Government & Politics
News

Rothfuss: Don’t Let Wyoming Governments Use AI To Make Decisions Without Humans
A legislative committee didn’t advance a bill by Laramie Sen. Chris Rothfuss on Tuesday that would bar Wyoming governmental agencies from using AI to make decisions without humans. People are "expecting the robot overlords to come and get us," he said.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2026

National Group Rallies Against Data Centers Outside Cheyenne City Hall
A national group opposed to artificial intelligence parked its rally bus in front of Cheyenne’s city hall on Monday to rally against data centers. “Americans are not going to take these data centers being shoved down our throats,” said an organizer.
Kerry DrakeSeptember 29, 2026

Data Center Critics Angry As Cheyenne Council OKs Another Data Center Annexation
Vocal critics of data centers in Cheyenne told the City Council on Monday that many "have totally, completely given up on you." Then council members argued among themselves before approving another 1,260-acre annexation for a data center.
Emma Jane JacksonSeptember 29, 2026

Teton County Tells Homebuilders To Give $3.5 Million For Nearby Roads Projects
Teton County officials told developers of a non-luxury neighborhood to pay $3.5 million toward off-site road construction. After voicing objections about paying the unprecedented "tax" on a largely philanthropic project, the developers now say they'll compromise.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 29, 2026

As Wyoming Tries Again To Build Out EV Charging Network, Trump Goes The Other Way
As Wyoming moves to finally spend nearly $18 million in federal money to build fast-charging EV stations, the Trump administration is making clear that it wants the country to move the other way. Trump called the Biden-era policy a "backdoor" EV mandate.
Emma Jane JacksonSeptember 29, 2026

MLB's Pitch To Build Baseball Park In Grand Teton National Park Will Backfire, Locals Say
Major League Baseball’s idea of building a baseball park in Grand Teton National Park will backfire, local residents said Sunday. MLB has approached the Trump administration about hosting a game in the national park but locals say the idea is "abhorrent."
Clair McFarlandSeptember 27, 2026

Cheyenne Woman Asks Court To Overturn 3,500-Acre Microsoft Data Center Annexation
A Cheyenne woman who helped gather more than 3,000 signatures to put a 3,500-acre Microsoft data center annexation to a vote is asking a judge to overturn the City Council’s approval of the annexation. “Let the people decide,” she said.
Emma Jane JacksonSeptember 25, 2026

47 Empty Spots: New Wyoming Highway Patrol Chief Says Hiring Is Main Priority
Wyoming Highway Patrol’s new chief Col. KC Ramsey will inherit 47 trooper vacancies, dispatch openings and an overtime crunch. “My main priority is to get to 208,” Ramsey says, referring to the agency’s authorized trooper force. He takes over Oct. 1.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 25, 2026

E. Coli In Jackson Water Closes Schools, Sends Residents Scrambling
E. coli found in untreated well water in Jackson on Thursday prompted a boil-water advisory, closing schools and sending residents scrambling for bottled water. “Everybody had that deer in the headlights look,” one shopper told Cowboy State Daily.
Kolby FedoreSeptember 25, 2026

Sweetwater Schools Suspend Public Comment, Face Threat Of First Amendment Lawsuit
Sweetwater County School District 1 has shut down spoken public comment at board meetings. A national group is now threatening a First Amendment suit, saying the district can't block out criticism of employees while allowing praise.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 24, 2026

Laramie City Worker Caught Doing Epically Bad Curb Paint Job
A city worker caught doing an epically bad curb-painting job in Laramie’s downtown district has locals saying they’re “embarrassed," and the city apologizing for botching the job. “The employee obviously doesn’t give a (crap),” said a local resident.
Greg JohnsonSeptember 24, 2026

Hot Springs County Chair Switches From Republican To Constitution Party
Hot Springs County Commission Chair Bob Aguiar has switched from Republican to Constitution Party, as did his wife, a top staffer for unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien. This comes as the Constitution Party fields Rebecca Bextel for governor.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026

Teton County GOP Tells Donors How To Give More Than Max, Then Says Not To Do It
The Teton County Republican Party corrected itself this week after telling people how to donate above the legal limit for candidates. A local elections attorney said he finds it "refreshing" that the party chair took accountability.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026

Barrasso Endorses Cody Republican For State House, Libertarian Opponent OK With It
Wyoming’s U.S. Sen. John Barrasso turned his attention briefly from Washington, D.C., politics to the state legislative races Tuesday to endorse Cody-based attorney David Hill for state House. Hill's libertarian opponent isn't bothered by the move.
Clair McFarlandSeptember 23, 2026

Trump Order Could Finally Settle Heated Corner-Crossing Debate In Hunters’ Favor
President Trump has moved to settle the corner-crossing issue with an executive order that appears to favor hunters, supporters say. A fact sheet released by the White House says it will include efforts to “unlock checkerboarded and landlocked parcels.”
Mark HeinzSeptember 23, 2026

Urban Farm In Cheyenne Annexation Crosshairs Says Changes Could Shut Them Down
A 49-acre working farm the City of Cheyenne wants to annex says proposed changes to agricultural ordinances within the city limits could shut down operations like theirs. City officials say the changes are intended to be friendlier to urban farming.
Kate MeadowsSeptember 22, 2026

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

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

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

“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

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
