Government & Politics
News

Weston County Commissioners Reject GOP Picks To Replace Hadlock As County Clerk
Weston County commissioners rejected the three county Republican Party picks to replace former County Clerk Becky Hadlock, who quit to fight felony-level election charges. "I was not impressed” with how the GOP picked its nominees, one commissioner said.
Clair McFarlandMay 06, 2026

After Guernsey Council Killed Audience Recording Ban, Councilwoman Does It Anyway
A controversial proposal to ban recording and taking photos from the audience at Guernsey Town Council meetings failed, but a councilwoman tried Tuesday to designate an area anyway. “I think it’s retaliatory” and “trying to poke the bear,” said another councilman.
Kate MeadowsMay 06, 2026

Gray, Rasner, Friess All Send Out Mass Mailers — And They’re Very Trumpy
Donald Trump is a common theme in a recent blast of mass mailers from U.S. House candidates Chuck Gray, Reid Rasner and Steve Friess. They all invoke Trump numerous times and describe how their values line up with the president’s.
Clair McFarlandMay 06, 2026

Powell City Council Condemns Councilman's ‘Hanging Judges’ Comment
The Powell City Council on Monday condemned Councilman Troy Bray's comment suggesting Wyoming start “hanging judges” in response to a judge halting an abortion ban. It hasn’t been "the greatest look for the town of Powell,” says Mayor John Wetzel.
Clair McFarlandMay 05, 2026

The Wyoming Democratic Party Is Shrinking, Losing More Ground To Republicans
All political parties shrank in registration since January, but none lost percentage share more than the Wyoming Democratic Party, while the GOP gained on its super-majority. Politicos say it's too early to tell if crossover voters are skewing the numbers.
Clair McFarlandMay 05, 2026

Wyoming Ranchers Cheer Bill Targeting Labeling Of Plant-Based And Lab-Grown Meat
Wyoming ranchers are cheering a bill that targets labeling of plant-based and lab-grown proteins being passed off as farm- or ranch-raised meat. It’s an effort to “prevent mad scientists from masquerading as meat producers,” says Rep. Harriet Hageman.
Kate MeadowsMay 04, 2026

Hageman One Of 3 Republicans To Vote Against Farm Bill, Says ‘Too Much Bloat'
Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman was one of three Republicans to vote against the 2026 Farm Bill, saying “special interests” have added “too much bloat” to the legislation. The Wyoming Farm Bureau praised the new bill for looking out for rural ag producers.
Kate MeadowsMay 04, 2026

‘It’s Big Brother’: Wyomingites Concerned About Mandated ‘Kill Switches’ On Cars
Multiple Wyoming lawmakers and a Cheyenne-based car dealer voiced concern Friday over a federal requirement for mandatory “kill switches” in 2027 model vehicles. “It’s Big Brother,” said the dealer, while a state legislator called it “draconian."
Clair McFarlandMay 02, 2026

No, Sweetwater County Is Not For Sale
When Sweetwater County Commissioner Island Richards received a scam email from a troll who asked about purchasing the county, he shared it with his constituents. One was impressed with Richards' health as the scammer seemed to think he's been alive since 1869.
Kate MeadowsMay 01, 2026

Judge Rules Freedom Caucus PAC Mailers Didn’t Defame Rock Springs Legislators
A judge on Thursday dismissed the defamation case of two legislators against the campaign arm of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. “You can say pretty ludicrous stuff” in politics, the judge said about negative mailers targeting the Rock Springs state reps.
Clair McFarlandApril 30, 2026

Business Council Fights For Its Future As Lawmakers Weigh Cuts, Reforms
The Wyoming Business Council is again making a case for survival as it prepares to meet Thursday with the Wyoming Joint Appropriations Committee. Co-Chair John Bear said he wants to "hear from people who ... can defend the usefulness of this agency.”
Kate MeadowsApril 29, 2026

Legislator Says State Needs To Figure Out Who Gets Money From Data Center Boom
State Sen. Cale Case on Wednesday said as Wyoming’s data center industry continues to boom, the state needs to figure out who gets the money generated by them. “Are we getting enough taxes from these things, and where do those taxes go?” he asked.
Kate MeadowsApril 29, 2026

Why It’s Legal For Fiber-Optics Crews To Dig Into Your Front Yard
Spring is fiber-optic season across Wyoming as companies install digital infrastructure — and as one homeowner puts it, "Suddenly your yard is part of a construction site." Fact is, it’s legal with permission from cities, towns and counties.
Kolby FedoreApril 29, 2026

100-Year-Old Rawlins Water System Keeps Failing, But City Can’t Afford To Fix It
Two breaks in the 100-year-old Rawlins city water system this week leaves residents in a familiar spot — on notice they may lose water. The former mayor estimates the cost to fix the system at between $50 - $60 million, which is money they don't have.
Kate MeadowsApril 29, 2026

After Abortion Ruling, Powell City Councilman Calls For 'Hanging Bad Judges'
A Powell City councilman suggested on Facebook that Wyoming start “hanging bad judges” after a judge blocked the state’s most recent abortion ban. A former Wyoming Supreme Court Justice said, “This man is obviously an idiot and does not deserve public office."
Clair McFarlandApril 28, 2026

Angry Cheyenne Residents Speak Out Against Annexation And Proposed Data Center
Dozens of angry Cheyenne residents spoke out Monday against a 1,200-acre annexation and possible data center before City Council tabled the decision. “To me it looks like a quick way to make a nice big buck,” said one woman about the landowner's motive.
Kate MeadowsApril 28, 2026

GOP Senate Challengers Emerge To Take On Harriet Hageman In Primary
Harriet Hageman has the endorsements of President Trump and Sens. Barrasso and Lummis in the 2026 Wyoming race for U.S. Senate. Even so, she won't be unopposed in the primary, facing rancher Sam Mead and Jimmy Skovgard, both multi-generation Wyomingites.
Clair McFarlandApril 28, 2026

Opposition To Cheyenne Data Centers Grows As City Moves To Add Them
Opposition to Cheyenne data centers is growing as residents become more vocal and sign petitions against them. One councilman says development has happened so fast, it’s "completely outstripped the ability of the county and the city to plan."
Kate MeadowsApril 27, 2026

Saturday Convention: Wyoming GOP OKs Loyalty Tests For Candidates, Will Sue State
The Republican Party decided Saturday that political candidates will need to “strongly” support at least 80% of the Wyoming GOP platform if they want to run as a Republican. The party also declared its independence and will sue the state.
Greg JohnsonApril 25, 2026

State OKs $5 Million for Housing Projects, Gray Tries To Ban Resident Aliens
In a recurring spat on the difference between resident aliens and illegal immigrants, the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board voted Thursday to allocate $5 million for infrastructure and housing projects — mostly for small towns.
Clair McFarlandApril 25, 2026

‘God Never Forced Anyone’: Wyoming GOP Rejects Declaring Wyoming A Christian State
A committee of the Wyoming GOP on Friday rejected a proclamation to declare the U.S. a Christian nation and Wyoming a Christian state. “God never forced anyone like this,” said Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, while others said the GOP platform already honors God.
Clair McFarlandApril 24, 2026

Wyoming Republican Party Vows To Sue, Won’t Comply With State Laws
The Wyoming Republican Party said Thursday it won’t comply with state laws governing political parties and will sue to overturn them. “The state has no right to meddle in the internal affairs of the party,” said GOP Chair Bryan Miller.
Clair McFarlandApril 24, 2026

No Affordable Housing: Only 2 Teton County Sheriff's Deputies Live In Teton County
Working as a first responder in the nation’s richest county illustrates a complex problem: How does a sheriff's deputy who earns a starting salary of $70,000 live in a town where the median home price is $3 million? They don't. Only 2 of 30 live there.
Kate MeadowsApril 23, 2026

Wyoming GOP Considering Loyalty Tests For Candidates, Voiding State Laws
Some county Republican parties are asking the Wyoming Republican Party to consider loyalty tests for candidates and declare some state laws void. The state GOP meets Thursday, where it will review more than 100 proposed bylaw changes.
Clair McFarlandApril 23, 2026
