Government & Politics
News
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
Legalizing Online Gambling In Wyoming Could Rake In Nearly $900M, Study Says
The Wyoming Legislature will consider a bill to legalize online gambling, like slots, poker, blackjack and other games. A study for the Wyoming Gaming Commission says iGaming could rake in nearly $900 million over five years.
Sydnee ChapmanDecember 12, 2024
Proposal Would Give Wyoming Cities And Towns More Control Of Gaming Machines
The Joint Appropriations Committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would allow cities in Wyoming to decide if they want historical horse racing in their communities. Another bill would allow operators to broadcast local horse racing nationwide.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
UW Wants $1.5M From State For Its Share Of $2.7B NCAA Settlement To Pay Athletes
The University of Wyoming asked legislators Tuesday for $1.5 million more to help run the athletics department. The school is facing a shortfall after paying out its share of a massive $2.7 billion NCAA settlement with student-athletes.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2024
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