Government & Politics
News

Legislators Say They’re Not Going To Give Gordon A Blank Check For Wildfires
The Joint Appropriations Committee grilled members of Gov. Mark Gordon’s staff Monday about how much it will cost to fix the damage caused by Wyoming’s historic wildfire season. They also said they’re not willing to give Gordon a blank check.
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024

Cheyenne Council Passes Controversial Ban On Huge RVs Parking On City Streets
Despite vocal — and at times emotional — opposition, Cheyenne City Council on Monday passed a ban on parking huge RVs and other “oversized” vehicles on city streets. The only exceptions are during the summer months or with a permit.
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024

Democrats, Freedom Caucus, Unhappy With Legislative Committee Assignments
Democrats and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus are both unhappy with some of the committee assignments for the upcoming session. The Freedom Caucus condemns Senate appointments in particular, saying committees will be controlled “by Liz Cheney Republicans.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024

Trump Says He Won’t Go After Cheney For J6 Committee, But She Should “Go To Jail”
President-elect Donald Trump said on “Meet The Press” on Sunday that he will not direct his top law enforcement officials to go after Liz Cheney and members of the J6 Committee, but believes they “should go to jail.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 09, 2024

Wyoming Dems Upset With Legislative Committee Assignments; Neiman Says He Tried To Be Fair
Although Democrats say they are outraged after Saturday’s announcement of committee assignments for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, incoming House Speaker Chip Neiman said he tried to be as fair as possible.
Leo WolfsonDecember 08, 2024

Students, Parent Argue Against Banning Cellphones In Wyoming Schools
Wyoming teens and a parent say there are good reasons for students to have cellphones at school. They argue banning them won’t be a slam dunk answer to poor test scores and lack of socialization, and could increase safety risks.
Leo WolfsonDecember 07, 2024

Lummis Joins Elon’s DOGE Push In “Herculean Effort” To Cut Government Pork
Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has joined the DOGE Caucus in Congress to help Elon Musk and the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to cut government pork. Lummis said Friday it will be “a Herculean effort” to slash spending by $2 trillion.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024

Insiders Speculate Biden Will Issue Pardon For Liz Cheney
Although the New York Times and Politico are reporting that President Biden may issue a preemptive pardon for Liz Cheney, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, an attorney, believes it’s an “absolutely absurd” proposal which would turn “justice on its head.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024

Legislator Wants To Ban Cellphones In Wyoming Classrooms
Kids using cellphones during class at school has gotten out of hand, says state Sen. Wendy Schuler. She's proposing legislation that would ban cellphones in class across Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024

Wyoming Hasn’t Had A Democrat In Congress Since Teno Roncalio, 46 Years Ago
It’s been 46 years since Wyoming was represented by a Democrat in Congress. That was Teno Roncalio, who served five terms in the U.S. House, ending in 1978.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024

Study: Wyoming Third Worst State For Personal Freedoms
A new study from the Libertarian-leaning Cato Institute finds that Wyoming is the third worst state in the nation for personal freedoms. Bringing the state down is education, drug laws and incarceration rate.
Leo WolfsonDecember 05, 2024

Commander Of Navy Reserve Center In Cheyenne Fired For “Loss Of Confidence”
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque was relieved of his duties this week as the commanding officer of the Navy Reserve Center in Cheyenne “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
Justin GeorgeDecember 05, 2024

BLM Expects Controversial Rock Springs Plan To Be Final Before Biden Leaves
Gov. Mark Gordon will make a last effort to fight the finalizing of the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs Resources Management Plan. But a Wyoming BLM official expects the plan to be made final before President Joe Biden leaves office.
Leo WolfsonDecember 05, 2024

Legislators Table Bill To Protect Utility Companies From Wildfire Lawsuits
The Joint Minerals Committee expressed interest in a bill that would have given public utilities liability protection from wildfire lawsuits. Legislators ultimately killed the plan Monday, saying it’s not ready.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024

Hated By Many Republicans, Democrats Also Blast Liz Cheney For Supporting Harris
Already hated by many Republicans, it seems independents and Democrats also weren’t big fans of Liz Cheney’s support for Kamala Harris against Donald Trump. A new poll shows Cheney many have actually hurt her chances.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024

How Hunter Biden Could Still Take The Fifth Even With Full Pardon From Dad
In some cases, Hunter Biden could still refuse to answer questions if called before Congress to testify. That’s because his wide-sweeping pardon is for federal offenses. He could still take the Fifth Amendment related to state-level crimes.
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2024

Biden Pardoned His Son; Will Trump Do The Same For Jan. 6 Participants?
Wyomingites have mixed opinions about whether President-elect Donald Trump will, or should, pardon participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Some say Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son makes Jan. 6 pardons easier for Trump.
Leo WolfsonDecember 03, 2024

Bird, Not Controversial New LDS Temple, To Blame For Cody Power Outages
A flurry of angry social media posts say construction of a controversial new LDS temple caused a series of power outages in Cody on Sunday and Monday. But they’re wrong. The city says a bird fried by a power line is to blame.
Leo WolfsonDecember 02, 2024

Hageman Slams Biden For Pardoning His Son After Repeated Promises He Wouldn’t
Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman slammed President Joe Biden for unconditionally pardoning his son Hunter Biden on federal gun and tax evasion charges Sunday. Biden had repeatedly insisted he wouldn't.
Leo WolfsonDecember 02, 2024

Colorado State Beats Team With Trans Player To Win MWC Volleyball Championship
After months of controversy surrounding a transgender player on its team, San Jose State University’s women’s volleyball squad lost to Colorado State University in the Mountain West Conference championship Saturday.
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2024

Ego And Bias: Pollster Explains How National Polls Got The Election Wrong — Again
Most national polls were wrong — again — in this year’s presidential election. A national political pollster told Cowboy State Daily that ego and bias are why many just can’t seem to get it right.
Leo WolfsonNovember 29, 2024

How Lander Nearly Became Wyoming’s Capital City
Wyoming voters were asked to decide in 1904 if Cheyenne should remain the state capital city, or if it should move to another city. Although Cheyenne won that vote, Lander came close.
Leo WolfsonNovember 29, 2024

Wyoming Legislators Vow To Revive Bill That Bans Sanctuary Cities
Wyoming legislators are looking to revive a bill that would ban sanctuary cities and counties in the state. The effort is gaining momentum after ICE officials said Teton County is letting jailed illegal immigrants go free.
Clair McFarlandNovember 28, 2024

Hageman Says “Terrorist-Supporting” Nonprofits Shouldn’t Get Tax Breaks
Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman voted to support a bill that could strip “terrorist-supporting” American nonprofits of their tax-exempt status. The U.S. Treasury secretary would decide which groups fit that mold.
Leo WolfsonNovember 27, 2024
