Government & Politics | Cowboy State Daily

Dr. Doug Honken joined numerous vets opposing a bill that would have let non-veterinarians perform preg checks on livestock. Rep. Pepper Ottman, a bill proponent, debated with him and others.

Outspoken Veterinarians Kill Bill To Let Non-Vets Do Livestock Pregnancy Checks

Large-animal veterinarians pleaded for their livelihoods Tuesday when discussing a bill that would have let non-vets pregnancy-check livestock. One rancher cried during the hours-long debate. In the end, the bill died by an 8 to 5 vote.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 22, 2026

Hageman and Conservaton Easemetn sign 9 21 26

Wyoming Group Bashes Hageman Bill Capping Conservation Easements At 30 Years

A Wyoming federal lands group is bashing a bill U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman has unveiled that would cap government conservation easements at 30 years. Hageman says it will balance landowners’ rights, while opponents claim it will harm conservation efforts.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 22, 2026

State Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, is bringing back a bill that would allow independent power suppliers to compete with utility companies in Wyoming.

Facing Electricity Shortages, Wyoming Legislators Say Make Utilities Compete

Some Wyoming legislators are pushing a bill that would let independent power suppliers compete with utilities by selling to companies like trona mines and data centers. Four House members killed the effort, but it's coming back next week.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 21, 2026

Guernsey resident and town council candidate Sue Fronapfel, left, after giving scathing criticism of a pair of council members. Member Jeremiah Fields, right, clashed with her after her comments during the Sept. 1 meeting, then again in the parking lot after the meeting.

“The Gloves Are Off:” Angry Town Council Meeting In Guernsey Spills Into Parking Lot

Guernsey Town Councilman Jeremiah Fields told candidate Sue Fronapfel “the gloves are off” in the town hall parking lot after they clashed during a council meeting earlier this month. "It's not a threat, but a promise," Fields reportedly told Fronapfel.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 21, 2026

Sweetwater County Brings Back Former Superintendent To Fill In After Suspension

Former Sweetwater County School District 1 chief Paul Grube was appointed interim superintendent Sunday, less than a week after Joesph Libby was abruptly placed on administrative leave. “I’ll be honest with you, I never thought I’d be here,” Grube said.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 21, 2026

Governor's candidate Rebecca Bextel has been accused of trespassing, barred from building on her land, and locked in a legal war with Wyoming Game And Fish. She says she's a political target, while her neighbors say she violated a hunting easement.

Rebecca Bextel Says Legal Battle With Wyoming Game And Fish Is Political

Gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Bextel has been accused of trespassing, barred from building on her land, and locked in a legal war with Wyoming Game And Fish. She says she's a political target, while her neighbors say she violated a hunting easement.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 18, 2026

When Flock Wouldn’t Take Down Its Cameras, Colorado Sheriff Did It Himself

When Flock wouldn’t come and take down 10 license plate reader cameras the company had installed, a Colorado sheriff did it himself. “Our patience has officially run out,” said the Moffat County Sheriff's Office, just south of the Wyoming border.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 17, 2026

Supreme Court Says Legislature Shortchanged Schools, But Don’t Make Them Buy Computers

In a three-justice majority opinion, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Thursday the Legislature has been violating the state Constitution by shortchanging public schools. However, the state can't be forced to buy more computers or pay for school lunches.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 17, 2026

State Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Wyoming, is the Republican nominee for governor, while Rebecca Bextel, right, is running on the Constitution Party ticket.

Sheridan County GOP Posts, Then Removes, Statement Backing Bextel Over Barlow

The Sheridan County Republican Party posted, then apparently took down, a statement last week touting Wyoming Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel for governor over Republican Eric Barlow. The party's chair says she doesn't know who made the post.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 17, 2026

Republican Dan McIntosh, from left, libertarian Ryan Shollenberger, and Democrat Britney Tennant are all running for Wyoming House District 11, one of the state's rare politically "purple" districts.

Republican, Democrat, And Libertarian All Vie For Cheyenne's 'Purple' House District

The three-way race for Wyoming's House District 11 pits libertarian Ryan Shollenberger against Republican Dan McIntosh and Democrat Britney Tennant. That's one of Wyoming's rare "purple" districts, where the libertarian's run for office is a wildcard.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026

Sweetwater County School District 1 Superintendent Joseph Libby during a Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, school board meeting. At the end of the meeting, the board voted to put Libby on paid administrative leave.

Sweetwater School Officials Not Saying Much After Superintendent Placed On Leave

Sweetwater County School Board members said Wednesday that due to personnel rules they can't discuss Superintendent Joseph Libby's suspension. A recent investigation by the Wyoming Department of Education describes a culture of mistrust in the district.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 16, 2026

California Gov Gavin Newsom (left) and CNN anchor Jake Tapper attempt to go fly fishing

C.J. Box Says Everything About Newsom And Tapper Fly Fishing Is “Wrong”

Wyoming-based author and longtime angler C.J. Box on Wednesday lampooned CNN's video of California Gov. Gavin Newsom fly fishing with news anchor Jake Tapper. "Everything about it is performative and wrong,” he said, of their casting techniques.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026

Constitution Party gubernatorial nominee Rebecca Bextel derided her Republican opponent Sen. Eric Barlow throughout a presentation at the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce forum Monday, and cast Gov. Mark Gordon as unintelligent.

Bextel Bashes Gordon And Barlow At Sheridan Candidate Forum

Constitution Party gubernatorial nominee Rebecca Bextel bashed her Republican opponent Sen. Eric Barlow throughout a presentation Monday at a candidate forum. She also cast Gov. Mark Gordon as unintelligent and claimed to have more "balls" than him.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. and Cyntha Lummis, R-Wyo.

Lummis Slams Senate Democrats For Blocking Huge Crypto Bill

Sen. Cynthia Lummis derided Democrats Tuesday after they blocked a sweeping cryptocurrency bill she pushed for months. It wouldn’t restrain Trump's conflicts of interest, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 15, 2026

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Mistaken For Flocks Spark Angry Privacy Debate

A social media post about alleged Flock cameras and the police chief's response set off a firestorm that went before the Kemmerer city council Monday. Turns out they are standard surveillance equipment but residents are expressing privacy concerns.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 15, 2026

Dr. Joe Schaffer, Laramie County Community College President, shares the recommended new name for the college — Wyoming State College — on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at LCCC in Cheyenne.

Central Wyoming College Opposes LCCC Rebrand To "Wyoming State College"

Officials at Central Wyoming College in Riverton say they are opposed to Laramie County Community College's plan to rename itself "Wyoming State College." But community college chairs in Casper and Torrington say they're just focused on their own work.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 15, 2026

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Superintendent Dr. Joseph Libby was placed on paid administrative leave Monday, Sept. 15, 2026

Sweetwater School Board Places Superintendent On Paid Leave After Tense Meeting

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Superintendent Joseph Libby was placed on administrative leave Monday night after a tense school board meeting that included police presence. The board also eliminated the assistant superintendent position.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 15, 2026

Police Declare Investigation Into Rasner Claim That He Was Threatened "Inactive"

Torrington police say an investigation into an alleged threat against unsuccessful U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner is “inactive,” after Rasner’s attorney didn't give the agency requested documentation. Rasner claimed a former deputy threatened him.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 14, 2026

Ron Micheli, a Fort Bridger area rancher and former Wyoming legislator, said he and other ranchers along Wyoming’s Upper Green River are dependent upon snowpack to fill the river. And this year’s snowpack was one of the worst on record.

Wyoming, Upper Basin States: Water Taken From Flaming Gorge Should Be Replaced

Water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir kept Lake Powell from hitting "dead pool" this year, so Wyoming and the Upper Basin States limping through severe drought want it replaced. Wyoming rancher Ron Micheli said, 'If we don't have snow, we don't have water."

Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2026

Former Commissioner: Game and Fish Caused Its Own Financial Woes by Overspending

Former Game and Fish commissioner Mike Schmid said the organization's looming financial crisis could be because of unnecessary spending and he's skeptical of a trust fund. “I think there was some self-inflicted pain there,” Schmid said.

Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2026

Rep. Harriet Hageman (left) and Secretary of State Chuck Gray (right)

Opponents Blast Hageman, Gray For Skipping PBS Debates Ahead Of General Election

Opponents of Republicans Harriet Hageman and Chuck Gray in Wyoming’s U.S. Senate and House races are blasting them for skipping PBS debates ahead of the general election. Both Hageman and Gray say they’re taking their messages directly to voters.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

The mail pickup site within a mountain-base resort in remote Jelm, Wyoming, is slated to close by Sept. 30, the U.S. Postal Service confirmed to Cowboy State Daily.

Postal Service Says It Will Close Mail Pickup Site In Remote Albany County On Sept 30

The U.S. Postal Service confirmed to Cowboy State Daily it's closing the mail pickup site in Jelm, Wyoming, on Sept. 30. Without a quick alternative, locals will have to make a 60-mile round trip to Laramie for mail.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

Mills Emergency Meeting To Cover Bar Nunn Payroll In Bank Shutdown 'Torpedoed'

The mayor of Mills tried to work with the city council to cover payroll for Bar Nunn employees while Hilltop Bank was shuttered due to a cybersecurity issue. Some council members "torpedoed" the effort, Bar Nunn’s mayor says, but the bank found a way to help.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

Lawmakers: Game And Fish Commission Meeting Not Place To Ask About Departed Director

Legislators and Wyoming Game and Fish Department top brass said Thursday that meetings to discuss the agency's funding weren't the place to bring up Angi Bruce's departure as director. Some cited "personnel matters" for not talking publicly about Bruce.

Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2026