Wyoming Watch

B. Dylan Hollis is a Laramie-based social media personality, author and baker who has over 10 million followers on TikTok.  He recently released his second book, "Baking Across America," which features niche regional recipes from across the country.  Hollis spoke with WTE's Taylor Staples about how he got his start, his experiences in Wyoming and his upcoming book signing event in Cheyenne on Wedn...

Cheyenne's South High School has lost nearly 40 teachers, coaches and staff since August of 2024. Across all of Laramie County School District 1, that number is 115 in the same timeframe. This week, WTE state government reporter Hannah Shields spoke with two high school teachers at South High School, Dan Marcum and Tascha Burton, about why they think this is happening. Stick around until the end f...

Wyoming lawmakers voted Tuesday to draft a bill that abolishes the state's property tax system. During a meeting of the Legislature's Joint Revenue Committee in Gillette, the proposal was introduced by Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper, who said it's time for lawmakers to start over from scratch. Taxpayers are "paying unrealized gains" on inflation, he said, and it's time for the state to "shift to a new sys...

Several doctors have left Cheyenne Regional Medical Center over administrative accountability and staffing concerns over the past year. In December, a group of hospital providers cast a vote of no confidence in CRMC President and CEO Tim Thornell. Following an an investigation from the CRMC Board of Trustees, the board unanimously voted to have "full confidence" in Thornell. This week, WTE reporte...

Wyoming author Craig Johnson is publishing his newest Wyoming mystery book this week, set in the Rock Springs area. This week, he spoke with the WTE's Taylor Staples on The Perch. The new book, called "Return to Sender" is the 28 th story in the series featuring stories of Sheriff Walt Longmire in the fictional Absaroka County in Wyoming.   In the interview, Johnson shared how he develops his stor...

Wyoming is leading the country as the first to create a state agency-administered stable token, and state lawmakers are considering ways to integrate and promote digital assets in its finance system. The state is expected to produce its first stable tokens in early July. This week on The Perch, WTE reporter Hannah Shields explains what stable tokens are and how they are expected to benefit Wyoming...

Wyoming Hospital Association Vice President Josh Hannes dives into how a potential $880 billion cut to Medicaid program spending would impact hospitals, nursing homes and health insurance for Wyomingites.    U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told reporter Hannah Shields earlier this week that "Medicaid reforms are unlikely to negatively impact" Wyoming. Other news outlets recently reported House Sp...

Vietnam-era U.S. Navy veteran Billy Fiorelli is making his way to Washington, D.C., next week with his husband, Paul, for the first time in their lives.   The trip is completely paid for by Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP, as part of AARP's Voyage of Valor, which takes American veterans on trips to the nation's capital.   Billy Fiorelli said it was important for him to make this...

Petrina Peart is a local chef and the executive chef at the Wyoming Governor's Residence.   She recently competed in the first season of the new NBC show "Yes, Chef!" as one 12 chefs selected to compete in the cooking show. The show is hosted by chefs Martha Stewart and José Andrés.   Peart was born and raised in Jamaica, and didn't get into cooking until she joined the U.S. Air Force and was stat...

Kacee Lillie began selling shirts and earrings she designed when she was 14. Now 18 years old, she has opened a boutique in Frontier Mall in Cheyenne. This week on The Perch, Kacee shared how she got in the business, her concerns about tariffs from the Trump administration, and how she navigated her life as a high schooler starting and running a business.  Stick around to hear a recap of local hea...

Cheyenne City Council members Michelle Aldrich and Dr. Mark Rinne discuss the proposed 15th Street Railcar Experience. Aldrich is strongly opposed to the project, saying it is unrealistic and a waste of money. Rinne says it will be a net benefit for the community and is very attainable.   The two visited the WTE this week to have a conversation with reporter Noah Zahn about why they support or opp...

After Wyoming's U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman's town halls grew chaotic across the state – particularly one in Laramie – she transitioned from in-person to tele-town hall events.   Following the announcement, the Wyoming Democratic Party and the Laramie County Democratic Party moved to host their own in-person town hall at the same time to allow people to voice their concerns and submit their findings...

William Intriligator has been conductor and music director of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra for the past 17 years. This week, he came on The Perch to share what music has meant to him, how its driven his life and his work in Cheyenne.   He spoke with Taylor Staples, the WTE's arts and entertainment reporter.   Stick around to hear a recap of local headlines and a preview of upcoming local events...

Gov. Mark Gordon sat down with Wyoming Tribune Eagle Managing Editor Brian Martin to share his thoughts on this year's 2025 legislative session and how happenings in Washington, D.C. may impact the Cowboy State.   This episode airs excerpts from the full hour-long interview with the governor, which is available to listen to in full and unedited on a special episode of The Perch, uploaded today, Ma...

This special episode of The Perch airs the full interview Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon had with Wyoming Tribune Eagle Managing Editor Brian Martin and the WTE Editorial Board on Monday, March 17, 2025.   The conversation included the governor's take on the 2025 Wyoming legislative session, as well as how happenings in Washington, D.C., may impact the Cowboy State. This includes topics from DOGE federa...

Last week, the Wyoming Legislature wrapped up its 2025 general session. It gained national attention after the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline Republicans, gained majority control of the House of Representatives. This is the first time in the nation a Freedom Caucus has gained majority control of a state legislative branch.  Hannah Shields, our state government reporter, shares what sh...

After going viral on TikTok during the pandemic and never having performed on a stage before, Danae Hays began her first tour around a year ago after amassing a lar ge following online.   She is performing tonight, if you're listening on Friday, at the Cheyenne Civic Center. Her conversation with the WTE's Taylor Staples explores her transition from viral internet celebrity to  live stand-up comed...

Wyoming Sen. Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston, shares her story from the challenges she faced as a youth and collegiate athlete to why she is now pushing for legislation that would ban trans athletes from competing in female collegiate sports in Wyoming. This week, she spoke with WTE reporter Ivy Secrest. This episode is the second of two parts covering the bills. Last week, The Perch shared a conversati...

Santi Murillo was the first trans athlete at the University of Wyoming. Now, she is advocating against bills that would further restrict trans athletes' access to sports in the state. She shared her story with WTE reporter Ivy Secrest. This is episode is the first of two parts covering the bills. Next week, The Perch is bringing you a conversation with Sen. Wendy Schuler, R-Evanston, who is sponso...

Local sheriff departments and fire departments across Wyoming are at risk of losing a significant amount of funding this year as the Wyoming Legislature considers further property tax cuts. This week, WTE reporter Ivy Secrest shares her conversation with Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak and Laramie County Fire Authority Chief Jason Caughey on the issue.   Stick around to hear a recap of local he...

Note: As of this week, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle is changing the upload date of The Perch from every Wednesday morning to every Friday morning. The Wyoming Legislature is now halfway through its 2025 legislative session. This week, reporters Hannah Shields and Carrie Haderlie share what they've been covering so far, and which bills will be advancing to the second half of the session.   Stick aroun...

Caroline Veit has been working to bring a children's museum for over a decade. Driven by a passion to bring Cheyenne children an opportunity she never had growing up, the museum is set to open soon in downtown Cheyenne. Arts & Entertainment Reporter Taylor Staples shares her conversation with Veit. Stick around to hear a recap of local headlines and happenings at the Wyoming State Capitol over the...

The Wyoming Legislature's general session has been going on for one week. WTE reporter Hannah Shields and freelance journalist Carrie Haderlie share what they've reported on over the past seven days including the progress the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has been making on their five-and-dime agenda after securing the first Freedom Caucus majority in a state legislative branch in the nation. Also, WTE M...

The Wyoming Legislature's general session kicked off this week. WTE reporter Hannah Shields and freelance journalist Carrie Haderlie share what they see as the most important topics and bills going through the Legislature this year. Key topics include education, elections, gaming, property taxes and housing. New episodes published every Wednesday. Provide feedback or suggestions to news@wyomingnew...

On this week's episode, WTE reporter Ivy Secrest shares what she learned in her reporting on how the Laramie County Sheriff's Office plans to update the way way they enforce immigration law and what that could mean for the county. Additionally, reporters share a roundup of local and statewide news. New episodes published every Wednesday. Provide feedback or suggestions to news@wyomingnews.com.