Government & Politics
News
Gordon Has “Grave Concerns” About Wildfire Relief Through Loans Instead Of Grants
Gov. Mark Gordon wants $130 million in grants as relief for Wyoming ranchers and families impacted by the devastating 2024 wildfires. On Tuesday, he expressed “grave concerns” over a plan to scrap that in favor of $100 million in loans.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Cowboy State Daily Coversations With Legislative Leaders: Bo Biteman
VIDEO: Cowboy State Daily's State Politics Reporter Leo Wolfson catches up with Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, to learn more about his background and how he came to be Senate president.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Trump Says Mystery Drones "Not The ‘Enemy"; Wyoming Sheriff Still Seeing Them
The mysterious drones that befuddled New Jersey residents last fall were authorized by the U.S. government, President Trump relayed Tuesday. Meanwhile, a Wyoming sheriff says he's still seeing them and wondering what they’re doing.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Bill Would Bolster Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes And Other Wyoming Agritourism
More Wyoming farmers and ranchers are turning to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and other agrotourism to bolster their bottom lines. The state Legislature is considering a bill that would extend tourism liability coverage for these attractions.
Renée JeanJanuary 28, 2025
Proposal To Triple State’s Part Of LaPrele Dam Rebuild To $90 Million Advances
A Wyoming House committee advanced a proposal Tuesday to triple the state’s contribution to the $182 million rebuild of crumbling LaPrele Dam to $90 million. The 115-year-old dam is close to failing.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Barron Trump Incorporated Business In Wyoming, Then Dissolved It
The president’s 18-year-old son had a real-estate business incorporated in Wyoming last July, but dissolved it nine days after Donald Trump won the general election. His famous father has also been linked to businesses incorporated in the Cowboy State.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Wyoming Legislative Recap - Day 10
The 10th day of the Wyoming Legislature featured passionate debates on hand-counted elections, making Wyoming’s school choice program universal, and restricting public school bathroom usage by biological sex.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
Bill To Make All Felony Voyeurs Register As Sex Offenders Heads To Wyoming Senate
A bill that would require all felony-level convicted voyeurs to register as sex offenders heads to the Wyoming Senate after a committee approved it 4-0. Currently, only Wyoming voyeurs with child victims have to register.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2025
Chuck Gray And Curt Meier Spar Over ESG Legislation, Policies
State Treasurer Curt Meier and Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Monday disagree over a bill that would restrict Wyoming’s investment managers from investing in any company that supports environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 28, 2025
House Advances Bill Allowing Hand-Counted Recounts Of Wyoming Elections
By a 6 -1 margin, the Wyoming House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill on Monday that would allow for recounting elections by hand. Currently, recounts can only be performed by election machines.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2025
Three More Wyoming Snowplow Trucks Wrecked After Drivers Slam Into Them Over Weekend
In three separate incidents, three WYDOT snowplow trucks covering the highways near Laramie were struck by vehicles and taken out of commission when they needed to be clearing ice and snow on critical stretches of I-80 and US 30/287.
Andrew RossiJanuary 27, 2025
Bill To Block Firing Of Doctors Who Prescribe Ivermectin For Covid Advances
A bill that would block Wyoming hospitals and clinics from firing doctors who prescribe drugs for off-label uses, such as Ivermectin for Covid, passed a state House committee on Monday.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Lummis To Lead Digital Asset Subcommittee, Will Work With Trump On Strategic Bitcoin Reserve
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has been named the nation's first chair of the Digital Asset Subcommittee. Known for her expertise in cryptocurrency, one of her first priorities is the passage of a bill to create a strategic bitcoin reserve.
Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2025
Despite Pardon, House Subcommittee Could Force Liz Cheney To Testify About Jan. 6
A new U.S. House subcommittee will investigate the events that took place before and after Jan. 6, 2021, which could involve requiring former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney to testify. "Buckle up," said U.S. Rep. William Timmons.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 27, 2025
Wyomingites Can Still Sue Cops For Negligence After Committee Lets Bill Die
A bill died in a Wyoming legislative committee that would have restricted criminal suspects from suing police officers for conducting negligent investigations. It was supposed to reverse a state court ruling that created the rare lawsuit mechanism.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2025
Casper Elementary School Is Only Public School In State To Offer Mandarin In Dual Language Immersion
Paradise Valley Elementary School in Casper is the only public school in Wyoming that offers Mandarin Chinese in a dual-language immersion setting where students spend half the day learning that language and the other half in English.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 27, 2025
Elon Musk’s DOGE Is Trying To Kill Pennies, And Wyoming Has Mixed Reactions With That
Pennies cost more than 3 cents each to make, which has the little round Lincoln heads in the crosshairs of Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency. If pennies are on their way out, Wyoming citizens have mixed opinions on that.
Dale KillingbeckJanuary 26, 2025
REAL IDs Will Soon Be Needed To Fly In The U.S., How To Know If You Need One
A REAL ID will soon be needed to fly in the United States, but many Wyomingites have been carrying them around for years. Transplants, however, may need to book a DMV appointment to get a compliant ID before May.
Anna-Louise JacksonJanuary 25, 2025
Wyoming Legislature Recap — Day 9
The ninth day of the Wyoming Legislature on Friday saw the Freedom Caucus meet its “Five and Dime” plan goal, biological sex bathroom bills pass and legislators killing an immigration bill Wyoming sheriffs hated.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025
Freedom Caucus Bills Breezing Through House As “Five And Dime” Plan Done Early
Wyoming Freedom Caucus bills are breezing through the state House so far this session. The group’s touted “Five and Dime” plan of passing five core pieces of legislation in the first 10 days has been realized early.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 25, 2025
Bills To Keep Boys Out Of Girls’ Bathrooms, Locker Rooms Headed To Floor Debate
A pair of bills that would separate the use of public bathrooms, showers and locker rooms by biological sex cleared committees Friday in the Wyoming House and Senate. One bill focuses just on schools, while the other is for all public spaces.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 25, 2025
Wyoming Delegation Shows Out To Support National March For Life
Wyoming’s congressional delegation expressed support for the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, vowing to continue the fight to end abortion. Barrasso thanked the thousands of marchers for their “remarkable dedication.”
Sean BarryJanuary 25, 2025
Sanctuary Cities One Step Closer To Being Banned In Wyoming
There are no designated “sanctuary cities” to protect illegal immigrants in Wyoming, and it will stay that way if a bill banning them in the state passes into law. It took a step closer to that when it passed a House committee 7-1 Friday.
Leo WolfsonJanuary 24, 2025
Committee Kills Bill That Would Have Forced Sheriffs Into Immigration Contracts
After vocal opposition from sheriffs around Wyoming, a legislative committee Friday killed a bill that would have required every sheriff in the state to enter into federal immigration contracts. Another, similar bill is still pending in the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 24, 2025