AGP Executive Report

SNAP Watch: USDA says South Dakota is the most accurate at paying SNAP benefits, with Wyoming close behind at a 3.96% error rate—while the national improper-payment total tops $10.1 billion and new federal cost-sharing penalties kick in for states at or above a 6% error threshold. Wyoming Families: Wyoming launched SUN Bucks, a one-time $120 summer grocery benefit for eligible school-aged kids, with more than 37,000 children already automatically approved and cards mailing in early July. Local Economy & Governance: Cheyenne’s America 250 push is adding four permanent bronze panels—“Echoes: Wyoming At America 250”—and the state’s July 4 celebration is rolling out a parade, tours, kids’ activities, and a Capitol fireworks finale. Public Safety Budgets: Laramie County fire districts warn they could be “out of business” as property tax cuts and annexations leave them stuck on older budgets and facing shortfalls, forcing even basic spending cuts. Workforce: Wyoming’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in May, down from 3.5% in April. Culture & History: Native communities marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn as a celebration of survival and culture, with horse rides, reenactments, and song.

Colorado River Crisis: New reporting warns the Colorado River is in a dire, slow-motion squeeze as flows keep dropping and reservoirs run critically low, with impacts expected for farms, cities, and wildlife. Wyoming Energy & Grid Watch: A month into California’s EDAM, PacifiCorp’s eastern and western footprints are already showing two different price regimes—an early sign of how Wyoming-linked power markets may behave under shared rules. Cheyenne Frontier Days Prep: Frontier Days is pushing “know-before-you-go” basics: tickets are digital via the AXS app, the park is cashless, and guests should plan extra time for scanning at multiple entrances. Public Safety: Laramie County deputies made arrests in a reverse-sting targeting buyers in a sex trafficking operation, charging two Cheyenne men with soliciting prostitution. SNAP Funding Pressure: USDA released SNAP payment error rates that could force many states to cover 5% to 15% of costs starting in 2027—raising stakes for state budgets and eligibility systems. Wyoming Business Growth: Western-EGI expanded its Wyoming surveying authority after a staff member earned a Professional Land Surveyor license, bringing more land surveying work in-house.

SNAP Shake-Up: USDA says many states will face new costs tied to SNAP payment error rates, and millions have already lost benefits since Trump’s law took effect—Arizona is hit hardest. Colorado River Fallout: Sen. Mike Lee warns Arizona and other basin states that suing over Colorado River operations could cost them conservation aid as a key $354M pot nears its Sept. deadline. Wyoming Energy & Mining: Wyoming Energy Authority approved $250,000 for Visionary Metals to drill and map critical minerals in the Granite Mountains, aiming to strengthen nickel and copper supply. Local Economy & Health Care: A new UW Extension statewide rangeland role was created with Barton Stam named rangeland management specialist for western Wyoming. Community Safety: Cheyenne residents tested biking as an alternative during Bike to Work Day, with officials pushing for more practical cycling options. Environment & Public Land: An Oregon group sued Interior over a timber sale, arguing Congress invalidated BLM plans that were supposed to guide extraction.

Healthcare Costs & Transparency: More than 500 hospitals nationwide, including 19 in the Mountain West (with three in Wyoming), missed federal price-transparency requirements, keeping service pricing hard to compare. Housing & Elections: Trump canceled a housing-affordability signing ceremony, saying Republicans should pass major election reform first, as a housing bill advanced toward becoming law without his signature. Wyoming Energy & Industry: The University of Wyoming won a nearly $400,000 DOE award to improve wastewater management at coal-fired power plants, aiming to cut water use and recover minerals. Water & Drought: A new push argues water savings in agriculture could matter most during severe drought, including ideas like matching crops to climate and using new tech. Wyoming Local Governance: Cheyenne City Council moved forward the annexation process for a data center after rejecting a delay. Public Safety: Laramie County deputies arrested two Cheyenne men in a reverse sting targeting buyers of sexual services. Severe Weather Watch: Eastern Colorado plains faced a storm watch with hail, damaging winds, and tornado risk. Sports & Community: UW Motorsports won a second straight championship; Wyoming’s youth and local events kept rolling, from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 100th anniversary to Casper’s July 7 Parade Day planning.

SUN Bucks Launch: Wyoming’s Department of Family Services is rolling out the federal SUN Bucks summer food program, automatically enrolling 37,000+ eligible kids and mailing $120 EBT cards starting early July, with notifications going out this week. Healthcare Costs: A new Health Insurance Affordability Task Force met this week to tackle why Wyoming premiums keep climbing, with lawmakers urging a data-driven approach before trying fixes. Energy & Public Lands: The Trump administration proposed changes at the Bureau of Land Management that would make it easier and cheaper for oil and gas companies to lease public land, including loosening bonding requirements. Courts & Elections: The Wyoming Supreme Court declined to intervene in a Cheyenne lawyer’s dispute with the Attorney General’s Office over an election complaint involving Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Wildlife Management: In the Tetons, the National Park Service is removing mountain goats to protect native bighorn sheep. Local Community: Green River finished a tree canopy revitalization project funded through state forestry and federal Inflation Reduction Act grants. Sports & Community Events: Cheyenne Frontier Days is gearing up for its 130th run with a new Morning Star American Indian village, and Wyoming’s Capital City Aviators face more Legion baseball action as the week continues.

Medicaid Cuts Watch: A RAND analysis says the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could cut state Medicaid funding by $679 billion from 2025-2034, with 26 states facing 5%+ drops—important for Wyoming families relying on coverage. Wildfire Risk in the Tetons: Bridger-Teton crews responded to two fires, including a campfire on Phillips Ridge reported from Teton Pass, as federal managers moved valley fire danger to “high” early and noted more unattended campfires than last summer. Healthcare Cost Transparency: A federal judge blocked a Trump-backed SNAP soda ban, and a separate report says hundreds of hospitals nationwide (including Wyoming-area facilities) still failed to meet price-posting rules—both moves that could shape what people pay. Wyoming Recruiting: Wyoming football added a major piece to its 2027 class—Noah Reid—nearly 300 pounds, plus more defensive commits. Cheyenne Veterans Memorial: Cheyenne City Council finance members advanced a $275,000 purchase for a Vietnam War Memorial Wall at Freedom Point in Lions Park. Drought Relief Loans: SBA disaster loans are available for drought-hit counties including Wyoming’s Niobrara and Weston, with low-interest terms for eligible small businesses and nonprofits.

Wyoming Energy & Water: The University of Wyoming is set to negotiate a nearly $400,000 U.S. Department of Energy award to improve water efficiency and cut wastewater burdens at coal-based power plants, using thermal bottom ash drying. Public Safety: WYDOT is asking Laramie residents for input on a Snowy Range Road traffic study aimed at improving safety, mobility, and access for drivers, walkers, and bicyclists. Local Government: Cheyenne’s Freedom Point Vietnam War Memorial Wall is back in the spotlight after a council finance committee vote split on whether the city should help pay $275,000. Health & Community: Food Bank of Wyoming’s WyoGives Day drive will direct 10% of donations to buying Wyoming-grown produce for local families facing food insecurity. Weather Watch: Cheyenne-area guidance highlights how flash floods can rise fast in Wyoming and urges residents to use alerts and avoid flooded roads. Wildlife & Disease: Chronic wasting disease research warns “healthy-looking” deer can still spread the illness, with Wyoming hunters and wildlife managers urged to treat sightings seriously. Business & Growth: The Wyoming Business Council launched a rebuilt Building Resilient Communities grant/loan application portal to help communities fund infrastructure projects.

Controlled-Environment Agriculture: Central Wyoming College is positioning its Controlled Environment Agriculture program as a workforce-and-food innovation hub, partnering with the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, UW, and industry to train students for year-round, tech-driven farming. Drought Impacts: A historic drought in Johnson County is forcing ranchers to sell parts of their herds early and make hard cuts as rangeland can’t support summer plans. Healthcare Costs: Wyoming lawmakers launched a Health Insurance Affordability Task Force after testimony highlighted a gap between hospital availability and affordability, with rural population density and competition driving higher costs. Road Work: WYDOT says a $6.56 million highway project will start in July on U.S. 16/20/789 in Worland, including ADA repairs, sidewalks, and lighting, with weekly public meetings during construction. Severe Weather Alert: The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Wyoming, warning of large hail and damaging winds Monday into midweek. Public Safety & Mourning: Gov. Mark Gordon ordered Wyoming flags lowered to half-staff for two victims of a fatal alleged drunk-driving crash in Fremont County, honoring Taylee Paige Dresser and Gregory Trosper Jr. Community Sports: Wyoming Legion Baseball standings show Sheridan’s Troopers leading with an undefeated league run as the season nears the state tournament.

Wyoming Crypto Watch: Wyoming’s Frontier Stable Tokens are now live, positioning the Cowboy State as a testbed for state-issued stablecoin payments as local businesses and finance players experiment with crypto in everyday transactions. Local Government & Budgets: Rock Springs moved to erase a looming $3.15 million structural deficit, approving a balanced FY2027 budget after revenue updates and conservative spending choices. Energy & Wildlife: PacifiCorp’s Glenrock wind farm is testing a bird-safety fix—painting turbine blades—to reduce bird collisions, with results aimed at scaling only if risks stay low. Wyoming Weather & Safety: A multi-day severe storm setup has the highest risk across the central and northern High Plains, including Wyoming, with threats of large hail and damaging winds. Community & Culture: Wyoming’s Frontier women’s concealed-carry history gets a fresh spotlight, tracing how firearms became a practical survival tool on the frontier. National Policy Impact: A House GOP plan would cut SNAP by nearly $300 billion through 2034, raising alarms about food assistance losses for millions.

Wyoming Elections Watch: A new online poll asks what issue matters most to voters heading into the 2026 races, with property taxes and data centers among the biggest headline drivers. Higher Ed & Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate is moving toward national rules for college athletes’ NIL deals and limits on transfer chaos, a potential shake-up for how Wyoming’s student-athletes compete and get paid. Local Culture: Cheyenne-area filmmaker Matthew Stacey is gearing up a new Wyoming-set dark comedy, “Meltdowning,” after winning last year’s Wyoming International Film Festival. Community & Health: Wyoming Medicaid durable medical equipment spending rose to $14.443 million in 2024, highlighting ongoing cost and access pressure in the state’s elder-care landscape. Public Safety & Weather: Forecasts point to hot summer conditions with severe storms possible across parts of Wyoming.

Wyoming Arts & Community: A Cheyenne-area filmmaker is gearing up for the Wyoming International Film Festival with his new independent feature, Meltdowning, a dark comedy with musical elements about belonging and being “normal,” starring a neurodivergent Black lead drawn from autism experience. Native Affairs: In Washington, Sen. Brian Schatz renewed pressure on 15 museums and universities to speed up Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) compliance and return remains and cultural items. Health & Cost of Living: A new analysis of Wyoming Medicaid spending shows Durable Medical Equipment claims rose to $14,443 in 2024, up 4.6% from 2023. Public Safety & Local Government: Teton County is working toward final approvals for a new Hoback fire station site, with WYDOT and federal sign-offs still in the mix. Weather Watch: NOAA’s summer outlook points to above-average temperatures in much of the U.S., with Wyoming among areas seeing better precipitation odds than drought-struck neighbors.

Healthcare Costs & Transparency: Wyoming is among the states where hospitals missed federal price-posting rules, keeping charges harder to compare for patients. Public Safety: Teton County officials are working toward final approval for land on the Hoback traffic circle for a new firehouse. State Budget Oversight: Wyoming lawmakers are pushing a bill that would let the Department of Audit withhold sales, use, and lodging tax funds from public institutions that repeatedly fail to submit financial reports. Economy & Paychecks: A national breakdown shows why “bigger” paychecks don’t always mean bigger take-home pay, with deductions and inflation squeezing workers. Wyoming Health Spending: Medicaid Durable Medical Equipment spending in Wyoming rose to $14,443 in 2024. Weather & Drought Relief: NOAA forecasts warmer-than-normal summer conditions, with some above-average precipitation chances for parts of Wyoming. Community & Culture: Cheyenne’s Human Bean held a food drive giveback for local food banks, and the Wyoming National Pony Express Re-Ride stops in Farson and Granger Saturday. Local Notes: Albany County and Laramie police response logs list incidents ranging from possible impaired driving to assault/battery.

Data Centers & Jobs: Uinta County commissioners approved an AI data center near Evanston (1.25 gigawatts), after packed public meetings and questions about environmental impacts. Local Government Accountability: Wyoming lawmakers are drafting a bill to let the state Department of Audit withhold use, sales and lodging tax funds from public institutions that miss financial reporting deadlines for three years or more. Public Health: The CDC reports measles has reached 2,104 confirmed cases across 41 jurisdictions, with three deaths and dozens of active outbreaks still spreading. Water & Drought: Severe drought is hitting Wyoming ranchers hard, with some selling 25%–30% of cattle early to preserve grass. Severe Weather Prep: The National Weather Service is warning drivers about hail, tornado-capable storms, and flash-flood risk as summer thunderstorms ramp up. Community & Culture: Cheyenne’s Human Bean held a Food Drive Giveback, donating $1 per drink to local food banks, and Sweetwater County’s Pony Express re-ride runs Saturday with mail exchanges in Farson and Granger.

Wildfire Readiness: Wyoming State Forestry moved up its fire aviation contracting earlier than ever, already tracking 451 fires and 21,000+ acres burned this year, with SEATs and aircraft ramped for fast initial attack. Food Assistance: A new national SNAP snapshot shows enrollment dropping by about 5 million people since early 2025, with some states seeing double-digit declines. Teacher Pay in Teton County: Teton County School District No. 1 is set to push starting salaries to among the nation’s highest after a state pay “recalibration,” with first-year bachelor’s pay projected at $87,369. Drought Impacts on Ranchers: Johnson County producers are making hard herd cuts as historic drought tightens grazing options. Wyoming Water & Wildlife: Game and Fish volunteers repaired a wildlife “water guzzler” to help animals through a hot, dry summer. Seminoe Project Scrutiny: FERC’s final environmental review for the Seminoe pumped-water project drew fresh criticism over potential impacts to trout and bighorn sheep. Data Center Debate: Wyoming continues weighing data center objections, with water use, utility costs, grid stability, and noise all in the spotlight. Local Events & Community: Teton County will sell Figure 8 race tickets in person starting July 1, and Cheyenne/Laramie County lists senior Olympics and other weekend events.

Cheyenne Water Rules: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities is urging residents to stick to the city’s watering schedule—no lawn/tree/garden watering 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and lawn watering limited to three days a week—warning that Colorado River curtailment could hit the city even if local reservoirs matter. Teton Housing Mitigation: After pressure from Cheyenne, Teton County softened its housing mitigation program: homes under 3,000 square feet now won’t owe mitigation fees, a change that could make the policy more workable but drew mixed reactions. Wyoming Jail on TV: Laramie County’s detention center is seeking approval to let a national TV show film an “unfiltered” look at jail operations, with the sheriff saying it could help recruitment and show the facility’s “humanistic” side. Data Center Moves Forward: Uinta County approved a conditional use permit for Prometheus Hyperscale’s Evanston-area data center, setting conditions tied to construction timelines and environmental compliance. State Grants for Communities: Wyoming’s State Loan and Investment Board advanced Mineral Royalty Grant funding for local replacement and maintenance needs, including public services like water and sewer systems. Sports & Community: Jarell Gary joins Wyoming football’s offseason roster; and Sheridan-area athletes earned spots in the 2026 WCA All-Star games in Casper.

Education & Sports Funding: Wyoming school and activities leaders are weighing how to handle an 8.4% cut in school funding, with national reports showing other states considering trimming athletics and arts. Local Sports Honors: Green River’s Isabel Vasco was named 2026 Gatorade Wyoming Girls Soccer Player of the Year after a 54-goal senior season. Community College Leadership: Central Wyoming College named Amy Madera dean of its Jackson campus, starting June 22. Workforce & Food Innovation: CWC launched a Controlled Environment Agriculture program as a regional hub for training and applied learning. Energy & Public Lands: BLM approved ExxonMobil’s Shute Creek CO2 disposal and pipeline project in Lincoln and Sweetwater counties. Public Safety on Tribal Lands: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council opened a 30-day comment period on a proposed traffic code for reservation roadways. Weather Watch: West Virginia storms left thousands without power, with restoration underway and damage reported as limited. Local Giving: Platte Valley Bank Wyoming donated $100,000 to Eastern Wyoming College’s Lancer Rodeo for centralized horse boarding. Agriculture Under Pressure: A historic drought in Johnson County is forcing ranchers and sheep producers to sell down herds early.