Government & Politics
News

GOP Gov. Candidates Say Data Centers A National Security Issue For Wyoming And US
Data centers are important to national security and for Wyoming, said the top GOP candidates for governor during a Friday forum. “We are in an AI arms race with China,” Megan Degenfelder said, with all agreeing it will be a priority for the next governor.
Greg JohnsonJune 05, 2026

Wyoming GOP Sues State For Right To Back Most 'Aligned' Republicans
The Wyoming Republican Party on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging a state law that bans it from spending money to back “aligned" candidates over others in the primary election.
Clair McFarlandJune 05, 2026

Cheyenne Artificial Intelligence Candidate Sues For Spot On The Ballot
A Cheyenne man is suing Secretary of State Chuck Gray after Gray denied his bid to get on the Republican primary ballot to elect a virtual intelligence personality to the U.S. Senate. “I won’t tolerate a mockery of our electoral system,” Gray said.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Wyoming Attorney General Objects To Trump Reclassifying Marijuana As Medical
Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz is opposing the Trump administration reclassifying marijuana as medicinal, while state law generally expects Wyoming to match drug categories to the federal government’s. That's for the Legislature to decide, he said.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Meet The Wyoming Candidates: Bo Biteman, Candidate For U.S. House
Political reporter Clair McFarland on Thursday spoke to current Wyoming Senate President and congressional candidate Bo Biteman.
June 04, 2026

Wyoming State Senator Interested In Special Session To Address Data Centers
Wyoming State Sen. Cheri Steinmetz on Thursday said she’s calling for a poll among legislators to see if there is enough support for a special session to address data center concerns, like water use. Both the governor and Senate President called such a move premature.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Trump Sending $700 Million To Coal Industry, Boosting Wyoming Coal Mines
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as the president invoked a national security law to send $700 million to the coal industry. That includes $75 million to boost construction of a coal export terminal in Oakland.
Clair McFarlandJune 04, 2026

Wyoming Department Of Education Says Prepare For AI — Because It's Coming
The Wyoming Department of Education warned lawmakers this week that artificial intelligence is coming, so students should receive training outside of Facebook and Instagram. “The job of a school is to create real intelligence,” said Rep. Ocean Andrew.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026

Laramie Has No Data Center Plans, But That Doesn’t Stop Locals From Opposing Them
Laramie doesn’t have any plans for data centers, but that didn't stop locals Tuesday calling for a permanent moratorium on them. The city could be “run over by billion-dollar corporations who promise the sun and moon and the stars,” said one resident.
Kate MeadowsJune 03, 2026

Gordon Orders 'Responsible' Data Center Development In Wyoming
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon released an executive order on Wednesday telling state agencies to “promote responsible development of data centers and other large-load facilities.” The order comes as local governments create their data center rules.
Clair McFarlandJune 03, 2026

Cheyenne Planners Recommend Denial For Most Of Microsoft’s Data Center Expansion
Cheyenne planners are recommending denial of most of the provisions in a huge 3,200-acre Microsoft data center expansion. “This is about 18% of the city’s current size. It overtakes the city,” said one resident during a marathon five-hour hearing Monday.
Renée JeanJune 02, 2026

Attorney Asks Wyoming Supreme Court For Special Prosecutor To Investigate Chuck Gray
Cheyenne attorney George Powers, who filed a complaint calling for a criminal investigation against Chuck Gray for releasing sensitive voter data to the federal government, asked the Wyoming Supreme Court on Tuesday to appoint a special prosecutor.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

City Of Rock Springs Catches Backlash For ‘Pride Month’ Declaration
The city of Rock Springs declared June is “pride month” — and is catching backlash. The city "made the whole month gay pride month and boy oh boy, people are upset,” says a councilman. The mayor countered that he wouldn't play gatekeeper on events.
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

Chuck Gray’s U.S. House Poll Leveled Disparaging Remarks Against Rasner, Friess
The poll U.S. House candidate Chuck Gray touted Monday leveled disparaging claims about opponents Reid Rasner and Steve Friess. It claimed Friess "never had a real job" and Rasner acted like a "Hollywood celebrity" during a marriage to "his gay husband."
Clair McFarlandJune 02, 2026

Proposed Rules Could Block Two Cheyenne Gaming Locations From Renewing Permits
A Cheyenne City Council committee on Monday advanced a measure that could put two multimillion-dollar gaming establishments out of compliance with city rules. It would prohibit gaming centers from being within 500 feet of day care centers and schools.
Renée JeanJune 02, 2026

Why It's Possible For A Libertarian To Win Wyoming's U.S. House Seat
This year's election climate could make the perfect storm for Libertarian Shawn Johnson to win Wyoming's U.S. House seat, politicos say. That is, if he courts conservatives, and if the winner of the crowded GOP primary is hugely unpopular.
Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2026

Chuck Gray Leads U.S. House Poll With 21%, Followed By Rasner And Friess
In the first significant poll of Wyoming’s primary election season, Secretary of State Chuck Gray leads a crowded GOP U.S. House race with 21% support. Casper businessman Reid Rasner is second at 14%, and Teton County's Steve Friess is third at 10%.
Clair McFarlandJune 01, 2026

Libertarians Nominate Combat Medic, Attorney Shawn Johnson To Run For U.S. House
Shawn Johnson won the Libertarian Party’s nomination for Wyoming’s U.S. House seat Sunday, after giving a speech that electrified attendees. "We’ve got a legitimate candidate this time,” said longtime leader of the Libertarian Party Richard Brubaker.
Clair McFarlandMay 31, 2026

Judge Orders Wyoming Republican Party To Follow State Law
In a setback to the Wyoming Republican Party’s long mission to gain independence from state law, a Uinta County judge Friday upheld multiple Wyoming election laws, dismissing the state Party’s claims that its rights trump them.
Clair McFarlandMay 30, 2026

Riverton State Rep. Doesn't File By Friday Deadline To Run After Residency Issue
A Riverton-based state House representative who lived outside his district for at least seven months of the past year did not file to run for reelection by Friday’s deadline, after the local county clerk opined he was ineligible.
Clair McFarlandMay 30, 2026

Despite His Videos, Wyoming Politicos Say Reid Rasner Campaign Is Not A Parody
Despite a series of bizarre, controversial and sometimes outrageous campaign videos, Wyoming politicos say Reid Rasner’s campaign for U.S. House is not a parody. “Why would somebody spend this much money on a joke?” said state Rep. John Bear.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2026

Gillette Lawyer Gives $25K To Reproductive Clinic, Calls Commission ‘Ass-Backward’
A Gillette-based attorney is so sick of Gillette Reproductive Health being denied money, he wrote a scathing letter and cut the group a check for $25,000. “I’m so sick and tired of the ass-backwards bull**** in the commissioners’ office,” he wrote.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2026

Democrats Now Have Parties In All Wyoming Counties For First Time In Modern Memory
For the first time in modern memory, Democrats have parties in all 23 Wyoming counties with Niobrara and Lincoln counties finally reviving theirs. "A lot of people are concerned with the Freedom Caucus," a spokesman for the Democrats said.
Clair McFarlandMay 29, 2026

Critics Say Seminoe Project Threatens Miracle Mile Trout Fishery, Casper's Water
Critics told legislators Thursday that a proposed 972-megawatt power project at Seminoe Reservoir in Carbon County could threaten Wyoming’s legendary Miracle Mile trout fishery. It also could impact Casper’s water supply, they said.
Mark HeinzMay 28, 2026
