UW & Bison History: University of Wyoming researchers helped drive a new Science study sequencing 115 ancient and 45 modern bison genomes, finding bison were widely connected before the 20th-century collapse and that modern herds show only limited cattle ancestry. Elections & Voting Rights: A Wyoming letter urges higher turnout ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, while another opinion argues Wyoming’s voter-roll privacy fight against the DOJ shows why participation and safeguards matter. State Courts: Gov. Mark Gordon appointed Jeremy Kisling to Wyoming’s Fourth Judicial District Circuit Court. Public Health: Panhandle Public Health District adopted rules to conduct local pool inspections across its 12-county area. Higher Ed Budget: UW’s Budget Committee advanced major requests for the 2027-28 biennium, including capital priorities and scholarship funding. Local Government: Laramie’s Bike Park grand opening is set for Aug. 22. Water & Health Care: A report highlights longer ER waits tied to uninsured patients, and a clean-water advocacy push targets Albany County Commission races. Energy/Defense: Work has started on Sentinel missile communication corridors in Nebraska, with Wyoming Air Force personnel involved. Other Wyoming Watch: Star Plunge in Thermopolis is poised to reopen after a tentative $1.8M settlement ends a long dispute. Weather: Pacific Northwest wildfire smoke is again blanketing Wyoming, worsening air quality.