The incumbent, however, enjoys seven-to-one total cash-on-hand lead as both campaigns rely heavily on out-of-state money. Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile Southwest Wyoming residents can party this weekend at a prom-themed “Conservatives in Crimson” fundraiser thrown by the Republican Parties of Uinta, Sweetwater and Carbon counties. For a $60 entry fee to the Rock Springs gala, revelers […]
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Feds: We’ll find ‘right fit’ for Wyoming coal community grant proposals
After excluding Wyoming applications in December, Biden administration official says agency will match the proposals with other granting opportunities. Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile Wyoming communities bracing for coal production downturns and coal-fired power plant closures will receive support from assorted federal “revitalization” grant programs, despite being shut out of the initial round of funding in December, according […]
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In the wake of Wyo superintendent scrap, a look at the position’s powers
Brian Schroeder, head of a private Christian school in Cody, is now in charge of Wyoming’s Department of Education following a politicized scrap. But what does the role actually entail? Sofia Jeremias, WyoFile Following a process challenged by legal maneuverings and allegations of unconstitutionality, Gov. Mark Gordon appointed Brian Schroeder as the state’s superintendent of […]
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Secretary of state refers Zwonitzer complaint to the House
January 27, 2022 By Maggie Mullen, WyoFile Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Buchanan has referred a complaint lodged against Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyenne) to the Wyoming House of Representatives. The complaint, lodged by Zwonitzer’s own party, concerns his residency status. “After consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, I hereby refer this matter to […]
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Study: Up to 144 years for aquifers to recover from methane gas development
A state hydrological study estimates the coal-bed methane gas industry drew down some sandstone aquifers by more than 100 feet. Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile The coal-bed methane gas boom that dotted northeast Wyoming with rigs and workers in the 2000s and left a legacy of bankruptcies and orphaned wells will also have lingering impacts on groundwater for up […]
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Kemmerer’s locals, leaders eye transition to nuclear-power boom town
KEMMERER — A relic of 1950s-era motor lodges, the Antler Motel in the heart of Kemmerer rarely has to light its “no vacancy” sign, though customer traffic is steady during the summer tourist season and holidays, manager Rose Lain said.
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Wyo GOP selects three superintendent candidates despite lawsuit threat
UPDATE: A lawsuit was filed Tuesday morning in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. The 16 plaintiffs from various political party backgrounds include: John B. “Jack” Sprieght, Rex Arney, Robin Hurless, Christopher O. Boswell, Tamsin Johnson, Doug Camblin, Tom Lubnau, Anne Ladd, Kathy Vetter, Steve Simonton, Dan Neal, George Simonton and […]
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Help wanted: Wyo state agencies ‘hemorrhaging talent and experience’
Gov. Mark Gordon is asking the Legislature to increase compensation for state employees amid skyrocketing turnover, brain drain. Maggie Mullen, WyoFile The Wyoming state government is struggling to attract and retain enough qualified employees to accomplish the state’s work and meet its obligations, according to recent reports by the Department of Administration and Information. A […]
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Yellowstone’s shattered visitation record in ‘21? It’s complicated
January 21, 2022 by Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile The raw data for numbers of tourists in Yellowstone National Park during 2021 tell a story of unprecedented crowding. Even excluding the not-yet-counted tens of thousands of folks who traveled to the 2.2-million-acre national park during December, there were 4.8-plus million recreational visits — a 13% pop, on the surface, over […]
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Wyoming’s revenue forecast gets a modest upgrade
Lawmakers now have an additional $38 million dollars to consider when shaping a budget at the upcoming session. Maggie Mullen, WyoFile Wyoming’s revenue picture shows modest positive improvement as lawmakers head into the 2022 Budget Session. On Jan.14 the state’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Group updated and upgraded its October revenue forecast, making an additional $38.5 […]
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With more jobs than workers, Wyoming grapples with ‘great resignation’
As the owner of Crenshaw Craftsmanship in Lander, Adam Crenshaw, 41, has seen the effects of the changing workforce. He isn’t currently attempting to recruit employees, but said he has conversations weekly with construction colleagues who are struggling to hire.
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Laramie, Albany counties in ‘chaos’ after redistricting move
Power struggles between lawmakers reverted at least a quarter of Wyoming’s legislative redistricting map back to square one during a contentious meeting Wednesday in Casper.
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Wyoming’s brain drain, youth exodus slowed during pandemic
The rate at which millennials left Wyoming decreased from 2019 through 2020, but there’s doubt those changes will stick or are indicative of future trends. Sofia Jeremias, WyoFile Three years ago, millennials became the largest living adult population in the United States, but not in Wyoming, where a steady flow of young people have migrated […]
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EPA rejects Wyoming haze plan, may accelerate Jim Bridger closures
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it will deny Wyoming’s proposed changes to a long-standing regional haze plan that requires major pollution control upgrades at the Jim Bridger coal-burning power plant in Sweetwater County.
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Another special session? Wyo Legislature sets aside funds just in case
Between the budget, federal stimulus allocation and redistricting, Wyoming lawmakers have their work cut out for them in the upcoming session. Now, half a million dollars set aside in the legislative budget suggests that some are preparing for another special session.
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Urban-rural tensions mire Wyoming redistricting process
Population changes in legislative districts have led Wyoming lawmakers to debate the degree to which they must disrupt the status quo. Joel Funk, WyoFile Wyoming’s tense redistricting process will come down to the wire this week as lawmakers who believe 2020 Census data warrants changes in the legislative maps will face those who want to […]
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A year later, Cheney’s Jan. 6 response divides Wyoming
Cheney’s refusal to parrot lies about a stolen election and denouncement of Trump’s role in the Capitol insurrection spurred a censure and efforts to unseat her. Maggie Mullen, WyoFile A year ago today Rep. Trey Sherwood (D-Laramie) drove to Cheyenne for her swearing in as a member of Wyoming’s Legislature. What would have felt like […]
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PacifiCorp continues to run coal unit with federal approval in limbo
January 6, 2022 by by Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile PacifiCorp continues to operate unit 2 at the Jim Bridger coal-fired power plant despite running afoul of a federal regional haze permit — an infraction some believed would force a Jan. 1 shutdown. Gov. Mark Gordon, who recently attempted to intervene in the regulatory noncompliance, warned in late December the […]
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Scientists to study walking-dead deer in Wyo’s most CWD-infected herd
The vast majority of mule deer in a herd north of Riverton are testing positive for the deadly disease. Causes remain mysterious, though signs suggest environmental transmission. Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile It’s become a foregone conclusion for Riverton outfitter Ken Metzler that when one of his mule deer hunters shoots a buck, the animal is afflicted […]
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Vaccine mandate lawsuits leave Wyo businesses in limbo
Wyoming employers have differing opinions on overreach, but many agree that legal volleying and uncertainty make it difficult to prepare for the future. Sofia Jeremias, WyoFile Wyoming businesses are still wrestling with uncertainty and confusion about how and if to comply with federal vaccine mandates more than three months after those regulations were announced — […]
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Lawmakers breathe life into real estate transfer tax
December 26, 2021 by Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile A legislative committee has resurrected a many-times-failed real estate transfer tax, a levy that proponents say could help turn the corner on a workforce housing crisis that’s fraying the community fabric of Wyoming’s costliest locale. The idea behind the county-optional 1% tax, which has been repeatedly introduced by […]
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Counties grapple with zoning, liberties, as more seek Wyo hideouts
Comprehensive plans and regulations face stress tests as officials seek ways to address fast-coming changes to state’s landscape. Angus M. Thuermer Jr., WyoFile Sublette County commissioners’ rezoning to allow a 68-room luxury resort in what had been a rural hideaway of Bondurant is emblematic of development pressures challenging many Wyoming communities, raising questions about whether they are […]
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Online K-12 enrollment soars, raising funding, performance questions
A quintupling of students taking classes remotely last year has prompted changes in the study and practices of virtual education in Wyoming. Sofia Jeremias, WyoFile Nine years ago, D’Ron and Jason Campbell made a decision that felt a little radical at the time. They pulled their daughter Kaitlyn, then in fifth grade, out of the […]
