AGP Executive Report

Politics & Elections: Michigan’s governor race is set after Mike Duggan withdrew as an independent, leaving voters to choose who wins the Democratic nomination in August—Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson or Kim Thomas—and who takes the GOP nod among Mike Cox, John James, Perry Johnson, Aric Nesbitt and Ralph Rebandt. Wyoming Outdoors & Wildlife: The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission is considering higher non-resident preference point prices starting Jan. 1, 2027, with antelope, deer and elk points moving to the maximum allowed. Energy & Courts: A U.S. Senate bill passed to rename Casper’s National Historic Trails Interpretive Center for former Rep. Barbara Cubin. Local Weather & Safety: WYDOT reported a snowplow crash on I-80 near Wagon Hound Rest Area with no injuries, and Carbon County officials highlighted the coordinated response to a major winter storm. Sports: Wyoming Area baseball advanced in the district semifinals with aggressive small-ball tactics, while Rock Springs softball kept its state run alive with elimination wins.

Storm Damage Watch: Cheyenne-area weather turned violent again Thursday, with the NWS confirming four tornadoes touched down across Laramie and Kimball counties—mostly landspout-type events with limited damage. Human Rights: Wyoming law enforcement says labor trafficking is a “hidden crime,” with cases often hard to prove and far less reported than sex trafficking, even as hotline data shows labor trafficking makes up a big share of confirmed incidents. Drought Pressure: The latest outlook warns drought is expected to worsen in Wyoming, leaving ranchers and communities weighing tough water and grazing decisions. Road Disruption: Memorial Day travel got another snag—Beartooth Highway’s Wyoming opening is delayed after a spring winter storm, with crews clearing snowdrifts and drivers urged to expect sudden closures. Local Sports & Community: Cowboy basketball added Micah Curtis to the 2026-27 roster, and Carbon County announced its 2026 commissioner scholarship winners.

Nuclear Power Reality Check: Canaccord’s first Nuclear Nexus conference put the spotlight on the hard parts of scaling nuclear—grid bottlenecks from AI-driven demand, fuel supply chains, and long regulatory timelines—while speakers framed fission and fusion as complementary paths, with Oklo pitching its liquid-sodium fast reactor and a push for domestic HALEU supply. Wyoming Health & Community: Sheridan County Detention Center launched its first medication addiction treatment program in Wyoming, while Cheyenne Botanic Gardens broke ground on a new Smith Family Education, Agriculture, and Trial Garden to boost food security and hands-on learning. Summer Planning for Families: LCCC’s SEEK program is back to help working families with summer childcare and activities for kids. Big Boy Returns to the East: Union Pacific’s famed Big Boy No. 4014 is set to depart Cheyenne for an Eastern tour starting Memorial Day. Local Outdoors & Safety: Boaters are being urged to prep before heading out, and Wyoming’s Beartooth Highway opening is delayed by late spring snow.

Nuclear rules in the spotlight: A new U.S. Senate bill led by Wyoming’s Sen. Cynthia Lummis would loosen requirements for nuclear-plant building materials, letting commercial-grade steel and concrete be used in non-safety areas—aimed at cutting costs and speeding projects. Time change push: GOP lawmakers are moving to make daylight saving time permanent, folding the “Sunshine Protection Act” into a broader transportation bill. Wildlife and drought pressure: A new U.S. Drought Monitor map shows “extreme” to “exceptional” drought stretching across parts of the West, including Wyoming, while scientists report animals are changing behavior just from seeing people. Wyoming politics: Rep. Liz Storer announced her bid for a third term in House District 23, focusing on housing, education, conservation, and water quality. Local life: Green River launched “Feed Green River,” adding emergency food kits between pantry distribution days.

Airport Security Overhaul: The TSA is rolling out “TSA Gold+,” a new public-private screening program that would let private contractors handle more airport security, aiming to cut staffing headaches and reduce wait times. U.S. Justice Update: Darin Smith was confirmed as Wyoming’s U.S. attorney after federal judges dismissed nine felony indictments tied to alleged misconduct, setting up fresh legal fights over how the office handled cases. Cheyenne Politics Meets Tech: A Cheyenne candidate says he wants to replace politicians with AI, filing for U.S. Senate and City Council under a “meat avatar” plan. Space Force Growth: Peterson needs more space and dorms as the Space Force prepares to double in size, with major economic impact already tied to the bases. Drought Watch: May precipitation brought slight relief, but snowpack is still only 39% of the median statewide, leaving wildfire risk a concern. Local Schools: Teton County approved nearly $20K salary jumps for staff, while summer youth programs in Cheyenne are scrambling to fill gaps as the YMCA exits.

Second Amendment in Court: A new Illinois lawsuit challenges the state’s FOID gun-owner licensing law, arguing it violates the Second Amendment and due process by forcing people to get government approval before owning and carrying firearms. Wyoming Wolves: Wyoming Game and Fish says the wolf population on state-managed land is at its lowest since 2005, with canine distemper flagged as the leading cause after recent testing. Rural Healthcare Funding: CMS has approved Wyoming’s $205 million plan to strengthen rural healthcare, setting up workforce, emergency services, and support for critical access hospitals. Energy for Data Centers: Enbridge and Meta expanded their Wyoming clean-energy deal, tying Meta power needs to the Cowboy solar-plus-storage project near Cheyenne. Local Governance: A Weston County clerk vacancy heads to a June 4 court hearing after commissioners deadlocked on replacements. Wildlife Conflict: Federal and USDA officials ordered “immediate action” for golden-eagle depredation on lambing rangelands, shifting near-term research plans.

Wyoming Sports Spotlight: The University of Wyoming’s women’s golf team just made history at the Golfweek Women’s National Golf Invitational, using Motocaddy electric caddies for the first time in NCAA golf and posting a wire-to-wire record win. Local Community: Grow Casper Urban Farm is expanding with more volunteer work, new fencing after deer damage, and plans for an apiary and additional greenhouses. Literacy Push: The Laramie County Library hosted Wyoming Reads with about 1,000 first graders, story times, and a free hardcover book for every child. Cheyenne Growth: A new performance shop in Cheyenne opened with a car meet, betting local car culture will keep growing despite higher costs. State Policy: Wyoming’s Rural Health Transformation Program cleared its first-year funding approval—$205 million—after a federal rejection of an earlier “perpetuity” plan. Legal Update: The U.S. Senate confirmed Darin Smith as Wyoming’s U.S. attorney, despite tribal leadership objections and fallout from dismissed grand jury cases.

BLM Leadership Confirmed: The U.S. Senate has confirmed Steve Pearce as head of the Bureau of Land Management, voting 46-43 along party lines—supporters say he’ll protect Wyoming’s land, while conservation groups warn his record could push an expanded oil-and-gas agenda. SNAP Timing: Millions of Americans are watching their June SNAP payment dates, which vary by state—some get it all on one day, others spread it out across weeks. Wyoming Literacy Push: Wyoming Reads is back, with first graders statewide getting a free book of their choice on the program’s annual third-Tuesday rollout. Weather Disruption in Carbon County: A winter storm knocked out power and shut down major roads, including I-80, leaving some travelers stranded. Health & Safety: Drug overdose deaths dropped for a third straight year in 2025, returning to pre-pandemic levels nationally. Local Spotlight: Casper Mountain Zoo shared an update on grizzly bear Emmett’s cancer recovery, saying he’s making “good progress.”

Data Center Debate in Cheyenne: Cheyenne’s Public Services Committee heard hours of public comment on a proposed 12-month pause on new data center construction, with residents arguing over noise, air and water impacts, and “boom and bust” risk—while industry representatives pushed back on claims about ratepayer protections and how many projects are already operating. Energy Buildout: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas announced the first two gas turbines for a Cheyenne power hub tied to a major data center push. Wolf Hunt Cut: Wyoming is moving to cut the wolf harvest in half amid a disease outbreak near Yellowstone, with wildlife managers planning lower quotas in the trophy zone. Health Reminder: Wyoming officials urged residents to assess stroke risk during Stroke Awareness Month, highlighting “BE FAST” warning signs and the idea that most strokes are preventable. Sports & Community: Casper’s Junior Roller Derby team debuted after a long gap, and Wyoming-area high school playoffs delivered late comebacks and title-game berths.

Federal Funding Push: NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines are lining up bigger follow-on awards, with eight regions set to receive an extra $45 million over three years as the program doubles annual support. Wyoming Public Safety: An Amazon delivery driver in Wyoming, Minnesota allegedly interrupted a hammer attack and helped save a woman; the suspect faces attempted murder charges. Healthcare Pressure in Cheyenne: Lawmakers heard how Wyoming is losing maternity care close to home, with multiple hospital labor-and-delivery closures tied to financial strain and staffing gaps. Local Business & Tourism: The former LOGE hotel in Missoula has been bought by Gravity Haus, which plans to rebrand and expand its adventure-lifestyle footprint. Wildfire Watch: The Spread Creek Fire near Bridger-Teton is now reported at 87% containment. Arts & Community: Wyoming Arts Council is taking applications for its Creative Aging Project Grant for arts programs serving people 55+. Elections: Wyoming’s candidate filing surge is underway, with more than 100 running for office so far.

Energy & AI Buildout: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas say they’ve started delivering the first two Mitsubishi M501JAC gas turbines for Wyoming’s Cheyenne Power Hub—aimed at supplying dedicated power for AI and hyperscale data centers, with about 1,150MW planned for Phase 1. Wildlife & Housing: New Wyoming-linked research finds big game animals need up to a mile or more of space between rural homes to move and feed safely. Weather Watch: A Freeze Watch is out for southeast Wyoming, including Cheyenne and Laramie, with additional winter impacts possible as a broader system brings mountain snow. Local Spotlight: The Wyoming Cowgirls capped their season by winning the National Golf Invitational with a tournament-record 873. Community & Culture: Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse caught fire Saturday night; crews kept it contained while the cause remains under investigation.

Historic Fire: Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse is damaged after a Saturday night roof fire, with crews taking a defensive approach as the century-old building’s condition worsened; the blaze was contained and remains under investigation. Mental Health Push: Hundreds walked at Kirby Park for Mental Health Awareness Month, part of a local push to break stigma and connect people to support. Northern Lights Watch: Aurora activity could dip far enough south for Wyoming skywatchers this weekend, though it may show up as a faint glow near the horizon. Weather Alert: A late-season winter storm is expected to bring mountain snow and hazardous travel conditions, with the worst impacts forecast for central and northern Wyoming. Sports Calendar: Wyoming high school state tournaments are underway this week, with soccer and track results rolling in as teams chase Gillette and Casper stages.

Voting Rights Fight: Wyoming’s top elections official, Chuck Gray, is urging Fremont County commissioners and the state to take “immediate action” after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais reshaped how race-based voting districts are handled. Local Sports Spotlight: Casper’s WYOHOOPS is launching a new five-on-five Summer Showcase at the Wyo Sports Ranch (June 27-28) to spotlight Wyoming talent that often gets overlooked. Water & Drought: A new federal Colorado River plan would cut water allocations by about 40%, raising alarms for farms and cities in California, Arizona and Nevada. Community & Culture: Cheyenne River Youth Project held a Winyan Toka Win garden blessing with youth and elders, continuing pesticide-free growing and Native food sovereignty. Prep Sports: Wyoming Area’s track stars and district champs are setting up for state meets, while local schools keep stacking medals and qualifiers.

Fire Weather Alerts: The National Weather Service is warning people across 11 states to avoid outdoor burning as red-flag conditions spread on warm, dry, windy days that can turn any spark into a fast-moving wildfire. Local Sports: Wyoming Area’s Janesa Sancho piled up medals at the District 2 Class 3A track meet, winning the 300 hurdles and earning state qualification, while Luke Kopetchny and Josh Mruk also grabbed district titles for the boys. Community Support: Foster Care Closet of Nebraska brought mobile “closet” events to Sidney and Scottsbluff/Gering, outfitting 61 foster youth with new seasonal clothes. Wyoming Spotlight: Cheyenne’s Central High senior Brett Klein is being recognized for his broad high school involvement as part of Laramie County’s Outstanding Graduates program. Weather Watch: Northern lights could be visible Saturday night in parts of the northern U.S., with darker skies improving the odds.

Northern Lights Alert: NOAA says a G1 geomagnetic storm could spark auroras across much of the northern U.S. Saturday night into Sunday, with the best viewing typically late evening through early morning and darker skies helping. Wildlife Safety: On Togwotee Pass, Wyoming and federal agencies are stepping up patrols after “bear jams” and unsafe viewing behavior, urging people to park only in pullouts and stay in their vehicles. Wyoming Education & Sports: University of Wyoming kinesiology students earned national American Kinesiology Association honors, while Wyoming’s Cowgirls opened strong at the Women’s National Golf Invitational despite injuries and late-season practice. Energy & Data Centers: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power announced turbine delivery details for the Cheyenne Power Hub, aiming to supply dedicated power for a major data center. Courts: Federal judges dismissed felony indictments against nine defendants tied to misconduct by interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith.

Federal Courts: Nine felony cases tied to interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith were dismissed by three judges Friday, with the orders stayed until May 20 to allow a possible appeal—meaning prosecutors could try again with a new grand jury. Wyoming Politics: Cheyenne’s flag dispute appears to be cooling off: the city voted to fly only the U.S. flag and a city flag, while Wyoming also moved to resolve a septic-loan snag tied to Liberty Ponds. Local Elections: Several Laramie County incumbents filed for reelection, including Sheriff Brian Kozak, with candidate filing set to run until May 29. Gaming Watch: Wyoming lawmakers kicked off interim talks on expanding gambling, including how wagering money is split and how “Queen of Hearts” games should be handled. Sports & Schools: Wyoming athletes and schools kept busy—from Mountain West track results to Cheyenne-area honor rolls—while statewide court and credential controversies continued to draw attention.