Government & Politics
News
No CheckGate Reckoning At Wyoming GOP Meeting As Leaders Blast Media, Gordon
There was no dealing with the so-called “CheckGate” controversy at Saturday’s state GOP Central Committee meeting. Instead, party leaders blamed the media for its coverage and redirected attention on Gov. Mark Gordon’s campaign spending.
David MadisonFebruary 28, 2026
Privacy Advocates Trying To Get Flock License Plate Cams In Cheyenne Removed
The license plate of a vehicle involved in a carjacking in Colorado turned up in Cheyenne last weekend. That's because a Flock camera picked up the license plate number. Privacy advocates, however, don't like it and are trying to get them removed.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 28, 2026
Senate Panel Backs Bills Letting 18-Year-Olds Carry Guns On UW Campus
A Wyoming Senate committee forwarded a trio of gun bills Friday, including one that would allow freshmen to carry concealed weapons on campus at the University of Wyoming while upperclassmen would no longer need permits.
Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2026
University Of Wyoming Budget Spared (For Now), Biz Council Reined In
Wyoming legislative negotiators drafted a budget Friday that could spare the University of Wyoming from a $40 million cut while funding the Wyoming Business Council for one year instead of two.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026
Neiman: House Misconduct Complaints Filed, 'Maybe' Against Provenza, Yin
Discussing 'CheckGate' on Friday, House Speaker Chip Neiman said leadership is "looking into" whether Democratic Rep. Karlee Provenza may face consequences after taking the check-passing scandal to the media. He said complaints have been filed.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026
"We're Sitting On A Gold Mine": Energy Optimism Overflows At Wyoming Capitol
Lawmakers advanced two bills Friday designed to position Wyoming at the center of America's energy future. Sen. Bo Biteman said the time to act is now as the administration is listening to Wyoming on energy and will get rid of any "issues or bottlenecks."
David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026
CheckGate: Four Members Who Received Checks On House Floor Say It Wasn't Bribery
At the first CheckGate hearing in the Capitol on Thursday, the four members who received checks on the House floor said they never felt it was an act of bribery. Rebecca Bextel, who delivered the checks, said she just “wafted toward the House floor."
Clair McFarlandFebruary 27, 2026
House Panel Advances Major Property Tax Cut For Homeowners
A House committee Thursday advanced a bill that would lower the tax rate on homes people live in and stop collecting school taxes on those properties, with the state picking up the tab instead of local governments. The bill passed 7-2.
David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026
Hunters, Ranchers Say Corner Crossing Bill Isn’t Ready As It Heads To Wyoming Senate
A corner-crossing bill received pushback from both hunters and ranchers Thursday but the committee still forwarded it to the Senate. One hunter said, “let’s just go out and corner-cross,” then write a new bill to address any problems that come up.
Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2026
Wyoming Senate Committee Doesn’t Want State Collecting Union Dues
Wyoming senators advanced a bill to ban most state entities from collecting union and political group dues, while dropping new reporting rules for those groups. “The intent is to bust unions and bust associations,” alleged a Wyoming Education Association representative.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Another Election Reform Bill Dies As Lawmaker Rejects National “Populism”
In speaking against an election audit reform bill Thursday, Sen. Tara Nethercott said the state's county clerks don't support the measure and that lawmakers should stop "pandering" to fears manufactured by national rhetoric. The legislation failed 21-9.
David MadisonFebruary 26, 2026
Bill To Ban Kratom From People Younger Than 21 Passes Wyoming House Committee
A bill to ban the delivery of kratom to people younger than 21 is another step closer to becoming Wyoming law. Even so, some express concern over the unregulated substance and a coroner said it’s “highly addictive and at high doses, can cause death.”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
Ex-U.S. Army Ranger From Casper Jumps Into The U.S. House Race To Succeed Hageman
A former U.S. Army Ranger on Thursday formally entered Wyoming’s U.S. House race for the seat U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is vacating to run for Senate. David Giralt said by necessity and desire, he will run a “grassroots” campaign.
Dale KillingbeckFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Senate, House Choose Teams To Hash Out $170 Million Budget Gap
Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman on Wednesday announced the appointment of the five senators he's sending to smooth out $170 million in budget differences between the Senate and the state House of Representatives. The House picked its members Tuesday.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 26, 2026
PRCA Bill Stumbles, But $15M From State For Move To Cheyenne Not Dead
A House committee gave a surprise “no” vote Wednesday for $15 million to move the PRCA headquarters to Cheyenne. But the money for the move isn’t dead, supporters say.
Renée JeanFebruary 26, 2026
Controversial Gun Rights Bill Passes Committee, Cops Still Don’t Like It
A Wyoming Senate committee on Wednesday forwarded a gun rights bill to the House floor. While tweaked, law enforcement officers still don’t like it, claiming it could allow criminals to sue them over technicalities.
Mark HeinzFebruary 26, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Bet Big On $87 Million Veterans Home Remodel
Wyoming lawmakers approved an $87 million remodel of the Veterans Home in Buffalo after years of delay and rising estimates. Supporters argued action can’t wait, while skeptics warned the state’s construction spending is “adding up.”
David MadisonFebruary 26, 2026
Massive Turnout As Bill To Purge Sex Books From Kids' Library Sections Heads To Senate
In a passionate debate held Wednesday over a bill that would let people sue libraries for keeping sexually explicit books in the children's section, some argued the Bible could spark lawsuits. “We have a lawsuit hanging over our head,” said Rep. Crago.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Senate Committee Forwards Firefighting Bills Over Fear Of Brutal Fire Season
A lone monitoring station on the Laramie Range is reading just 3% of its normal snowpack. That's a number that explains why, 40 miles down the road in Cheyenne, lawmakers were advancing legislation to put more firefighters in the field before fire season.
David MadisonFebruary 25, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Version Of “Tim Tebow Law” For Homeschool Athletes
Wyoming lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a bill expanding homeschoolers’ access to public school activities from grades 6-12 to all K-12. The move mirrors “Tim Tebow Laws” in other states allowing equal participation for homeschooled athletes.
David MadisonFebruary 25, 2026
Governor Won't Push To Oust Platte County Commissioners
Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday said will not be waging a civil case to remove three Platte County Commissioners from office, despite citizens’ complaints. He said many claims were speculative and voters have the power to make changes in the primary.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
Wyoming Diesel Delete Mechanic Pardoned By Trump Goes To State Of The Union
One year ago, Troy Lake was in federal prison for "deleting" emissions systems on ailing diesel engines. On Tuesday, he attended President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026
‘What A Difference A Year Makes’: Delegation Praises Trump’s State Of The Union
Wyoming’s congressional delegation praised President Trump’s Tuesday State of the Union address, with Sen. John Barrasso comparing his first year to Biden’s time in office: “What a difference a year makes.” State Democrats say that year has been disastrous.
Greg JohnsonFebruary 25, 2026
Gordon Says House Made 'Cuts In Name Only,' But Budget's Looking OK
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon told reporters Tuesday he’s optimistic about the budget, though the House made some “cuts in name only.” House Appropriations Chair John Bear disagreed and cited bleak projections.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 25, 2026