Headlines

Wyoming Senate Advances Bill To Bar Sex Offenders From Living Near Daycares

The Wyoming Senate on Friday advanced a bill banning registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of daycares. Calling the bill "common sense," Sen. Tim Salazar said. “I do not want to wait for a tragic incident to happen. This helps prevent that.”

Bill To Block Government From Collecting Union Dues Squeaks Onto Wyoming House Floor

A bill to restrict government agencies from collecting union dues and to require unions of public employees to report where their money is going remained alive Friday after squeaking onto the House floor. The Wyoming Education Association opposes it.

Uh-Oh: Joe Pickett Shot In The Head In New C.J. Box Book "The Crossroads"

Wyoming author C.J. Box told Cowboy State Daily his new book "The Crossroads," starts off dark: Joe Pickett has been shot in the head and is clinging to life. Box's last five Pickett novels have all debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Friday, February 20, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Debate On Abortion Law Gets Emotional On Wyoming House Floor

As Wyoming legislators debated a “heartbeat act” abortion bill, Rep. Kevin Campbell grew emotional Thursday remembering a 14-year-old girl — his mother. “I was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1969,” he said tearfully. "I was adopted that same year.”

Cowboy State Daily Newscast: Friday, February 20, 2026

Friday's headlines include: * Emotional Night At Capitol * Fatalities In Interstate 80 Wrecks * Senator Says Gambling Is “Out Of Control"

Guest Column: Circle the Firing Squad

Former State Rep. Sarah Penn writes, "The allegation is bribery.  Did House Representatives take bribes to vote in a certain favor? We have a photograph and admissions that checks were distributed on the House floor. But bribery?"

Senate Passes $105 Million 'Energy Dominance Fund' Backed By Trump’s White House

Senate President Bo Biteman's bill to channel severance tax revenues into a Trump administration-backed “Energy Dominance Fund” passed the chamber 31-0 Thursday. The bill has support from the Trump administration, and excludes wind and solar projects.

Gun Rights Bill Legislator Says Could Prevent ‘Dystopian Future’ Passes Senate

The Second Amendment Protection Act is an insurance policy against a “dystopian future” where Wyomingites’ rights are trampled, said a legislator prior to the Senate passing the bill Thursday.

Prosecutor Says Cody Roberts Chasing Wolf, Taping Its Mouth Aren’t ‘Prior Acts’

The Sublette County attorney prosecuting Cody Roberts for cruelty for allegedly torturing a wolf says chasing it down and taping its mouth are all part of the crime. Roberts’ attorney argues those are “prior acts” to what he faces trial for.

Scott Clem: When Campaign Cash Matters More Than The People's Work

Columnist Scott Clem writes, "We’re being told it’s Rep. Provenza’s fault for taking the picture. It’s Rep. Yin’s fault for raising the issue on a bill supported by the lobbyist who handed out the checks. It’s everyone’s fault except the people who accepted the money."

Big Piney Man Gets 75 Years To Life For Killing Autistic Victim With Bow And Arrow

A Big Piney man was sentenced Thursday to between 75 years and life in prison for the bow-and-arrow killing of a 23-year-old autistic man. “I want him back,” the victim's mother wept. “I have a blanket with his photo on it, just so I can hug him.”

"But The Road Is Dry!": Understanding Wyoming’s "Rolling Closure" Strategy

A driver who comes across a "rolling closure" might see nothing but clear skies and dry conditions, so why is the road closed? WYDOT says it's to keep towns from being overwhelmed. “The closure isn't necessarily due to conditions where you are," they said.

Senator Says Gambling "Out Of Control" In Wyoming, Pushes Bills To Rein It In

Sen. John Kolb, the loudest voice on gambling in the legislature this session, is pushing four different bills to tighten up regulations on the industry. "Gaming within the state of Wyoming has exploded into a multibillion-dollar business," Kolb said.

Couple In White Bronco Promise Casper Homeless Men Jobs, Leave Them Facing Felonies

Duped by a couple in a white Ford Bronco into cashing more than $22,000 worth of bogus checks at local banks, four down-on-their-luck Casper men now face felony charges. One man said he cashed a check he found “with his name conveniently written on it.”

Wyoming House Rejects Adding Extraterrestrials, Animals, To Sex Books Ban

The Wyoming House on Thursday rejected an amendment that would have added sex acts involving extraterrestrials and animals to its proposed ban on sexually-explicit books in public and school library kids' sections.

Two People Killed, More Than 20 Injured In 34-Vehicle Accident On I-80 Near Evanston

Two people are dead and more than 20 people were injured after a 34-vehicle incident in the westbound lane of I-80 near Evanston on Wednesday afternoon. The westbound lane was finally opened late Thursday morning as wreckers were busily clearing vehicles from the highway.

Guest Column: Wyoming Doesn’t Need Saving

Rep. Cody Wylie writes, "I was born and raised in this great state. Wyoming shaped me under these wide-open skies. I find myself increasingly concerned by a growing tone in our Legislature suggesting Wyoming is broke and we need to be 'saved.' We don’t."

Push To Ban Running Wolves Over With Snowmobiles Continues Despite Long Odds

Two years after a wolf was run over with a snowmobile in Sublette County sparked worldwide outrage, animal welfare advocates are still trying to get the practice banned in Wyoming. But there are long odds getting that done in this year’s budget session.

House Speaker, Reps Tell How They Got Checks, Shock Over Controversy

The Wyoming House had a raw exchange Wednesday night about the check-passing controversy that burst into a criminal bribery investigation. “Not one time did it cross my mind that I did anything wrong,” House Speaker Neiman said, noting he had received a check.

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, February 19, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Thursday's headlines include: * Cattle Scam “Too Good To Be True" * Illegal Wolf Killing Outside Yellowstone * Carbon County GOP Calls For Resignations 

Carbon County GOP Calls For Reps To Resign Over Silence On ‘CheckGate’

The Carbon County GOP is calling for resignations of four state reps for their silence on the ongoing “CheckGate” scandal. The party says they knew defamation claims aimed at Rep. Mike Yin for making the check-passing public were wrong, but didn’t speak out.

Tom Lubnau: When the Weakest Take a Back Seat to Hunger for Power