Government & Politics
News
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
Hageman Supportive Of Release of Additional January 6 Footage
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Thursday said she was supportive of the release of all the footage related to January 6.
Leo WolfsonMarch 10, 2023
Wyoming School Choice Advocates Cheer Charter School Expansion, Teachers Not So Much
School choice advocates are rejoicing a charter-school friendly law change that has passed the Wyoming Legislature. The Wyoming Education Association, on the other hand, strongly opposed the bill.
Clair McFarlandMarch 09, 2023
Hageman Denounces Transgender Surgeries, Doesn’t Regret Criticizing Legislators For Failure To Act
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Wednesday defended calling out Wyoming lawmakers last month for not passing legislation that would prohibit gender-related surgeries in Wyoming. It is absolutely something that should not be going on and I will double down on that when it comes to our children, she said.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2023
Secretary of State Chuck Gray Pleased With Election Integrity Improvements Passed In Legislature
Although it wasnt an overwhelmingly successful legislative session for staunch conservatives, election security was one bright spot, which Secretary of State Chuck Gray made his presence well-heard in.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2023
Lawsuit Claims Former Wyoming Education Chief Used State Money To Pay For Political Event
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder, along with the Wyoming Department of Education, is being sued for using state money for a political event and offering misleading statements when asked about it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2023
The Ghost Of Liz Cheney: Legislature Passed Two Bills In Reaction to Cheney’s Failed Campaign
The successful bills to ban crossover voting and to prohibit any campaign from distributing official absentee ballot request forms were both drafted in response to former Rep. Liz Cheney's campaign.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2023
Wyoming Not Poised To Ban Child Sex Changes Via Executive Action Like Florida And Texas
Texas and Florida both went around their legislatures to ban transgender treatments for kids through executive action, but Wyoming shows no signs of doing the same.
Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2023
Former Wyoming Education Chief Balow Won’t Say Why She Abruptly Resigned As Virginia Superintendent
Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow who formerly held the same position in Wyoming won't say why she resigned from her post last week although the Virginia Dept of Education blasted her for "numerous unresolved messes created by her mishandling..."
Clair McFarlandMarch 07, 2023
Leo Wolfson: It Was A Wild And Woolly 2023 Legislative Session
Posting nearly 360 legislative stories during the 37-day session of the 2023 Wyoming Legislature, Cowboy State Dailys lead politics reporter Leo Wolfson already counting the days until 2024.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2023