AGP Executive Report

Wyoming International Film Festival: Cheyenne-based festival opened applications for the 2026 Wyoming Filmmaker Grant, awarding three $1,000 grants for narrative or documentary projects; applications run through Sept. 25 at wyoiff.com. Cheyenne Local Government: City Council authorized the mayor to execute an MOU tied to impact assistance for the Laramie Range Wind Project, a 170-turbine proposal now headed toward an Aug. 31 state Industrial Siting Council hearing. Wyoming Workforce: A new workforce report projects Wyoming will add about 6,000 jobs by 2027 but with 3,000 fewer workers available, citing aging demographics and a tight labor pool. Cheyenne Frontier Days Boost: Frontier Days attendance rose to 283,138 (up from 249,587 in 2025), and local businesses say the surge kept them busy well beyond Frontier Park. Power Grid Preparedness: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for 17 states, including Wyoming, allowing backup generation to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat. Public Safety/Justice: A Sheridan nonprofit CFO, Uliana Van Houten, was sentenced to 2 to 5 years for embezzling and forgery tied to more than $143,000 stolen from Beacon Independence Center. Business & Tech: Cheyenne data center opponents are collecting petition signatures to force a city referendum that would pause new server-factory approvals for 12 to 18 months. Consumer Protection: Wyoming and other state AGs are urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls.

Water & Climate Research: University of Wyoming atmospheric scientist Travis Aerenson and colleagues used 35 years of historical moisture-tracking data to confirm long-predicted shifts in a warming world: water vapor is increasingly coming from farther ocean sources and spending longer in the atmosphere before precipitation. Colorado River Watch: A new report says Lakes Powell and Mead hit the lowest combined level on record, underscoring how the West’s water crunch is tightening. Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy authorized emergency backup power for 17 states, including Wyoming, to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat through Aug. 3. Wyoming Business & Finance: 24hourEDU says it has NMLS approval to deliver mortgage loan originator continuing education in all 50 states. Energy & Defense Industry: Textron reiterated 2026 earnings and cash-flow guidance, while noting MV-75 Cheyenne funding could affect results. Mining & Education: Central Wyoming SME donated $100,000 to create the Arch and Lynne Swank Scholarship for future Wyoming geology and mining students. Innovation & Payments: N3XT launched its Model Context Protocol to connect AI systems with live banking data for governed B2B payments. Public Safety: A Smithfield, Utah man died after collapsing in a holding cell at the Lincoln County Jail in Kemmerer; the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the probe.

Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy authorized Southwest Power Pool to tap backup generation across 17 states, including Wyoming, through Aug. 3 as extreme heat raises blackout risk for homes and businesses. Local Courts & Immigration Enforcement: A Laramie County judge heard arguments on whether to dismiss an ACLU of Wyoming lawsuit challenging Sheriff Brian Kozak and the LCSO’s 287(g) immigration agreements with ICE, with the federal government backing the sheriff’s role. Energy & Industry Workforce: A new $40M push for a nuclear tech hub is expected to fund workforce training and supply-chain support across Idaho and Wyoming, including programs at Gillette College. Public Lands Politics: A Meeteetse rancher running for House District 28 says privatizing public lands and shifting education funding models are eroding local control, and he’s prioritizing agriculture and education. Wyoming Business Council: The agency is launching a virtual “Team Wyoming Huddle” Aug. 13 to gather input from residents and businesses for its next policy push. Weather & Costs: Cheyenne hit 99 degrees Sunday, breaking the hottest July 26 record in city history, with forecasts showing a brief cooldown before more heat.

Wyoming Politics: Cheyenne Roundup’s Decision 2026 series takes a close look at the statewide offices up for grabs this year, including the governor, secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction, treasurer and auditor, with attention on how Freedom Caucus dynamics are shaping the race. Energy & Reliability: The U.S. Energy Department issued an emergency order for the Southwest Power Pool to tap idle generation to reduce the risk of heat-wave blackouts across a 17-state region. Grid & Environment: PacifiCorp and OSU are running a bird-fatality study at the Glenrock/Rolling Hills wind farm by painting turbine blades black, aiming to cut collisions in sagebrush habitat. Local Infrastructure: Carbon County approved a new Abandoned Mine Land Division project near Hanna Draw Road (County Road 291), using slurry to stabilize underground mines and protect county property. Defense Supply Chain: Syensqo will supply adhesives and specialty polymers for the U.S. Army’s MV-75 Cheyenne next-generation vertical lift program. Banking: Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp’s board approved a share repurchase program of up to 15,000 shares, expiring Dec. 31, 2026. Workforce Pressure: New Wyoming workforce reporting points to a growing mismatch as job growth continues but worker availability lags. Elections & Money: WyoFile reports Wyoming GOP U.S. House candidates are self-funding heavily, with multiple contenders loaning their campaigns more than $1 million each.

Grid Reliability: The U.S. Energy Department issued an emergency order for the Southwest Power Pool to tap idle power sources across a 17-state region after warnings of heat-driven reliability risks, aiming to prevent rotating blackouts. Crypto Regulation: Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and other backers are pushing the CLARITY Act in the Senate, framing it as a consumer-protection push with stronger enforcement and clearer rules for digital assets. Wyoming Nonprofit Needs Volunteers: Needs Inc. Food Pantry in Cheyenne is asking for pantry support volunteers starting Monday, citing staffing shortages; shifts run 8:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday. Cheyenne Frontier Days Spotlight: Ryder Wright won the saddle bronc title at the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo finals after a tie-breaker, with local competitors also scoring high. Community & Local Business: Rock Springs’ mobile bookstore, The Wandering Shelf, is expanding access for readers via the weekly Main Street Market, while the Red Desert Roundup Rodeo drew crowds despite extreme heat. Wyoming Politics & Growth: Laramie residents are challenging a proposed West Side development near the Greenbelt over flooding, conservation, wildlife, and public financing concerns.

Heat & Power Stress: A heat dome is pushing dangerously hot weather across the central U.S., with about 80 million people under advisories and grids strained by record demand from households and data centers. Wyoming Weather Watch: The Cheyenne National Weather Service says southeast Wyoming could see record highs today, with heat advisories and extreme heat warnings expiring at 9 p.m. Wyoming Politics: Cody state Rep. Rachel Williams launched her first campaign ad in the Wyoming Secretary of State race, pitching herself as a retired law enforcement officer focused on election security and reducing burdens on small businesses. Energy & Resources: The Interior Department released a new USGS assessment estimating federal lands hold enough coal to supply the U.S. for centuries, with Wyoming accounting for most of the reserves tied to active mines. Business & Markets: Wyoming Capital expects Nigerian banking stocks to lead a market rally as half-year earnings and interim dividends approach. Public Safety: Wyoming collected $18.6M in tobacco sales taxes in 2024, down from $19.9M the year before.

Heat Wave Watch: A heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with temperatures above 100°F from Dallas to North Dakota and about 70–80 million people under advisories, including western Nebraska near 108°F, raising risks for Wyoming travelers and regional supply chains. Local Development Tension: Laramie residents are pushing back on a proposed West Side Greenbelt-area development, citing floodplain risk, conservation and wildlife concerns, and questions about public input and public financing. Food Systems Funding: Feeding Laramie Valley says it’s accelerating its 16-year push for community-driven food systems as federal funding shifts force it to lean harder on statewide partnerships and local sovereignty. Small Business Spotlight: A University of Wyoming student entrepreneur launched Hunks Junk Removal with a dual mission—reliable, fair-paying work for students and a needed local service. Coal Policy Update: The Interior Department released a USGS coal-resources report highlighting vast reserves beneath federal lands, with Wyoming leading active-mine reserves. Elections & Youth: Cathedral Home in Laramie released a nonpartisan youth mental health candidate guide as early voting begins.

Food Systems & Funding: Feeding Laramie Valley is pushing its 16-year plan to build community-driven food systems statewide, saying federal grant shifts forced it to pivot but not slow down its countywide and rural Wyoming partnerships. Student Entrepreneurship: University of Wyoming student Casey Comer launched Hunks Junk Removal, hiring UW students and aiming to solve both local junk-hauling demand and student income pressure. Data Centers & Local Politics: With less than a month to Wyoming’s primary, Republican House hopefuls are spotlighting property tax relief, how to pay for it, and the state’s economic future—while Cheyenne-area voters are trying to force a referendum on a Microsoft-linked data center annexation. Tourism & Community Branding: Wyoming Office of Tourism is set to unveil its “Mavericks of Wyoming” honorees, and Destinations International named Wyoming Office of Tourism director Domenic Bravo to its executive committee. Outdoor Investment: The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust awarded more than $1.9M for trail and campground projects, including $300,000 for Lovell’s Cottonwood Canyon non-motorized trails. Infrastructure: Casper’s Poplar Street is closed after a water line burst, with WYDOT targeting reopening within days.

Tourism & Branding: The Wyoming Office of Tourism is set to unveil five “Mavericks of Wyoming,” with winners revealed day-by-day next week and each receiving a limited-edition Mavericks Wanted Wrangler jacket. Local Politics: Cheyenne Ward 1 candidate Travis French says he’s running to curb what he calls government overreach, including surveillance and data-center expansion. Campaigns & Growth: Laramie County Board candidate Julie Christen is pitching transparency and “responsible growth,” with data centers a central issue. City Hall Race: Cheyenne Ward 2 hopeful Janelle Rose is also emphasizing transparency and public engagement as the city grows. Infrastructure: Casper crews are dealing with a Poplar Street closure after a water line burst caused by an open valve. Outdoor Economy: Lovell’s Cottonwood Canyon trail plan just landed major support, with Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust awarding more than $1.9M statewide, including $300,000 for Lovell. Public Safety: Wyoming Highway Patrol is urging visitors to leave marijuana at home, since it remains illegal in the state. Weather & Health: Denver opened cooling centers for a weekend heat risk that could push triple digits, with advisories extending toward Wyoming’s border.

Wyoming Economy: The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.2% in June, down from 3.4% in May, with jobless rates improving in most counties and nonfarm employment rising year over year. Healthcare Consolidation: Intermountain Health agreed to acquire Idaho Falls Community Hospital and take full ownership of Mountain View Hospital, with operations expected to stay largely the same for patients and staff. Energy & Public Lands: The Interior Department released a USGS update estimating 4.2 billion short tons of coal reserves under active mines on federal lands, with Wyoming holding most of the reported active-mine reserves. AI Data Center Costs: Trump expanded the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, adding utilities and data center firms to commitments aimed at preventing ratepayers from covering new AI power buildout costs. Local Business & Community: Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines reported strong second-quarter results and declared a dividend, while Wyoming’s outdoor rec board awarded $1.9M in grants for trails and campground fixes. Wyoming Politics: Moran rancher Frank Chapman withdrew from the GOP race for Wyoming’s open U.S. House seat, backing Chuck Gray instead.

Energy & Public Lands: The Interior Department released a new USGS assessment of coal beneath federally managed lands, estimating 4.2 billion short tons of reported reserves tied to active mines plus 356 billion short tons of available resources—highlighting Wyoming’s dominance in federal-land coal production. Western Day at CFD: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Gov. Mark Gordon met at Cheyenne Frontier Days to talk energy, water, mineral rights, and grazing—framing energy and food security as tied to national security. Jobs Watch: Wyoming’s unemployment rate fell to 3.2% in June, down from 3.4% in May, with the biggest county drops in Teton, Sublette and Lincoln. Local Housing Development: Jackson City Council approved the Virginian Lodge apartment plan for 32 units (studios and two-bedrooms) aimed largely at employee housing. Workforce & Permitting: Uinta County approved a conditional use permit for a man camp tied to a workforce hub project near Bear River State Park. Wildfire Readiness: The national wildfire preparedness level was raised to 5 out of 5 as resources are stretched. Community Grants: Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust awarded $1.9M for trail building and campground fixes, including a major Lovell-area trails grant. Data Center Cost Fight: The White House expanded its Ratepayer Protection Pledge and Congress advanced a bill aimed at stopping large data centers from shifting grid upgrade costs onto utility customers.

Defense & Governance: The U.S. House again passed a war powers resolution targeting the Trump administration’s Iran actions, setting up another fight as the $1.15 trillion defense bill heads for an uphill Senate battle. Wildlife & Land Management: The federal government is rolling back endangered species habitat protections, and states say they can’t realistically replace the lost safeguards. Wyoming Business & Growth: SBA launched a $6 million Women’s Business Center modernization competition, with Wyoming among the targeted states for expanded counseling, training and capital access. Tech & Infrastructure: Wyoming is weighing power-supply rules for AI and data centers as developers propose stand-alone generation to meet massive demand—while regulators lack a clear framework. Community & Local Economy: Basin Heritage Commons in Basin is one step closer to completion after a $10,000 grant. Weather Risk: Summer monsoon rains are bringing flash-flood risk across the West, including Wyoming, especially near burn scars. Public Safety: Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 is scheduled to stop in Hays as part of a coast-to-coast 250th anniversary tour.

Casper Urban Renewal: Casper City Council approved a $26 million Hilton Hotel as the next step in downtown urban renewal, using tax increment financing to spur private reinvestment and boost lodging and foot traffic. Cheyenne Wind Impact Funds: Cheyenne is preparing to seek about $700,000 in impact assistance tied to the proposed Laramie Range Wind Project, pending state approval by the Industrial Siting Council. Cheyenne Data Center Fight: Meta is appealing a $10,000 Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities fine tied to a data center wastewater incident, arguing the agency lacked support and should refund the payment. Business Support: The SBA announced a $6 million competition to modernize Women’s Business Centers, with Wyoming eligible under the initiative’s state lead-center model. Wyoming Economy & Growth Planning: Plympton-Wyoming is gathering resident input for a Rural Economic Development plan aimed at attracting commercial investment and addressing gaps in industrial land. Energy & Jobs: Casper/Natrona County International Airport was named a 2025 Large Employer of the Year finalist. Uranium Exploration: Strathmore Plus Uranium outlined a 5,000-foot drill program at the Beaver Rim Project in Wyoming’s Gas Hills district. Public Safety: Rock Springs police arrested a woman for allegedly leaving a baby in a car outside a bar; investigators cited witness accounts and surveillance.

Endangered Species Act Rollback: The Trump administration is removing federal protections for critical endangered-species habitat, arguing states can manage wildlife without the federal burden—while experts warn most states lack the legal tools to prevent habitat loss. Wyoming Outdoor Investment: The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund approved its first grant round, sending more than $1.9 million to 21 projects across 15 counties using lodging-tax revenue. School Funding Boost: Sheridan County School District 2 approved an $80.4 million budget for 2026-27, up about $7.9 million, citing Wyoming’s updated K-12 finance model and added categorical funding. Energy & Uranium Watch: Peninsula Energy withdrew its 2026 production guidance for its Lance uranium project in Wyoming due to slower wellfield ramp-up, though it says the issues are temporary. Data Center Power Pressure: Crusoe and ON.energy announced a 5GW deployment of AI UPS systems for data centers, aiming to handle grid stress from AI workloads. Water Stress in the West: Lake Powell continues to sink, forcing marina and ramp changes as the Colorado River crisis deepens.

Energy & Grid Reliability: Wyoming Energy Authority welcomed National Coal Council reports arguing coal remains key for grid reliability and energy security, including keeping the existing coal fleet operating through at least the 2040s. Nuclear Investment: Idaho National Laboratory will help lead the INEC Tech Hub, a $31 million federal award (plus $9 million in matching funds) aimed at growing small modular reactor and advanced nuclear work across the Idaho-Wyoming region. Small Business Funding: The SBA announced a $6 million competition to modernize Women’s Business Centers, with Wyoming eligible and proposals due Aug. 10. Healthcare Affordability: A WalletHub analysis says Wyoming’s average “silver” plan premium runs about 17% of median household income, highlighting affordability pressure after enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired. Politics & Business Climate: Wyoming GOP leaders endorsed candidates for governor and key statewide offices despite legal questions about the endorsement process. Local Infrastructure: The Wyoming Transportation Commission approved three highway contracts totaling more than $7.6 million, including bridge replacements and traffic signal upgrades. Water & Power Risk: Colorado River storage continues to fall, with federal actions and negotiations underway as Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit historic lows—raising stakes for regional water and power planning.

Nuclear Energy Funding: Idaho and Wyoming are set to receive about $31 million in federal support for a nuclear-focused tech hub, aimed at boosting advanced fuel fabrication, workforce training, and the regional nuclear supply chain. Healthcare Affordability: Healthy Wyoming brought its Cost of Care roadshow to Laramie County Community College, pushing Medicaid expansion as Wyoming grapples with affordability and a coverage gap affecting about 19,000 people. Local Elections & Governance: Sweetwater County Clerk candidates responded to Wyo4News’ questionnaire, with one candidate emphasizing the office’s role in elections, records, and public communication. Data Center Water Pollution: Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities released a timeline and FAQs after finding unusual bacteria in wastewater tied to the Meta Cheyenne Data Center, issuing a $10,000 fine and facing an appeal. Surveillance Cameras: Gillette officials and WYDOT said rumors about Flock ALPR cameras in town are false, clarifying the monitored traffic-signal camera is for internal use. Energy & Jobs: A separate analysis highlights how electricity affordability depends on policy and infrastructure as demand rises from grid-stressing growth like data centers. Wyoming Business Pulse: CORPBOLT is marketing a Wyoming LLC + EIN package for founders abroad without an SSN, positioning it as a remote-friendly formation option.