An independent, reader-funded, non-profit news organization focused on the people, places, and policy of Wyoming. Send tips to editor@wyofile.com. ✉️ Newsletters: https://wyofile.com/newsletter-signup 📱 Mobile App: https://onelink.to/sadwq2https://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlwjr4ka2s2fWhile acknowledging the youth prison used various restraint methods, confinement and force to keep juvenile residents under control, state officials assert that their actions didn’t run afoul of the law, a new court filing shows. https://wyofile.com/wyoming-boys-school-state-claim-restraint-methods-confinement-use-of-force-dont-violate-law/15 May 2026 23:54 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlwjr4ka2s2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlwfzdha6c2fThree federal judges have dismissed felony grand jury indictments against nine defendants, citing misconduct by interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith that could have prejudiced the jurors. The ruling comes days before Smith’s confirmation vote. https://wyofile.com/judges-toss-charges-against-9-over-u-s-attorney-darin-smiths-deeply-concerning-misconduct/15 May 2026 22:47 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlwfzdha6c2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlw7mq5sic24Chronic clashes between an apex raptor and domestic lambs grazing Wyoming rangelands reached cabinet-level officials at two branches of the United States government early this year. https://wyofile.com/burgum-and-rollins-ordered-immediate-action-to-protect-wyoming-woolgrowers-lambs-from-golden-eagles/15 May 2026 20:52 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlw7mq5sic24https://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mltxbyg6jk2dA canine disease outbreak dropped Wyoming’s wolves to numbers last seen 20 years ago. Now, wildlife managers have drafted hunting regulations aimed at increasing their wolf count. “We want to grow the population by 28 wolves,” a Wyoming biologist said. https://wyofile.com/wyoming-cuts-wolf-hunt-in-half-to-buoy-yellowstone-regions-disease-depleted-population/14 May 2026 23:18 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltxbyg6jk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mltpmzzqr22dA new ruling from the Wyoming Supreme Court allows the state to begin distributing public money for its expansive and controversial universal school voucher program while a court fight is underway. https://wyofile.com/wyoming-supreme-court-ends-block-on-public-money-for-private-education/14 May 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltpmzzqr22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlt4kwgskk2dSome 150,000 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Wyoming may see their monthly electric bills increase — again. https://wyofile.com/another-electric-rate-hike-in-wyoming-rocky-mountain-power-asks-for-71m-increase/14 May 2026 15:20 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlt4kwgskk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlr4o4qh522kRebecca Bextel, the Teton County conservative activist at the center of the Checkgate controversy, announced Wednesday she will run for governor. She will seek the Constitution Party’s nomination to stymie Sen. Eric Barlow’s candidacy. https://wyofile.com/checkgates-rebecca-bextel-launches-insurance-policy-bid-for-wyoming-governor/13 May 2026 20:16 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlr4o4qh522khttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mloaoia5kc2hThe Laramie County Sheriff’s Office topped the nation in immigration arrests during one week in April. The office made 53 immigration arrests that week, more than any local or state law enforcement agency in the country certified to enforce immigration. bit.ly/432XRJL https://bit.ly/432XRJL12 May 2026 16:50 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mloaoia5kc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlm677ohm22xThe Biden administration rule put conservation on equal footing with other uses of public lands. The repeal “abandons progress," a conservationist said. Wyoming’s governor, meanwhile, lauded the Trump administration’s decision. https://wyofile.com/conservation-groups-call-foul-gordon-celebrates-after-blm-repeals-public-lands-rule/11 May 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlm677ohm22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlm3374gnk2zFollowing allegations that U.S. Attorney Darin Smith polluted a grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office acknowledged his remarks were “ill advised” but contends they don’t warrant dismissing indictments of several defendants. https://wyofile.com/u-s-attorneys-office-says-remarks-by-top-prosecutor-smith-ill-advised-but-didnt-pollute-grand-jury/11 May 2026 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlm3374gnk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mle3roq7bc2bA deadly outbreak of canine distemper contributed to Wyoming’s lowest wolf population since the early 2000s. Despite the disease-driven decline, most surviving canines now have strong antibodies, and biologists are upbeat about the species’ ability to rebound. https://wyofile.com/disease-outbreak-cuts-wyoming-yellowstone-wolf-numbers-to-lowest-level-since-reintroduction-era/08 May 2026 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mle3roq7bc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlcef4bkfc2tThe Wyoming Constitution does not require lawmakers to live in their district following their election. Even so, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Rep. Joel Guggenmos for temporarily living outside his district despite having moved back. https://wyofile.com/riverton-lawmaker-at-the-center-of-wyomings-latest-legislative-residency-dispute/07 May 2026 23:24 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcef4bkfc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlbxcxnpj22tRecognizing “very dry conditions,” the state’s water boss Tuesday declared an emergency to allow ranchers to more easily get water to their stock. “It’s terrible this year,” State Engineer Brandon Gebhart said of the statewide outlook. https://wyofile.com/terrible-water-year-prompts-emergency-order-for-livestock/07 May 2026 19:30 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbxcxnpj22thttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mlbir7qstc2jWyoming fisheries biologists prep anglers for low water, high temperatures and sluggish fish. https://wyofile.com/as-summer-fishing-heats-up-so-do-worries-about-fish-health/07 May 2026 15:10 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbir7qstc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3ml7tmf7ua225Yellowstone’s first bear attack of 2026 occurred in an area that was until recently off-limits to spring hiking to reduce the risk of human-grizzly bear conflicts. Two brothers were injured during the attack, which took place within a decommissioned bear management area. https://wyofile.com/yellowstone-bear-attack-site-was-closed-to-spring-hiking-until-2024-to-reduce-human-grizzly-conflicts/06 May 2026 23:19 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml7tmf7ua225https://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3ml53elk6sk2gWellspring Health Access, Wyoming’s lone procedural abortion clinic, is looking into other potential medications to replace mifepristone pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s next move. https://wyofile.com/casper-abortion-clinic-braces-for-mifepristone-decision/05 May 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml53elk6sk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3ml24oe4o6k2eAfter the Wyoming GOP voted to defy a state law prohibiting the party from backing one Republican over another before the primary election, statewide candidates are split on whether they would accept such an endorsement. https://wyofile.com/statewide-candidates-split-on-wyoming-gops-plans-to-defy-state-law-and-make-endorsements/04 May 2026 16:45 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml24oe4o6k2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mksgkioudk2rA judge has tossed a defamation case against a political action committee tied to the Wyoming Freedom Caucus. The group had accused two lawmakers of voting to keep Trump off the ballot, even though such a vote never occurred. https://wyofile.com/judge-dismisses-defamation-case-against-wyoming-freedom-caucus-pac/01 May 2026 15:21 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksgkioudk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mkq5i2iics2gDigging up miles of relic telecommunications lines was allegedly unauthorized. “Apparently, it's really close — within six-tenths of a mile of some [sage grouse] leks — which wouldn't be allowed,” a retired biologist said. https://wyofile.com/blm-investigates-copper-line-removal-near-wyoming-sage-grouse-leks-historic-trails/30 Apr 2026 17:33 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkq5i2iics2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mknqqnq3jk2kFormer Wyoming journalist April Morganroth faces another felony, this time for allegedly forging a letter to enroll her child in Laramie County School District 1 and get special education services. The newest charge adds to the 20 Morganroth already faces. https://wyofile.com/forged-letter-charge-adds-to-20-that-former-wyoming-journalist-already-faces/29 Apr 2026 18:40 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknqqnq3jk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mknffkxbkc2bPublic land advocates credit four corner-crossing Missouri hunters with opening millions of acres of public land in the West. It was a lone hunter from Douglas, however, who broke trail 23 years ago and enabled those more recent courtroom victories. https://wyofile.com/before-elk-mountain-the-forgotten-corner-crossing-case-that-set-the-stage-for-public-land-access-across-the-west/29 Apr 2026 15:17 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknffkxbkc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mklomthyfk27Wary of a potential political swing in Washington, some industry advocates urge expanding subsidies and streamlined permitting beyond fossil fuels. But one idea to allow for dedicated electrical power has lawmakers and utility officials spooked. https://wyofile.com/energy-industry-presses-wyoming-lawmakers-to-better-meet-trumps-energy-dominance-agenda/28 Apr 2026 22:56 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklomthyfk27https://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mkkwqfwfh227The GOP argues that a state law that prohibits it from backing one Republican over another in the primary is unconstitutional. Its new bylaws are the latest effort to cement the party as the decider of who is a Republican in Wyoming and who is not. https://wyofile.com/wyoming-republican-party-plans-to-buck-law-and-endorse-candidates-ahead-of-critical-primary/28 Apr 2026 15:49 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkwqfwfh227https://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mkj2fznc4c2nFederal public defenders on Friday asked judges to dismiss six felony grand-jury indictments because U.S. Attorney for Wyoming nominee Darin Smith allegedly prejudiced jurors by calling the defendants “murderers,” among other things. https://wyofile.com/six-defendants-claim-misconduct-by-u-s-attorney-nominee-darin-smith/27 Apr 2026 21:49 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkj2fznc4c2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mkdcbn5rc22pA judge granted a motion Friday to temporarily halt enforcement of Wyoming’s newest anti-abortion law while a legal challenge against it proceeds. The measure, which took effect in March, seeks to ban abortion in all but the earliest days of pregnancy. https://wyofile.com/judge-temporarily-blocks-wyomings-newest-abortion-ban/25 Apr 2026 14:54 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkdcbn5rc22phttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mkav5qb64s2sSam Mead, fifth-generation rancher, whiskey maker, Blue Origin engineer and small-town politician, will run for U.S. Senate in the Republican primary against Rep. Harriet Hageman. Mead, 36, grew up in Jackson Hole, where his family has a history of ranching and politics. https://wyofile.com/sam-mead-son-of-wyoming-politics-will-run-for-u-s-senate/24 Apr 2026 15:54 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkav5qb64s2shttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mk73z6ym6s2kThe Wyoming Freedom Caucus, which holds a House majority, is setting its sights on the Senate, with several of its members and allies running for the upper chamber. The marquee competition is likely Speaker of the House Chip Neiman challenging Sen. Ogden Driskill. https://wyofile.com/senate-showdown-between-neiman-and-driskill-highlights-republican-divide/23 Apr 2026 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk73z6ym6s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mk646m7wc22gIn western Wyoming, crews are moving dirt for TerraPower's Natrium nuclear power plant, which is positioned to become only the fourth U.S. reactor brought online this century. “It's really historic,” the developer’s CEO said. https://wyofile.com/terrapower-breaks-ground-on-a-rarity-a-nuclear-reactor-wyomings-first/23 Apr 2026 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk646m7wc22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mk4kiynnpk2eNatrona County District Judge Dan Forgey did not say when he would issue a ruling. In the meantime, abortion in Wyoming remains illegal beyond around the sixth week, when it’s first possible to detect fetal cardiac activity. https://wyofile.com/judge-mulls-whether-to-halt-wyomings-heartbeat-abortion-restrictions-amid-legal-challenge/22 Apr 2026 22:33 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4kiynnpk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/wyofile.com/post/3mjxguepqlc2uThe vast majority of free-roaming horses occupying Wyoming’s Red Desert could be rounded up if federal plans now under review come to pass. The BLM says reductions are needed after equines roughly doubled in number and took a toll on the environment. https://wyofile.com/feds-pitch-wild-horse-removals-new-herd-plans-to-ease-impacts-on-750k-acres-of-the-red-desert/20 Apr 2026 21:44 +0000at://did:plc:mcmjagdh4rrv5qgklslswvg4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxguepqlc2u