Government & Politics
News

Former Wyoming Education Chief Jillian Balow Has New Job, Still Being Paid $300,000 By Virginia
Three months removed from her resignation as Virginia superintendent of public instruction, Jillian Balow has taken a corporate education job. Virginia also is still paying her nearly $300,000 in salary and benefits over the next year.
Leo WolfsonJune 27, 2023

‘We’re Coming For Your Children’ Chant At LGBTQ Parade Is ‘Sickening,’ Says Degenfelder
Wyoming's top educator Megan Degenfelder said demonstrators chanting "we're coming for your children" at an LGBTQ parade this weekend is 'sickening.' Although some demonstrators said it was a joke, Degenfelder said the protection of children is "never a joking matter."
Clair McFarlandJune 27, 2023

Proposal Would Tighten Wyoming Laws On Organ Donor Discrimination By Insurance Companies
Building off legislation that will go into law Saturday, the Wyoming lawmakers are now trying to protect people who receive organ transplants from being discriminated against for insurance coverage.
Leo WolfsonJune 26, 2023

A Year After Roe Overturned, Wyoming Pro-Life Supporters Celebrate Anniversary
In one of the reddest states in the nation, abortion is still fully legal in Wyoming a full year after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. As pro-life supporters rally to mark the anniversary, pro-choice advocates vow the fight far from over.
Leo WolfsonJune 26, 2023

Wyoming Republicans Part Of National Shift To Work Within ‘Rigged’ Election Systems
Some Republicans in Wyoming, similar to what's happening on the national stage, are shifting their approach to election practices. Although they may not prefer mail-in ballots and early voting, they concede they may have to work within these parameters.
Leo WolfsonJune 25, 2023

Casper Lawmaker Proposes Bill To Give Parents More Access To Their Kids' Health Records
Hospitals and doctors are required by federal law to keep some treatments for kids as young as 12 confidential even from their parents, which prompted state Rep. Jeanette Ward, R-Casper, to propose a state bill chipping away at that requirement.
Clair McFarlandJune 23, 2023

Laramie Regional Airport Digs Out From ‘Unbelievable’ 45 FAA Violations
Although Laramie Regional Airport Director Amy Terrell painted a rosy picture of the state of her airport to Albany County commissioners, some local pilots say there are still serious problems.
Leo WolfsonJune 23, 2023

Hageman Says She Would Vote To Impeach Biden
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, told Cowboy State Daily that she supports Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s latest effort to impeach President Joe Biden.
Leo WolfsonJune 22, 2023

Lander School Board Adopts Tougher Policy On Sexually Graphic Books
A controversy over “Let’s Talk About It,” a book in the Lander Valley High School library, prompted the local school board Tuesday to approve a tougher policy for weeding out inappropriate books.
Clair McFarlandJune 21, 2023

Harvard Researcher Says Deregulating Wyoming Could Solve State’s Housing Crisis
A researcher with the Harvard Growth Lab told a state legislative task force Monday that to solve its housing crisis, Wyoming needs to deregulate, urbanize and grow cities like Casper and Cheyenne to more than 100,000 people.
Leo WolfsonJune 20, 2023

University Of Wyoming Free Speech Task Force Doesn’t Consider Church Elder’s Ban From Campus
A University of Wyoming free speech task force didn’t consider the case of a Laramie church elder who was publicly banned from the student union in making recommendations on how to improve free speech at UW.
Leo WolfsonJune 20, 2023

Cody Mormon Temple Gets OK, But Not The Enormous 77-Foot Steeple
Although the town of Cody approved a new Latter-day Saints temple Thursday, it tabled the decision on whether to allow a towering 77-foot steeple to go with it. The city planner argued it wouldn't violate the town's 30-foot height limit because the 8-story steeple shouldn't count.
Leo WolfsonJune 17, 2023

Coal, Oil And Gas Rebound Push Campbell County Assessed Valuation To $5.7 Billion
Strong performances in Campbell County’s mineral extraction industries increased the county’s assessed valuation to $5.7 billion, the highest since it posted a record $6.2 billion valuation in 2015.
Leo WolfsonJune 16, 2023

Wyoming Tribes Rejoice Over Indian Child Custody Ruling, But Justice Thomas Invites Challenges
While both of Wyoming's Indian tribes are rejoicing over the Indian Child Welfare Act surviving its U.S. Supreme Court Challenge, a dissenting justice practically invites future challenges to the act.
Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2023

Parent Locked Out Of 12-Year-Old’s Health Records By Casper’s Banner Health
A parent shared a screenshot this week of a Banner Health note that said access to her 12-year-old's account has been revoked because the child is now between the ages of 12 and 17.
Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2023

Wyoming Lawmaker Calls For Boycott Of Businesses That Sponsored Casper Pride Fest
Wyoming Republican state Rep. Jeanette Ward is vowing not to support businesses that sponsored Casper’s Pride Fest celebration last weekend.
Leo WolfsonJune 15, 2023

Wyoming Indian Custody Task Force Chairs To Continue Work Despite High Court Ruling
State Sens. Cale Case and and Affie Ellis disagree on whether a Wyoming task force built to preserve the federal Indian Child Welfare Act on a state level has any purpose now that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the federal law.
Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2023

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Congress’ Authority To Keep Indian Children Out Of Non-Native Homes
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act on Thursday, a 45-year-old federal law designed to keep American Indian families together by keeping Indian foster and adoptive children out of non-native homes.
Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2023

Here's Which Elected Officials In Wyoming Spoke Out On Trump Indictment
While Wyoming’s congressional delegation all spoke out about the indictment of former President Trump, only one statewide official said anything about it.
Leo WolfsonJune 15, 2023

U.S. House Passes Two Bills Blocking Biden Administration From Banning Gas Stoves
More than two dozen Democrats joined Republicans to pass legislation blocking the Biden administration from banning or infringing upon the use of gas stoves in the U.S.
Jimmy OrrJune 14, 2023

DOJ Investigation Of Susan Gore: Politically Motivated Attack Or Legit Case?
State Sen. Anthony Bouchard believes the Department of Justice’s investigation of Wyoming’s Susan Gore is politically motivated, while Rep. Karlee Provenza said its investigation into spying and campaign donations is justified.
Leo WolfsonJune 14, 2023

77-Foot Steeple For Mormon Temple In Cody Not Part Of Roof, Doesn’t Violate 30-Foot Limit, City Planner Says
Cody City Planner Todd Stowell says a proposed Mormon temple wouldn't violate the town's 30-foot height limit because the 77-foot steeple doesn't count.
Leo WolfsonJune 13, 2023

Trial On Whether Abortion Is A Wyoming Right Set For Next Spring
Abortion could remain legal in Wyoming for another 10 months at least, as a state district court has scheduled a trial on the matter for next April.
Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2023

Water Main Bursts in Rawlins But No Water Restrictions Issued Because Of Huge Snowpack
Even though a water main burst in Rawlins over the weekend, water restrictions have been eased in the town because of a historic winter snowfall which left a huge snowpack in Wyoming’s Snowy Range.
Leo WolfsonJune 12, 2023
