This year’s funding for state historic preservation offices, including Wyoming’s, was released after a three-month delay. Future funding wasn’t included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last week, and preservation officers worry when – or if – they’ll see it. Comments by Brian Beadles, deputy state historic preservation officer, Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office.

Campaign finance laws are designed to prevent successful candidates from rewarding donors with official actions. But the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case on the issue, which could change those rules and impact Wyoming elections. Comments from Hilary Braseth (BRAH-zeth), executive director, Open Secrets, an independent nonprofit that follows money in U.S. politics.

The Western Organization of Resource Councils, which has members in Wyoming, is hosting a three-part online series on how to run for any level of office. The series is part of the group’s Grassroots Democracy Program and kicks off tonight (6/30). Comments by Gwen Lachelt (LACK-ult), political director, Western Organization of Resource Councils.

After the Trump administration made cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in April, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is considering making major changes to the agency. But a new poll shows most people across Wyoming and the nation want government support in the face of extreme weather. Comments by Brian Kennedy, senior researcher, Pew Research Center.

The U.S. Interior Department has included in its 2026 “Budget in Brief” a surcharge for international visitors to America’s national parks. The practice is common in other countries and advocates say it could raise revenue for annual and deferred maintenance in parks including Yellowstone. Comments by Tate Watkins, research fellow, Property and Environment Research Center.

An annual report on children’s well-being shows Wyoming kids are better off on several health indicators than they were in 2019, but those improvements still trail national data. Comments by Micah Richardson, associate director of policy, Wyoming Women’s Foundation at the Wyoming Community Foundation; and Leslie Boissiere (BOSS-ee-air), vice president of external affairs, Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In Laramie, home to the University of Wyoming, an influx of newcomers on a college-rental-heavy housing stock created a crunch for vital workers such as nurses and teachers. An old local school is due for demolition and a new public-private partnership hopes to build workforce-attainable housing on the lot. Comments by Todd Feezer, Laramie assistant city manager.

Experts say threats to free speech on college campuses are coming from both sides of the political spectrum. A restrictive policy at the University of Wyoming gave the school a low marks on a free speech report card from the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), but that data dates back to June 2024. Comments from Sean Stevens, FIRE's chief research adviser.

Wyoming residents want to see their communities plan for changing water resources, and they underestimate how many of their neighbors agree, according to a new survey from the University of Wyoming. Comments by Kristen Landreville, researcher, University of Wyoming.

A new report models the outcomes of different income tax plans, as President Donald Trump weighs options. It finds increasing top tax rates to 44% would raise enough revenue to pay for assistance programs Wyomingites rely on without negatively affecting the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Comments from Mary Eschelbach (ESH-el-bok) Hansen, report co-author and economics professor, American University.

Optimism among small business owners in April is hitting record lows. Some say the breakneck speed of tariff announcements isn’t conducive to a business owners’ calendar. Comments by Dilawar Syed [DILL-a-warr SIGH-ed], former deputy administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration; and Vanessa Faggiolly [FAAJ-ee-oh-lee], owner, Amerisal [a-MER-i-sahl] Foods.

A SENTIENT/WYOMING NEWS SERVICE COLLABORATION - The United States produces and consumes more beef than any other country. But Americans have been eating less beef since the 1980s – and China has been eating much more. Comments by Brent Kim, faculty scientist, Center for a Livable Future at Johns Hopkins University.

About one-quarter of Indigenous rock art in Wyoming has been vandalized. A new Wyoming law increases penalties for vandalism while an order from the Department of the Interior decreases the window for tribal comments on area energy projects. Comments by Crystal C’Bearing [SEE BEAR-ing], tribal historic preservation officer, Northern Arapaho Tribe.

A new poll of voters in Wyoming and across the West shows many – including MAGA supporters – disagree with the energy- and environment-related proposals coming from lawmakers. This as the House Natural Resources Committee convenes today (Tuesday) to mark up the Republicans’ budget package, which reflects the Trump administration’s “National Energy Dominance” agenda. Comments by pollster Lori Weigel [WHY-guhl], principal, New Bridge Strategies; and Russell Kuhlman [CULL-man], executive director, Nevada Wildlife Federation.

Thursday, May 1 is May Day, an international holiday celebrating workers. Organizers of a gathering in Casper aim to put politics aside and unite the working class. Comments by Dirk Andrews, vice president, Wyoming Education Association and president, Natrona County Education Association.

It could be easier to permit energy projects in Wyoming after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced a streamlined process that sidesteps decades-old laws. A leaked DOI strategic plan shows the move is part of a bigger plan to “restore American prosperity." Comments from Erik Molvar [MOLE-varr], executive director, Western Watersheds Project.

A Care Coordination program implemented by the Wyoming Department of Education has helped students, teachers and families connect with mental health providers. But funding for the program is about to expire. Comments by Megan Degenfelder [DEG-ehn-fell-dur], superintendent of public instruction, State of Wyoming; Anita Ward, chief growth officer, Care Solace; and Caitlin Hochul [HO-cull], vice president of public policy, Inseparable.

Across Wyoming and the country, farmers are aging and farmland is disappearing. A bipartisan bill in Congress would launch a U.S. Department of Agriculture pilot program to help reduce barriers for beginning farmers. Comments from Nicholas Rossi (RAH-see), policy specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

Seed banks across the U.S. house 600,000 genetic lines of 200 food crops integral to the nation's food security. The Trump administration's DOGE fired some of its small workforce. Comments from Iago (ee-AH-go) Hale, associate professor of specialty crop improvement, University of New Hampshire.

Advocates for older Americans in Wyoming and across the U.S. consider it a win today, after a near miss from the Social Security Administration that would have reduced some of the agency's telephone services. The cutback was set to take effect today (Monday), and there are still concerns about customer service. Comments by Tom Lacock [LAY-cock], associate state director of communications and state advocacy, and Sam Shumway, state director, both with AARP Wyoming.