Feds order Flaming Gorge drop to save imperiled Lake Powell from potential structural failure - WyoFile Record-breaking heat and historically low snowpack have reduced water storage on the Colorado River system to 36%, officials say.

BREAKING: Feds order Flaming Gorge drop to save imperiled Lake Powell from potential structural failure. Record-breaking heat and historically low snowpack have reduced water storage on the Colorado River system to 36%, officials say. - @wyofile.com
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Wyoming electric utility dumps wind and solar in long-term planning - WyoFile One of the key driving forces behind the expansion of wind turbines in Wyoming is gutting plans for future renewable energy projects. Rocky Mountain

PacifiCorp, which operates as Rocky Mountain Power in Wyoming, has historically driven much of the wind energy development in Wyoming. Now, it's pulling renewables out of its future planning, while its greenhouse emissions are expected to rise. wyofile.com/wyoming-elec...

Facing unusually dry and windy conditions, Wyoming braces for fire season - WyoFile Wyoming has already started its fire season this year, with about 240 fires burning 12,450 acres.

Wyoming is already headlong into the fire season, with about 240 fires already burning more than 12,000 acres. The unusually dry and windy conditions have spurred conversations about bringing in more firefighting resources and new wildland fire crews. wyofile.com/facing-unusu...

Regulators seek public input for massive Montana-Wyoming oil pipeline proposal - WyoFile The Wyoming-based developer, Bridger Pipeline Expansion, has had several pipeline breaks and spills in the past.

The Wyoming-based developer behind the Bridger oil pipeline expansion has had several pipeline breaks and spills in the past — a cause for health and environmental concerns, one landowner advocate says. - @wyofile.com
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Wyoming journalist faces 10 more forgery charges in alleged homebuying scheme - WyoFile Prosecutors suspect April Marie Morganroth forged documents showing she was approved for a loan and received a grant from the USDA.

A reporter who worked at multiple Wyoming publications is accused of forging documents claiming she received a USDA loan and grant to buy a Chugwater home. April Marie Morganroth already faces charges alleging she forged documents to oppose a local wind farm. wyofile.com/wyoming-jour...

Afroman Wins Verdict Rejecting Lawsuit Filed by Ohio Cops Over Mocking Music Videos Afroman won a jury verdict rejecting a lawsuit from police officers who claim the rapper defamed them by mocking them in social media music videos.

Afroman found not liable.

A complete victory for the rapper and a massive unforced error from the cops and their attorney.

www.billboard.com/pro/afroman-...

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.

Wartime oil spike likely portends more bad than good for oil-rich Wyoming where higher oil prices generate extra revenue for fossil fuel-dependent state coffers. - @wyofile.com wyofile.com/wartime-oil-...

Wyoming budget inked, 'Checkgate' checked YouTube video by WyoFile

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.

WyoFile's Maggie Mullen and Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements break down the penultimate week of the budget session.

Cody Roberts apologizes, pleads guilty for cruel treatment of an injured wolf in Wyoming bar - WyoFile Sublette County man carried injured wolf “like a baby” before taking it outside and shooting it and his actions amounted to felony animal cruelty, prosecutor said.

BREAKING: 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."

Wyoming could enact more citizenship checks for SNAP recipients, collect hospital data for noncitizens - WyoFile Senate File 106’s current version would require every SNAP applicant to be checked for citizenship status and direct hospitals to collect information about uncompensated care for noncitizens and undoc...

A bill nearing the finish line in the Legislature would require every SNAP applicant to be checked for citizenship status while directing hospitals to collect information about uncompensated care for noncitizens and undocumented patients.

Wyoming nuclear power plant receives federal approval for reactor construction - WyoFile TerraPower's Natrium plant near Kemmerer is the first commercial reactor approved in nearly a decade in the U.S., and the first 'advanced' liquid sodium-cooled reactor in more than 40 years.

TerraPower's Natrium nuclear power plant near Kemmerer has received the first federal approval for a commercial reactor in nearly a decade.

The company began construction of non-nuclear portions of the facility in 2024 and will start work on nuclear components within weeks.

Inside a managing master class: Dave Roberts breaks down a World Series Game 7 for the ages “The pressure points in that World Series,” Roberts said. “There were so many different things. It's unbelievable when you unpack it.”

Inside a managing master class: Dave Roberts breaks down a Game 7 for the ages

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Amid ‘Checkgate’ controversy, sheriff says criminal inquiry is ‘not politically motivated’ - WyoFile Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak has faced criticism from some lawmakers for pursuing a law enforcement inquiry into the check passing.

Some lawmakers accused Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak of being politically motivated after his office launched an investigation into "Checkgate."

Kozak maintains that's not the case, and said his agency can employ certain investigative tools that aren't available to a legislative committee.

Wyoming just wrapped up its warmest winter ever, surpassing Dust Bowl records - WyoFile Low-elevation snowfall hit new record lows and temperatures soared to new highs at almost every station in the state.

Low-elevation snowfall hit new record lows and temperatures soared to new highs at almost every weather station in the state. "Generally speaking, around the state, it's been the warmest [winter]," the Wyoming state climatologist said.

Lawmakers restore most UW funding in unified budget, including $40M block grant - WyoFile Lawmakers on the Joint Conference Committee made unusually quick work of the budget on Friday, opting to restore most of the school’s funding with some caveats.

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.

‘In a trial, I think he’d get off’: Sublette County reacts to Cody Roberts’ felony animal cruelty plea deal - WyoFile Sublette County folks and far-flung activists weigh in on a deal that would keep the infamous wolf captor out of prison.

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.

Checkgate hearing live: Photos, video capture exchange - WyoFile Follow along as WyoFile brings you the latest news from the legislative committee investigating the House check-passing controversy.

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."

Wolf captor Cody Roberts takes plea deal that would avoid jail time - WyoFile Under agreement, the Sublette County resident would avoid time behind bars but would pay a $1,000 fine, face 18 months of supervised probation and be prohibited from hunting, fishing and drinking alco...

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.

Wyoming House special committee pauses check-passing investigation while Sheriff’s Office conducts criminal inquiry - WyoFile Rep. Art Washut, committee’s chairman, said the pause was needed to avoid interfering with law enforcement.

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.

Donor: Two checks given to Bextel were intended for pair of Wyoming Legislature’s most powerful lawmakers - WyoFile Don Grasso, the donor who wrote checks that activist Rebecca Bextel distributed, identified 10 people he intended to support. Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, and Wyoming Freedom Caucus lea...

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...

Conservative activist hands checks to lawmakers on Wyoming House floor. Controversy erupts. - WyoFile Rebecca Bextel of Jackson admitted to “delivering lawful campaign checks from Teton County donors.” Republican, Democratic lawmakers cry foul.

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...

Drought-triggered restriction on North Platte River squeezes spigots for Wyoming towns - WyoFile Though full extent of the water pinch is unknown, the state is asking municipalities to assess potential water service shortfalls.

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...

Wyoming Legislature convenes live: The 68th Legislature begins its budget session - WyoFile Follow along on day one of the budget session as WyoFile brings you the latest news from the Capitol in Cheyenne.

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.

Easy for Breezy! Wyoming native Johnson wins Olympic downhill gold medal - WyoFile In a race that saw teammate Lindsey Vonn crash and get airlifted off the hill, Johnson made a comeback on a course that knocked her out of contention before the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

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.

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...

Judge suggests wolf captor Cody Roberts’ felony case will proceed to trial - WyoFile Attorneys on both sides of the animal cruelty case gave a preview at a Wednesday hearing of their arguments and lined out the particulars of a likely upcoming jury trial.

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...

Three Wyoming women to ski in Olympic events - WyoFile Johnson, Kauf and Gibson will represent the U.S. and the Equality State in Italy.

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.

Staring down possible layoffs, University of Wyoming’s president speaks out against proposed budget cuts - WyoFile Ed Seidel has historically avoided wading into the day-to-day affairs of the Wyoming Legislature. But a proposal to slash UW’s recommended block grant by $40 million — a move that could result in job ...

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.

Wyoming Board of Equalization readies lawsuit challenging residential property tax cap - WyoFile A complaint, expected Jan. 22, will argue the law, which the Legislature adopted in 2024, is unconstitutional.

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.

Federal lawmakers call for investigation of Wyoming’s Budd-Falen for possible criminal, ethics violations - WyoFile The call focuses on a $3.5 million water contract with lithium miners and the Budd-Falen’s role approving it as part of President Trump’s Interior Department.

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.