AGP Executive Report

Energy Development: Calgary-based Nucleon is seeking a $20 million state grant, matched by company funding, to plan a uranium conversion plant north of Gillette. The project could eventually create 330 jobs; a public open house is set for Oct. 28, and comments are due Nov. 16. Cheyenne: A street-sweeper driver, 33, died after a Dodge Durango rear-ended the vehicle on South College Drive. Separately, council committee members questioned a proposal to direct up to $10 million in excess city reserves to stormwater improvements. Laramie: City Council approved a 10-to-15-year downtown plan covering public spaces, infrastructure, design and mobility. Public Lands: Campfires are again allowed in approved fire rings at developed sites in parts of the Black Hills National Forest, under eased Stage 1 restrictions. Yellowstone also received a record $105 million private gift for park improvements, including a new visitor center. Cowboys: Wyoming hosts Air Force in a key Mountain West football matchup Friday night in Laramie.

Yellowstone Water: Wyoming and federal officials have begun a process to restore state management of water from Yellowstone National Park, while the park also received a $105 million conservation fund announcement. Schools and Prop. 1: Wyoming won federal approval to let districts seek more flexibility with some education funds starting in 2027-28. The state’s average ACT score was 18.9, second among states that test every student; meanwhile, lawmakers are revisiting school-funding bills after a state Supreme Court ruling as voters debate Prop. 1. Transportation: Wyoming secured $6.7 million in federal funding for safety improvements to the Green River tunnel. Cheyenne: A proposed fertilizer plant is raising questions, and new trails and wetlands at Kiwanis Park are nearing completion. The Depot Museum also received an $8,000 grant to refresh exhibits on Big Boy 4014 and Union Pacific workers. Wildlife: Game and Fish detected chronic wasting disease in Deer Hunt Area 141 near Green River Lakes.

Schools: A legislative committee advanced an $11 million proposal to shore up sports, theater and other student activities after Wyoming’s new funding model left 22 districts facing shortfalls. Grand Teton: Jackson joined Teton County in objecting to a planned seven-mile park pathway, saying federal officials failed to consult local governments despite earlier cooperation. Wildlife: Game and Fish is seeking tips after a collared cow moose was shot and left to waste near Union Pass; the department says the loss further harms a struggling herd. Infrastructure: Wyoming secured a $6.7 million federal grant for Green River tunnel safety upgrades. Rawlins also approved a request for nearly $5.9 million in impact aid tied to a proposed power plant near Sinclair. Yellowstone: Federal officials began a process to return management of park water to Wyoming, while the park received a record $105 million gift for infrastructure, conservation and access. Economy: Wyoming’s unemployment rate held at 3% in September.

Data Center Debate: Fremont County commissioners are weighing zoning or nuisance rules for data centers and considering a University of Wyoming-designed survey to gauge public opinion. No decision or timeline was set. Yellowstone Gift: The park received a record $105 million from Tallgrass for conservation, research and a Norris Geyser Basin visitor center. The donation is drawing questions about private philanthropy as data-center development expands across the West. Prop. 1: Wyoming’s community colleges have unanimously backed a “no” vote on the Nov. 3 measure to cut residential property taxes, warning it could deepen budget pressures and threaten local services. Jobs: The state’s unemployment rate held at 3% in September, below the national rate of 4.2%. Cheyenne: A city finance committee advanced a proposed $853,000 purchase of two armored police vehicles to the full City Council for a vote.

Water: A study found the Upper Colorado River Basin lost an estimated 4.6 trillion gallons of groundwater during the 2020–22 drought, with Wyoming among the states facing growing pressure on underground supplies. Road Safety: WYDOT won a federal grant for Green River tunnel upgrades, including repairs, better lighting, fire suppression and new traffic technology. Yellowstone: The park’s record $105 million private gift will support conservation and infrastructure, including a planned visitor center at Norris Geyser Basin. Property Taxes: Wyoming’s Proposition 1 debate is intensifying, with opponents warning that halving property taxes could threaten local services and supporters arguing it would ease costs for homeowners. Public Lands: Game and Fish wants the federal Roadless Rule repealed to give Wyoming more control, while many hunters and anglers favor keeping protections for backcountry habitat.

Yellowstone Investment: The park received a record $105 million gift to create a permanent fund for conservation, research, infrastructure and visitor access, including programs for Wyoming students. Data Center Debate: Federal records show at least 35 data-center and infrastructure proposals covering more than 24,000 acres of public land across six Western states, including Wyoming. Cheyenne’s Planning Commission delayed action on proposed data-center rules for more review. Property Tax Ballot Fight: Wyoming business, hospital and real estate groups urged voters to reject Proposition 1, warning that a proposed 50% cut to residential property taxes could threaten local services. Water Management: Wyoming and federal officials have begun a process to return control of Yellowstone River water protections to the state. Education: Wyoming students’ standardized test scores have reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels statewide for the first time. University Research: The University of Wyoming received a $6 million grant to expand research into rare-earth elements for energy. Cowboys Football: Quarterback Tyler Hughes was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week after leading Wyoming to a 41-23 win over Northern Illinois.

Governor’s Race: Gov. Mark Gordon endorsed fellow Republican Eric Barlow to succeed him, praising the state lawmaker’s work ethic and willingness to listen. Road Work: Wyoming’s Transportation Commission awarded 10 construction contracts worth about $109 million, including major work on I-80, US 20/26 and routes near Cheyenne. Local Services: Laramie County Library officials warn that Proposition 1 and falling revenue could force a $900,000 budget cut and the loss of up to 20 jobs. Early voting begins Oct. 22. Yellowstone: The park received a record $105 million private gift for conservation, infrastructure and visitor access. Wyoming officials also began a process to restore state management of Yellowstone water protections. Water and Wildlife: Conservation groups and agencies are installing beaver “starter homes” in Wyoming streams, hoping the animals’ dams will hold water, support wildlife and help reduce wildfire risk.

Yellowstone: The park has received a record $105 million private gift for conservation, research, infrastructure and visitor access. Separately, Wyoming is moving to assume federal Clean Water Act authority in the park after a 60-day notice period. Elections: Early voting starts Thursday, Oct. 22; Laramie County says early-voting numbers are up 194% from 2022. Courts: A federal appeals court heard arguments in the University of Wyoming sorority’s challenge to national leaders’ decision to admit a transgender woman, a case centered on who can interpret the group’s membership rules. Public Safety: A jury found former F.E. Warren airman Jadan Orr guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2025 shooting death of fellow airman Joshua Aragon. Orr is expected to be sentenced in January. Schools and Roads: Laramie County School District One reports its strongest WY-TOPP results since the assessment began. Work on a $17.8 million WYO 59 North widening and bridge project is set to begin next week.

Yellowstone: The park is getting a $105 million permanent fund for conservation, research, visitor infrastructure and programs bringing Wyoming students and families to the park. Plans include a $35 million visitor center at Norris Geyser Basin. Nuclear Energy: Bill Gates and three Western governors toured TerraPower’s Natrium reactor site in Kemmerer, where construction is underway and a sodium-testing facility is being built. Cowboys Football: Quarterback Tyler Hughes was named Mountain West offensive player of the week after rushing for 183 yards and four touchdowns in Wyoming’s 41-23 win over Northern Illinois. Water and Drought: A new Associated Press report highlights Wyoming ranchers and conservation groups using beaver “starter homes” to slow streams, improve habitat and help watersheds withstand dry conditions. USDA also awarded a $1 million grant to secure a community water system for Nordic Ranches in Lincoln County. Community Support: Wyoming’s low-income heating assistance program is accepting applications through April 30. Wildfire Preparation: The Forest Service is planning prescribed burns on about 2,000 acres near Laramie to reduce wildfire fuels. Economy: September oil prices and state sales-tax collections rose year over year, while second-quarter job growth was modest and mining employment declined.

Public Safety: An 88-year-old Cheyenne man faces felony vehicular homicide and assault charges after a pickup crash in Fort Collins killed one person and injured several others. A Chinese University of Wyoming graduate student accused of poisoning a colleague was also arrested while allegedly trying to flee the country. Wildlife: Game and Fish surveys found no black-footed ferrets at the Meeteetse reintroduction site, where plague and drought have driven numbers down. Property Taxes: With Proposition 1 on the November ballot, Wyoming officials and residents are debating potential cuts to school and fire budgets if property taxes are sharply reduced. Cowboys Football: Wyoming beat Northern Illinois 41-23, led by quarterback Tyler Hughes’ four rushing touchdowns, and piled up 510 yards of offense. Cowgirls Soccer: Wyoming shut out UTEP 2-0 to strengthen its Mountain West standing.

UW Investigation: A University of Wyoming graduate student is accused of poisoning a colleague with acrylamide, a neurotoxin found near the victim’s coffee maker. Prosecutors say Aili Wang was arrested while allegedly trying to flee to China. Cowboys Football: Wyoming beat Northern Illinois 41-23 in Laramie, powered by Tyler Hughes’ 379 yards of offense. Ballot Measure 1: Property-tax cuts are drawing scrutiny as Wyoming communities weigh possible impacts on school and fire budgets ahead of the vote. Forest Service: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s sweeping reorganization, including office closures and employee relocations affecting Wyoming. Yellowstone Water: Gov. Mark Gordon and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have begun a process to restore Wyoming’s management of water from the Yellowstone River. State Government: Wyoming Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell is stepping down amid agency reform efforts.

Ambulance Contract: Questions persist over Fremont County’s new $5.3 million, two-year deal with Frontier/Priority Ambulance. The previous contract included an automatic one-year renewal, raising questions about why officials instead signed a short extension before negotiating a new agreement. Cowboys Football: Wyoming beat Northern Illinois 41-23 in Laramie. Quarterback Tyler Hughes ran for 183 yards and four touchdowns as the Cowboys improved to 4-3. Election Debate: Wyoming gubernatorial and secretary of state candidates faced off as voters weigh election rules and Proposition 1, a property-tax measure that Gov. Mark Gordon warns could affect local services. Yellowstone Water: The federal government and Gov. Mark Gordon have begun a process aimed at restoring Wyoming’s management of water from the Yellowstone River. UW Investigation: A University of Wyoming graduate student accused of poisoning a colleague was arrested while allegedly trying to flee to China with stolen research data.

Property Tax Vote: Wyoming voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to exempt half the assessed value of a primary home from property taxes. Supporters say the cut would ease rising bills; critics warn it could leave schools and local services short of funding. UW Poisoning Case: University of Wyoming graduate student Aili Wang was arrested while allegedly trying to flee to China and faces an aggravated-assault charge. Prosecutors say she poisoned a colleague, whose coworkers helped identify a neurotoxin in his drinking water. Energy and Water: Black Hills Energy signed a power deal with Google for its Cheyenne data center campus, while Gov. Mark Gordon and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum began a process to restore Wyoming’s management of Yellowstone River water. Schools: New state assessment results show gains in student performance, with Sweetwater County’s district reporting four elementary schools moved up two performance levels. Election Bills: A Wyoming legislative committee advanced election-related bills for consideration during the upcoming session.

UW Investigation: A Chinese graduate student was arrested while attempting to leave the country and charged with aggravated assault over the alleged poisoning of a University of Wyoming colleague. Yellowstone Water: The federal government has begun a 60-day process to transfer Clean Water Act authority over Wyoming’s portion of Yellowstone National Park to the state. Election Watch: Laramie County reported 3,168 early in-person voters by Oct. 15, nearly triple the number at the same point in 2022; a legislative committee also advanced election-related bills for the coming session. Taxes and Local Services: Wyoming fire departments warn a proposed property-tax cut could force deep budget reductions, while Laramie County plans an Oct. 29 open house on its fifth-penny sales tax. Energy and Growth: Black Hills signed a power deal with Google for its planned Cheyenne data-center campus. Schools: State assessment results show Wyoming students have surpassed pre-pandemic testing levels. High School Football: Cheyenne East edged Laramie 34-28, and Central blanked South 60-0 as teams battle for playoff position.

Education: Wyoming’s latest school data show student proficiency rose in English, math and science in 2025–26, while 75% of grades 3–8 schools met or exceeded achievement standards. Governor’s Race: Republican Eric Barlow, Democrat Kenneth Casner and Constitution Party candidate Rebecca Bextel faced off in a Wyoming PBS debate as the November election nears. Energy and Growth: Black Hills Energy signed a power deal for Google’s planned Cheyenne data-center campus; governors from Wyoming, Utah and Idaho also toured TerraPower’s nuclear plant under construction near Kemmerer. UW Investigation: A University of Wyoming graduate student faces felony charges for allegedly poisoning a colleague and was arrested while attempting to flee to China. Property Taxes: Fire officials warn proposed property-tax cuts could strain department budgets, as voters weigh tax relief and its potential effects on local services.

Ballot Fight: Wyoming fire officials warn Proposition 1’s proposed property-tax cuts could force budget reductions as voters weigh tax relief. In Laramie County, voters will also decide whether to renew a 2% lodging tax that helps fund tourism promotion and local events. Cheyenne Development: City Council approved plans for the PRCA headquarters and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame to move from Colorado Springs to the planned Hitching Post District, which could also include hotels, a convention center and an indoor arena. Nuclear Energy: Gov. Mark Gordon and regional officials toured TerraPower’s Natrium plant under construction in Kemmerer, a project supporters say could bring jobs and reliable power. Business Council: CEO Josh Dorrell’s last day is Friday after six years; the board plans to appoint an interim leader while searching for a successor. UW Investigation: University of Wyoming graduate student Aili Wang faces an aggravated-assault charge in an alleged poisoning of a colleague and was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while attempting to leave the country. Cowgirls Volleyball: Wyoming pushed conference-leading Hawaii to five sets in Laramie before falling 17-15 in the decider.