Government & Politics
News
Interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith Advances In Scathing Nomination Hearing
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary advanced President Donald Trump’s nomination of former state Sen. Darin Smith for Wyoming’s U.S. Attorney seat Thursday, though two Democratic senators cast Smith as unqualified and politically charged.
Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025
Lawmaker Questions Wyoming Adjutant General Over Presence Of UFOs
At an appropriations hearing Friday, Wyoming Adjutant General Greg Porter fielded a question by Senate Committee Chair Tim Salazar about UFOs in Wyoming. Porter said he preferred not to discuss UFOs in open testimony.
Clair McFarlandDecember 13, 2025
UW Seeks Extra $54 Million On Top Of Its $440 Million State-Funded Budget
Some members of the legislative Joint Appropriations Committee asked questions about the need for UW to receive an additional $54 million on top of its $440 million state-funded budget. UW leaders countered that extra funding was necessary.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025
University Of Wyoming Wants Extra $3 Million From Legislature After NIL Deals
The financial landscape of college athletics is straining the University of Wyoming’s athletics budget as it tries to keep up with exploding NIL deals for Division I recruits. The school is asking the Legislature for an extra $3 million a year.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2025
Barrasso Blasts Obamacare As Senate GOP Kills Tax Credit Extension
Wyoming’s U.S. senators voted Thursday against extending Obamacare tax credits. John Barrasso also blasted Obamacare as an “unaffordable” mandate loaded with “juicy subsidies” for insurance companies. An alternative GOP bill was blocked by Democrats.
Sean BarryDecember 11, 2025
Hoskinson Takes Issue With Governor’s Comments On Gillette Construction Layoffs
Cryptocurrency billionaire Charles Hoskinson says the construction company formed to build a 75,000-sq.-ft. health clinic in Gillette did not lay off all of its employees, nor should the timing of the 136-person layoff have been a big surprise to anyone.
Renée JeanDecember 10, 2025
With Feds Ditching Public Media, Wyoming Public TV Request to State Triples
Wyoming Public Television CEO Joanna Kail asked state lawmakers on Wednesday to fill a $3 million funding gap from federal cuts that Congress made earlier this year. One legislator asked why the outlet's product is worth the backing of government.
Clair McFarlandDecember 10, 2025
Western Community College Cuts Jobs As Budget Overhaul Reshapes College Workforce
Western Wyoming Community College will cut 33 jobs and redesign 30 more as part of a $4 million budget overhaul. Officials say the move affects 20% of staff but is driven by finances, not performance.
Tracie SullivanDecember 09, 2025
Pine Bluffs Mayor Chosen To Fill Rep. John Eklund's Seat
Pine Bluffs Mayor Justin Fornstrom is vacating his town seat to fill the House vacancy left by the late Rep. John Eklund. He said balancing a budget, serving his community, backing traditional Wyoming industries and doing things to "make John proud" are his priorities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 09, 2025
Wyoming Lawmakers Worry 'Bear Care' Is Just More Government In Insurance Market
Wyoming lawmakers on Monday criticized the Wyoming Department of Health’s proposed emergency insurance program, “Bear Care.” Rep. John Bear said, "Government created the problem in the first place. I'm not inclined to want to compete in the private sector."
Clair McFarlandDecember 08, 2025
Legislators Grill Wyoming Business Council, Say It ‘Picks Winners And Losers’
The Wyoming Business Council was grilled by legislators this week over its $111.8 million budget request, while Gov. Mark Gordon recommends it receive about half that. At least one legislator wants to eliminate the agency.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
UW Graduate In Transgender Sorority Member Lawsuit Speaks At White House
A former University of Wyoming student who sued her sorority for admitting a transgender member spoke Wednesday at a White House education event. She joined a discussion on political bias in U.S. universities.
Clair McFarlandDecember 05, 2025
Former Wyoming Schools Chief Judy Catchpole Dies, Remembered For Humor, High Energy
Wyoming’s leaders, past and present, are mourning the loss of former Superintendent of Public Instruction Judy Catchpole, who died on Thursday at the age of 81. Catchpole is remembered for her boundless energy, sense of humor and advocacy for children.
Jimmy OrrDecember 04, 2025
Locals Say Controversial Rock Springs Land Plan Must Allow Energy, Public Access
Rock Springs residents turned out Tuesday to support promised changes to a controversial plan to manage 3.6 million acres of southwest Wyoming. The plan is being amended to comply with Trump’s order to peel away roadblocks to U.S. energy development.
Tracie SullivanDecember 04, 2025
Trump Administration Gives UW $1M To Create Second Amendment Program For Schools
With a $1 million grant from President Donald Trump’s Department of Education, the University of Wyoming’s Firearms Research Center is tasked with creating nonpartisan public school courses on the Second Amendment.
Mark HeinzDecember 03, 2025
Lawmakers Question Gordon On Data Centers, Gray On Clash With Gordon
Gov. Mark Gordon fielded questions on data centers Monday when pitching his $11.3 billion budget to lawmakers. Secretary of State Chuck Gray weathered questions over a clash with the governor one lawmaker called playing "political football."
Clair McFarlandDecember 02, 2025
Hageman Probes Drug Cartels Exploiting Native American Tribes
Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman co-signed a letter Monday to the FBI seeking statistics on crimes in Indian Country. She says the Biden administration’s immigration policies led to Native Americans being exploited and victimized by drug cartels.
Sean BarryDecember 01, 2025
Winter Is Back: Series Of Crashes Shut Down Interstate 80 For Hours
Snowy weather caused havoc on I-80 over the weekend as semi-trucks and other vehicles were involved in a series of collisions in western Wyoming. Six people were taken to the Evanston hospital for injuries while hundreds of motorists were stuck on the highway for hours.
Andrew RossiDecember 01, 2025
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
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
Shortage Of Nurses Could Get Worse If Feds Take Them Off ‘Professionals’ List
Wyoming’s shortage of nurses 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
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