Laramie startups are turning University of Wyoming research into products like natural mouthwash and kidney stone supplements. These biotech innovators aim to put Laramie on the map as a growing scientific hub.
David MadisonOctober 24, 2025
State Criminal Investigation Against Town Of Manderson Closes With No Charges
A state investigation into Manderson’s faulty 2022 audit, which sparked a criminal investigation, ended without charges, authorities announced Tuesday. Town leaders blame the prior administration, and lawmakers demand continuing oversight.
Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2025
Wyoming Delegation Defends Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Ballroom’ From Critics
Wyoming’s congressional delegation is defending President Donald Trump while he draws pointed criticism from Democrats as heavy equipment demolished the East Wing of the White House to make way for a $250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
Greg JohnsonOctober 23, 2025
Gillette Considers Repealing Controversial ‘Hate Crime Ordinance’
The Gillette City Council this week directed its city attorney to draft language repealing a controversial “hate crime ordinance” that’s been in place for two years. The rule makes it misdemeanor to hurt others based on race or gender.
Jackson WalkerOctober 23, 2025
Barrasso: Trump Won’t Step In To Resolve Shutdown Standoff
Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, the Senate’s second-ranking GOP member, said President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans remain unified in not negotiating with Democrats to reopen the government.
Sean BarryOctober 23, 2025
Lawmakers Advance Four Bills That Aim To Catch, Prevent Botched Elections
Four bills seeking to catch and prevent fraud and botched elections in Wyoming are headed into the 2026 legislative session after the Management Audit Committee advanced them all Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2025
Thermopolis Residents Want Gordon To Remove 2 Hot Springs County Commissioners
Seven Thermopolis residents have asked Gov. Mark Gordon to remove two Hot Springs County commissioners accused of misconduct over a disputed campground permit. The governor is investigating as tensions over the local Tipi Retreat saga continue.
Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2025