Government & Politics
News
Wyoming’s State Planes Get Some Criticism; Others Say They Pay For Themselves
Wyoming’s two current state planes were purchased during former Gov. Jim Geringer’s administration. He recalled the time when the door flew off mid-flight while he and U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas were onboard. “He about lost it,” Geringer laughed. “I don’t blame him.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 23, 2024
Wyoming Delegation Votes To Avoid Shutdown, Praises Trump And Musk’s Leadership
Wyoming’s congressional delegation voted to pass a temporary spending measure Friday night that will keep the federal government from shutting down. Cynthia Lummis praised Donald Trump and Elon Musk for exhibiting leadership while Biden didn’t.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Trump, Congress May Get Rid Of Those Annoying Twice-A-Year Clock Changes
People who hate daylight saving time and changing their clocks twice a year may finally have something to look forward to. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to get rid of it, and so do congressional Republicans.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Bill Would Require Tighter Regulation Of Wyoming Abortion Clinics And Doctors
State Rep. Martha Lawley is bringing back a bill Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed this past session to require tighter regulation of Wyoming abortion clinics and doctors. Opponents call it an attempt to end abortions in the state.
Leo WolfsonDecember 21, 2024
Replacing Worn-Out 115-Year-Old LaPrele Dam Could Cost $190M, Start In 2026
Wyoming state engineers say there’s no saving the worn-out 115-year-old LaPrele Dam near Douglas, and it could cost $190 million to replace. Work on a new dam could start in 2026.
Mark HeinzDecember 20, 2024
BLM Finalizes Controversial Rock Springs Plan, Now Only Congress Can Stop It
The BLM on Friday finalized its controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan for more than 3 million acres in Southwest Wyoming. Now only Congress can reverse it.
Mark HeinzDecember 20, 2024
Musk-Trump Spending Overhaul Has Congress Scrambling To Avoid Shutdown
Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman supports President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s overhaul of a 1,500-page spending package. Their 116-page version failed Thursday night with a Friday shutdown deadline looming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 20, 2024
Close To Falling Apart, There’s No Saving LaPrele Dam, Says State Engineer
Wyoming's state engineer said Thursday that there’s no saving the 115-year-old LaPrele Dam near Douglas, which is close to falling apart. But one area rancher and legislator wants the planned demolition postponed.
Mark HeinzDecember 20, 2024
Chuck Gray Wants Legislators To Ban Ballot Drop Boxes In Wyoming
Secretary of State Chuck Gray said during a press conference Thursday that he plans to push legislation banning ballot drop boxes in Wyoming. He also wants Wyoming legislators to pass a number of other election security bills.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2024
Legislator To Resurrect Landmark Bill To Eliminate Wyoming Property Taxes
State Rep. Steve Harshman is bringing back a landmark property tax bill for the upcoming session that would eliminate property taxes for most Wyoming homeowners. To make up for that lost revenue, the state sales tax rate would be increased.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2024
Freshman Legislator To Reintroduce Bill To Define Gender At Birth In Wyoming
Casper Republican Jayme Lien promises to reintroduce one of the most high-profile bills of the last session in the What is a Woman Act. It would define gender as a person’s biological sex at birth for use of bathrooms and other public facilities.
Leo WolfsonDecember 19, 2024
Trump Says Liz Cheney ‘Could Be In A Lot Of Trouble’ Over New Jan. 6 Report
President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney “could be in a lot of trouble.” A House subcommittee report released Tuesday calls for an investigation into Cheney for alleged witness tampering.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2024
Residents Outraged As Laramie Council Gives City Manager $43,000 Raise
Despite getting an earful from local residents, Laramie City Council gave its longtime city manager a $43,000 raise Tuesday. It’s a nearly 25% hike from her current salary, and brings the position in line with other larger Wyoming city managers.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2024
Wyoming Legislator Mad State Pharmacy Board Still Won’t Allow Public Comment
The Wyoming State Pharmacy Board continued Tuesday not allowing public comment at its meetings. That includes Casper state Rep. Jeanette Ward, who is calling out the group for not listening to public input on the closure of a Cheyenne pharmacy.
Leo WolfsonDecember 18, 2024
House Committee Accuses Liz Cheney Of “Criminal Witness Tampering”
A U.S. House committee report released Tuesday accuses Liz Cheney of “criminal witness tampering” during the Jan. 6 Select Committee hearings. One Wyoming political opponent calls the report a sign of how “dishonest the Cheneys really are.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 17, 2024
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto Is Running For DNC Vice Chair
Wyoming Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto is running to be vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. If elected, he would become the first Wyoming resident since former Gov. Nellie Tayloe Ross in 1928 to hold a DNC leadership position.
Leo WolfsonDecember 17, 2024
Bill Would Allow Concealed Carry In Wyoming Schools With “Enhanced” Permit
The sponsor of a bill that would allow concealed carry of firearms in Wyoming schools with an “enhanced” permit says it’s a compromise to repealing gun-free zones. There’s a strong chance those zones could be banned in the upcoming legislative session.
Leo WolfsonDecember 16, 2024
Drone Patterns Over New Jersey Similar To Those In Wyoming’s Niobrara County
Drone sightings in Wyoming’s Niobrara County bear eerie similarities to machines flying over New Jersey and other areas of the country, that are now overwhelming the nation with concern.
Clair McFarlandDecember 14, 2024
Wyomingites At U.S. Capitol On Jan. 6 Say ‘No Surprise’ FBI Informants Were Part Of It
Two Wyoming residents who were at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021 say there’s “no surprise” to learn the FBI had at least 26 informants there that day. A new report released Thursday also says many of those informants committed illegal acts.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2024
A Strip Club Outside Yellowstone? Not Yet, But New Rules Could Open The Door
There are no plans to put a strip club or other adult business outside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. But new Park County development standards could open the door.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2024
Parents Sue Over State Plan To Shutter Eight Cheyenne Elementary Schools
A plan to shutter eight Cheyenne elementary schools will “irreparably harm students” and families, claims a lawsuit filed by two local parents. They also say the closures will drive down property values.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2024
Postmaster General Gives Himself An “A” For Gutting Wyoming Mail Delivery
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is giving himself an “A” for his controversial plan that will gut Wyoming’s large mail processing centers and lengthen delivery times. While he’s proud of the plan, Harriet Hageman gives it and DeJoy an “F.”
Renée JeanDecember 12, 2024
Wyoming Sues BLM Over “Narrow-Minded” Plan To End Coal In Powder River Basin
Gov. Mark Gordon has made good on a threat to sue the BLM over what he calls its “narrow-minded” plan to end coal in the Powder River Basin by 2041. Filed Wednesday, the lawsuit claims the plan is illegal and ignores the state’s concerns.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
Freedom Caucus Upset Over Using State Jet To Fly Around Major UW Donors
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is upset the University of Wyoming flew some major donors in a state-owned jet last month. The trip to watch the UW men’s basketball team play Texas Tech was a perk for donors who give more than $10,000 to the Cowboy Joe Club.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024