Government & Politics

Voices were raised and things got heated at Rep. Harriet Hageman's townhall in Thermopolis on Thursday with the topics of immigration enforcement causing most of the drama.

At Hageman's Thermopolis Townhall, Attendees Yelled More At Each Other Than At Her

Attendees clamored and yelled at Rep. Harriet Hageman's townhall in Thermopolis on Thursday with the topic of immigration enforcement causing most of the drama. But most people yelled at each other more than at Hageman.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 30, 2026

Rock Springs Councilman: New City Flag Looks Like Something From Third World Country

Rock Springs City Councilman Rick Milonas says the new city flag, designed by a 17-year-old student, is a “terrible fit for the community” and the “most butt-ugly thing I’ve ever seen." The city council adopted the new flag by an 8-1 vote last week.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 29, 2026

Aidan McGuire, Paula Medina and Dylan Fernholz-Hartman are pushing a resolution opposing the proposed budget cuts to the University of Wyoming.

UW Student Leaders Protest Proposed $40 Million State Budget Cut To University

Students at the University of Wyoming say they aren't waiting for the Legislature to finalize its budget before fighting back against cuts they worry could slash funding by 15%. They say the cuts will hurt UW's ability to generate future revenue for Wyoming.

David MadisonJanuary 29, 2026

Wyoming Lawmaker Pushes ‘Stem Cell Freedom Act,’ Challenging FDA

State Sen. Eric Barlow is pushing a bill that would allow doctors to perform stem cell treatments not approved by the FDA, creating guidelines for treatment while shielding physicians from state licensing discipline.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 29, 2026

Degenfelder To Investigate Rock Springs School District's Special Ed Program

Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder announced Wednesday her office is launching an investigation into the special education program at Sweetwater County School District No. 1 after multiple noncompliance complaints.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2026

Weston County Residents Grill Wyoming Lawmakers On Tax Cuts

Wyoming lawmakers faced backlash Monday at a Newcastle town hall over property tax cuts slashing local budgets. “We have no way to raise more money. It was the legislature, not local people, that told us we were taking a budget cut," said one firefighter.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 28, 2026

Wyoming Lawmakers Reverse Course, Will Not Deny $58 Million In Medicaid

Wyoming lawmakers reversed their denial of $58 million in federal Medicaid funds for tribal clinics after people protested. Rep. John Bear called it an accounting issue, while Rep. Larsen said Bear was "covering (his) butt."

Clair McFarlandJanuary 28, 2026

From a gun rights and self-defense standpoint, the passage of House Bill 14 would be a win, Mark Jones of Buffalo (pictured), a national director for Gun Owners of America, told Cowboy State Daily.

Bill Would Force Wyoming Counties To Pay Self-Defense Legal Fees

If a Wyomingite kills somebody, claims self-defense, is charged with murder, but is cleared, the county that charged them would be on the hook for all the defendant’s legal fees and other expenses, according to a bill before the Wyoming Legislature.

Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2026

Weston County Clerk's Thursday Trial Cancelled Due To Appeal

The Weston County clerk accused of skipping a legislative subpoena was scheduled to go to trial Thursday in Casper Circuit Court — until the judge ruled that her claims against the lawmakers who summoned her should be heard in a higher court first.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2026

State Rep. Jacob Wasserburger, R-Cheyenne, unveiled a bill Thursday that seeks to sell between 30,000 and 200,000 acres of non-trust state lands in 10-acre parcels to individual families — at $1 an acre.

Wyoming Might Not Have Enough Public Lands For Controversial Selloff Bill

An initial review of data from the Office of State Lands and Investments shows Wyoming might not have enough eligible public land to satisfy a controversial bill seeking to sell between 30,000 and 200,000 acres to families for $1 per acre.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 27, 2026

Sen. Brian Boner (left) and State Treasurer Curt Meier (right) are working on a bill to compensate those affected by large industrial projects

State Treasurer, Lawmaker Work On Fund To Compensate Wind Farm Neighbors

State Treasurer Curt Meier and Sen. Brian Boner are working on a bill that would divert one-sixth of property taxes from wind, solar, and industrial projects into a fund for affected neighbors. “I’m not blind to the impacts that people have," Meier said.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 26, 2026

A Rock Springs High teacher accidentally projected a personal nude photo during a special ed class lesson, shocking students — including those with autism. Parents are criticizing what they say was a delayed response by the school.

Teacher’s Nude Photo Shocks Special Ed Class At Rock Springs High School

A Rock Springs High School teacher accidentally projected a personal nude photo during a special ed class lesson, shocking some students and upsetting parents. Parents are criticizing what they say was a delayed response by the school.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 24, 2026

Lawmaker Unveils Bill To Sell Between 30,000 And 200,000 Acres Of State Lands

A Cheyenne state legislator unveiled a bill Thursday that seeks to sell between 30,000 and 200,000 acres of non-trust state lands in 10-acre parcels to individual families — at $1 an acre. He says it will help ease Wyoming’s housing shortage.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 23, 2026

Gordon Halts Lawsuit Challenging Wyoming’s Cap On Property Tax Growth

A board tasked with ensuring Wyoming’s property tax assessments are fair and lawful planned to challenge the state’s 4% growth cap on residential property taxes. Gov. Mark Gordon put a halt to the lawsuit Thursday.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 23, 2026

Wyoming Bill Requiring Voter Approval Of Stormwater Fees Dies On Tie Vote

A Wyoming bill that would have required voter approval to impose stormwater fees died in committee Wednesday on a tie vote despite lawsuits over “tax-like” charges. Lawmakers debated tax-fee laws and flood risks, leaving infrastructure funding in limbo.

Zakary SonntagJanuary 22, 2026

This helicopter, seen in a file photo by Wyoming Game and Fish Department, was one of two that collided near Parkman on Jan. 19, 2026, while doing contract work for the agency.

Choppers Collide During Wyoming Mule Deer Capture Operation

Two helicopters slammed into each other Monday while trying to land near Parkman in Sheridan County during a Wyoming Game and Fish operation to capture mule deer.

Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2026

Park County School Board Fires Cody Coach After Misconduct Investigations

Park County School District 6 unanimously voted Tuesday to fire teacher and girls’ basketball coach Sam Buck after two Title IX probes found misconduct with students. Buck denies the allegations and called the process a flawed witch hunt.

Kate MeadowsJanuary 21, 2026

New FBI Policy Boots Conservative From Fremont County School Board

Fremont County School District 1 board member Scott Jensen, a federal police officer, said he must resign because of a new policy barring special agents from elected roles. He's spent six years on the board pushing parental rights and book challenges.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Wyoming is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to sound money policy, a movement to return gold and silver as legal currency. Wyomingites also don’t have to pay sales tax when buying the precious metals.

Wyoming Quietly Completes $10 million Gold Buy Required By New State Law

The state of Wyoming quietly bought $10 million in gold in December as required by a new state law. Sponsors of the law hail it as a hedge against dollar devaluation while critics say there’s no good way to cash in on gold’s increasing value.

Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2026

‘Woke Wind' Critic Chuck Gray Has Voted To OK Leases For At Least 3 Wind Projects

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray is arguably the most vocal and high-profile opponent of wind-energy projects in the state, calling the industry “woke wind.” But he’s voted to approve wind leases at least three times since 2023.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 21, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Says Court Changed Law To Legalize Abortion

The Wyoming Attorney General's office filed a petition Tuesday for a re-hearing, saying the state Supreme Court's ruling striking down two abortion bans betrayed legal precedent. It ignored the Constitution and changed its own rules, the filing claims.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 20, 2026

Photo from a fund drive at Wyoming Public Media on April 18, 2025

Wyoming Public Media Scrambling After State Push To Defund

The fate of Wyoming Public Media hangs in the balance after the Joint Appropriations Committee last week voted to discontinue providing state funds to the entity. “It is important for journalism to be independent of government,” said Rep. Ken Pendergraft

Kate MeadowsJanuary 20, 2026

A Wyoming House Representative from Cheyenne unveiled a bill this month that, if it becomes law, would let people get the ivermectin without a prescription. The Legislature may hear the bill in three weeks.

Wyoming Lawmaker Unveils Bill To Make Ivermectin Over-The-Counter

A Wyoming House Representative from Cheyenne unveiled a bill this month that, if it becomes law, would let people get ivermectin without a prescription. The Legislature may hear the bill in three weeks.

Clair McFarlandJanuary 19, 2026

So Far, Wyoming Says No To Replacing PBS Money Dropped By Feds

A state legislative committee has denied $6.6 million Wyoming Public Television requested to fill a massive federal defunding effort. The decision, which isn’t final, includes $3 million for operations and a $3.6 million grant the feds rescinded.