Government & Politics

Jackson artist Ben Roth is collecting 300 pounds of tumbleweed to create a 70-foot-long "tumblewhale" for the new Central Wyoming College camopus being built in Jackson. The finished sculpture will hang over the heads of students and visitors, who will be able to move it "like a giant marionette."

Jackson Artist Commissioned To Create Giant 70-Foot Whale Out Of Tumbleweeds

A Jackson artist is collecting 300 pounds of tumbleweed to create a 70-foot-long tumbleweed whale for the new Central Wyoming College campus being built in Jackson. The finished sculpture's goal is to look like it's swimming in the air.

Andrew RossiNovember 30, 2025

Casper Turning Point USA Teen Founder's Story Inspires Florida Filmmaker

The story of a Casper high school senior’s effort to start a Turning Point USA Club America chapter has inspired a young Florida filmmaker. He says her turbulent story of the opposition she encountered needs to be told.

Dale KillingbeckNovember 30, 2025

Drea Hineman, a senior from Gillette majoring in plant production and protection in the UW Department of Plant Sciences, inset, recently earned regional recognition at a Spacepoint symposium, dubbed Interplanetary Life, in Boise, Idaho, for her innovative space-farming research supported by NASA. Here, she tends to plants undergoing a salinity trial at the Laramie Research and Extension Center greenhouse.

How A University Of Wyoming Student Is Helping NASA Pioneer Space Farming

The novel agricultural research of a University of Wyoming senior could help NASA pioneer the future of space farming. Growing food in space is a critical component of prolonged exploration of the solar system and beyond.

Andrew RossiNovember 30, 2025

Wyoming’s shortage of nursers could get worse now that the federal government has taken nurses off of its list of “professional” degrees. That would slash federal student loan assistance and has the University of Wyoming exploring financial workarounds. Above, nursing students work on a patient simulator.

Shortage Of Nurses Could Get Worse If Feds Take Them Off ‘Professionals’ List

Wyoming’s shortage of nursers could get worse if the federal government takes nurses off of its list of “professional” degrees. That would slash federal student loan assistance and could put the nurse practitioner program out of reach for students.

Renée JeanNovember 29, 2025

Survey Sparks Division In Evanston Over Four-Day School Week

A survey has sparked division in Evanston over whether the local school district should adopt a four-day school week. Some district leaders and parents don't like the idea, while supporters says it's not the job of public schools to babysit kids.

Kate MeadowsNovember 28, 2025

Lynne Cheney looks on as U.S. military body bearers carry the casket containing the remains of her husband, former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, at his funeral service at the National Cathedral on Nov. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Dick Cheney Remembered As ‘True Man Of The West’ At D.C. Funeral

While his funeral was happening 1,770 miles from his hometown of Casper, Wyoming, there was a palpable Cowboy State feel to Dick Cheney’s funeral service Thursday in Washington, D.C. Former President George W. Bush remembered him a “true man of the West.”

Greg Johnson & Sean BarryNovember 21, 2025

Wyoming lawmakers advanced plans to eliminate residential property taxes and replace lost funds by raising the sales tax from 4% to 6%.

Wyoming Legislators Advance Plan To Kill All Residential Property Taxes

Wyoming lawmakers advanced five property tax reform plans Wednesday. One of the measures, if passed by the Legislature and the people of Wyoming, would change the state Constitution to eliminate residential property tax altogether.

Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2025

Elk Hunter Chris Holden found these aircraft parts Wednesday afternoon near Laramie Peak in Converse County. It’s thought that they might have blown off a plane in mid-flight.

Wyoming Hunter Finds Aircraft Parts That Blew Off Cessna Jet In 2019

A Wyoming hunter found aircraft parts Wednesday scattered near Laramie Peak. The Converse County Sheriff's Office confirmed late Thursday the parts came from a Cessna Citation jet that took off in 2019 from Casper and landed safely in Scottsbluff.

Mark HeinzNovember 20, 2025

House Passes Bill That Repeals Spying Reparations Provision For Lummis, Others

Rep. Harriet Hageman voted Wednesday to repeal the recently enacted provision of law that allows eight GOP senators, including Wyoming’s Cynthia Lummis, to sue the government for at least $500,000 each over the FBI’s spying on them.

Sean BarryNovember 20, 2025

Wyoming Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, left, and Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette.

Sparks Fly At Management Council Over Honor Wyoming 'Blocked' Email Claims

Sparks flew Wednesday as the Legislature’s highest-ranking members rejected a controversial bill to keep a list of emails people send to legislators. Conservative political group Honor Wyoming says the list is needed because its emails have been “blocked.”

Clair McFarlandNovember 20, 2025

U.S. Senate Republican leaders, including Wyoming’s John Barrasso, inset, allowed legislation on the Epstein files to pass Wednesday with no debate or amendments. They ingnored U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s insistence on changes.

Barrasso, Senate GOP Ignore House Leader And Pass Bill To Release Epstein Files

U.S. Senate Republican leaders, including Wyoming’s John Barrasso, allowed legislation on the Epstein files to pass Wednesday with no debate or amendments. They ignored U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s insistence on changes.

Sean BarryNovember 19, 2025

A preliminary NTSB report released recently details how a ruptured Kinder Morgan pipeline near Cheyenne in September caused a massive fireball and damaged a Union Pacific train carrying hazardous cargo.

NTSB Probe Details Wyoming Pipeline Blast That Triggered Fiery Train Escape

A National Transportation Safety Board report paints a chaotic picture on the night when a ruptured pipeline near Cheyenne in September caused a massive fireball and damaged a Union Pacific train carrying hazardous cargo.

Scott SchwebkeNovember 19, 2025

Shayne Patrick Burke, a 35-year-old military veteran from Massachusetts, says he's lucky to survive an attack by an angry momma grizzly in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. In an Instagram post detailing the attack, he says it was the most violent experience of his life and he has no ill feelings toward the bear.

Wyoming Wants A Health Plan For Bear Attacks And Other ‘Catastrophic’ Events

The odds of getting hit by a bus or attacked by an angry grizzly bear are astronomically low, but they do happen. Wyoming health officials want to create what they call “BearCare,” a health plan for those and other “catastrophic” events.

Kate MeadowsNovember 19, 2025

Wyoming lawmakers advanced five bills Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, to tighten control over slot-style gaming, citing its explosive growth. Industry leaders defended the machines as vital to funding live horse racing and rural economic activity.

Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Four Bills To Rein In Slot-Machine-Like Gaming

Wyoming lawmakers advanced four bills Tuesday to tighten control over slot-machine-like gaming, citing its explosive growth. Industry leaders defended the machines as vital to funding live horse racing and rural economic activity.

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2025

Secretary of State Chuck Gray, from left, Gov. Mark Gordon, and State Treasurer Curt Meier.

Gray 'Alarmed' Gordon Doesn't Back His Request For Extra Money

Secretary of State Chuck Gray claims Gov. Mark Gordon isn't including money to advertise a property tax ballot initiative in his biennial budget. Gordon says Gray managed to fulfill his publication requirements before without extra money.

Clair McFarlandNovember 19, 2025

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who grew up in Casper, will be laid to rest Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at Washington National Cathedral. The private funeral will draw national leaders, with daughter Liz Cheney among the speakers.

Dick Cheney To Be Laid To Rest Thursday At Washington Cathedral

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who grew up in Casper, will be laid to rest Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. The private funeral will draw national leaders, with daughter Liz Cheney among the speakers.

Kate MeadowsNovember 19, 2025

An oft-painted rock south of the Wyoming-Colorado border demands the release of the Epstein files. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, the U.S. House nearly unanimously passed a bill 427-1 to open the files, including Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman.

Hageman — And 426 Other House Members — Vote To Release Epstein Files

The U.S. House was one vote shy of unanimously voting to require President Trump release the Epstein files Tuesday. That included a yes vote from Wyoming’s Harriet Hageman. Sen. Cynthia Lummis says she also supports disclosing the files.

Sean BarryNovember 18, 2025

County delegates work during Saturday's state GOP meeting in Torrington.

Wyoming GOP Tells State To Report Those Who 'Glorify’ Assassinations

Referencing the Charlie Kirk assassination, Wyoming GOP leaders passed a resolution Saturday in Torrington asking state authorities to investigate and potentially discipline public employees who celebrate such killings.

Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2025

Governor Gordon Proposes $11.13 Billion Two-Year Budget

Gov. Mark Gordon is asking the Wyoming Legislature for an $11.13 billion biennial state budget, up about $755 million from the prior budget cycle's $10.38 billion. It includes nearly $3 billion for the Department of Health.

Clair McFarlandNovember 18, 2025

Bill Schilling accepts a plaque recognizing his lifetime achievements in Wyoming from Brent Hathaway. Schilling's signature accomplishments include helping to create the Hathaway Scholarship, named after the late Stan Hathaway, who served two terms as Governor in 1966 and 1970.

Bill Schilling Powered Wyoming’s College Revolution With The Hathaway Scholarship

Bill Schilling helped create Wyoming’s Hathaway Scholarship, opening college doors for thousands statewide. His enduring impact is felt through the opportunities the scholarship has given Wyoming students over four decades.

Renée JeanNovember 17, 2025

When Cheyenne Teacher Told Students He’d Have Their Backs For Life, He Meant It

When Cheyenne teacher Eric Crock told his students he'd have their back for life, he meant it. Decades later, students say they've never had anyone so supportive, genuine, or truly there for them -- for life.

David MadisonNovember 16, 2025

Marcia Neumiller, state committeewoman for the Natrona County Republican Party, sparred with state GOP Chair Bryan Miller over why her party voted 76-24 not to pay the more than $30,000 it owes in state dues.

Natrona County GOP Still Not Paying State Dues, Cites ‘Punitive’ Attitudes

A Natrona County GOP delegate was called out at the state party’s leadership meeting in Torrington on Saturday to explain a refusal to pay more than $30,000 in dues. The county chair said it’s partly because of the “punitive” attitude of the state GOP.

Clair McFarlandNovember 15, 2025

The "Fabulous Flamingo" is a World War II airplane that's been converted into a one-of-a-kind motorhome. It was recently spotted in Wyoming as its owner cruised into Greybull to look at another vintage aircraft that could be converted into a motorhome.

World War II Airplane Converted Into A Motorhome Turns Heads In Wyoming

A World War II airplane that's been converted into a one-of-a-kind motorhome was recently spotted in Wyoming. The owner of the "Fabulous Flamingo" cruised into Greybull to look at other vintage aircraft that could be converted into motorhomes.

Andrew RossiNovember 15, 2025

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie (left), Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland (right)

Wyoming ‘Tim Tebow’ Rule Heads To Lawmaking Session

A Wyoming legislative committee on Friday advanced a “Tim Tebow rule” to require school districts to let homeschool and private school students as young as sixth grade participate in public school activities.