Wyoming

Wyoming could lose $5 billion from Freedom Caucus’ investments bill. It advanced again Tuesday. – WyoFile

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

Wyoming could lose billion from Freedom Caucus’ investments bill. It advanced again Tuesday. – WyoFile

Despite estimates of billions in investment losses, Freedom Caucus lawmakers again advanced a bill Tuesday that would punish contracted financiers who invest Wyoming’s money in funds with environmental, social and governance goals.

The faction, newly in control of the House, is dead set against seeing public investments put into such funds, which it sees as antithetical to Wyoming’s fossil fuel industries.

Blocking investments based on such goals has broad support in the Capitol, and is already reflected in state policies, according to state agency testimony in recent days. But the state’s money managers say a piece of the bill that brings steep financial penalties against financiers who violate the rules against ESG investing would make Wyoming’s combined $40 billion in investments toxic to major firms and thus slow returns.

On the House floor Tuesday, Rep. Bob Nicholas, the former head of the House Appropriations Committee and a veteran of a separate committee that oversees the state’s investments, said Wyoming’s financiers estimate losses approaching $5 billion in lost returns over the next three years.

State retirement system officials have estimated a loss of more than $1.2 billion in returns over the next three years from more than $8 billion in pension funds if managers drop Wyoming as a client. Separately, Wyoming’s Chief Investment Officer Patrick Fleming estimated lost revenue at around $3.5 billion from the more than $30 billion his office manages.

The conflict is fueling fierce debate in the House. Lawmakers long-familiar with the state’s investment funds like Nicholas, R-Cheyenne, and Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, spoke passionately against the bill, saying the House was ignoring people Wyoming had both hired, and in State Treasurer Curt Meier’s case elected, to manage the public’s money.

“We’re debating whether or not the investment professionals that we hire are wrong or right,” Nicholas said. “They’ve got the biggest flashing red light up that you can see.”

During Harshman’s tenure as House speaker, from 2016-2020, he leveraged returns from the state’s trust funds to protect public education through lean budget years. On Tuesday, he sought to defend those assets. The state’s investment pools, built up with mineral royalties, were a “tremendous gift from our forefathers and our energy companies,” that should not be risked, he said. “This is about Wyoming’s future.”

But Harshman and Nicholas’ camp of traditional Republicans no longer command a voting majority on the House floor. The Freedom Caucus does, and its members pushed the bill through its first chamber vote, 34-26. The caucus accounts for 34 House members, according to public membership lists and campaign endorsements.

By a similar margin, 33-25, House members voted down an amendment brought by Nicholas that would have struck the penalty for financiers from the bill. That penalty is driving most of the consternation, and even Nicholas said he might back the bill were it taken out.

But Freedom Caucus lawmakers voiced skepticism of the losses estimated by the state treasurer and managers of the retirement pool, and even some antipathy to those officials.

“Since when do employees of the state tell us what they will and won’t do for us?” Freedom Caucus member Rep. Pepper Ottman, R-Riverton, said.

“These financial teams of the state they’re making a lot of money,” she said, referencing the investment team’s compensation. “If they want to go somewhere else … other states are doing the same thing and it’s not going to be that tough.”

Rep. Christopher Knapp, R-Gillette, chairs the House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee at the start of the 2025 Legislative session. (Mike Vanata/WyoFile)

The bill’s primary sponsor, Gillette Republican Rep. Christopher Knapp, offered a more measured defense of the bill. Knapp amended the legislation in response to oppositional testimony during a Friday committee hearing.

But Knapp stuck by the penalty. “All I’m trying to do is codify what those investment managers follow today,” Knapp said during Tuesday’s debate. “Yes that should be written into a contract,” with fund managers, he said. “Yes, [a contract] that will hold people accountable.”

After Nicholas’ amendment failed, lawmakers passed a second one, cosponsored by Knapp. That tweak exempted state employees, but not outside money managers, from the penalties.

“I don’t understand why we are rushing this across an imaginary goal line.”
Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland

Monday, after adopting Knapp’s previous amendment, the House Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee sent the bill to the House floor without taking further public testimony. The committee’s Freedom Caucus members overruled two of their Republican colleagues who sought to reopen testimony and gauge how state officials viewed the change.

Treasurer Meier warned last week that “the better half of my staff are all going to walk out the door,” if the bill passes. He has not since publicly weighed in on the measure’s impacts in the wake of Knapp’s changes.

But Nicholas told his colleagues both Fleming, the chief investment officer, and officials managing the pension fund are sticking by their estimates of dire losses.

Other lawmakers told their colleagues that the news of potential pension fund losses has spawned waves of concerned calls from retired state employees.

The bill is part of the Freedom Caucus’ “five and dime” plan — a package of legislation the bloc has pledged to pass by next week to demonstrate its ability to lead the House.

On the floor Tuesday, one of the Minerals Committee members, Rep. Martha Lawley of Worland, reiterated her frustrations with the committee’s choice not to work on the bill further before sending it to the House floor.

“It’s not a small matter at all,” she said. “We owe [voters] to get it right. I don’t understand why we are rushing this across an imaginary goal line. In their view, we are not authorized to play politics with their retirement fund.”

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Wyoming

(PHOTOS) Casper Holistic Expo packs the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds

Published

9 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

(PHOTOS) Casper Holistic Expo packs the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds

CASPER, Wyo. — There was magic, or something like it, in the air on Saturday as the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds presented the 2026 Casper Holistic Expo, Casper’s longest running holistic expo and a hallmark of the beginning of spring in Natrona County.

Countless vendors from Casper and beyond gathered with their goodies to present them to eager customers searching for something a little different.

The holistic expo featured crystal and metaphysical shops, tattoo and body piercing studios, henna and glitter tattoo studios, holistic shops, tarot readings, fortune tellers, magic and so much more. There was truly something for everyone, and Christina Kuhn, the lead organizer, said that nobody who came to the expo would leave disappointed.

“This actually started over 20 years ago,” Kuhn said. “I’ve been doing it for years. My mom did it for seven years before me. And Judy Ick, who actually does our photography, she did it before that. So it’s been a very long, very longstanding and growing event.”

Kuhn said that the Holistic Expo has grown exponentially over the years.

“When Judy passed it down to mom, there were 38 booths,” she said. “After mom passed it down to me, there were 78. Now I think we’re up to, like, 98.”

The booths are as eclectic as the people who run them. There’s magic, mysticism and moonlight; storytellers and palm readers; conversationalists and creators. There are CBD products, organic teas, energy testing, and even fudge.

“Some of this is kind of a special niche,” Kuhn shared, “but some of it is not. We’ve got a chiropractor. We’ve got people that are working with healing modalities. Some of it’s spiritual stuff. We’ve got crafts, too.”

There’s a wide variety of vendors and customers as the Holistic Expo, and Kuhn said she wouldn’t want it any other way. The most important thing they do, Kuhn said, is donate to local nonprofits.

“People can either pay the $5 door fee — anybody that’s 13 or over — or they can donate five nonperishable goods,” Kuhn said. “We started donating that to poverty resistance, and then we did City Park Church. This year we’re donating to the Wyoming Food for Thought Project.”

Kuhn said this was just a simple way to give back to the community, a community she and her business have been a part of for years. Kuhn owns a store in downtown Casper called A Place for Passion, and the Holistic Expo also allows her to bring some merch from her store and put in on display with a variety of other items. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend, she said, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

“Good lord, I’ve been doing this for a long time,” she said. “I helped my mom with it for ages and she wanted somebody that would carry on and keep expanding and doing well with it. Before I was helping run the show and managing it, I was a booth. I started sharing a booth with my mom because I only had a few things and I wasn’t sure how well they’d sell. But then it just expanded and took off, and now here I am.”

Kuhn said it means a lot that she’s able to continue the Holistic Expo for her mother.

“It’s nice to keep expanding something, especially something that contributes so much to the community,” she said. “There are so many people that come out and enjoy everything that they get here. And it’s a big opportunity for them to connect with others, to connect with people that have stuff they want to offer them.”

That, Kuhn said, is her favorite part of the Holistic Expo — meeting people.

“It’s just nice connecting with people and helping them out in any way that you can,” she said. “Everybody’s got their own knowledge, gifts, products that they’re putting out — services, whatever it is. So being able to share that with others is awesome. You’ve got to come check it out. It’s an awesome experience. There’s a little something for everyone.”

The Casper Holistic Expo is happening Saturday until 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Industrial Building at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds.

Photos from the Holistic Expo can be seen below:

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Wyoming

Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast

Published

21 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming teen discovers rare and ancient megalodon shark tooth off Florida coast

A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida earlier this week.

Sixteen-year-old Aiden Andrews and his father Brian were on a guided dive with Fossil Junkies, a local fossil-hunting tour company.

Captain John Kreatsoulas told FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Kimberly Kuizon that while finding small megalodon teeth isn’t uncommon, finding one that size is quite rare.

Video captured the moments when Aiden and his father celebrated underwater after making the remarkable discovery.

Popularized by Hollywood monster movies, the Carcharocles megalodon was the largest shark to have ever lived, according to the Smithsonian Institution.

A 6-inch megalodon shark tooth was found by a Wyoming teen during a dive trip off Manasota Key, Florida. Fossil Junkies

Diver wearing an orange mask holding a large fossilized shark tooth. — Aiden Andrews, 16, celebrated with his father after making the remarkable discovery. Fossil Junkies

Scientists believe the largest megalodon reached up to 60 feet in length and weighed up to 50 tons.

And as Andrews can attest — they possessed teeth the size of a human hand.

According to the Smithsonian, megalodon lived between 23 and 3.6 million years ago across all of Earth’s oceans.

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Wyoming

Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Outdoor Fun Awaits At Local Parks With Izaak Walton League’s Hiking Series From April To September

Hiking can be an activity that you enjoy doing on your own, but sometimes you need a little extra inspiration, and a group hike is exactly what you need. If you’re looking for a group to explore the outdoors with, the Charles E. Piersall chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America hiking group may be what you’re looking for.

The mission of the IWLA:

To engage the community in the conservation, restoration, and promotion of environmental protection, we focus on the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. This commitment is essential for a sustainable future, and activities like hiking help foster a connection with nature

The group is open to all ages, and even your pup can join in on the fun if they’re on a leash. There is a series of hikes planned beginning on April 1. Nope, this isn’t a prank; it is a real chance to meet other outdoor lovers and take in some of the area’s best hiking trails. The hikes are scheduled on the odd Wednesdays from April to September, weather permitting.

Join us to connect with others who appreciate the beauty of outdoor hiking and environmental advocacy hiking. Remember to bring drinking water, snacks, good walking shoes or boots, and a jacket. A walking stick or hiking poles can also be helpful.

Here are the hikes they have planned for this summer.

April 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 6 pm, Morad Park to Paradise Valley:
Wednesday, April 15, 6 pm, Edness K. Wilkins State Park:
Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm, Tate Pumphouse, Golf Course loop:

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026

Wednesday, July 1, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, North Face:
Wednesday, July 15, 6 pm, Muddy Mountain, Beaver Ponds:
Wednesday, July 29, 6 pm, Casper Mountain, Biathlon:

August 2026

September 2026

16 Types Of Hikes Explained

7 Trails To Hike In Central Wyoming

There’s no doubt about it, the entire state of Wyoming is covered in amazing hiking trails. If you’re visiting central Wyoming here are 7 trails that you should check out. I’ve organized them from easier to harder, ending with Laramie Peak.

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