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Reclusive Wyoming billionaire Timothy Mellon has been identified by The New York Times as the anonymous donor of $130 million to troops during the federal shutdown. Mellon wrote that he moved to tax-friendly Wyoming in 2005 to get away from the “rat race."

Who Is Timothy Mellon, The Reclusive Wyoming Billionaire Who Gave $130M To Troops?

Reclusive Wyoming billionaire Timothy Mellon has been identified by The New York Times as the anonymous donor of $130 million to troops during the shutdown. Last year, Mellon funded a billboard on the state line that warned drivers that Colorado was Venezuela.

Scott SchwebkeOctober 28, 2025

Mix Collage 27 Oct 2025 05 46 PM 4495

Guest Column: How President Trump Is Strengthening The Coal Industry

Rob Creager and Travis Deti write, "Trump's policy changes are about ensuring Wyoming coal remains a vital part of America’s energy future. They will strengthen our communities, secure and create good-paying jobs, and give confidence that Wyoming coal will be there to do the job and power the nation."

Guest ColumnOctober 27, 2025

University of Wyoming Branding Iron Editor Kathy Karpan, center, with John F. Kennedy and Wyoming's U.S. senator, Gale McGee, right, outside the UW field house, Sept. 25, 1963

Joan Barron: Kathy Karpan – A Lifetime In Wyoming Politics

Columnist Joan Barron writes, ''Kathy Karpan, who died Friday in Cheyenne at the age of 83, was a competitor in the arena of Wyoming politics for most of her adult life.''

Joan BarronOctober 27, 2025

A video message from President Donald Trump plays on the scoreboard at War Memorial Stadium during the Border War football game on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Laramie, Wyoming.

How Barrasso Convinced Trump To Speak At UW Border War Game

When President Trump welcomed fans to the UW game on Saturday, it was because Sen. John Barrasso convinced him it was a good idea. “You will receive a hero’s welcome,” Barrasso wrote. “[The] election shows that no state supports you more than Wyoming.”

Jackson WalkerOctober 27, 2025

Big Boy 4014 makes the first stop on its 2024 summer tour in Laramie, Wyoming, on Sunday morning, June 30, 2024. Hundreds of curious people and serious train buffs waited for more than two hours to get a good viewing spot.,

Big Boy 4014 May Make Its First Coast-To-Coast Run For America’s 250th

Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says he wants the world’s heaviest operational steam locomotive — Big Boy 4014 — to make its first coast-to-coast tour for America’s 250th anniversary next year. Big Boy has never been to the East Coast since rolling off the assembly line in 1941.

Renée JeanOctober 27, 2025

When the Dry Fork Station coal-fired power plant was built in 2011, it was designed for expansion. On Monday, the Wyoming Energy Authority and Basin Electric announced it was moving forward with a plan to add a second coal-fired generation station.

Wyoming, Basin Electric Take Step Toward First New Coal Plant In Over A Decade

Wyoming and Basin Electric took a step Monday toward building the first new coal-fired power plant in more than a decade. Adding a second unit to the Dry Fork Station plant near Gillette “is clear proof coal is not dead,” said Gov. Mark Gordon.

David MadisonOctober 27, 2025

The Historic Irma hotel was built in 1902 and has retained much of its original structure, including the stone work. These rooms are believed to have been so comfortable, that some guests have never left.

Haunted Wyoming: Some Guests Still Haunt Cody’s Famous Irma Hotel

Buffalo Bill’s famous Irma Hotel has been a destination for more than 120 years. It’s even popular with guests who never really checked out, like the well-dressed gentleman who keeps showing up at the restaurant, or the soldier who shot up Room 35 in 1912.

Jackie DorothyOctober 27, 2025

The town of Glenrock and its Mayor Bruce Roumell are named in a Virginia-based bank's $350 million lawsuit accusing them of leaking of trade secrets. The town's attorney said the Virginia company is bullying the small Wyoming town. 

$350M Lawsuit Over Banking Trade Secrets Names Town Of Glenrock And Mayor 

The town of Glenrock and its Mayor Bruce Roumell are named in a Virginia-based bank's $350 million lawsuit accusing them of leaking of trade secrets. The town's attorney said the Virginia company is bullying the small Wyoming town. 

Jackson WalkerOctober 27, 2025

A group of shops and people who sell marijuana-like substances that were legal in Wyoming until July 2024 failed to show that the state's new ban on those substances violates their rights, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday. 

Federal Appeals Court Says Wyoming THC Ban Legal, Rules Against Sellers

A group of shops and people who sell marijuana-like substances that were legal in Wyoming until July 2024 failed to show that the state's new ban on those substances violates their rights, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday. 

Clair McFarlandOctober 27, 2025

Most the roads in Yellowstone National Park were closed Monday as a skeleton crew of staff responded to "more than 30" incidents involving stalled or crashed vehicles in the park due to snowy conditions. This is a view of the East Entrance leaving the park on Monday.

Most Yellowstone Roads Closed After More Than 30 Crashes Sunday

Most the roads in Yellowstone National Park were closed Monday as a skeleton crew of staff responded to "more than 30" incidents Sunday involving stalled or crashed vehicles in the park due to snowy conditions.

Andrew RossiOctober 27, 2025

Sen. Cheri Steinmetz

Guest Column: Restoring the Tunnels -- A Turning Point For Wyoming & Federal Responsibility

Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "October 28 will mark the beginning of a long-awaited repair — but it should also mark something more. It is time to restore not only our tunnels, but our understanding of government itself: a servant of the people, not their master."

Guest ColumnOctober 27, 2025

Parag chitnis 10 27 25

Guest Column: UW Advances Research, Education, Economic Development

Parag Chitnis writes, "In classrooms and labs in Laramie, and across research sites around Wyoming, UW fulfills its original mission: providing accessible and affordable education for the public while conducting research and engagement to address Wyoming’s needs."

Guest ColumnOctober 27, 2025

Wyoming is famous for its historic frontier forts, and will soon have another one more than 150 years since the last was built. Mountain men broke ground on Fort Sublette last weekend in Pinedale, and it's expected to be open by next summer.

Museum Of The Mountain Man Building Wyoming's Newest Frontier Fort

Wyoming is famous for its historic frontier forts, and will soon have another one more than 150 years since the last was built. Mountain men broke ground on Fort Sublette last weekend in Pinedale, and it's expected to be open by next summer.

Andrew RossiOctober 26, 2025

Cassie craven 8 22 24

Cassie Craven: Time For Conservatives To Show How It’s Done

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, "We don’t need to hear any more about why the elite establishment thinks wrongly. We are waiting for you to find the waste, and then tell us what the plan is."

Cassie CravenOctober 26, 2025

Women learn to shoot and about concealed carry in Wyoming at Female Basic Handgun Courses taught by the Wheatland Police Department.

Wyoming Women Say Safety Is Top Concern When They Conceal Carry

Safety is the major factor for many Wyoming women when deciding to conceal carry firearms. Beth Douglas of Wheatland knew she wanted to carry a gun when three side-by-sides full of men approached her from behind one day.

Jackson WalkerOctober 26, 2025

Master bladesmith Audra Draper of Riverton specializes in making knives. She also makes other metal products, such as this trivet, forged from an old horseshoe.

Riverton Master Bladesmith Forges Beauty And Function Into Every Knife

Audra Draper of Riverton is a master bladesmith who forges knives that blend art and utility. The first woman to earn the master title from the American Bladesmith Society, she’s kept her craft — and business — burning for decades.

Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2025

Gail symonds 3 23 25

Gail Symons: Lawmakers Forced A Small Town Into Their Political Theater

Columnist Gail Symons writes: "The curtain rose on the Wyoming Legislature's fall drama production last Tuesday, and what a show it was. The Management Audit Committee returned to center stage, performing a farce where everyone agrees the ship is sinking but spends the afternoon debating how to rearrange the deck chairs."

Gail SymonsOctober 26, 2025

Snow on the brain: The crowd rushed in to snap up the best deals at 7 a.m. sharp on Saturday at the annual Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard Club's ski swap. The bargain-minded started showing up around 4 a.m. at the Heritage Arena, where about 4,300 items were up for sale at deep discounts.

It’s A ‘Battlefield’: Inside Jackson's Annual Massive Ski Swap

It’s a lot like Black Friday, where people line up outside in the dark waiting for the doors to open. When they do, Jackson’s annual massive ski swap on Saturday turned into a “battlefield” with crazed skiers seeking bargains.

David MadisonOctober 26, 2025

Steve Cutler holds a Mopar gauge panel that he has restored.

Casper Man Known Around The Globe For Working Muscle Car Miracles

Steve Cutler’s love of Mopar and muscle cars began when he was 14 and his dad bought him a $450 1968 Dodge Charger. Now his expertise and huge collection of Mopar parts has people around the globe seeking him out to help restore their cars.

Dale KillingbeckOctober 26, 2025

Along with leaves all over the ground, you know fall has arrived when everything has pumpkin spice added to it. When a pumpkin spice latte isn’t enough to scratch their holiday itch, folks in Jackson unwind with pumpkin-yam facials. Writer David Madison relaxes with a face full of pumpkin-yam at Grand View Spa.

When A Pumpkin Spice Latte Isn’t Enough, Folks In Jackson Get Pumpkin-Yam Facials

You know fall has arrived when everything has pumpkin spice added to it. When a pumpkin spice latte isn’t enough to scratch their holiday itch, folks in Jackson unwind with pumpkin-yam facials.

David MadisonOctober 26, 2025

Darren Dalton (top left) grew up in Worland chasing sugar beet trucks. He then became that other guy on screen with Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe in movies like “The Outsiders” and “Red Dawn."

How A Wyoming Kid Became That Other Guy On Screen With Cruise, Swayze And Lowe

Darren Dalton (top left) grew up in Worland chasing sugar beet trucks. He then became that other guy on screen with Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe in movies like “The Outsiders” and “Red Dawn."

David MadisonOctober 26, 2025

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