AGP Executive Report

Grand Canyon Flood Tragedy: A flash flood in Arizona’s Grand Canyon killed two hikers and left one missing after torrential rains damaged trails, bridges, and the park’s only water pipeline, triggering emergency restrictions. Wyoming Border War: Wyoming opens the 2026 season Saturday with the 118th Border War against Colorado State in Fort Collins, a game airing nationally on USA Network. Wyoming Tax & Energy Policy: The Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee weighed proposals including taxes tied to solar and nuclear power and a possible property-tax swap to a 2% sales tax, while local leaders also debated property tax changes. Community Colleges Funding: The Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees opposed Proposition #1, warning further residential property tax cuts could destabilize local funding for workforce training. Public Lands & Hunting: The Roadless Rule rollback drew hunter and conservationist pushback at a MeatEater event, with public comments urged before the USDA deadline. Fed Watch: Markets are reacting to Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish signals and inflation warnings, with bond yields and the dollar moving on renewed rate-hike expectations. Wyoming Sports & Community: Teton High cross country started strong at the More Cowbell Invitational, and Wyoming Hunger Initiative’s “Food from the Field” program is inviting hunters to donate game for families facing food insecurity.

Fed Watch: Kevin Warsh told G20 leaders that a “global investment surge” is replacing the old “savings glut,” while his Jackson Hole message kept markets braced for possible September rate hikes—pushing bond yields higher and raising borrowing-cost worries. Wyoming Economy & Schools: A draft Wyoming bill would boost school technology funding beyond the current $250 per ADM, with districts warning that device counts don’t capture the full cost of networks and cybersecurity. Wyoming Public Safety: Cheyenne is set to require permits for oversized vehicle parking on city streets during the winter season, starting Sept. 12. Local Accountability: Albany County’s primary ballot audit used hand counting of 5% of ballots to compare against machine results. Wildlife & Ranching: A Wyoming-linked pilot program tests trained detection dogs to map wolf activity and help ranchers target nonlethal deterrents more effectively. Community & Health: The University of Wyoming INBRE program won nearly $18.9 million from NIH to expand biomedical research and education statewide. Scam Alerts: Wyoming ranked among Michigan cities tied for 126th in July BBB Scam Tracker reports, with one report logged.

Fed Watch: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh told G20 leaders the world is shifting from a “savings glut” to an investment surge, while his hawkish Jackson Hole remarks keep rate-hike odds elevated and push Treasury yields higher. Wyoming Courts & Schools: A judge in Laramie County will decide the constitutionality of Wyoming’s $7,000 private-school scholarship program after attorneys sparred in court. Mental Health Access: Wyoming is now able to grant counseling privileges across state lines under the Counseling Compact, aiming to help meet provider shortages. Higher Ed Branding: Laramie County Community College’s president is backing a name change to “Wyoming State College,” with a Sept. 16 board vote. Business Moves: Crest Insurance Group is acquiring Tegeler & Associates in Pinedale, expanding a multi-location Wyoming footprint. Border War Sports: Wyoming opens the 2026 season with the 118th Border War vs. Colorado State, even as the rivalry shifts beyond conference play. Grand Canyon Disaster: Flash flooding left 2 dead, 1 missing, and about 80 rescues, with pipeline damage and possible more flooding prompting restrictions. Local Culture & Tourism: Cheyenne considers redeveloping the former Big Lots site with a liquor license proposal, while Hell’s Half Acre may soon see limited public access tours.

Fed Watch in Wyoming: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole remarks kept inflation front and center, pushing markets toward a possible September rate hike and rattling gold and silver, with analysts warning precious metals could face more downside even as the longer-term bull case isn’t dead. Oil & Security: Fresh U.S.-Iran escalation around the Strait of Hormuz sent crude back above $90 a barrel, reviving supply fears and adding to inflation jitters. Local Politics & Courts: A judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging Laramie County sheriff Brian Kozak’s 287(g) ICE agreements, a win for the sheriff while critics say the deals harm immigrant families. Voting Fight: A report says fewer than half of Republican attorneys general are backing Trump’s mail-voting restrictions, with Wyoming among the states listed as not joining the effort. Wyoming Sports: UW soccer’s Alyssa Glover and Isabel Vasco earned Mountain West player honors after a strong week, and the Cowgirls kept rolling with a senior-day win over South Dakota. School Safety Funding: Wyoming districts say the state’s school finance recalibration left gaps, with school safety still feeling the squeeze as funding silos limit flexibility. Business Leadership: Glacier Bancorp named Byron Pollan as deputy CFO, setting up a 2027 succession plan. Community Watch: A photographer scam case led to indictments tied to missing photos and stolen payments from youth sports families.

Fed & Markets: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole message—“inflation is still too high” and the Fed may have “work to do”—pushed rate-hike odds higher, lifted bond yields, and knocked gold and silver lower, with Asia stocks mixed and oil jumping after fresh U.S.-Iran strikes. Wyoming Policy Watch: Warsh’s Wyoming speech is now driving national financial expectations, with traders focused on upcoming jobs and inflation data. Energy & Costs: Oil spiked again as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz flared, keeping pressure on prices and reinforcing why markets expect tighter policy. Wyoming Community & Safety: Local domestic violence groups marked five years since Gabby Petito’s death, stressing prevention, education, and bystander action to spot “red flags.” Local Sports: Sheridan’s football team opened with a 54-10 win over Rock Springs, extending a major winning streak, while Wyoming-area volleyball and other prep results rolled in. Water & Agriculture: The Colorado River plan is raising uncertainty for cities and farmers, with Nevada suing and communities weighing cuts and backup supplies.

Fed Watch (Jackson Hole): New Fed chair Kevin Warsh told global policymakers inflation is still too high and warned the central bank will have “work to do” unless underlying prices move clearly toward 2%, pushing markets to price in more rate hikes. Wyoming Economy & Health Costs: Wyoming Medicaid billing shows rising pressure in niche categories—Temporary Codes hit $31 in 2024, and Sheridan Surgery claims climbed to $17,139. Social Security Snapshot (Wyoming ZIPs): In December 2024, ZIP 82718 reported 3,625 Social Security beneficiaries (+7.9% from a year earlier), while ZIP 82604 had 5,535 (+2.8%). Energy & Tribes: The U.S. Department of Energy halted a proposed Tribal Energy Access transmission corridor meant to bring reservation power to market, saying it wouldn’t improve reliability or lower costs. Local Environment: The Fish Creek Watershed Plan in Wilson, Wyoming, lays out 38 projects (2027-2032) to cut E. coli and nutrient pollution to protect trout habitat. Politics & Media: President Trump said NBC’s Kristen Welker will be reported to the FCC over comments about his endorsement record. Sports (Wyoming): UW’s Cowgirls soccer beat South Dakota 5-2 on senior day, with Alyssa Glover and Isabel Vasco each scoring twice.

Fed Watch (Jackson Hole): Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation isn’t meaningfully slowing and warned the central bank has “work to do” if underlying prices don’t clearly move toward 2%. Markets are now pricing in a September rate hike. Global Finance (Wyoming impact): European central bankers left Jackson Hole uneasy about U.S. norms, citing Treasury actions that they fear could mean more market intervention. Wyoming Sports: Wyoming’s Border War opener vs. Colorado State is set for Sept. 5, and the Cowboys are in game-week mode after shifting practice indoors for storms. Local Health Costs (Medicaid): Gillette Medicaid billing for procedures/professional services jumped 19.6% in 2024, while Casper saw a 131.4% rise in administrative/misc/investigational claims. Tech & Crypto: The Sandbox reported a bridge flaw that minted 329 trillion unbacked SAND tokens and drained about $675,000 before shutdown. Water Politics (West): Nevada sued over the federal Colorado River plan, arguing upstream states avoid mandatory cuts while southern Nevada faces steep reductions.

Fed Watch: Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole remarks put sharper pressure on the Federal Reserve to fight stubborn inflation, warning policymakers may have “work to do” and leaving markets pricing a September rate hike. Wyoming Economy & Policy: Wyoming’s gas prices jumped about 61.8% since the Iran-war baseline, and a separate report on Wyoming’s unemployment and economic indicators adds to the cost-of-living backdrop. Water Stress Across the West: A Colorado River plan is driving anxiety for cities and farmers, with Nevada suing over potential cuts that could reach up to 70% in the next decade. Local Wyoming Agriculture: The Wyoming Wool Initiative is taking applications for its 2026-2027 Lamb-a-Year program, pairing UW research with sheep producers. Community & Safety: The SAFE Project’s Brunch & Bubbly fundraiser will support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Sports (Wyoming): Wyoming football opens with a new quarterback, Tyler Hughes, as the Cowboys gear up for the season.

Fed Watch in Jackson Hole: Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh told central bankers inflation is still “too high” and warned the Fed may have “work to do” to get back to its 2% goal, pushing markets toward higher September rate expectations. Wyoming Economy Check: The state’s August Economic Indicators report shows Wyoming’s Economic Health Index at 107.4 (June), unemployment at 3.2% (June), and payroll jobs up slightly year over year. Cheyenne City Moves: Council approved multiple August actions, including a school resource officer MOU and contracts for roundabout and street work, while also setting up future votes on a liquor license transfer tied to a new Cheyenne Plaza restaurant. Cox Ranch Data Center Annexation: A Cheyenne work session revived annexation talks for the Cox Ranch area, including concerns about a nearby creek recharge and plans for a data center development. Community Fundraiser: Cheyenne’s VOA Northern Rockies Empty Bowl returns Sept. 24 at LCCC, raising money for mental health, addiction treatment, housing, and veterans services. High School Sports: Cheyenne East opened strong with a 31-7 win over Thunder Basin, while Cheyenne Central beat Campbell County 28-15; statewide football and volleyball season openers rolled in across the state.

Federal Reserve Watch: In his first Jackson Hole speech as Fed chair, Kevin Warsh said inflation is still “too high” and warned the Fed will have “work to do” if underlying prices aren’t moving toward 2%, pushing bond yields up and rate-hike odds higher. Wyoming Politics & Elections: Gov. Mark Gordon says Wyoming’s AG is investigating “aggressive” DOJ election monitoring during the Aug. 18 primary in Laramie County. Stand-Your-Ground Case: A judge will decide whether Wyoming’s stand-your-ground law applies to a transgender woman facing assault charges tied to a self-defense claim. Education Funding: Natrona County School District asks lawmakers to return to block grants, saying the silo model is forcing cuts and creating a $3 million-a-year loss. State & Local Government: Cheyenne renews its ALPR contract for another year, with police saying access to immigration agencies is turned off. Wyoming Economy & Infrastructure: Sheridan County Airport’s growth is credited with $102.3M in annual economic activity, but capacity is lagging. Culture & History: Wyoming State Archives announces a Sept. 10 speaker series talk on Boyd Briggs, the state’s first military aviator.

Fed Watch in Jackson Hole: Investors are bracing for Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s first big Jackson Hole speech, with markets split on whether inflation is stubborn enough to justify earlier rate hikes—especially as Warsh has stayed unusually tight-lipped on forward guidance. Wyoming Education & AI: MIT and Lakes Region Community College are running a “Gateway to AI” pilot for rural high school students, and Wyoming is one of the two community-college sites involved. Tech Earnings Ripple: Nvidia’s strong results are lifting tech sentiment, but traders are turning back to the Fed as bond yields and inflation worries keep risk appetite cautious. Wyoming Politics: Wyoming legislators’ appropriations work is moving forward on WBC cuts and a consensus fund, while lawmakers also weigh concerns tied to flock cameras. Local Economy: A report says Cheyenne’s economy is strong and home values keep rising, alongside city spending plans like a Cheyenne roundabout safety study.

Wyoming Politics: Gov. Mark Gordon says federal DOJ election observers during Wyoming’s primary were “aggressive” and that local officials weren’t properly informed, as the canvassing board certified results in Cheyenne. Fed & Markets (Jackson Hole): Central bankers gathered in Wyoming as inflation stays “stubborn and sticky,” with Fed officials warning rate cuts may not be soon; investors are watching Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s first Jackson Hole speech for clues on the path for interest rates and mortgage costs. Wyoming Courts & Self-Defense: A high-profile Laramie case involving a transgender advocate charged with aggravated assault and a deadly weapon centers on whether she’s immune from prosecution under Wyoming’s self-defense law. Education: The Wyoming Department of Education wrapped a 600+ attendee Native American Education Conference in Riverton, focused on Indigenous knowledge and language revitalization. Economy & Finance: Banks are moving toward tokenized deposits as a digital alternative to stablecoins, while U.S. jobless claims dipped and the goods trade deficit widened in July. Community & Culture: Wyoming’s school food service funding gap is back on lawmakers’ radar, and local sports kick off with Week 0 high school football and the Cowgirls’ “Rumble in the Rockies” tournament.

Wyoming Politics & Governance: Gov. Mark Gordon announced the retirement of DEQ Director Todd Parfitt, effective Oct. 1, as the state’s environmental agency navigates a fast-changing permitting landscape tied to growth and data centers. Election Integrity: Gordon also raised alarms about “aggressive” DOJ election observers during Wyoming’s primary, saying local officials weren’t properly informed. Youth Safety & Tech Accountability: Wyoming is set to receive $13.3 million from Wyoming AG Keith Kautz’s share of the $17.1B Meta settlement over child-safety failures, with required changes like time limits, overnight access restrictions, and stronger age checks. Education Funding: A Wyoming school finance committee is pressing toward solutions after a court found the state underfunded key areas like school safety, nutrition, and technology. Business & Community: Registration is open for the 2026 Governor’s Business Forum in Cheyenne (Nov. 11-13), and the Laramie County Library System is rolling out new community-designed library cards. Environment & Public Lands: DEQ held a public forum to explain how environmental review works for projects, while BLM plans Pryor Mountain wild horse removals amid herd-health concerns.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to about $17.1B to resolve claims it used addictive design on Instagram and Facebook and misled the public about child harms, with states requiring major product changes like age verification and teen time limits; Delaware alone is guaranteed $73.6M, and other states’ shares could rise if TikTok/YouTube match terms. Wyoming Higher Ed Funding: The UW Board of Trustees is seeking an $18.6M supplemental request for inflation adjustments, plus $4M for the Wind River Promise Scholarship and $20M in matching funds. Wyoming Politics & Elections: Republican secretary of state nominee Robert Short won the Aug. 18 GOP primary and says voters want less vitriol and more results, while Wyoming’s Freedom Caucus faces backlash after statewide primary losses. Healthcare & Rural Research: A UW-linked addiction research project lost a $2.5M federal grant, highlighting uncertainty for researchers under shifting priorities. Business & Security: Wyoming Business Council hosted national site selectors in Cody to pitch the state’s advantages, as data-center growth and permitting remain hot topics.

Cheyenne Growth Watch: Cheyenne City Council will hold an Aug. 28 work session on the proposed Cox Ranch annexation (1,197.76 acres) that would clear the way for data-center development by Skybox Datacenters and ViaWest, with public comment set for later readings. Wyoming Jobs: Wyoming’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.0% in July, down from 3.2% in June, with most counties steady and some notable drops. School Facilities Funding: A Wyoming Legislature committee discussed a possible “minor capital projects” funding option for small school repairs after limits on using district reserves. Local Business Expansion: Cheyenne is moving toward a new retail liquor license transfer that would support a liquor store first, then off-track betting in late 2027 and a restaurant in 2028. Wildfire Reality Check: Wyoming’s late-summer fire outlook remains cautious, with smaller 2026 fires so far but ongoing drought and wind as key risks. National Policy: The U.S. Forest Service proposed rescinding the Roadless Rule, a move that conservation groups warn could open more forests to roads and logging. Markets & Energy: Nvidia’s earnings are driving tech sentiment, while Fed officials signal rates may need to rise again if inflation progress stalls.

Wyoming DEQ Strategy: The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality released its FY27–FY28 Strategic Plan, laying out how it will protect air, land, and water while keeping regulation “clear, consistent, and responsive,” with seven core goals focused on standards, compliance, rule updates, and science-based data. Public Records Access: A Wyoming judiciary discussion revisited a bill that would broaden public access to court records, with lawmakers weighing transparency against concerns about how records are handled. Colorado River Fight: Nevada is the first state to sue over the new federal Colorado River operating plan, arguing it would force steeper cuts on Nevada while sparing upstream areas; the lawsuit lands as Lake Mead sits near record lows. CWD Testing for Hunters: Nebraska Game and Parks is encouraging deer hunters in CWD testing units to request free mail-in sampling kits before heading out, with samples accepted through Jan. 31. Local Business Note: Casper’s Outback Steakhouse closed permanently over the weekend without prior notice. Sports (Wyoming): UW soccer hosts South Carolina Thursday and South Dakota Sunday at the Madrid Sports Complex, while Wyoming football turns the page with a new coach and fresh start.