AGP Executive Report

Sweetwater County Election: Island Richards, Robb Slaughter and Keaton West are set to appear on the Sweetwater County Commission ballot for the Nov. 8 general election, filling three open seats. Workforce & Education: The Wyoming Business Alliance, Wyoming Community College Commission and UW are partnering to expand student internships and hands-on learning with Wyoming employers. Public Health: Wyoming Department of Health confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated adult in Teton County, listing possible exposure spots in and around Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole. Energy & Permitting: Montana residents are urging the state to rescind a waiver tied to the Bridger Pipeline expansion that would ease parts of the permitting process for Canada crude moving through Wyoming. Local Civic Engagement: The League of Women Voters of Wyoming is pushing to establish a Sweetwater County chapter and bring nonpartisan election resources to voters. Community & Culture: Cheyenne’s Superday returns as a free community kickoff to summer, with music, rides and family activities. Sports: Cheyenne Mustangs won the Wyoming Senior Babe Ruth state title with a 14-0 win over Gillette.

Road & Weather: Beartooth Highway closes at 5 p.m. from Long Lake to the Montana/Wyoming line due to snow and high winds, with WYDOT pointing drivers to an alternate route via WY 296. Public Health: Wyoming Department of Health confirms a second measles case of 2026—an unvaccinated adult in Teton County—with possible exposure sites listed around Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, and guidance to watch for symptoms for 21 days. State Politics & Governance: An editorial argues Idaho should delay its legislative session, echoing concerns about health risks from large in-person gatherings. Water & Infrastructure: EPA announces $1.6 million in grants to improve drinking water infrastructure across Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, including work to address PFAS and lead. Local Culture: Relative Theatrics brings “Feast.” to Laramie for a Wyoming premiere at the Laramie Plains Civic Center, with performances and community elements planned. Sports (Wyoming prep): Laramie’s girls soccer reaches the state final after a semifinal win over Kelly Walsh, while Laramie’s softball rolls through regional play and multiple state-track champions were crowned in Casper.

Wildfire Preparedness: A Crook County emergency manager urged Wyoming residents to treat wildfires as year-round threats, noting most are human-caused and calling for practical readiness. Wild Horse Rewilding: A new “Save the Wild West” initiative is pitching wild horse rewilding as a way to cut wildfire risk by reducing fuel loads and restoring grasslands. Water Worries: A report highlights growing water quality and quantity concerns as drought intensifies, with groundwater depletion flagged as a key driver. Energy & Jobs: Laramie startup Airloom Energy secured major funding to scale its wind-based power tech, backed by state and federal support. Local Politics: Wally J. Johnson announced his bid for Rock Springs mayor, laying out a pro-development platform. UW Arts: The University of Wyoming Theatre and Dance opens with “What Was Ours, Who She Is,” a Wind River-focused staged reading on repatriation and missing and murdered Indigenous women and people. Sports—UW Basketball: Wyoming earned an NIT bid after a Mountain West tournament exit, set to face Wichita State in Wichita. Sports—Cowgirls: Wyoming’s season ended in a Border War loss to Colorado State, while the Cowgirls head into the Mountain West tournament hungry after a tough overtime defeat to Air Force.

Sports Spotlight: Anna Lende of Park High won the Montana Class A girls golf state championship, firing 77-77 (154) to take the title by eight shots. Cowboys Basketball: UW’s Sundance Wicks says the Pokes will play in the NIT, where Wyoming opens Tuesday night vs. Wichita State. UW Athletics (Golf): The Cowgirls lead the Women’s National Golf Invitational by 13 strokes after Saturday’s round at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. Local Culture & Arts: Wyoming Public Media is hosting a reception for its “Wyoming’s History Through Listeners’ Eyes” photo exhibit, with a talk on cattle ranching history tied to the Oglala Lakota Sioux. Community & Conservation: Sheridan Community Land Trust highlights how partnerships with landowners helped conserve 2,100 acres around Soldier Ridge and Hidden Hoot trails. Housing Watch: WCDA urges local action on Wyoming’s housing shortage after state-level lawmakers didn’t prioritize workforce housing. Safety & Outdoors: Yellowstone officials say a 12-year-old was hospitalized after a bison attack near Fishing Bridge, reminding visitors to keep distance.

Local Government: Cheyenne is briefing residents on its upcoming sixth-penny sales tax ballot item, including a new Johnson Pool in Lincoln Park to replace the 2025-closed facility with ADA upgrades, bigger capacity, and new aquatic features. Public Safety & Work: Workplace advocates say Wyoming’s right-to-work policies help drive high fatality rates, pointing to rising workplace deaths and calling for lawmakers to shift toward a pro-union approach. Environment & Public Lands: Conservation groups scored another win in the Greater Yellowstone region after the Forest Service withdrew a Cooke City fuels deforestation plan that would have cut into roadless areas and threatened species protections. Economy: The state’s Economic Analysis Division released its quarterly MACRO Report, highlighting job growth, energy price shifts, and lower sales-and-use and severance tax collections. Sports (UW & Wyoming): The Cowboys’ third-year expectations under Jay Sawvel are front and center as fans ask how many wins are needed, while former CSU safety Jett Vincent says Wyoming feels like home ahead of the Border War. Community & Culture: Cheyenne chef Petrina Peart is set to appear on NBC’s “Yes, Chef!” after opening up about the pressures she faces in the kitchen.

Local Government Watchdog: A new Wyoming Sun report argues Wyoming’s transparency rules often fail in practice, with public records requests stalled by fees or outright refusals and public meetings violations too often ending with little consequence. University of Wyoming Business & Sports: UW’s athletics inks a five-year, $4.5M jersey patch deal with Tallgrass, while the Cowboys’ season ends in the NIT after a 74-70 loss to Wichita State; UW men’s basketball also adds transfer guard Parker Gerrits. Workforce & Food Innovation: Central Wyoming College is positioning its Controlled Environment Agriculture program as a workforce and food innovation hub, and UW is launching a Controlled Environment Agriculture Network this fall. Politics & Civic Learning: Seth Bard announces a run for House District 61, and Wyoming students compete in the State Civics Bee with a winner headed to nationals. Community & Culture: Cheyenne marks America’s 250th with education and events, and Laramie’s summer farmers markets kick off. Outdoor & Water: Wyoming State Parks warns of lower reservoir levels this summer, with drought and snowpack driving reduced water at Seminoe, Glendo and Guernsey. Rodeo Spotlight: Hadley Thompson sweeps NHSFR breakaway roping, goat tying and all-around titles, and Josie Mousel captures goat tying and women’s all-around championships for UW.

Wyoming Families Get Summer Food Help: Wyoming’s SUN Bucks program is live, sending eligible school-aged kids a one-time $120 EBT card for summer groceries, with more cards mailed starting in early July. Maternal Mental Health Gap: A new report card finds Wyoming lagging on postpartum mental health support, citing shortages in specialty therapists, screening, treatment options, and paid leave. Fire Protection Under Pressure: Laramie County fire districts warn they could be “out of business” as property tax cuts and annexations leave them stuck on older budgets and facing major shortfalls. SNAP Accuracy Watch: USDA data ranks Wyoming among the most accurate states for SNAP payment errors, while other states face penalties that could force tough tradeoffs. America 250 in Cheyenne: Cheyenne is rolling out America 250 events and permanent bronze panels, with July 4 festivities including a parade, Capitol activities, and fireworks. Little Bighorn Anniversary: Federal court orders restored signage at Little Bighorn National Monument as the 150th anniversary continues to draw attention to how the battle is remembered. Outdoor Economy Spotlight: A new study highlights economic challenges and opportunities for Wyoming’s outdoor recreation businesses.

Wildfire Watch: A Red Flag Warning is up for parts of the Colorado-Utah line and wildfire risk stays high statewide as Utah fires push haze into Wyoming, with local crews watching conditions closely. Water Crisis: Lake Powell is at its emptiest level entering summer, with federal projections warning it could hit “minimum power pool” next spring and raise the risk of major Colorado River impacts. Energy & Climate: Solar passed coal for the first time in a full U.S. month, a shift that could keep accelerating across the Mountain West. Wyoming Economy: Wyoming’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in May, with job growth continuing. Local Economy Planning: Wyoming Business Council talks continue in the Joint Appropriations Committee, including drafts affecting Business Ready Community funding and WBC programs. Energy Policy: After pushback, Wyoming delays repeal of wildlife monitoring rules at coal mines. Community & Culture: Native communities marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn with horse races, dance, and song.

Energy & Permitting: A Senate Republican push aims to cut red tape and speed up U.S. energy projects, with Wyoming-relevant ripple effects for how quickly infrastructure can move. Public Lands & Wildlife: A federal judge ordered Wyoming and the federal government to refund $109M over illegal oil and gas leases in greater sage grouse habitat, while western grazing reforms face backlash from those worried about relaxed safeguards. Water Crisis: Colorado River drought is worsening fast, and Wyoming ranchers are debating whether to opt into conservation plans as states fight over funding and possible litigation. Jackson Hole Airport Firehouse: A conservation group is urging Jackson Hole Airport to keep its planned fire/rescue station inside the limits of a 1983 agreement tied to Grand Teton habitat protections. Food Assistance: Millions nationwide have lost SNAP benefits under Trump cuts, with Arizona hit hardest—another reminder of how policy changes land on families. Community & Safety: Cheyenne-area storm sirens are meant for getting outdoors to shelter, and Wyoming’s Central Wyoming Fair parade route and closures are set for July 7.

Yellowstone Update: A new hydrothermal explosion was reported at Biscuit Basin around 5:09 a.m. June 13, sending hot water and sediment into the Firehole River and forming a new boiling pool; no injuries were reported because the area has been closed since a major 2024 blast. Wyoming Roads: WYDOT is milling and paving Wyo. 530 on the south end of Green River, with lane reductions and reduced speeds Thursday and Friday (June 24-25) as part of a district patching project through Oct. 31, 2026. Local Boating Safety: The Wyoming Game and Fish Department expanded aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection hours in the Sheridan region, urging boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry and to use check stations or schedule inspections if needed. Energy & Mining: Gov. Mark Gordon approved $250,000 from the Wyoming Energy Authority to Visionary Metals Corp. to evaluate critical mineral discoveries in Fremont County’s Granite Mountains. Sports: Green River hosts the annual Knights Invite wood-bat tournament starting Thursday, bringing teams from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah to Stratton Myers Park. Food Assistance Watch: Across the U.S., millions have lost SNAP benefits since changes took effect last July, with Arizona seeing the steepest drop.

Health Care Costs in Focus: Wyoming’s new Health Insurance Affordability Task Force kicked off in Cheyenne, with lawmakers and leaders digging into why Wyoming ranks high for hospital availability but low on affordability. Food Assistance Update: A Reuters report says millions nationwide have lost SNAP benefits since Trump-era changes took effect, with Arizona seeing the steepest drop—raising fresh questions about how families in the Mountain West are getting help. Wildfire Response Upgrade: Casper’s airport is getting a new helibase to serve as the primary base for helicopter wildfire operations, aiming to speed statewide response. Local Food Program: Wyoming’s SUN Bucks summer program is officially launching, with eligible kids automatically enrolled and cards mailed starting in early July. Property Tax Court Fight: A judge ruled the Wyoming State Board of Equalization must certify residential property tax values, at least for now, despite the 4% cap dispute. Public Lands Energy: The Trump administration proposed changes to make it easier and cheaper for fossil fuel companies to lease public lands for oil and gas drilling. Wyoming Culture & Events: Cheyenne Frontier Days is gearing up for its 130th run, adding a new Morning Star American Indian Village and extra changes for visitors.

Healthcare Costs: Wyoming lawmakers launched a new Health Insurance Affordability Task Force, meeting this week to dig into why premiums are climbing and what might actually bring costs down. Food Security: The state’s SUN Bucks summer program is rolling out for eligible kids, with automatic enrollment for more than 37,000 children and benefit cards mailed in early July. Courts & Elections: The Wyoming Supreme Court declined to step in on a Cheyenne lawyer’s dispute with the attorney general tied to an election complaint involving Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Public Safety: Rabies guidance is in focus after Wyoming’s first 2026 case was found in a bat in Sheridan County, with reminders for pet vaccination and staying alert to bites. Wildlife & Parks: Yellowstone reported another hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin, while the Teton Range continues mountain-goat removal efforts aimed at protecting native bighorn sheep. Community & Culture: Casper Comic Con returns this weekend at the Ford Wyoming Center with celebrity guests, cosplay contests, and family events.

Wyoming Health Care: Cheyenne Regional says it has completed the state’s first leadless pacemaker implant procedures, pairing the new approach with AI-powered heart mapping to treat abnormal rhythms more precisely. Community & Philanthropy: The Wyoming Community Foundation’s Sheridan-Johnson Counties Local Board handed out $86,500 in spring grants to 15 nonprofits, with fall applications due Sept. 15. Wyoming Sports: Cody High School safety Cache McFadden announced he’ll sign with the University of Wyoming, and Levi Rillos (Colorado) also committed to UW’s 2027 football class. Local Events & Culture: Casper’s Crimson Dawn Park continues its 97-year Topaz Gate tradition, blending community storytelling with a midsummer celebration. Public Safety: A Wyoming flash-flood safety reminder warns that rare, fast-rising creek flooding can mean minutes to react—avoid driving through standing water and move to higher ground. Weather Watch: Eastern Colorado faces an enhanced severe weather risk Tuesday after Monday’s hail and damaging winds.

School Funding Recalibration: A Wyoming Legislature select committee is meeting in Lander this week to address concerns that the 2026 school finance changes boosted teacher pay but tightened how districts can spend money, with public comment built into the schedule. Property Tax Fight: Gov. Mark Gordon sued the Wyoming Board of Equalization to force certification of 2026 residential property tax values after the board said it couldn’t due to disparities tied to the 2024 tax cap. Elections Oversight: The Wyoming AG says two independent reviews found no basis for criminal charges after a complaint alleged Secretary of State Chuck Gray improperly shared sensitive voter data with the federal government. Food Security Push: WyoGives donations for Food Bank of Wyoming will include a July 15 boost aimed at buying Wyoming-grown produce from local farms. Public Safety & Roads: WYDOT and the City of Rawlins answered questions about detours during bypass construction, including how commercial traffic is routed and how locals can avoid congestion. Community & Sports: Green River High School announced its 2026 Hall of Fame class, and Sheridan Wrestling Club hosted a summer camp with local college coaches. Health Watch: Teton County is considering testing town water after chronic wasting disease was detected on the National Elk Refuge.

School Funding & Community Life: Lander’s indoor pool is cutting public access and ending a popular water aerobics class, a local hit tied to Wyoming’s new school funding bill and broader district budget pressures. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration is pushing hospital price transparency, flagging Wyoming among states where hundreds of hospitals still failed to post required pricing in machine-readable formats. Wyoming Economy & Infrastructure: A new study says removing aging dams may not crush nearby local economies as opponents fear, adding fuel to debates that include the Lower Snake River. Weather Watch: Severe storms in the region brought tornadoes and baseball-size hail in eastern Colorado, with more large hail and damaging winds possible again Monday. Wyoming Sports Recruiting: Laramie’s Wyoming Cowboys landed a verbal commitment from tight end Thomas Prescott, a major addition to the 2027 class. Local Culture: Chugwater’s 40th Chili Cookoff and Rodeo drew record crowds, capped by the notorious jalapeno eating contest.

Wyoming Politics: A Wyoming judge ordered the State Board of Equalization to certify residential property tax values for now, after the 4% residential tax cap created uneven assessments and “value inversions,” raising the stakes for 2026 local revenue tied to schools, roads and public safety. Local Government: Rock Springs approved a balanced $44.39 million budget for FY 2027 after a $3.15 million structural deficit, citing conservative management and a late boost from higher property tax projections and updated state distribution figures. Waste & Environment: Rock Springs’ landfill open house highlighted how the Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District is engineering to contain leachate and stretch limited space as it handles about 60,000 tons a year. Weather Watch: Billings-area forecasts point to a cold front Monday that could bring a few strong to severe storms, with hail the main threat and a slight risk extending into parts of Wyoming. Wyoming Energy & Wildlife: A study in Glenrock, Wyoming is testing whether painting wind turbine blades can cut bird collisions, aiming to replicate earlier results while checking for unintended impacts. Rodeo: College rodeo crowned a three-way tie for the CNFR bareback title in Casper, with Wyoming-area fans watching the next wave of contenders.