Government & Politics
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Wyoming Wants To Do What No Other State Has Done: Take Over Federal Mineral Leasing
The Wyoming Senate is advancing a first-of-its-kind resolution asking Congress to let the state run the federal mineral leasing program within its borders. Even supporters acknowledge it's a heavy lift.
David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026
Senate Committee Advances Bill To 'Freeze,' Rebuild Wyoming Business Council
The state Senate advanced a bill Monday that would rescue the Wyoming Business Council by rebuilding the controversial agency. It also would freeze its work while lawmakers and others reevaluate the council.
Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026
Future Of Wyoming’s Derecho Supercomputer Uncertain Amid Management Change
The future of Wyoming’s Derecho supercomputer is uncertain after the National Science Foundation announced plans to shift operations to a third party, leaving state and university leaders seeking to preserve its local role.
Renée JeanFebruary 17, 2026
Wyoming Senators Advance Hospital Price Transparency Bill To Curb Sticker Shock
After a 46-year-old Gillette man suffered a stroke while driving a truck in the oil fields, he faced a $300,000 medical debt. And then came the other bills for therapy. But no pricing was available at the hospital. A bill was advanced Monday requiring it.
David MadisonFebruary 16, 2026
Wyoming Senator Offers $126 Million Compromise To Embattled School Funding Bill
Sen. Chris Rothfuss on Monday offered a $126 million increase to Wyoming's $3.6 billion, two-year grant to its public schools. That's a compromise that followed months of educator outcry and debate between lawmakers. Soon the full Senate may consider his amendment.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026
Lummis Announces Kraken Will Fund Trump Accounts For Every Wyoming Newborn In 2026
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis told the Wyoming Senate on Monday that Kraken, the cryptocurrency exchange that moved its global headquarters to Cheyenne last year, will sponsor Trump $1,000 Accounts for every child born in Wyoming in 2026.
David MadisonFebruary 16, 2026
Former Wyoming Lawmakers Voice Shock, Anger Over 'CheckGate' Controversy
Former Wyoming lawmakers say someone coming onto the House floor to distribute checks was "brazen," "shocking," and "unprecedented." "When it comes to ethics violations, I don’t recall anything of this magnitude," said former Rep. Ron Micheli.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 16, 2026
Teton County GOP Condemns Check Passing On House Floor By Its Own Committeewoman
The Teton County Republican Party on Saturday condemned the actions of its committeewoman, Rebecca Bextel, for handing out checks on the House floor. The Wyoming Republican Party distanced itself too, saying she was not representing the party.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026
The Hitching Post: When Everyone Stayed At Wyoming’s Wildest Political Hotel
The Hitching Post Inn in Cheyenne wasn't just a hotel. For decades, it was the most powerful spot in Wyoming. Nearly every legislator stayed there and that's where deals were finalized. Communal martini fountains helped lubricate negotiations.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 14, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Move To Bypass FDA On Stem Cell Treatments
Wyoming lawmakers advanced the Stem Cell Freedom Act on Friday, which would let doctors offer certain stem cell treatments without FDA approval. Bill sponsor Sen. Eric Barlow said, “We’ve got to press on the federal government because they’re not approving things fast enough."
Zakary SonntagFebruary 14, 2026
Chief Says Cop Killer’s Mom Would Have Escaped Justice Under Gun Rights Bill
Wyoming law officers say a gun rights bill headed for the House floor could let offenders slip through the cracks, including a cop killer's mom who would've escaped justice under the bill. Supporters say it will protect gun owners from federal overreach.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Shoot Down Bill To Create Nation's First Hydrogen Tax
The House Minerals Committee shot down a bid Friday for Wyoming to become the first state in the nation with a hydrogen severance tax. Industry officials testified a tax would discourage investment in Cowboy State hydrogen projects.
David MadisonFebruary 13, 2026
Bill To Purge Sexually-Explicit Library Books From Children's Section Heads To House
A bill seeking to remove sexually-explicit materials from children’s sections of public and school libraries is headed to the Wyoming House of Representatives, after the House Judiciary Committee advanced it Friday on a 6-1 approval vote.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2026
Wyoming Senate Formally Condemns GOP Activist For Passing Out Checks On House Floor
All 31 Wyoming senators Friday condemned a GOP activist for handing out campaign checks on the floor of the House. “The appearance of vote-buying on the House floor or the Senate floor is absolutely unconscionable," Sen. President Bo Biteman said.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2026
Senate Rescues Wyoming's Attempt To Rework Public School Funding
Under pressure to pay the schools in a way that satisfies Wyoming's courts, the state Senate on Friday rescued a bill attempting to do just that - moments after the House rejected its own school funding bill a second time.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 13, 2026
In Full Debate On University of Wyoming Budget Cuts, Lawmakers Ask If It's Retaliation
The Wyoming House and Senate debated a $40 million cut to the University of Wyoming on Thursday, with the budget committee co-chair John Bear confirming the number was meant to "get their attention." He said legislative directives on DEI were ignored.
Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 13, 2026
Wyoming Anti-Abortion Amendment Dies In Senate By One Vote
The Wyoming Senate on Thursday killed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have let the legislature restrict abortion - by redefining health care. Voting against it, Sen. Cale Case said, “It’s crazy to give us that much power.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026
Parent Angered After Nonbinary Book Read To Kindergartners In Sweetwater County
A parent of a kindergartner is angry after a teacher at Sage Elementary School in Rock Springs read a book about non-binary gender ideology to her son’s class. The principal said the teacher stopped reading the book when she realized what it was about.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 12, 2026
House Forms Investigative Committee To See If Checks Passed Were Bribes, Misconduct
All 59 Wyoming representatives who were on the House floor Thursday afternoon voted to convene a special committee to investigate the checks given to lawmakers on the House floor Monday - and if it was an act of bribery or legislative misconduct.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026
Wyoming House Will Hear Bill To Investigate How Data Centers Impact Water Supply
A Wyoming House committee advanced a bill Thursday that would provide funding for a study on how data centers, carbon capture, or other large-scale industrial projects might sap or impact the state's water supply.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026
Wyoming Projected To Lose 335 Physicians By 2030, Lawmakers Look To Foreign Docs
In an effort to fix Wyoming's physician shortage, a bill to create a new pathway for foreign-trained doctors has advanced in the House. Rep. Jacob Wasserburger said Wyoming is projected to lose 335 physicians by 2030 and 18 of 23 counties currently have a health professional shortage.
David MadisonFebruary 12, 2026
Teton County GOP Leader Handed Out Checks To Lawmakers On House Floor
Teton County Republican Party leader Rebecca Bextel handed out checks to lawmakers on the Wyoming House floor Monday, according to interviews, a photograph and her own later statement. She said there was "nothing wrong" with the maneuver.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 12, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Hand-Count Recount Bill Despite County Clerks’ Objections
Wyoming lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday to allow hand-counted recounts despite county clerks warning it wouldn’t work under tight deadlines. Sec. of State Chuck Gray testified in favor calling it "one of the most vetted election bills in this session."
David MadisonFebruary 12, 2026
Wyoming Senate Kills Bill To Revamp Courts - Three More Still Alive
One piece of Wyoming legislation aimed at changing the way Wyoming chooses judges and structures courts failed its introductory vote Wednesday in the state Senate — but at least three more reform bills remained viable.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 11, 2026