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