Government & Politics

Wyo Legislative Leaders Range From Lukewarm To Angry On Public Lands Sale

Leaders of the Wyoming Legislature range from lukewarm to angry about the proposed sale of federal public lands in Wyoming and 10 other Western states. And even though they can’t do anything about it, they’re hearing from constituents.

Clair McFarlandJune 20, 2025

The small, rural Wyoming town of Dayton could only watch and pray as the Elk Fire burns across the mountain face of the Bighorns above in this October 2024 file photo.

‘Roadless Rule’ Leaves Wyoming Vulnerable To More Huge Wildfires, Hageman Says

The 24-year-old federal Clinton Roadless Rule is largely to blame for Wyoming’s devastating wildfires, Rep. Harriet Hageman says. She told Wyoming legislators Thursday that more blazes are in store if the rule isn’t changed.

Mark HeinzJune 20, 2025

Homeschool Students, Parents Say Wyoming Needs ‘Tebow Rule’ For Sports, Activities

Wyoming homeschooled middle schoolers and their parents say Wyoming needs a “Tebow Rule” to make sure sports and activities are open to them in their local school districts.

Matthew ChristianJune 20, 2025

At an early-morning town hall meeting in Newcastle on Friday, June 20, 2025, Rep. Harriet Hageman fielded a lot of questions about selling off federal public lands. Hageman said she doesn’t know why the Senate exempted Montana and claims of a huge selloff are “silly.”

Hageman Says Claims Of Huge Selloff Of Federal Public Land Is 'Silly'

At an early-morning town hall meeting in Newcastle on Friday, Rep. Harriet Hageman fielded a lot of questions about selling off federal public lands. She said she doesn’t know why the Senate exempted Montana and claims of a huge selloff are “silly.”

Matthew ChristianJune 20, 2025

Wyoming School Boards Association executive director Brian Farmer fields numerous questions about school insurance during a Wednesday meeting of the select committee on school finance recalibration in Casper.

Wyoming Schools Say Banning Gun-Free Zones Is Hiking Insurance Rates

Multiple Wyoming school districts say the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones has prompted hikes in their liability insurance costs. The situation sparked debate between supporters and detractors of the new law at a legislative committee this week.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

Adobe town, south of Rock Springs along rough gravel and dirt roads, is one of Wyoming’s most isolated locations.

More Changes For Rock Springs BLM Plan; Locals Say ‘We’ve Studied That Thing To Death’

In what’s become a familiar pattern, the Bureau of Land Management’s controversial Rock Springs management plan is up for another round of reviews. Wyoming legislators and officials say “we’ve studied that thing to death.”

Mark HeinzJune 19, 2025

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder testifies for the Senate Education Committee during thed Wyoming Legislature's 2025 session in this file photo.

Degenfelder Plans $6.4 Million School Choice Payout, But Judge Could Stop It

As a lawsuit against the program escalates, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder is still planning at this point to pay out $6.44 million for school choice July 1. A judge could decide next week to halt the payments.

Clair McFarlandJune 19, 2025

The Bureau of Land Management has tapped Wyoming land expert Brenda Younkin for a role as senior advisor while the Trump administration considers selling federal lands.

Wyoming Land Expert Tapped For BLM As Trump Considers Selling Federal Land

A Wyoming land expert with deep ranching roots has been tapped for a senior position with the Bureau of Land Management. Her appointment comes at a time when the potential sale of public lands in Wyoming has become a lightning rod across the state.

Renée JeanJune 19, 2025

Montana is exempt from federal land sales outlined in the budget bill, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill. In Wyoming, millions of acres could potentially be on the list to hit the market.

By The Way, Montana Is Exempt From Public Land Sales In Budget Bill

While many in Wyoming and other western states are worried about potential public land sales, our neighbors to the north aren't sharing those concerns. Montana's congressional delegation was able to exempt the state from any potential public land sell-offs.

David MadisonJune 18, 2025

Protestor in Los Angeles on June 11, 2025

Parade To Protests: Wyo Delegation Says One Side Is Patriotic, Other Side Is Destructive

From riots in Los Angeles to a military parade in D.C., the past week in America has shown the country’s growing divide. Wyoming's congressional delegation says one side is patriotic while the other side is for chaos and destruction.

Jackson Walker for Cowboy State DailyJune 18, 2025

Hageman Says Vast Swaths Of Wyoming Public Lands Won’t Be Sold

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman says a Wilderness Society map that shows nearly 15 million acres of public land could be sold if the Senate budget bill passes is wrong. The group stands by its report, which it says is based on what the language of the bill says.

Mark HeinzJune 18, 2025

Blue-Collar Sector To Wyoming Schools: Give Us More Welders

With voids of unfilled technical education jobs in Wyoming — like welders, plumbers and construction workers — the state needs to adjust its education system to those fields. That was the message from the state’s blue-collar sector to legislators Tuesday.

Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2025

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a landmark cryptocurrency bill on Tuesday in a big win for Sen. Cynthia Lummis, aka Wyoming’s “Crypto Queen.” It goes to the House after a bumpy ride for several weeks.

Crowning Moment For ‘Crypto Queen’ Lummis As Senate Passes Landmark Bill

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a landmark cryptocurrency bill Tuesday in a big win for Sen. Cynthia Lummis, aka Wyoming’s “Crypto Queen.” It goes to the House after a bumpy ride for several weeks.

Sean BarryJune 17, 2025

With ‘California EV Mandate’ Dead, Delegation Targets Emissions Rules For States

After throwing out the latest auto emissions rules that California set, Wyoming’s congressional delegation and fellow Republicans are refocusing. They now want to limit or outright eliminate states setting auto emissions rules.

Sean BarryJune 16, 2025

Alison Streeter organizes her road trip gear before hitting the road headed west in her Tesla.

Trump, Musk And The Politics Of Being A Tesla Owner In Wyoming

Tesla owners in Wyoming have been targets of vandalism, harassment and internal strife since Elon Musk joined the Trump administration. Now that the Trump-Musk alliance has hit the skids, Tesla owners are hoping all the drama just goes away.

Zakary SonntagJune 15, 2025

Legislators Propose Tax Hikes On Sports, Horse Racing And Machine Betting

A Wyoming legislative committee proposed three tax hikes this week on multiple gaming industries. It also plans to insert a money-monitoring system into gaming machines across Wyoming bars, casino-style halls and truck stops.

Clair McFarlandJune 14, 2025

A locked gate blocks Boswell Road at the Ox Yoke Ranch property line. The property owners say they want to allow public access, but are worried about liability issues — because official jurisdiction over the road remains murky.

Popular Snowy Range Road Stays Closed Because Nobody Can Figure Out Who Owns It

Boswell Road in southeast Wyoming’s Snowy Range has been there since before Wyoming was a state. But it remains officially closed because nobody can figure out who owns it. In the meantime, the closure is killing a housing project.

Mark HeinzJune 14, 2025

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board, led by Riverton resident and Chairwoman Ruby Calvert, sued President Donald Trump’s administration Tuesday, April 29, 2025, for removing three Democratic members from the group’s board.

Wyoming Delegation Supports Defunding PBS, NPR And A Foreign Aid Agency

Wyoming’s U.S. senators say they will vote for clawing back $9.4 billion from PBS, NPR and a foreign aid agency. Rep. Harriet Hageman helped push the measure through the House on Thursday.

Sean BarryJune 13, 2025

The California National Guard stands in formation in Los Angeles in response to ongoing immigration riots. Gov. Mark Gordon says he doesn't expect a similar resposne will be necessary at Wyoming protests.

'Wyoming Is Not Los Angeles:' Gordon Doesn’t Expect Need For Guard At Protests

With anti-Trump protests planned for at least 13 Wyoming towns Saturday, Democrats are calling on Gov. Mark Gordon to reject Trump if he tries to deploy the Wyoming National Guard. Gordon says he doesn’t expect that because “Wyoming is not Los Angeles.”

Clair McFarlandJune 13, 2025

Sublette County Gives Hospital Pledged $2.7 Million Grant, Settles Feud

Sublette County on Wednesday gave the Sublette County Hospital District the final $2.7 million it had pledged to help build new medical facilities. In turn, the hospital district is transferring nearly 2 acres to the county.

Clair McFarlandJune 13, 2025

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Califorinia, is taken down during a press conference held by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Thursday.

Wyoming Delegation Calls Senator’s Takedown At Press Conference A ‘Political Stunt’

Sen. John Barrasso says Sen. Alex Padilla made a “spectacle of himself” after federal agents took down Padilla at a press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A spokesman for Sen. Cynthia Lummis called the incident a “political stunt.”

Sean BarryJune 12, 2025

Barrasso Unleashes On Schumer For Not Condemning LA Riots

Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso unleashed on Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for repeatedly refusing to condemn the LA ICE riots. He called Schumer out on the Senate floor Wednesday for saying the protests are “peaceful.”

Jackson Walker for Cowboy State DailyJune 12, 2025

Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, second from left, applauds behind President Donald Trump after he signed bills to end the so-called California EV mandate Thursday, June 12, 2025.

Delegation Cheers As Trump Signs Bill Tossing Out ‘California EV Mandate’

Wyoming’s U.S. senators were cheering Thursday as President Donald Trump signed legislation tossing out the so-called California EV mandate, which called for an end to new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.