Government & Politics
News

Gov's Office: "This Is Nuts" As Bill To Kill Wyo Biz Council Heads To Legislature
The governor's policy director told members of the Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday that their advancement of a proposal to kill the Wyoming Business Council was "crazy" and "nuts." The bill will now head to the Legislature.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2026

Even Some Legislators Stunned By Defunding Wyoming Business Council
Natrona County legislators gathered Wednesday to preview priorities ahead of next month's budget session. But the discussion was hijacked by some stunned over Tuesday’s defunding of the Wyoming Business Council.
Zakary SonntagJanuary 15, 2026
Legislators Vote To Give Wyoming Prosecutors More Money
At the urging of two members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, legislators advanced $3 million Wednesday to help counties fund prosecutors' offices. It's part of a series of tweaks to the second draft of the state's two-year budget.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 15, 2026

Sweetwater County Parents Blast School District Over Vacancies, Superintendent Raise
Parents in Sweetwater County School District No. 1 are blasting the board for high vacancies, ignored comments, a secret superintendent raise, and poor accountability. Despite promises, leadership offers muted responses amid ongoing turmoil.
Kate MeadowsJanuary 15, 2026

Blocking $58 Million For Tribal Clinic Could Cost Wyoming More Than It Saves
The CEO of a tribal health clinic and a state lawmaker voiced concern Wednesday over a legislative committee’s push to block $58 million in federal money. The denial, which is not final, was part of a slew of proposed Wyoming Department of Health cuts.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2026

Yellowstone Could Spend $300M Rebuilding North Entrance Road Washed Out By Flood
Yellowstone is considering three permanent routes to replace its flood-damaged North Entrance Road, with a hybrid “center alignment” emerging as the preferred option. The $250 million to $300 million project could take five to nine years to build.
Andrew RossiJanuary 14, 2026

Legislators Vote To Defund And Dismantle Wyoming Business Council
Nine of Wyoming’s top legislators advanced a bid Tuesday to defund and dismantle the Wyoming Business Council. Opponents call the move short-sighted while supporters say it stops government from unfairly competing with private businesses.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 14, 2026

‘This Is Textbook Overreach’: Cheyenne Council Blasted Over Inspection Warrants
Cheyenne City Council on Monday sat through hours of residents blasting them over administrative warrants to inspect homes and businesses. “This is textbook overreach” one local said before the council voted 6-3 to approve the ordinance’s second reading.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 14, 2026

Wyoming Lawmakers Propose Cutting Governor's Budget To UW By $61 Million
The Joint Appropriations Committee on Tuesday voted to reduce the governor’s recommended state budget for the University of Wyoming by nearly $61 million. State Sen. Ogden Driskill opposed the action calling them "spiteful and vindictive."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2026

Jillian Balow, Former Wyoming Schools Chief, Announces Run For House
Republican Jillian Balow, former Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, is running for the state's lone U.S. House Seat. This pits her against Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Casper businessman Reid Rasner, both MAGA-style candidates.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 13, 2026

Wyoming Lawmakers Resist Gordon’s Push For $111.8 Million For State Worker Raises
The Wyoming legislative committee crafting a preliminary state budget voted Monday to deny the governor’s $111.8 million recommendation to give state employees raises. The debate is not over — the whole Legislature gets the budget next month.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

Degenfelder Officially Running For Governor After Trump Endorsement
Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Monday announced she is running for governor. Degenfelder had been "strongly considering" the move and had received an endorsement from President Trump urging her to run last week.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

Barrasso Endorses Hageman's Candidacy For U.S. Senate
Wyoming’s senior U.S. Senator announced Monday morning that he’s endorsing U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman to serve alongside him in the upper chamber. He said Hageman “is going to be terrific in the U.S. Senate.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 12, 2026

‘RUN MEGAN, RUN!’ Trump Promises Endorsement If Degenfelder Runs For Governor
If she decides to run for governor of Wyoming, Megan Degenfelder has President Donald Trump’s “Complete and Total Endorsement,” the president wrote Friday in a post to Truth Social. Degenfelder has said she’s “strongly considering” a run for governor.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026

Lawmaker Unveils Bill To Prevent DUI Charges For Drunk Horseback Riding
A state representative from Casper wants to keep people from being charged with drunk driving if they're drunk while riding a horse, mule or donkey. The bill made one defense attorney laugh and left prosecutors wondering if a specific case inspired it.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 09, 2026

Gordon To Gray At Wind Meeting: 'Do You Want To Step Outside?'
The feud between Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray boiled over Thursday when Gordon asked Gray, “Do you want to step outside” near the end of a marathon Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners meeting in Douglas.
David MadisonJanuary 09, 2026

Cheyenne Proposal To Expand Warrants To Inspect Homes Has Some Crying Overreach
A proposed ordinance expanding administrative warrants to access people’s property has upset some Cheyenne residents who say it crosses the line into government overreach. Fire and building officials say they need them to do post-fire safety inspections.
Scott SchwebkeJanuary 08, 2026

Broken Fiber Line In Park County Exposes Fragility In Wyoming's 911 System
A cut fiber cable caused issues with 911 service from Monday night through Wednesday in Park County. “We are working with 57-year-old technology to make 911 work in the state of Wyoming,” Park County 911 Manager Monte McClain said.
Renée JeanJanuary 07, 2026

Governor Recommends Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock Be Removed From Office
Gov. Mark Gordon on Wednesday recommended Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock be removed from office. The announcement follows two different batches of complaints accusing Hadlock of misconduct after inaccuracies surfaced in two races in Weston County.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026

Casper Businessman Reid Rasner Announces Run For U.S. House
A second Republican candidate touting MAGA principles has declared his run for Wyoming’s congressional's seat. Reid Rasner on Wednesday says he’s running for Congress “to help President Trump Make America Great Again.”
Clair McFarlandJanuary 07, 2026

Small, Loosely Organized Group Of Capitol Protesters Slam Trump On Jan. 6, Venezuela
An small, loosely organized “86/47” demonstration at the Wyoming Capitol against President Donald Trump on the anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021, turned into a buffet-style protest Tuesday. Also targeted were Republicans and the U.S. incursion into Venezuela.
Greg JohnsonJanuary 06, 2026

After Wyoming Abortion Bans Struck Down, Legislative Leaders Vow Pro-Life Amendment
The Wyoming House speaker and Senate president both said Tuesday they’ll work to advance a pro-life constitutional amendment in the upcoming legislative session. That’s in response to a state Supreme Court ruling keeping abortion legal in Wyoming.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026

With Governor's Backing, WYDOT Asks Legislature For $282.8 Million Budget
After Gov. Mark Gordon recommended funding WYDOT’s $282.8 million budget pitch, lawmakers meeting Monday in Cheyenne questioned staffing gaps, taser costs and Highway Patrol needs like GPS and tunnel tech upgrades amid shortfalls.
Clair McFarlandJanuary 06, 2026

Gillette’s Airport's Success Prompts United To Drop Air Guarantee Subsidy
United Airlines dropped Gillette’s flight guarantee, proving Wyoming’s subsidy program works as airports mature toward self-sufficiency. Other communities like Cheyenne seek more state money amid rising costs and legislative hurdles.
Renée JeanJanuary 05, 2026
