Government & Politics
News

Gordon Signs Bill Letting All Wyoming Cops Pull Non-English Speaking Truckers From Roads
By the stroke of Gov. Mark Gordon's pen Thursday, now all Wyoming police officers and deputies, not just federally-certified state troopers, can pull non-English-proficient commercial truck drivers from the roads.
Clair McFarlandMarch 06, 2026

To Become A Judge, Clark Stith Leaves Behind Two High-Profile Political Lawsuits
By accepting a judgeship in Sweetwater County, former Rep. Clark Stith is leaving behind arguably the two most high-profile political lawsuits in Wyoming and is "shopping around" for a lawyer to take them over.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

Gun Rights Bills Widely Opposed By Wyoming Cops, Sheriffs Clears Legislature
Though widely opposed by Wyoming law enforcement, the Second Amendment Protection Act cleared both chambers of the Legislature. “If an order is ever given federally to come seize firearms... our law enforcement can’t help them,” Rep. Bob Wharff said.
Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2026

"Hands On Everything": Clerk Warns Of Tampering Risk As Voting Machine Bill Passes
Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese warned lawmakers of tampering risks after observers mishandled records during a past voting machine test. The bill, clarifying public access to election equipment checks, was subsequently advanced.
David MadisonMarch 05, 2026

WYDOT Auditing Wyoming Highway Patrol After Overtime Spending Surges 226%
The Wyoming Highway Patrol is being audited after the agency blew past its annual overtime budget by more than $2.4 million last year. "We used more than 50,000 hours of overtime, which was a cost of over $4 million," patrol chief Col. Tim Cameron said.
David MadisonMarch 05, 2026

CheckGate Investigation: House Committee Rules No Bribery Or Misconduct
A committee charged with investigating the so-called CheckGate controversy over handing out checks on the Wyoming House floor said Wednesday it found no bribery or misconduct. However, it also determined it was bad conduct that “must never occur again."
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

Cheyenne Farm Owner Fears Jail As Forced Annexation Threatens Livelihood
Wy fresh farm owner Tommie Kniseley fears she could face criminal charges, fines and even jail if the Cheyenne City Council annexes her farm business. She and her family say the rushed annexation plan leaves their homestead and livelihood vulnerable.
Kate MeadowsMarch 05, 2026

Wyoming Senate Refuses To Rescue Bill Purging Sex Books From Children's Library
Sen. Troy McKeown tried and failed Wednesday to resurrect a bill that sought to pull sexually-explicit books from children’s sections in libraries, after the Senate let it die. His effort failed 13-18.
Clair McFarlandMarch 05, 2026

Converse County Commissioner Announces Run For Secretary Of State
Robert Short, a three-term county commissioner in Converse County, announced Wednesday he will run for Secretary of State. He said if elected, he wouldn't push as much for law changes. “The Secretary of State’s job is to enforce law, not make it," he said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026

Education Department Completes Special Monitoring Of Rock Springs School District
The Wyoming Department of Education has completed a weeklong review of a Rock Springs special education program. This comes after complaints of staffing and supervision of special education children as well as responsiveness and transparency concerns.
Kate MeadowsMarch 04, 2026

Gordon Signs Bill To Keep NIL Money Out Of Wyoming High School Sports
A Wyoming bill to keep name, image, and likeness payouts out of high school sports is now law after Gov. Mark Gordon signed it Tuesday. Gordon said it's a commonsense measure after what's happened to college sports.
Clair McFarland & David MadisonMarch 04, 2026

Legislators Say No To Letting Districts Use Teacher, Class Money For Other Things
Wyoming legislators denied amendments Tuesday to allow districts to use money for instruction and teacher pay on other things. Some say districts need leeway, others that the rule guards against districts “continually saying, 'Not enough, need more.’"
Clair McFarlandMarch 04, 2026

"Authoritarian" Bill Making Defiance Of Legislative Subpoena A Felony Heads To Gov.
A bill elevating the penalty for dodging a legislative subpoena from a misdemeanor to a felony carrying up to one year in prison passed both chambers this week. It drew sharp criticism from senators who said they handed themselves "authoritarian power"
David MadisonMarch 03, 2026

Meier: Wyoming Needs $6 Billion For Housing And That Doesn't Count Infrastructure
State Treasurer Curt Meier said Wyoming needs $6 billion for housing in the next 15 years and that doesn't count infrastructure. Legislators considered housing legislation this year, but nothing passed. One noteworthy bill died due to "CheckGate."
David MadisonMarch 03, 2026

Wyoming 'Bounty' Bill Inspired By Minnesota Fraud Dies, But Could Return Next Year
A Wyoming legislative committee on Monday voted down a bill that would have promised whistleblowers a cut of penalties against people who cheat the government out of money. “I love the concept of this bill,” one lawmaker said before voting to table it.
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2026

Budget Cuts Shut Down 50-Year Sweetwater County Home Respite Care Program
A Sweetwater County home respite care program is closing at the end of March after nearly 50 years. Budget cuts forced the move as the county adjusts for collecting less in property tax and other revenues.
Tracie SullivanMarch 03, 2026

$15 Million For PRCA Move To Cheyenne Survives Budget Votes, Heads To Governor
With $15 million approved in the $9.9 billion biennial budget approved Monday, Cheyenne is closer than ever to landing the PRCA headquarters and museum. Sen. Ogden Driskill said the funding "probably had deeper support statewide than anything I’ve seen."
Renée JeanMarch 03, 2026

Legislation Making Child Stalking And Grooming Felonies Headed To Gov's Desk
Bills making child stalking and grooming standalone felony crimes are headed for the governor's desk. The stalking bill came from a high-profile case where a 41-year-old in Glenrock stalked and harassed a 16-year-old teen for a year and received probation.
Jen KocherMarch 02, 2026

West Virginia's Move To Legalize Machine Guns Could Lead Wyoming To Do The Same
If lawmakers in West Virginia are successful in legalizing fully automatic firearms, Wyoming could follow suit. Law professor and director of UW’s Firearms Research Center said, "I could totally see it catching on here in Wyoming and Montana."
Mark HeinzMarch 02, 2026

Governor, Freedom Caucus Claim Victory As Legislature Passes $9.9 Billion Budget
Despite compromises from all sides, Gov. Gordon, Senate leaders, and House leaders all claimed victory on Monday as the Wyoming Legislature passed a $9.9 billion, two-year budget. “What a win for Wyoming!” the governor said.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2026

Attempt To Resurrect Teton County Housing Bill Linked To CheckGate Fails In Senate
A vocal minority in the Wyoming Senate tried and failed Monday to resurrect a housing bill linked to the "CheckGate" scandal. Senate President Bo Biteman said the bill was "tainted" and should be handled next year.
Clair McFarlandMarch 02, 2026

In Wake Of Weston Election Scandal, Bill Advanced Criminalizing False Election Audits
Wyoming lawmakers advanced a bill Monday that criminalizes filing false election audits, despite such actions already being illegal. “I still think just to make it even clearer — why would we not do this?” Secretary of State Chuck Gray said.
David MadisonMarch 02, 2026

Wyoming Parents Push For Schools To Dump Lifetouch Photos After Alleged Epstein Tie
Some Wyoming parents are calling for schools to dump Lifetouch photos after an investor with its parent company has an alleged link to notorious sex-trafficker Jeffery Epstein. The schools shouldn’t be allowing it," said one Natrona County parent.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2026

No CheckGate Reckoning At Wyoming GOP Meeting As Leaders Blast Media, Gordon
There was no dealing with the so-called “CheckGate” controversy at Saturday’s state GOP Central Committee meeting. Instead, party leaders blamed the media for its coverage and redirected attention on Gov. Mark Gordon’s campaign spending.
David MadisonFebruary 28, 2026
