Government & Politics | Cowboy State Daily

Astronaut James Irwin salutes in front of the landing module of the Apollo 15 on the moon in August 1971. Wyoming Constitution Party candidate for governor Rebecca Bextel told political commentator Tucker Carlson this week that she's among the 6% of Americans who believe the U.S. never landed on the moon.

Did Man Really Land On The Moon? Gov Candidate Rebecca Bextel Isn't Alone In Doubting

Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel isn't the only moon landing skeptic, as 5% to 12% of Americans agree. The nation's leading skeptic says the best proof is no nation has replicated the feat nearly six decades later despite better technology.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 31, 2026

Albany County Sheriff Denies ICE Numbers Saying He Has Helped Agency

Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans says he has not honored requests from ICE to hold people for up to 48 hours past their release date for the agency to pick them up. ICE says his department has honored those requests - during the Biden administration.

Clair McFarlandOctober 31, 2026

State Rep. Liz Storer, left, and Shannon Brennan.

Even Adjusting For Wealth, Teton County Race Is Most Expensive In Legislature

Even after adjusting for Teton County’s wealth, its contested House District 23 race is still the most expensive state legislative seat going into the general election. The Republican Party gave Rep. Liz Storer's GOP challenger $52,000.

Clair McFarlandOctober 31, 2026

Sweetwater County Fire Chief Scott Kitchner (right) and Assistant Fire Chief Jacob Ribordy (left) were placed on leave after concerns were brought to the district's board of directors by volunteers and other district personnel.

Sweetwater County Fire Chief, Assistant Put On Paid Leave After Complaints

The Sweetwater County Fire District's top two leaders have been placed on paid administrative leave after complaints about their leadership. Board Chair Jeff Varley says an outside investigation is underway and emergency responses won't be impacted.

Kate MeadowsOctober 30, 2026

State Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, far left, and, from top left, Brent Bien, Rebecca Bettel and Megan Degenfelder, below.

Rep. Mike Yin Files Campaign Finance Complaints Against Wyoming Gov. Candidates

State Rep. Mike Yin filed election-finance complaints Wednesday accusing Wyoming gubernatorial candidates Rebecca Bextel, Brent Bien and Megan Degenfelder of accepting more than the legal limit for individual donations.

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2026

National Education Association Pours $1.8 Million Into Beating Prop. 1

The National Education Association has spent roughly $1.8 million working to oppose Prop. 1, the Wyoming ballot initiative to cut 50% of residential property tax on qualifying homes. “Why would they care?” about Prop. 1, asked a sponsor of the measure.

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2026

This nearly 100-year-old school building in Wheatland has sparked a local debate — sell it or tear it down?

$200,000 Offer For Wheatland School Sparks Debate Over Whether To Sell Or Demolish

“This is just a mess,” said a Platte County School District 1 board member about a growing debate over whether to sell a nearly 100-year-old Wheatland school or demolish it. Meanwhile, the school board has rejected a $200,000 offer to buy it.

Kate MeadowsOctober 29, 2026

Northern Arapaho tribal leaders oversaw a heavy-equipment operation Thursday to remove a driveway entrance to the Foundations for Nations evangelical church, then plant tribal flags where the entrance had been.

Northern Arapaho Tribe Tears Out Driveway Into Church, Plants Tribal Flags

Northern Arapaho Tribal leaders gouged out the driveway leading from a tribal road into a church property Thursday, then planted two of the tribe's flags. It's the latest outcry after the church pastor called out "idolatry" in tribal rituals.

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2026

FBI Director Kash Patel visited Wyoming law enforcement leaders Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. The FBI talked with Wyoming sheriffs and other agency heads about its technology capabilities, managing various crime trends, and working together. Here, he poses for a photo with Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak.

Kash Patel Meets With 50 Wyoming Cops At War Memorial Stadium

FBI Director Kash Patel met with Wyoming law enforcement leaders in Laramie on Wednesday, then released a video montage touting the state as a law and order haven. "Wyoming is doing some of the best work in the country," Patel said.

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2026

Democrat Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, left, and Republican candidate for sheriff Eric Snow.

GOP Teton Sheriff's Candidate Claims 'Retaliation' From Sheriff, May Sue

Eric Snow, the Republican candidate for Teton County Sheriff, says the Democratic incumbent Matt Carr's office has waged a retaliatory campaign against him throughout his campaign, and his attorney said they may sue. Carr denies the allegations.

Clair McFarlandOctober 29, 2026

As the U.S. Department of Justice prepares to monitor Wyoming’s general election operations Tuesday, it is appointing Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s former No. 2 office staffer, Jesse Naiman, to oversee the job.

Feds Tap Former Chuck Gray Deputy To Run DOJ Election Monitoring

U.S. Attorney Darin Smith announced Wednesday that Chuck Gray's former deputy will oversee a federal operation monitoring Wyoming’s general election next week. State authorities told the monitors they must stay at least 100 yards away from the polls.

Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2026

Republican gubernatorial nominee Eric Barlow (left), Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel (center), Democratic nominee Ken Casner (right)

Wyoming Gov Race: Barlow Out-Raises Bextel 4-1, Bextel Filing Amended Report

Wyoming campaign finance reports filed as of Wednesday morning show Eric Barlow has out-fundraised his opponent Rebecca Bextel in the gubernatorial race by nearly four-to-one. Bextel says her numbers are much higher and is filing an amended report.

Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2026

Economists Say State Income Tax On The Table If Proposition 1 Passes

Wyoming economists say a state income tax is on the table if Prop 1 passes, because it's a targeted way to get back the huge tax discounts the initiative would give wealthy people. "It’s not a threat. It just makes income tax more logical,” said Sen. Cale Case.

Clair McFarlandOctober 28, 2026

Glenrock Town Council Meeting Gets Heated Over Big Fee Hike For Public Records

Glenrock officials say they need to charge more for public records because requests tied to Flock cameras are consuming staff time and driving up costs. Residents argue they shouldn't have to pay hundreds of dollars to access public information.

Kate MeadowsOctober 27, 2026

Wyoming Green Card Holder Pleads Guilty To Casting Illegal Ballot In 2024 Election

A non-U.S. citizen pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally voting in Wyoming’s 2024 presidential election. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray confirmed that the man is the previously unnamed Carbon County voter his office identified in October 2025.

Kolby FedoreOctober 27, 2026

Wyoming AG: State Law Bars DOJ Election Monitors From Polling Places

After the Trump administration sent DOJ election monitors to Cheyenne on primary election day, the Wyoming Attorney General said, in an opinion released publicly Tuesday, that the law doesn't authorize them to be in polling places and can be removed.

Clair McFarlandOctober 27, 2026

Constitution Party gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel, left, and Wyoming Republican Party Chairman Bryan Miller.

Wyoming GOP Chair Says Party Won't Endorse Barlow Or Bextel For Governor

Wyoming GOP Chair Bryan Miller said the party won't endorse Eric Barlow for governor because he didn't commit to the Republican platform, and won't endorse Bextel because she's not a Republican. He also said Checkgate "destroyed the Freedom Caucus."

Clair McFarlandOctober 27, 2026

A left-leaning Wyoming political action committee (PAC) dispatched a false mailer against Daron Wyatt, the Republican candidate for Albany County Sheriff, but quickly retracted the mailer after about 20 of them were released, the group says.

Left-Leaning PAC Retracts False Mailers About Albany GOP Candidate

Better Wyoming Action & Research, a left-leaning PAC, has retracted about 20 copies of a false mailer it sent about GOP Albany County Sheriff candidate Daron Wyatt. “Even one of them being delivered with factually inaccurate information is an issue," Wyatt said.

Clair McFarlandOctober 26, 2026

Under Pentagon’s Doomsday Scenario, F.E. Warren Can Still Fire Missiles

F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne can still fire its missile if disconnected from civilian utilities as outlined in the Pentagon’s new doomsday mandate. "This is how prudent military people think," said former base commander Tucker Fagan.

Emma Jane JacksonOctober 26, 2026

Bextel Appears On Tucker Carlson To Tout Campaign, Says We Didn't Go To The Moon

Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel appeared on Tucker Carlson's show over the weekend and claimed Eric Barlow is a Democrat and is against fossil fuels. She also said the U.S. didn't land on the moon. "I'm not falling for it," she said.

Clair McFarlandOctober 26, 2026

Gov. Mark Gordon thanks U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, left, at a Friday news conference at the Capitol for his help in passing the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will distribute $205 million to improve rural healthcare services in the state in the next year. At right is Stefan Johansson, director of the Wyoming Department of Health.

Gordon Will Direct $92 Million In Fed Money For Rural Emergency & Maternity Care

Gov. Mark Gordon announced Friday that rural emergency and maternity care will get $92 million out of $205 million in the Rural Health Transformation Program. He said states, rather than feds, can better decide where that money goes.

Kerry DrakeOctober 23, 2026

Uinta County Residents Push For Write-Ins To Oust Coroner Charged With 5 Felonies

Some Uinta County residents are pushing for a write-in campaign to oust longtime coroner Gregory Crandall, who faces five felony charges. He's unopposed on the Nov. 3 ballot. "I adamantly deny all allegations against me," Crandall told a local newspaper.

Kate MeadowsOctober 23, 2026

The Feud: Albany County Sheriff's Race Pits Two High-Profile And Combative Opponents

The Albany County Sheriff's race is a genuine feud. The two high-profile law enforcement officers sharply criticize each other. It casts the controversy of a high death rate in Sheriff Aaron Appelhans' jail against opponent Daron Wyatt's use of force history.

Clair McFarlandOctober 23, 2026

Challenger Wonders Why Albany County Coroner's DUI Arrest Didn't Hit The News

A candidate running for Albany County coroner is wondering why the DUI arrest of the sitting coroner last October never went public so he's raising it. Sally King "was too intoxicated to have driven to the scene of the dead body," the police report reads.

Clair McFarlandOctober 22, 2026