Wyoming

Wyoming is dry but the potential for large wildfires is “normal” so far

Published

9 months ago

March 20, 2025

Wyoming is dry but the potential for large wildfires is “normal” so far

Much of Wyoming is in moderate or worse drought heading into spring.

“ I was kind of surprised by the lack of snow in a lot of areas,” said State Fire Management Officer Jerod Delay about his travels to meetings around the state. “I thought there was going to be a little bit more around.”

An early outlook from the National Interagency Fire Center anticipates “normal” potential for large wildfires in Wyoming through June. Normal still means fires. A few early-season blazes near Wheatland already caused evacuations in February.

Delay said there’s some uncertainty this year about how much the state will need to help fight fires on federal lands, especially if federal staffing cuts hit firefighting positions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), told WPR in February none of the fired probationary workers were operational firefighters.

But many of those fired had the qualifications and training necessary to help mitigate burns, several USFS workers told WPR. Between recent re-hirings ordered by the Merit Systems Protection Board and likely new firings in coming months, the size and scope of the federal workforce on public lands this summer remains unclear for the moment.

“ If there’s reduced number of federal firefighters, what does that look like and how is that going to impact us? Is state forestry being asked to respond more on federal lands?” Delay wondered. “We just need some of those conversations to happen between the federal and state level to see what that looks like.”

Delay said the state recently sent some strike teams and engines to Texas to assist with fires there, as is normal this time of year when much of Wyoming remains blanketed in snow while the south heats up.

“ There were Type 6 engines and a couple Type 3 engines went down,” he said, adding each engine is crewed by two to four people.

Delay said some federal grant money for training and supplies from the Inflation Reduction Act was briefly frozen after the Trump administration ordered a pause on federal spending.

“They haven’t pulled any of it back that I know of,” he said. “It’s just we’re able to start utilizing those dollars again.”

He said in Wyoming, we could be in for a busy year with the dry grass and low snow he’s seeing around the state.

Spring is a good time to remove brush and flammable materials within 30 to 100 feet of a home, and clean leaves and gunk out of gutters.

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Wyoming

Former Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 16

Published

6 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Former Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 16

LARAMIE — Marcus Epps hasn’t experienced the best injury luck over the last couple of seasons. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury a season ago, Epps has missed time this year with injury, as well.

That being said, when the former University of Wyoming safety is available, he produces. Sunday, with a lot at stake, was no different.

Epps had a pair of tackles in the Eagles’ 29-18 win at Washington. The victory clinched the NFC North Division crown.

For the season, Epps has recorded 12 tackles in 11 games played for 10-5 Philadelphia. The Eagles travel to Buffalo in Week 17.

Below is a list of all the former Wyoming Cowboys and how they performed in Week 16:

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (quarterback)
Allen got a little dinged up in the Bills’ 23-20 win at Cleveland. He was 12-for-19 for 130 yards, while adding 17 yards on seven carries via the ground. Allen sustained a foot injury during the game, but X-rays, fortunately, came back negative. For the season, Allen is 296-for-425 for 3,406 yards with 25 scores and 10 interceptions. On the ground, he’s carried it 105 times totaling 552 yards with a dozen touchdowns for 11-4 Buffalo, which clinched a playoff spot. The Bills host Philadelphia in Week 17.

Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars (safety)
Wingard had a mild game in the Jaguars’ 34-20 win at Denver. He laid claim to one tackle. For the season, Wingard possesses 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, eight passes defended and one quarterback hit for 11-4 Jacksonville. The Jaguars travel to Indianapolis in Week 17.

Frank Crum, Denver Broncos (offensive line)
Crum participated in the Broncos’ 34-20 loss to Jacksonville. He played 15 snaps, four on offense and 11 on special teams. For the season, Crum has played 114 snaps, 48 on offense and 71 on special teams for 12-3 Denver. The Broncos travel to Kansas City on Christmas.

Logan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (linebacker)
Wilson put forth his best game since joining the Cowboys mid-season. He registered five tackles in Dallas’ 34-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. For the season, Wilson has 62 tackles, four passes defended and one fumble recovery between his time in Cincinnati and now with the 6-8-1 Cowboys. Dallas travels to Washington in Week 17.

Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints (defensive end)
Granderson boasted a good game in the Saints’ 29-6 win over the New York Jets. He made three tackles. For the season, Granderson owns 46 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, three passes defended and six quarterback hits for 5-10 New Orleans. The Saints travel to Tennessee in Week 17.

Chad Muma, New England Patriots (linebacker)
Muma, who was signed by New England from Indianapolis’ practice squad, played in the Patriots’ 28-24 win at Baltimore. He didn’t record a stat. For the season, Muma has made five tackles in six games played between the Colts and now the 12-3 Patriots. New England travels to the New York Jets in Week 17.

Treyton Welch, New Orleans Saints (tight end)
Welch has yet to be elevated from the practice squad.

LOOK: Pokes’ unis through the years

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Wyoming

GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman launches Senate run in Wyoming

Published

18 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman launches Senate run in Wyoming

Rep. Harriet Hageman, a Republican, is running for Senate in Wyoming next year, seeking to replace retiring GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who announced last week that she would not run for re-election.

Hageman, 63, was elected to be the state’s lone representative in Congress in 2022 after ousting then-Rep. Liz Cheney in a primary. Hageman had Donald Trump’s endorsement against Cheney, a vocal critic of the president, and the congresswoman name-checked the president in her three-minute launch video on Tuesday.

“I stood with President Trump to deliver the largest tax cut in American history, helping working families keep more of their own money,” Hageman said, later adding, “We worked together to secure the border and fund efforts to remove and deport those in the country illegally.”

“We must keep up this fight, and that’s why today I’m announcing my campaign for United States Senate,” Hageman said. “This fight is about making sure the next century sees the advancements of the last while protecting our culture and our way of life. We must dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the next 100 years is the next great American century.”

Hageman had been eyeing a run for governor, but ultimately decided to run for Senate, noting in an interview with Cowboy State Daily published Tuesday that “it’s important that we have someone who can hit the ground running the moment [Lummis] retires. That’s not the place for on-the-job training.”

Hageman added that Trump is “well aware” that she is running for Senate, and she would welcome his endorsement.

It’s not yet clear if Hageman will face a tough fight for the GOP nomination. There are multiple opportunities for other Wyoming Republicans to run statewide, given the open governor’s race and Hageman’s campaign opening up her at-large House seat.

The winner of the GOP primary would be in a strong position to win the Senate seat in the deep-red state. Trump won Wyoming by nearly 46 percentage points last year. Hageman won her second term in 2024 by 48 points.

Although Wyoming is a solidly Republican state, Hageman faced a rowdy crowd at a town hall earlier this year. She was met with boos as she commented on federal government cuts, the Department of Government Efficiency and the future of Social Security.

Hageman called the outbursts “over the top” and said, “It’s so bizarre to me how obsessed you are with federal government.” Her adviser dismissed the disruptions as “pre-planned” and “political theater.”

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Wyoming

After Strong Demand, Wyoming Childcare Provider Grants to Reopen in 2026

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

After Strong Demand, Wyoming Childcare Provider Grants to Reopen in 2026

A statewide grant program supporting childcare providers drew 90 applications in just two rounds of funding earlier this year. For the Wyoming Interagency Working Group on Childcare, which launched the initiative, the response affirmed that the program is addressing a significant community need. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has more.

In 2025, the Wyoming Interagency Working Group on Childcare worked collaboratively to award $183,537 to 24 providers. In an effort to build on that success, the grant program will reopen January 2 with applications closing March 1, 2026. Administered by the Wyoming Community Foundation, grants of up to $20,000 per applicant will be awarded with a renewed focus on communities with the greatest childcare shortages.

Grant awards will be prioritized based on requests from high-needs communities as will be outlined in the application and on the Wyoming Community Foundation’s website, along with plans to increase the number of children and families being cared for and engagement or planned engagement with business support services through the Small Business Development Center. Funding for this round of grantmaking includes the Wyoming Maternal and Child Health Unit, Wyoming Department of Family Services, the Wyoming Community Foundation, and the Business Studio at LCCC. To apply for a grant or if you have questions about the application process, you can click here.

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