AGP Executive Report

Wildfire Readiness: Federal and state fire teams are stretched as multiple large blazes burn across the West, with Colorado reporting more than 160,000 acres scorched and Wyoming among the states seeing significant activity. Water & Power: Western governors, including Wyoming’s, are pushing for a Colorado River deal that avoids court fights, while a separate multi-state effort backs updating the region’s transmission lines to reduce bottlenecks and improve reliability. Wyoming Civic Life: A Sheridan student was honored at the state Capitol for an award-winning “We the People” essay tied to constitutional literacy and civic engagement. Healthcare Fraud: A mother-daughter pair was sentenced in a Wyoming Medicaid fraud case tied to a Cheyenne behavioral health clinic, ordered to repay more than $800k. Local Services & Growth: Cheyenne halted wastewater from a Meta data center contractor after a rare bacteria discharge, and Wyoming Horse Racing opened a larger Horse Palace Green River location. Sports & Community: Wyoming-area youth baseball and local racing roundups highlighted weekend wins and standings.

Wyoming Politics: Gov. Mark Gordon sued the Wyoming State Board of Equalization to force certification of residential property tax values after the board said the 2024 property tax cap created unconstitutional nonuniform assessments. Energy & Infrastructure: Western governors, including Wyoming’s, backed a multi-state task force (WestTEC) to update regional transmission lines, aiming to cut bottlenecks and improve reliability. Cheyenne Water & Tech: Cheyenne BOPU traced a rare bacteria contamination in its wastewater system to a Meta data center contractor, suspended reclaimed water irrigation, and permanently ended Meta’s discharge privileges while tightening rules for data centers. Elections: Jackson candidate Robert Short says he wants the Secretary of State’s office “boring again,” criticizing election bills he calls unnecessary, while incumbent Chuck Gray defends his election integrity reforms. Wildlife & Recreation: Anglers and outdoor groups packed hearings over a proposed Seminoe pumped-storage hydropower plan, arguing downstream impacts and key local concerns haven’t been fully analyzed. National Finance: The Treasury launched “Trump Accounts,” seeding newborns with $1,000 and drawing early interest from crypto firms.

America 250 Commemoration: Wyoming’s Monument hosted the 148th Battle and Massacre of Wyoming service, with a keynote urging reflection on “whose ground, whose independence,” as the nation marks its 250th. Cheyenne Parade: Cheyenne’s America 250th Fourth of July parade drew locals, F.E. Warren personnel, Governor Mark Gordon, and community groups—flags, bands, and a big turnout for liberty and equality. Wyoming History in the Capitol: The George Washington Elm was honored at the state Capitol by Wyoming DAR, including a children’s book rollout tied to preservation and education. Colorado River Stress: Western states face worsening Colorado River conditions, with experts warning the system may be one dry winter from collapse and pushing for new ways to move and reuse water. Wildfire Fireworks Cancellations: Drought and active wildfires led western communities to cancel or restrict July 4 fireworks, including Utah’s statewide limits. Wyoming Jobs Snapshot: Sheridan and Johnson County unemployment rates fell in May 2026, while statewide non-farm employment rose by 1,100 jobs. Local Health Spending: Sheridan Medicaid dental claims jumped 11.1% in 2024, showing continued growth in local public health care spending. Wyoming Innovation: UW’s IMPACT 307 announced three startup graduates, including a robotics firm focused on safer inspections. Business Growth: Solvane, based in Cheyenne, announced it acquired RestoreMasters Contracting to expand its home-services platform. Sports & Community: Cheyenne-area events and regional athletics kept rolling, from rodeo success to local baseball highlights.

Wildfire & drought disrupt July 4: Western states are canceling or limiting fireworks as drought and fast-moving wildfires keep fire-weather risks high; Utah’s governor restricted fireworks statewide, with local options for limited use through July 5. Wyoming jobs update: Sheridan and Johnson County unemployment rates fell in May, with Sheridan down to 2.5% and Johnson down to 2.4%, while Wyoming’s statewide rate held at 3.4% seasonally adjusted. Clean Air pardons: Trump pardoned 11 people, including nine Clean Air Act violators, framing them as “fixing their car” after emissions-control “defeat device” prosecutions. Pronghorn protection in Wyoming: Gov. Mark Gordon announced Wyoming’s first pronghorn migration corridor designation at Trapper’s Point, aiming to keep surface-disturbing activity from blocking herd movement. Local business growth: Solvane announced it acquired RestoreMasters Contracting, expanding its home-services platform with more roofing and storm-restoration capacity. Cold case closure: Remains of Scottish hiker John Gillies, missing near Sweetwater Gap for six years, were identified after a multi-country investigation.

Wildlife Protection: Gov. Mark Gordon marked Wyoming’s first-ever designation protecting a Sublette Pronghorn migration corridor at Trapper’s Point, a 2+ million-acre “bottleneck” meant to limit surface disturbance so pronghorn can keep moving through harsh winters and droughts. Independence Day Prep: The Wyoming National Guard rehearsed parade and ceremony procedures for Cheyenne’s 250th celebration, including UH-60 flyovers, C-130 statewide flyovers, and fireworks at the Capitol. Public Safety & Weather: Independence Day forecasts across the region call for mostly sunny, warmer conditions with periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms later in the weekend and into next week. Federal Policy Watch: A leaked Interior Department plan tied to “restore American prosperity” would push natural-resource development on large federal lands in Wyoming, drawing conservation concerns even as the department says the leak was irresponsible. Clemency & Emissions: President Trump pardoned six people tied to “fixing their car” emissions cases, continuing a clemency push ahead of the 250th anniversary. Local Sports: Cheyenne’s Hawks beat Fort Morgan 5-2 in the Mark Robért Classic, while the Cheyenne Sixers topped Idaho Falls 8-4.

Federal public-lands plan leak: A draft Interior Department roadmap to “restore American prosperity” via expanded use of Western natural resources in Wyoming’s national parks and BLM lands has been leaked, with conservationists warning it could weaken safeguards and favor energy development; Interior says the publication was “irresponsible” and is looking into who shared it. Wyoming conservation win: Gov. Mark Gordon approved Wyoming’s first-ever antelope migration corridor, protecting pronghorn movement across more than 2 million acres in five counties after years of planning. Crypto policy push: Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ Digital Asset Market Clarity Act gained backing from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives as lawmakers press for a July Senate vote. Local public safety: Sweetwater County will hold a public auction of abandoned and court-forfeited vehicles July 7 in Rock Springs. Community/heritage: Gillette unveiled a new sculpture honoring Edward Gillette, tied to the railroad route that shaped the town’s future. National parks fight: An appeals court allowed Trump to keep removing certain “propaganda” signage from national parks, reversing a lower-court order.

Rural Health Funding: Wyoming’s Department of Health opened applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program, with $205 million available to expand basic emergency care, build workforce capacity, and invest in rural health technology. Healthcare Accountability: Cheyenne Behavioral Health Clinic owner Tera Marie Campbell and her daughter Tayler Ann Krauss were sentenced in a Wyoming Medicaid fraud case tied to alleged false claims for uncertified and unprovided autism services. Local Government & Voting: Laramie County voters can now access sample ballots for the Aug. 18 primary, with early voting starting July 21 and absentee ballots mailed on July 21 for most voters. Business Oversight: The Wyoming Business Council received an audit finding no improper spending, with only minor documentation improvements noted. Civic Education: A Smithsonian “Voices and Votes” democracy exhibit opened at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne, running through Aug. 8. Community Safety: Laramie County fire districts are coordinating under a unified command for July 4, citing higher call volumes and tighter resources. Wyoming in the News: UW and the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation signed a cooperating agreement to expand shared education and civic engagement work.

Energy & Infrastructure: South Bow and Bridger Pipeline are planning a new oil pipeline from Guernsey, Wyoming to Cushing, Oklahoma—positioned as the next leg of a larger Alberta-to-Cushing crude route. Local Government: Albany County commissioners approved a road fund amendment, passed the FY 2026-27 budget, and moved ahead on a victim services contract. Wyoming Economy: Weston County’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.5% in May, tying for the fourth-lowest in the state as statewide unemployment fell to 3.4%. Public Safety: The Wyoming Department of Health warned residents about phone scammers “spoofing” WDH numbers, urging people to verify calls and never share sensitive info. Health Watch: Wyoming confirmed a second measles case in 2026; health officials listed potential exposure locations and urged people to watch for symptoms. Education & Hiring: Wyoming school districts are flagging a new school funding cost adjustment that could leave Sheridan County with a hiring disadvantage versus Johnson County. Community & Culture: WyoGives returns July 15 to support Wyoming nonprofits statewide, and America’s 250th celebrations are kicking off across Carbon County and beyond.

CLARITY Act Fight: Sen. Cynthia Lummis pushed back hard on Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s claims that Wyoming’s CLARITY digital-asset bill has illicit-finance loopholes, pointing to specific sections of the measure as “receipts.” Energy Planning: Black Hills Energy filed its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan with the Wyoming Public Service Commission, flagging a 95-megawatt capacity gap starting in 2027 and proposing new gas generation, battery storage, and market purchases. Property Tax Ballot Clarity: A coalition says Wyoming’s property tax initiative ballot language understates the impact, citing a $32 million discrepancy between legislative materials and the Department of Revenue’s analysis. Cheyenne Rail Heritage: Historic railcars have been installed on faux tracks along Cheyenne’s 15th Street as the first visible step of the city’s long-running railroad-themed redevelopment. Belvoir Ranch Trails: Cheyenne opened a new 13-mile multi-use trail system at Belvoir Ranch after decades of planning. Public Health Alert: Wyoming confirmed measles exposure sites at Grand Teton National Park, urging visitors to check dates and locations. Scam Warning: WDH warned residents about phone scammers spoofing official numbers, including a director’s office line, to request sensitive info.

Western Energy Grid Push: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced a Western Governors task force to speed permitting and coordination for cross-state transmission lines, aiming to cut red tape and improve grid reliability. Wildfire Reality Check: Utah’s early melt and dry fuels have fueled a record-heavy season, with major fires spreading fast and killing firefighters in the region. Wyoming Sage Grouse Rulemaking: Gov. Mark Gordon is taking public comment on proposed revisions to the Sage Grouse Executive Order, with written input due July 30. Healthcare Accountability: A lawsuit alleges SageWest Hospital in Riverton failed to provide timely pediatric care in a child’s death after a flu infection led to sepsis. Energy & Environment: A federal judge ordered Wyoming and the federal government to refund $109M tied to illegal oil and gas leases in greater sage grouse habitat. School Funding Fight: Lawmakers heard concerns from students and teachers as Wyoming’s “instructional silo” limits local flexibility in how school money is spent. Wyoming Business & Records: A Jackson activist sued the Town of Jackson over withheld public records tied to Flat Creek Apartments. Public Safety Scam Alert: The Wyoming Department of Health warned residents about phone number spoofing scams. Nonprofit Spotlight: WyoGives returns July 15 to support Wyoming nonprofits statewide.

Cancer Care Update: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center administered its first Pluvicto treatment, expanding local options for patients with advanced prostate cancer and reducing the need for long-distance travel. Water & Growth Debate: Residents urged the Evergreen UWCD board to pause data center-related groundwater permits, citing over-allocation and asking for an independent aquifer study. Public Safety: Wyoming officials warned about a new phone scam impersonating law enforcement, and the DEA flagged pills seized in the region as containing fentanyl mixed with deadly additives. State Services: Wyoming reported a SNAP error rate under 6% for 2025 (3.96%), helping keep program costs down. Community Giving: WyoGives returns July 15, aiming to support hundreds of Wyoming nonprofits through a 24-hour online day of giving. Politics & Ballots: A second candidate sued Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray over a governor residency requirement that blocked the ballot. Wyoming Business & Tourism: Casper restaurants saw above-average revenue during CNFR, with local owners crediting event-driven crowds. Sports: Laramie’s Rangers rolled past the Cheyenne Eagles in a 16-1 win in a doubleheader opener.

SNAP Shake-Up: New federal rules could force nearly every state to repay millions over SNAP payment errors, raising pressure on food aid budgets. Public Health: Wyoming confirmed a first measles case in Teton County involving an unvaccinated adult linked to Grand Teton National Park, with exposure tracking underway. Education & Research: NSF-backed teams advanced in the Presidential AI Challenge, highlighting hands-on AI learning led by a second-grade educator. Local Partnerships: The Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and UW signed a Cooperating Agency Agreement to expand internships, credited training, and shared community projects. Community Resilience: Antelope Butte’s ski area is back for another season thanks to grassroots support after years of financial and logistical threats. Culture & History: A new dinosaur exhibit in Shell brings Bighorn Basin fossils—like “Big Al”—back to the communities where they were found. Sports: Laramie girls soccer remains undefeated and top-seeded heading into the Class 4A East tournament, while Cheyenne East’s DJ Murphy won triple jump at the regional meet. Fire Risk: With drought and heat concerns, nearby areas are tightening burn rules and fire restrictions.

Wyoming Health: The Wyoming Department of Health confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated adult in Teton County, listing possible exposure spots in Grand Teton National Park (Colter Bay) and at Target Jackson Hole, and urging anyone exposed to watch for symptoms for 21 days and consider avoiding crowded/high-risk settings. Wildlife & Land Use: Gov. Gordon’s decision designates an Antelope Migration Corridor, using a tiered approach that gives the highest protections to the most heavily used bottlenecks while surrounding areas get voluntary conservation recommendations. Cheyenne Development: Cheyenne’s 15th Street Revitalization keeps moving: three restored railcars are being installed for the 15th Street Experience, and Vantage Data Centers held an open house for a proposed southern Wyoming campus with a major power and water plan. Public Safety: Black Hills Energy canceled a Cheyenne-area Emergency PSPS watch after conditions improved, but said it will keep monitoring. Politics & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail ballots arriving after Election Day, a major shift for election deadlines. Wyoming Sports & Schools: UW athletics’ Step Forward football campaign topped $500,000, and Cheyenne East’s DJ Murphy was named Wyoming boys track-and-field athlete of the year by Gatorade.

Wildfire & Power Prep: Black Hills Energy issued an Emergency Public Safety Power Shutoff Watch for Monday for the Harriman and Curt Gowdy areas west of Cheyenne, warning it could cut power to about 350 customers if conditions stay high-risk. Heat Wave Watch: A prolonged, dangerous July Fourth-week heat wave is building across much of the U.S., with Wyoming listed among states facing elevated fire danger and record-level heat risk. Food Security: Wyoming’s SUN Bucks program is set to automatically enroll more than 37,000 kids, loading $120 grocery cards for summer meals after the state previously opted out but moved forward via an executive order. Education Funding: Wyoming lawmakers are wrestling with an activities-funding shortfall after school finance recalibration, with testimony saying districts have been covering gaps for years and now face an additional $3.9M decrease. State Demographics: Wyoming released new Census-based population details, including a growing minority population and a sex ratio shaped by the state’s mining-driven workforce. Community Giving: WyoGives returns July 15 to support hundreds of Wyoming nonprofits through a 24-hour statewide online giving event.

Wyoming Economy: The state unemployment rate edged down to 3.4% in March, with Teton County the lowest at 2.3% and Big Horn the highest at 4.7%, according to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Public Health: Wyoming Department of Health confirmed a second measles case of 2026—an unvaccinated adult in Teton County—with possible exposure listed at Grand Teton National Park sites and Target Jackson Hole; officials urge symptom monitoring for 21 days and MMR updates. Energy & Business: Wyoming’s small-business outlook for the new year highlights staying flexible, improving employee schedules and mental health, and retaining quality workers. Politics & Policy: Sen. Cynthia Lummis fired back at JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon over the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, saying the bill already includes anti-money laundering requirements. Sports (Wyoming): Laramie’s girls soccer surged to the state final, while Cheyenne East’s DJ Murphy won multiple Class 4A track titles, including a school-record high jump. Community: Cheyenne Super Day drew families and local vendors to Lions Park, spotlighting homegrown businesses and city services. Environment & Water: A new focus on AI data centers raises fresh questions about water use over major groundwater reserves, including concerns in Wyoming.

Public Health: Wyoming Department of Health confirmed a second 2026 measles case—an unvaccinated adult in Teton County—and listed possible exposure spots in Grand Teton National Park (Colter Bay area) and Jackson, including Target Jackson Hole (June 25, 7–9:30 a.m.); WDH urges anyone exposed to watch for symptoms for 21 days and get up-to-date on MMR. Reproductive Rights Politics: Wyoming anti-abortion lawmakers are pushing ahead after a judge struck down three 2025 restrictions as unconstitutional, setting up another fight over ultrasound, waiting periods, clinic rules, and limits on medication use. Water & Energy: A new look at AI data centers raises fresh concerns for the Ogallala/High Plains groundwater system, as local governments in Wyoming and Texas weigh jobs and investment against long-term water strain. Wildfire Readiness: With eastern Colorado’s storm surge behind it, the region is shifting toward hot, dry conditions and higher wildfire risk—prompting renewed calls to prepare now. Wyoming Business: A Laramie wind-energy startup, Airloom Energy, secured $7.5M in private funding plus state and federal support to scale its rail-based wind tech. Sports: The 67th Wyoming State Open tees off in Cheyenne with a stronger-than-usual field, while Cheyenne’s Averi Barker is praised for playing “like a freshman” for WYCO Post 6.