Government & Politics
News
Postmaster General Gives Himself An “A” For Gutting Wyoming Mail Delivery
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is giving himself an “A” for his controversial plan that will gut Wyoming’s large mail processing centers and lengthen delivery times. While he’s proud of the plan, Harriet Hageman gives it and DeJoy an “F.”
Renée JeanDecember 12, 2024
Wyoming Sues BLM Over “Narrow-Minded” Plan To End Coal In Powder River Basin
Gov. Mark Gordon has made good on a threat to sue the BLM over what he calls its “narrow-minded” plan to end coal in the Powder River Basin by 2041. Filed Wednesday, the lawsuit claims the plan is illegal and ignores the state’s concerns.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
Freedom Caucus Upset Over Using State Jet To Fly Around Major UW Donors
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus is upset the University of Wyoming flew some major donors in a state-owned jet last month. The trip to watch the UW men’s basketball team play Texas Tech was a perk for donors who give more than $10,000 to the Cowboy Joe Club.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
Legalizing Online Gambling In Wyoming Could Rake In Nearly $900M, Study Says
The Wyoming Legislature will consider a bill to legalize online gambling, like slots, poker, blackjack and other games. A study for the Wyoming Gaming Commission says iGaming could rake in nearly $900 million over five years.
Sydnee ChapmanDecember 12, 2024
Proposal Would Give Wyoming Cities And Towns More Control Of Gaming Machines
The Joint Appropriations Committee advanced a bill Tuesday that would allow cities in Wyoming to decide if they want historical horse racing in their communities. Another bill would allow operators to broadcast local horse racing nationwide.
Leo WolfsonDecember 12, 2024
UW Wants $1.5M From State For Its Share Of $2.7B NCAA Settlement To Pay Athletes
The University of Wyoming asked legislators Tuesday for $1.5 million more to help run the athletics department. The school is facing a shortfall after paying out its share of a massive $2.7 billion NCAA settlement with student-athletes.
Leo WolfsonDecember 11, 2024
Legislators Say They’re Not Going To Give Gordon A Blank Check For Wildfires
The Joint Appropriations Committee grilled members of Gov. Mark Gordon’s staff Monday about how much it will cost to fix the damage caused by Wyoming’s historic wildfire season. They also said they’re not willing to give Gordon a blank check.
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024
Cheyenne Council Passes Controversial Ban On Huge RVs Parking On City Streets
Despite vocal — and at times emotional — opposition, Cheyenne City Council on Monday passed a ban on parking huge RVs and other “oversized” vehicles on city streets. The only exceptions are during the summer months or with a permit.
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024
Democrats, Freedom Caucus, Unhappy With Legislative Committee Assignments
Democrats and the Wyoming Freedom Caucus are both unhappy with some of the committee assignments for the upcoming session. The Freedom Caucus condemns Senate appointments in particular, saying committees will be controlled “by Liz Cheney Republicans.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024
Trump Says He Won’t Go After Cheney For J6 Committee, But She Should “Go To Jail”
President-elect Donald Trump said on “Meet The Press” on Sunday that he will not direct his top law enforcement officials to go after Liz Cheney and members of the J6 Committee, but believes they “should go to jail.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 09, 2024
Wyoming Dems Upset With Legislative Committee Assignments; Neiman Says He Tried To Be Fair
Although Democrats say they are outraged after Saturday’s announcement of committee assignments for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, incoming House Speaker Chip Neiman said he tried to be as fair as possible.
Leo WolfsonDecember 08, 2024
Students, Parent Argue Against Banning Cellphones In Wyoming Schools
Wyoming teens and a parent say there are good reasons for students to have cellphones at school. They argue banning them won’t be a slam dunk answer to poor test scores and lack of socialization, and could increase safety risks.
Leo WolfsonDecember 07, 2024
Lummis Joins Elon’s DOGE Push In “Herculean Effort” To Cut Government Pork
Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis has joined the DOGE Caucus in Congress to help Elon Musk and the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to cut government pork. Lummis said Friday it will be “a Herculean effort” to slash spending by $2 trillion.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Insiders Speculate Biden Will Issue Pardon For Liz Cheney
Although the New York Times and Politico are reporting that President Biden may issue a preemptive pardon for Liz Cheney, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, an attorney, believes it’s an “absolutely absurd” proposal which would turn “justice on its head.”
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Legislator Wants To Ban Cellphones In Wyoming Classrooms
Kids using cellphones during class at school has gotten out of hand, says state Sen. Wendy Schuler. She's proposing legislation that would ban cellphones in class across Wyoming.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Wyoming Hasn’t Had A Democrat In Congress Since Teno Roncalio, 46 Years Ago
It’s been 46 years since Wyoming was represented by a Democrat in Congress. That was Teno Roncalio, who served five terms in the U.S. House, ending in 1978.
Leo WolfsonDecember 06, 2024
Study: Wyoming Third Worst State For Personal Freedoms
A new study from the Libertarian-leaning Cato Institute finds that Wyoming is the third worst state in the nation for personal freedoms. Bringing the state down is education, drug laws and incarceration rate.
Leo WolfsonDecember 05, 2024
Commander Of Navy Reserve Center In Cheyenne Fired For “Loss Of Confidence”
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque was relieved of his duties this week as the commanding officer of the Navy Reserve Center in Cheyenne “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.”
Justin GeorgeDecember 05, 2024
BLM Expects Controversial Rock Springs Plan To Be Final Before Biden Leaves
Gov. Mark Gordon will make a last effort to fight the finalizing of the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs Resources Management Plan. But a Wyoming BLM official expects the plan to be made final before President Joe Biden leaves office.
Leo WolfsonDecember 05, 2024
Legislators Table Bill To Protect Utility Companies From Wildfire Lawsuits
The Joint Minerals Committee expressed interest in a bill that would have given public utilities liability protection from wildfire lawsuits. Legislators ultimately killed the plan Monday, saying it’s not ready.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024
Hated By Many Republicans, Democrats Also Blast Liz Cheney For Supporting Harris
Already hated by many Republicans, it seems independents and Democrats also weren’t big fans of Liz Cheney’s support for Kamala Harris against Donald Trump. A new poll shows Cheney many have actually hurt her chances.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024
How Hunter Biden Could Still Take The Fifth Even With Full Pardon From Dad
In some cases, Hunter Biden could still refuse to answer questions if called before Congress to testify. That’s because his wide-sweeping pardon is for federal offenses. He could still take the Fifth Amendment related to state-level crimes. Â
Clair McFarlandDecember 03, 2024
Biden Pardoned His Son; Will Trump Do The Same For Jan. 6 Participants?
Wyomingites have mixed opinions about whether President-elect Donald Trump will, or should, pardon participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. Some say Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son makes Jan. 6 pardons easier for Trump.
Leo WolfsonDecember 03, 2024
Bird, Not Controversial New LDS Temple, To Blame For Cody Power Outages
A flurry of angry social media posts say construction of a controversial new LDS temple caused a series of power outages in Cody on Sunday and Monday. But they’re wrong. The city says a bird fried by a power line is to blame.
Leo WolfsonDecember 02, 2024