AGP Executive Report

Wyoming Arts & State Parks: Cheyenne-based Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council are inviting the public to the final 2026 Artist in Residence programs, with six September residencies across four parks and public events tied to each artist’s work. Historic Preservation: Casper will host the Preserve Wyoming Conference Sept. 17–19, the first time in 15 years the statewide historic preservation gathering comes to the city, with speakers, awards and vendors at the Best Western Downtown Casper. Colorado River Fight: Nevada has sued the U.S. Department of the Interior over the new Colorado River Operations Record of Decision, arguing the plan would cut southern Nevada’s already limited allocation by more than 70% while upstream states including Wyoming face no mandatory reductions. Drought Update: Southeast Wyoming saw marginal improvement from August rain, but officials say it’s temporary and that a strong mountain snowpack will be key. Cheyenne Sports: Laramie’s Tessa Dodd, named Wyoming’s Female Prep Athlete of the Year, is headed to Kansas after standout volleyball seasons and a club national title. Aviation Upgrade: Casper/Natrona County Airport is set to break ground on a $30 million air traffic control tower to replace a decades-old facility. Wildlife Safety: A black bear was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Teton Pass, as bear activity increases heading into winter.

Colorado River Fight: Nevada sued the Trump administration over mandatory Colorado River cutbacks, arguing southern Nevada could lose more than 70% of its already limited allocation while Wyoming and other Upper Basin states aren’t required to contribute. Wildlife & Roads: Idaho’s Rocky Point Wildlife Crossing Project near Montpelier is nearing completion, with three underpasses aimed at cutting deadly deer collisions on U.S. 30. Wyoming Education: Stanley County Public School District students start classes today under a new no-cell-phone policy during the school day, using Yondr bags and an office phone for emergencies. Data Centers & Power: A new look at AI’s electricity demand warns data centers could consume a much larger share of U.S. power in coming years, raising pressure on grids and rates. Wyoming Economy: The Wyoming Business Council named Jadeen Mathis as its Southeast Regional Director, covering Albany, Laramie, Goshen and Carbon counties. Bear Safety: Wyoming Game and Fish reports increased black bear activity as bears enter late-summer feeding, urging residents to secure attractants. Local Politics: Carbon County clerks released official primary results, including Wyoming’s U.S. Senate race outcome and state governor contest.

Colorado River Cuts: Federal officials announced mandatory Colorado River water reductions for the next two years, with California, Nevada and Arizona losing 1.25 million acre-feet annually while Wyoming and other Upper Basin states see no cuts—another sign of how record-low Lake Mead and Lake Powell are reshaping life and planning across the West. Wyoming Squatter Fight: A new report says Wyoming is “delivering a solution” to the squatter problem, aiming to speed up removal when people claim residency after taking over private property. School Starts in Laramie: Laramie County School District #1 begins fall classes Monday, with local law enforcement reminding drivers to slow down in school zones. Local Sports Spotlight: Wyoming commit Michael Vander Luitgaren lit up Batavia’s opener with 439 yards and five touchdowns, a big early signal for the Cowboys’ 2026 recruiting class. Markets Watch: Asian stocks slipped as investors looked ahead to Nvidia earnings and the Fed’s Jackson Hole meeting in Wyoming. Weather: A cold front may bring strong thunderstorms to parts of northern Wyoming and Montana Sunday, followed by a quieter, seasonable stretch.

Wyoming Health Care: A 60-year-old Wyoming resident saw the biggest ACA premium jump in the country in 2026—up 421%—as the state’s small insurance market and expiring enhanced tax credits push people out of coverage, and lawmakers are now weighing a state-run catastrophic plan dubbed “BearCare.” Education & Community: Laramie County Community College President Joe Schaffer recommends renaming the school to Wyoming State College, with a trustees vote set for Sept. 16, after years of research showing confusion about the current name. Local Food Systems: Jackson Hole’s nonprofit “The Farm JH” is preparing to open a year-round local food market and education hub in the Miller House, with contracts already lined up with dozens of producers across western Wyoming. Public Safety & Fraud Awareness: Wyoming residents are reminded to stay alert as scam reporting continues nationwide, including a Wyoming pizza prank that ended with 18 pies donated to a Cheyenne hospital ER. Sports: Wyoming high school football kicks off with the WyoPreps preseason rankings, led by Sheridan (4A), Star Valley (3A), and Pine Bluffs (1A 9-man).

Local Sports & Recreation: Laramie opened its new nine-acre Bike Park Saturday, featuring downhill trails, skills and progressive jump lines, and Wyoming’s first asphalt pump track—built after years of planning, fundraising, and a sixth-penny tax, with hundreds of riders attending the grand opening. Wyoming High School Football: The WyoPreps preseason coaches and media poll is out, led by Sheridan (4A), Star Valley (3A), and Pine Bluffs (1A 9-man), with Big Horn (2A) and Burlington (1A 6-man) also topping their classes. Community & Libraries: Laramie County voters will decide two “sixth penny” sales tax measures that could fund major upgrades to libraries in Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs, including repairs and expanded services like makerspaces and a “library of things.” Wyoming Outdoors: Wyoming Game and Fish lifted a voluntary afternoon fishing closure for the Green and New Fork rivers and North Horse Creek after cooler weather lowered trout-stressing temperatures. Public Lands Policy: A new federal proposal would rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule and allow more road building in Wyoming’s national forests, drawing sharp criticism from conservationists.

Outdoor & Health: A Wyoming educator and others are pushing back on light pollution and screen-time harms, arguing for responsible outdoor lighting and healthier youth tech habits. Water & Public Lands: The federal government finalized Colorado River operating rules for 2027-28, ordering deep cuts to Arizona, California and Nevada as reservoirs hit record lows, while a separate proposal would overhaul public lands grazing rules and sharply limit public input. State Government & Elections: Wyoming’s primary fallout continues to shape the Legislature, with the Freedom Caucus losing House majority control and backsliding in the Senate. Wyoming Wildlife & Recreation: Wyoming Game and Fish lifted a voluntary afternoon fishing closure for the Green and New Fork rivers and North Horse Creek after cooler weather reduced trout-stressing temperatures. Local News: Weston County Health Services says it has corrected EMTALA emergency-care deficiencies after regulators warned it could lose Medicare certification. University & Community: UW reappointed business dean Scott Beaulier, and a Riverton teacher was named Wyoming’s first National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow; UW ROTC will test the football cannon ahead of the season.

Colorado River Update: The Interior Department finalized new operating rules for 2027-2028, forcing major cuts on California, Nevada and Arizona while leaving Wyoming and other Upper Basin states without mandatory reductions—setting up a fresh fight over what happens if conditions worsen. Local Rancher Rights: Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Byrd slammed a Bureau of Land Management proposal that would reduce notice and public comment for landowners facing oil and gas activity under private property. Wyoming Data Snapshot: The state released its 12th “Wyoming and County Profiles,” highlighting county-by-county trends on demographics, jobs, education, housing and revenue. Public Health Lab Upgrade: Natrona County’s mosquito control program added new lab equipment to speed up West Nile virus testing and respond faster when positives show up. Cheyenne Election Work: The Laramie County Canvassing Board certified primary results, with about 53% of registered voters casting ballots. Wildfire Watch: Wyoming firefighters responded to 21 wildfire starts this week as restrictions expanded across most counties. Sports: Wyoming soccer fell to Weber State 2-1 in Laramie.

Local Public Safety & Memorials: Sheridan County is moving to rename its highest mountain peak after fallen Sgt. Nevada Krinkee, with county commissioners weighing a support letter that would help advance the change through federal approval. Wildfire Updates: The Bare Fire, burning near Big Piney on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, has been contained after 11 days, but road closures remain in place for safety. Water & Climate: The Trump administration is ordering major Colorado River cutbacks as Lake Mead and Lake Powell hit record lows, setting up deeper mandatory reductions if reservoir levels keep falling. Wyoming Energy & Industry: Ur-Energy reports its first uranium shipment from the Shirley Basin mine, marking the project’s shift toward full operations. Wyoming Outdoors & Wildlife: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is asking the public to help name two orphaned grizzly bear cubs, with donations supporting conservation. Wyoming Sports: LCCC volleyball sophomore Beatrice Nani is making a name for herself as a standout blocker for the Golden Eagles.

Workforce & Education: Laramie County Community College has been invited back to the Metallica Scholars Initiative for an eighth year, using a $50,000 grant to expand its Essential Systems Technician training with partners including Advanced Comfort Solutions, School District 1 and Dads Making a Difference. Corrections: Wyoming Department of Corrections says all inmates previously housed in Mississippi have been safely returned to in-state WDOC facilities, as the agency continues recruiting and working with county jails to prevent future out-of-state transfers. Local Government & Community Life: Cheyenne’s Greenway Fall Cleanup runs Sept. 5-27, with four Greenway segments open for group adoption, and the city is asking groups to coordinate preferences and pickup details. Public Safety: Laramie County School District 1 reminds drivers that when school buses stop with lights flashing and stop signs out, motorists must stop—on any multi-lane road—with citations possible. Health & Events: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation will host the Great Bison Shuffle Sept. 26 to support Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab. Sports: Wyoming soccer fell 2-1 to Weber State despite an early Maddie Burr goal. Environment & Water: Drought remains widespread across the Intermountain West, with monsoon rains offering limited relief and major reservoirs like Lake Powell still at critical lows. Infrastructure: WYDOT plans nighttime lane delineator installations at key Sheridan intersections on Aug. 23.

Wyoming Politics: Big Horn County backed GOP U.S. Senate nominee Harriet Hageman, plus Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Gov. nominee Eric Barlow in Tuesday’s primary results. Local Governance: Lovell’s courtroom is set to close, with commissioners citing costs and resources, while Big Horn County School District No. 4 rolled out a new four-day week and introduced new staff. State of the Land: Wyoming Game and Fish reports fewer male sage-grouse at leks in 2026, with the long-term trend still pointing down. Health & Community: Beartooth Billings Clinic is partnering with Cody Regional Health to expand behavioral health services in Red Lodge, bringing psychiatric care monthly. Sports & School Spirit: Wyoming volleyball standout Paige Lauterwasser earned preseason All-Mountain West honors as the Cowgirls were picked fourth. Community Calendar/Outdoors: National Park Week kicks off Saturday with a fee-free day on Aug. 25, and Wyoming’s Med Bow Rail Trail marathon returns with runners tackling the high-elevation route.

Federal Land Policy: The Trump administration moved to repeal the “roadless rule,” a protection that has barred new roads and major extraction across 45 million acres, including forest watersheds tied to the American, Rubicon and Yuba rivers near Lake Tahoe—prompting protests and likely court fights. Wildlife & Grazing: A separate lawsuit challenges a new Forest Service/BLM grazing action plan that would expand livestock use on federal allotments, with conservation groups arguing it threatens threatened and endangered wildlife. Wyoming Politics: Wyoming’s primary results are setting up November matchups, including Eric Barlow’s GOP win for governor and Harriet Hageman’s GOP Senate nomination, while Democrats look ahead to general-election campaigns. Cheyenne Local Government: Wyoming’s secretary of state is challenging Cheyenne City Council’s push for a referendum ruling tied to annexation. Wildlife Management: Game and Fish is relocating a black bear from southern Gillette and continuing cheatgrass treatments aimed at habitat recovery and wildfire risk reduction. Arts & Community: Arts Cheyenne announced the free Cheyenne Studio Tour Sept. 12, with artists opening studios and demos across the city. Sports: Wyoming soccer hosts Weber State Thursday after a 2-0 start, led by goalkeeper Haley Bartel.

Wyoming Politics: Wyoming’s GOP primary results are rolling in, with key statewide races shaping up after voters rejected several Trump-backed picks and advanced moderates for top offices. U.S. Senate & Primaries: Across the country, Tuesday’s primaries delivered a major Florida upset as Democratic socialist Angie Nixon won the nomination, setting up a tougher-than-expected general election against Sen. Ashley Moody. Public Lands: The Trump administration moved to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a shift that could open millions of acres of national forest to more roads and logging. Local Governance & Housing: A new batch of HUD-assisted housing rankings shows how Kansas counties stack up on Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing units, underscoring uneven access to rent relief. Courts & Immigration: In Laramie County, an investigator filed to hold Sheriff Brian Kozak in contempt over records tied to a local immigration case, escalating a dispute over evidence needed for proceedings in Colorado. Community & Safety: Wyoming’s election season also intersects with public safety and emergency readiness coverage, including flood response stories from nearby communities.

Wyoming Primary Results: The Associated Press called Wyoming’s GOP primaries for U.S. Senate and governor, with Harriet Hageman set to face Democrat James Byrd and Eric Barlow set to face Ken Casner in November. Statewide GOP Upset Theme: Preliminary results also point to Robert Short winning the GOP secretary of state nomination, while Steve Harshman and Curt Meier appear to take other key executive seats, signaling voters bucked Freedom Caucus-aligned candidates in multiple races. Local Ballot Snapshot: In Teton County, results rolled in after polls closed, with county commission, coroner, and nonpartisan town council races all shaping the November lineup. Public Lands Fight: The Trump administration proposed fully rescinding the 2001 “roadless rule,” a move that would reopen about 44 million acres of national forest to road building and logging, with wildfire-management arguments meeting strong environmental pushback. Wyoming Business/Tech: American Rare Earths named Nick Lissolo chief commercial officer, expanding U.S. investor relations and partnership work tied to its Halleck Creek rare earths project in Wyoming.

Wyoming Primary Day: Voters head to the polls Tuesday for Wyoming’s 2026 primary, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and photo ID required; Sweetwater County highlights a crowded Republican sheriff race and GOP contests for county commissioner seats. Election Watch: The Justice Department is sending federal election monitors to Florida and Wyoming polling locations, including Laramie County. Courts & Accountability: The Wyoming Supreme Court is weighing an appeal from truck driver Savoil Saint Jean, convicted after a crash that killed a Memorial Hospital EMT and injured another. Energy Costs: Black Hills Energy is seeking a rate increase that could raise bills about $394 a year for some Wyoming customers, while the Office of Consumer Advocate argues for a smaller hike. Local Culture: Rock Springs’ Broadway Theater announced its 2026–2027 season, and Hot Springs State Park will host the Tunes on the Trail concert series with Pathfinder on Aug. 22. Outdoors & Health: Game and Fish urges anglers to fish early to protect trout during warm-water conditions.

Primary Election Focus: Wyoming voters head to the polls Tuesday, with Laramie County reporting nearly 8,500 early in-person ballots cast and seven vote centers open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., plus reminders on required ID and registration rules. Cheyenne Annexation Fight: Cheyenne officials are verifying a petition that could send the city’s Microsoft annexation decision to a referendum, while the Secretary of State is challenging whether the referendum process can proceed as planned. Data Center Power Push: LS Electric won a $34.3 million Bloom Energy contract to supply distribution equipment for a hyperscale data center project in Wyoming, underscoring how AI-driven demand is reshaping the state’s energy and infrastructure plans. Health Care Investment: The American Heart Association announced a $5.2 million commitment to expand stroke care statewide through its Mission: Lifeline initiative. Local Government & Culture: LCCC leaders are recommending a name change to “Wyoming State College,” and Gov. Mark Gordon will proclaim September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month at the Capitol.

Education & Civic Life: The Wyoming Department of Education is asking for public input on proposed 2026 Wyoming Social Studies Standards, with an online survey due Sept. 27 and a virtual session for questions. Severe Weather: In southern Campbell County near Wright, first responders rescued four people trapped after a tornado warning; no injuries were reported. Wildlife & Hunting: Wyoming Game and Fish is urging hunters to submit deer and elk for chronic wasting disease testing as the 2026 season ramps up. Military & Infrastructure: F.E. Warren Air Force Base opened a new $140 million helicopter and Tactical Response Force facility to support the transition to the MH-139A Gray Wolf. Water & Energy: Lake Powell hit a record low, raising alarms for Colorado River water and hydropower—while Wyoming ranchers also report earlier-than-usual shortages. Community & Culture: Stillwater Public Library is collecting nominations for its “130 Books of Impact” list ahead of its 130th anniversary. Health Alert: A jalapeno recall has expanded due to possible salmonella contamination, with Wyoming listed among affected states. Politics: Wyoming’s Aug. 18 primary features unusually many open-seat races after top Republicans announced retirements.