AGP Executive Report

UFO Files & Cheyenne Mountain: The Pentagon released a third batch of declassified UFO records, including a “potato”-shaped object hovering over Cheyenne Mountain in 2022, described by five Fort Carson Army members; there’s no video or photos, but a rendering was created. Wyoming Politics & Elections: Wyoming’s U.S. Senate race chatter continues as Sen. Cynthia Lummis and others weigh national election dynamics, while Wyoming’s closed primary system faces renewed challenge from a GOP Senate candidate. Colorado River Crunch (Wyoming angle): Utah and Wyoming are pushing for renewed Colorado River negotiations as the Oct. 1 deadline nears; leaders warn the basin could be forced into a federal plan that could trigger major cuts and litigation. Public Safety / Corrections: Wyoming DOC K9 Zeke and handler Sgt. Jory Shoopman earned a perfect score and “Top Dog” honors at regional certification trials. Local Government: Cheyenne water and sewer rates are set to increase this October, adding to ongoing cost pressures for residents. Federal Courts / National Parks: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore interpretive exhibits removed from national parks, calling the changes an attempt to “rewrite” history.

UFO Disclosure Watch: The Pentagon released a third batch of declassified UFO files, including a “potato-shaped” object sighted by Fort Carson soldiers in 2022 and other reports of spinning discs and glowing orbs—still short of any proof of alien life. Wyoming Law Enforcement: Sweetwater County GOP members are weighing interim sheriff candidates Rich Fischer, Richard Kaumo, and Ozzie Knezovich after John Grossnickle’s term vacancy. Wyoming Public Safety & Veterans: Wyoming DOC K9 Zeke and handler Sgt. Jory Shoopman earned a perfect score and “Top Dog” title at police canine certification trials. Wyoming Politics & Courts: The ACLU of Wyoming filed public records requests tied to local ICE 287(g) agreements, pushing to end the program’s role in immigration enforcement. Colorado River Pressure (Upper Basin): Utah and Wyoming are urging basin states to restart Colorado River talks before the Interior Department imposes a plan—Arizona warns it could mean massive cuts. Wyoming Community Spotlight: The 53rd annual Wyoming Shrine Bowl in Casper ended with the North team’s 55-0 win and Sen. John Barrasso highlighting the Shriner’s impact on Wyoming families. Wyoming Culture: Nina McConigley’s new novel interview spotlights her Wyoming roots and a story blending immigration, family, and place.

Colorado River Deadline Pressure: Utah and Wyoming are pushing basin talks before an Oct. 1 clock runs out, warning Interior could impose a plan and that Arizona/Colorado are eyeing lawsuits. Federal Funding Threat: Sen. Mike Lee warned Lower Basin states that suing could cost them about $354M in conservation aid tied to a 2022 drought law. Wyoming Courts on Abortion: A Wyoming judge struck down three 2025 abortion restrictions, citing the state constitution’s healthcare-rights amendment. ACLU Targets 287(g): The ACLU of Wyoming filed public records requests tied to ICE 287(g) agreements, arguing local agencies are acting as an ICE “force multiplier.” Wyoming Legal Capacity Snapshot: Wyoming State Bar data shows just one active lawyer license in Uinta County as of May. Public Lands Fight: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore altered national park signs and blocked further changes. UFO Declassification: The Pentagon released a third batch of UFO files, including a “potato-shaped” object described by Army personnel near Colorado Springs. Public Safety Training: FBI and partners ran a simulated nuclear exercise in Colorado Springs for incidents involving radiological/nuclear threats. Wyoming Veterans Recognition: Gov. Gordon named Kathy J. Wright Woman Veteran of the Year.

ACLU vs. 287(g): The ACLU of Wyoming has filed public records requests with seven counties and the Wyoming Highway Patrol, seeking details on how agencies decided to sign ICE 287(g) agreements—part of a broader push to end the program. Courts & abortion access: A Wyoming judge struck down three 2025 abortion restrictions as unconstitutional, including an ultrasound requirement and clinic-operating limits, citing the state constitution’s protections for healthcare decisions. Wyoming utility rates hit irrigators: Rocky Mountain Power is asking for a $71 million rate hike, with a steep proposed impact on pump irrigators—an issue coming as drought drives up electricity costs. Cheyenne policing spotlight: Cheyenne Police Department K9 teams competed at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, earning top honors for narcotics and patrol work and naming the unit overall best agency. Cheyenne-area public safety: A Cheyenne man was arrested after a pursuit through Albany County that ended with stop sticks disabling a suspected stolen vehicle. Water war clock: Utah and Wyoming are urging a seven-state Colorado River deal before an Oct. 1 deadline, warning that failure could trigger federal intervention and litigation. Women veterans recognition: Gov. Mark Gordon honored Brig. Gen. Kathy J. Wright as Wyoming’s 2026 Woman Veteran of the Year. Local election prep: Sheridan County Chamber candidate forums were announced, including state/city/county primary events and a U.S. House Republican debate. Culture & community: Pinedale’s Soundcheck Summer Music Series returns with free, family-friendly concerts and dance lessons ahead of the shows.

Abortion Rights: A Natrona County judge struck down three Wyoming abortion restrictions as unconstitutional, including an ultrasound requirement and clinic-licensing rules, leaving the state to decide whether to appeal. Courts & Business: Wyoming’s new chancery court is already drawing national attention, including a dispute tied to a Wyoming-registered company’s planned Trump-themed mobile golf game. Public Safety & Justice: A Cheyenne man was arrested after a pursuit through Albany County ended with stop sticks, and a Weston County victim’s case shows how interagency support can keep justice moving. Education & Tech: Albany County school leaders are weighing a policy to curb student deepfakes, while Cheyenne is set to raise water and sewer rates this October. Health & Families: Wyoming jumped to 12th in child and family wellbeing, with improvements tied to lower poverty and suicide, and a local program “Stay Free Forever” is helping justice-involved people avoid re-incarceration. State Politics: Shannon Brennan announced a bid for the Wyoming House seat in Teton County, challenging Liz Storer.

Wyoming Data Centers: Cheyenne hosted a tour of Related Digital’s 302MW IT-capacity campus as Gov. Mark Gordon and Mayor Patrick Collins emphasized a “closed loop” approach meant to protect Wyoming water and keep power use from hitting residents’ rates, aligning with Gordon’s “Data Centers the Wyoming Way” executive order. Immigration Enforcement: The Wyoming ACLU says it has filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit challenging Laramie County Sheriff’s 287(g) ICE agreements, and is now sending records requests to other Wyoming agencies with similar contracts. Public Safety—E-bikes: Green River and Rock Springs officials say e-bike rules lag behind rider speeds, with cities weighing new ordinances as Wyoming considers statewide changes. Tribal History: Northern Cheyenne leaders are preparing for the Little Bighorn’s 150th anniversary, including a traditional camp and new interpretive marker work along the Little Bighorn River. Local Services: Casper opened “Among Friends,” a new ADA-compliant adult day center for seniors 55+ aimed at reducing isolation and supporting people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Wyoming Data Centers: Related Digital hosted a tour of its Cheyenne construction site as Governor Mark Gordon and Mayor Patrick Collins highlighted the “Data Centers the Wyoming Way” push, including a closed-loop system aimed at protecting water and keeping electricity use from hitting household rates. ACLU vs. 287(g): The ACLU of Wyoming is launching public-records requests to the Wyoming Highway Patrol and seven counties over their ICE 287(g) agreements, following a Laramie County lawsuit alleging the sheriff signed without proper approval or public input. Public Safety: Cheyenne’s National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for southeast Wyoming through Friday evening, warning of conditions that can drive fast wildfires. Local Governance & Elections: The Joint Revenue Committee is looking at reviving multiple property tax reform bills while awaiting results of the November People’s Initiative that would cut property taxes by 50%. Community Events: Cheyenne is laying out a full America 250 July 4 schedule, including a parade, Capitol ceremony with the governor’s address, and fireworks.

Colorado River talks: Gov. Mark Gordon met in Washington with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, and others to push a practical long-term plan for the basin, with Flaming Gorge expected to be lowered to protect Lake Powell. Wyoming elections & party rules: The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of the state’s crossover-voting ban, a case tied to Wyoming’s closed primary system and party affiliation limits. Wyoming Legislature power shift: A week of reporting highlights races that could decide whether the Wyoming Freedom Caucus gains control of the Senate, after it already won the House. Cheyenne growth debate: Cheyenne City Council held a public hearing on annexing nearly 3,460 acres on the south side, tied to future zoning and a Microsoft-linked project. Public safety: Laramie County’s Sheriff’s Office announced a cold-case homicide arrest in the 1988 “Baby John Doe” investigation. Courts & rights: A judge ruled a transgender bartender must stand trial on felony charges after a firearm incident in Laramie. Energy & costs: Rocky Mountain Power filed for a major rate hike that would hit Wyoming irrigators hard, as drought-driven pumping costs rise. Community & service: Heart Mountain received a Serve Wyoming planning grant to develop a “Kids Cultivate” agriculture education program.

Colorado River Talks: Gov. Mark Gordon, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and U.S. Sens. John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, and John Curtis met in Washington to push a long-term Colorado River plan, with Wyoming emphasizing a seven-basin-state approach and protection for Flaming Gorge as Lake Powell remains under pressure. Wyoming Senate Power Watch: A new report lays out how the Wyoming Freedom Caucus could win control of the Senate, hinging on key races as caucus allies move from the House to the upper chamber. Data Center Backlash: Wyoming’s data-center fight is part of a broader national pushback, with states like Arizona and Texas debating tax breaks, infrastructure costs, and power impacts as governors scramble over how to regulate the fast-growing industry. Public Safety—Baggs Shooting: A Carbon County deputy was airlifted after being shot during an active shooter incident in Baggs; officials say the suspect was found dead in the vehicle after a gunfire exchange. Public Safety—Impaired Driving: The Fremont County DUI Task Force will patrol during Lander Brewfest, urging designated drivers and SafeRide as 2026 has already seen five impaired-driving fatalities in the county. Community & Service: Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation received a Serve Wyoming planning grant to develop a “Kids Cultivate” program, and the National Museum of Military Vehicles will host “Wyoming’s Own” with the 67th Army Band on June 29. Tribal Commemoration: Tribes and the National Park Service are preparing for Battle of Greasy Grass anniversary events with multiple programs around Little Bighorn.

Public Safety: A Carbon County deputy was shot multiple times near Baggs and flown to St. Mary’s in Grand Junction; authorities say the suspect fired at pursuing officers before crashing and dying. Federal Land & Conservation: The BLM is investigating vandalism at six Native American rock art sites in Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin, including damage from a bonfire and gunfire. Water Politics: With Colorado River talks stalled, federal managers are moving toward a shorter-term 10-year framework that could trigger major cuts—Arizona’s share could drop as much as 77% if states can’t agree. Wyoming Lawmaking: Sen. John Barrasso unveiled a bill to streamline broadband permitting on federal land, creating standardized rules and an online portal. State Government & Economy: Lawmakers discussed potential Wyoming Business Council reforms, including reviving consensus block grant funding and tightening underused programs. Sports Policy: Nine Republican governors—including Wyoming’s—pressed the NCAA to overhaul transgender student-athlete rules. Social Services Oversight: SSA chief Frank Bisignano is set to tell Congress customer service is improving, citing big reductions in phone wait times. Wyoming Community: The Wyoming National Guard is running planning for America 250 events in Cheyenne ahead of July Fourth. Local Notes: Cody post office trash cans and recycling bins temporarily disappeared during election season, then returned. Business/Outdoors: FOIA-linked reporting raises questions after two fatal snowmobile trips in four days were guided by the same Teton-area outfitter tied to Aramark.

Colorado River: Federal officials say they’ll use a shorter-term, more flexible 10-year Colorado River management framework, with new operating guidelines every two years, after states can’t reach a seven-state deal. Wyoming Law Enforcement: A Memorial Day weekend DUI crackdown in Fremont County produced 5 impaired-driving arrests and 327 traffic stops. Public Lands: BLM is investigating vandalism at six Native rock art sites in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, including damage from gunfire and a bonfire. Elections & Voting: Wyoming voters who changed party affiliation ahead of the May deadline largely switched from Democrat to Republican, shaping closed-primary ballot math. Local Politics: Eric Snow, a Teton County patrol deputy, is challenging Sheriff Matt Carr in the GOP sheriff race. State Government: Lawmakers are discussing potential Wyoming Business Council reforms, including reviving consensus block grant funding and trimming underused programs. National Policy: The House holds an SSA hearing as the agency’s commissioner argues wait times are improving. Energy & Tech: Edmond, Oklahoma, adopted a data-center moratorium while studying impacts—another sign the fight over growth is spreading. Safety: High fire danger persists across Wyoming with Red Flag Warnings and active large fires.

Colorado River Talks: Federal officials say they’ll formalize a new plan for dividing shrinking Colorado River supplies as soon as mid-summer, but Wyoming and other states still can’t agree on voluntary cuts, keeping lawsuits and blame games on the table. Wyoming Elections & AI: Wyoming’s secretary of state rejected an AI bid for a U.S. Senate run, and a federal judge upheld the denial—while the candidate vows to keep fighting in court. Native Rock Art Vandalism: The BLM is investigating vandalism at six Indigenous petroglyph sites in Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin, including bullet damage and a bonfire that cracked and altered rock. Mail Ballot Crackdown: DHS plans to let states access federal citizenship data by June 30 and to monitor mail ballots for fraud signals as Trump’s administration pushes new voting-by-mail restrictions. Data Centers Debate: Lawmakers are weighing a possible special session as Governor Gordon’s “Data Centers The Wyoming Way” order faces criticism over water, power, and infrastructure impacts. Public Safety: Reports of a shooting near Baggs triggered road closures and a multi-agency response on the Wyoming-Colorado border. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports Wyoming diesel and premium prices remain elevated, with some county-level lows around late May.

Border Incident: Wyoming authorities were met with a heavy response after reports of shots fired near Baggs, with the Wyoming Highway Patrol urging drivers to avoid Highway 789 and multiple Colorado agencies joining a “critical incident” investigation. Weather Watch: A tornado watch covered a dozen Colorado counties until 9 p.m., with threats including very large hail and possible tornadoes. Voting Rules Fight: The Trump administration is moving to restrict voting by mail, using federal citizenship data access and court-backed monitoring plans—an effort Democrats and voting-rights groups say risks unconstitutional election meddling. Wyoming Energy & Power: Public meetings are set to discuss a proposed natural gas plant in Carbon County, part of a broader push to meet rising electricity demand tied to data centers. Data Center Politics: Wyoming lawmakers are debating whether to call a special session after Gov. Mark Gordon’s “Data Centers The Wyoming Way” executive order drew criticism over water, power, land use, and infrastructure impacts. Housing in Court: A Jackson affordable housing project near the Nelson Drive trailhead is delayed by a neighbor’s lawsuit, keeping the Forest Service and housing trust tied up in litigation. SNAP Changes: USDA lists Wyoming among states restricting SNAP purchases of non-nutritious items, with implementation dates rolling through this year and next. Crypto Push: More than 200 crypto firms and groups urged Senate leaders to schedule a floor vote on the CLARITY Act before the August recess. Wyoming Finances: Wyoming property tax collections fell sharply in Q3 2025, down 51.9% from the prior quarter, according to Census Bureau data.

Wyoming Energy & Taxes: Wyoming collected $5.9 million in public utilities sales taxes in 2024—up from $3.8 million the year before—according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s State Government Tax Collections survey. Data Centers & Power: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker paused new data center tax incentives starting July 1, citing grid strain and higher bills for residents—an issue Wyoming has been watching as AI and crypto demand grows. Wyoming Politics & Elections: Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray held a meet-and-greet in Rock Springs to pitch his U.S. House run, laying out concerns about Clean Air Act impacts and the spread of large data centers. Public Safety & Homeland Security: Sheridan County commissioners approved a $49,200 Wyoming Office of Homeland Security grant for all-hazards preparedness. Military News: The Wyoming Air National Guard held a change of command for the 153rd Maintenance Group in Cheyenne, transitioning leadership from Lt. Col. Brett Trippel to Lt. Col. John Jasper. Wildlife Management: Wyoming plans to cut the wolf hunt cap in half after a canine distemper outbreak drove wolf numbers to their lowest level in two decades. Courts & Crypto: A New York judge paused a lawsuit seeking control of 39,069 dormant Bitcoin wallets, setting a July 14 hearing. Local Law Enforcement: Cheyenne Wells saw a multi-agency search warrant operation that seized firearms, suspected drugs, and explosive devices, with EOD teams rendering them inert.

Wyoming National Guard: The Wyoming Air National Guard held a June 6 change of command for the 153rd Maintenance Group in Cheyenne, with Lt. Col. Brett Trippel handing leadership to Lt. Col. John Jasper as the unit prepares for upcoming operational demands, including wildfire support. Local Public Safety: A Cheyenne Wells, Colorado-area multi-agency law enforcement operation seized firearms, suspected narcotics, and explosive devices after a search warrant, with ATF, FBI, and Air Force EOD among the teams involved. Energy & Environment: Interior’s Bureau of Land Management asked a federal court to let it revise environmental reviews for 2015-2016 oil and gas leases in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, after a ruling found greenhouse gas estimates were not properly handled at the leasing stage. Wildlife Policy: Wyoming plans to cut the wolf hunt by half after a canine distemper outbreak drove wolf numbers to the lowest level in two decades. Wyoming Governance & Planning: The Wyoming National Guard hosted a Rehearsal of Concept drill for the July 4 “America 250” celebration, coordinating public safety, traffic, emergency response, and aviation support. Tribal Rights: Nine tribes sued to stop exploratory graphite drilling near a sacred Black Hills meadow used for ceremonies and youth camps, arguing federal agencies violated law by greenlighting the project.

Wyoming National Guard: The Guard hosted a Rehearsal of Concept drill in Cheyenne to coordinate safety, traffic, communications, emergency response and aviation support for Wyoming’s America 250 celebration on July 4, including UH-60 Black Hawk and C-130 flyovers. Energy & environment: The Trump administration is set to push nearly $700M into the coal industry using a Korean War-era statute, including upgrades to coal plants and funding tied to a planned Oakland export terminal that could move Wyoming and Montana coal. Colorado River: Federal officials say they’ll use a shorter-term 10-year framework with new operational guidelines every two years if states can’t reach a seven-state deal, with an Environmental Impact Statement due in summer. Public lands fight: A coalition backed by 21 states and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is supporting the Air Force in a lawsuit over the Tarague Beach detonation range on Guam, arguing permitting should proceed without added delays. Wyoming politics-adjacent legal: A New York lost-property case tied to 39,069 dormant bitcoin wallets saw fresh on-chain movement after a court stay, keeping the dispute over “abandoned” crypto alive. Local Wyoming governance: A Cheyenne-area council meeting covered routine approvals, an airport update, and discussion of water shares tied to incoming wind farm activity.