Government & Politics
News
Five State Officials In Line To Lead WYDOT After Previous Director Abruptly Retires
In the wake of former Wyoming Department of Transportation Director Luke Reiner’s abrupt retirement, the governor will choose from five state employees to replace him.
Leo WolfsonMarch 22, 2023
Benched During Session, Sen. Dan Laursen’s ‘Unbelievably’ Good Behavior Gets Him Back On Committees
Powell Sen. Dan Laursen is out of Senate President Ogden Driskill's doghouse and has been rewarded for good behavior by being placed on a committee. He was the only legislator, out of 93, not to be assigned to a standing committee last session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 22, 2023
Sheridan County GOP, Fed Up With Legislature’s Inaction, Asks Schools To Ban Teaching Of Sexual Topics To Children
Sheridan County Republican Party committeeman Tod Windsor said the local party was "fed up" with the state Legislature for not passing a law prohibiting teachers from teaching sexual topics to third graders and younger, so they are asking the local school districts to put up their own ban.
Leo WolfsonMarch 22, 2023
Fact Checkers Said Feds Were Not Planning To Ban Gas Stoves; Fact Checkers Were Wrong
Fact-checkers for multiple large U.S. media outlets determined that the federal government is not considering a ban or restrictions on natural gas-powered stoves. The fact-checkers were wrong.
March 21, 2023
Hageman Calls Potential Trump Indictment ‘Persecution’ And ‘Woke Politicization’
Now that former President Trump could be on the brink of being indicted, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says the efforts of a New York City district attorney investigating him are nothing more than a witch hunt.
Leo WolfsonMarch 21, 2023
Sheridan GOP Censures Rep. Cyrus Western, Call For Resignation: He Says They Won’t Get It
Cyrus Western, R-Big Horn, was censured Saturday by the Sheridan County Republican Party for his alleged role in a political mailer that targeted local people and labeled them as “Wanted … for trying to tear our state apart.” The party also called for Western to resign; he says he won’t.
Leo WolfsonMarch 21, 2023
Halverson Ousted As Wyoming County GOP Elections Move Toward ‘Traditional Republican’ Leadership
Lincoln County politico Marti Halverson was ousted as chair of the county party over the weekend in favor of a more moderate Republican. She was one of many hardline conservatives who lost to more moderates across the state.
Leo WolfsonMarch 20, 2023
Denied Making His Own M16, Wapiti Man Says Militia-Building Protected By Second Amendment
A Wapiti man suing for the right to make his own machine gun has fired back at the federal government after the feds asked the judge to dismiss his case. Jake DeWilde on Monday filed a new version of his lawsuit but this time focusing on the Second Amendment.
Clair McFarlandMarch 20, 2023
Gov. Gordon Joins Anti-ESG Effort Led By Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Gov. Mark Gordon signed a letter written by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, to fight back against ESG, which is sometimes called ‘woke capitalism.’ The letter says ESG is “a direct threat” to the American economy and way of life.
March 19, 2023
For Thousands of Wyoming Kids, Dolly Parton Is “The Book Lady”
Thousands of Wyoming children in 13 counties are fans of Dolly Parton, but not for her music. To them, she’s “The Book Lady” who, through her Imagination Library, sends free books to read every month.
Wendy CorrMarch 19, 2023
Gordon’s Refusal To Sign Certain Bills A Political Statement, Lawmakers Say
Some legislators were critical of Gov Gordon for taking the maximum amount of time legally and then letting bills become law without his signature like the transgender sports bill and an abortion bill, while others say weren't bothered by Gordon's lack of support.
Leo WolfsonMarch 19, 2023
True Wyoming Cowboys – On Horseback – Protected U.S. From Japanese Attack By Sea And Balloon During World War II
Cowboys from Wyoming — on horseback — were part of America’s strategy to stop balloon bombs. They were initially deployed to the West Coast to watch for invaders, but some also recall being told to watch for balloon Japan’s secret balloon bombs.
Renée JeanMarch 19, 2023
Legislating By Template Draws Criticism, But Former Lawmakers Say That’s Nothing New
Although Gov Mark Gordon and House Speaker Albert Sommers condemned bills that were influenced by outside sources, longtime former legislators told Cowboy State Daily that using or adapting legislation that has been successful in other states is nothing new.
Leo WolfsonMarch 18, 2023
‘Draconian And Discriminatory:’ Gordon Won’t Sign Transgender Sports Ban, Becomes Law Without Signature
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon on Friday said banning biological males from competing in girls school sports is "draconian" and "discriminatory," but allowed the bill to go into law without signing it.
Clair McFarlandMarch 18, 2023
Gordon Vetoes Cheney-Inspired Absentee Ballot Bill; Sec Of State Chuck Gray Disappointed
Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a Chuck Gray-supported election security bill on Friday that would have banned members of the public from mailing absentee ballot request forms to voters. This was a practice used by former congresswoman Liz Cheney during her 2020 campaign.
Leo WolfsonMarch 17, 2023
Feds Say Wyoming Man Has No Right To Make His Own Machine Gun
Saying a federal ban on machine guns is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, a Wapiti man is suing the ATF and the nation's top prosecutor, but the federal government says people have no right to build machine guns.
Clair McFarlandMarch 16, 2023
Texas Couple Sues Jackson Ski Resort, Rental Company For “Catastrophic” Crash
A Texas woman claims in a federal lawsuit that Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Hoback Sports Inc. did not properly inspect the rental equipment that burst apart while she skied, causing her to hurtle down the mountain and suffer permanent injuries.
Clair McFarlandMarch 15, 2023
Wyoming’s Suicide Rate Falls As 988 Call Centers Field 10,000 Calls In Two Months
The executive director for the Wyoming Association of Mental Health believes the states two 988 suicide call centers, now staffed 24/7, can be partially credited for Wyomings improving numbers. The centers have fielded more than 10,000 calls since January.
Leo WolfsonMarch 15, 2023
West Virginia Begs Supreme Court To Enforce Transgender Sports Ban, Wyoming In Limbo
While Wyoming's ban on biological males in girls' school sports waits for Gov. Mark Gordon to accept or reject it, West Virginia and 19 other states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let them enforce their bans.
Clair McFarlandMarch 13, 2023
With Legal Bill At $50,000, A Broke Uinta County Republican Party Makes Plea For Donations
As it continues to fight a lawsuit brought by one of its own members, the Uinta County Republican Party is asking for help paying a legal tab thats so far reached about $50,000.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2023
Analysis: Wyoming Moderate Conservatives Had More Success In 2023 Legislative Session
A Cowboy State Daily political analysis shows that although there were a few outliers, Wyoming lawmakers closer to the center of the aisle politically had the highest success rate for getting bills passed during this years legislative session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2023
Casper Mother Sobers Up, Tries To Get Meth-Riddled Baby Back But It’s Too Late, Supreme Court Says
Though she sobered up in the days leading up to her parental rights termination hearing, Robin Alcorn did not do enough to get her child back after police found the baby was strung out on meth, the Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Clair McFarlandMarch 10, 2023
California Cell Phone Tower Company Sues Park County For Denying Build Permit Of 195-Foot Tower
A California-based cellphone tower builder is suing the Park County Commission after it unanimously rejected its bid to build a 195-foot cell tower in the Cody area. The company said it has to right to build wherever it wants.
Clair McFarlandMarch 10, 2023
Gordon Announces WYDOT Director Luke Reiner’s Retirement
In a short three paragraph statement released late Thursday afternoon, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wyoming Dept of Transportation Director Luke Reiner would be retiring.
Leo WolfsonMarch 10, 2023