Government & Politics
News
2026 State of the State & State of the Judiciary
Governor Mark Gordon delivers his State of the State address to the 68th Wyoming Legislature, followed by Chief Justice Lynne Boomgaarden's State of the Judiciary address.
February 09, 2026
Proposed Bill Would Legalize Corner-Crossing On Wyoming Public Lands
Rep. Karlee Provenza, an outspoken advocate for public land access has introduced a bill legalizing corner-crossing in Wyoming. But Jim Magagna, of the Stock Growers Assoc. says it's too vague. “It almost isn’t a serious piece of legislation,” he said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2026
Parents Demand Apology From Sweetwater County School District
Investigators found special‑education violations tied to student privacy and parental rights at Sweetwater County School District No. 1. Now a Rock Springs mother is calling for the censure of the school board chair — months after he publicly censured her husband.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 07, 2026
'No-Nuclear’ State Rep. Bill Allemand Has Challenger For House Seat
One of Wyoming state Rep. Bill Allemand’s biggest critics, Bar Nunn Mayor Peter Boyer, is running for Allemand's seat in the Legislature. Allemand has made headlines as an opponent of nuclear storage facilities, including one near Casper.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2026
Wyoming Bill Could Let 18-Year-Olds Carry Concealed Guns On UW Campus
Wyoming Legislature voted last year to allow concealed firearms on the University of Wyoming campus. Bills this year would allow 18-year-old students to carry, while those 21 and older could do so without permits.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2026
Wyoming Business Council Launches 'Myth-Busting' Campaign In Effort To Save Itself
Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell told Cowboy State Daily on Friday that it's launched a myth-busting campaign to save the agency from potential destruction. "I was hoping to give a little bit of a reality check," he said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 07, 2026
Wyoming Officials Say Colorado Bill To Sue ICE Agents Would Have Zero Chance Here
Wyoming officials say a bill in Colorado targeting qualified immunity for ICE and other law enforcement would have no chance in Wyoming. “It’s not even a no for me, it’s hell no,” Sen. Jon Kolb said. “It’s an insane bill, and thank God I live in Wyoming.”
Greg JohnsonFebruary 06, 2026
State Sen. Retracts Statement Accusing Freedom Caucus Of Rewarding Votes
State Sen. Ed Cooper is retracting a statement he made last week, accusing the national Freedom Caucus network of hinging campaign donations to its local members on their voting records. "I spoke incorrectly on that because I can’t substantiate it," he said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2026
Joint Approps Committee Votes To Protect Two More Institutions From UW Budget Cuts
The Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday voted to shield two more institutions from its proposed $40 million budget cut to the University of Wyoming. One of those institutions shares a financial backer with the campaign arm of the Freedom Caucus.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 06, 2026
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman 'Looking Seriously' At U.S. House Run
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman told Cowboy State Daily he is considering a run for Wyoming's U.S. House and has formed an exploratory committee to look into a campaign. "I will have a decision after session – one way or another," he said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026
Tom Kelly Announces Run For Superintendent Of Public Instruction
Tom Kelly, a freshman lawmaker from Sheridan who is also a college professor, said Wednesday he is running for Superintendent of Public Instruction. He arrived in Wyoming in 2019 leaving Illinois for Colorado, until Colorado became "just Illinois with mountains."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026
Gordon Says Facing $40M Cut, UW Should ‘Listen To The People Of Wyoming'
Gov. Gordon said that as the University of Wyoming faces a proposed $40 million cut, it should “listen to the people of Wyoming.” He also fielded questions about K-12 funding and dismantling the Wyoming Business Council during a Tuesday forum in Lander.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 04, 2026
Freedom Caucus Pushes Back On $15M Bid To Bring PRCA Headquarters to Cheyenne
Some Wyoming Freedom Caucus legislators question using $15 million in state lodging tax money to lure the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from Colorado to Wyoming. “Business and industry should be able to stand on their own,” Rep. Scott Heiner said.
Renée JeanFebruary 03, 2026
Robots Could Be Answer To Wyoming’s Ever-Escalating Road Repair Costs
Although robots aren't ready to fix roads now and cut down on the $400 million to $600 million shortfall Wyoming faces in the next two years, they could help in the future. Robotic road repair is on the horizon and could save big money in the long run.
Renée JeanFebruary 02, 2026
Delegation Saddened By Deaths In Minnesota, Says State Should Cooperate With ICE
Wyoming’s congressional delegation last week all expressed sadness for the deaths in Minnesota and voiced support for investigations. They said violence is not likely in Wyoming because state and local officials here cooperate with federal efforts.
Coy KnobelFebruary 01, 2026
Lummis Says Fed Reserve Pressured Banks To Close Customer Accounts Over Political Views
Sen. Cynthia Lummis says her office has uncovered written evidence that the Federal Reserve instructed bank examiners to pressure banks into closing accounts for customers based on their political views — even as Fed leadership publicly denied doing so.
David MadisonJanuary 31, 2026
Critics: Self-Defense Legal Fee Reimbursement Bill Could Spark Court Chaos
A former Washakie County prosecutor is critical of a bill forcing counties to pay back the legal fees of Wyomingites cleared of murder or manslaughter charges in shootings ruled as self-defense. He said it would throw courts into chaos.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2026
Adding Land To Wind River Reservation Is Part Of Bison Reintroduction Plan
Opponents and proponents of a bison reintroduction project on the Wind River Reservation both say restoring bison to the area involves another goal: increasing the size of the reservation to accommodate them.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 30, 2026
At Hageman's Thermopolis Townhall, Attendees Yelled More At Each Other Than At Her
Attendees clamored and yelled at Rep. Harriet Hageman's townhall in Thermopolis on Thursday with the topic of immigration enforcement causing most of the drama. But most people yelled at each other more than at Hageman.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 30, 2026
Rock Springs Councilman: New City Flag Looks Like Something From Third World Country
Rock Springs City Councilman Rick Milonas says the new city flag, designed by a 17-year-old student, is a “terrible fit for the community” and the “most butt-ugly thing I’ve ever seen." The city council adopted the new flag by an 8-1 vote last week.
Kate MeadowsJanuary 29, 2026
UW Student Leaders Protest Proposed $40 Million State Budget Cut To University
Students at the University of Wyoming say they aren't waiting for the Legislature to finalize its budget before fighting back against cuts they worry could slash funding by 15%. They say the cuts will hurt UW's ability to generate future revenue for Wyoming.
David MadisonJanuary 29, 2026
Wyoming Lawmaker Pushes ‘Stem Cell Freedom Act,’ Challenging FDA
State Sen. Eric Barlow is pushing a bill that would allow doctors to perform stem cell treatments not approved by the FDA, creating guidelines for treatment while shielding physicians from state licensing discipline.
Zakary SonntagJanuary 29, 2026
Degenfelder To Investigate Rock Springs School District's Special Ed Program
Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder announced Wednesday her office is launching an investigation into the special education program at Sweetwater County School District No. 1 after multiple noncompliance complaints.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2026
Weston County Residents Grill Wyoming Lawmakers On Tax Cuts
Wyoming lawmakers faced backlash Monday at a Newcastle town hall over property tax cuts slashing local budgets. “We have no way to raise more money. It was the legislature, not local people, that told us we were taking a budget cut," said one firefighter.
Zakary SonntagJanuary 28, 2026