Government & Politics
News
Wyoming GOP Still Anti-Marijuana, Despite Trump's Push For Medical Use
President Donald Trump’s move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug departs from the tenets of the Wyoming MAGA crowd that usually aligns with him, multiple state leaders said Wednesday.
Clair McFarlandDecember 24, 2025
Hageman's Senate Run Reignites Criticisms Over Public Lands
When Rep. Harriet Hageman declared her run Tuesday for U.S. Senate, it revived her critics' concerns over federal public land holdings. Hageman grappled with the theme for months this year, saying her foes have distorted and oversimplified the issue.
Clair McFarlandDecember 24, 2025
Degenfelder 'Strongly Considering' Run For Governor, Others Ponder Higher Office
Wyoming education chief Megan Degenfelder on Tuesday said she is “strongly considering” a run for governor while other political figures are thinking about higher office too. This comes in the wake of Sen. Cynthia Lummis announcing her departure.
Clair McFarlandDecember 23, 2025
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman Announces Run For U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Tuesday announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate. Hageman said her focus will continue to be combatting government overreach, the war on coal, policies against fossil fuels, bad water policy and environmental over-prosecution.
Clair McFarlandDecember 23, 2025
Former Wyoming Governors Say Requests To Remove County Officials Unprecedented
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has received five clusters of complaints asking him to oust county officials from their offices. Three former Wyoming governors on Friday called that number unprecedented, citing growing political strife.
Clair McFarlandDecember 20, 2025
Lummis Announces She's Not Running For Re-Election
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, the first woman elected to the Senate from Wyoming, on Friday announced she is not running for a second term. She said, "“in the difficult, exhausting session weeks this fall I’ve come to accept that I do not have six more years in me.”
Clair McFarland & Jimmy OrrDecember 19, 2025
Massive Train Derailment Occurs 17 Miles Northwest Of Cheyenne
A BNSF train carrying dozens of double-stacked freight cars derailed early Friday morning northwest of Cheyenne. Although no cause has been given, residents blame the wind. "This is the worst wind we've ever seen, and it’s been blowing for days now."
Andrew Rossi & Jimmy OrrDecember 19, 2025
Trump's Move To Soften Marijuana Rules Could Push Wyoming To Do The Same
Saying Americans should have more access to medical marijuana, President Donald Trump took steps Thursday toward downgrading its federal classification. The move could push Wyoming to do the same, or announce why it won’t.
Clair McFarlandDecember 19, 2025
Hageman Blames Southern Poverty Law Center For Inciting Political Violence
Rep. Harriet Hageman on Tuesday said the Southern Poverty Law Center demonizes mainstream conservatives and fosters a climate for political violence. At the hearing it was noted Charlie Kirk was labeled an extremist by the group one day before he was killed.
Sean BarryDecember 18, 2025
Rock Springs Parents Blast School District Over Vulgar Wristband
Parents and community members are outraged over reports a wristband reading “Follow Policy + FAFO + GFY” was worn by a school official. The district is reviewing the complaint but won’t discuss specific personnel.
Kate MeadowsDecember 18, 2025
Platte County Complaint Against Commissioners Contain False Claims
At least part of the Dec.1 complaint in which Platte County residents asked Gov. Mark Gordon to remove their commissioners from office is false, documents show. Other parts are hotly disputed, multiple public officials told Cowboy State Daily this week.
Clair McFarlandDecember 17, 2025
Privacy Advocates Worry About “Robot Army” Of Surveillance Cameras In Jackson
Critics of the 28 license plate-reading cameras in Jackson say they are the equivalent of robo-cops writing down your license plate number every time you drive by. They say the cameras amount to a surveillance state and citizens should be alarmed.
David MadisonDecember 14, 2025
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