Government & Politics
News

Mock Sacrifice In Casper Marching Band Routine Draws Outrage From Parents
A controversial marching band performance that included acting out a sacrificial stabbing on an altar was the target of praise and outrage from local parents at a Monday meeting of the Natrona County School District Board of Education.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 29, 2024

Legislators Fight Over Property Tax Relief Ahead Of Next Week’s Election
Legislators are fighting over a constitutional amendment that could lower property taxes for homeowners in Wyoming. Some argue Amendment A on next week’s ballot also opens the door for tax increases, if passed.
Leo WolfsonOctober 29, 2024

Wyoming Coffee Klatch: Gillette’s Old Farts Talk Energy, Trump And “Ridiculous” Tax
At a meeting of the Gillette Old Farts Society coffee klatch earlier this week, one member said, "We're all a bunch of rednecks, and we think you should get to keep what you earn. So, if you work your butt off and earn money, you should get to keep it.”
Jen KocherOctober 27, 2024

"Hot And Heavy" Early Voting Across Wyoming Is Smashing Primary Turnout So Far
Early voting leading up to the Nov. 5 general election has had huge turnouts all across Wyoming. In Cheyenne, the wait to vote can take up to 30 minutes with a line of voters out the door and down the street every day.
Leo WolfsonOctober 26, 2024

Fremont County Group Fights To Kill Tax Grants To Private Businesses
Fremont County residents and visitors have poured $14.7 million of their tax dollars into economic development and transportation services since April 2021. An “axe the tax” group is trying to kill the tax this election cycle.
Clair McFarlandOctober 26, 2024

Legislature Advances Proposal To Show Live, Electronic Scoring Of Votes
A committee of the Wyoming Legislature advanced a proposal on Thursday that would allow the public to see a live electronic scorecard for each roll call vote taken during the session.
Leo WolfsonOctober 25, 2024

Hageman, Gordon And Legislators Want Federal Lands Turned Over To States
Rep. Harriet Hageman, Gov. Mark Gordon and 26 members of the Wyoming Legislature want federal lands turned over to states. They’ve all filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court this week supporting Utah in its lawsuit to liberate BLM lands.
Leo WolfsonOctober 24, 2024

Legislature Backs Off Plan To Limit Press Access At Wyoming Capitol
A proposal to restrict press access to some areas of the Wyoming Capitol during the legislative session was scrapped Thursday. The original idea was intended to ensure privacy for lawmakers and prevent overcrowding of the halls.
Leo WolfsonOctober 24, 2024

Bill Would Give State Authority To Dissolve Businesses Owned By Foreign Adversaries
The state Legislature’s Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee is taking aim at Wyoming businesses owned by foreign adversaries. A bill advanced Tuesday would give the state the authority to dissolve them.
Leo WolfsonOctober 24, 2024

Sheridan County GOP Shares, Then Deletes, Racist Post About Trump At McDonald’s
The Sheridan County Republican Party is taking some heat after it shared a racist post to its Facebook page featuring former President Donald Trump. The post was quickly deleted, and the party’s chairman says it crossed the line.
Leo WolfsonOctober 23, 2024

Weston County Votes To Create Own Legislative Seats, Now Waits To Be Sued
Weston County commissioners voted Tuesday to fill legislative seats the county created. The county also expects to be sued over the vote and efforts to strongarm its own representatives onto the Wyoming Legislature.
Leo WolfsonOctober 22, 2024

Cheyenne House Race: Candidates Say Opponents Way Out Of Touch With Voters
In a battle for Cheyenne's House District 11, both candidates are saying their opponent is out of touch with local voters. Jacob Wasserburger's mailer features his opponent with President Biden while Sara Burlingame's mailer shows her opponent shirtless wearing a top hat.
Leo WolfsonOctober 22, 2024

Laramie County Buys Wyoming’s Tallest Building To House Its Growing Government
In anticipation of future growth of local government because of an influx of population, Laramie County recently paid $5.5 million to buy the tallest building in Wyoming. The Wyoming Financial Center building is nine stories and 148 feet tall.
Leo WolfsonOctober 21, 2024

Barrasso Joins Trump At Steelers Game; Crowd Gives Ex-Pres Thunderous Welcome
Wyoming's senior senator John Barrasso joined former President Trump at the Steelers game Sunday night in Pittsburgh. Barrasso told Cowboy State Daily the crowd was "overwhelmingly receptive, chanting USA, USA, USA" when Trump was announced.
Jimmy OrrOctober 21, 2024

J.D. Vance Says Cheney Has “Obsessive Hatred” For Wyoming Voters Who Ousted Her
J.D. Vance lashed out against former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney on Sunday. He said her support of Kamala Harris is motivated by an “obsessive hatred” toward Wyoming voters who ousted her.
Justin GeorgeOctober 21, 2024

Controversial Laramie Democrat Karlee Provenza Seeks Third Term In House
State Rep. Karlee Provenza is one of the few Democrat fixtures in the Wyoming Legislature and isn’t shy about sharing her liberal views. That’s why her Republican opponent for House District 45 says she doesn’t represent her constituents.
Leo WolfsonOctober 21, 2024

Number One Topic At Cheyenne Barbershops: Politics, Politics, Politics
Cheyenne barber Glen Chavez isn't shy about saying the current administration has turned the U.S. into a third world country. Other barbers, however, try to steer the conversation away from politics. But that's what customers want to talk about, they say.
Leo WolfsonOctober 19, 2024

Immigration, Trump Main Themes As Barrasso Debates Opponent In Their Only Debate
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso and his Democratic opponent Scott Morrow met in their only debate of the election season Thursday night. They sparred over immigration COVID mandates and Trump.
Leo WolfsonOctober 18, 2024

Controversial Casper Gravel Pit Not Dead As Company Wants Court To Decide
Although local citizens were thrilled when the Natrona County commissioners killed a controversial gravel pit proposal last month, it isn't dead yet. The company filed a lawsuit on Thursday asking for a judicial review of the county's decision.
Dale KillingbeckOctober 18, 2024

Weston County Defies Legislature, Will Appoint Its Own House, Senate Seats
The Weston County Commission is moving forward with a plan to create its own Wyoming House and Senate seats in defiance of the Legislature. Commissioners will vote next week to appoint people to fill those seats.
Leo WolfsonOctober 17, 2024

Challenger Calls Out Cheyenne Mayor For Keeping Massive Facebook Data Center Secret
Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins is being called out by his challenger in the Nov. 5 election for signing an NDA to keep the massive Meta (aka Facebook) data center secret.
Leo WolfsonOctober 17, 2024
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
