AGP Executive Report

Wyoming Courts: The 8th Circuit upheld the mother-and-son convictions in a Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation murder, rejecting claims about tampered home surveillance footage. School Choice: Wyoming’s Supreme Court cleared the way for the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act to be administered again, though the program’s constitutionality is still being fought in court. Local Governance: The Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board will take public comment on a proposed Wyoming Classical Academy campus in Riverton next week. Energy & Industry: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power Americas announced the first two gas turbines for the Cheyenne power hub tied to a major data-center buildout. Public Safety & Community: A weekend fire damaged Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse after a cold-night blaze, with officials saying no one was found inside. Tech & Climate: Outside Wyoming, a Utah hyperscale data center plan is drawing fierce backlash over claims it could drastically worsen local heat and Great Salt Lake impacts. Elections: Sheridan County’s primary filing period is underway, with candidate lists starting to roll in.

Wyoming Politics & Courts: The Wyoming Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act to be administered after reversing a lower-court block, though the program’s constitutionality is still being fought in district court. Elections & Administration: With Wyoming’s candidate filing period now underway, more than 100 people have already filed in the first two days, as open seats in governor, schools superintendent, treasurer/auditor, and Congress help define the 2026 scramble. Education Funding Pressure: The University of Wyoming is warning of a roughly $15 million operating shortfall tied to enrollment declines, inflation, and weaker investment income. Statehouse Watch: Food Freedom Act supporters rallied at the Capitol, arguing enforcement against small producers is drifting beyond what the 2015 law was meant to protect. Public Safety: Wyoming Police are seeking a suspect in a shooting investigation in Michigan, asking the public not to confront him.

Utah Data Center Backlash: A proposed Kevin O’Leary-backed “Stratos” hyperscale data center in Box Elder County is drawing fire after scientists warned its waste heat could push parts of Utah from semi-arid toward “Sahara-like” conditions, with major risks to the Great Salt Lake ecosystem; critics say the project was approved by county commissioners without public comment or a full environmental review. Wildlife & Housing: A new Wyoming-led study finds rural homes can block big-game migration unless there’s enough space—researchers now quantify how far animals need to be from development. Wyoming Infrastructure: DCN, Range, and WIN Technology announced a $700M Heartland Fiber Project to expand long-haul fiber across seven states, including Wyoming, aimed at AI-driven demand. Wyoming Courts/Politics: Sweetwater County Clerk of District Court candidate Amanda Chetterbock filed for the Aug. 18 primary after taking over the role in April. Local Notes: A late spring storm is set to bring snow to southwest Wyoming and the Western Uinta Mountains, with travel impacts possible.

Data Center Clash (Utah, with Wyoming ripple): Scientists warn Kevin O’Leary’s proposed Stratos hyperscale data center in Box Elder County could push Utah’s semi-arid climate toward “Sahara-like” conditions by dumping massive waste heat into a single valley—while locals say county commissioners fast-tracked approval without public comment or a full environmental review. Wyoming Politics (local ballot): Sweetwater County Clerk of District Court candidate Amanda Chetterbock has filed to run after being appointed to the post in April. Wyoming Energy/Tech: A separate wave of coverage keeps spotlighting Wyoming’s push to court big tech and AI infrastructure—raising the question of whether jobs and investment will outweigh long-term impacts. Weather & Water Context: A late spring storm is set to bring snow to parts of Wyoming and Utah, and older reporting revisits how drought has repeatedly reshaped ranching across the state.

Data Center Fight: A proposed “Stratos” hyperscale data center in Utah’s Box Elder County is drawing alarm after scientists warned its waste heat could swing local temperatures toward “Sahara-like” conditions, with the Great Salt Lake at risk—plus critics say it was approved without public comment or environmental review. Water Crunch: The U.S. is moving toward a Colorado River plan that could cut supplies to Arizona, California and Nevada by up to 40%, with rules reassessed every two years—raising pressure on already-stressed farms and cities. Wyoming Energy & AI: Wyoming keeps courting the AI buildout: TerraPower’s Wyoming Natrium project gets a boost via Korean reactor testing tech, while Cheyenne’s Power Hub lines up major turbine deliveries to feed a data-center campus. Elections & Voting Rules: Wyoming’s Secretary of State Chuck Gray is urging Fremont County and House District 33 officials to act fast after the Louisiana v. Callais Voting Rights Act shift. Local Notes: Rock Springs will unveil four new downtown bronze sculptures next Saturday.

AI Infrastructure Push: Wyoming lawmakers are courting Big Tech’s data-center boom after a closed-door April summit with Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon—Cheyenne is already packed with projects, and locals are now debating whether the payoff is jobs or a permanent reshaping of the state’s character. Energy & Power Buildout: Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power say the Cheyenne Power Hub is moving forward with the delivery of two gas turbines meant to supply dedicated power for a major data center, aiming to avoid grid strain on ratepayers. Climate Litigation Clash: Rep. Harriet Hageman is backing a federal bill to shut down climate “lawfare” against energy companies, arguing it’s a way to tax industry through lawsuits. Local Governance: Sheridan City Council is set to consider putting the GPET continuation on the November ballot, alongside wastewater and city staffing contracts. Wildlife Safety: Agencies are urging safer bear viewing on Togwotee Pass after traffic jams and illegal parking created dangerous situations.

Federal Court Fallout: Three federal judges tossed felony indictments against nine defendants in Wyoming after finding interim U.S. Attorney Darin Smith’s grand-jury conduct “deeply concerning,” with the dismissals stayed for a possible appeal before becoming effective. Election Integrity Push: Republican SOS candidate Caroleene Dobson says she wants a dedicated Election Integrity and Security Division to tackle fraud reports ahead of the May 19 GOP primary. Data Center Pressure: Wyoming’s energy/data-center buildout keeps accelerating—Tallgrass and Mitsubishi Power announced turbine delivery for the Cheyenne Power Hub—while Utah scientists warn a proposed 9-gigawatt Stratos project could drastically alter local climate. Wildlife Safety: Togwotee Pass officials are cracking down on unsafe bear viewing as daily patrols target illegal roadside parking and risky interactions. Local Governance: Gillette is closing part of Dalbey Park Loop for repairs; Cheyenne’s Nancy Mockler Dog Park is shutting indefinitely over vandalism and lost liability insurance. Courts & Corrections: Wyoming Boys’ School defendants argue restraint and force claims don’t violate law as a lawsuit continues.

Federal Court Blow to Wyoming’s U.S. Attorney Pick: Three federal judges dismissed all nine felony cases against interim District of Wyoming U.S. Attorney Darin Smith “without prejudice,” pausing the fallout until May 20 as the government weighs an appeal—an abrupt twist right before a looming Senate confirmation vote. County Politics: Laramie County incumbents filed for reelection, including Sheriff Brian Kozak, with other key offices also in the mix as filings run through May 29. State Budget/Local Costs: Wyoming’s motor fuels taxes totaled $118.5 million in 2024, while Carbon County commissioners discussed pay raises for elected officials amid budget pressure. Mental Health Policy: The Senate unanimously advanced the Barrasso–Luján bill to improve 988 geolocation routing so callers reach the right local help faster. Wildlife & Public Land Tensions: Bear-watchers are being warned on Togwotee Pass to stop crowding and blocking bears, while Montana’s “corner crossing” fight heads to court to force a clearer legal answer.

Wyoming Supreme Court: The court cleared the way for school voucher payments to resume, ruling a lower judge wrongly paused the program because plaintiffs didn’t show a personal, irreparable injury—while the main lawsuit keeps moving in Laramie County. Selective Service: Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis joined a bipartisan push to abolish the draft-registration agency, as lawmakers also move toward automating men’s registration. Colorado River: Lower Basin states (Arizona, California, Nevada) advanced a plan to stabilize Lake Powell and Mead with tiered conservation through 2028, aiming to prevent system collapse. Cheyenne local watch: The city is weighing an entertainment-corridor ordinance, while the Cheyenne Animal Shelter says its Nancy Mockler Dog Park is closing indefinitely after insurance became unavailable. National security supply chain: The U.S. is racing to secure rare earths for weapons rebuilding as officials warn replenishment could take years.

Election Filing Kicks Off: Wyoming’s 2026 primary filing opens today, with the Aug. 18 vote deciding GOP and Dem nominees statewide and nonpartisan races narrowed to two candidates per seat. Statehouse Watch: The Joint Judiciary Committee is drafting a plan to crack down on frivolous lawsuits and keep pushing for more public access to court records. Health Funding Twist: Wyoming is dropping a plan to park federal rural health money in a long-term “perpetuity” fund after federal rules got in the way. Energy & Infrastructure: Summit Carbon Solutions says it’s streamlining its Iowa carbon pipeline—cutting counties and removing hundreds of landowners—while other coverage flags the broader Midwest backlash that keeps reshaping these projects. Wyoming-Specific Policy: The Wyoming Military Department posted administrative rule updates for comment, and the state is also weighing how to handle school activities under growing scrutiny. Local Life: Cheyenne’s animal shelter says its dog park is closing indefinitely after it can’t secure liability insurance.

Immigration-by-policy: Red states are pushing Medicaid and other public services into deportation enforcement, with North Carolina requiring health agencies to flag Medicaid recipients whose status is in question—following similar moves already in Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, and Wyoming. Wyoming courts & federal power: In Wyoming, U.S. Attorney Darin Smith’s handling of a grand jury is under scrutiny after filings say his remarks were “ill advised,” even as prosecutors argue indictments shouldn’t be tossed. Driver’s-license crackdown: Tim Scott and John Barrasso unveiled a bill to force lawful-status verification for driver’s licenses and IDs, threatening federal highway funds for noncompliant states. Carbon pipeline reshuffle: Summit Carbon Solutions says its CO2 route is being rerouted from Iowa into Wyoming, with North/South Dakota details left unclear after legal pressure. Food help in summer: Casper-area coverage highlights SUN Bucks finally launching a one-year pilot this summer to cover meal gaps when school ends. Local safety: Colorado Springs is expanding school zones with new beacons and mobile enforcement under “Safe Streets COS.”

Wyoming Redistricting Pressure: Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray is urging Gov. Mark Gordon and lawmakers to revisit House District 33 after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais ruling, arguing the district’s 2022 race-consideration approach may need adjustment. Local Governance: Medicine Bow approved buying an “Meeting Owl” camera system so the town attorney can join meetings remotely. Public Safety: Laramie County deputies arrested a Cheyenne man tied to the Drew Court fire, charging him with third-degree arson. Education Funding Friction: Even with higher K-12 budgets aimed at teacher pay, Park 6 officials say the new “silo” rules in Senate File 81 are forcing cuts elsewhere. Energy & Climate Watch: A proposed Utah data center project is drawing climate alarm from scientists, while the Lake Powell drought fight is heating up with a push for $2B in new federal help.

School Funding Fight: Sweetwater County parents and students packed the district board meeting to protest proposed cuts to sports, speech/debate, and theater, with state Rep. Scott Heiner saying the legislature missed “unintended consequences” after Wyoming’s school finance recalibration shifted activity funding; he pointed to a June 25 recalibration committee meeting where activity funding is on the agenda. Governor’s Global Push: Gov. Mark Gordon’s Taiwan/Japan trip is landing new university and research partnerships, including UW energy agreements tied to carbon capture, advanced nuclear, and critical minerals. Energy & Permitting: Sen. John Barrasso is again attacking federal permitting as “costly, complex, and cumbersome,” previewing a streamlining push for energy projects. Colorado River Pressure: Utah’s river negotiator says states may have to accept a short-term U.S. Bureau of Reclamation plan to avoid missing the October deadline. Climate/Industry Watch: The EPA is moving to shift toxic coal-ash monitoring to states, a move critics say could weaken protections.

Wyoming on the world stage: Gov. Mark Gordon is in Taiwan and Japan to deepen energy and trade ties, including work on nuclear reactors, carbon capture, and critical minerals. Climate-and-energy fight: Rep. Harriet Hageman is pushing a “Stop Climate Shakedowns Act” aimed at shutting down climate-related lawsuits targeting energy companies. Water pressure, everywhere: A grim Colorado River forecast says Lake Powell could drop to 13% of average flows this summer, with states racing toward an end-of-year deal. Local politics: Park County Republicans voted “no confidence” in state Senate candidate R.J. Kost over a primary ad they say encouraged voters to switch parties. Wyoming economy check: Workforce data shows payroll up statewide even as employment slips slightly. Public safety & courts: An ICE judge in Colorado ruled the agency repeatedly violated a court order on warrantless arrests. Health care expansion: Sanford Health signed to buy North Memorial Health in Minnesota, boosting its Twin Cities footprint.

BLM Conservation Rule Repealed: President Trump’s Interior Department canceled a Biden-era Bureau of Land Management rule that treated conservation leases on par with development, a move Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon praised as a return to “true multiple use.” Wyoming Elections: Casper City Council candidate filing opens May 14 (nonpartisan, four-year terms; 4 seats). Cheyenne Politics: Cheyenne City Council filing also opens May 14, and the city is weighing a 12-month data center moratorium. Crypto Policy: The U.S. Senate Banking Committee released the draft Clarity Act crypto market-structure bill ahead of a Thursday markup, with ethics provisions still a sticking point. Public Lands Leadership: Stevan Pearce is confirmed as the new BLM director after a close Senate vote. Energy & Water Pressure: Lawmakers heard concerns in Cheyenne about data center water use, while Colorado lawmakers ended their 2026 session without a data-center compromise. Local Law Enforcement: Cheyenne PD Officer Sean Cigich was honored as a “DUI Hero.”

Wyoming Economy & Energy: Gov. Mark Gordon backed the next wave of data centers and nuclear power at the Campbell County Chamber luncheon, while the SBA honored Gillette’s L&H Industrial as Small Business Person of the Year—an upbeat sign for manufacturing and federal contracting. Wildlife & Public Access: Yellowstone’s first 2026 bear attack hit near Old Faithful on the Mystic Falls Trail; several nearby areas are closed while investigators sort out what happened, and the trail had been off-limits in spring until 2024. Elections & Party Tension: Park County GOP leaders sent a “no confidence” letter to Senate District 19 candidate RJ Kost over a Powell Tribune ad that urged voters to call about registration and consider switching party affiliation by May 13. Community & Service: Wyoming National Guard engineers started a Habitat for Humanity build in Cheyenne as part of an Innovative Readiness Training project. Outdoor Economy: A new report says outdoor recreation is a major Wyoming job engine, with hunting leading the way. Water Stress: Wyoming Game and Fish is warning anglers about a tough summer for fish health as low snowpack and heat raise the odds of shrinking or drying waters.