Government & Politics
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House Speaker, Reps Tell How They Got Checks, Shock Over Controversy
The Wyoming House had a raw exchange Wednesday night about the check-passing controversy that burst into a criminal bribery investigation. “Not one time did it cross my mind that I did anything wrong,” House Speaker Neiman said noting he had received a check.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2026
Carbon County GOP Calls For Reps To Resign Over Silence On ‘CheckGate’
The Carbon County GOP is calling for resignations of four state reps for their silence on the ongoing “CheckGate” scandal. The party says they knew defamation claims aimed at Rep. Mike Yin for making the check-passing public were wrong, but didn’t speak out.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 19, 2026
Senators Vow Crack-Down On Wyoming-Based LLC Fraud
Wyoming has surpassed Delaware as the top state for business incorporations per capita, and with that has come more LLC fraud. The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that could crack down on using the state's business-friendly LLC laws to scam people.
David MadisonFebruary 19, 2026
House, Senate Brace For Showdown Over $40 Million Cut to University Of Wyoming
The Wyoming House on Wednesday voted to keep a proposed $40 million cut to the University of Wyoming. The Senate did the opposite - setting the two chambers up for a clash in a compromise committee later this month.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 18, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Bill Shielding "Free Speech" Of Medical Professionals
A House Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to advance House Bill 143 after hearing from medical providers who said they felt pressured to self-censor. "The state should not interfere with free speech rights of healthcare professionals," the bill sponsor said.
February 18, 2026
Bill Advanced Requiring Landowners Receive "Bill Of Rights" Before Eminent Domain
Wyoming lawmakers advanced a bill requiring landowners receive an eminent domain “Bill Of Rights” when condemnation is being considered. “’The Landowner’s Bill of Rights’ will equip landowners with valuable knowledge," said sponsor Rep. JD Williams.
David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026
Wyoming Senators Vote To Defend Public Lands From Large Federal Selloffs
Wyoming lawmakers heard emotional testimony from teachers, miners and students Tuesday urging them to protect public lands from federal selloffs. The Senate panel unanimously advanced the resolution, "Keeping public lands protected and decisions local."
David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026
Former Wyoming Rep. James Byrd Announces Run For U.S. Senate
Former Democratic state Rep. James Byrd could square off against U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman for a U.S. Senate seat, if both win in their primary elections.
Kate MeadowsFebruary 18, 2026
Gordon Bans Campaign Donations On State Property, Chuck Gray Silent
Gov. Mark Gordon on Tuesday banned campaign contributions on state property. So did the Senate, in areas it controls, in response to the "CheckGate" controversy. Meanwhile, the state's top election official, Chuck Gray, remains silent on the controversy.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2026
Committee OKs Bill To Keep Some Landowners From Claiming All Hunting Tags
Landowners won’t be able to claim all the tags in certain big game hunting areas under a bill a legislative committee forwarded to the Wyoming Senate floor on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2026
"Ain't Nobody Stabbing Nobody": Wyoming House, Senate Battle Tuesday Over Budget
The Wyoming Senate voted Tuesday to restore the governor's $11 billion budget, but the House voted against it. Things got heated when Rep. Mike Yin said budget-planners stabbed agencies they disliked. "Ain't nobody stabbing nobody," House Speaker Chip Neiman said.
Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Move To Ban “Destruction” Of Water For Hydrogen Production
A bill born from the fight over a controversial Converse County wind and hydrogen project passed the House Ag Committee 8-1 on Tuesday. The legislation could impact its sister project in Niobrara County — and any future effort to split Wyoming water into fuel.
David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026
CheckGate Committee Votes To Pause Investigation Because Of Sheriff's Involvement
The chair of the Wyoming legislative committee investigating the check-passing controversy that unfolded last week told his colleagues Tuesday the committee wants to pause its work – because the local sheriff's office has undertaken its own investigation.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 17, 2026
Wyoming Wants To Do What No Other State Has Done: Take Over Federal Mineral Leasing
The Wyoming Senate is advancing a first-of-its-kind resolution asking Congress to let the state run the federal mineral leasing program within its borders. Even supporters acknowledge it's a heavy lift.
David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026
Senate Committee Advances Bill To 'Freeze,' Rebuild Wyoming Business Council
The state Senate advanced a bill Monday that would rescue the Wyoming Business Council by rebuilding the controversial agency. It also would freeze its work while lawmakers and others reevaluate the council.
Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026
Future Of Wyoming’s Derecho Supercomputer Uncertain Amid Management Change
The future of Wyoming’s Derecho supercomputer is uncertain after the National Science Foundation announced plans to shift operations to a third party, leaving state and university leaders seeking to preserve its local role.
Renée JeanFebruary 17, 2026
Wyoming Senators Advance Hospital Price Transparency Bill To Curb Sticker Shock
After a 46-year-old Gillette man suffered a stroke while driving a truck in the oil fields, he faced a $300,000 medical debt. And then came the other bills for therapy. But no pricing was available at the hospital. A bill was advanced Monday requiring it.
David MadisonFebruary 16, 2026
Wyoming Senator Offers $126 Million Compromise To Embattled School Funding Bill
Sen. Chris Rothfuss on Monday offered a $126 million increase to Wyoming's $3.6 billion, two-year grant to its public schools. That's a compromise that followed months of educator outcry and debate between lawmakers. Soon the full Senate may consider his amendment.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026
Lummis Announces Kraken Will Fund Trump Accounts For Every Wyoming Newborn In 2026
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis told the Wyoming Senate on Monday that Kraken, the cryptocurrency exchange that moved its global headquarters to Cheyenne last year, will sponsor Trump $1,000 Accounts for every child born in Wyoming in 2026.
David MadisonFebruary 16, 2026
Former Wyoming Lawmakers Voice Shock, Anger Over 'CheckGate' Controversy
Former Wyoming lawmakers say someone coming onto the House floor to distribute checks was "brazen," "shocking," and "unprecedented." "When it comes to ethics violations, I don’t recall anything of this magnitude," said former Rep. Ron Micheli.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 16, 2026
Teton County GOP Condemns Check Passing On House Floor By Its Own Committeewoman
The Teton County Republican Party on Saturday condemned the actions of its committeewoman, Rebecca Bextel, for handing out checks on the House floor. The Wyoming Republican Party distanced itself too, saying she was not representing the party.
Clair McFarlandFebruary 16, 2026
The Hitching Post: When Everyone Stayed At Wyoming’s Wildest Political Hotel
The Hitching Post Inn in Cheyenne wasn't just a hotel. For decades, it was the most powerful spot in Wyoming. Nearly every legislator stayed there and that's where deals were finalized. Communal martini fountains helped lubricate negotiations.
Zakary SonntagFebruary 14, 2026
Wyoming Lawmakers Move To Bypass FDA On Stem Cell Treatments
Wyoming lawmakers advanced the Stem Cell Freedom Act on Friday, which would let doctors offer certain stem cell treatments without FDA approval. Bill sponsor Sen. Eric Barlow said, “We’ve got to press on the federal government because they’re not approving things fast enough."
Zakary SonntagFebruary 14, 2026
Chief Says Cop Killer’s Mom Would Have Escaped Justice Under Gun Rights Bill
Wyoming law officers say a gun rights bill headed for the House floor could let offenders slip through the cracks, including a cop killer's mom who would've escaped justice under the bill. Supporters say it will protect gun owners from federal overreach.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2026