Government & Politics
News
Wyoming Department Of Health Gives $3,000 For Annual Drag Show; Freedom Caucus Livid
The Wyoming Department of Health has pledged $3,000 to help throw a drag queen bingo event in Laramie later this month. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus said taxpayers should not be funding a "perverted and scandalous event."
Clair McFarlandApril 11, 2024
Analysis: Casper Republican Has Most Success Passing Bills In 2024 Session
A Cowboy State Daily analysis shows that Casper Republican Sen. Jim Anderson was the most successful in the Legislature in getting individual bills passed during the 2024 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonApril 11, 2024
In Stunning Announcement, Senate VP Kinskey Won’t Run For Reelection
In a stunning announcement Wednesday, Wyoming Senate Vice President Dave Kinskey, R-Sheridan, announced he won’t run for reelection to his Senate District 22 seat.
Leo WolfsonApril 10, 2024
Casper Council Reluctantly OK $400,000 To Keep Daily SkyWest Flight
Casper City Council on Tuesday reluctantly agreed to commit to up to $400,000 as the city’s contribution to keep SkyWest Airline’s daily flight to Salt Lake City after the county said it won’t pick up the full tab anymore.
Dale KillingbeckApril 10, 2024
Fort Washakie Democrat Wants To Flip Fremont County House Seat Back To Blue
Fort Washakie Democrat Ivan Posey has announced he’s running for the Wyoming Legislature in an effort to return House District 33 in Fremont County to blue.
Leo WolfsonApril 10, 2024
Gillette Hospital Board Considers Allowing Guns In Some Areas
To get ahead of likely continued efforts to repeal Wyoming gun-free zones, the Campbell County Health board of trustees is considering lifting some firearms restrictions at the Gillette hospital.
Mark HeinzApril 09, 2024
Ravens Taking Over Rawlins Landfill To Be Poisoned
Because ravens have overrun the landfill in Rawlins, the city and the USDA are targeting them with a special bird poison to control the population. Administrators say they are confident that only ravens will be affected by the poison.
April 09, 2024
Kemmerer’s 42-Year-Old Sewage Plant Not Up To Demands Of New Energy Projects
With 12,000 workers expected to come to the Kemmerer area to work on new energy projects, there is real concern that the 42-year-old sewage plant doesn’t have the capacity to handle the population influx.
Pat MaioApril 08, 2024
Park County Republican Party Censures Mark Gordon Over Vetoes
The Park County Republican Party censured Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday over vetoes the governor made to bills passed during the recent legislative session. The sharply-worded censure passed on a 62-24 vote.
Leo WolfsonApril 05, 2024
Well-Known Rancher Cat Urbigkit Announces Run To Replace House Speaker Sommers
Sublette County rancher Cat Urbigkit on Friday announced she’s running to replace House Speaker Albert Sommers in the Wyoming Legislature, who isn’t running for reelection. Urbigkit describes herself as being more of a Libertarian than Sommers.
Leo WolfsonApril 05, 2024
About-Face: Wyoming Land Board Now Wants Out Of Controversial Gravel Pit Leases
After hours of testimony from a more-than-packed room, the State Land Board did an about-face, voting to see if it can reverse its previous approval of leases on state-owned land for gravel mining at the base of Casper Mountain.
Dale KillingbeckApril 05, 2024
Controversial State Land Transfer In Sheridan County Killed By State Land Board
A 560-acre tract of pristine state trust land in Sheridan County will remain open to the public after the State Land Board on Thursday voted to kill the land swap. The meeting got off to a heated start with Chuck Gray and Megan Degenfelder exchanging barbs.
Leo WolfsonApril 04, 2024
Early Freedom Caucus Member Runs To Win Back Wyoming House Seat
Former state Rep. Bob Wharff of Evanston was an early member of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus who gave up his state House seat in an unsuccessful run for the Senate in 2022. Now he wants that House seat back.
Leo WolfsonApril 04, 2024
Fremont County Threatens Takeover Of Library Board Amid Sex Books Controversy
The Fremont County Commission is threatening to take over the local library board by May 1 if the board doesn't update its policies on sexually graphic literature in the teens’ section of the library.
Clair McFarlandApril 04, 2024
So You Want To Be Wyoming Governor? It Helps To Be Male And Married With Kids
A Cowboy State Daily analysis of Wyoming’s 33 governors shows some interesting commonalities among the state’s highest office holders, including they’re almost always male, married and have kids.
Leo WolfsonApril 04, 2024
Outgoing Senator Puzzled Why House Speaker Killed Prostitution Bill
Outgoing State Sen. Affie Ellis on Wednesday said she remains baffled why House Speaker Albert Sommers killed a prostitution bill that passed overwhelmingly in the senate. Sommers said it was a matter of prioritization.
Clair McFarlandApril 03, 2024
Former Legislator Who Lost By 12 Votes In 2022 Wants His Seat Back
Former state Rep. JD Williams of Lusk lost by just 12 votes in the 2022 Republican primary, the closest race for the Wyoming Legislature. Now the Lusk resident says he’s running to win back his seat from incumbent Rep. Allen Slagle.
Leo WolfsonApril 03, 2024
Wyoming Families Desperate For Answers Put Hope In New Cold-Case Laws
A pair of new laws is giving Wyoming families of cold-case victims desperate for answers guarded hope that more money, public scrutiny can break cases.
Jen KocherApril 02, 2024
Legislators May Bring Back Blockbuster Property Tax Swap For Sales Tax Increase
A highlight from Monday’s Management Council meeting is that the Senate Revenue Committee may bring back a blockbuster proposal that would eliminate property taxes for 97% of homeowners in return for an increase in sales tax.
Leo WolfsonApril 02, 2024
Freedom Caucus Endorses Candidates In University Of Wyoming Student Election
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has taken the unprecedented step of endorsing two candidates in the upcoming student government election at the University of Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonApril 01, 2024
No Special Session: Wyoming Legislature Votes Down Extra Time To Undo Gordon Vetoes
By a 50-43 vote, the Wyoming Legislature on Sunday rejected a proposal to call a special session to override some of the vetoes Gov. Mark Gordon made to bills passed during the 2024 legislative session.
Leo WolfsonApril 01, 2024
Crook County Residents Say Speed Racers On Rural Roads Will Kill People
Crook County residents say some drivers treat unpaved, winding county roads like the autobahn and will result in children getting killed. County commissioners say the Legislature has taken away their authority to set their own speed limits.
Jen KocherMarch 31, 2024
Legislative Council Says Gordon Should Reject Chuck Gray’s Voter Registration Rules
The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council told Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday that he should reject Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s proposed voter residency rules. They say Gray doesn't have the authority to make these changes.
Leo WolfsonMarch 29, 2024
After 18 Years, Wyoming Prisons Drops Health Provider That’s Been Sued 1,000+ Times
The longtime health care provider for Wyoming prisons has reportedly been sued over 1,000 times across the U.S., and after 18 years has been dropped in favor of another, possibly more expensive company.
Clair McFarlandMarch 29, 2024