Leo Wolfson
Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.
Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.
Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
Why Won't Anyone Debate This Year? They Don't Trust Who's Hosting It.
There’s a trend among Wyoming candidates running for office to not attend debates hosted by organizations they don't trust-- like the League of Women Voters in Fremont County. Candidates don't believe they are as non-partisan as the group says.
Leo WolfsonJuly 17, 2024
Florida Group Influences Wyoming Election, ESG Rules With Chuck Gray’s Help
A trove of emails show that Secretary of State Chuck Gray pushed forward bills and rules on elections and ESG over the past two years that were almost identical to the model legislation brought to him by a Florida lobbying group.
Leo WolfsonJuly 17, 2024
Powell Baseball Player Set To Return After Suffering Life-Threatening Rattlesnake Bite
Powell baseball player Jhett Schwahn was deep in the backcountry when he was bit by a rattlesnake. It took a rescue helicopter 2 1/2 hours to get to him. By that time, his legs were numb and he was unable to communicate.
Leo WolfsonJuly 17, 2024
Hageman’s Primary Opponent Knows He’s A Long Shot But Believes She Needs Challenger
Casper attorney Steve Helling has no illusions about his chances of beating Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman in the upcoming Republican primary election, but he still believes it's the right thing to do so voters can have a choice.
Leo WolfsonJuly 16, 2024
Chuck Gray Announces Wyoming GOP Delegates Vote Unanimously For Trump
Wearing an oversized cowboy hat, Wyoming Sec. of State Chuck Gray on Monday announced at the Republican National Convention that all of the state's 29 delegates were cast for former President Donald Trump.
Leo WolfsonJuly 15, 2024
Wyoming Congressional Delegation Excited About Trump’s Running Mate Pick, JD Vance
Wyoming's congressional delegation said they were pleased with former President Trump's decision to pick JD Vance as his running mate. Harriet Hageman said she "couldn't wait" to see him debate Kamala Harris.
Leo WolfsonJuly 15, 2024
Barrasso, Lummis Applaud Dismissal Of Trump’s Classified Docs Case
U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis celebrated the dismissal of a classified documents case against former President Trump on Monday, saying they had always viewed the allegations as a politically motivated attack by the Justice Department.
Leo WolfsonJuly 15, 2024
Wyoming Delegation Hopes America Will Come Together After Assassination Attempt
Wyoming's congressional delegation on Sunday told Cowboy State Daily they hope the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump over the weekend will cause the country to come together.
Leo WolfsonJuly 15, 2024
Decades After Visiting As A Kid, Cheyenne Man Gets Wish For Yellowstone Return
Paul Terry visited Yellowstone National Park as a kid and always longed to return, but never did. That is until this week, when the 78-year-old Cheyenne man had his wish granted by AARP.
Leo WolfsonJuly 14, 2024
Detective: Coin Shop Suspect, Neighborhood Not Searched After 2015 Double Murder
A Cheyenne police detective testified during a Friday hearing that the man now suspected of killing two men during a 2015 robbery wasn’t searched at the time. He also testified the neighborhood around The Coin Shop also wasn’t searched.
Leo WolfsonJuly 12, 2024
Dept. Of Education, Former Agency Head Must Pay For Illegally Withholding Records
A judge ruled Wednesday that the Wyoming Department of Education and former Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder have to each pay $700 for illegally withholding public records.
Leo WolfsonJuly 11, 2024
Cheyenne State Senate Candidates Divided Over Gigantic Facebook (Meta) Data Center
Republicans running for state Senate Districts 4 and 6 clashed Wednesday night over a massive $800 Million Meta (Facebook) data center. The 715,000-square-foot facility will be built in south Cheyenne.
Leo WolfsonJuly 11, 2024
Conservative Movement: Freedom Caucus Could Gain Control Of House In ’24
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has been growing in numbers and influence. Now the group, and candidates aligned with it, feel 2024 could be the year it gains control of the Wyoming House.
Leo WolfsonJuly 11, 2024
Cody LDS Temple Opponents Sue, Claim City Is Stonewalling Turning Over Records
A group that has already sued to stop a planned gigantic 101-foot-tall LDS temple in Cody now claims the city is stonewalling on delivering public records.
Leo WolfsonJuly 10, 2024
Snubbed By Hageman And Barrasso, No WyomingPBS Debates For Primary
John Barrasso and Harriet Hageman have told WyomingPBS they won’t participate in the station’s televised debates this year. That means the station won’t have congressional primary debates.
Leo WolfsonJuly 10, 2024
Wyoming Chapter Of National Libertarian Group Raises Eyebrows With Endorsements
The Wyoming arm of Libertarian-leaning Americans For Prosperity is raising eyebrows with its primary endorsements. At issue: the group believes civility as a state legislator is an important trait.
Leo WolfsonJuly 09, 2024
Brother Of 2015 Cheyenne Coin Shop Murder Victim Says Arrest Brings Waves Of Emotion
The brother of one of two men killed during the 2015 robbery of The Coin Shop in Cheyenne says he’s gone through waves of emotion since an arrest was made two weeks ago. “I cried and cried and cried,” he said.
Leo WolfsonJuly 09, 2024
First Entirely Out-Of-State-Based Lobbying Effort Of Wyoming Political Season Launched
An out-of-state group called Make Liberty Win is blanketing Wyoming with text messages and emails lobbying for conservative candidates. Many legislators say the group is pushing misleading and wrong information.
Leo WolfsonJuly 09, 2024
Hageman Lobbies Trump To Help Stop Drug, Human Trafficking On Reservations
Harriet Hageman said Sunday that she spoke with former President Trump about thwarting drug and human trafficking cartels on reservations. She said the problem is a direct byproduct of President Biden’s immigration policies.
Leo WolfsonJuly 09, 2024
Can Mark Gordon Run For A 3rd Term? Supreme Court Would Likely Have To Decide
Secretary of State Chuck Gray drew attention Sunday when he said he wouldn't certify Gov. Mark Gordon’s candidacy if he runs for a third term. Whether the governor can legally run or not is murky. And his office won't say if he's considering it.
Leo WolfsonJuly 08, 2024
Chuck Gray Says He Won’t Certify Candidacy If Gordon Seeks 3rd Term
Secretary of State Chuck Gray said Sunday that if Gov. Mark Gordon wanted to run for a third consecutive term that he wouldn’t certify his candidacy because he believes the governor is bound by term limits. He made the statement during a Sunday political event in Casper.
Leo WolfsonJuly 08, 2024
Wyoming’s Bucking Horse Logo Dates Back To WWI — And It’s Not Steamboat
There are few things that say “Wyoming” more than its bucking horse and rider logo. What’s not as well-known is its origin. It was drawn during World War I by a Wyoming artist fighting in the war. And it wasn't based on Steamboat.
Leo WolfsonJuly 07, 2024
AI Candidate Can Run For Cheyenne Mayor, But Won’t Be On Ballot
Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee said Friday that VIC, an AI candidate for Cheyenne Mayor, can continue its run for office. However, VIC can’t appear on the ballot and instead will be listed as Victor Miller, the human behind the campaign.
Leo WolfsonJuly 06, 2024
No Bond For Man Accused Of Gunning Down 2 Men In 2015 Cheyenne Coin Shop Robbery
The man accused of killing two men in the 2015 robbery of The Coin Shop in downtown Cheyenne will stay in jail without bond. Douglas Smith had his initial hearing in court on Friday.
Leo WolfsonJuly 05, 2024
Trump Indicates Support Of Military Tribunal For Liz Cheney
Former President Donald Trump has rekindled his ongoing feud with former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney. On Friday, he shared a post calling for a military tribunal for Cheney, something usually reserved for war criminals.
Leo WolfsonJuly 05, 2024
Cody Legislator Concerned Immigrant Resource Center In Jackson Could Lead To Voter Fraud
The presence of a new immigrant resource center in Jackson has state Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, concerned that the facility could assist immigrants with illegally voting and receiving welfare benefits.
Leo WolfsonJuly 04, 2024
Suspect In 2015 Double Murder At Cheyenne Coin Shop Back In Wyoming
The man accused of killing two people in 2015 at The Coin Shop in downtown Cheyenne is back in Wyoming. Douglas Smith has been extradited from California and will have his first court hearing Friday.
Leo WolfsonJuly 03, 2024
Wyoming Voter Registrations At Eight-Year Low
Voter registrations in Wyoming are at their lowest in eight years as of Monday, with less than two months before the state’s primary election. Numbers usually drop when there's not a competitive race at the top of the ticket in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonJuly 03, 2024
Push To Ditch Ballot Machines For Hand Counts In Wyoming Gaining Steam
A push to ditch electronic ballot counting machines in favor of hand counts in Wyoming elections is gaining steam. And it has Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s full support.
Leo WolfsonJuly 03, 2024
Meta (Facebook) Formally Announces Massive $800M Data Center In Cheyenne
Social media giant Meta (aka Facebook) formally unveiled plans Tuesday for a massive $800 million, 715,000-square-foot Cheyenne data center. They say at the peak of construction it will generate more than 1,000 jobs.
Leo WolfsonJuly 02, 2024
Wyoming Sues Biden Administration Over ‘Overreaching’ EV Mandates
Gov. Mark Gordon announced Monday that Wyoming will join 25 other states in a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s administration. This time it’s over new EV standards that require auto manufacturers produce electric vehicles.
Leo WolfsonJuly 02, 2024
Reid Rasner’s Bodyguard Runs Against Freedom Caucus Incumbent In Platte County
Guernsey Fire Chief Jeff Thomas, who also works for U.S. Senate candidate Reid Rasner as a bodyguard, is running against Platte County Freedom Caucus incumbent Jeremy Haroldson for the Wyoming House.
Leo WolfsonJuly 01, 2024
Wyoming Cities Say Supreme Court Ruling Gives Freedom To Deal With Homeless
City officials from two Wyoming cities struggling with growing homeless populations say they’re pleased with a Friday decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that gives cities freedom to regulate the issue how they want.
Leo WolfsonJune 29, 2024
Southern Fryed Lead Singer Cuts Long Hair, Hides Tats For Wyoming House Run
People around Cheyenne know Exie Brown as “Russ,” the lead singer of popular country band Southern Fryed. Now he’s ditched his long hair and covered his tattoos to challenge longtime Wyoming House incumbent Landon Brown.
Leo WolfsonJune 28, 2024
Oil Field Worker Charged With Child Porn Says He’s ‘Disgusted’ With Himself
A Casper-area oil field worker who faces eight felony charges for having and distributing child porn allegedly told investigators that fantasies about sex acts with children are like “an itch in my head” and that he’s “disgusted” with himself.
Leo WolfsonJune 28, 2024
Chuck Gray Spars With Clerk Over $132K In Election Equipment Before Last-Minute OK
It took months of arguing back and forth with Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, but Laramie County will get $132,650 in new election equipment after Gray had a last-minute change of heart and reversed his initial denial.
Leo WolfsonJune 28, 2024
Hageman Says Jill Biden Guilty Of ‘Elder Abuse’ For Letting Joe Debate
Reacting to Thursday’s first 2024 presidential debate, Harriet Hageman said President Joe Biden’s performance was so bad that first lady Jill Biden is guilty of “elder abuse” for “rolling President Biden out on stage to engage in a battle of wits while unarmed.”
Leo WolfsonJune 28, 2024
Wyoming Has Fastest Growing Elderly Population In Nation
A new state demographic report released Thursday shows Wyoming has the fastest growing population of elderly people, age 65 and older, in the nation. The state’s oldest county is Hot Springs County followed by Johnson, Platte, and Niobrara counties.
Leo WolfsonJune 28, 2024
PETA Wants Wyoming To Use Dinosaur Instead Of Bucking Bronco On License Plate
Wyomingites weren't impressed with a demand from PETA on Thursday to replace the bucking bronco on the state license plate to a dinosaur head. PETA says rodeos are cruel. In response, one man in Cheyenne said PETA can "kiss my ass."
Leo WolfsonJune 27, 2024
Déjà Vu: Heiner, Crank Face Off For Wyoming House Seat For 4th Time in 8 Years
The ballot in southwest Wyoming will look familiar for the Republican primary for House District 18 with current and former legislators Scott Heiner and Tom Crank facing off for the fourth time in eight years.
Leo WolfsonJune 27, 2024
Freedom Caucus Says Gordon Suing Over Coal Rule A Win For Them
Freedom Caucus member Jeremy Haroldson says Mark Gordon’s announcement that he has hired a top law firm to fight a federal coal rule is a win for the Freedom Caucus because they wanted a special session to push the governor to sue.
Leo WolfsonJune 26, 2024
Suspect In 2015 Cheyenne Coin Shop Double Murder Was First To Call 911
The man who Cheyenne Police arrested on Tuesday for the 2015 double homicide at The Coin Shop was the one who initially called 911 after the crime had been committed. An affidavit shows the suspect tripped himself up talking about his alleged alibi.
Leo WolfsonJune 26, 2024
Will Freedom Caucus Primary Wins In Idaho & South Dakota Spill Over To Wyoming?
Although the Freedom Caucus picked up victories in both Idaho and South Dakota, political pundits in Wyoming disagree over the significance. Some believe it's an inevitable trend while others aren't so sure.
Leo WolfsonJune 26, 2024
Arrest Made In 2015 Double Murder At Cheyenne Coin Shop
An arrest was made Tuesday in the unsolved 2015 double-murder at The Coin Shop in downtown Cheyenne. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins said the crime "was a wound on our community’s soul.”
Leo WolfsonJune 25, 2024
Where Does Wyoming Gambling Go Next? $2 Billion Industry At A Crossroads
Gambling in Wyoming has rocketed over the past decade to become a $2 billion a year industry. Does Wyoming go full throttle and follow Montana or will the state take a more moderate approach?
Leo WolfsonJune 25, 2024
Cheyenne Teen Avoids Attempted First-Degree Murder Charge With Plea Deal
A Cheyenne teen will avoid prosecution on an attempted first-degree murder charge after a deal was struck having him plead guilty to aggravated assault on Monday.
Leo WolfsonJune 24, 2024
Fate Of Wyoming’s Trans Treatments For Kids Law Hinges On U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday it will hear a case determining the constitutionality of Tennessee's ban on transgender surgeries for kids, which will likely determine the future of a new and very similar Wyoming law.
Leo WolfsonJune 24, 2024
Big Horn Basin Parents Push For Wyoming’s First Online Charter School
A Big Horn Basin group is pushing to have a charter school approved this summer. It would become the first charter school in the northwestern part of Wyoming and the state’s first online-only charter school.
Leo WolfsonJune 22, 2024
If Charlie Scott Wins Re-Election, He Will Be One Of The Longest Serving Legislators In U.S.
Casper Republican Charlie Scott, the longest serving member of the Wyoming Legislature, is running for reelection for his 14th term in the state Senate. If he wins, he’ll be among the longest serving legislators in the U.S.
Leo WolfsonJune 21, 2024
Owners of Iconic Cody Restaurant Accused Of Threatening To Kill Customers
The owners of the iconic Cassie’s Steakhouse in Cody are in trouble after allegedly threatening to kill a pair of customers Wednesday and then kicking a police officer in the head.
Leo WolfsonJune 21, 2024
Wyoming Only State Without Immunity For Drug Overdoses, But Bill Would Change That
Wyoming is the only state without a “good Samaritan” law that grants immunity from prosecution for illegal drug users who report drug overdoses. That could change under a bill advanced Thursday by a legislative committee.
Leo WolfsonJune 20, 2024
Who Knew? The Bald Eagle, Symbol Of Freedom, Isn’t The Official National Bird
You may not know that while the bald eagle has been adopted as America’s symbol of liberty and freedom since the 1780s, it’s not the official national bird. Cynthia Lummis introduced a bill Thursday to finally make it official.
Leo WolfsonJune 20, 2024
Mark Gordon And Chuck Gray Spar Again, This Time Over Wheatland's Failing Water Tank
Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Chuck Gray had another verbal altercation Thursday. This time, the two exchanged words over Gordon’s track record on giving money to Wheatland for its failing water tower.
Leo WolfsonJune 20, 2024
Rock Springs Republican Candidates Battle Over Who's More Conservative
State Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, has a Republican primary opponent who said he’s the true conservative in their Republican primary race. But Kolb says, "My background isn’t a guy who fell off the hay wagon yesterday."
Leo WolfsonJune 20, 2024
Wyoming Still Fights Stigma Of Suicide 70 Years After US Sen. Lester Hunt’s Death
Lander state senator Cale Case used the 70th anniversary of the death of former U.S. Sen. Lester Hunt, who killed himself in 1954 amid pressure from McCarthyism, to highlight how Wyoming is still fighting the stigma of suicide.
Leo WolfsonJune 19, 2024
Company Threatens To Pull Plug On Cheyenne Mayoral AI Candidate
Despite a threat from the company that runs ChatGPT which designed Wyoming’s first artificial intelligence political candidate, VIC (Virtual Integrated Citizen) is still active and campaigning for Cheyenne mayor.
Leo WolfsonJune 19, 2024
Teton Pass Could Be Paved And Re-Open By Middle Of Next Week
The Wyoming Department of Transportation told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday that a newly constructed detour of the collapsed section of Highway 22 over Teton Pass could be paved and ready to drive on by the middle of next week.
Leo WolfsonJune 18, 2024
Wyoming’s Statewide Cold Case Database Close To Be Launched In Coming Months
The commander of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation told legislators on Tuesday that a new statewide cold-case database will be launched in the coming months. There are approximately 150 cold cases in Wyoming with some dating back more than 50 years.
Leo WolfsonJune 18, 2024
Biden’s Transportation Czar Buttigieg In Wyoming To Hype Infrastructure Act
During a visit to Cheyenne on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg hyped the Biden administration’s $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Act and Wyoming’s $3.8 billion share of it.
Leo WolfsonJune 18, 2024
Fred Parady, Former House Speaker And Wyoming GOP Chairman, Dies
Fred Parady, a former speaker of the Wyoming House and chair of the Wyoming Republican Party, died over the weekend at the age of 69. Former legislators praised Parady as being one of the smartest and hard working people they had ever met.
Leo WolfsonJune 17, 2024
Bill Winney Has Lost Six Times For Wyoming Legislature; Will 7th Try Be The Charm?
Bondurant resident Bill Winney has run unsuccessfully for the Wyoming Legislature six times since 2010, but that isn’t stopping the Republican from running again. This time he's challenging Albert Sommers for a state Senate seat.
Leo WolfsonJune 17, 2024
In Gillette, Challenger May Have More Name Recognition State House Incumbent
The House District 32 Republican primary race between state Rep. Ken Clouston, R-Gillette, and George Dunlap brings a certain amount of intrigue due to the local name recognition that each candidate has.
Leo WolfsonJune 14, 2024
Led By Barrasso, Trump Gets A Birthday Cake That Was All Wyoming
Invited by Sen. John Barrasso, former President Trump celebrated his birthday Thursday with Senate Republicans, complete with a cake that was all Wyoming bought and delivered. “It was all Wyoming,” Barrasso told Cowboy State Daily.
Leo WolfsonJune 14, 2024
Wyoming Dems Blast Hageman With Claim She Voted To ‘Defund NATO’
Harriet Hageman says the Wyoming Democratic Party is full of it by claiming she voted to “defund NATO” because she only voted to cut $433 million for one program, not the entire $860 billion the U.S. has committed to NATO.
Leo WolfsonJune 14, 2024
Report: Wyoming’s 385% Spike In Abortions Since 2019 Is Highest In The Nation
A report by a pro-choice research organization shows that Wyoming has the highest percentage increase of abortions from 2019-2023 at 385%, something some pro-life legislators attribute to past underreporting of the procedure.
Leo WolfsonJune 14, 2024
Cheyenne City Clerk Says Artificial Intelligence Candidate For Mayor Is OK For Election
The city clerk of Cheyenne on Thursday said she disagreed with Secretary of State Chuck Gray over the legitimacy of a mayoral candidate who is powered by artificial intelligence. She said VIC is legit and can participate in the city's election.
Leo WolfsonJune 13, 2024
Tempers Heat Up Over Illegal Rock Springs Political Signs Ahead Of Primary
An Rock Springs ordinance bans political signs in public places before June 20, but that hasn’t stopped them from going up. That has local Republicans and Democrats upset over a rule the mayor admits should’ve never happened.
Leo WolfsonJune 13, 2024
Wyoming Delegation Pushes For Federal Money For Quick Teton Pass Fix
Wyoming's congressional delegation asked Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Wednesday to approve emergency relief money to repair Teton Pass quickly. An estimated 40% of Teton County’s workforce travels across the pass to get to work.
Leo WolfsonJune 12, 2024
Wyoming Legislators Want Gordon To Call Special Session To Fight Biden Coal Rule
Sheridan state Rep. Mark Jennings and other legislators want Gov. Mark Gordon to call a special session of the Wyoming Legislature to focus money and efforts into taking legal action against Biden rule to end Powder River Basin coal by 2041.
Leo WolfsonJune 12, 2024
Gillette Man Claims Wyoming Property Tax Petition Collected Illegally
A Gillette resident is accusing organizers of a recently submitted petition for a property tax initiative of illegally collecting signatures at post offices and county courthouses around Wyoming. Secretary of State Chuck Gray says his complaint is bogus.
Leo WolfsonJune 12, 2024
Chuck Gray Wants To Shut Down Wyoming’s First AI Candidate
Secretary of State Chuck Gray says the campaign of Wyoming’s first artificial intelligent political candidate should be shut down because a computer-generated persona isn’t a qualified elector or registered voter.
Leo WolfsonJune 12, 2024
Legislators Grill BLM Over Sale Of 300 Acres To PacifiCorp In Southwest Wyoming
Spurred by recent controversy over the BLM's proposed Rock Springs Resource Management plan, Wyoming legislators Monday grilled the agency over the sale of 300 acres of public land in Sweetwater County to PacifiCorp.
Leo WolfsonJune 11, 2024
Meet VIC, Wyoming’s First AI Candidate Running For Cheyenne Mayor
Meet VIC, an artificial intelligence-powered candidate for Cheyenne Mayor that is Wyoming’s first AI-powered political hopeful. The man behind VIC, Victor Miller, says if elected VIC will make all decisions related to the office.
Leo WolfsonJune 10, 2024
Chuck Gray Joins Supreme Court Fight Over Biden’s Voter Registration Order
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray has joined a U.S. Supreme Court filing fighting President Biden’s get-out-the-vote executive order. He said turning "federal agencies into get-out-the-vote operations is not only unconstitutional; it is outrageously wrong.”
Leo WolfsonJune 10, 2024
Drinking Wyoming: The Blanca Tatanka Is Reimagining Cody’s Cocktail Culture
The Blanca Tatanka is relatively new to the Cody, Wyoming, bar scene, but it’s anything but your typical Western bar. It’s reimagining Cody’s cocktail culture with a Buffalo Bill meets Matthew McConaughey vibe.
Leo WolfsonJune 09, 2024
Great Food, Be Your Own Boss: Why Wyoming’s Food Truck Scene Is Exploding
There are many reasons why Wyoming’s food truck scene is exploding as a hot dining trend. Near the top are customers seeking out great, unique food and truck owners who can be their own bosses.
Leo WolfsonJune 07, 2024
Former Cheyenne Democrat Takes On Three-Time Incumbent In Republican Primary
Cheyenne resident Thomas Lear was a registered Democrat in Wyoming as recently as February, but now he’s a Republican running against three-time incumbent Clarence Styvar for House District 12.
Leo WolfsonJune 07, 2024
Reid Rasner Tells Hageman To Cease And Desist Her Demand That He Cease And Desist
Long shot U.S. Senate candidate Reid Rasner has responded to Harriet Hageman’s demand he cease and desist using her image on social media by telling her to cease and desist her demands. The Hageman campaign said he's not a serious candidate.
Leo WolfsonJune 06, 2024
Move To Wyoming And Then Instantly Run For Legislature Is A Real Trend
Pamela Mertens moved to Wyoming in August 2023 from Florida and now she's running for House District 56. Tom Olmstead is running for Senate District 20 after moving from Colorado three years ago. They aren't anomalies. It's a trend.
Leo WolfsonJune 06, 2024
Chuck Gray Tells County Clerks They Can’t Offer Ballot Drop Boxes, Clerks Disagree
Wyoming county clerks on Wednesday said they don't have to follow Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s directive to quit using ballot boxes, despite Gray saying they're illegal.
Leo WolfsonJune 06, 2024
Campbell County Schools Propose 1-Year Sports Sit-Out For Transfer Students
The Campbell County School District is considering a proposal that would give it the toughest public school transfer policy in the state — a 1-year ban on varsity sports participation for transfer students.
Leo WolfsonJune 05, 2024
Cheyenne House Race A Tale Of Three Very Different Wyoming Republicans
The Wyoming House District 8 race features three very different Republicans: Incumbent Dave Zwonitzer, a Freedom Caucus supporter who calls Zwonitzer a “RINO” and a 22-year-old newcomer to Wyoming who has been here for 18 months.
Leo WolfsonJune 05, 2024
Wyoming Delegation Says Biden’s Border Order A Desperate ‘Election Year Stunt’
President Joe Biden’s aggressive executive order Tuesday clamping down on the southern U.S. border has angered congress across the board — Democrats and Republicans. Wyoming’s delegation says Biden “panicked” by making an “election year stunt.”
Leo WolfsonJune 04, 2024
New Law Would Allow Deadly Force By Wyoming National Guard In Some Cases
Wyoming legislators were asked during a Tuesday committee meeting to consider closing a legal loophole that allows some Wyoming National Guard members to be prosecuted for using deadly force while protecting certain military assets.
Leo WolfsonJune 04, 2024
Wyoming Property Tax Refund Hits Record But Still Not Enough Relief, Some Say
An expanded property tax refund program where eligible homeowners could receive back as much as 75% of their previous year’s tax bill led to record participation, but many legislators say it’s not enough relief.
Leo WolfsonJune 04, 2024
Legislature Still Wants EVs To Pay Their Way, Resurrects Charging Tax
Saying electric and hybrid vehicles need to pay their own way for the wear and tear they put on Wyoming roads, legislators are resurrecting a bill to tax fast-charging stations.
Leo WolfsonJune 03, 2024
Cheyenne’s Battling Republican Cousins Meet In Round 2 For Wyoming House Seat
One of the most intriguing Wyoming Legislature races this summer will be for House District 44 in Cheyenne, where two cousins run against each other again, along with another former state legislator.
Leo WolfsonJune 03, 2024
Wyoming Democrats Nervous About ‘Threat’ From ‘Dangerous’ Freedom Caucus
At its state convention Saturday, the Wyoming Democratic Party called the Freedom Caucus a “threat” to Wyoming and a “dangerous” far right group that needs to be reined in.
Leo WolfsonJune 01, 2024
Wyoming’s Primary Election Is Set: 167 Candidates In 72 Contested Races
With the 5 p.m. Friday deadline for filing to run in the August primary election in. Wyoming past, the field is set: 167 candidates in 72 contested races.
Leo WolfsonJune 01, 2024
Removal Of Casper Doc From Medical Board Stokes Freedom Caucus Outrage
News of a Casper doctor being forced from the Wyoming Board of Medicine because of his views on transgender treatments for minors has outraged the Freedom Caucus. But a former board member says the group’s anger is hypocritical.
Leo WolfsonMay 31, 2024
Former Libertarian Runs As Republican To Win Back Wyoming House Seat
Marshall Burt, a Libertarian who was the first third-party candidate to be elected to the Wyoming Legislature in more than a century before being ousted from the House in 2022 is now running as a Republican to win back the seat.
Leo WolfsonMay 31, 2024
Lower Wyoming Property Taxes Could Mean Higher Sales Tax, Removing Exemptions
A Wyoming legislative committee is studying how the state can maintain its current services while lowering property taxes. The reality is, that might not be able to happen without also raising sales tax rates and/or removing exemptions.
Leo WolfsonMay 31, 2024
44,000 Signatures Turned In To Put 50% Property Tax Cut On Wyoming Ballot
A monthslong effort to gather signatures to put a ballot initiative on the Wyoming ballot came to a head Thursday with 44,650 signatures turned in to the Secretary of State’s office. If successful, it would cut residential property taxes by 50%.
Leo WolfsonMay 31, 2024
Wyoming Delegation & Governor Blast Trump Conviction
Wyoming’s congressional delegation and Gov. Mark Gordon blasted the conviction of former President Donald Trump on Thursday. Rep. Harriet Hageman said the court case was a "desperate gasp to win a presidential election that they will ultimately lose."
Leo WolfsonMay 30, 2024
Wyoming Medical Society Criticizes Ousted Doctor For 'Misleading' Emails
In the wake of the news that Gov. Gordon ousted a doctor from the Board of Medicine for his vocal support of a ban on trans treatment of minors, the Wyoming Medical Society said the claim the group has been overtaken by "extremely liberal" members is not true.
Leo WolfsonMay 30, 2024
Conservative Firebrand Bouchard Won’t Run For Reelection To Wyoming Senate
Conservative firebrand state Sen. Anthony Bouchard of Cheyenne won’t run for reelection to the Wyoming Senate, but there’s a crowd of candidates who want his seat.
Leo WolfsonMay 30, 2024
Ballooning Property Valuations, Tax Bills Not Unique To Wyoming
Ballooning property taxes and how to mitigate them has dominated discussion in the Wyoming Legislature in recent years, and it’s not unique to Wyoming, as Cowboy State property tax bills are reflecting larger trends in the West and United States.
Leo WolfsonMay 29, 2024
Skiing On Memorial Day Weekend in Wyoming? Absolutely.
While most people were planning Memorial Day barbecues, Wyoming’s hardcore skiers and snowboarders were still getting some turns in with about a half-foot of fresh high-elevation snow, proving there’s no offseason for those who really want it.
Leo WolfsonMay 29, 2024
Bob Nicholas Will Run For 8th Term In House Against Head Of Wyoming GOP
Longtime Wyoming legislator Bob Nicholas of Cheyenne has announced he’s running for an eighth term in office. The executive director of the Wyoming Republican Party, Kathy Russell, is challenging him for the seat.
Leo WolfsonMay 28, 2024
Casper Doctor Forced Off Board of Medicine For Support Of Trans Treatment Ban
Gov. Mark Gordon forced a Casper doctor to resign from the Wyoming Board of Medicine for openly supporting a bill banning transgender treatments and surgeries on minors in Wyoming. The governor reluctantly signed the bill into law.
Leo WolfsonMay 28, 2024
Sheriff Says Honor Wyoming’s Out-Of-State Organizer Has Ties To Bundy Standoff
A Wyoming native and longtime sheriff of Spokane, Washington, says he’s very familiar with the lead organizer of the murky new political group Honor Wyoming, including that he has ties to the 2016 Bundy standoff in Oregon.
Leo WolfsonMay 25, 2024
Governor Gordon Blasts Back At Latest ‘Sniping’ From Freedom Caucus
Gov. Mark Gordon offered a blistering response Thursday to a Freedom Caucus letter sent to him earlier this week demanding he sue the federal government over a new ban on coal production.
Leo WolfsonMay 24, 2024
Fremont County Pro-Life Champion Has Challenger For Republican Primary
Pro-life champion and three-time incumbent state Sen. Tim Salazar has a Republican primary opponent in Shoshoni rancher Elizabeth Philp.
Leo WolfsonMay 24, 2024
White Supremacist Who Wants Legal Child Porn Doing Business Through Wyoming LLC
A globally recognized white supremacist from Denmark who has pushed for the legalization of child pornography is doing business through a Wyoming LLC he recently registered. Wyoming is often criticized for its loose business filing laws.
Leo WolfsonMay 24, 2024
Fed Up With Fallout From California Energy Policies, Wyoming Sues
Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday announced Wyoming has joined a 19-state lawsuit led by Alabama asking the U.S. Supreme Court to declare the energy policies of five Democratic-majority states, including California, unconstitutional.
Leo WolfsonMay 23, 2024
Cheyenne Legislator Dan Zwonitzer Runs For 11th Term In Wyoming House
State Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, a Cheyenne Republican, is the longest serving member of the Wyoming House and wants to keep that going, running for reelection to an 11th term.
Leo WolfsonMay 23, 2024
Cody Is Not The Only Community Suing Over LDS Temples
The scenario that’s played out in Cody over the past year of locals suing to halt plans to build an LDS temple is happening in cities all over the United States.
Leo WolfsonMay 23, 2024
Prominent Wyoming Politicos Go Head-To-Head In Sheridan Legislative Battle
Two well-known names in Wyoming politics — Thomas Kelly and Gail Symons — are running against each other to represent Sheridan in the Wyoming Legislature.
Leo WolfsonMay 22, 2024
Freedom Caucus Says Gordon Must Fight Biden Coal Ban Now — Not Later
Sixteen members of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus sent a letter to Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday urging him to sue now — not later — the Biden administration’s BLM over a new rule that would end coal production in Wyoming 2041.
Leo WolfsonMay 22, 2024
As Chinese Mine Clears Out, Legislators Say Crypto Still Welcome In Wyoming
As Chinese bitcoin mine MineOne sells off its Cheyenne operation on the order of President Biden, Wyoming legislators say the crypto industry is still welcome here.
Leo WolfsonMay 22, 2024
Barrasso Wants To Use Unspent COVID Money To Finish Border Wall
Sen. John Barrasso introduced legislation Tuesday that would require uncommitted COVID-19 money be used to finish building former President Donald Trump’s wall along the southern U.S. border.
Leo WolfsonMay 21, 2024
Longtime Wyoming House Rivals Jennings, Crago Square Off For Senate
Two of the more prominent members of the Wyoming House — and in some ways longtime political rivals — state Reps. Mark Jennings and Barry Crago will square off against each other for the state Senate.
Leo WolfsonMay 21, 2024
Chuck Gray Strips North Korean Businesses Of Wyoming Licenses After Flagged By FBI
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Tuesday stripped three businesses of their Wyoming LLC licenses after the FBI flagged them as fronting for North Korean interests.
Leo WolfsonMay 21, 2024
Better Wyoming Group Urged Voters To Register Republican Ahead Of Deadline
Although it claims to be a nonpartisan health advocacy group, Better Wyoming sent out messaging earlier this month encouraging some of its members in some parts of the state to register as Republicans ahead of last week’s deadline.
Leo WolfsonMay 20, 2024
Independent Casper Candidate Says He's Fed Up With Jeanette Ward
Tyler Cessor, an Independent from Casper and the first third-party candidate to run for the Wyoming legislature this year, says he’s fed up with incumbent Rep. Jeanette Ward, R-Casper.
Leo WolfsonMay 20, 2024
Murky Political Group Honor Wyoming Slowly Emerging From The Shadows
The billboards first started showing up in Cheyenne around last fall, put up by a group called Honor Wyoming. The signs chide some legislators as rodeo “clowns” and praise others as “top hands” based on their voting records.
Leo WolfsonMay 20, 2024
Wyoming Weather Scientist Goes Night-Skiing During Aurora Borealis Event
Michael Charnick is a weather scientist based in Cheyenne who captured stunning images while night-skiing at more than 11,000-feet elevation during last weekend’s vivid aurora borealis. He was on the slopes from 9:30pm to after 3am.
Leo WolfsonMay 18, 2024
Buffalo 22-Year-Old Would Be Youngest In Wyoming Legislature If She Wins
A 22-year-old woman from Buffalo is joining a crowded Republican race for to replace incumbent House District 40 Rep. Barry Crago, who’s running for the state Senate. If she wins, she’d be the youngest in the Wyoming Legislature.
Leo WolfsonMay 18, 2024
Hageman Introduces Bill To Abolish 'Woke Award' Federal Research Grants Based On DEI
Rep. Hageman introduced a bill Thursday to strip DEI requirements from the $30 billion dollars the National Institutes of Health gives in research grants to universities every year. She said grants should be based on meritocracy not gender and racial quotas.
Leo WolfsonMay 17, 2024
Two Life Sentences For Wind River Man Who Shot Neighbor In Back Of The Head
Francis Acebo was given two mandatory life sentences in prison Thursday for killing neighbor Derek Redstar Pappan by shooting him the back of the head. “Our hearts will never be the same,” said Pappan’s mother.
Leo WolfsonMay 16, 2024
Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers To Run For Senate, Has Opponent
Wyoming House Speaker Albert Sommers officially announced his campaign for the state Senate on Thursday. Sommers, who was first elected to the legislature in 2012, will be running against sheep rancher Laura Pearson.
Leo WolfsonMay 16, 2024
Slain Sheridan Police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee Honored On US Senate Floor
Sheridan police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, who was killed in the line of duty March 1, was honored on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. Sen. John Barrasso hailed Krinkee’s sacrifice and blasted efforts to defund police.
Leo WolfsonMay 16, 2024
2 More In Race For Anthony Bouchard’s State Senate Seat
Two more Republicans have entered an increasingly crowded GOP primary in an attempt to take the Wyoming state Senate seat held by two-time incumbent Anthony Bouchard, who hasn’t said if he’s running again. If he does, he’ll have at least four opponents.
Leo WolfsonMay 15, 2024
If You Want To Switch Parties For Wyoming Primary, The Deadline Is Wednesday
This will be the first primary in Wyoming without true crossover voting, which means Wednesday is the deadline to change party affiliation for the August election.
Leo WolfsonMay 15, 2024
Gordon Announces Wyoming Joining Lawsuit Over Biden's Title XI Rule Changes
Gov. Mark Gordon announced on Tuesday that Wyoming will be suing President Joe Biden’s administration over its new Title IX rules. Secretary of State Chuck Gray said it's about time.
Leo WolfsonMay 14, 2024
Moorcroft Mayor Upset About Getting Pushed Out of Business Council Grant
The mayor of Moorcroft is upset that a Wyoming grant program became so narrowed that his community no longer qualifies. He said the grant became a "pet project" and now only benefits the town of Sundance.
Leo WolfsonMay 14, 2024
Big Win For Barrasso As His Ban On Uranium Imports Signed Into Law
An effort spearheaded by Wyoming’s senior Sen. John Barrasso to ban Russian uranium imports was signed by President Joe Biden on Monday. He said the move “officially ended Russia’s chokehold on America’s uranium supply.”
Leo WolfsonMay 14, 2024
Torrington Woman Taps Deep Roots In Run For State House Seat Her Dad Once Held
Torrington resident Jackie Van Mark is running against incumbent state Rep. Scott Smith for House District 5, to win back a seat her dad once held. Van Mark is a 4th generation Wyomingite who comes from one of the state's original homesteading families.
Leo WolfsonMay 13, 2024
Cody Residents Opposed To Gigantic LDS Temple Outraged As Church Stages Area To Build
Cody residents who are suing to stop a humongous LDS temple in the city say they are outraged to see a crane and other construction materials staged at the site ready to start construction.
Leo WolfsonMay 11, 2024
University Of Wyoming Will Eliminate DEI Office, Keep Some Of Its Services
The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees cut the school’s highly controversial office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Friday while still retaining some of its services, many of which they say predate the office by decades.
Leo WolfsonMay 10, 2024
Degenfelder Blasts Chuck Gray, Says Wyoming Will Sue Over Biden Title IX Rules
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder confirmed to Cowboy State Daily that Wyoming will sue over the Biden administration's Title IX gender rules, and blasted Secretary of State Chuck Gray for "heckling from the sidelines."
Leo WolfsonMay 10, 2024
UW Not Likely To Scrap DEI Programs Despite Defunding From Legislature
After a marathon discussion Thursday, the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees seemed unlikely to scrap DEI programming despite the Wyoming Legislature defunding it. A final decision is expected Friday.
Leo WolfsonMay 10, 2024
Lummis, Barrasso Sponsor Bill To Save AM Radio As Vital For Rural States
Many car manufacturers have not been putting AM radio in their new cars. But Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis say AM radio is still critical for people in rural states so they've co-sponsored legislation that would require automakers to keep it.
Leo WolfsonMay 09, 2024
Gray Blasts Gordon For Wyoming Not Suing Over Biden’s Title IX Changes
Secretary of State Chuck Gray is blasting Gov. Mark Gordon for not joining 22 other states in suing the Biden administration for its new rules on Title IX, which include not allowing bans on biological males from participating in female sports.
Leo WolfsonMay 09, 2024
Saratoga Won’t Take Local Man’s 15,500 Pennies As Payment For Records Request
A Saratoga man doesn’t believe his local government is being transparent with the public, so he put in a public records request. Then they charged him $155 for it. When he tried to pay for it with 15,550 pennies, they wouldn't accept it.
Leo WolfsonMay 08, 2024
Former Wyoming Football Star Gary Crum Runs For State Senate
Gary Crum, a former University of Wyoming football player who also played in the NFL is running for a seat in the state Senate representing Albany County. His son Frank also played at UW and was just picked up by the Denver Broncos.
Leo WolfsonMay 08, 2024
Campbell County Says Rec Center Locker Rooms Are For Biological Sex Only
After weeks of local debate in the Gillette community, the Campbell County Parks and Recreation Board passed a new policy last week restricting locker room access to a user's biological sex.
Leo WolfsonMay 07, 2024
With Gaming Now A $1 Billion Wyoming Industry, Does It Need More Oversight?
Gaming in Wyoming has grown fast and is now a $1 billion a year industry. How big gaming gets and how much oversight might be necessary is now the focus of a Gaming Expansion Study discussed at a Joint Appropriations Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonMay 07, 2024
Cheyenne School District May Pass Wyoming’s Strictest Library Sex Book Policy
Laramie County School District No. 1 is considering a policy for sexually explicit books in school libraries that, if passed, would likely be the strictest in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonMay 07, 2024
Holy Cow, Is It Windy! Extreme Winds, Blow-Overs Close I-25 Near Colorado Border
Extreme winds and gusts closed a section of I-25 between Cheyenne and the Colorado border on Monday, causing truckers to line up and wait. It was even worse in Colorado with near 100mph winds reported.
Leo WolfsonMay 06, 2024
Son Of Former Wyoming Governor Challenges Freedom Caucus Incumbent For House
Rob Geringer, the son of former Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer, announced Monday he is running for the state House against incumbent Ben Hornok. Geringer said Republicans are squandering their supermajority in the Legislature by fixating on small differences among themselves.
Leo WolfsonMay 06, 2024
Push For Wyoming-Colorado Passenger Rail Service Gaining Momentum
A local effort to establish passenger trail service connecting Cheyenne to Colorado’s Front Range may seem a pipe dream to some, but an effort to make it happen has been gaining momentum.
Leo WolfsonMay 05, 2024
Hageman Endorses Barrasso, Says Wyoming Needs His Experience, Influence In Senate
In a Cowboy State Daily guest column, Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman endorses John Barrasso in his reelection campaign for the U.S. Senate, saying Wyoming needs his experience and position as a top Republican in Congress.
Leo WolfsonMay 05, 2024
Reid Rasner Seems To Be Making Everyone Mad
Wyoming Senate challenger Reid Rasner has not only incurred the wrath of Rep. Harriet Hageman but many other conservatives are calling him out for his questionable campaign tactics.
Leo WolfsonMay 03, 2024
Pro-Life Wyoming Legislator Rachel Rodriguez-Williams Has Challenger
Wyoming’s most vocal pro-life state legislator state Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, has a reelection opponent in David Hill, who shares many of her conservative values, but says the incumbent hasn’t been effective enough.
Leo WolfsonMay 03, 2024
Feds Planning To Declassify Marijuana But Wyoming Penalties Will Stay Same
The federal government’s reclassification of marijuana will be a significant change if it goes through, but it won’t change any of the penalties associated with possessing pot in Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonMay 03, 2024
Hageman Demands Reid Rasner Cease And Desist Misleading Social Media Posts
Rep. Harriet Hageman on Thursday sent a cease and desist letter to U.S. Senate candidate Reid Rasner to stop making social media posts that insinuate she is supporting and endorsing his campaign against U.S. Sen. John Barrasso.
Leo WolfsonMay 02, 2024