AGP Executive Report

Wyoming Public Art & Community Pride: Cheyenne mural artist Jordan Dean helped rebrand the Laramie County Sheriff’s newest recruiting cruiser with a “Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter” vibe—big Western energy meant to turn heads and fill vacancies. Outdoor & Local Culture: Casper’s “Mobile Library” launch party and Cheyenne-area summer events like the Pine Bluffs Community Garage Sale and Hawthorn Tree’s “Spill The Tea” fundraiser highlight a busy early-June calendar. Sports & Wyoming Talent: Wyoming Area’s Ben Gravine committed to Susquehanna University, while MPSF “A” finalist Jack Boysen announced he’s transferring to Texas A&M. Nature & Recreation: A National Geographic feature spotlights rewilding success stories, and Wyoming’s stargazing buzz continues as the state ranks among the top for dark skies. Public Safety & Tragedy: A Bighorn National Forest hiker’s final text to his wife preceded his summit death, underscoring the risks of solo backcountry trips. Policy & Wildlife Conflict: A national debate is reigniting over the return of “cyanide bombs” on public lands after a BLM policy shift.

Wyoming Arts & Community: Casper’s Nic Fest and the ART321 Art Walk collaboration drew big crowds, with organizers aiming to activate downtown, support local businesses, and connect artists with the community. Wyoming Entertainment & Outdoors: A new Jackson Hole Birding Festival is bringing birders for tours and talks, tapping into the growing “birding is a moment” trend. Wyoming Sports: MPSF ‘A’ finalist Jack Boysen is transferring from Wyoming to Texas A&M for the 2026-27 season. Wyoming Sports Media: Laramie sportswriter Bob Hammond is remembered for decades of Cowboy coverage and community impact. Wyoming Energy Politics: The White House’s $700M push for coal infrastructure—plus Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon’s role in the pitch—keeps the debate over “clean coal” and renewables front and center. Wyoming Tech & Culture: A Wyoming-made prosthetic art story from Lander highlights how creativity and community keep going after major loss.

Wyoming Sports Spotlight: UW steeplechaser Ryker Holtzen is back at the NCAA Championships after narrowly missing last year’s final, aiming to turn experience into a breakthrough. Digital Life & Privacy: A new survey finds many Americans show up on the first page of Google results about themselves, and even more are unaware AI tools can surface personal info. Cheyenne Summer Plans: Downtown Cheyenne kicks off “Summer on the Streets” Saturday with shopping, live music, line dancing, and community activities. Casper Arts Buzz: Nic Fest and a Casper Art Walk collaboration drew big crowds, with organizers crediting downtown open-container changes for helping keep the momentum going. Wildlife & Nature: Jackson’s birding festival is drawing people outdoors, while a viral grizzly-bear feeding story raises fresh questions about how social media affects sensitive habitat. Local Community Events: Hell on Wheels Rodeo returns for its seventh year in Laramie County, bringing rodeo action and a chuckwagon dinner. Wyoming Politics: Gubernatorial candidates met in Cheyenne to trade views on healthcare, youth retention, and data centers.

Wyoming Arts & Community: Mitchell High student Hayden Sutter hand-painted a Mitchell Recreation Center mural, turning a recreation logo refresh into real-world art experience for students. Cheyenne Entertainment: Cheyenne Frontier Days fans can look forward to more local summer fun as the Wyoming Association of Broadcasters heads to Green River for its annual convention, with an icebreaker Friday and a Hall of Fame banquet. Sports Spotlight: Cheyenne East made history by winning its first state softball championship, capped by a walk-off RBI single from Lexi Luethy. Big Culture Beyond Wyoming: “Brokeback Mountain” is getting stage treatment, with Wyoming’s landscape roots echoed in the Chicago Shakespeare production running through June 28. Local Events: Cheyenne’s Fridays on the Plaza keeps rolling with Switchfoot on June 5, plus rodeo and community garage sale plans across the region. Data Center Debate: Wyoming lawmakers are weighing a possible special session after Gov. Gordon’s “Data Centers The Wyoming Way” order sparked fresh pushback.

Wyoming Outdoors & Events: River Bash returns to Lander City Park Friday, June 5 (5–10 p.m.) with live music, food trucks, local beer, a rubber ducky race, raffles, and water-education activities. Cheyenne Live Music: Cheyenne’s “Fridays On The Plaza” kicks off downtown with Switchfoot at 6 p.m., plus food trucks and a beer tent. Western Film Culture: MoMA’s “Universal Westerns” series runs through July 3, spotlighting classic Universal Pictures Westerns tied to directors like John Ford. National Parks Watch: Yellowstone and Grand Teton face a $1.5B maintenance backlog, with critics saying locally collected park fees are being diverted to Washington projects. Energy & Wyoming Politics: Trump announced nearly $700M for coal-fired power and exports, with Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon backing the plan; meanwhile, Wyoming lawmakers and residents are also rallying over industrial wind impacts on golden eagles. Wyoming Tech/Politics: A federal court rejected a Cheyenne man’s challenge to being blocked from running as an “AI” candidate for Wyoming U.S. Senate. Nuclear in Wyoming: TerraPower’s Kemmerer SMR project continues in Wyoming as next-gen nuclear is pitched as an answer to rising AI power demand.

Crimes Against Children Task Force: Wyoming County and McDowell County are teaming up to form a joint Crimes Against Children Task Force, aiming for a coordinated, trauma-informed response across county lines, with plans to expand training and digital forensic capacity. Health & Agriculture: New research links wildfire smoke exposure to higher rates of bull sperm sample rejection for quality, raising concerns for reproductive health as smoke becomes an all-year Mountain West reality. Outdoor Culture: Continental Divide Trail Gateway Communities are kicking off National Trails Day with a June 4–6 series celebrating access to public lands and the CDT experience. Western Entertainment: Netflix renewed its acclaimed neo-Western cop drama Longmire for three more seasons after cancellation, keeping the Wyoming-set mystery alive. Wyoming Arts & History: The Rockpile Museum’s “Parade of Pronghorns” returns newly painted pronghorn statues by Wyoming artists, with an auction planned for this September. Local Government Watch: Laramie County Commissioners delayed a Cheyenne workforce housing vote after internal contract issues, pushing the decision to June 16. Coal Politics: President Trump announced nearly $700 million in support for coal plants and exports, including a major Oakland terminal push.

Rodeo & Film Premiere: Casper’s College National Finals Rodeo is set to kick off with the Wyoming premiere of the docudrama Outriding the Devil, filmed largely in Wyoming and tied to Angela Ganter’s comeback story. Community Arts: Cheyenne is planning a new Walterscheid Boulevard underpass mural focused on mental health, positivity, and connection, with artist proposals due for a spring 2027 installation. Local Museums: The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum has reopened at the former Casper Army Air Base, preserving Wyoming service stories from the Spanish-American War through the Global War on Terror. Cheyenne Frontier Days: Frontier Days marks a construction milestone with the Arrowhead installed at the new Chute 9 facility, while looking ahead to July 23 celebrations. Sports & Schools: Casper College students swept SkillsUSA state gold medals and advance to nationals; Wyoming’s state high school rodeo runs June 4-6 in Buffalo, with top finishers heading to Lincoln, Nebraska. Cheyenne Legal: A retired Cheyenne attorney has taken a voter registration complaint to the Wyoming Supreme Court, seeking a mandamus order over alleged election-code violations. Reading Picks: New mystery/thriller and romance titles are highlighted for summer reading.

Public Art & Community: Cheyenne is inviting artists to propose a new Walterscheid Boulevard underpass mural focused on mental health, positivity, and connection, with installation targeted for spring 2027. Local History & Veterans: The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum has reopened in Casper at the former Army Air Base, preserving Wyoming service stories from the Spanish-American War through the Global War on Terror. Frontier Days Updates: Cheyenne Frontier Days marked a construction milestone by installing the iconic Arrowhead on the new Chute 9 facility, while also looking ahead to Day of the American West on July 23. Arts & Film in Wyoming: Anna Camp will exec produce and star in “Serpent,” a psychological thriller set on a Wyoming wilderness trek, adapted from Warren Adler’s novel. Outdoor Recreation: Grand Teton National Park closed the Hermitage Point Trail system (including Swan Lake and Heron Pond Loop) due to bear activity, including mothers with young cubs. Education Policy: Wyoming lawmakers on the Joint Education Committee discussed interim plans including charter enrollment calculations, funding for college courses in high school, and guidance on protecting PE from being cut as punishment. Music Night: Broadway Theater and Wyoming’s Big Show team up for “Vino & Vinyl” on June 18 in Rock Springs, featuring music inspired by this year’s Big Show lineup. Wildlife Planning: Wyoming Game and Fish is seeking public comment on the draft 2027 State Wildlife Action Plan through July 27.

Wyoming Entertainment & Community: Cheyenne just got a new indoor family hangout: Tilt opened at Frontier Mall with arcade games, virtual reality, and mini bowling—built for year-round group fun. Public Art & Mental Health: Cheyenne Greenway partners announced a call for artists for a mural under the Walterscheid Boulevard underpass, pairing experienced artists with youth and aiming for a spring 2027 install. Big-Ticket Entertainment: Wyoming Downs and 307 Horse Racing broke ground on an $80 million destination near I-25, with a planned spring 2027 opening and features like simulcast betting and a stadium-style bar. Local History: The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum held a grand reopening in Casper, preserving stories from the Spanish-American War through the Global War on Terror. Arts Calendar: UW Extension is offering a free drought-focused webinar series starting June 11, plus Fort Phil Kearny hosts a Bird Walk on June 7.

Native Arts in the Parks: Yellowstone’s Tribal Heritage Center and Grand Teton’s Indigenous Arts program are back for summer, with rotating Native educators—quillworkers, ledger artists, poets, metal workers, musicians, dancers and beadworkers—sharing stories and skills at Old Faithful and Colter Bay. Community Arts Call: Green River is seeking Wyoming artists for a 2026 public mural under the bridge along Flaming Gorge Way; applications are due June 4. Library Summer Fun: Sweetwater County Library branches released a full slate of summer events, from dinosaur-themed quests to story times, crafts, and science-y “Mars Club” activities. Outdoor & Health: West Nile Virus has been detected in Wyoming-area mosquitoes (49519), with health officials urging DEET repellent, long sleeves, and removing standing water. Sports & Local Talent: Casper College starts a new men’s basketball era with coach Ty Larson and summer camps, while Wyoming Game and Fish approved a major fish hatchery expansion near Casper.

Local Music & Community: Casper’s Municipal band kicks off a free summer concert series this week with Thursday shows at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington Park Bandshell. Kids & Learning: Laramie County Library’s summer reading challenge (“Unearth a Story”) runs June 1–Aug. 15, and LCCC’s SEEK Camp offers “kiddie college” enrichment sessions in June and July. Wyoming Outdoors (Fun, Not Fancy): Surf Wyoming at Killpecker Sand Dunes—sandboarding/sand sledding at the Red Desert site near Rock Springs, with rentals available at the Explore Rock Springs & Green River Visitor Center. Wyoming Art Scene: Ucross Art Gallery opens “In Company,” pairing 14 artists and weaving literature, music, and film into paintings, photos, sculpture, and installations. Preservation & History: Fort Caspar Museum is bringing home the Standard Oil No. 1 locomotive from Colorado for restoration and display. Sports: Moniteau’s PIAA run ends in a Class 2A first-round loss to Southern Columbia.

Federal Courts & Science: A judge blocked the Trump administration from dismantling NCAR, letting UCAR keep control of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center in Cheyenne while UCAR’s lawsuit plays out. Arts & Community: Ucross opened “In Company,” a new Ucross Art Gallery show pairing 14 artists and weaving literature, music, and film into visual art. Live Music: Rock Springs’ Concerts in the Park kicks off with returning band Red Light Challenge. Pride & Performance: Jackson Hole Pride released its June schedule, including a youth silent disco and a June 6 drag show and dance party. Classical Arts: Cody hosts a no-charge “pay what you can” Baroque concert June 6 featuring violinist Conor Jacobson and harpsichordist Ronan Kahlil. Local Culture: Jackson Hole’s Snake River Fest runs June 5–7, with a block party, kids fishing day, and river-focused stewardship events. Wyoming Media: Wyoming Public Media won two regional Murrow Awards for digital and sound reporting.

Public Lands & Hunting: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says more than 95% of national refuge lands could be opened to hunting and sport fishing under federal changes, including added species at places like Bear Lake NWR and new sport-fishing access at Grays Lake NWR. Wyoming Education: Wilkes Community College announced spring 2026 degree and certificate recipients, highlighting local graduates and programs. Boxing in the Spotlight: In El Paso, Stephanie Han retained her WBA lightweight title in a controversial majority decision rematch vs. Holly Holm, while Amanda Serrano tied Christy Martin’s women’s knockout record with a second-round TKO of Cheyenne Hanson. Wyoming Tech & Legal Buzz: A New York lawsuit claims ownership of about 3.8 million dormant Bitcoin using “lost property” law, naming Wyoming-based LLCs. Wyoming Sports & Culture: Wyoming’s “Path of the Pronghorn” push and local entertainment items like Wyoming Sounds live studio sessions and rodeo casting calls keep the arts-and-outdoors calendar moving.

Wyoming on TV: A Channel 5 “Trading Places” episode sends pampered British teens to Wyoming ranch life—no TV, basic quarters, and a “welcome to hell” moment as they’re thrown into ranch chores. Combat Sports (El Paso): Stephanie Han and Holly Holm’s WBA title rematch ends in another controversial majority decision for Han, while Amanda Serrano stops Cheyenne Hanson in round two to tie Christy Martin’s women’s knockout record and set up what’s next for all three. Rodeo & Country: Jon Pardi caps Nashville’s Music City Rodeo with a big performance at Bridgestone Arena as the PRCA event draws top champions. Western Film Buzz: A new list spotlights neo-Westerns that “rewrote the rules,” including Sheridan’s American Frontier trilogy, plus a Paramount+ spotlight on Robert Redford’s underseen neo-Western. Wyoming Travel/Local Color: Jeffrey City gets a spotlight as a “ghost town” that’s really a uranium-rush relic from the 1970s—overgrown, still standing, and weirdly charming.

Women’s Boxing Spotlight: Amanda Serrano opened MVPW-03 with a 2nd-round TKO over Cheyenne Hanson in El Paso, tying Christy Martin’s all-time women’s knockout mark—though the fast stoppage sparked online debate. Title Rematch Talk: In the co-main, Stephanie Han retained her WBA lightweight belt with a controversial majority decision over Holly Holm, leaving Holm and observers arguing the scoring. Wyoming Sports: UW unveiled its 2026 women’s soccer schedule, starting Aug. 13 vs. Drake in Laramie and kicking off Mountain West play Sept. 24 at Nevada. Local Culture & Community: Cheyenne’s first “Boldness and Beauties” motorcycle ride drew 21 riders to push back on stigma and prove women belong on bikes. Wyoming Travel Curiosity: Jeffrey City keeps its “Hollywood apocalypse” vibe—an overgrown uranium-rush town that still feels like a ghost town, just with a few locals holding on. Arts & Entertainment: Tim Meadows is headed to the Cheyenne Civic Center, bringing his SNL-era comedy and improv roots to Wyoming audiences.

Public Service Spotlight: Sen. John Barrasso is set to receive the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation’s Titan of Public Service Award, honoring his long record of civic leadership. Youth Sports & Coaching: Sheridan Wrestling Club’s 2026 camp (June 16-18) brings in former Bronc Kelten Crow and JUCO champion coach Art Castillo to teach new techniques to young wrestlers. Local Arts & Entertainment: Tim Meadows is headed to the Cheyenne Civic Center, bringing his SNL-era comedy chops and decades of TV/film experience to Wyoming audiences. Native Community & Outdoors: Central Wyoming tribal students released small fish as part of the Trout in the Classroom program, a hands-on learning partnership supported by Wyoming Game and Fish and local tribal groups. Boxing in the Spotlight: Han vs. Holm 2 is set for May 30 in El Paso, with ESPN coverage and a rematch storyline after a controversial first fight. Music & Culture: Swedish artist Bim Eriksson is honored in Sheridan after her Ucross residency, highlighting international arts exchange in Wyoming. Family-Friendly Calendar: Cheyenne and Laramie County event listings include craft shows, kids’ bug-making, and “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at the Little Theatre.