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 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 inLegislature
Alert system for at-risk adults flies forward
With momentum from the missing and murdered Indigenous people crisis, a notification system for adults akin to Amber alerts for children has gained broad legislative support. Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile A bill to create an alert system for abducted, kidnapped or compromised adults has thus far sailed through the Wyoming Legislature. House Bill 18 – Missing […]
Posted inLegislature
Postpartum Medicaid extension bill inches forward
The House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee voted 5-4 to recommend a bill extending healthcare coverage for new moms. Maggie Mullen, WyoFile A bill to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage cleared its first legislative hurdle of the 2023 general session on Friday — by a single vote. After giving birth, eligible mothers are currently covered […]
Posted inEducation
Teacher retention task force seeks members
Task force is latest offshoot of larger state effort to address Wyoming’s teacher loss. Katie Klingsporn, WyoFile In the latest offshoot of an effort to improve Wyoming’s ability to attract and retain teachers, education officials are seeking members for a task force. The group will develop recommendations for state policymakers and district-level staff aimed at addressing a […]
Posted inLegislature
Driskill, new Wyoming Senate president: legislators will pursue ‘civil, open debate’
GILLETTE, Wyo. — Senate President Ogden Driskill joined Republican leadership in the Wyoming Legislature in outlining priorities for the 67th General Session, which began today. The House and Senate bodies elected leaders after one round of voting per chamber. Driskill was confirmed as the President of the Senate, and Rep. Albert Sommers was confirmed Speaker of […]
