Government & Politics

Wyoming’s Republicans were forced to choose Friday night between two conflicting fundraisers that have caused contention within the party for weeks. They had one thing in common, however: honoring the legacy of Charlie Kirk.

Charlie Kirk Takes Center Stage At Conflicting Wyoming Republican Fundraisers

Laramie County Republicans had to choose Friday night between two conflicting fundraisers that have caused contention within the party for weeks. They had one thing in common, however: honoring the legacy of Charlie Kirk.

Jackson WalkerOctober 18, 2025

Wyoming Bill Would Shield Pregnancy Centers From Overreach By Cities, Counties

A Wyoming legislative committee on Thursday advanced a bill that, if it becomes law, would safeguard pregnancy centers from being forced to offer abortions or otherwise abridge their mission by state or local governments.

Clair McFarlandOctober 18, 2025

FILE PHOTO: Secretary of State Chuck Gray

Wyoming Secretary Of State Flags 3 Possible Noncitizen Voters in State Rolls

Secretary of State Chuck Gray flagged three possible noncitizen voters in Teton, Lincoln and Carbon counties. Clerks will now verify citizenship. “Only U.S. citizens and only Wyoming residents should be voting in Wyoming elections — period,” Gray said

Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2025

Twila Barnett, from left, Eva Tackett and Shawna Glendy at Legends Bar & Grill in Lusk laugh out loud when asked how a No Kings protest would go over in their town.

Townspeople In Reddest County Of Reddest State Laugh At "No Kings" Rally

Although residents of Lusk, Wyoming -- located in the reddest county of the reddest state in the nation -- laughed at the so-called "No Kings" protests scheduled across the country on Saturday, residents in bluer Albany County said they were supporting it.

Greg Johnson & Jackson WalkerOctober 17, 2025

A joint committee of Wyoming lawmakers on Friday voted to advance a controversial which would prevent beneficiaries of Wyoming’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from using the benefits to buy candy, soft drinks or other junk food.

Health Committee Adopts Bill to Block SNAP Users From Buying Junk Food

A joint committee of Wyoming lawmakers on Friday voted to advance a proposal which would prevent beneficiaries of Wyoming’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from using the benefits to buy candy, soft drinks or other junk food.

Jackson WalkerOctober 17, 2025

Wyoming's U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, right, on Wednesday announced she's urging the federal government to delist transgender treatments from Affordable Care Act coverage. Wyoming Equality Executive Director Sara Burlingame, left, says Hageman lobbed divisive political attacks while doing so.

Hageman Urges Feds To Pull Trans Treatments From Affordable Care Act Coverage

Wyoming's U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Wednesday announced she's urging the federal government to delist transgender treatments from Affordable Care Act coverage. A Wyoming LGBTQ advocacy group says Hageman made divisive political attacks while doing so.

Clair McFarlandOctober 17, 2025

Smoke pouring out of the westbound Green River Tunnel on I-80 on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

Green River Leaders 'Ecstatic’ Tunnel Set To Reopen After Deadly 26-Vehicle Crash

Green River leaders are “ecstatic” that the westbound interstate tunnel tattered by a deadly 26-vehicle pileup in February is scheduled to reopen to traffic by late November. Three people died in the fiery Feb. 14 crash that prompted a $16 million rebuild.

Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2025

Uinta County Man Accused Of Using AI To Put Girl In Child Porn

A Uinta County man accused of using AI to transform a teen’s photo into child pornography faces four felony charges. The case has reignited some Wyoming lawmakers’ push to curb "deepfake" deceptions and bolster AI-related law.

Clair McFarlandOctober 16, 2025

UW Football Swaps Brown And Gold For Coal Black In Border War Tribute

When the Wyoming Cowboys football team takes the field Oct. 25 for the Border War rivalry game against Colorado State University, they'll be wearing a special coal-black alternative uniform. It's a tribute to Wyoming's coal industry.

Andrew RossiOctober 15, 2025

Legislator Leading Charge Against Nuclear Waste Says Political Fallout Is Worth it

Rep. Bill Allemand says his fiery opposition to accepting nuclear waste storage in Wyoming has tarnished some political relationships. He also says the fallout is worth it with this week’s announcement that Radiant Nuclear has abandoned its Wyoming plans.

Jackson WalkerOctober 15, 2025

Lummis, Barrasso Target Abortion Pill At Federal Level

Wyoming’s John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, plus most other Republicans in the U.S. Senate, are urging the FDA to cut nationwide access to abortion pills. Pro-choice advocates say ideology, rather than harm to women, is driving the senators’ message.

Sean BarryOctober 15, 2025

Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill Tuesday to end prosecution of diesel “delete” mechanics, free them from prison, and erase related penalties. She also supports a presidential pardon for Cheyenne Diesel "delete" mechancic Troy Lake.

Lummis Introduces Bill To End Diesel 'Delete' Rules, Free Imprisoned Mechanics

Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill Tuesday to end emissions requirements and prosecution of diesel “delete” mechanics. An attorney defending a Wyoming mechanic said the idea supports rural America, but the bill's a "long shot" as written.

Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025

Wyoming Panel Advances Grooming Bill With Tougher Penalties Than Statutory Rape

Wyoming's Joint Judiciary Committee on Monday advanced a bill seeking to criminalize "grooming," or pushing children toward sexual acts. As drafted, it would penalize grooming offenses with harsher penalties than statutory rape itself.

Clair McFarlandOctober 15, 2025

People watch U.S. President Donald Trump address the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on a giant screen in Hostages Square on Oct. 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has brought an end to the two years of war that followed the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. A condition of the deal was the immediate return of 48 hostages held in Gaza, around 20 of whom were believed to be alive.

Wyoming Delegation Applauds Release Of Israeli Hostages

Among the 20 living hostages released Monday as part of the Israel-Hamas peace deal is Avinatan Or, whose brother Chaim Or visited U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis in May. Lummis told Cowboy State Daily that it was unknown whether Avinatan Or was alive.

Sean BarryOctober 14, 2025

Natrona County School District 1 Superintendent Angela Hensley barred two school board trustees from attending a meeting over restrictions put on new Turning Point USA chapters. The trustees had been invited to the meeting by the parents of a TPUSA student leader.

Natrona County Schools Chief Won’t Let Board Members Into Turning Point Meeting

The Natrona County School District 1 superintendent barred two school board trustees from attending a meeting over restrictions put on new Turning Point USA chapters. The trustees had been invited to the meeting by the parents of a TPUSA student leader.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 14, 2025

The Natrona County school district meeting room was packed on Monday night with many having an opinion on the district’s controversy involving Turing Point USA Club America chapters.

Natrona County Schools Accused Of Stifling Free Speech Over Turning Point Chapters

The Natrona County District No. 1 school board heard plenty Monday from people about the controversy over forming Turning Point USA chapters in the district. The Natrona County High TPUSA founder said the district has been stifling free speech.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 14, 2025

The Platte County Republican Party chose three finalists Monday to be the next county sheriff. They are Guernsey Police Chief Jay Harrison, left, Platte County Emergency Management Coordinator Tony Krotz, top right, and former law enforcement officer Curtis Hofrock.

Police Chief, Former Cop, Emergency Coordinator Finalists For Platte County Sheriff

The Platte County Republican Party chose three finalists Monday to be the next county sheriff. The commission now must choose between the Guernsey police chief, a former cop and the county's emergency management coordinator.

Jackson WalkerOctober 14, 2025

Committee Adopts Bill Greenlighting Lawsuits Over 'Sexually Explicit' Library Books

The Wyoming Judiciary Committee on Monday adopted a bill letting residents of a given county or school district sue libraries or schools over sexually-explicit materials in children's sections of libraries.

Clair McFarlandOctober 14, 2025

President Donald Trump pumps his fist while gesturing toward members of the media as he departs Walter Reed Medical Center on October 10, 2025 in Bethesda, Maryland. Trump traveled to Walter Reed to visit with troops and receive a medical check up.

Federal Layoffs Begin as Trump Pressures Democrats Over Budget Shutdown

Sen. Cynthia Lummis blamed House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the shutdown and ensuing layoffs. “While Sen. Schumer brags that ‘every day gets better for (Democrats) during this government shutdown, federal employees are losing their jobs or going without pay," she said.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 11, 2025

The Upper Green River, one place where the Upper Colorado River Basin begins.

Wyoming, Other States Must Settle Colorado River Water Fight Or Feds Will Step In

With rising tensions over a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River, Wyoming and six other states have until Nov. 11 to hammer out a deal for water allocation or the federal government will step in and settle it for them.

Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) (R) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) (L) arrive for a news conference on the Upper West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol Building

Barrasso On Shutdown: ‘Terrorist’ Dems Want Country ‘Destroyed’

Discussing the government shutdown on Thursday, U.S. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is beholden to the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party, a faction “who will never be satisfied until this country is destroyed.”

Sean BarryOctober 09, 2025

Degenfelder Stands With Student Who Claims New Turning Point Chapter Suppressed

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Thursday said she stands with Kylie Wall, a Natrona County High School senior who said school staffers are suppressing her efforts to start a Turning Point USA chapter.

Steve BohnelOctober 09, 2025

Scott Merrifield, a longtime organizer and staffer to Colorado politicians, was named Wyoming Democratic Party executive director. (Facebook)

Wyoming Democratic Party Hires Executive Director From Colorado

The Wyoming Democratic Party on Wednesday announced Scott Merrifield, a longtime organizer and staffer to Colorado politicians, as its new executive director. He said he will focus on “practical wins” like improving infrastructure, data, fundraising, and messaging.