Government & Politics
News
House Approves Raises For Wyoming State Employees
On Saturday evening a Wyoming Republican representative from Casper and a Democratic representative from Laramie found a way to get House approval for giving state employees raises. The move is not final but it stands a chance.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2026
"I Forgot To Eat My Wheaties!”: Rep. Dalton Banks Collapses On House Floor
After a week of late nights, early mornings, and marathon debates on how Wyoming should spend money for the next two years, two state representatives had medical events on the House floor this week, including Rep. Dalton Banks, who collapsed on Saturday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026
Former UW Lineman-Turned-Legislator Says Keep NIL Money Out Of High School Sports
As 41 states open their doors to NIL deals for high school athletes, Wyoming lawmakers backed by Sen. Gary Crum, a former UW lineman, are moving against it. But money is already available for teen sports stars — right next door in Colorado.
David MadisonFebruary 21, 2026
When Wyoming’s Governor Ruled Cloud 9, Cheyenne's One-Of-A-Kind Airport Bar
Cloud 9 was Cheyenne’s off-duty political clubhouse where Gov. Ed Herschler drank, smoked and mingled with everyone from hunters to Supreme Court justices. Its boozy camaraderie and unbuttoned attitude evoke a looser golden age of Wyoming politics.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 21, 2026
$15M For PRCA Headquarters To Move To Cheyenne Clears Senate, Faces Tough House
A bill approving $15 million to attract the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to Cheyenne cleared the senate by a 24-7 vote Friday. Although it faces a tough go in the House, Sen. Ogden Driskill calls it a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026
Wyoming Attorney General Files Case To Remove Weston County Clerk From Office
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz on Friday petitioned to remove Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock from office, over multiple errors surrounding the 2024 general election. She also faces a criminal case for defying a legislative subpoena.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 21, 2026
Wyoming Committees Advance Bills For Testing Voting Machines, Watching Clerks
Urged by Secretary of State Chuck Gray, two legislative committees advanced election reform bills on Friday to add scrutiny to voter machine testing, and county clerks' election audits. "We want to ramp up clarity, and we want to ramp up rigor," Gray said.
David MadisonFebruary 20, 2026
Wyoming Senate Advances Bill To Bar Sex Offenders From Living Near Daycares
The Wyoming Senate on Friday advanced a bill banning registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of daycares. Calling the bill "common sense," Sen. Tim Salazar said. “I do not want to wait for a tragic incident to happen. This helps prevent that.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2026
Bill To Block Government From Collecting Union Dues Squeaks Onto Wyoming House Floor
A bill to restrict government agencies from collecting union dues and to require unions of public employees to report where their money is going remained alive Friday after squeaking onto the House floor. The Wyoming Education Association opposes it.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2026
Debate On Abortion Law Gets Emotional On Wyoming House Floor
As Wyoming legislators debated a “heartbeat act” abortion bill, Rep. Kevin Campbell grew emotional Thursday remembering a 14-year-old girl — his mother. “I was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1969,” he said tearfully. "I was adopted that same year.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 20, 2026
Senate Passes $105 Million 'Energy Dominance Fund' Backed By Trump’s White House
Senate President Bo Biteman's bill to channel severance tax revenues into a Trump administration-backed “Energy Dominance Fund” passed the chamber 31-0 Thursday. The bill has support from the Trump administration, and excludes wind and solar projects.
David MadisonFebruary 20, 2026
Gun Rights Bill Legislator Says Could Prevent ‘Dystopian Future’ Passes Senate
The Second Amendment Protection Act is an insurance policy against a “dystopian future” where Wyomingites’ rights are trampled, said a legislator prior to the Senate passing the bill Thursday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 20, 2026
"But The Road Is Dry!": Understanding Wyoming’s "Rolling Closure" Strategy
A driver who comes across a "rolling closure" might see nothing but clear skies and dry conditions, so why is the road closed? WYDOT says it's to keep towns from being overwhelmed. “The closure isn't necessarily due to conditions where you are," they said.
Andrew RossiFebruary 19, 2026
Senator Says Gambling "Out Of Control" In Wyoming, Pushes Bills To Rein It In
Sen. John Kolb, the loudest voice on gambling in the legislature this session, is pushing four different bills to tighten up regulations on the industry. "Gaming within the state of Wyoming has exploded into a multibillion-dollar business," Kolb said.
David MadisonFebruary 19, 2026
Wyoming House Rejects Adding Extraterrestrials, Animals, To Sex Books Ban
The Wyoming House on Thursday rejected an amendment that would have added sex acts involving extraterrestrials and animals to its proposed ban on sexually-explicit books in public and school library kids' sections.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2026
Push To Ban Running Wolves Over With Snowmobiles Continues Despite Long Odds
Two years after a wolf was run over with a snowmobile in Sublette County sparked worldwide outrage, animal welfare advocates are still trying to get the practice banned in Wyoming. But there are long odds getting that done in this year’s budget session.
Mark HeinzFebruary 19, 2026
House Speaker, Reps Tell How They Got Checks, Shock Over Controversy
The Wyoming House had a raw exchange Wednesday night about the check-passing controversy that burst into a criminal bribery investigation. “Not one time did it cross my mind that I did anything wrong,” House Speaker Neiman said, noting he had received a check.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2026
Carbon County GOP Calls For Reps To Resign Over Silence On ‘CheckGate’
The Carbon County GOP is calling for resignations of four state reps for their silence on the ongoing “CheckGate” scandal. The party says they knew defamation claims aimed at Rep. Mike Yin for making the check-passing public were wrong, but didn’t speak out.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2026
Senators Vow Crack-Down On Wyoming-Based LLC Fraud
Wyoming has surpassed Delaware as the top state for business incorporations per capita, and with that has come more LLC fraud. The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that could crack down on using the state's business-friendly LLC laws to scam people.
David MadisonFebruary 19, 2026
House, Senate Brace For Showdown Over $40 Million Cut to University Of Wyoming
The Wyoming House on Wednesday voted to keep a proposed $40 million cut to the University of Wyoming. The Senate did the opposite - setting the two chambers up for a clash in a compromise committee later this month.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 18, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Bill Shielding "Free Speech" Of Medical Professionals
A House Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to advance House Bill 143 after hearing from medical providers who said they felt pressured to self-censor. "The state should not interfere with free speech rights of healthcare professionals," the bill sponsor said.
David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026
Bill Advanced Requiring Landowners Receive "Bill Of Rights" Before Eminent Domain
Wyoming lawmakers advanced a bill requiring landowners receive an eminent domain “Bill Of Rights” when condemnation is being considered. “’The Landowner’s Bill of Rights’ will equip landowners with valuable knowledge," said sponsor Rep. JD Williams.
David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026
Wyoming Senators Vote To Defend Public Lands From Large Federal Selloffs
Wyoming lawmakers heard emotional testimony from teachers, miners and students Tuesday urging them to protect public lands from federal selloffs. The Senate panel unanimously advanced the resolution, "Keeping public lands protected and decisions local."
David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026
Former Wyoming Rep. James Byrd Announces Run For U.S. Senate
Former Democratic state Rep. James Byrd could square off against U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman for a U.S. Senate seat, if both win in their primary elections.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 18, 2026