by Tennessee Watson, WyoFile The state agency that certifies Wyoming’s law enforcement officers doesn’t have the authority it needs to effectively investigate misconduct violations, the agency’s top official says. The Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission has been repeatedly denied access to officers’ personnel records — including those belonging to controversial former Albany County sheriff’s deputy […]
State Politics
Posted inWyoming
Delta-8 — AKA ‘diet weed’ — could be criminalized in Wyoming
Hemp-derived product creates similar, but often more mild, effects as marijuana. Its legality is tenuous, but it’s become a big business in Wyoming.
Posted inCounty
Natrona County GOP emphasizes transparency, civil debate at fundraiser
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Republican Party held a fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 14 meant to call out the anonymous group or individual in charge of the website WyoRINO.com. The website labels legislators as RINOs, or “Republicans in Name Only,” if their views do not align perfectly with the site’s criteria on every issue, […]
Posted inWyoming
Wyoming is killing Colorado’s wolves, and the state’s keeping it secret
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — At least one wolf from what is likely the first breeding pack Colorado has seen in 80 years wandered into Wyoming in 2023 and was killed. That’s according to credible reports from ranchers and other stakeholders interviewed by WyoFile. No Wyoming or Colorado official, however, has confirmed the wolf killing. Wyoming claims […]
Posted inOutdoors
Can a new designation help central Wyoming cash in on its rich history?
Proponents say rarely used federal heritage designation could put wind-swept region on the tourism map, though some in Natrona County are wary.
Posted inWyoming
Lawmakers punt on crossover-ban fix
Amid concerns that a new law inadvertently disenfranchises some voters, a legislative panel delayed a decision to an October meeting.
Posted inEnergy
Appeals court upholds regional haze plans for Wyoming coal plants
Conservation groups say industrial emitters in the state shouldn’t get a pass on the next round of regional haze efforts.
Posted inGovernment
Residents, officials, business leaders oppose Rocky Mountain Power rate increase en masse in Casper
CASPER, Wyo. — Over 150 people showed up to a public hearing at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building in Casper on Thursday night, with dozens more attending through Zoom, to reject the nearly 30% rate increase proposed by Rocky Mountain Power. No one present spoke in favor of the proposal. Rocky Mountain Power wants […]
Posted inWyoming
Crossover-voting ban, ‘Zuck bucks’ up for legislative review
The controversial bill is among a heap of election-related measures before a legislative committee meeting this week in Douglas.
Posted inPolitics
Senate candidate announces town hall meetings for Casper
CASPER, Wyo. — Reid Rasner, a Republican candidate for United States Senate, announced today that he will be hosting weekly town hall meetings across Wyoming. This will kick off his “We The People” tour, where he will be bringing a message of strength and leadership to the people of Wyoming, according to a press release […]
Posted inCommunity
How should the state govern political parties? A pair of election complaints seeks a change.
Republicans voted in support of two election complaints lodged against the Wyoming Democratic Party in order to dispute the way the state governs political parties.
Posted inWyoming
Gordon, EPA head agree on tech innovation to combat climate crisis
Both leaders tout Wyoming’s role in advancing carbon capture technologies, but state officials still critical of EPA’s ‘power plant rule.’
Posted inWyoming
Wyoming lawmakers leave ‘don’t say gay’ language behind
Controversial language, which drew a large crowd to the Cheyenne meeting, didn’t align with the Joint Education Committee’s interim priorities, contributing to its demise.
Posted inWyoming
Anti-abortion politicians, minus Chuck Gray, appeal judge’s decision keeping them on sidelines
Lawmakers and an anti-abortion group blocked from joining Wyoming’s abortion ban case have appealed the decision to the state supreme court.
Posted inEducation
School choice, early childhood education funding packaged together
Joint Education Committee will consider bill that would set aside public funds for private schools, including early childhood education.
Posted inWyoming
Tribes, state look to improve Wyoming’s Indigenous child custody laws
A task force is discussing enhancements to Wyoming’s Indian Child Welfare Act that would bolster tribal involvement and authority.
Posted inWyoming
Feds walk back BLM boss’ corner crossing directive
The agency in charge of the most “corner-locked” land has not issued a formal directive to implement corner crossing.
Posted inCommunity
Lawmakers give property tax reform another shot
After heated public testimony at recent town halls and a legislative committee meeting, lawmakers aim to ease the growing cost of residential property taxes.
Posted inWyoming
Court victories give limited, uncertain protection to corner crossers
Hunters and others are not yet assured they can step through private airspace to reach 8.3 million acres of public property in the West, legal experts say.
Posted inOutdoors
One more cast? Lawmakers try to land guided fishing regulations, again
Complaints of overcrowding, out-of-state competition prompt proposals for permitting systems, but institutional misgivings have made netting legislation tricky.
Posted inGovernment
Wyoming and Colorado sign MOU regarding direct air capture
The State of Wyoming and State of Colorado announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding direct air capture activity and development.
Posted inWyoming
Elk wars: Inflated herds spur committee duel, radical proposals
Two elk-related bills are poised to emerge from the Agriculture Committee, where lawmakers took on an unassigned topic because of dissatisfaction with another committee’s response.
Posted inWyoming
Indigenous Child Welfare Act ruling prompts lawmakers to mull more protections
After SCOTUS rejected challenges to the 1978 law enacted to halt the separation of Indigenous children from their families, traditions and cultures, Wyoming task force considers next steps.
