WyoFile

Local Lookout: Yellowstone spots first griz in 2026 | Farm annexation stalls | Police officer resigns - WyoFile Yellowstone National Park biologists document the park’s first grizzly sighting of the new year. Urban farm supporters convince the Cheyenne City Council to slow down on annexing a local farmstand. A ...

Yellowstone National Park biologists document the park's first grizzly sighting of the new year. Urban farm supporters convince the Cheyenne City Council to slow down on annexing a local farmstand. A Powell police officer resigns after coming to work with alcohol in his system.

Opinion | Guilty plea changes Wyoming’s wolf torment case Cody Roberts' plea helps create legal precedent, but Wyoming lawmakers still need to ban vehicular killing of wildlife, writes Wendy Keefover.

OPINION: Cody Roberts' plea helps create legal precedent, but Wyoming lawmakers still need to ban vehicular killing of wildlife, writes Wendy Keefover.

Controversial Wyoming gun law changes would hinder Trump agenda, Gordon argues in veto message - WyoFile The governor vetoed proposed changes to state gun law that restricts enforcement of federal gun orders.

BREAKING: Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed proposed changes to a Wyoming gun law that restricts enforcement of federal gun orders.

He described the legislation as a hindrance to the Trump administration's enforcement initiatives on immigration, drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Opinion | Wyoming budget session provided plenty to rave and rant about this year Some of the best votes cast killed bad bills, while the worst of the lot were things that deserved to pass but died, opines columnist Kerry Drake.

OPINION: The Wyoming Freedom Caucus had a hand in the best and worst things that happened at the Legislature, opines columnist Kerry Drake.

The far-right group scores a win for Wyomingites when one of its bad bills is defeated, but the state loses when it gets one over the finish line.

Wyoming lawmakers override four of Gov. Gordon’s budget vetoes - WyoFile All four motions relate to state employees and their salaries.

Wyoming lawmakers voted to override four of Gov. Mark Gordon's line-item vetoes of the budget bill, all relating to state employees and their salaries. Meanwhile, the House rejected motions from the Senate related to the University of Wyoming.

K-12 school funding recalibration bill becomes law without Gordon's signature - WyoFile The governor expressed concern the bill encroaches on local control.

Calling the legislation a "starting point," Gov. Mark Gordon explained in a letter to legislative leadership that he declined to sign the bill because of concerns it disadvantages smaller districts, usurps local authority, and fails to address essential operational funding needs.

Measure to block Wyoming public employee payroll deductions for union fees heads to governor's desk - WyoFile House Bill 178 sparked intense debate in the Senate over whether targeting specific groups is unconstitutional.

A measure to block public employers from administering paycheck deductions for organization fees sparked intense debate among Wyoming lawmakers, including accusations of retribution against specific public worker unions.

Abortions in all but earliest weeks now illegal in Wyoming, as new court battle brews - WyoFile Casper clinic says it’s ready to challenge the new ban in court after Gov. Gordon signs new law.

Gov. Mark Gordon signed the Human Heartbeat Act into law Monday, banning abortions in all but the earliest weeks of pregnancy. Julie Bukhart, president of a Casper clinic that offers abortions, said she's ready to challenge the new law in court.

Wyoming has a budget for the next two years! After weeks of divisive lead up, how did we get here? Plus, the House issues its report on an activist handing out campaign checks on the House floor.

We break down the penultimate week of the budget session.

Watch now ➡️ youtu.be/Ktrv1i9SRdU?...

Opinion | Wyoming's data centers need a workforce plan This technology boom will require targeted training for permanent skilled positions. It’s up to Wyoming to create that pipeline, writes guest columnist Kevin J. Conlan.

OPINION: This technology boom will require targeted training for permanent skilled positions. It's up to Wyoming to create that pipeline, writes guest columnist Kevin J. Conlan.

Controversial hydroelectric project above Miracle Mile earns Wyoming water quality certificate - WyoFile State regulators will impose shutdown triggers to protect prized trout fishery below the "pumped water storage" facility on Seminoe Reservoir. Developer awaits final federal approval.

The state's approval imposes shutdown triggers to protect the prized Miracle Mile trout fishery on the North Platte River downstream of the facility. Critics note an apparent water crisis this year underscores concerns, while the developer promises protections.

Governor signs into law bill to address lengthy mental health holds in Wyoming jails - WyoFile Health and law enforcement officials have pushed for the law to lift financial strain and address the backlog of inmates waiting for a bed and mental health treatment at the state hospital.

Under a new law, the Wyoming Department of Health and Wyoming detention centers can now enter into contracts intended to address the backlog of inmates waiting for a bed and mental health treatment at the state hospital.

Governor signs into law bill to address lengthy mental health holds in Wyoming jails - WyoFile Health and law enforcement officials have pushed for the law to lift financial strain and address the backlog of inmates waiting for a bed and mental health treatment at the state hospital.

Under a new law, the Wyoming Department of Health and Wyoming detention centers can now enter into contracts intended to address the backlog of inmates waiting for a bed and mental health treatment at the state hospital.

The Sublette County man carried the injured wolf "like a baby" before taking it outside and shooting it, the prosecutor in the case said. Roberts said he hopes to move past the incident and looks forward to "healing."

Read more ➡️ wyofile.com/cody-roberts...

Governor signs literacy bill that advocates declare ‘a win for Wyoming children’ - WyoFile Effort to revise, update and standardize the way Wyoming teaches K-12 students to read has been nearly a decade in the making.

Citizen lobbyists trekked to the Wyoming Capitol daily to persuade lawmakers to overhaul the state’s literacy instruction to prevent struggling readers from falling through the cracks.

Their work paid off Friday when Gov. Mark Gordon signed Senate File 59 into law.

Wyoming budget inked, 'Checkgate' checked YouTube video by WyoFile

Wyoming has a budget for the next two years! After weeks of divisive lead up, how did we get here? Plus, the House issues its report on an activist handing out campaign checks.

WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements break down the penultimate week of the budget session.

Wyoming budget inked, 'Checkgate' checked YouTube video by WyoFile

Wyoming has a budget for the next two years! After weeks of divisive lead up, how did we get here? Plus, the House issues its report on an activist handing out campaign checks.

WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements break down the penultimate week of the budget session.

Wyoming House narrowly rejects sweeping property tax bill - WyoFile Lawmakers worried it was too many changes too fast.

Lawmakers worried the property tax reform bill would create too many changes too fast. After a total of about 75 minutes debating the bill, the House narrowly voted it down with 31 votes against and 30 in favor of it.

Gov. Gordon signs Wyoming’s next two-year budget while vetoing two dozen items - WyoFile The Legislature's budget came in about $53 million shy of Gordon’s $11 billion in recommendations.

Gov. Mark Gordon signed Wyoming's next two-year budget late Thursday, using his veto pen in the process to strike roughly two dozen items and footnotes.

As they have in the past, many of the governor's vetoes focused on the separation of powers.

Controversial changes to Wyoming gun law clear Legislature, head to governor’s desk - WyoFile All 23 Wyoming sheriffs opposed the bill, which would open the door to lawsuits and stiff fines if local authorities enforce certain federal gun control measures.

Controversial changes to a Wyoming gun law that restricts enforcement of federal gun directives cleared the Legislature on Thursday. The bill now heads to Gov. Mark Gordon, who vetoed a similar measure last year.

Wyoming lawmakers to recess until Wednesday, when they’ll have a chance to override vetoes - WyoFile Legislature meets Friday, but not Monday or Tuesday. That way, the House Speaker said, legislators are positioned to challenge any rejections from the governor.

The Legislature will meet Friday, but not Monday or Tuesday. That way, House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, said lawmakers are positioned to override any vetoes from Gov. Mark Gordon.

Local Lookout: Snowmobile hill climb a no go | Stormwater fee repeal | Draft horse drive-thru   - WyoFile Snowmobilers won’t be zooming up Snow King after world championship titles due to a lean snowpack. Cheyenne rethinks its plan to charge property owners fees to manage stormwater run-off. A Powell man ...

Snowmobilers won’t be zooming up Snow King after world championship titles due to a lean snowpack. Cheyenne rethinks its plan to charge property owners fees to manage stormwater run-off. A Powell man isn't the first to liven up the McDonald's drive-thru with livestock.

Feds broke law approving massive Converse gas, oil field, court finds - WyoFile The Bureau of Land Management must redo its approval and consider a slower pace of development it had ruled out.

A judge has ruled that the federal government violated a bedrock environmental law when it approved a sprawling gas and oil field near Douglas that critics say threatens nesting raptors, other wildlife and groundwater. She rescinded BLM authorization of the project.

Low-elevation snowfall hit new record lows and temperatures soared to new highs at almost every weather station in the state.

"Generally speaking, around the state, it's been the warmest [winter]," the Wyoming state climatologist said.

Read more ➡️ wyofile.com/wyoming-just...

Cody Roberts apologizes, pleads guilty for cruel treatment of an injured wolf in Wyoming bar - WyoFile Sublette County man carried injured wolf “like a baby” before taking it outside and shooting it and his actions amounted to felony animal cruelty, prosecutor said.

BREAKING: The Sublette County man carried the injured wolf "like a baby" before taking it outside and shooting it, the prosecutor in the case said. Roberts said he hopes to move past the incident and looks forward to "healing."

Cody Roberts apologizes, pleads guilty for cruel treatment of an injured wolf in Wyoming bar - WyoFile Sublette County man carried injured wolf “like a baby” before taking it outside and shooting it and his actions amounted to felony animal cruelty, prosecutor said.

BREAKING: The Sublette County man carried the injured wolf "like a baby" before taking it outside and shooting it, the prosecutor in the case said. Roberts said he hopes to move past the incident and looks forward to "healing."

Converse County Commissioner Robert Short announces campaign for secretary of state - WyoFile Douglas resident is the first candidate of either party to announce a bid for the seat since current Secretary Chuck Gray said he’s running for U.S. House.

The Douglas resident is the first candidate of either party to announce a bid for the seat since current Secretary Chuck Gray said he's running for U.S. House.

Wyoming could enact more citizenship checks for SNAP recipients, collect hospital data for noncitizens - WyoFile Senate File 106’s current version would require every SNAP applicant to be checked for citizenship status and direct hospitals to collect information about uncompensated care for noncitizens and undoc...

A bill nearing the finish line in the Legislature would require every SNAP applicant to be checked for citizenship status while directing hospitals to collect information about uncompensated care for noncitizens and undocumented patients.

Campaign checks did not constitute bribery, but conduct ‘must never occur again,’ Wyoming legislative panel concludes - WyoFile Following last week's hearing, the committee released its findings and final recommendations, which included rule changes and legislator training.

Campaign checks did not constitute bribery, but conduct ‘must never occur again,’ Wyoming legislative panel concludes. @wyofile.com wyofile.com/campaign-che...

Campaign checks did not constitute bribery, but conduct ‘must never occur again,’ Wyoming legislative panel concludes - WyoFile Following last week's hearing, the committee released its findings and final recommendations, which included rule changes and legislator training.

BREAKING: A conservative activist handing out campaign checks to lawmakers on the House floor did not violate the Wyoming Constitution or constitute legislative misconduct, an investigative panel concluded.

But such conduct "was undesirable and must never occur again."