AGP Executive Report

Wyoming GOP infighting: A Wyoming Republican Party leadership committee meeting drew notable internal pushback over whether party leaders should endorse primary candidates, despite the panel backing Harriet Hageman for U.S. Senate, Chuck Gray for U.S. House and Brent Bien for governor—marking the first non-neutral primary stance in decades. Energy & industry: American Rare Earths says it accelerated feasibility work at its Halleck Creek project in Wyoming, advancing drilling, pilot processing and steps toward a planned NASDAQ listing. Rare earth supply chain: American Rare Earths also continues to position itself for U.S. rare-earth magnet demand as the broader push to reduce China’s dominance gathers momentum. Water policy: A federal report outlines Colorado River management for the next decade, including severe downstream cuts and a conservation target that Upper Basin states including Wyoming will have to plan around. Grid reliability: The DOE issued an emergency order to help the central U.S. power grid manage extreme heat and reduce blackout risk across 17 states. Local business calendar: Cheyenne and Laramie County event listings highlight the Laramie County Fair and major downtown music programming.

Rare Earths & Energy Jobs: American Rare Earths says it accelerated feasibility work at its Halleck Creek project in Wyoming, starting feasibility drilling at the Cowboy State Mine and pushing a pilot plant pathway for separated neodymium-praseodymium oxide, ending June with A$18.5 million cash and more drilling and assay samples underway. Banking & Capital Returns: Zions Bancorporation’s board approved up to $75 million in Q3 share repurchases and raised its quarterly common dividend to $0.48 per share, payable Aug. 20. State Politics & Energy: Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder picked up an endorsement from the Petroleum Association of Wyoming as the Aug. 18 governor primary nears. Local Government & Growth: Cheyenne City Council reviewed progress on 2026 priorities, including public outreach tied to the proposed sixth-penny sales tax, plus economic development and transportation/traffic safety work. Workforce & Trucking: The federal “Freedom Haulers” initiative expands a Military Skills Test Waiver for veterans, doubling the eligibility window to two years after active duty, and adds Wyoming to the Even Exchange program. Public Finance & Investing: Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier announced new endorsements from public-employee and energy-industry groups, citing growth in assets under management and investment earnings for the state budget. Healthcare Privacy: A Montana woman filed a proposed class action against Billings Clinic alleging it shared patient website activity with third-party advertisers via tracking tools. Media Funding: Wyoming PBS received a $300,000 Ellbogen Foundation grant that’s being matched dollar-for-dollar to grow its endowment.

Public Safety Communications: The Wyoming Public Safety Communications Commission will hold its regular videoconference meeting Aug. 5 at 8:30 a.m., with agenda items posted on the PSCC website. Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for 17 states, including Montana and Wyoming, giving the Southwest Power Pool more backup-generation options through Aug. 3 as extreme heat raises blackout risk. Power Grid Local Impact: Basin’s line foreman says recent outages were tied to weather-related issues like tree branches and wind-driven contact with equipment, while the town also temporarily de-energized a substation July 13 to adjust voltage for higher demand. Business & Growth: Central Wyoming College received a $15,000 grant for its fourth straight year in the Metallica Scholars Initiative, bringing total funding to $190,000 and supporting trade rebranding and programs like welding. Wyoming Economy & Workforce: Wyoming Business Council members will tour parts of the state in August, with a stop in Greybull to hear from residents about local economic conditions. Agriculture & Food Supply: Northern Wyoming largely avoided a multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce thanks to a localized supply chain that includes Greybull Valley Produce, which grows leafy greens hydroponically in a controlled greenhouse. Local Government & Community: Cheyenne River Youth Project will distribute 2026-27 school supplies Aug. 11 at CRYP’s teen center, with families able to register via membership. Industry Watch: Black Dragon Resource Company announced a letter of intent for a sand plant in Texas, saying it could generate revenues within months after moving the facility to its property. Policy & Daily Life: The U.S. House approved making daylight saving time permanent; Wyoming residents are weighing how later winter sunrises could affect school mornings and bus schedules.

Small-Business Lending Squeeze: New reporting shows banks tightening credit for small firms, with approval rates sliding and borrowing costs rising—pushing Wyoming entrepreneurs to lean on family, friends, or crowdsourcing when lenders say no. Cheyenne Immigration Snapshot: A new look at the Cheyenne metro’s foreign-born population ranks the biggest source countries, underscoring how local labor and community ties are shaped by migration patterns. Fed Watch for Wyoming Businesses: Investors are pressing Fed chair Kevin Warsh after the central bank held rates, with markets reacting sharply and analysts pulling forward expectations for hikes—raising uncertainty for borrowing and investment. Cheyenne Downtown Governance: The Cheyenne DDA will hold an Aug. 7 special meeting on its long-term structure, with a cost-benefit task force recommendation on the agenda. Energy Policy in Washington: A Senate committee advanced Sen. John Barrasso’s coal bill to reduce barriers to coal leasing, extending bonus payment timelines—aimed at boosting Wyoming’s coal investment pipeline. Local Volunteer Strain: Wyoming nonprofits including the Food Bank and the Wyoming Rescue Mission say volunteer shortages are hitting morning shifts as demand grows. Wyoming Search-and-Rescue Funding Pressure: Big Horn County’s volunteer search and rescue team says budget cuts are limiting equipment upgrades, even as major missions drain funds. Rare Earths Listing Push: American Rare Earths says it’s advancing work toward a potential NASDAQ listing for its Halleck Creek project, targeting U.S. demand for critical minerals. Wyoming Workforce Reality Check: New state data points to a jobs-versus-workers mismatch, with unemployment edging up even as employment holds steady—keeping hiring pressure on employers.

Wyoming Infrastructure & Energy: The U.S. Department of Energy authorized extra power from idle sources to reduce blackout risk in 17 states, including Wyoming, as extreme heat strains grids and could trigger emergency alerts. State & Local Governance: The Wyoming Aeronautics Commission will tour regional airports Aug. 3-4 and hold its monthly business meeting in Douglas, with in-person and video options. Healthcare Capacity: Casper’s OB-GYN community is coping with a sharp drop in providers, forcing more frequent on-call coverage and pushing back routine care. Agriculture & Rural Economy: A new report says farmland values across multiple states including Wyoming stayed stable in the first half of 2026 despite tighter margins, reflecting producer confidence. Business & Community: Eastern Wyoming College hired Bodie Herring as assistant rodeo coach and livestock manager, strengthening local ties to the ranching and rodeo pipeline. Consumer & Fraud Watch: Wyoming-area residents are still facing long drives for groceries in isolated communities, while national scam reporting continues to highlight counterfeit and online purchase fraud. Wyoming Industry Spotlight: Noble Plains Uranium mobilized a drill rig at its Shirley Central Project in Wyoming to convert historical drilling into a compliant resource estimate.

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.