AGP Executive Report

Petroglyph Protection: A Wyoming archaeologist is speaking out after vandalism at Bighorn Basin petroglyph sites, including bullet holes and fresh engravings, with the Bureau of Land Management investigating multiple locations. Community & Culture: Cheyenne and Laramie County residents have a full slate of June events, from a mobile library launch and arboretum sale to garage sales and neighborhood fundraisers. Local Politics: Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray held a meet-and-greet in Rock Springs as he eyes a U.S. House run, pitching his record and warning it’ll be a “fight to the finish.” Outdoor Life: Storm debris forced road closures in North Cheyenne Cañon Park, including North Cheyenne Cañon Road and Gold Camp Road, with no reopening timeline yet. Wildlife Watch: Wyoming plans to cut the wolf hunt in half after a canine distemper outbreak drove wolf numbers to their lowest level in two decades. Heritage & History: A feature highlights how City of Rocks preserves California Trail history tied to westward expansion and the 250th-birthday era. Arts & Pride: Pride celebrations in Detroit spotlight community support and “free mom hugs,” while a separate piece spotlights public art and western-themed creativity.

Alien-visit Film Talk: Steven Spielberg is back with “Disclosure Day,” imagining what it would mean if the world’s biggest alien-encounter archive were finally released—plus he revisits a “Close Encounters” scene with Richard Dreyfuss. Native Land & Energy: Nine tribes are suing to stop exploratory graphite drilling near Pe’Sla, a sacred Black Hills meadow used for ceremonies and youth camps, arguing federal agencies violated law and threatened wildlife. Climate Liability Fight: A U.S. Supreme Court case could decide whether local governments can sue oil companies over climate-fueled flooding and disaster costs. Wyoming Wildlife: Wyoming will cut the wolf hunt by half after a canine distemper outbreak drove wolf numbers to their lowest in two decades. Community & Culture: Cheyenne’s Jordan Dean helped design a “Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter” themed Laramie County recruiting cruiser, and Wyoming’s Steamtown Marathon organizers report rising registrations. Public Safety & Health: A Pennsylvania program review gap leaves about half of child deaths unreviewed since 2020, while Wyoming Medicaid spending data show notable growth in Sheridan and Casper service categories.

Wyoming Law & Culture: Laramie County is turning recruitment into a roadside spectacle with a new “Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter” themed cruiser, designed by Cheyenne mural artist Jordan Dean—part Western art, part community magnet. Education & Community: A Wyoming Area commencement speech spotlights practical lessons for the Class of 2026, urging students to balance fun with hard work and build a foundation for life after graduation. Public Safety & Faith: An Albuquerque man faces hate-crime charges after allegedly smashing windows at a synagogue and Jewish Community Center, with prosecutors seeking to remove firearms amid claims of escalating antisemitic behavior. Health Equity: Walking Forward, a Native-focused cancer navigation and screening program, is returning to Monument Health after decades serving western South Dakota communities, with plans to expand screening and education across multiple cancer types. Family Life & Summer Risks: A new warning for parents flags real dangers tied to summer camps—ranging from drownings and boat accidents to abuse and mass-shooting concerns—pushing safety planning beyond ghost stories. Politics & Trust: A broader look at why American elections feel existential but outcomes feel hollow, arguing the problem may be the “field” of governance itself, not just the teams.

Energy & Jobs: The Trump administration is set to push nearly $700 million into coal power, using a Cold War-era Defense Production Act to prop up existing plants and fund new builds—raising fresh questions for Wyoming’s energy future and costs. Water & Climate: New research warns the Colorado River Basin could hit a “system crash” unless water use is cut fast, with Lake Mead and Lake Powell facing worsening limits. Outdoors & Wildlife: The BLM plans a major oil-and-gas lease sale in northwestern Colorado that overlaps elk migration and winter habitat tied to southern Wyoming, while tourism officials worry about impacts to dark-sky tourism. Wyoming Culture & Community: Cheyenne’s Chamber hosts a gubernatorial forum focused on housing, rural healthcare, and keeping young people in the state. Local Life: Casper-area Medicaid surgery billing rose sharply in 2024, and Wyoming’s cheatgrass problem is driving more frequent fires in the Bighorn Basin. Arts & Stories: A Tribeca film spotlights Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament’s work building skate parks on Native reservations, and Lander artist Nicole Comesrunningbuck continues painting through recovery after amputation.

Parole & Public Safety: A woman whose brother was killed by a juvenile in 1982 is urging Wyoming-area readers to follow a July parole hearing, arguing the killer should stay behind bars. Cost of Living: A new national map shows residential electricity prices rising fast in many states, with Wyoming up about 9.5% year over year—another hit for household budgets. Cheyenne Civic Life: The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce hosted a gubernatorial forum lunch, spotlighting housing, workforce, and business permitting as top campaign themes. Rural Health & Education: The UW School of Medicine received a $25 million gift to expand rural and Indigenous medical training through a new scholarship program for the WWAMI region, including Wyoming. Wildlife & Fire Risk: UW researchers and partners are tracking how cheatgrass is changing Wyoming’s fire cycles in the Bighorn Basin, making frequent burns more likely. Community & Outdoors: Birders are flocking to Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Birding Festival, a growing event built around tours, talks, and hands-on nature learning. Local Elections: Weston County appointed a new election clerk after years of investigations into the former clerk’s conduct. Immigration & Rural Towns: Reporting highlights how stricter immigration policies may be pushing some newcomers to leave Wyoming, affecting small-town population stability. Health Care Policy: Rep. Rob Bresnahan says he’ll fight proposed federal Medicaid rules he fears could cut coverage for serious illnesses. Education Updates: Wyoming’s WY-TOPP math and science scores won’t be released until early fall as the state finalizes standards and transitions vendors.

Wyoming Culture & Community: Teton County Fair is back this summer, with entries now open for rodeo, pig wrestling (Pee Wee, Junior, Teen, Women’s divisions), and more—plus deadlines for exhibits and horse events. Public Health: Measles cases in the U.S. have topped 2,000 for the second straight year, with Wyoming among the states reporting confirmed cases—most tied to people unvaccinated or with unknown vaccine status. Heritage & Outdoors: The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum in Casper held a grand reopening, preserving stories from the Spanish-American War through the Global War on Terror. Local Safety & Youth: McDowell and Wyoming county sheriffs formed a joint Crimes Against Children Task Force to investigate and prosecute child exploitation and abuse. Cultural Preservation: BLM is investigating vandalism at six Native American rock art sites in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, including damage from a bonfire and carvings/gunfire. Roads & Daily Life: A community info meeting is set for June 9 on Highway 8 reconstruction—design updates and right-of-way progress will be discussed.

Sheriff Race Forum: Kiowa County GOP voters will choose between incumbent Byron Williams and challenger Joshua Robertson after both squared off at a Farm Bureau forum, with questions ranging from law enforcement priorities to how officers should engage with youth. Senior Tech Safety: Range is hosting an Internet Safety for Seniors luncheon in Broadus, sharing practical tips to spot scams and protect personal info online. Outdoor Fun in Lander: Wyoming Outdoor Council’s River Bash returns to Lander City Park with live music, food trucks, local beer, raffles, and water education. Community Science for Birds: Volunteers are invited to help with an annual bird banding study at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park, with sessions running June 16–Aug. 5. Wind vs. Wildlife Debate: At the Wyoming Capitol, ranchers and conservationists rallied to demand deeper review of industrial wind projects over concerns for golden eagles and rural landscapes. Local Giving for Animals: Discovery Bay Elementary students raised $550 for Coyote Crossing Rescue through a living wax museum fundraiser. Wildlife-Friendly Fencing: Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation trained eight fence businesses, certifying them as wildlife-friendly fence professionals. Coal Push in Wyoming: Gov. Mark Gordon backed Trump’s nearly $700M coal support plan, including actions that could keep the Dave Johnston plant running longer. Kids, Schools, and Safety: Parents in California raised alarms after dozens of students at Dunsmuir Elementary tested positive for marijuana following an incident at school. Culture & History: A rare Sitting Bull contract has been won at auction and is set to go on display at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. Pronghorn Art Trail: The Rockpile Museum’s “Parade of Pronghorns” pronghorn statues are back on display, painted by Wyoming artists, with an auction planned for later this year.

AI & Education Funding: A new study says federal AI-related education dollars are getting concentrated in a few states, with Wyoming-area students likely to feel the ripple effects as colleges plan for an AI-driven workforce. Wyoming Politics: Republican gubernatorial candidate Megan Degenfelder held a meet-and-greet in Sheridan, pitching a focus on keeping young people in Wyoming and improving jobs and housing. Local Governance & Water: The Bureau of Reclamation shared Big Horn Lake operations and current water levels with local residents, pointing to drought, low snowpack, and slower-than-normal filling. Community Food Access: Hole Food Rescue’s Sprout summer lunch program returns in Jackson starting June 15, aiming to serve 10,000 free lunches through Aug. 28. Native Culture & Youth: Oglala Lakota College’s Cheyenne River class of 2026 celebrated graduates, while Black Horse Ranch in Eagle Butte is seeking support to keep its free summer youth horse camp running. Arts & Heritage Events: Basin’s Lilac Days kicks off with music, a mural ribbon cutting, and a time capsule, and Greybull’s Days of ’49 runs June 11–14 with rodeo and community events. Church Abuse Reckoning: A report highlights how an Old Apostolic Lutheran Church doctrine of “forgiveness” and silence has been tied to repeated child abuse cases, raising new questions about accountability.

Wyoming Elections: Candidate filing is closed and the 2026 primary field is set, with races spanning county offices (including coroner and sheriff), state seats, and the big statewide contests. Public Health & Safety: Afton firefighters and EMS rescued a 3-year-old boy after he got stuck in a culvert at Canyon View Park; officials are urging parents to keep kids away from irrigation ditches and swift water. Community & Culture: CNFR in Casper is days away, with a Wyoming premiere of “Outriding the Devil,” a docudrama about rodeo comeback and grit filmed largely in Wyoming. Local Leadership: Katrina Clauson filed to run for Teton County Coroner, emphasizing empathy-based, science-backed investigations and expanded public health education around suicide and substance abuse. Education Policy: Wyoming lawmakers on the Joint Education Committee discussed changes to charter school enrollment calculations and the “basket of goods,” including guidance around protecting PE from being removed as punishment. Arts & Heritage: Ucross Foundation will reopen its historic Big Red Ranch House with a public ribbon-cutting and artist talk, bringing renewed momentum to the artist residency campus.

Moving Honors in Riverton: A national memorial procession for fallen EMS and air medical workers stops Friday at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, with a free 9 a.m. event recognizing 37 providers and featuring a “Tree of Life” replica. Women Veterans Day: Wyoming events June 12 (1–4 p.m.) in Cheyenne, Gillette, Lander, Rock Springs and Sheridan will connect women veterans with VA resources, including support for moral injury; registration required. Community & family fun: Fremont County’s Springtime Spectacular runs today through Saturday at the fairgrounds, plus a Figure 8 Race Saturday at 6 p.m. Childcare access: Wyoming’s childcare working group reopens provider grants June 1 (applications close July 15), offering up to $10,000 to expand sustainable care, especially for infants and toddlers. Local outdoors: The Wyoming Outdoor Council hosts a Popo Agie River celebration Friday in Lander’s City Park with music, vendors, river education and a rubber ducky race. Education update: Taylor Elementary posts its honor roll for the final quarter.

Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum: Casper’s Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum held a grand reopening, preserving stories and artifacts from the Spanish-American War through the Global War on Terror. Indigenous Culture in the Parks: Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center and Grand Teton’s Indigenous Arts and Cultural Demonstration Program return this summer, with rotating Native educators sharing art, music, dance, and history for visitors. Cheyenne Frontier Days & America 250: Cheyenne Frontier Days will be recognized as part of the “Day of the American West” on July 23, with CFD running July 17-26. LGBTQ+ Media Legacy: Cathy Renna, a longtime publicist for queer nonprofits, is highlighted for decades of pushing intersectional LGBTQ+ stories into mainstream coverage. Community Arts: SAGE Community Arts opens “Different but SAME,” a multidisciplinary exhibition on identity and shared human experience, plus free public programs at WYO Theater and the SAGE gallery. Local Governance & Housing: Laramie County commissioners are set to weigh a workforce housing “man camp” proposal in Cheyenne. Public Safety: Laramie County Sheriff’s Office announced “Operation Ruffian” warrant arrests, pulling seven fugitives off the streets.

Legal & Civic Rights: West Virginia AG J.B. McCuskey is pushing the U.S. Supreme Court to stop activist groups from suing to block federal permitting before states can review, arguing it could delay housing, energy, and military projects. Health Access: A Louisiana law targeting noncitizen Medicaid enrollees is raising fears for mixed-status families in South Louisiana, with parents worried kids could lose routine care and vaccines. Immigration Detention Care: A new KFF Health News/AP investigation details detainees’ claims of medical neglect across dozens of states, from untreated infections to missed HIV and heart care. Wyoming Education: UW leaders have started a savings plan to meet legislative demands, with a working group looking at efficiencies that could mean hard decisions. Community & Culture: Green River is seeking Wyoming artists for a 2026 public mural under Flaming Gorge Way; submissions are due June 4. Local Life: Laramie County Library’s summer reading challenge kicks off June 1 with a “Unearth a Story” theme for kids and teens.

Summer learning & kids’ activities: With Laramie County School District #1’s last day set for June 3, local options include the Laramie County Library’s “Unearth a Story” summer reading challenge (June 1–Aug. 15) and LCCC’s SEEK Camp enrichment sessions (June 15–19 and July 13–17). Childcare access: The Wyoming Interagency Working Group on Childcare reopens its provider grant program June 1, offering up to $10,000 per applicant to help communities with limited care. Community outdoors: Snake River Fest returns to Jackson Hole June 5–7, celebrating Wild & Scenic streams with a block party, stewardship social, and Kids Fishing Day. Family-friendly fishing: Free Kids Fishing Day events are set for June 6 in Cody (Beck Lake Complex) and Lovell (Bighorn Canyon Visitor’s Center), with gear, prizes, and pond activities. Arts & culture: Jackson Hole Pride shares its June schedule, including a youth silent disco and a drag show/dance party; and Cody hosts a no-charge Baroque concert June 6 (“Old Friends, New Beginnings”). Education & achievement: Murray State’s Cheyenne Melvin (800m) and other Racers wrapped NCAA East Regional action, while Colorado Mesa’s women set a program record with six First Team Academic All-RMAC picks.

Wyoming Public Media Wins Murrow Awards: Wyoming Public Media brought home two Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, with Caitlin Tan honored for “Excellence in Sound” (a deep dive into the Trona Mine Tour) and Jordan Uplinger taking a “Digital” win for his “Horse Racing Industry” reporting and related Instagram reels. Energy & Water Policy: State lawmakers heard testimony on the proposed Seminoe pumped storage project, as officials weigh future power needs against the project’s major construction footprint. Cost of Living Watch: A new national map shows where residential electricity prices jumped the most, with Maryland leading the surge and the report pointing to grid investment and demand pressures. Cannabis Basics: A guide breaks down key differences between marijuana, hemp, CBD, and THC—plus why consumers should pay attention to THC levels. Privacy & Safety: The owner of Miss Portland Diner is speaking out after a hidden camera was found in a women’s bathroom, with police investigating. Local Governance & Voting: A Cheyenne attorney says Wyoming’s AG is not giving updates on a voter-data complaint involving Secretary of State Chuck Gray. Native History: New research highlights the oldest known dice—12,000-year-old Native American gaming pieces—adding fresh context to long-running Indigenous game traditions. Culture Spotlight: A Wyoming library statue honors Major John Wesley Powell, tying local landmarks to the explorer’s Civil War service and West-mapping legacy.

Women’s Boxing Spotlight: Stephanie Han retained her WBA lightweight title in a sold-out El Paso rematch vs. Holly Holm, winning by majority decision in a fight that still has fans arguing the scoring. Record-Setting Knockouts: In the same MVPW-03 card, Amanda Serrano stopped Cheyenne Hanson in the second round to tie Christy Martin’s all-time women’s knockout record at 32. Wyoming Sports: The University of Wyoming women’s soccer released its 2026 schedule, with 19 regular-season matches and 10 Mountain West contests, including a season opener Aug. 13 vs. Drake. Community & Learning: Flint’s Soap Box Derby returned to the newly restored Cronin Derby Downs, pairing STEM-built cars with hands-on youth competition. Public Lands & Wildlife: A major Colorado oil-and-gas lease sale could affect elk migration and dark-sky tourism, with impacts stretching into southern Wyoming. Local Governance Watch: A proposal would require many Wyoming federal workers to sign non-disclosure agreements, raising concerns about government transparency. Culture & Reading: A summer reading roundup highlights Colorado-connected authors and book picks for beach bags and couch time.

Women’s Boxing Spotlight: Amanda Serrano tied Christy Martin’s all-time women’s knockout record with a 32nd stoppage, blasting Cheyenne Hanson in the second round to retain her unified featherweight titles, while Stephanie Han survived a controversial majority decision rematch win over Holly Holm—both fights drawing major attention for women’s boxing’s growing pull. Wyoming Politics & Identity: Democrat James Byrd, a fifth-generation Wyomingite, is challenging GOP candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by Cynthia Lummis, framing his campaign around Wyoming roots and public service. Wyoming Sports: The University of Wyoming Cowgirls released their 2026 soccer schedule, including a slate of nonconference tests and 10 Mountain West matches. Indigenous Health: A proposed Indigenous School of Medicine in Rapid City aims to boost Native physician numbers by weaving culture into training, with enrollment hoped for 2030. Public Lands & Lifestyle: Colorado candidate Alex Kelloff puts public lands at the center of his campaign, highlighting hunting, fishing, and outdoor access as core to the region’s way of life. Community & Outdoors: Trout in the Classroom wrapped up with a hands-on fish release on the Wind River Reservation, bringing students, teachers, and tribal partners together around watershed learning. Federal Workplace Policy: A proposal could require thousands of Wyoming federal workers to sign non-disclosure agreements, raising concerns about limiting public information. Energy & Tech: Enbridge’s $1.2 billion “Cowboy Project” near Cheyenne pairs solar and battery storage to power Meta data centers, underscoring how energy demand is reshaping Wyoming’s infrastructure.