Government & Politics
News

Wyoming Tax Board Says 4% Cap On Property Tax Is Unconstitutional, Won't Accept It
Wyoming’s state-level property tax board told counties on Thursday that a 4% cap on yearly increases in residential property taxes is unconstitutional and it will refuse to certify this year's property tax assessment figures if the cap remains.
Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Park County Republican Party Sends Platform Loyalty Tests To GOP Candidates
Republican candidates for office in Park County received a letter warning them if they don’t commit to backing at least 80% of the state GOP platform, they won’t receive an endorsement or support from the party. "They is not a purity test," it reads.
Clair McFarlandJune 11, 2026

Amended Barrasso Bill Would Erase Clinton-Era Roadless Rule
The Clinton-era Roadless Rule on U.S. Forest Service lands will be erased if Wyoming Republicans U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Harriet Hageman get their way. “I have been fighting the Roadless Rule since the day it was handed down,” said Hageman.
Mark HeinzJune 11, 2026

Wyoming U.S. House Candidates Face Christian Lobby, Swap War Stories
Seven of the 10 Republican candidates running to become Wyoming’s next U.S. House candidate courted a largely Christian audience Tuesday with statements on their faith, and their different approaches to education, family rights, and abortion policy.
Clair McFarlandJune 10, 2026

Pinedale Rancher Tells Senators He’s Tired Of Wyoming Giving Up Colorado River Water
A Pinedale rancher told U.S. Senators on Wednesday that he and other Upper Basin farmers are tired of Wyoming giving up Colorado River water. Negotiations moved up a notch this week with Wyoming leaders meeting in Washington, D.C., with other states.
Mark HeinzJune 10, 2026

Lummis Still Backs 'Trump Interstate' Despite Texas Sponsor Losing Interest In It
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis said she still backs renaming U.S. Highway 287 as I-47 — aka "The Trump Interstate" — even though the main sponsor said it may not be a priority after he lost a primary race. "She continues to back it," said a Lummis spokesperson.
Kolby FedoreJune 10, 2026

State Finds Major Special Ed Failures In Sweetwater County School District 1
A state investigation found widespread failures with Sweetwater County School District 1’s special ed program and gave it a year to correct them. "This wasn't a failure by just one person. This is a systemic failure," said a former school board member.
Kate MeadowsJune 10, 2026

U.S. House Candidate Reid Rasner On Meet The Wyoming Candidates: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Political Reporter Clair McFarland interviewed Casper businessman and U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner on Wednesday, June 10, 2026
June 10, 2026

How Wyoming Gov Candidates Handled Questions From The Christian Lobby
Gubernatorial candidates Eric Barlow, Brent Bien, and Megan Degenfelder fielded questions on Tuesday at a forum in Cheyenne before a largely Christian audience. Policy differences emerged on abortion, university leadership, and library policy.
Clair McFarlandJune 10, 2026

Wyoming Land Board Decides To Wait For Court To Rule Whether Wind Farm Is Legal
The State Land Board voted 3-2 Monday to pause its work to halt two controversial wind leases — until a court decides a major legal question on them. Secretary of State Chuck Gray called it "irregular," but Auditor Kristi Racines cast it as common sense.
Clair McFarlandJune 08, 2026

GOP Gov. Candidates Say Data Centers A National Security Issue For Wyoming And US
Data centers are important to national security and for Wyoming, said the top GOP candidates for governor during a Friday forum. “We are in an AI arms race with China,” Megan Degenfelder said, with all agreeing it will be a priority for the next governor.
Greg JohnsonJune 05, 2026

Wyoming GOP Sues State For Right To Back Most 'Aligned' Republicans
The Wyoming Republican Party on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that bans it from spending money to back “aligned" candidates over others in the primary election.
Clair McFarlandJune 05, 2026

Cheyenne Artificial Intelligence Candidate Sues For Spot On The Ballot
A Cheyenne man is suing Secretary of State Chuck Gray after Gray denied his bid to get on the Republican primary ballot to elect a virtual intelligence personality to the U.S. Senate. “I won’t tolerate a mockery of our electoral system,” Gray said.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Objects To Trump Reclassifying Marijuana As Medical
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz is opposing the Trump administration reclassifying marijuana as medicinal, while state law generally expects Wyoming to match drug categories to the federal government’s. That's for the Legislature to decide, he said.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Meet The Wyoming Candidates: Bo Biteman, Candidate For U.S. House
Political reporter Clair McFarland on Thursday spoke to current Wyoming Senate President and congressional candidate Bo Biteman.
June 04, 2026

Wyoming State Senator Interested In Special Session To Address Data Centers
Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz on Thursday said she’s calling for a poll among legislators to see if there is enough support for a special session to address data center concerns, like water use. Both the governor and Senate President called such a move premature.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Trump Sending $700 Million To Coal Industry, Boosting Wyoming Coal Mines
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the president invoked a national security law to send $700 million to the coal industry. That includes $75 million to boost construction of a coal export terminal in Oakland.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Wyoming Department Of Education Says Prepare For AI — Because It's Coming
The Wyoming Department of Education warned lawmakers this week that artificial intelligence is coming, so students should receive training outside of Facebook and Instagram. “The job of a school is to create real intelligence,” said Rep. Ocean Andrew.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026

Laramie Has No Data Center Plans, But That Doesn’t Stop Locals From Opposing Them
Laramie doesn’t have any plans for data centers, but that didn't stop locals Tuesday calling for a permanent moratorium on them. The city could be “run over by billion-dollar corporations who promise the sun and moon and the stars,” said one resident.
Kate MeadowsJune 03, 2026

Gordon Orders 'Responsible' Data Center Development In Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon released an executive order on Wednesday telling state agencies to “promote responsible development of data centers and other large-load facilities.” The order comes as local governments create their data center rules.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026

Cheyenne Planners Recommend Denial For Most Of Microsoft’s Data Center Expansion
Cheyenne planners are recommending denial of most of the provisions in a huge 3,200-acre Microsoft data center expansion. “This is about 18% of the city’s current size. It overtakes the city,” said one resident during a marathon five-hour hearing Monday.
Renée JeanJune 02, 2026

Attorney Asks Wyoming Supreme Court For Special Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray
Cheyenne attorney George Powers, who filed a complaint calling for a criminal investigation against Chuck Gray for releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, asked the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday to appoint a special prosecutor.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

City Of Rock Springs Catches Backlash For ‘Pride Month’ Declaration
The city of Rock Springs declared June is “pride month” — and is catching backlash. The city "made the whole month gay pride month and boy oh boy, people are upset,” says a councilman. The mayor countered that he wouldn't play gatekeeper on events.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

Chuck Gray’s U.S. House Poll Leveled Disparaging Remarks Against Rasner, Friess
The poll U.S. House candidate Chuck Gray touted Monday leveled disparaging claims about opponents Reid Rasner and Steve Friess. It claimed Friess "never had a real job" and Rasner acted like a "Hollywood celebrity" during a marriage to "his gay husband."
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026
