Government & Politics
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Gun Advocates Praise Study Showing Citizens Stop More Mass Shooters Than Police
Wyoming gun rights advocate Mark Jones told Cowboy State Daily that a new study showing armed citizens stopped more active shootings than police proved Wyoming was right to repeal gun-free zones.
Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2025

World, Wyoming Delegation Mourns Al Simpson’s Death
People from around Wyoming and the world expressed their condolences over the passing of former Wyoming U.S. Senator Al Simpson, who died Friday morning. His wife Ann told Sen. Barrasso that it was a full moon and “Al went to heaven on a moonbeam.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025

Former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Al Simpson Dies At 93, Remembered As Gentle Giant
Former U.S. Sen. Alan K. Simpson died early Friday morning at the age of 93, leaving a legacy of a man who transcended Wyoming culture and politics. Standing 6-foot-7, he’s remembered by friends and colleagues as a gentle statesman who truly served Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025

Hageman Town Hall In Afton Turns Aggressively Feisty Over DOGE, Postal Service
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman was cheered, applauded, heckled and questioned during an aggressively feisty Thursday night town hall meeting at the Afton Civic Center. The loudest reactions were for Elon Musk's Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Postal Service.
Greg JohnsonMarch 14, 2025

Governor Signs College Transgender Sports Ban Into Law
Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday signed a bill into law requiring Wyoming colleges to restrict athletes’ participation in sports to biological sex at birth. The law also prohibits schools from competing against other schools that don’t adhere to the same standard.
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2025

New Law Aims To Protect Utility Companies And Ratepayers From Wildfire Lawsuits
A bill signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon aims to put more responsibility on utility companies while also protecting them from lawsuits related to wildfires in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonMarch 13, 2025

Degenfelder Praises Dept. Of Education Cuts, Says They Will Empower Parents
Wyoming education chief Megan Degenfelder praised President Trump for slashing staff at the U.S. Dept. of Education. "We’re taking education decisions out of the hands of unelected officials and giving them back to parents and teachers," she said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 12, 2025

Gordon Vetoes Attempt To Defund His Energy Project Program
Gov. Mark Gordon has vetoed an attempt by the Wyoming Legislature to defund his $152 million Energy Matching Funds program. The program has been used for energy projects, including fossil fuels and alternative energy.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2025

Hageman Calls For Transfer Portal Changes, Says Josh Allen May Not Have Stayed
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman says more regulation on transfer rules for college student athletes is needed. She said Tuesday that the University of Wyoming could’ve lost Josh Allen under the current NIL and transfer rules.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2025

Barrasso, Hageman Applaud Ceasefire Agreement With Ukraine
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Harriet Hageman are applauding President Donald Trump and his staff for arranging a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine on Tuesday. Now all that remains is a commitment from Russia to play ball.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2025

Cynthia Lummis ‘Gearing Up For Reelection’ To US Senate In 2026
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ team confirmed to Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday that she’s gearing up for a reelection bid in 2026. That means there could be an even more crowded field for other statewide Wyoming races in 2026.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2025

John Bear Says There’s Room For More Faith In Wyoming, National Government
State Rep. John Bear wants to see more of a religious presence in Wyoming and national government, no matter the religion. He also wants the government to play no role in guiding religion.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2025

Chuck Gray Calls For Weston County Clerk To Be Removed From Office
Secretary of State Chuck Gray said Monday he wants Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock removed from office and called for fast action from the governor and attorney general. Gov. Mark Gordon said Gray “likes to make a lot of noise.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 10, 2025

Delegation Questions USPS Plan, With Wyoming Mail Handled In 4 Other States
Wyoming’s congressional delegation questions a USPS plan that would have Wyoming mail handled in four other states. The outgoing postmaster general appears set to roll it out despite advisories it will hurt rural areas, they say.
Renée JeanMarch 10, 2025

Wyoming Legislative Staffer, 70, Walks 70,000 Steps A Week During Session
Cheyenne resident Virginia Clarke, 70, is a ball of energy as a Wyoming legislative staff member working the legislative session at the state Capitol. She walks about 70,000 steps a week, or about 35 miles.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2025

Wyoming Remains A Sea Of Political Red, But There’s A Little More Blue Creeping In
While Republican voters continue to move to Wyoming and help make this famously red state even more red, data reveals that at the same time, there are a few more blips of blue. But they aren't enough to come close to challenging the GOP.
David MadisonMarch 08, 2025

Meet Mike Yin: Wyoming Democrat And Perennial ‘Lone No Vote’ On Bills
House Minority Floor Leader Mike Yin of Jackson was the only Democrat on two of his committees during the 2025 Wyoming legislative session. That set him up to be the “lone no vote” on nearly 30 bills.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2025

Freedom Caucus Claims Victory After Busy 2025 Wyoming Legislative Session
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus claimed victory Friday, saying the 2025 legislative session was a success for the group of conservative legislators, their first holding a majority in the state House.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2025

Last-Minute Amendment Brings $19.5 Million Shooting Complex Back From The Dead
A $19.5 million Wyoming state shooting complex was declared dead after the Legislature refused to pitch in $10 million in state funds. A last-ditch amendment revived the project Thursday on the last day of the 2025 legislative session.
Mark HeinzMarch 07, 2025

37 Days, 165 Bills And 534 Omelets: Wyoming Legislature Closes Out 2025 Session
Rumors that the Wyoming Legislature would add extra days were dashed when leaders of both chambers decided they had enough on Thursday afternoon. The 37-day 2025 session ended with 165 bills passed, five veto overrides and 534 omelets eaten.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2025

Wyoming Legislative Recap — Day 36
The 36th and next-to-last day of the 2025 Wyoming legislative session featured overrides of multiple vetoes the governor made and discussion about adding 14% more on to a 25% property tax cut already signed into law by the governor.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2025

Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto Of Ultrasound Abortion Bill
The Wyoming Legislature on Wednesday overrode Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of a bill requiring women to get ultrasounds before getting abortion pills. The Senate voted 22-9 to override and the House voted 45-16.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2025

Senate Overrides Gordon’s Veto Of DOGE-Esque Bill To Scrutinize State Agency Rules
The Wyoming Senate overrode Gov. Mark Gordon’s veto of a bill Wednesday that will bring DOGE-esque scrutiny to Wyoming’s state agencies and their rules. Gordon calls the law “another solution in search of a problem.”
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2025

Wyoming Ban On Sanctuary Cities Hits Gordon's Desk
A law banning sanctuary city immigration policies in Wyoming awaits a signature or veto from Gov. Mark Gordon after the Legislature approved it Wednesday. Meanwhile, four U.S. mayors were grilled by Congress over their immigration-friendly policies.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2025
