Gov. Mark Gordon has promised to sue over a new suite of federal rules that most observers agree will hasten the U.S. thermal coal industry’s trajectory toward extinction — an existential threat to many Wyoming communities and one of the state’s main economic drivers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday issued four “final” rules aimed at drastically cutting coal pollution, including a mandate that existing coal-fired power plants cut or capture 90% of their planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions by 2032 or convert to natural gas or close altogether. The agency’s other rule ..read more

As home to about 38% of the planet’s remaining greater sage grouse — far more than any other state or province — and the architect of key conservation measures, Wyoming has a lot to gain or lose from upcoming changes to the complex, multi-agency matrix of rules and regulations governing management of the imperiled bird and its habitat.  Those stakes were top of mind Wednesday evening for Natrona County rancher Doug Cooper and others who attended a BLM information session on the agency’s recently released draft management plan for sage grouse habitat.  “When you say ‘conservation ..read more

Until a few weeks ago, Wayne Pacelle was undecided whether he’d join the fray of lawsuits challenging the federal government’s decision to allow western states to continue managing gray wolves.  Then the news cycle spun toward Sublette County, where local resident Cody Roberts is accused of running down a wolf with a snowmobile on Feb. 29, capturing the critically wounded animal, taping its mouth shut, and showing it off in a bar for hours before finally killing it — actions that have thus far only earned Roberts a $250 fine. Pacelle, a former CEO of the Humane Society of the United St ..read more

Before my daughter was born, I wrote her a letter I never sent. I was traveling for work at the time and stopped at a rest area to put into words the thoughts spinning in my head. I didn’t save the letter. It disappeared that summer amid the flurry of rituals tied to impending parenthood: painting walls, building cribs, buying toys and tiny outfits. But I remember telling her in that letter what I hoped she’d become. Courageous and wise. Resilient and kind. A decade and a half later, I realize that much of what I hoped for her was the ability to thrive without me. Not that I didn’t embrace ..read more

Gov. Mark Gordon recently rejected a proposed rule change to Wyoming’s election laws submitted by Secretary of State Chuck Gray. The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council determined earlier that the rule likely breached the executive branch’s authority. Opinion In a letter explaining his decision to shut down Gray’s proposal, Gordon defended Wyoming’s current approach to elections. “The State’s election code functions well, and the countless hours spent by volunteers, election judges, canvassing boards, county clerks, town clerks, your office, and numerous others have ensured for decades ..read more

One of the hard-line Wyoming Freedom Caucus’ more high-profile members will face a political newcomer in August’s primary election — marking the latest battle line for control of the Legislature.  Julie Jarvis, a Natrona County school administrator, announced Monday she’s challenging Rep. Jeanette Ward (R-Casper) for the Republican nomination in House District 57. Ward quickly rose to prominence in the Freedom Caucus during her first term in the Legislature, making waves with several bills related to abortion, vaccines and transgender rights. She announced on social media after the 202 ..read more

Even after passing a suite of new laws directing state regulators to prohibit utility costs that “do not benefit” Wyoming ratepayers, legislators are still seeking avenues to resist the rising tide of electricity rates. One idea stems from failed legislation earlier this year — to shift more of the tax burden from Wyoming ratepayers to utilities and potentially their ratepayers in other states.  The Legislature recently formed the Electricity Tax Subcommittee, which will explore a new tax on electricity generation while reducing a state sales tax on electricity sold within the state. B ..read more

In March 2021, nearly two months after a violent assault on the Capitol tried to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power, Wyoming’s senior U.S. Sen. John Barrasso stood on the Senate floor and called for moderation in American politics.  Opinion “We have a closely divided country,” the Republican said. “If you would think anything, that should be a mandate to move to the middle, to find common ground, to work for solutions.” But it was a hollow sentiment, as many of Barrasso’s words in favor of bipartisanship have proven to be since he became a U.S. senator 17 years ago. In ..read more

Major renovations are in store for Hot Springs State Park after Wyoming State Parks selected a new concessionaire for hotel and aquatic facilities that have remained largely unchanged for decades.  Wyoming State Parks announced Monday that it has selected Wyoming Hot Springs LLC through its recent request for proposal process. The corporation currently operates hot springs resorts in three locations across Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming — including, as of November, Tepee Pools in Hot Springs State Park. The mineral-rich waters on the edge of Thermopolis have drawn human visitors for ce ..read more

Wyoming communities have been slow to spend millions in opioid settlement funds while overdose deaths continue to climb in the state.   Local governments here received more than $7.5 million in opioid settlement funds last year, according to reports sent to the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office. But leaders only spent or allocated about 5.6% of that. In fact, 14 counties and seven of the 10 participating towns didn’t spend any of the settlement money last year. That’s following WyoFile reporting in late 2022 that few plans were in place for the funding.  Local government lead ..read more