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
Cheyenne Could Become First Wyoming City To Decriminalize Marijuana
The Cheyenne City Council is expected to consider a proposal to decriminalize marijuana within city limits at a meeting next week.
Leo WolfsonMarch 16, 2023
âTraditionalâ Republicans Take Back Uinta County GOP In Party Coup
A contentious election that ousted the Uinta County Republican Party leadership Tuesday night may be a sign of a trend of more moderate Republicans taking power back from the partyâs hardline conservative faction.
Leo WolfsonMarch 15, 2023
Wyomingâs Suicide Rate Falls As 988 Call Centers Field 10,000 Calls In Two Months
The executive director for the Wyoming Association of Mental Health believes the states two 988 suicide call centers, now staffed 24/7, can be partially credited for Wyomings improving numbers. The centers have fielded more than 10,000 calls since January.
Leo WolfsonMarch 15, 2023
12-Car Train Derailment In Cheyenne Cause For Concern, Says Former Legislator, Conductor
Former legislator and long-time conductor Stan Blake said the 12-car train derailment in Cheyenne should be a major cause of concern for an industry beset by mishaps. What if hazardous waste had spilled out right outside downtown Cheyenne?" he asked recalling the recent disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2023
Wyoming Ranchers Support $80 Million, 264-Ft. Dam In Medicine Bow Forest, Others Oppose Plan
A proposed dam in the Medicine Bow National Forest is billed as a way to support ranchers in drought-stricken years. Opponents, some from as far away as Poland and San Francisco, say the project will only benefit a small number of water users so it's not in the "public interest."
Leo WolfsonMarch 14, 2023
Recovering Rawlins EMT Grateful As She Recalls I-80 Crash As âThe Worst Day Of My Entire Lifeâ
When a semitrailer plowed into a crash scene on I-80 in December, many lives were changed. One EMT was killed and another, Tiffany Gruetzmacher of Rawlins, has been recovering slowly.
Leo WolfsonMarch 13, 2023
April Trial Set For Former Rock Springs Mayor Accused Of Using Office For Financial Gain
Former Rock Springs Mayor Tim Kaumo will let a judge decide whether he tried to use his position as mayor to beat out competing bidders on a multimillion-dollar construction project in 2020. The trial will begin on April 25.
Leo WolfsonMarch 13, 2023
With Legal Bill At $50,000, A Broke Uinta County Republican Party Makes Plea For Donations
As it continues to fight a lawsuit brought by one of its own members, the Uinta County Republican Party is asking for help paying a legal tab thats so far reached about $50,000.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2023
Cheyenne Native Gets Prestigious âNebula Awardâ Nomination For Science Fiction Writing; Top Award In Industry
Cheyenne native Steve Lerner has been nominated for a prestigious Nebula Award for science fiction writing for his work in the creation of the video game "Stray" which tells the story of a stray cat making its way through a dystopian underworld.
Leo WolfsonMarch 12, 2023
Analysis: Wyoming Moderate Conservatives Had More Success In 2023 Legislative Session
A Cowboy State Daily political analysis shows that although there were a few outliers, Wyoming lawmakers closer to the center of the aisle politically had the highest success rate for getting bills passed during this years legislative session.
Leo WolfsonMarch 11, 2023
Gordon Announces WYDOT Director Luke Reinerâs Retirement
In a short three paragraph statement released late Thursday afternoon, Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wyoming Dept of Transportation Director Luke Reiner would be retiring.
Leo WolfsonMarch 10, 2023
Hageman Supportive Of Release of Additional January 6 Footage
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Thursday said she was supportive of the release of all the footage related to January 6.
Leo WolfsonMarch 10, 2023
Hageman Denounces Transgender Surgeries, Doesnât Regret Criticizing Legislators For Failure To Act
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman on Wednesday defended calling out Wyoming lawmakers last month for not passing legislation that would prohibit gender-related surgeries in Wyoming. It is absolutely something that should not be going on and I will double down on that when it comes to our children, she said.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2023
Secretary of State Chuck Gray Pleased With Election Integrity Improvements Passed In Legislature
Although it wasnt an overwhelmingly successful legislative session for staunch conservatives, election security was one bright spot, which Secretary of State Chuck Gray made his presence well-heard in.
Leo WolfsonMarch 09, 2023
Lawsuit Claims Former Wyoming Education Chief Used State Money To Pay For Political Event
Former Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder, along with the Wyoming Department of Education, is being sued for using state money for a political event and offering misleading statements when asked about it.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2023
The Ghost Of Liz Cheney: Legislature Passed Two Bills In Reaction to Cheneyâs Failed Campaign
The successful bills to ban crossover voting and to prohibit any campaign from distributing official absentee ballot request forms were both drafted in response to former Rep. Liz Cheney's campaign.
Leo WolfsonMarch 08, 2023
Gordon Noncommittal On Signing Abortion, Transgender Sports Bills
At a press conference on Tuesday morning, Gov. Mark Gordon wouldnt say whether he will sign two abortion bills and a transgender sports ban bill into law.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2023
Leo Wolfson: It Was A Wild And Woolly 2023 Legislative Session
Posting nearly 360 legislative stories during the 37-day session of the 2023 Wyoming Legislature, Cowboy State Dailys lead politics reporter Leo Wolfson already counting the days until 2024.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2023
Governor Wants Disaster Designation For Ranchers Hammered By Brutal Wyoming Winter
Gov. Mark Gordon submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday to help Wyoming farmers cope with the impacts of a brutal winter.
Leo WolfsonMarch 07, 2023
2023 Legislature By The Numbers: 500 Bills, 23 Vetoes (So Far) & More Than 3,000 Cups Of Coffee
From gender identity to health care and property taxes, Wyoming lawmakers plowed through high-profile issues in a 37-day session. Along the way, they considered nearly 500 bills fueled by more than 3,000 cups of Capitol coffee.
Leo WolfsonMarch 06, 2023
âItâs A Time Machineâ: Thereâs No One Better To Give A Tour Of The Capitol Than Rep. Steve Harshman
State Rep. Steve Harshman, who has represented Casper for 20 years in the Legislature, takes a special interest in the history of the Wyoming Capitol as he has helped oversee many of its recent restoration projects.
Leo WolfsonMarch 05, 2023