Government & Politics | Cowboy State Daily

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

State Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Wyoming, is the Republican nominee for governor, while Rebecca Bextel, right, is running on the Constitution Party ticket.

Sheridan County GOP Posts, Then Removes, Statement Backing Bextel Over Barlow

The Sheridan County Republican Party posted, then apparently took down, a statement last week touting Wyoming Constitution Party nominee Rebecca Bextel for governor over Republican Eric Barlow. The party's chair says she doesn't know who made the post.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 17, 2026

Republican Dan McIntosh, from left, libertarian Ryan Shollenberger, and Democrat Britney Tennant are all running for Wyoming House District 11, one of the state's rare politically "purple" districts.

Republican, Democrat, And Libertarian All Vie For Cheyenne's 'Purple' House District

The three-way race for Wyoming's House District 11 pits libertarian Ryan Shollenberger against Republican Dan McIntosh and Democrat Britney Tennant. That's one of Wyoming's rare "purple" districts, where the libertarian's run for office is a wildcard.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026

Sweetwater County School District 1 Superintendent Joseph Libby during a Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, school board meeting. At the end of the meeting, the board voted to put Libby on paid administrative leave.

Sweetwater School Officials Not Saying Much After Superintendent Placed On Leave

Sweetwater County School Board members said Wednesday that due to personnel rules they can't discuss Superintendent Joseph Libby's suspension. A recent investigation by the Wyoming Department of Education describes a culture of mistrust in the district.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 16, 2026

California Gov Gavin Newsom (left) and CNN anchor Jake Tapper attempt to go fly fishing

C.J. Box Says Everything About Newsom And Tapper Fly Fishing Is “Wrong”

Wyoming-based author and longtime angler C.J. Box on Wednesday lampooned CNN's video of California Gov. Gavin Newsom fly fishing with news anchor Jake Tapper. "Everything about it is performative and wrong,” he said, of their casting techniques.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026

Constitution Party gubernatorial nominee Rebecca Bextel derided her Republican opponent Sen. Eric Barlow throughout a presentation at the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce forum Monday, and cast Gov. Mark Gordon as unintelligent.

Bextel Bashes Gordon And Barlow At Sheridan Candidate Forum

Constitution Party gubernatorial nominee Rebecca Bextel bashed her Republican opponent Sen. Eric Barlow throughout a presentation Monday at a candidate forum. She also cast Gov. Mark Gordon as unintelligent and claimed to have more "balls" than him.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 16, 2026

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. and Cyntha Lummis, R-Wyo.

Lummis Slams Senate Democrats For Blocking Huge Crypto Bill

Sen. Cynthia Lummis derided Democrats Tuesday after they blocked a sweeping cryptocurrency bill she pushed for months. It wouldn’t restrain Trump's conflicts of interest, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 15, 2026

Kemmerer Surveillance Cameras Mistaken For Flocks Spark Angry Privacy Debate

A social media post about alleged Flock cameras and the police chief's response set off a firestorm that went before the Kemmerer city council Monday. Turns out they are standard surveillance equipment but residents are expressing privacy concerns.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 15, 2026

Dr. Joe Schaffer, Laramie County Community College President, shares the recommended new name for the college — Wyoming State College — on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, at LCCC in Cheyenne.

Central Wyoming College Opposes LCCC Rebrand To "Wyoming State College"

Officials at Central Wyoming College in Riverton say they are opposed to Laramie County Community College's plan to rename itself "Wyoming State College." But community college chairs in Casper and Torrington say they're just focused on their own work.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 15, 2026

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Superintendent Dr. Joseph Libby was placed on paid administrative leave Monday, Sept. 15, 2026

Sweetwater School Board Places Superintendent On Paid Leave After Tense Meeting

Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Superintendent Joseph Libby was placed on administrative leave Monday night after a tense school board meeting that included police presence. The board also eliminated the assistant superintendent position.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 15, 2026

Police Declare Investigation Into Rasner Claim That He Was Threatened "Inactive"

Torrington police say an investigation into an alleged threat against unsuccessful U.S. House candidate Reid Rasner is “inactive,” after Rasner’s attorney didn't give the agency requested documentation. Rasner claimed a former deputy threatened him.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 14, 2026

Ron Micheli, a Fort Bridger area rancher and former Wyoming legislator, said he and other ranchers along Wyoming’s Upper Green River are dependent upon snowpack to fill the river. And this year’s snowpack was one of the worst on record.

Wyoming, Upper Basin States: Water Taken From Flaming Gorge Should Be Replaced

Water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir kept Lake Powell from hitting "dead pool" this year, so Wyoming and the Upper Basin States limping through severe drought want it replaced. Wyoming rancher Ron Micheli said, 'If we don't have snow, we don't have water."

Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2026

Former Commissioner: Game and Fish Caused Its Own Financial Woes by Overspending

Former Game and Fish commissioner Mike Schmid said the organization's looming financial crisis could be because of unnecessary spending and he's skeptical of a trust fund. “I think there was some self-inflicted pain there,” Schmid said.

Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2026

Rep. Harriet Hageman (left) and Secretary of State Chuck Gray (right)

Opponents Blast Hageman, Gray For Skipping PBS Debates Ahead Of General Election

Opponents of Republicans Harriet Hageman and Chuck Gray in Wyoming’s U.S. Senate and House races are blasting them for skipping PBS debates ahead of the general election. Both Hageman and Gray say they’re taking their messages directly to voters.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

The mail pickup site within a mountain-base resort in remote Jelm, Wyoming, is slated to close by Sept. 30, the U.S. Postal Service confirmed to Cowboy State Daily.

Postal Service Says It Will Close Mail Pickup Site In Remote Albany County On Sept 30

The U.S. Postal Service confirmed to Cowboy State Daily it's closing the mail pickup site in Jelm, Wyoming, on Sept. 30. Without a quick alternative, locals will have to make a 60-mile round trip to Laramie for mail.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

Mills Emergency Meeting To Cover Bar Nunn Payroll In Bank Shutdown 'Torpedoed'

The mayor of Mills tried to work with the city council to cover payroll for Bar Nunn employees while Hilltop Bank was shuttered due to a cybersecurity issue. Some council members "torpedoed" the effort, Bar Nunn’s mayor says, but the bank found a way to help.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 11, 2026

Lawmakers: Game And Fish Commission Meeting Not Place To Ask About Departed Director

Legislators and Wyoming Game and Fish Department top brass said Thursday that meetings to discuss the agency's funding weren't the place to bring up Angi Bruce's departure as director. Some cited "personnel matters" for not talking publicly about Bruce.

Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 09, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.

Wyoming GOP Leader Says Trump's $5,000 Promise For GOP Sweep Not A Bribe

Wyoming GOP Vice-Chair Bob Ferguson says President Trump's controversial promise to give every American $5,000 if Republicans win both chambers of Congress was taken out of context. “That is an outright lie,” he said of charges that it's a bribe.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 10, 2026

Wyoming Homeschool Parents Frustrated As Education Savings Account Funds Disappear

Wyoming homeschool families say they’re in limbo as Educational Savings Account funding appears in online accounts and then is frozen or taken away. A Department of Education official says the rollout is hampered by a lawsuit and other start-up challenges.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 10, 2026

Flock Cameras Are Set To Automatically Renew In Glenrock In Less Than One Week

A $30,000 two-year commitment allowing the Glenrock Police to use five Flock cameras will automatically renew unless the town provides a written notice by Monday. The mayor, police chief, and town council members aren't commenting on the issue.

Kate MeadowsSeptember 09, 2026

The University of Wyoming’s new president urged the school to push toward supremacy in artificial intelligence use, and to prioritize the school’s athletics program, during his Tuesday state of the university address in Laramie.

University Of Wyoming President: School Should Dominate In Artificial Intelligence

University of Wyoming's new president Shane Reeves said in his state of the university speech that it's time to embrace AI and push the school to be a leader in it. "This genie’s not going back in the bottle,” Reeves said. “This isn’t a choice."

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

Campbell County Commission Chairman Bob Jordan.

Campbell County Commission Chair Cited For Breach Of Peace In Airport Incident

Details were sparse Tuesday about why the chair of the Campbell County Commission was cited last month for breach of peace after a meeting at the local airport. He has been outspoken about higher costs to secure a fixed-base operator for the airport.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 09, 2026

Dem Lawmaker Calls Teton County PAC 'Distortive,' Compares It To The Freedom Caucus

Democratic state Sen. Mike Gierau is calling ads by fellow Dem, Rep. Liz Storer's PAC “distortive” and harmful to what he thought was the higher political ground his party held. Gierau compared its tactics to those of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.

Clair McFarlandSeptember 08, 2026