AGP Executive Report

Local Care & Community Support: A free clothing closet inside Cheyenne Children’s Clinic at CRMC is expanding, offering clothes, shoes, and essentials for newborns through adults with no patient requirement or set limit. Public Safety & Accountability: A driver in the July 7 Teton Pass crash has been charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle after a dump truck rear-ended a motorcycle, triggering a chain reaction that killed two people. Culture & Faith on the Reservation: Montana AIM members are joining weekly protests outside a Wind River Reservation church tied to controversy over a sermon criticizing Sundance pipe worship. Education Spotlight: Colorado named two Wyoming-area teachers as finalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year 2027, including Aurora’s Viviana Martínez and Strasburg’s Merci Ames. Civic Life: Cheyenne released its Labor Day schedule, including sanitation shifts and closures for city offices and facilities. Arts & Entertainment: Freestyle Digital Media released the psychological horror film “Influence,” starring Cheyenne Perez from “The Pitt,” now on North American VOD/DVD/cable/satellite. Sports Calendar: The Wyoming Invite brings collegiate cross country to Cheyenne Friday evening, with women’s 5k at 6 p.m. and men’s 5k at 6:30 p.m.

Wyoming Politics: A new report says liberal donors and advocacy groups helped flip Wyoming’s August primaries by backing left-leaning Republicans to defeat Freedom Caucus-aligned candidates, including House Speaker Chip Neiman and gubernatorial hopeful Eric Barlow. Border War Sports: CSU and Wyoming are extending their rivalry beyond football with eight-year series in men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, and soccer starting in 2028. Higher Ed & Tech: The University of Wyoming is rolling out BoodleBox, a secure enterprise AI platform for faculty, staff, and students, aiming for responsible use across campus. AI & Community Debate: Natrona County residents are split over a proposed multi-million-dollar AI data center, with questions about growth and local impact. Public Safety & Health: Wyoming AG Keith Kautz announced a $17.1B multistate Meta settlement over youth safety, with Wyoming set to receive about $13.3M. Outdoors & Community: A Wind River Range hiker was found alive after five days, with his signature on the summit register helping rescuers narrow the search. Local Life: Rawlins residents raised concerns that a new pedestrian tunnel underpass lacks a safe sidewalk connection. Education & Climate: A new study warns extreme heat is hurting children’s learning, urging schools to treat heat disruptions more like snow days.

Education & AI in Schools: Laramie County School District 1 is rolling out district-managed ChatGPT accounts for staff, aiming to support lesson planning and communication with privacy safeguards and training. Community Care & Dignity: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s clothing closet is “full” thanks to fresh donations from residents, with a continued need for men’s and boys’ clothing. Public Health & Youth Support: Churches Together in Rock Springs says a hygiene drive more than doubled supplies for families, distributing thousands of items including menstrual products, toiletries, and hygiene kits to local partners. Arts & Culture Calendar: Cheyenne’s Cathedral of Saint Mary hosts internationally known organist Kimberly Marshall on Sept. 27, free and open to the public. Local Governance & Debate: Natrona County residents packed a meeting over a proposed 940-acre Prometheus Hyperscale data center, with developers asking to bypass state industrial siting review. Civic Process: Wyoming’s new election audit law adds mandatory hand counts for selected races, with Crook County reporting zero errors in its test. Health & Recognition: Crook County EMS Medical Director Heith Waddell was named Physician of the Year by the Wyoming Department of Health. Sports & Community: Wyoming’s “Pathways from Prison” program is helping incarcerated students earn four-year degrees, with a heavy metal-themed final presentation marking the first cohort’s graduation.

Border War in sports: University of Wyoming and Colorado State will keep their rivalry alive in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and volleyball under an eight-year agreement starting 2028-29, with football talks aimed for 2027. Local courts & LGBTQ+ rights: A Wyoming judge ruled a trans woman accused of pulling a gun must face trial after an alleged attack in Laramie, rejecting her immunity request. Community health & housing repairs: Habitat for Humanity’s revival effort is bringing critical home repairs to a Belgrade family in crisis. Food insecurity push: Food Bank of Wyoming is calling for help during Hunger Action Month, citing high levels of hunger statewide and urging donations, volunteering, and awareness. Wyoming education spotlight: Four candidates are vying for three seats on the Teton County School District board, including incumbent trustees and newcomer Ashley Sinclair. Space & culture: UW’s Harry C. Vaughan Planetarium is bringing back laser shows for September and marking major space milestones with special programming. Tech & privacy: Wyoming’s stable token commission expanded its Chainlink partnership for reserve verification, while separate coverage highlights growing scrutiny of automatic license plate readers.

Education & Access: Wyoming’s community colleges are pushing back on Proposition #1, warning it would cut the stable local property-tax funding they rely on to serve students and employers. Youth & Safety: South Dakota AG Marty Jackley says a 15-year-old abducted from Sundance, Wyoming, was found safe after a rapid interstate response that used license-plate reader tech to locate the suspect’s car. Culture & Community: Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is gearing up for National Public Lands Day with volunteer projects across the month and fee waivers on Sept. 26. Local Sports: Teton High School cross country opened strong at the More Cowbell Invitational, with the girls taking first and the boys placing third. Arts & Heritage: Speed Art Museum returned 24 sacred and cultural items to the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes under NAGPRA, framing it as healing and repair. Higher Ed News: The Counseling Compact is expanding, with Wyoming listed among states that can grant out-of-state counselor practice privileges. Family & Daily Life: A new report finds child care costs keep climbing nationwide, adding pressure to families.

Women’s Aviation & Community: The Ninety-Nines’ 2026 Northwest Section Fall Meeting brought women aviators and aviation fans to Teton Valley, mixing talks, scholarships, and local exploration in Driggs. Wyoming Education & Health: The University of Wyoming INBRE program landed a nearly $18.9M NIH grant to expand biomedical research and training across the state. Prisons & Higher Ed: A Pathways from Prison cohort at UW’s Wyoming Women’s Center is graduating its first bachelor’s class, showing how college programs are changing lives behind bars. Civic Life: The League of Women Voters and Albany County Public Library are hosting general election forums with dates running from Sept. 3 through Oct. 8, with in-person and livestream options. Public Safety Tech: Wyoming authorities used license plate reader tracking to help locate a vehicle tied to a youth abduction case, leading to a fast arrest and safe recovery. Local Culture & Outdoors: A Trails and Open Space Committee discussion in Silver City will weigh whether to allow off-leash dogs on Boston Hill on certain days. Food Security: The Food Bank of Wyoming is urging community action for Hunger Action Month as hunger remains widespread statewide.

Education & Identity: Laramie County Community College is weighing a name change to “Wyoming State College,” aiming to boost statewide visibility and better match workforce needs. Mental Health Access: Wyoming is now able to grant privileges under the Counseling Compact, letting licensed counselors practice across state lines and expanding care options. Policy & Community Impact: A Sheridan property tax ballot initiative is stirring debate over potential school funding cuts, with Sheridan College warning reduced revenue could mean fewer services. Culture & Learning: Wyoming’s “Indian Education for All” settlement is getting high marks, with tribal nations and parents praising stronger implementation in schools. Sports & Community Pride: Wyoming’s women’s soccer topped South Dakota 5-2, while local Lions Club fundraising continues with its Bill Rohrbaugh Memorial Golf Tournament set for Sept. 20. Outdoors & Local Tourism: Visit Casper is offering limited public access tours of Hell’s Half Acre, balancing wonder with safety and preservation.

Wyoming Education & Safety: A judge previously found Wyoming underfunded public education, and now districts say the state’s school finance recalibration still leaves a school safety $15M funding gap, with “instructional” funding silos complicating operations, athletics, and budgeting. Teton Pass Community Response: After a fatal multi-vehicle crash, residents are pushing a marketing campaign to tame Teton Pass—using social media, crash data, and a citizen town hall to press officials for fixes. Immigration Enforcement in Wyoming: A judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak’s 287(g) immigration agreements, a case backed by groups including the ACLU of Wyoming and local advocates. Two-Spirit History: An Indigenous culture column spotlights surviving Two-Spirit ancestors and stories, including warriors and medicine women whose histories endured colonization. Local Sports & Pride: Cheyenne-area coverage includes high school sports updates plus community events like the Soda Springs Cardinal Classic returning Sept. 5. Big Tech & Youth Safety: Wyoming is among states tied to a major Meta settlement requiring new protections for children on Instagram and Facebook.

Domestic Violence Awareness: Local groups mark five years since Gabby Petito’s killing, focusing on prevention, education, and what bystanders can do when “red flags” show up. Community Health & Care Access: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sues to block new limits on Title X reproductive health funding, arguing the conditions undermine access to family planning. Wyoming Sports & Youth Culture: Sheridan’s football team opens with a 54-10 win over Rock Springs, while local volleyball and cross-country notes highlight strong early-season momentum across Wyoming schools. Local Arts & Comedy: “WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?” brought improv laughs to the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, with the cast riffing on local culture and audience suggestions. Substance Use Support: “Hope Over Stigma” gathers dozens of organizations at Kirby Park to connect families with treatment, recovery, and prevention resources. Wyoming Seasonal Life: A Cody report looks at the seasonal workforce—guides, ranch hands, and staff—asking how long the model can last as housing costs and short-term living strain the community. Wildlife Tourism: West Virginia’s restored elk herd is roaming farther, with guided elk tours set to begin in September.

FCC Showdown: President Trump says NBC’s Kristen Welker will be reported to the FCC after she called his endorsement record “mixed,” escalating his latest fight with major media. Medicaid Watch (Wyoming): New federal spending data show sharp local swings—Cheyenne anesthesia bills hit $126,383 in 2024 (+78%), Torrington pathology/lab procedures rose to $36,065 (+137%), and Sheridan surgery claims climbed to $17,139 (+26.9%). AI + Data Centers Backlash: Across the country, anger over power bills and noise is turning data centers into a midterm campaign issue, with candidates in multiple states running ads on the topic. Culture & Heritage: A federal agency’s proposed changes to Section 106 historic-preservation rules raise alarms that consultation with Tribal Nations could be weakened. Local Life (Cody): A report on Cody’s seasonal workforce digs into the housing crunch and what happens when summer contracts end. Arts & Reading: A fall reading guide spotlights six books to “wake up your brain” as school season approaches. Sports: Star Valley beat Soldotna 35-28 in a big out-of-state matchup.

Jackson Hole Fed Watch: Fed chair Kevin Warsh told markets inflation is “concerning” and hinted the central bank may need “work to do,” setting a tense tone for rate expectations. Data Center Backlash: Across the U.S., anger over electricity bills and noise is turning data centers into a political flashpoint, with candidates in multiple states running ads on the issue. Wyoming Health Costs (Medicaid): New local Medicaid billing snapshots show rising spending categories—Gillette’s Procedures/Professional Services up 19.6%, Casper’s Administrative/Miscellaneous/Investigational up 131.4%, plus Wheatland Durable Medical Equipment up 3.5% and Wyoming Vision Services up 2.1%. Community & Culture: Sheridan College art students are gaining real-world experience through partnerships with museums, theaters, and nonprofits. Wyoming Sports: Laramie County CC women’s soccer played North Idaho to a 2-2 home opener draw; and Star Valley’s football team kept its streak alive with a 35-28 win over Soldotna. Indigenous Food Sovereignty: A KU summit invites people to learn about Indigenous food systems, sovereignty, and community connections.

WNBA & Local Sports: The Las Vegas Aces signed center Kalani Brown to help replace NaLyssa Smith after her season-ending injury, a move that keeps the defending champions’ title push on track. Wyoming History & Community: Rock Springs residents joined a “Cowboys and Miners” walking tour at the municipal cemetery, spotlighting the coal industry’s people and legacy. Inflation Watch from Jackson Hole: Fed chair Kevin Warsh told central bankers high inflation remains “concerning,” hinting the Fed may still have “work to do” on prices. Arts & Food Fundraiser: Cheyenne’s VOA Northern Rockies Empty Bowl returns Sept. 24 with soup, music, and handcrafted bowls to support mental health, addiction care, housing, and veteran services. Education & Workforce: Wyoming Wool Initiative is taking applications for its 5th annual Lamb-a-Year program, pairing UW students with sheep producers for hands-on research and training. Culture & Sports Writing: A Sweetwater County arts column argues the region’s creative scene is thriving, not an “arts desert.”

Jackson Hole Economy: Fed chair Kevin Warsh told central bankers inflation is “concerning,” saying the Fed must see underlying price pressures move toward its 2% goal “clearly and at sufficient speed,” with rate policy still under review. Cheyenne Community Care: VOA Northern Rockies’ Cheyenne Empty Bowl returns Sept. 24 at LCCC, with soup, music, kids’ activities, and proceeds supporting mental health, addiction treatment, housing, and veteran services. Wyoming History & Culture: Historian Dan Lyon brings the Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series to the Wyoming State Museum on Sept. 10 for “Boyd Briggs: Wyoming’s First Military Aviator,” free with in-person and online options. Education & Tech: MIT and LRCC are running a pilot “Gateway to AI” program for rural high school students, and Wyoming’s UW Rural Health Institute is partnering with UC San Diego to expand lactation care capacity statewide. Local Lifestyle: Casper and Soda Springs Drinks are expanding with an East side Casper location for “dirty sodas,” plus WYDOT reminds drivers to slow down in school zones and stop for buses with flashing red lights.

Education Funding Fight: Natrona County School District is asking Wyoming lawmakers to return to the old block grant model, saying the new silo funding approach is forcing cuts—reducing full-time staff by 53 and operating at a reported $3 million annual loss. Local Public Safety Tech: Cheyenne’s city council renewed its ALPR contract with Flock for at least another year, with police saying plate-reader alerts are used for warrants and other public-safety issues and that access data has been turned off to immigration agencies. Arts & Community Calendar: The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board will meet Sept. 9 (9 a.m.-noon) to review investment and grant program updates. History & Learning: Wyoming State Archives’ speaker series brings historian Dan Lyon to present “Boyd Briggs: Wyoming’s First Military Aviator” on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Music & Campus Life: UW’s Cowboy Kickoff concert returns Sept. 11 with Chancey Williams headlining. Space Watch: The August Sturgeon Moon should still look full Friday night into the weekend. Economy Watch: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh warned inflation remains “concerning” in Jackson Hole, hinting policymakers may need to act. Culture & Lifestyle: Miss USA 2026 crowned Miss Virginia Justus Kelley, the first mother and first married woman to win under updated eligibility rules. Public Health & Safety: Toxicology results in actress Hayden Panettiere’s death are expected to take 8–12 weeks. Weather/Disaster: Nepal-China flash floods continue with a new lake raising fears of more flooding. Tragedy: A head-on crash in Marion County killed two women, with a juvenile passenger reported in stable condition.

Wyoming Courts & Community Safety: A Laramie judge is weighing a “stand your ground” claim from Rihanna Kelver, charged after a 2025 confrontation outside the Crowbar—her defense argues she had no duty to retreat while lawfully present. Wildlife & Ethics: Hunting influencer Samantha Strable, who grabbed a baby wombat for a social video, pleaded guilty to Wyoming hunting violations and received suspended detention, probation, and fines. Education & Tech: Laramie County School District 1 is rolling out OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Teachers with privacy protections and training for staff. Local Housing: Habitat for Humanity updates a new Cheyenne build tied to Pronghorn Crossing’s progress and a coming Parade of Homes showcase. State Policy: Wyoming lawmakers advanced proposals that would cut or reshape Wyoming Business Council programs, including changes around the Countywide Consensus Program. Sports & Local Pride: University of Wyoming cross-country teams were picked third in Mountain West preseason polls. Health & Food: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in a Class I FDA action tied to Salmonella. Human Interest: A Missouri deputy attorney general was found alive after nearly six days missing in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. Culture & Events: Cody’s Wyoming temple art tour highlights a new painting meant to bring “peace and joy” to the community.

Yellowstone Wildlife & Education: A new short documentary, “What Bison See: Restoring Yellowstone’s Lost Migrations,” uses high-definition camera collars to show how Yellowstone bison recovered from near-extinction and relearned migration routes. It premiered Aug. 25 at Old Faithful and will screen for years at visitor centers, with a second debut set for Sept. 11 in Cody. Youth Arts: The Arts Council of Wyoming County’s Youth Arts Camp is in full swing, with kids making clay pieces, watercolor “monster” art, and more hands-on projects. Tech in Schools: Laramie County School District 1 is expanding access to ChatGPT Edu for staff, rolling it out with teacher oversight and a focus on student privacy. Big Tech & Kids Online: Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz announced Wyoming will receive $13.3 million from a landmark $17.1 billion Meta settlement, with required safety changes for Instagram and Facebook aimed at protecting children. Community & Culture Calendar: Local events include Music in the Park (Aug. 27) and family-friendly activities like art series, puzzle competitions, and community suppers. Sheep & Community Tradition: The Hilltop Sheepdog Trial returns to Mankota for its 14th year, pairing border collie competitions with chili, rodeo, trade fairs, and kids’ activities.