Features Reporter

David Madison

David Madison is an award-winning journalist and documentary producer based in Bozeman, Montana. He’s also reported for Wyoming PBS. He studied journalism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has worked at news outlets throughout Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Montana.

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Latest from David Madison

"You tell us what you need, and we'll do it," Sen. Bo Biteman said, describing the administration's posture toward energy. "And if you have any issues or bottlenecks, we need to know, and we'll get rid of those in 24 hours' notice."

"We're Sitting On A Gold Mine": Energy Optimism Overflows At Wyoming Capitol

Lawmakers advanced two bills Friday designed to position Wyoming at the center of America's energy future. Sen. Bo Biteman said the time to act is now as the administration is listening to Wyoming on energy and will get rid of any "issues or bottlenecks."

David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026

Sen. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, presented the bill and walked the committee through a new approach to property tax relief. "It's been a journey, ladies and gentlemen," Hicks said. "And I think we've refined what we're trying to do."

House Panel Advances Major Property Tax Cut For Homeowners 

A House committee Thursday advanced a bill that would lower the tax rate on homes people live in and stop collecting school taxes on those properties, with the state picking up the tab instead of local governments. The bill passed 7-2.

David MadisonFebruary 27, 2026

Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, stood on the Wyoming Senate floor Thursday morning and told her colleagues that the state's county clerks were afraid — not of election fraud, but of overblown calls for election reform.

Another Election Reform Bill Dies As Lawmaker Rejects National “Populism”

In speaking against an election audit reform bill Thursday, Sen. Tara Nethercott said the state's county clerks don't support the measure and that lawmakers should stop "pandering" to fears manufactured by national rhetoric. The legislation failed 21-9.

David MadisonFebruary 26, 2026

Entrance to the grounds at the Veterans Home of Wyoming in Buffalo.

Wyoming Lawmakers Bet Big On $87 Million Veterans Home Remodel

Wyoming lawmakers approved an $87 million remodel of the Veterans Home in Buffalo after years of delay and rising estimates. Supporters argued action can’t wait, while skeptics warned the state’s construction spending is “adding up.”

David MadisonFebruary 26, 2026

Senate Committee Forwards Firefighting Bills Over Fear Of Brutal Fire Season

A lone monitoring station on the Laramie Range is reading just 3% of its normal snowpack. That's a number that explains why, 40 miles down the road in Cheyenne, lawmakers were advancing legislation to put more firefighters in the field before fire season.

David MadisonFebruary 25, 2026

Senator Wendy Schuler at the Senate Education Committee Meeting discussing Tim Tebow rule

Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Version Of “Tim Tebow Law” For Homeschool Athletes

Wyoming lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a bill expanding homeschoolers’ access to public school activities from grades 6-12 to all K-12. The move mirrors “Tim Tebow Laws” in other states allowing equal participation for homeschooled athletes.

David MadisonFebruary 25, 2026

So Far, The Wyoming Business Council Remains Alive

After a Senate bill to reform the Wyoming Business Council stalled on Tuesday, the agency continues to remain alive in both chambers. "The question is, how much money will they have," Sen. Chris Rothfuss told Cowboy State Daily.

David MadisonFebruary 24, 2026

Committee Passes $3 Million Forest Health Bill Program To Help Reduce Wildfire Risk

Sen. Larry Hicks on Tuesday argued that now is the time to pass a $3 million forest health bill because the Trump administration has created favorable conditions that haven’t existed in his three decades working in forestry and natural resources.

David MadisonFebruary 24, 2026

Wyoming lawmakers advanced a resolution Monday seeking state control over federal mineral leasing after removing language affirming federal land ownership. Sen. Bob Ide said the ownership language was the “biggest burr under the saddle."

In Push For Federal Mineral Leasing Control, Who Owns The Land?

What started Monday as a straightforward hearing on letting Wyoming run the federal mineral leasing program turned into a debate over something far bigger — whether the state should formally acknowledge that the federal government owns the land beneath its feet.

David MadisonFebruary 24, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander clashed Monday over whether a bill born from a prolonged election controversy was a necessary reform or a product of personal politics — and Case had the votes to kill it.

Gray’s Election Bill Dies Amid Clash Over Accountability, ‘Personality Conflicts'

Sec. Chuck Gray told a Senate committee that a 15-month pursuit of a county clerk proved the system was broken. Sen. Cale Case said the bill was feeding a political dispute between the state's top officials and called the animosity “very disappointing.”

David MadisonFebruary 23, 2026

Photo from a Wyoming Highway Patrol Association first-person story called "The Thinning Blue Line"

“I Want My Husband To Quit”: Highway Patrol Families Say Low Pay Creating Crisis

Wyoming troopers and their families say low pay, lost overtime and short staffing are driving burnout and resignations. The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association's first-ever social media blitz — run by a 25-year veteran who doesn't use Facebook — has gone viral.

David MadisonFebruary 23, 2026

As 41 states open their doors to NIL deals for high school athletes, Wyoming lawmakers backed by a well-known football family are moving to bolt theirs shut. But money is already available for teen sports stars — right next door in Colorado. Above, Gary Crum, R-Laramie, was a football star at Rawlins High School and the University of Wyoming. He says NIL deals don't belong in high school sports.

Former UW Lineman-Turned-Legislator Says Keep NIL Money Out Of High School Sports

As 41 states open their doors to NIL deals for high school athletes, Wyoming lawmakers backed by Sen. Gary Crum, a former UW lineman, are moving against it. But money is already available for teen sports stars — right next door in Colorado.

David MadisonFebruary 21, 2026

Other Authors

Senate OKs $16 Million To Jump Start Wyoming's Rare Earth Boom

Wyoming senators approved $16 million in grant money to jump start a rare earth boom. Backers say it will accelerate processing projects and help challenge China’s dominance in the sector.

David MadisonFebruary 21, 2026

Secretary of State Chuck Gray urged a House committee Friday to pass a bill that would bring new rigor and public transparency to the pre-election testing of Wyoming's voting machines.

Wyoming Committees Advance Bills For Testing Voting Machines, Watching Clerks

Urged by Secretary of State Chuck Gray, two legislative committees advanced election reform bills on Friday to add scrutiny to voter machine testing, and county clerks' election audits. "We want to ramp up clarity, and we want to ramp up rigor," Gray said.

David MadisonFebruary 20, 2026

Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester

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.

David MadisonFebruary 20, 2026

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.

David MadisonFebruary 19, 2026

Senators Vow Crack-Down On Wyoming-Based LLC Fraud

Wyoming has surpassed Delaware as the top state for business incorporations per capita, and with that has come more LLC fraud. The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that could crack down on using the state's business-friendly LLC laws to scam people.

David MadisonFebruary 19, 2026

Wyoming Lawmakers Advance Bill Shielding "Free Speech" Of Medical Professionals

A House Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to advance House Bill 143 after hearing from medical providers who said they felt pressured to self-censor. "The state should not interfere with free speech rights of healthcare professionals," the bill sponsor said.

David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026

Bill Advanced Requiring Landowners Receive "Bill Of Rights" Before Eminent Domain

Wyoming lawmakers advanced a bill requiring landowners receive an eminent domain “Bill Of Rights” when condemnation is being considered. “’The Landowner’s Bill of Rights’ will equip landowners with valuable knowledge," said sponsor Rep. JD Williams.

David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026

SJR 9, titled “Keeping public lands protected and decisions local,” was introduced by Sen. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette, with 38 co-sponsors — a bipartisan coalition that includes a total of 17 senators and 22 representatives.

Wyoming Senators Vote To Defend Public Lands From Large Federal Selloffs

Wyoming lawmakers heard emotional testimony from teachers, miners and students Tuesday urging them to protect public lands from federal selloffs. The Senate panel unanimously advanced the resolution, "Keeping public lands protected and decisions local."

David MadisonFebruary 18, 2026

"Ain't Nobody Stabbing Nobody": Wyoming House, Senate Battle Tuesday Over Budget

The Wyoming Senate voted Tuesday to restore the governor's $11 billion budget, but the House voted against it. Things got heated when Rep. Mike Yin said budget-planners stabbed agencies they disliked. "Ain't nobody stabbing nobody," House Speaker Chip Neiman said.

Clair McFarland & David MadisonFebruary 17, 2026

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