Opinion | Sunshine: Why WyoFile exists WyoFile exists to empower our neighbors — whether we agree with them or not — with the information they need to participate in civic life.

OPINION: WyoFile exists to empower our neighbors — whether we agree with them or not — with the information they need to participate in civic life.

With jump in suicides, Wyoming officials and advocates push prevention - WyoFile Wyoming had the highest 10-year increase in suicides in 2024 and the second-highest rate nationwide. The governor is promoting free training and other awareness this month.

In 2024, Wyoming's 10-year suicide rate increase of 35% was the nation's highest, and the state's overall rate was second only to Alaska.

Gov. Mark Gordon and other advocates are promoting prevention training and awareness to help curb a crisis that has long plagued the state.

Despite CWD surge, northwest Wyoming mule deer hunters, outfitters disregard threat to their fall tradition - WyoFile TEN SLEEP—The Settlemire family’s 2025 Wyoming deer hunting season kicked off with quick success and venison headed for the freezer.  Two mule deer

It's business as usual for hunters and outfitters as an insidious disease tightens its deadly grip on nine prized mule deer herds that dwell in the Bighorn Basin.

New plans targeting CWD in the area have been debuted, but their effect remains to be seen.

Lawmakers look to curb fraud enabled by Wyoming’s limited business regulations - WyoFile Although a draft bill died in the House, an interim committee could study how to crack down on scammers' use of registered agents in Wyoming.

Although Sen. Barry Crago's draft bill aimed at criminal activity died in the House, the Buffalo senator says he's "not terribly disappointed," because the bill got people talking.

Two committee chairs expressed a desire to study registered agent issues during the interim.

The broader economic downsides of the war in Iran are more certain than oil revenue gains for local producers and state coffers, according to one Wyoming economist.

Read more ➡️ wyofile.com/wartime-oil-...

Wartime oil spike likely portends more bad than good for oil-rich Wyoming - WyoFile Broader economic downsides are more certain than oil revenue gains, according to one Wyoming economist.

The broader economic downsides of the war in Iran are more certain than oil revenue gains for local producers and state coffers, according to one Wyoming economist.

An industry official agrees: "High prices can also suppress economic activity, which in turn reduces demand."

Union workers at Wyoming trona mine reach $800K settlement - WyoFile Union representative hails new owners for renewed cooperation, including resolution of a yearslong overtime dispute.

United Steel Workers Local 13214 at the Westvaco and Granger trona and soda ash operations credit new owner, WE Soda, for a renewed cooperative relationship — a significant step in a right-to-work state, a union representative said.

What you need to know about the Wyoming Legislature’s just completed budget session - WyoFile WyoFile reporters share their takeaways from a budget session full of controversies and debate.

WyoFile reporters share their biggest takeaways from a budget session full of controversies and debate, from UW budget cuts that fizzled to the investigations spurred by check-passing on the House floor.

The Wyoming Legislature adjourned with a budget and over 90 new laws on the books.

WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Jordan Uplinger recap what passed, back-and-forth between the governor and lawmakers, and what happens next.

Watch the full episode ➡️ youtu.be/Ma6m0X7tcLo?...

The Wyoming Legislature adjourned with a budget and over 90 new laws on the books.

WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Jordan Uplinger recap what passed, back-and-forth between the governor and lawmakers, and what happens next.

Watch the full episode ➡️ youtu.be/Ma6m0X7tcLo?...

The Wyoming budget session is over. What's next? YouTube video by WyoFile

The Wyoming Legislature adjourned with a budget and over 90 new laws on the books.

WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Jordan Uplinger recap what passed, back-and-forth between the governor and lawmakers, and what happens next.

Abortion providers: Wyoming’s heartbeat law creates untenable hardships - WyoFile Health professionals say they are scrambling to understand implications around invasive ultrasounds, what constitutes a medical emergency and how to avoid “draconian” penalties.

Health professionals say they are scrambling to understand the new law's implications around invasive ultrasounds, what constitutes a medical emergency and how to avoid its "draconian" penalties.

Arts and culture cowboys ride for the brand - WyoFile Wyoming’s creative sector rallies for the Cultural Trust Fund, writes columnist Jessica Brauer.

OPINION: Wyoming's creative sector rallies for the Cultural Trust Fund, writes columnist Jessica Brauer.

With private-jet lounge complete, Jackson Hole Airport turns to finding new firehouse site - WyoFile As a new lounge for private-jet passengers is completed, airport officials struggle to find a site for a firehouse.

The Jackson Hole Airport in Grand Teton National Park just built a posh lounge for the ultra-wealthy. After completing that construction, officials are now looking for a site for a firehouse. But space is becoming scarce at the only commercial airport in a national park.

Wildlife and public lands in Cheyenne: ‘Pleasant’ surprises, little ‘defense’ needed in 2026 Legislature, advocates say - WyoFile Cheatgrass funding was mostly replenished, the last remaining landowner hunting license bill was shot down and state lawmakers took a stand for retaining public lands.

As the Wyoming Legislature's 2026 budget session sputtered toward its end, cheatgrass funding was mostly replenished, the last remaining landowner license hunting season bill was shot down and state lawmakers took a stand for retaining public lands.

Complaints dismissed against Wyoming lawmakers who revealed ‘Checkgate’ - WyoFile Reps. Karlee Provenza and Mike Yin did not break any legislative rules by telling the public or the press about campaign donations handed out on the House floor, a group of lawmakers concluded.

Reps. Karlee Provenza and Mike Yin did not break legislative rules by telling the public or press about campaign checks handed out on the House floor, a group of lawmakers concluded. Both Democrats called the allegations a “deflection” from the check-passing incident.
wyofile.com/complaints-d...

Public payroll deductions for union fees stand after House fails to override Gov. Gordon's veto - WyoFile The measure would have barred public employers from offering voluntary payroll deductions for specific public worker unions, including a teachers' union that has taken the Legislature to court.

BREAKING: An effort to override Gov. Mark Gordon's veto of a controversial bill to block public employers from administering voluntary payroll deductions for union membership fees failed to receive the necessary two-thirds vote Wednesday in the House.

Wyoming abortion rights defenders ask judge to block state’s new ban on most abortions - WyoFile The latest challenge comes a day after Gov. Mark Gordon signed the Human Heartbeat Act into law, warning that it could end up in court.

BREAKING: The same group of abortion rights advocates who successfully defeated Wyoming's abortion bans has opened a new legal battle, this time against a law signed Monday that bans the practice as soon as there's a "detectable fetal heartbeat," which can be as early as six weeks.

Wyoming still a leader in outdoor recreation economy as growth slows - WyoFile Hunting activities generated lead outdoor rec's economic impact in Wyoming, followed by RVing, boating, fishing, horseback riding and snow activities.

Hunting-related activities led outdoor rec's economic impact on Wyoming, generating over $100 million in 2024, even as the industry's growth slowed.

However, funding opportunities make "the future of outdoor recreation in the state more promising than ever," the state’s recreation boss says.

Controversial Wyoming gun law changes would hinder Trump agenda, Gordon argues in veto message - WyoFile The governor vetoed proposed changes to state gun law that restricts enforcement of federal gun orders.

BREAKING: Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed proposed changes to a Wyoming gun law that restricts enforcement of federal gun orders.

He described the legislation as a hindrance to the Trump administration's enforcement initiatives on immigration, drug smuggling and human trafficking.

K-12 school funding recalibration bill becomes law without Gordon's signature - WyoFile The governor expressed concern the bill encroaches on local control.

Calling the legislation a "starting point," Gov. Mark Gordon explained in a letter to legislative leadership that he declined to sign the bill because of concerns it disadvantages smaller districts, usurps local authority, and fails to address essential operational funding needs.

Measure to block Wyoming public employee payroll deductions for union fees heads to governor's desk - WyoFile House Bill 178 sparked intense debate in the Senate over whether targeting specific groups is unconstitutional.

A measure to block public employers from administering paycheck deductions for organization fees sparked intense debate among Wyoming lawmakers, including accusations of retribution against specific public worker unions.

Abortions in all but earliest weeks now illegal in Wyoming, as new court battle brews - WyoFile Casper clinic says it’s ready to challenge the new ban in court after Gov. Gordon signs new law.

Gov. Mark Gordon signed the Human Heartbeat Act into law Monday, banning abortions in all but the earliest weeks of pregnancy. Julie Bukhart, president of a Casper clinic that offers abortions, said she's ready to challenge the new law in court.

What our survey of laid-off pubmedia workers reveals about cuts and their fallout Respondents to our survey reported abrupt notice and a toll on their mental and financial well-being.

Getting laid off appears to have soured at least half of our survey respondents on working in public media — 53% said they were very or somewhat unlikely to work in the system again. current.org/2026/03/what...

How four public media workers are navigating life after layoffs Losing a job is “all the emotions you could possibly feel, and you’ve got to work through it and get through it somehow.”

“It was very abrupt,” one former public media employee said. “You don’t get any closure. … You don’t have any way to say goodbye.” current.org/2026/03/how-...

Wyoming has a budget for the next two years! After weeks of divisive lead up, how did we get here? Plus, the House issues its report on an activist handing out campaign checks on the House floor.

We break down the penultimate week of the budget session.

Watch now ➡️ youtu.be/Ktrv1i9SRdU?...

Governor signs into law bill to address lengthy mental health holds in Wyoming jails - WyoFile Health and law enforcement officials have pushed for the law to lift financial strain and address the backlog of inmates waiting for a bed and mental health treatment at the state hospital.

Under a new law, the Wyoming Department of Health and Wyoming detention centers can now enter into contracts intended to address the backlog of inmates waiting for a bed and mental health treatment at the state hospital.

The Sublette County man carried the injured wolf "like a baby" before taking it outside and shooting it, the prosecutor in the case said. Roberts said he hopes to move past the incident and looks forward to "healing."

Read more ➡️ wyofile.com/cody-roberts...

Gov. Gordon signs Wyoming’s next two-year budget while vetoing two dozen items - WyoFile The Legislature's budget came in about $53 million shy of Gordon’s $11 billion in recommendations.

Gov. Mark Gordon signed Wyoming's next two-year budget late Thursday, using his veto pen in the process to strike roughly two dozen items and footnotes.

As they have in the past, many of the governor's vetoes focused on the separation of powers.