Government & Politics
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Hot Springs County GOP Members Walk Out After Failed Vote To Drain Account
The Hot Springs County GOP rejected a party leader's bid Monday to nearly drain its bank account and send $4,000 to the state party. Then five people on the losing side of the question walked out, leaving not enough voters to pay their bills.
Clair McFarlandJune 18, 2026

Pentagon Report Documents Giant Potato-Shaped UFO Over Colorado Springs
After Wyoming lawmakers grappled with the topic of UFOs last year, the Pentagon released a report of five U.S. Army service members who said they observed a giant translucent airborne potato-shaped UFO over the Cheyenne Mountains in 2022.
Clair McFarlandJune 17, 2026

Gordon Sues His Tax Board For Blocking Property Tax Cap
Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday sued his tax board for refusing to recognize a 4% limit on property tax increases. He said the board exceeded its law-given authority, and the executive branch's job is just to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed."
Clair McFarlandJune 16, 2026

Cheyenne Committee Backs Microsoft Annexation While Councilman Pushes $50M Deal
Despite calls to delay or deny a 3,500-acre annexation for Microsoft data centers, Cheyenne’s Public Services Committee narrowly recommended approval Monday. A councilman urged them to postpone to give the city time to negotiate a $50 million agreement.
Renée JeanJune 16, 2026

Coal Industry Frustrated With GOP Candidates Who Want To Kill Data Centers
Wyoming’s coal sector is startled at Republican candidates who oppose data centers. Industry leaders say the revival of coal is driven by demand for energy from data centers. "It's frustrating," said Travis Deti, of the Wyoming Mining Association.
Clair McFarlandJune 15, 2026

Legislators Vow To Fix Food Freedom Act After Months Of Controversy
Wyoming lawmakers Friday vowed to rework the Food Freedom Act after months of controversy at small-time food producers and family-owned shops. “Reasonableness [has]gone out the window,” said a business owner who was ordered to stop selling raw milk lattes.
Clair McFarlandJune 14, 2026

Here's Why Wyoming Gives Tax Breaks To Huge Data Centers
Pro-economic development legislators pushed through a popular tax break for huge data centers in 2010. A rogue Republican tried to undo it in 2021, but his GOP colleagues, industry advocates, and economic development agencies opposed him.
Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Wyoming Tax Board Says 4% Cap On Property Tax Is Unconstitutional, Won't Accept It
Wyoming’s state-level property tax board told counties on Thursday that a 4% cap on yearly increases in residential property taxes is unconstitutional and it will refuse to certify this year's property tax assessment figures if the cap remains.
Clair McFarlandJune 12, 2026

Park County Republican Party Sends Platform Loyalty Tests To GOP Candidates
Republican candidates for office in Park County received a letter warning them if they don’t commit to backing at least 80% of the state GOP platform, they won’t receive an endorsement or support from the party. "They is not a purity test," it reads.
Clair McFarlandJune 11, 2026

Amended Barrasso Bill Would Erase Clinton-Era Roadless Rule
The Clinton-era Roadless Rule on U.S. Forest Service lands will be erased if Wyoming Republicans U.S. Sen. John Barrasso and Rep. Harriet Hageman get their way. “I have been fighting the Roadless Rule since the day it was handed down,” said Hageman.
Mark HeinzJune 11, 2026

Wyoming U.S. House Candidates Face Christian Lobby, Swap War Stories
Seven of the 10 Republican candidates running to become Wyoming’s next U.S. House candidate courted a largely Christian audience Tuesday with statements on their faith, and their different approaches to education, family rights, and abortion policy.
Clair McFarlandJune 10, 2026

Pinedale Rancher Tells Senators He’s Tired Of Wyoming Giving Up Colorado River Water
A Pinedale rancher told U.S. Senators on Wednesday that he and other Upper Basin farmers are tired of Wyoming giving up Colorado River water. Negotiations moved up a notch this week with Wyoming leaders meeting in Washington, D.C., with other states.
Mark HeinzJune 10, 2026

Lummis Still Backs 'Trump Interstate' Despite Texas Sponsor Losing Interest In It
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis said she still backs renaming U.S. Highway 287 as I-47 — aka "The Trump Interstate" — even though the main sponsor said it may not be a priority after he lost a primary race. "She continues to back it," said a Lummis spokesperson.
Kolby FedoreJune 10, 2026

State Finds Major Special Ed Failures In Sweetwater County School District 1
A state investigation found widespread failures with Sweetwater County School District 1’s special ed program and gave it a year to correct them. "This wasn't a failure by just one person. This is a systemic failure," said a former school board member.
Kate MeadowsJune 10, 2026

U.S. House Candidate Reid Rasner On Meet The Wyoming Candidates: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Political Reporter Clair McFarland interviewed Casper businessman and U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner on Wednesday, June 10, 2026
June 10, 2026

How Wyoming Gov Candidates Handled Questions From The Christian Lobby
Gubernatorial candidates Eric Barlow, Brent Bien, and Megan Degenfelder fielded questions on Tuesday at a forum in Cheyenne before a largely Christian audience. Policy differences emerged on abortion, university leadership, and library policy.
Clair McFarlandJune 10, 2026

Wyoming Land Board Decides To Wait For Court To Rule Whether Wind Farm Is Legal
The State Land Board voted 3-2 Monday to pause its work to halt two controversial wind leases — until a court decides a major legal question on them. Secretary of State Chuck Gray called it "irregular," but Auditor Kristi Racines cast it as common sense.
Clair McFarlandJune 08, 2026

GOP Gov. Candidates Say Data Centers A National Security Issue For Wyoming And US
Data centers are important to national security and for Wyoming, said the top GOP candidates for governor during a Friday forum. “We are in an AI arms race with China,” Megan Degenfelder said, with all agreeing it will be a priority for the next governor.
Greg JohnsonJune 05, 2026

Wyoming GOP Sues State For Right To Back Most 'Aligned' Republicans
The Wyoming Republican Party on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that bans it from spending money to back “aligned" candidates over others in the primary election.
Clair McFarlandJune 05, 2026

Cheyenne Artificial Intelligence Candidate Sues For Spot On The Ballot
A Cheyenne man is suing Secretary of State Chuck Gray after Gray denied his bid to get on the Republican primary ballot to elect a virtual intelligence personality to the U.S. Senate. “I won’t tolerate a mockery of our electoral system,” Gray said.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Objects To Trump Reclassifying Marijuana As Medical
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz is opposing the Trump administration reclassifying marijuana as medicinal, while state law generally expects Wyoming to match drug categories to the federal government’s. That's for the Legislature to decide, he said.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Meet The Wyoming Candidates: Bo Biteman, Candidate For U.S. House
Political reporter Clair McFarland on Thursday spoke to current Wyoming Senate President and congressional candidate Bo Biteman.
June 04, 2026

Wyoming State Senator Interested In Special Session To Address Data Centers
Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz on Thursday said she’s calling for a poll among legislators to see if there is enough support for a special session to address data center concerns, like water use. Both the governor and Senate President called such a move premature.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Trump Sending $700 Million To Coal Industry, Boosting Wyoming Coal Mines
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the president invoked a national security law to send $700 million to the coal industry. That includes $75 million to boost construction of a coal export terminal in Oakland.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026
