Lawmakers on the Joint Conference Committee made unusually quick work of the budget on Friday, opting to restore most of the University of Wyoming's funding with some caveats.
UW will have to submit a $5 million cost savings and reinvestment plan by December or risk losing $10 million.
Some Sublette County residents were disappointed that Cody Roberts took a plea deal, reasoning his actions didn't amount to torture.
Others insisted Roberts, who faced up to two years in prison if he had gone to trial, was in the wrong.
Rep. Karlee Provenza defended her decision to share a photo of the check exchange with journalists. "What I saw was an egregious use of the Wyoming House floor," she testified.
"I also wanted the truth, and going forward to the press meant that journalists would have to corroborate what I saw."
BREAKING: Under the plea agreement, the Sublette County resident would avoid time behind bars while paying a $1,000 fine. He'll also face 18 months of supervised probation and be prohibited from hunting, fishing and drinking alcohol.
26.02.2026 00:06 — 👍 11 🔁 7 💬 9 📌 4
One lawmaker who received a check questioned why the sheriff's office announced its investigation. The Democratic legislator who called for the investigation issued a formal protest after information subsequently came to light indicating one of the checks was intended for the Speaker of the House.
17.02.2026 19:42 — 👍 3 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 2
Don Grasso, who wrote the campaign finance checks at the center of the controversy, identified the 10 lawmakers he intended to support. Speaker of the House Chip Neiman and Rep. John Bear, a top Wyoming Freedom Caucus member, were among them. wyofile.com/donor-two-ch...
14.02.2026 03:45 — 👍 6 🔁 9 💬 1 📌 3
Jackson’s Rebecca Bextel gave campaign checks to some lawmakers on the House floor Monday. The move quickly became the chatter of the Capitol. Then, on Wednesday, quiet rumors spilled into a tense confrontation in the House when a lawmaker raised concerns. wyofile.com/conservative...
12.02.2026 01:13 — 👍 20 🔁 17 💬 2 📌 10
Wyoming water officials issued a call along the North Platte River ordering those with "junior" rights to stop diversions, with little snow and water relief in the forecast. - @WyoFile #ClimateCrisis wyofile.com?p=122391&pre...
10.02.2026 15:13 — 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 1
The Wyoming Legislature's 2026 budget session begins today in Cheyenne with the State of the State and bill introductions.
Follow along on day one as WyoFile brings you the latest news.
Wyoming native Breezy Johnson won the gold medal in the Women’s downhill at the Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, today. Johnson clocked 1:36.10 to beat Germany’s Emma Aicher by 0.04 seconds.
08.02.2026 15:28 — 👍 13 🔁 6 💬 0 📌 0
What was widely interpreted as a $58-million budget cut to tribal health services was actually an accounting maneuver, the chairman of Wyoming's budgeting committee said. The news was met with relief.
"Without the funding, our people would die."
Read more ➡️ wyofile.com/lawmakers-wi...
Cody Roberts' lawyer argued wolves aren't covered by the state's animal cruelty laws. But a judge appeared skeptical of his request to dismiss the felony case. “It just seems a bridge too far that the state can’t pursue [charges],” he told the courtroom. wyofile.com/judge-sugges...
29.01.2026 00:55 — 👍 8 🔁 8 💬 1 📌 0
Three Wyoming women will represent the U.S. in skiing events at the Olympics in Italy next month. Breezy Johnson, Jaelin Kauf and Anna Gibson are stoked. They credit their communities and their upbringing in the mountains for their achievements, they told WyoFile.
23.01.2026 15:37 — 👍 7 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 1
University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel has historically avoided wading into the day-to-day affairs of the Wyoming Legislature. But lawmakers' proposal to slash the school's block grant by $40 million — a move that could result in job losses — pushed Seidel to break his customary silence.
22.01.2026 16:03 — 👍 7 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
The State Board of Equalization will challenge a tax cap on residential property in court, arguing the Wyoming state law is unconstitutional. The lawsuit is set to be filed Thursday, a member of the board confirmed to WyoFile.
22.01.2026 14:51 — 👍 4 🔁 4 💬 0 📌 0
BREAKING: Two members of Congress have asked federal officials to investigate Wyoming lawyer Karen Budd-Falen for possible corruption while serving in President Trump's Interior Department.
The embroglio involves a Nevada lithium mine and a water contract with her family ranch.
The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled Tuesday two bans passed by state lawmakers are unconstitutional. The decision represents a major victory for abortion rights advocates in one of the nation's reddest states.
Read more and stay up to date ➡️ wyofile.com/abortion-rem...
Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court ruled two abortion bans passed in 2023 violate the state constitution. Early story: wyofile.com/abortion-rem...
06.01.2026 16:40 — 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
WyoFile is a nonprofit newsroom that depends on donors to fund our work. All of our reporting is possible because of YOU! If you're able to help fund our work and support our mission of being public-service news for the state of Wyoming, every contribution helps.
Donate now ➡️ WyoFile.com/donate
Wyoming's lone Rep. Harriet Hageman announced Tuesday she will run for U.S. Senate in 2026. The congresswoman will vie for the seat held by Cynthia Lummis, who announced last week she is not seeking reelection. wyofile.com/wyoming-rep-...
23.12.2025 15:25 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
BREAKING: "I do not have six more years in me," the longtime Wyoming lawmaker said in a Friday announcement. The move opens a coveted slot in Wyoming politics and could impact downballot races in next year's election.
19.12.2025 22:35 — 👍 22 🔁 8 💬 8 📌 3
The Dry Piney helium production and carbon dioxide sequestration project would rival ExxonMobil's neighboring Shute Creek plant near LaBarge by producing an estimated 10% or more of the world's helium supply. wyofile.com/feds-wyoming...
18.12.2025 01:14 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The layoffs at Hoskinson Contracting and Hoskinson Concrete are due to the completion of the Hoskinson Health & Wellness Clinic in Gillette, according to the companies.
The concrete business will close permanently. Wyoming Workforce Services is assisting laid off workers.
The substance of a revision ordered by the Trump administration remains under wraps, though changes will be confined to "special management areas." It's widely expected that the updated plans will deemphasize conservation.
05.12.2025 14:52 — 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Today is #GivingTuesday, a global day of philanthropy. As a reader-powered nonprofit newsroom, it's an important day for WyoFile! ❤️
If we receive 200 donations today, we unlock a generous $20,000 match! Your donation of any amount helps us get there.
Donate now ➡️ wyofile.fundjournalism.org/donate/
Exciting news — @wyofile.com is growing again! We're adding a production editor to our team. This person will serve as lead copy editor while managing our story layouts and newsletters. Pay is $65K-75K. Unlimited PTO. Plus, we have a good time and do meaningful work. wyofile.com/wp-content/u...
26.11.2025 19:15 — 👍 9 🔁 7 💬 0 📌 0
Two tripped 500-kilovolt lines near Medicine Bow triggered the mammoth power outage, which affected customers around Wyoming including in Casper, Douglas, Sheridan and Gillette.
After the disruption, a fire ignited at Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant in Glenrock.
Come work at @wyofile.com! We're hiring for a public safety-general assignment reporter. Our newsroom is growing and full of well-adjusted, happy humans who are fun to work with. wyofile.com/wp-content/u...
12.11.2025 20:35 — 👍 5 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
Cody Roberts made his first court appearance Monday after being charged with felony animal cruelty over the torment of a wolf that sparked global outrage.
The Sublette County resident is free while awaiting trial and isn’t required to post bond to stay out of jail.
"One pumpkin displayed a Nazi swastika and SS bolts, another 'was carved with a KKK clan member in their hooded robe,' according to the police report." The school president waited a week to respond, and did so only after media coverage.
08.11.2025 01:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
