AGP Executive Report

F.E. Warren Modernization: F.E. Warren opened a new $140 million helicopter and Tactical Response Force facility to support the modern “Grey Wolf” MH-139A platform, replacing decades-old UH-1N Hueys. Rural Health Funding: A statewide advisory committee divvied up Wyoming’s share of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, targeting workforce training, health tech upgrades, and support for critical access hospitals and EMS. Health Insurance Costs: The Wyoming Health Insurance Affordability Task force met to dig into premium drivers and cost-sharing ideas, with rural access and self-employed coverage singled out. Wildlife Safety on Roads: WYDOT and Game and Fish are building wildlife crossings on a 30-mile stretch of U.S. 189 near Kemmerer to cut wildlife-vehicle crashes, including deer fencing plus underpasses and an overpass. Election Season Reminder: The Wyoming Business Alliance urged voters to participate in the Aug. 18 primary, arguing housing and amenities depend on business growth. Cheyenne Data Center Referendum: Wyoming’s secretary of state warned Cheyenne leaders to follow the statutory referendum process tied to a Microsoft expansion annexation petition. Agriculture & Drought: Gov. Gordon authorized emergency permits for oversized livestock feed and livestock transport, while weed and pest districts urged vigilance for invasive plants arriving with hay. Casper Airport Upgrade: Casper broke ground on a new air traffic control tower to replace a 1954 structure and improve safety as operations grow.

Liquor Laws: A nationwide study says Utah has the second-most restrictive liquor rules in the country, highlighting how quotas and limits shape what bars and restaurants can do. Downtown Revitalization: Torrington’s Creating Our Front Door community mural is set to start this weekend, with the first paint going on Aug. 15 or 16. Bear Safety: Wyoming Game and Fish reports a late-summer bear attack on Teton Pass and urges residents to carry bear spray, store food properly, and use bear-resistant containers. Wildfire Memorial: Two Utah helicopter pilots killed fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire were identified, with flags lowered statewide as the aviation community mourns. Wyoming Politics: A Wyoming Judiciary Committee vote blocks a public access courts bill, while UW ranks high again on a national list of college towns. Campaign Watch: WyoFile reports filings show who’s spending most in the governor’s race as the Aug. 18 primary nears. Community & Education: Special Olympics Wyoming received a $10,000 grant to cover competition costs for athletes statewide.

Colorado River Water Planning: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities says it’s preparing for possible Colorado River cutoffs, with conservation framed as the cheapest way to “postpone” expensive new water options. Education Flexibility: The Wyoming Department of Education is seeking public comment on an Ed-Flex application that would let the state approve waivers of certain federal rules for local school programs. Grizzly Bear Protections: A federal proposal would shift power to states to authorize grizzly bear killings in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, with public comments due Aug. 17. Road Safety: Wyoming is on pace to top last year’s fatal crash total, with seat belt use still a major concern. School Curriculum Debate: Ahead of the Aug. 18 GOP primary for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, candidates clash on how much the state should mandate versus trust local control. Nuclear in Kemmerer: Doosan Enerbility won a contract to build key TerraPower SMR components for the Kemmerer project. Local Transit Input: Casper is asking residents to weigh in on a bus route revamp, with the survey open until Aug. 21.

Cheyenne Annexation Fight: Cheyenne City Council voted to ask a judge for guidance on whether residents can use the city’s normal referendum process to challenge an annexation tied to a Microsoft data center expansion. Public Health Access: A new lung cancer screening analysis says people remain eligible for scans for 15 years after quitting smoking, yet most who qualify never get screened. Tribal Health Leadership: Mark Cruz was confirmed as the new Director of the Indian Health Service, ending a vacancy of more than a year. Bear Butte Youth Programs: The Cheyenne River Youth Project expanded summer camps at Wakanyeja Kin Wana Ku Pi near Bear Butte to strengthen Lakota youth connections to sacred sites. School & Community Support: CRYP set a School Supplies Distribution for Aug. 13 and reminded families the SUN Bucks application deadline is Aug. 31. Wyoming Primary Reminder: Polls open Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., for the 2026 Wyoming Primary Election. Local Sports: Lovell residents packed a school board meeting asking the district to reconsider cutting the indoor track program.

Wyoming Courts Transparency Fight: Wyoming’s Judiciary Committee voted 8-4 against sponsoring a bill that would have put court records and free audio/video hearings online, with limited exceptions and a proposed $100,000 implementation cost. Cheyenne Local Politics: Ward 1 candidate Jim Chiro says Cheyenne needs more amenities and controlled development, focusing on streets, curb repairs, and community cleanups. Water-Wars Watch: Wyoming’s State Engineer says Colorado River operating rules tied to Lake Powell and Lake Mead are expiring, with federal updates that could mean major lower-basin cuts if states can’t agree. Drought Pressure on Ranchers: Severe drought and weak hay crops are pushing Wyoming producers to sell calves earlier and even reduce breeding stock. Wildfire Update: The Bare Fire in the Jackson area is now 5% contained at 370 acres, with Stage 1 restrictions still in effect. Sports & Community: Wyoming soccer opens its season Thursday vs. Drake, while UW QB Tyler Hughes lands on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list for service and outreach. Scam Reminder: A Wyoming-focused scam story highlights how dating-site fraud can drain savings through gift-card schemes.

Education Policy: The Wyoming Department of Education is taking public comment on two rule changes: a repeal of Chapter 56 K-3 reading assessment and intervention rules, and proposed updates to Chapter 58’s dual enrollment district reimbursement program. Comments are due Sept. 27. State Fair Leadership: Wyoming State Fair Executive Director Courtny Hinds is stepping down after seven years to lead the National Independent Concessionaires Association; Deputy Director Eric Wiltanger is named interim. Public Safety & Justice: Federal investigators say DNA, surveillance video and tattoo details helped track an alleged Riverton ambulance thief, Garrett “Hugs” Blackburn, charged with assaulting a federal officer and damaging U.S. property. Game & Fish: Wyoming Game and Fish is seeking input on acquiring instream flow water rights in the Bighorns to protect trout habitat. Community & Economy: The Wyoming Business Council is bringing listening sessions to Rock Springs Aug. 20, with a farmers market stop and a chance for residents to shape economic priorities. Elections: Teton County election officials are testing voting machines and rolling out new rules for voter proof of residency ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Sports: Wyoming High School golf kicks off this week with multiple invites, and Cheyenne’s Bella Beach won the WSGA Junior Championship Aug. 7.

Weather & Science: A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12 will plunge parts of the Arctic and Greenland into brief “midday night,” with temperatures dropping and animals and birds reacting in surprising ways. Local Emergency Management: Summit County is investigating why an evacuation alert system misfired during the Rocky Canyon Fire response, blanketing more households than intended. Wyoming Wildlife: Wyoming Game and Fish reports sage-grouse lek attendance down 13% this spring, with just over 27,000 males counted. Public Safety & Health: Game and Fish is urging hunters to submit deer and elk for CWD testing as the hunt season ramps up. Civic Life: Gov. Mark Gordon is asking residents to review vacancies for state boards and commissions and apply to serve. Community Events: Cheyenne hosts an Aviation Festival and Air Show Aug. 15-16, plus a free Cheyenne Audubon bird hike at Curt Gowdy State Park Aug. 15. Local Government: Cheyenne City Council is facing pushback over a referendum petition tied to a Microsoft-related annexation.

Salmonella Alert: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños has expanded, with illnesses reported across 27 states including Wyoming, prompting more downstream food recalls. Wildfire Watch: In Wyoming, the Bare Fire near Big Piney was cut to 443 acres after updated mapping, while the larger Weiser Knoll Fire in Fremont County was estimated at 13,350 acres. Energy & Jobs: Bill Gates’ TerraPower is building a $4B nuclear plant in Kemmerer, a coal town of about 2,400, and locals are split on what it means for the future. State Politics: Wyoming lawmakers are again considering an anti-SLAPP bill to curb lawsuits meant to silence free speech, after a prior version stalled. Weather & Safety: Red flag and air quality alerts are back for Wyoming as hazy skies and high fire danger continue, with only limited storm chances. Scam Tracker: Nationally, scam reports remain high, and Wyoming is among states seeing ongoing online purchase fraud. Climate: NOAA says July 2026 tied July 2024 as Earth’s hottest July on record.

Cheyenne Economic Push: Gov. Mark Gordon joined Cheyenne LEADS and business leaders at LCCC to talk about Wyoming’s next 40 years, including how education and energy can mesh with AI and data-center growth. Big Cheyenne Investment: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says Cheyenne will be part of a new “Future is for Everyone Fund,” aimed at long-term community benefits tied to Meta data centers. Annexation Fight in Court: Cheyenne City Council voted to ask a judge whether a referendum petition over a Microsoft-linked annexation can move forward under city rules or must follow a different Wyoming process. Gas Prices: Wyoming’s average gas rose 0.7 cents to $4.10 per gallon, still about a penny higher than a year ago. Wildfire Watch: The Weiser Knoll Fire near Lander has grown past 13,000 acres with no official containment, driven by wind and dry fuels. State Fair Returns: The Wyoming State Fair heads back to Douglas for its 121st year starting Tuesday. Game & Fish Leadership: Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce resigned immediately; Deputy Eric Wiltanger will serve as interim director. Election Staffing: Natrona County is still short about 10 election judges ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. Truck Safety Data: A new analysis finds Wyoming among Western states seeing a jump in fatal large truck crashes.

Wyoming Politics & Civic Life: Wyoming voters are heading into the final stretch of the Aug. 18 primary, with Rock Springs hosting three nights of candidate debates at Western Wyoming College (Ward 1, Ward 2, mayor on Tuesday; multiple House and Senate races Wednesday; county clerk, sheriff, and commissioners Thursday), plus a Green River mayor forum Tuesday at the Golden Hour Senior Center. Local Government: Rock Springs approved the sale of the old First Security Bank building, taking a $75,000 “as-is” offer and aiming to cut an estimated $8 million liability while requiring new retail/office condo work on a tight timeline. Roads & Infrastructure: Gillette contractors are gathering street condition data through the city’s PAVER system to guide repair and replacement spending over the next five years. Public Safety & Health: A new study on Utah’s lower blood-alcohol limit finds alcohol-related crash deaths fell more there than in neighboring states that kept the higher limit. Environment & Water: Lake Mead hit a new historic low, underscoring how the Colorado River crisis is tightening pressure across the basin, including Wyoming. Economy & Work: A productivity map shows Wyoming’s labor productivity growth lagged the rest of the country. Community & Culture: Wyoming’s Casper landfill is diverting decommissioned wind turbine blades into cement feedstock instead of burying them.

Colorado River Watch: Lake Mead hit a record-low level, underscoring how drought and weak snowpack are tightening the squeeze on water users across the Southwest. Wildfire & Storm Threats: Hot, dry weather is keeping wildfire risk elevated across the Rockies and Great Plains, while severe thunderstorms could bring flash flooding and damaging winds later in the week. Wyoming Public Lands & Community: A new study finds many U.S. parks sit near toxic chemical-reporting and hazardous-waste sites, raising fresh questions about health risks around recreation areas. Local Governance: Sweetwater County School District No. 1 faces a legal push to change its public comment rules and release more records, with an advocacy group alleging free-speech and transparency violations. Wyoming People & Programs: UW Extension added two new educators in Sweetwater County, including a new 4-H youth development role. Community Events: The Moving Wall Vietnam memorial is set to stop in Newcastle next week, offering a free, 24/7 public place to honor veterans.

Wildfire Smoke Watch: Canadian wildfires are forcing evacuations in British Columbia and sending smoke hundreds of miles south, raising air-quality worries for Americans far beyond the border. Colorado River Reality Check: Lake Mead has hit its lowest level since it filled nearly 90 years ago, underscoring how fast the Colorado River crisis is tightening its grip on the Southwest. Local Water Planning: A new federal plan for Colorado River cuts is expected to shape near-term reductions, with some areas—like parts of San Diego’s supply chain—hoping senior water rights will limit impacts. Wyoming Energy & Jobs: In Kemmerer, a Gates-and-Buffett-backed small nuclear plant is moving forward as coal declines, bringing construction work and debate over the future. Wyoming Wildlife: A Gillette animal rehabber says historically mild winter conditions may be changing wildlife rescue patterns, with fewer animals coming in this year. Community Spotlight: AARP Wyoming named Ann Clement as state director, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit and policy experience to its work on healthy aging and caregiving.

Colorado River crunch: Lake Mead hit a record low, falling to 1,040.5 feet, with officials calling the situation “grim” and offering little near-term relief for the Southwest’s drinking water and agriculture. Wyoming politics: A new report asks who could lead next in the Wyoming governor’s race after 14 years in the legislature, spotlighting Eric Barlow. State government & services: Wyoming’s housing jargon got a plain-English glossary for Jackson residents, aiming to make town hall decisions on workforce and affordable units easier to follow. Public safety & health: Wyoming saw smoky skies from Pacific Northwest wildfires, with forecasts warning that smoke can worsen air quality during morning and evening. Local sports: Rock Springs cross country is leaning on bigger numbers and summer mileage, while Green River tennis is reloading with a young boys’ roster and returning girls’ varsity experience. Wyoming outdoors: Wyoming Game and Fish announced voluntary catch-and-release fishing closures statewide. Community & culture: The Wyoming Fringe Festival is set for Laramie this month, and the Wyoming Dance Collective is building an inclusive space for local dancers.

Pool Oversight: Panhandle Public Health District adopted a regulation and resolution to take over local public swimming pool inspections across its 12-county area, after Nebraska law shifted permit and routine inspection authority to local governments. Hot Springs Update: Wyoming State Parks reached a tentative settlement with Star Plunge owner Roland Luehne, setting up reimbursement of $1.8 million and reopening the Thermopolis aquatic facility after a long closure tied to a two-year legal fight. Water Watch: Federal officials said no “cool water” releases will be made this year from Lake Powell to protect the threatened humpback chub, citing hydropower concerns as the Colorado River crisis deepens. Air Quality & Fire Weather: Smoke from Pacific Northwest wildfires is pushing burnt-orange skies into Wyoming, and forecasters warn that Saturday could bring severe storms with up to 70 mph gusts plus critical fire weather. Local Government: Campbell County plans a TSA-style security checkpoint in the courthouse lobby, with second-floor visitors screened while first-floor business continues as usual. Community & Culture: Laramie’s Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium will host Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Weekend” shows Aug. 13-14, and the Wyoming Fringe Festival returns to Laramie Aug. 21-23.

Water & Growth: A new editorial argues Nevada is being “punished” for conservation as federal plans could cut Lake Mead allocations sharply after 2028, raising the question Wyoming residents should ask every time new projects are proposed: where will the water come from? Cheyenne Downtown: The Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority is taking applications for an executive director to lead downtown revitalization and economic development. Elections Watch (Laramie County): Clerk Debra Lee says more than 5,700 voters have cast ballots early ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, with nearly half of mailed absentee ballots returned. Data Centers & Water: Developers and utility officials told the Greater Cheyenne Chamber they’re using closed-loop cooling to reduce freshwater use, as residents press concerns about water, power costs, and impacts. Wildlife & Safety: Wyoming Game and Fish says a food-conditioned black bear was lethally removed after repeated tent break-ins in the Bighorn National Forest. Road Safety: WY Highway Patrol urges seatbelt use after a rise in fatal crashes, noting many victims weren’t buckled. Community & Culture: Barnes & Noble opened in Casper with author Craig Johnson on hand, and a new Wits End Adventure Park opened in Cheyenne from a former junkyard.

Water & Wildlife: Wyoming Game and Fish is asking anglers to shift to early-morning fishing and stop catch-and-release after noon as warm water and low flows push trout-stress levels higher. Courts & Guns: A federal judge struck down parts of the National Firearms Act registration and transfer rules for items like suppressors and short-barreled rifles after Congress removed the old $200 tax. Immigration Enforcement: An ACLU of Wyoming review says several counties deputized local officers as ICE agents under the 287(g) program without required notice or comment, and some couldn’t produce records of commissioner approval. Public Health: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in multiple states, including Wyoming, after Salmonella was found in routine testing. Energy & Growth: A federal report says coal generation rose as data centers and other demand surged, while analysts warn transmission limits could slow the West’s power buildout. Colorado River: Lake Mead hit a new record low, underscoring the basin’s worsening crisis. Local Sports: University of Wyoming women’s basketball adds transfer Jersey Berg, known for a mid-range style.