Government & Politics
News

Wyoming Bill Requiring Voter Approval Of Stormwater Fees Dies On Tie Vote
A Wyoming bill that would have required voter approval to impose stormwater fees died in committee Wednesday on a tie vote despite lawsuits over “tax-like” charges. Lawmakers debated tax-fee laws and flood risks, leaving infrastructure funding in limbo.
Zakary SonntagJanuary 22, 2026

Choppers Collide During Wyoming Mule Deer Capture Operation
Two helicopters slammed into each other Monday while trying to land near Parkman in Sheridan County during a Wyoming Game and Fish operation to capture mule deer.
Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2026

Park County School Board Fires Cody Coach After Misconduct Investigations
Park County School District 6 unanimously voted Tuesday to fire teacher and girls’ basketball coach Sam Buck after two Title IX probes found misconduct with students. Buck denies the allegations and called the process a flawed witch hunt.
Kate MeadowsJanuary 21, 2026

New FBI Policy Boots Conservative From Fremont County School Board
Fremont County School District 1 board member Scott Jensen, a federal police officer, said he must resign because of a new policy barring special agents from elected roles. He's spent six years on the board pushing parental rights and book challenges.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Wyoming Quietly Completes $10 million Gold Buy Required By New State Law
The state of Wyoming quietly bought $10 million in gold in December as required by a new state law. Sponsors of the law hail it as a hedge against dollar devaluation while critics say there’s no good way to cash in on gold’s increasing value.
Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2026

‘Woke Wind' Critic Chuck Gray Has Voted To OK Leases For At Least 3 Wind Projects
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray is arguably the most vocal and high-profile opponent of wind-energy projects in the state, calling the industry “woke wind.” But he’s voted to approve wind leases at least three times since 2023.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Says Court Changed Law To Legalize Abortion
The Wyoming Attorney General's office filed a petition Tuesday for a re-hearing, saying the state Supreme Court's ruling striking down two abortion bans betrayed legal precedent. It ignored the Constitution and changed its own rules, the filing claims.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2026

Wyoming Public Media Scrambling After State Push To Defund
The fate of Wyoming Public Media hangs in the balance after the Joint Appropriations Committee last week voted to discontinue providing state funds to the entity. “It is important for journalism to be independent of government,” said Rep. Ken Pendergraft
Kate MeadowsJanuary 20, 2026

Wyoming Lawmaker Unveils Bill To Make Ivermectin Over-The-Counter
A Wyoming House Representative from Cheyenne unveiled a bill this month that, if it becomes law, would let people get ivermectin without a prescription. The Legislature may hear the bill in three weeks.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2026

So Far, Wyoming Says No To Replacing PBS Money Dropped By Feds
A state legislative committee has denied $6.6 million Wyoming Public Television requested to fill a massive federal defunding effort. The decision, which isn’t final, includes $3 million for operations and a $3.6 million grant the feds rescinded.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2026

Proposed Bill Would Make Bystanders Criminally Liable If They Don’t Call 911
A Casper father continues to grieve the death of a son he says would still be alive if only someone close to him had called 911. Now a legislator is introducing a bill that would make it a crime for bystanders to not call 911.
Zakary SonntagJanuary 17, 2026

Cheyenne House Rep Leaves Freedom Caucus, Says It's To Emphasize Independence
State Rep. Daniel Singh left the Wyoming Freedom Caucus last month, he told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday. Singh said he wants to emphasize his independence, but still believes the Freedom Caucus' mission is good.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2026

Rep. John Bear Calls Sen. Ogden Driskill A ‘Doofus’ In Clash Over Budget
House Appropriations Chair John Bear weathered scrutiny this week over his scripts telling other legislators how to tweak the budget. Bear said he was running his motions through others, since he chaired the meetings - and then called Sen. Driskill a 'doofus.'
Clair McFarlandJanuary 17, 2026

For 99 Years It’s Been Illegal To Mail A Handgun, That Soon Could Change
Wyoming gun advocates are applauding Thursday's U.S. Dept. of Justice opinion that says a 1927 law banning the practice of mailing handguns is unconstitutional. UW law professor George Moscary says to use caution, however, as "it's a complicated area of law."
Mark HeinzJanuary 16, 2026

Casper Political Activist Announces Bid For Wyoming State House District 37
Local Casper political activist Ross Schriftman has announced his candidacy for the Wyoming State House District 37 seat, currently held by Rep. Steve Harshman. Harshman, who has been in office since 2003, has not yet decided whether to seek a 13th term.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 16, 2026

Gov's Office: "This Is Nuts" As Bill To Kill Wyo Biz Council Heads To Legislature
The governor's policy director told members of the Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday that their advancement of a proposal to kill the Wyoming Business Council was "crazy" and "nuts." The bill will now head to the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2026

Even Some Legislators Stunned By Defunding Wyoming Business Council
Natrona County legislators gathered Wednesday to preview priorities ahead of next month's budget session. But the discussion was hijacked by some stunned over Tuesday’s defunding of the Wyoming Business Council.
Zakary SonntagJanuary 15, 2026
Legislators Vote To Give Wyoming Prosecutors More Money
At the urging of two members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, legislators advanced $3 million Wednesday to help counties fund prosecutors' offices. It's part of a series of tweaks to the second draft of the state's two-year budget.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2026

Sweetwater County Parents Blast School District Over Vacancies, Superintendent Raise
Parents in Sweetwater County School District No. 1 are blasting the board for high vacancies, ignored comments, a secret superintendent raise, and poor accountability. Despite promises, leadership offers muted responses amid ongoing turmoil.
Kate MeadowsJanuary 15, 2026

Blocking $58 Million For Tribal Clinic Could Cost Wyoming More Than It Saves
The CEO of a tribal health clinic and a state lawmaker voiced concern Wednesday over a legislative committee’s push to block $58 million in federal money. The denial, which is not final, was part of a slew of proposed Wyoming Department of Health cuts.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2026

Yellowstone Could Spend $300M Rebuilding North Entrance Road Washed Out By Flood
Yellowstone is considering three permanent routes to replace its flood-damaged North Entrance Road, with a hybrid “center alignment” emerging as the preferred option. The $250 million to $300 million project could take five to nine years to build.
Andrew RossiJanuary 14, 2026

Legislators Vote To Defund And Dismantle Wyoming Business Council
Nine of Wyoming’s top legislators advanced a bid Tuesday to defund and dismantle the Wyoming Business Council. Opponents call the move short-sighted while supporters say it stops government from unfairly competing with private businesses.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2026

‘This Is Textbook Overreach’: Cheyenne Council Blasted Over Inspection Warrants
Cheyenne City Council on Monday sat through hours of residents blasting them over administrative warrants to inspect homes and businesses. “This is textbook overreach” one local said before the council voted 6-3 to approve the ordinance’s second reading.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 14, 2026

Wyoming Lawmakers Propose Cutting Governor's Budget To UW By $61 Million
The Joint Appropriations Committee on Tuesday voted to reduce the governor’s recommended state budget for the University of Wyoming by nearly $61 million. State Sen. Ogden Driskill opposed the action calling them "spiteful and vindictive."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2026
