Government & Politics
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2,000-Pound Esther Morris, Chief Washakie Statues Moved To Final Spots In Capitol
Statues honoring Esther Hobart Morris and Chief Washakie at the Wyoming Capitol were moved Wednesday. Even moving them from one end of a hall to another, it’s not easy moving 2,000-pound works of art.
Leo WolfsonOctober 17, 2024
Hageman says People In Path Of Wildfires Can Thank Feds And Their “Bad Policies”
A devastating Wyoming wildfire season got its start more than 20 years ago with a disastrous Bill Clinton roadless rule, Harriet Hageman said Wednesday. Those in the path of the fires can thank the feds and their “bad policies.”
Greg JohnsonOctober 16, 2024
Casper Anti-Abortion Protesters Want City Council To Stop Harassment
Nearly 20 people, including a state legislator, told the Casper City Council on Tuesday they're being harassed while protesting a local abortion clinic. They want to the city to do something about it.
Leo WolfsonOctober 16, 2024
Freedom Caucus Chair Claims Legislator Misusing Logos In Write-In Campaign
The chairman of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus filed a complaint with the state Tuesday against another legislator. She claims Jon Conrad is misusing the logos of the Wyoming Legislature and Freedom Caucus in campaign messages.
Leo WolfsonOctober 16, 2024
Local GOP Chair Says Kamala Billboard On Wyoming’s Highway 20 Will Help Trump
A billboard endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president has gone up along Highway 20 just outside Thermopolis, Wyoming. The local GOP chair says putting it in the middle of Republican-dominated Wyoming it will help only help Trump.
Leo WolfsonOctober 15, 2024
Legislature Considers Limiting Press Access At Wyoming Capitol During Session
The Wyoming Legislature is considering a rule to restrict the access working press have to some areas of the state Capitol in Cheyenne. That includes hallways outside the Senate and House chambers traditionally used mostly by press photographers.
Leo WolfsonOctober 15, 2024
Natrona County School Board Chair Says He’s Sorry For “Moms For Tyranny” Post
Natrona County school board Chairman Kevin Christopherson apologized Monday for calling local Moms For Liberty candidates “moms for tyranny.” He also said the two Moms For Liberty members already on the school board are “unhelpful.”
Dale KillingbeckOctober 15, 2024
Casper Abortion Clinic, Protesters Both Claim The Other's Harassing Them
A Casper abortion clinic wants a Casper City Council member to stop protestors harassing its patients. But the pro-life demonstrators say they’re the ones being harassed by clinic employees.
Leo WolfsonOctober 15, 2024
Pollster: Kamala Should Be Worried As Her Poll Numbers Continue To Slide
A national political pollster, who has done polling in Wyoming, says his 25 years of gauging support for candidates tell him that Vice President Kamala Harris should be worried. As her polling numbers drop, he says he’d put his money on Trump.
Leo WolfsonOctober 14, 2024
Wyoming Supreme Court Says State Has To Pay Some County Tax Bills
The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled last week that the state has to pay a Uinta County $8,160 in property tax for leasing a truck stop on state land. The ruling is likely to raise lease rates on state lands.
Clair McFarlandOctober 14, 2024
Trump Shouts Out Harriet Hageman, Chuck Gray At Colorado Rally
Former President Donald Trump singled out a pair of Wyoming politicians during a Friday rally in Aurora, Colorado. He gave shoutouts to Harriet Hageman for beating Liz Cheney “so badly” and Chuck Gray for doing a “great job.”
Leo WolfsonOctober 12, 2024
Massive Early Voting Turnout Surge Shatters Records Across Wyoming
Early voting opened across Wyoming this week and is shattering turnout records. In Cheyenne, the line was out the door Friday afternoon with people waiting to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.
Leo WolfsonOctober 11, 2024
Park County Coroner Who Is Also Funeral Home Director Is Running To Be On Cemetery Board
The local funeral home director in Cody is also the Park County coroner. He is now running to serve on the local cemetery board. This would give him a role in all stages of death in the county.
Leo WolfsonOctober 11, 2024
Wyoming’s Huge Wildfires Prompt National Online Conspiracy Theories
A pair of huge wildfires have burned more than 147,000 acres in Wyoming, and people are wondering why that’s not national news. Others are pushing conspiracy theories, including the government started the fires to access rare earth minerals.
Leo WolfsonOctober 11, 2024
Gordon: Wyoming Has Burned Through Two-Year Fire Budget, Needs More Money
Gov. Mark Gordon said Thursday that he’s asking the Legislature for authority to spend more money on fighting Wyoming wildfires. The state has already burned through its $39 million two-year emergency account, and then some.
Leo WolfsonOctober 11, 2024
Cheyenne School Board Votes To Close 8 Schools, Parents Want A Re-Vote
The Laramie County School Board voted this week to close eight Cheyenne elementary schools, rescue one and build another. But some parents want a re-vote of what amounts to a “massive overhaul” of the school district.
Clair McFarlandOctober 11, 2024
Legislature Will Consider Potential To Store High-Level Nuclear Waste In Wyoming
A legislative committee advanced a bill this week that, if passed, would move toward allowing storing high-level nuclear waste in Wyoming. Opponents say it’s a disaster waiting to happen, while supporters say it’s “close-minded” not to consider.
Leo WolfsonOctober 10, 2024
Gillette Hand-Count Ballot Test Shows It Would Take Hundreds Of Counters, Cost Up To $1.3M
A test of hand counting election ballots in Gillette on Friday shows that it would take hundreds of volunteers to do and cost up to $1.3 million. Wyoming law also would need to be changed to allow more time for results.
Leo WolfsonOctober 10, 2024
Plan For Concealed Carry In Some Areas Of Wyoming Capitol Gets Green Light
If it holds up, people will be able to concealed carry firearms in some areas of the Wyoming Capitol under a draft rule passed Wednesday by the State Building Commission.
Leo WolfsonOctober 09, 2024
Natrona County Finally Claims Road It Maintained For Decades But Never Owned
After decades of maintaining and treating Natrona County Road 505 on the back side of Casper Mountain as a public road, it finally is. County commissioners voted Wednesday to legally claim the road and end a dispute with private landowners along it.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 09, 2024
Race To Represent Reservation Could Be Best Shot For Wyoming Dems To Turn A Seat
The Wyoming House race between incumbent Republican Sarah Penn and Democratic challenger Ivan Posey is one to watch. It could be the best shot Democrats have at turning a seat in the Legislature.
Leo WolfsonOctober 09, 2024
Wyoming’s Highest Paid Administrator Makes $525K, Manages $30B In State Assets
Few people in Wyoming have likely heard of Patrick Fleming, the outgoing chief investment officer for the state of Wyoming who manages $30 billion in assets. He’s also the state’s highest paid administrator, making $525,000 a year.
Leo WolfsonOctober 09, 2024
Weston County Trying To Strongarm Legislature By Appointing Its Own Lawmakers
The Weston County commissioners believe that every county should be individually represented in the Wyoming Legislature. They are seeking to add two seats to represent just their county.
Leo WolfsonOctober 08, 2024
Parent Of Israeli Hostage Urges Wyoming, America To Not Forget War With Hamas
An Israeli parent with connections to Wyoming still prays for his son, who has been a Hamas hostage since the brutal attacks Oct. 7, 2023. He wants Wyoming and the U.S. to not forget about the war.
Leo WolfsonOctober 08, 2024
Wyoming Meteorologist Don Day Skeptical Of Claim Government Controls The Weather
Wyoming meteorologist Don Day said he is “extremely skeptical” that the weather is controlled by the government as Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed over the weekend.
Leo WolfsonOctober 08, 2024
Trump Blasts Liz Cheney As ‘Stupid War Hawk’ After She Campaigns With Kamala
Former President Donald Trump shot back at former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney after she campaigned with Democratic-presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.
Leo WolfsonOctober 04, 2024
San Jose State Volleyball Loses First Match Amid Trans Player Controversy
After four volleyball programs refused to play a San Jose State University squad with a transgender player, the SJSU women’s team lost its first match of the season, at CSU Thursday. That doesn’t change “the premise of the problem,” a Wyoming legislator says.
Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2024
Gordon, Degenfelder Want Schools To Restrict Student Cellphone Use
Gov. Mark Gordon and state schools Superintendent Megan Degenfelder are urging schools to restrict cellphone use in class. One school that banned the devices this year is delighted with the change.
Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2024
Cheyenne Democrat Makes Second Run For House Against Incumbent-Beater Gary Brown
Cheyenne Democrat Jen Solis is running for a second consecutive time to get into the Wyoming Legislature. She's running against Gary Brown who beat four-term incumbent state Rep. Bill Henderson in the primary.
Leo WolfsonOctober 04, 2024
Chuck Gray Raises Alarm About Zuck Bucks Group At County Clerks’ Meeting
Secretary of State Chuck Gray is “deeply troubled” about a nonprofit group tied to privately funding elections attending a Wyoming county clerks’ meeting last week. The so-called Zuck Bucks program gave out $322 million during the 2020 election.
Leo WolfsonOctober 04, 2024
Fourth Team Joins UW Volleyball In Refusing To Play Squad With Trans Player
Utah State University is the latest Mountain West Conference volleyball program to refuse to play San Jose State University. Four teams have so far forfeited rather than playing SJSU, which has a transgender player in its starting lineup.
Clair McFarlandOctober 04, 2024
Northern Arapaho Tribe's Governors Won't Do What Its Lawmakers Say
The Northern Arapaho Tribe's executive branch has refused to pass changes passed by its legislative branch. Several tribal members are furious, and emphasize that the executive-branch governors are up for reelection soon.
Clair McFarlandOctober 03, 2024
Fremont County Republicans Boot Chairman Over Poll Watchers, Critical Letters
The Fremont County Republican Party booted its chairman Tuesday for criticizing candidates for not debating before the primary. He also was called out for not assigning poll watchers for the county election.
Leo WolfsonOctober 03, 2024
Liz Cheney Campaigns With Kamala At Birthplace Of Republican Party
Former Republican Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney campaigned in support of Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday — at the birthplace of the Republican Party in Wisconsin.
Leo WolfsonOctober 03, 2024
Alpine Is Growing Fast, But Residents Protest Controversial Gravel Pit Expansion
The tiny town of Alpine, Wyoming, has seen explosive growth. But residents say expanding a gravel pit there will pollute the air and water.
Mark HeinzOctober 02, 2024
Even Legislators Not Allowed To Comment To State Pharmacy Board About Suspension
After not taking public comment on a controversial license suspension nearly two weeks ago, the Wyoming Board of Pharmacy wouldn’t listen again Wednesday. This time, even state legislators were barred from commenting.
Leo WolfsonOctober 02, 2024
Sara Burlingame Running Against Political Newcomer To Get Back In Legislature
A former Wyoming House member and well-known LGBTQ advocate is running to get back into the Legislature. Sara Burlingame, a Democrat, is running against Republican newcomer Jacob Wasserburger for House District 11.
Leo WolfsonOctober 02, 2024
Some Who Supported Putting Wyoming Property Tax Amendment On Ballot Now Don’t
Putting a change to the Wyoming Constitution on the ballot to create a new class of property taxation had a lot of support in 2023. Now that it’s going to voters next month, some who supported it then now don’t.
Leo WolfsonOctober 02, 2024
Casper Doctor Wants Back On Board Of Medicine As Lawsuit Goes Forward
In a Tuesday filing, Casper radiologist Dr. Eric Cubin wants a judge put him back on the Wyoming Board of Medicine. He’s suing the governor for allegedly forcing him to resign over his views on transgender treatments for minors.
Leo WolfsonOctober 01, 2024
University Of Wyoming Volleyball Will Forfeit Match To Team With Trans Player
The University of Wyoming volleyball team will forfeit its Saturday match with San Jose State University, which has a transgender player. UW had previously said it would play, but has been under pressure to forfeit from an advocacy group and Republican lawmakers.
Clair McFarlandOctober 01, 2024
Trump’s New Line Of $100K Watches Registered To Wyoming Company
A new line of limited-edition luxury watches from former President Donald Trump is registered to a Wyoming company. The watches range in price from $499 to a gold and diamond model for $100,000.
Leo WolfsonOctober 01, 2024
New One-Room Schoolhouse Opens In Wyoming’s “Little Siberia”
It took six years of wrangling with the courts and lobbying the Wyoming Legislature, but finally a new one-room schoolhouse has opened in an area two hours north of Laramie so remote ranchers call it "Little Siberia."
Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2024
2nd School Drops Match With San Jose State Amid Trans Controversy, UW Match Still On
Boise State is the second college to cancel a match against San Jose State University amid controversy about a transgender player in San Jose’s lineup. Meanwhile, UW will still play SJSU on Oct. 5.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Jackson Lawyer Threatens To Oust Lander School Board Member Over Contract
A lawyer from Jackson representing anonymous clients is threatening to sue to oust a Fremont County School District board member, over the member’s temporary contract as a special-ed evaluator.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2024
Hageman Votes Against Spending Bill Because It Doesn’t Prevent Illegal Voting
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman voted against a spending bill Wednesday that will keep the federal government open until mid-December. She said it’s because the bill increases spending and doesn’t prevent illegal voting.
Leo WolfsonSeptember 26, 2024
Chip Neiman Plans To Support Freedom Caucus Agenda As Wyoming House Speaker
Although he was rather vague about the details, state Rep. Chip Neiman on Wednesday outlined his vision if elected Wyoming House Speaker. He said he’d support a more conservative agenda favored by the Freedom Caucus.
Leo WolfsonSeptember 26, 2024
Jackson Road Project Turns 5-Minute Drives Into Los Angeles-Like Nightmare Commutes
A major paving project at the south entrance to Jackson, Wyoming, has infuriated locals, extending 5-minute quick drives to more than an hour and severely impacting local business. Townspeople told Cowboy State Daily it's a total cluster.
Clair McFarland & Jake NicholsSeptember 25, 2024
Where’s The Line Between Free Speech And Hate Crime In Wyoming?
Separating protected free speech from hate crimes can be tricky, Wyoming federal prosecutors say. Where the line is between them isn’t clear, and the impacts can be devastating if they get it wrong.
Leo WolfsonSeptember 25, 2024