Government & Politics
News

Drone Patterns Over New Jersey Similar To Those In Wyomingâs Niobrara County
Drone sightings in Wyomingâs Niobrara County bear eerie similarities to machines flying over New Jersey and other areas of the country, that are now overwhelming the nation with concern.
Clair McFarlandDecember 14, 2024

Wyomingites At U.S. Capitol On Jan. 6 Say âNo Surpriseâ FBI Informants Were Part Of It
Two Wyoming residents who were at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021 say thereâs âno surpriseâ to learn the FBI had at least 26 informants there that day. A new report released Thursday also says many of those informants committed illegal acts.
Leo WolfsonDecember 14, 2024

A Strip Club Outside Yellowstone? Not Yet, But New Rules Could Open The Door
There are no plans to put a strip club or other adult business outside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. But new Park County development standards could open the door.
Leo WolfsonDecember 13, 2024

Parents Sue Over State Plan To Shutter Eight Cheyenne Elementary Schools
A plan to shutter eight Cheyenne elementary schools will âirreparably harm studentsâ and families, claims a lawsuit filed by two local parents. They also say the closures will drive down property values.
Clair McFarlandDecember 12, 2024

Postmaster General Gives Himself An âAâ For Gutting Wyoming Mail Delivery
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is giving himself an âAâ for his controversial plan that will gut Wyomingâs large mail processing centers and lengthen delivery times. While heâs proud of the plan, Harriet Hageman gives it and DeJoy an âF.â
Renée JeanDecember 12, 2024

Wyoming Sues BLM Over âNarrow-Mindedâ 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 ânarrow-mindedâ plan to end coal in the Powder River Basin by 2041. Filed Wednesday, the lawsuit claims the plan is illegal and ignores the stateâs 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 menâs 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 Theyâre Not Going To Give Gordon A Blank Check For Wildfires
The Joint Appropriations Committee grilled members of Gov. Mark Gordonâs staff Monday about how much it will cost to fix the damage caused by Wyomingâs historic wildfire season. They also said theyâre 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 â and at times emotional â opposition, Cheyenne City Council on Monday passed a ban on parking huge RVs and other âoversizedâ 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 âby Liz Cheney Republicans.â
Leo WolfsonDecember 10, 2024

Trump Says He Wonât Go After Cheney For J6 Committee, But She Should âGo To Jailâ
President-elect Donald Trump said on âMeet The Pressâ 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 âshould go to jail.â
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 Saturdayâs 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 wonât be a slam dunk answer to poor test scores and lack of socialization, and could increase safety risks.
Leo WolfsonDecember 07, 2024

Lummis Joins Elonâs DOGE Push In âHerculean Effortâ 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 administrationâs efforts to cut government pork. Lummis said Friday it will be âa Herculean effortâ 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 itâs an âabsolutely absurdâ proposal which would turn âjustice on its head.â
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 Hasnât Had A Democrat In Congress Since Teno Roncalio, 46 Years Ago
Itâs 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 âLoss Of Confidenceâ
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque was relieved of his duties this week as the commanding officer of the Navy Reserve Center in Cheyenne âdue to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.â
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 BLMâs 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 itâs not ready.
Leo WolfsonDecember 04, 2024
