Government & Politics

Wyoming Counties Lobby Department Of Interior For More Input On Federal Lands

Campbell and Converse counties this week sent expansive letters to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum lobbying for more input on federal lands. But one Campbell County commissioner says he wouldn’t have signed off on his county’s letter given a do-over.

David MadisonJuly 24, 2025

Gov. Gordon Says Wyoming Can Educate Kids Better Than Federal ‘Talking Heads’

Wyoming is eager to exercise more control over educating its own kids. Gov. Mark Gordon told Cowboy State Daily’s Jake Nichols on Thursday that Wyoming can educate its kids better than federal “talking heads” in Washington, D.C.

Greg JohnsonJuly 24, 2025

State lawmakers wrestle with allowing nuclear fuel disposal sites after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling limited Texas’ ability to challenge plans for a standalone nuclear waste facility. Wyoming leaders say they want tight control over what comes into the state.

Wyoming Legislators Debate Whether To Let Nuclear Waste Sites Multiply

Wyoming lawmakers are wrestling with whether to green light potentially numerous nuclear waste sites throughout the state. Some say it’s good for the economy, while others say it’s not worth the risk.

Clair McFarlandJuly 24, 2025

Wyoming Senators Say Nesvik Vote — And Delisting Grizzlies — Has Waited Long Enough

Wyoming’s U.S. senators say the Senate should skip its scheduled August break if that’s what it takes to finally get Brian Nesvik in charge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That’s likely to lead to a long-awaited delisting of grizzly bears.

Mark HeinzJuly 24, 2025

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, addresses the Wyoming Legislature in this file photo.

Lummis Calls For Cancellation Of August Recess

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis on Tuesday called for the cancellation of the Senate’s August recess in order to move 136 nominees who are awaiting confirmation. That includes Brian Nesvik who is nominated to head up the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sean BarryJuly 22, 2025

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray (file photo)

Judge Throws Out Challenge To New Wyoming Voter Registration Law, Gray Cheers

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a voting-advocacy group’s lawsuit challenging Wyoming’s new law that requires proof of citizenship and Wyoming residency before someone can register to vote. Secretary of State Chuck Gray celebrated the ruling.

Clair McFarlandJuly 22, 2025

University Of Wyoming President Ed Seidel Says He’ll Step Down

University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel has announced that he will step down when his contract expires on June 30 next year. The decision follows a controversy involving the distribution of money and demotion of a professor, who is now suing UW.

Clair McFarlandJuly 21, 2025

U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) speaks in front of poster of Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on

House Votes To Defund Public Media, Gouging NPR and PBS

By a 216 - 213 vote, the U.S. House on Thursday approved a Trump administration plan to rescind two years' budget from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman voted for the measure, which also impacts PBS and NPR.

Jimmy OrrJuly 18, 2025

More than $9 billion in federal clawbacks — including $1.1 billion in cuts for PBS and NPR — has to hit President Donald Trump’s desk by Friday. It’s part of a rule that requires Congress to act withing 45 days of the president asking for clawbacks.

Friday Or Bust: House Under Legal Deadline For PBS, NPR Cuts

The U.S. House of Representatives has a legal deadline of Friday at 11:59 p.m. to vote on the proposed $1.1 billion in cuts to public television and radio. Wyoming's congressional delegation is firmly in favor of the cuts.

Sean Barry & Clair McFarlandJuly 18, 2025

The Upper Green River, one place where the Upper Colorado River Basin begins.

Wyoming Irrigators Frustrated By Getting Shut Off Earlier In Colorado River Basin

Western Wyoming irrigators are frustrated after being shut off earlier than normal to send Colorado River Basin water downstream. State officials are holding public meetings to keep tabs on Wyoming’s share of the Colorado River.

David MadisonJuly 17, 2025

Wyoming leaders announced Thursday they’re challenging a judge’s order that blocks the state’s new school-choice program. They’re taking their appeal to the Wyoming Supreme Court, a move Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder applauds.

Degenfelder Fighting Judge's Block On School Choice Program

Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder announced Thursday the State of Wyoming is challenging a judge’s order that blocks the state’s new school-choice program. “I am grateful for the Attorney General’s swift action,” Degenfelder said.

Clair McFarlandJuly 17, 2025

With “aye” votes from Wyoming’s two U.S. senators, a recissions bill scheduled to claw back around $1.1 billion from publicly funded media, which stands to impact outlets like NPR and PBS, cleared a committee Tuesday with a Friday deadline to get to Trump.

Wyoming Senators Say Their Votes To Defund Public Media Due To Left-Wing Bias

In statements and interviews with Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday, Sens. Lummis and Barrasso said their votes for massive cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are warranted because of what they call a left-wing bias of its public media outlets.

Clair McFarlandJuly 16, 2025

News