Government & Politics
News

Arapaho Members Furious At Christian Preacher Who Spoke Against Rituals
Several Northern Arapaho Tribe members are outraged at a Christian pastor who spoke against their religious customs and encouraged worship of Jesus instead. One Arapaho member told Cowboy State Daily that the church is "not welcome here anymore."
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2026

Casper Council OKs 6-Month Halt To Gambling Expansion
An appeal from a gaming company wasn't enough Tuesday to sway the Casper council against a six-month halt on expanding gambling in the city. "I don’t feel we need to tell people how and where they can spend their money,” said one council member.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 08, 2026

Green River Residents Shut Down License Plate Reader Camera Project
A vocal crowd converged Tuesday on the Green River City Council meeting and opposed a $112,000 federal grant for the police department to install license plate reader cameras. Then the City Council and mayor voted 6-1 against finalizing the grant.
Clair McFarlandJuly 08, 2026

Voter-Rights Groups Get New Trial Over Investigation Into 2020 Election Fraud
A court ruled Monday that voting-rights groups in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado can wage a new lawsuit against a private group that canvassed voters about potential voter fraud in the 2020 election. Their methods were intimidating, the groups allege.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Hageman Opponent Sam Mead Defends $27 Donation To Bernie Sanders
A Washington, D.C., super-PAC is attacking U.S. Senate candidate Sam Mead for a $27 donation Mead made in 2019 to then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Mead defended the move Tuesday, saying it was about solving health care policy problems.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Cheyenne Mayor Says Wastewater Contamination 'Regrettable' But Lauds BOPU Response
As questions mount of the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities' handling of data center contamination of the city's sewer reuse system, Mayor Patrick Collins said BOPU handled the incident "efficiently." "People are caught up in the emotion of this," he said.
Kate MeadowsJuly 07, 2026

Town Of Green River Considers Installing License Plate Readers To Curb 'Terrorism'
The Green River City Council is considering finalizing a $112,000 grant it's been awarded to install license-plate readers in the city. The mayor said the cameras could curb terrorism while former Libertarian lawmaker Marshall Burt says it's all "bullshit."
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Wyoming's Famous Diesel Mechanic Gets Presidential Pardons For Others
Wyoming's most famous diesel “delete" mechanic Troy Lake, who was pardoned by Trump after a prison stint, advocated for the president to pardon at least six more. On Friday, Trump pardoned those six, plus three others.
Clair McFarlandJuly 07, 2026

Rock Springs Ends Controversial Goat Grazing Program After Spending $200,000
After spending about $200,000 in goat grazing for flood mitigation since 2025, the town of Rock Springs is putting an end to it for now. One council member said residents say it’s too expensive. "This will be the last we see goats,” he said.
Kate MeadowsJuly 06, 2026

Judge Says $100M Goshen Tunnel Project Won’t Stop For Company That Couldn't Bid
A federal judge declined Thursday to pause the $100 million Goshen Tunnel project for a company that missed out on a chance to bid on the work. He also ruled the company has a valid case against two irrigation districts in charge of the tunnel.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026

Unlike Other Areas In Wyoming, Glenrock's Flock Cameras Bring Little Drama
Other cities in Wyoming have clashed over license plate reader cameras. Meanwhile, Glenrock's Flock system has gone without drama for the roughly two years it's been in place. But a local legislator worries about fewer rights and more surveillance.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026

Wyoming Board Of Equalization Agrees To Honor 4% Property Tax Cap For Now
The Wyoming Board of Equalization was set for a July 6 hearing to fight against having to enforce a 4% cap on annual property tax increases, which it calls unconstitutional. But it agreed Thursday to honor the cap during its lawsuit challenging it.
Clair McFarlandJuly 03, 2026

Wyoming Business Council's Toughest Critic Relieved It Isn't Hiding Bank Accounts
The Wyoming Business Council's biggest critic in the Legislature, Rep. Ken Pendergraft, was mostly relieved at a Wednesday audit report showing the Wyoming Business Council isn't hiding any bank accounts. But he says he still has questions.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

Cheyenne Won’t Take Data Center Wastewater After Meta Contractor Contaminated System
Cheyenne announced Thursday it's suspended taking wastewater associated with data center systems after a Meta contractor contaminated the city’s wastewater system, prompting months of cleanup. "It's a very, very unpleasant surprise,” said a city councilman.
Kate MeadowsJuly 02, 2026

Wyoming Board Of Equalization Asks Judge To End Property Tax Cap
The Wyoming Board of Equalization is suing Gov. Mark Gordon back after he rejected its claims that the state's property tax caps are unconstitutional. The board is asking a judge to end Wyoming’s 4% cap on property tax increases.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

Win By Colorado Socialist Could Galvanize Wyoming Independence, Says Politico
Fresh after socialist-backed candidates' success in New York's U.S. House primaries, Colorado Democrats nominated their own socialist House candidate Tuesday. Having a socialist neighbor could galvanize Wyoming's independence even more, one politico said.
Clair McFarlandJuly 02, 2026

Out-Of-State Campaign Fliers Launch Attacks On Wyoming Candidates
It’s campaign flier season, which means Wyoming voters are being inundated with attack fliers about political candidates. One flier targeting Lander incumbents claim they “endangered children” and “exposed women to their radical transgender agenda."
Clair McFarlandJuly 01, 2026

Rock Springs Council Cleared Of Allegation City Favored Cronies On Contract Bids
The Sweetwater County Attorney's Office found no evidence the Rock Springs City Council illegally favored contract bids for a company. “'Corrupt as hell’ — that's the accusation that got thrown around about our city," said the mayor about the allegation.
Kate MeadowsJuly 01, 2026

Lander Homeschooler Wins ‘Ultimate Civics Showdown,’ $150,000 Scholarship
A 17-year-old Lander homeschooler who beat out 8,000 other students in what was billed as the “Ultimate Civics Showdown” stood beside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on national TV on Tuesday. Miriam Washut won a $150,000 scholarship in the effort.
Dale KillingbeckJuly 01, 2026

Cheyenne Officials Haven't Said Who Polluted Its Reuse Water System
Speculation is growing over whether a data center could be linked to pollution discovered in Cheyenne's reuse wastewater system earlier this year, as city officials haven't reported the identity of the industrial user responsible for the discharge.
Kate MeadowsJune 30, 2026

In About-Face, Gordon Lauds Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Girls Sports
In an about-face, Gov. Mark Gordon lauded a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday upholding states' bans on trans participation in girls' sports. In 2023 he called Wyoming's first trans sports ban "draconian."
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026

Wyoming Democrats Say They’re Not Divorcing Party Over Mamdani, Socialism Movement
Prominent Wyoming Democrats say they are not calling for a split in their party due to the growing socialist movement nationally. “Wyoming is not New York City,” so the issues are different, said state Sen. Chris Rothfuss.
Clair McFarlandJune 30, 2026

'Common Sense Republicans' Declare War On Wyoming Freedom Caucus
A new political group called the 'Common Sense Republicans' have erected six billboards urging voters to “STOP The Freedom Caucus Agenda." Rep. John Bear, a well-known member of the Freedom Caucus, says he "loves" the billboards.
Clair McFarlandJune 29, 2026

‘Vote For Greta’: German Shepherd Has Huge Support In Park County
Greta, a German shepherd with a platform of “more belly rubs for all,” is getting huge support in Park County since a “Vote For Greta” sign went up in Cody. “She certainly can’t be worse than, like, half the people running,” said one voter.
Greg JohnsonJune 29, 2026
