AGP Executive Report

Jackson Hole Fed Watch: Wyoming’s own Kevin Warsh used his first big Jackson Hole keynote to say inflation is still “too high,” that the Fed must be confident prices are moving to 2%, and that policymakers may have “work to do” if not—while stressing he’s avoiding “forward guidance.” Local Arts & Culture: Littleton Symphony Orchestra announced a new executive director, Ben Shafer, and previewed its Oct. 23 season opener, “Musical Postcards.” Historic Preservation: Wyoming’s Goff Creek archaeological site was added to the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting thousands of precontact artifacts and long-term regional history. Community Arts Calendar: Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival is spotlighting women artists with site-specific installations and interactive works. Environment & Public Input: Conservation groups are asking for more time for public comment on a federal plan to rescind the Roadless Rule. Sports (Wyoming-adjacent): Cheyenne-area coverage includes local school sports notes and a Wyoming Senior Olympics “Last Chance” qualifier set for Rawlins Sept. 26–27.

Wyoming Education & AI: Laramie County School District 1 is rolling out OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Teachers, with training and added data protections aimed at keeping student info in a “protected bubble.” Cheyenne Public Safety: Cheyenne Fire Rescue will add its first ambulance to service Sept. 1, boosting emergency medical transport alongside AMR. Local Economy: A new Cheyenne Economic Indicators report says the Cheyenne Economic Health Index rose to 109.3 in June 2026, with unemployment at 2.7% and home values up year over year. City Planning: Cheyenne’s Downtown Development Authority says on-street parking striping is set to start early September, with temporary No Parking zones as crews work. Sports (Wyoming ties): The Wyoming Cowgirls open the season this weekend at “Rumble in the Rockies,” hosting Texas Tech and St. Thomas. Arts & Community: Black Dog Animal Rescue’s Bark and Wine gala returns Oct. 17, targeting $80,000 to help keep surrender a last resort. Politics & Law (Wyoming): A Laramie judge is weighing a “stand your ground” claim in a felony case tied to a confrontation outside the Crowbar.

Wyoming High School Football Week 0: The 2026 season kicks off Aug. 28-29 with Class 4A matchups like Sheridan at Rock Springs, Cheyenne East at Thunder Basin, and Laramie at Natrona County, plus select games in 3A and 2A. Cowgirls Volleyball: Wyoming opens its 2026 campaign this weekend at the Arena-Auditorium with “Rumble in the Rockies,” hosting Texas Tech Aug. 28 and closing against St. Thomas Aug. 30. Cowboy Football Honors: Samuel “Tote” Harris lands on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list after leading Wyoming’s rushing attack last season. Meta Youth Safety Settlement (Wyoming): Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz announces the state will receive $13.3M from Meta’s $17.1B multistate deal, with new Instagram/Facebook child-safety rules like daily time limits and nighttime blocks. Local Tech in Schools: Laramie County School District 1 expands access to ChatGPT Edu for staff through an OpenAI K-12 rollout cohort, emphasizing teacher oversight and student privacy. Music & Community: Lovell’s Smoking Aces team up for a Search and Rescue fundraiser Aug. 28 at Armory Park, with live music and donations supporting rescue equipment and training.

Dolly Parton Memorial: Gov. Mark Gordon ordered Wyoming and U.S. flags lowered statewide in honor of country icon Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday; flags stay at half-staff until Sept. 1. Youth Online Safety: Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz announced a landmark $17.1B multistate Meta settlement over Instagram/Facebook child-safety claims; Wyoming’s share is $13.3M, with required safety changes like time limits, overnight restrictions, stronger age checks, and expanded parental controls. Local Arts & Community: Laramie County Library System is kicking off Library Card Sign-up Month in September with four new community-designed card options, welcome gifts, and a chance to explore more than books. Education Updates: Wyoming Department of Education launched a statewide needs assessment survey for Out-of-School Time programs (21CCLC Cohort 17), closing Oct. 1; meanwhile, lawmakers continue school finance work to address court-identified funding gaps. Environment & Growth: DEQ held a public forum to explain its permitting role amid a Laramie County data center boom, and Gov. Gordon raised concerns about “aggressive” DOJ election observers during Wyoming’s primary. Food Recall: Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream recalled select Outshine Fruit Bars due to possible glass contamination.

Music & Community Loss: ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard has died at 77, prompting tributes and a look back at his punchy, signature backbeat. Big Tech & Kids’ Safety: Meta reached a sweeping $17.1B multistate settlement over Instagram/Facebook child-safety claims, with states winning major payouts and requiring age checks, teen time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger parental controls. Wyoming Spotlight: Gov. Mark Gordon ordered Wyoming flags lowered for Dolly Parton’s death; Parton performed in Cheyenne and Casper earlier in her career. Local Arts & Entertainment: Outta Shorts returns to the Tetonia Club for a backyard music night. Wyoming Arts Calendar: ArtsWest’s The Chinese Lady (about Afong Moy) is set for Sept. 17–Oct. 11, bringing a long-silenced story to the stage. Rural Events: Chester’s Hi-Line Harvest Festival is back Sept. 17–19 with live music headlined by The Braun Brothers.

Cheyenne Frontier Days: Chadron Hockley was named the 2027 Lady-in-Waiting after a selection process that included applications, horsemanship, and interviews—she’s a second-generation volunteer with the rodeo. Wyoming PBS & Film Festival: “Before the Wire: The Legacy of the Pony Express,” a 25-minute documentary filmed during the 2025 Pony Express Re-Ride, was selected for the WYO Film Festival in Sheridan (Oct. 1–4). Community Arts & Youth: The Cheyenne Elks Lodge is taking submissions for its Drug Abuse Prevention Poster Contest (themes include “Hugs Not Drugs”); entries are due Sept. 28. Local Government (Cheyenne): The City Council will hold a work session Aug. 28 on the Cox Ranch annexation for a proposed data center, with no public comment and no votes. Public Safety (Jackson): Teton County Health Department urges hunters to plan for mental health and secure firearm storage, including saving 988. Sports (Wyoming): The Rock Springs Tigers open the 2026 season Friday against defending champ Sheridan in a Week 0 showdown. Economy (Wyoming): Wyoming’s unemployment rate fell to 3.0% in July.

Wyoming Arts & Culture: History Jackson Hole’s Beers & Banter: Photography returns Thursday, Aug. 27, with local photographers sharing how they’ve shaped the look of the Tetons and beyond. New Religious Landmark: Cody’s Latter-day Saints temple is open for public tours during its open house this week, with a dedication set for Oct. 25. Wildlife Watch: Wyoming Game and Fish is investigating a mountain whitefish die-off on the Salt River, with lab results pending and parasites suspected. State Agency Update: After a leadership transition, Game and Fish outlined priorities focused on healthy wildlife populations, habitat, and funding challenges. Outdoor & Public Lands: A virtual fencing partnership is expanding across BLM-managed lands, including a new project in Wyoming’s Muddy Creek watershed. Local Entertainment/Community: Jackson’s Beers & Banter event and Cody’s temple open house are the big “what to do” picks for the week.

Wyoming Arts & Parks: The Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks are inviting the public to the final 2026 Artist in Residence programs, with September residencies across Keyhole, plus other state parks, featuring performance, visual art, and creative writing and ending in public artist events. Cheyenne Sports Spotlight: Laramie’s Tessa Dodd was named Wyoming News Now’s Cheyenne office Female Prep Athlete of the Year after a standout run that included a club volleyball national title; she’s now headed to Kansas. Cody Temple Tours: The Cody Wyoming Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opens for public tours this week, with an open house running through Sept. 12. Cheyenne Community Hangout: Harrington’s Pub is gearing up for a Sept. 19 grand opening celebration in Cheyenne’s south side with live local music. Broadway Theater Careers: Rock Springs’ Broadway Theater and URA are accepting applications for a Fall/Winter 2026 internship and scholarship program for local students. Wyoming Education Grants: The state extended deadlines for Wyoming Culinary Arts and Student Chef mini-grants, with applications due Sept. 30. Local Libraries: Wyoming libraries are highlighting free access to digital media like Hoopla and Libby, plus extra services beyond books. Wyoming Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports Wyoming average gas prices rose about 11 cents in the past week, now averaging $4.32/gal. Wyoming Leadership Change: Wyoming Seminary announced its president, Martin J. Mooney, stepped down and Randolph I. Granger will serve as interim head.

Wyoming Education & Youth: Wyoming Seminary in Kingston says President Martin J. Mooney has stepped down, with Randolph I. Granger named interim head of school for 2026-27. Local Sports: A Wyoming high school—Cheyenne South—remains tied to the national conversation on long losing streaks, sitting at 55 straight losses in the latest roundup. Conservation & Public Lands: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service updated its analysis of a proposed Moose-Wilson Road separated bike path in Grand Teton National Park, warning it would negatively affect grizzly bears through construction and increased human use. Wyoming Policy Watch: Rep. Harriet Hageman introduced a bill aimed at keeping “improperly licensed” dangerous drivers off highways by requiring federal audits of certain commercial driver’s licenses. Arts & Community: Casper-area families get more birthday-party options, from rinks and theaters to ski slopes and movie-theater packages. Energy & Entertainment-Adjacent Tech: A new report highlights how AI data centers are driving major electricity demand—an issue that’s increasingly shaping local development conversations.

Will Rogers Memorial Center: Cheyenne Frontier Days COO Geoff Hinds has been named general manager of the Will Rogers Memorial Center, as Fort Worth shifts oversight to a nonprofit operator starting Oct. 1, with a transition beginning Aug. 31. Local Arts & Community: Laramie officially opened its new 9-acre bike park Saturday, featuring downhill trails, skills lines, and Wyoming’s first asphalt pump track. Wyoming Libraries: Wyoming libraries are pushing for a sales tax vote to expand borrowing hubs beyond books. Music: Max Cavalera says he’s already recording new Soulfly material, aiming to build on the “Chama” blueprint. Film/TV: John Goodman’s only Western, the HBO TV movie “The Jack Bull,” is getting a fresh spotlight as a must-watch. Sports (Aces): A’ja Wilson was downgraded to questionable with a back injury as the Las Vegas Aces head to face Toronto. Cheyenne Good News: A Cheyenne pizza prank turned into a hospital donation—18 pies delivered to the ER after no one picked them up.

Local Arts & Culture: Laramie’s new Laramie Bike Park officially opens Saturday, with nine acres of downhill trails, a skills course, progressive jump lines, and Wyoming’s first asphalt pump track. Wyoming Libraries: Laramie County voters will decide on two Sixth Penny sales tax measures that could turn Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs libraries into bigger community hubs, adding makerspaces, telehealth booths, workforce support, and a “library of things.” Film & Storytelling: Japanese American animator Willie Ito brings his WWII-inspired animated short “Hello, Maggie!” to life, drawing on his own incarceration-camp childhood. Community Good News: Cheyenne’s L’Osteria Mondello got an 18-pie prank order—then donated all the pizzas to the local ER instead of letting them go to waste. Sports (Wyoming ties): Wyoming High School football’s preseason WyoPreps poll kicks off the season, with Sheridan, Star Valley, and Pine Bluffs starting as top-ranked champs in their classes. Energy Watch: Keystone XL remains in the spotlight as trade talks and a possible “Prairie Connector” revival keep pipeline debates alive.

Community Sports: Laramie officially opened its new 9-acre Bike Park, featuring downhill trails, progressive jump lines, a skills course, and Wyoming’s first asphalt pump track—hundreds of riders showed up for the grand opening and micro-clinics. Arts & Reading: Amazon Literary Partnership named 2026 grant recipients, awarding $1 million across 102 organizations nationwide, including youth writing, residencies, and literary magazines. Wyoming Libraries: Laramie County voters will decide two Sixth Penny sales tax measures that could expand library services in Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs beyond books—think makerspaces, telehealth booths, and a “library of things.” Local Culture: Centennial is marking 150 years with a free Sept. 12 sesquicentennial celebration, including a downtown parade, museum activities, and author C.J. Box as grand marshal. Wyoming Education Spotlight: Aspen Elementary’s Reva Lobatos became Wyoming’s first National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, heading to Greece and Turkey to bring back classroom projects. Wyoming Sports Buzz: The WyoPreps preseason poll kicked off the 2026 high school football season, led by Sheridan (4A), Star Valley (3A), and Pine Bluffs (1A 9-man).

Wyoming Education & Travel: Riverton K-5 computer science teacher Reva Lobatos was named Wyoming’s first National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, earning an 11-day Greece and Turkey expedition to bring back culture-and-storytelling geography lessons for students. Cowboy Football Traditions: UW ROTC will test the War Memorial Stadium cannon Aug. 27 (2–3 p.m.), a morale booster that locals say must be loud enough when the Pokes score. Arts & Craft Spotlight: Laramie artist Stacey Ann Rekkedahl won a White Ribbon at the National Norwegian American Folk Art Exhibition for a rosemaling ale cup, highlighting a Norwegian decorative tradition she studied at UW. Local Events: Centennial marks 150 years with a free Sept. 12 sesquicentennial celebration featuring a downtown parade, museum activities, and author C.J. Box as grand marshal. Community Sports: Cheyenne Central distance runner Adalyn Racines is set to build on a breakout junior season after strong cross-country and track results. Health & Safety: Weston County hospital completed corrective actions after regulators found five EMTALA emergency-care deficiencies.

Cheyenne Arts & Community: Laramie County School District 1 is hosting an instrument preview night for 5th- and 6th-graders on Aug. 26 at Storey Gym, with teachers on hand to demo strings and band instruments. Sports Spotlight: Wyoming soccer fell to Weber State 2-1 despite a fast start from Maddie Burr; the Pokes outshot the Wildcats 19-6 but couldn’t finish. Local Culture & History: The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) announced its Pavilion will reopen Jan. 23, 2027 after a major renovation, including new galleries and an expanded resource center. Health & Access: Park City Hospital opened a new cancer center expansion, adding infusion bays and radiation capabilities to cut travel stress for patients across the region. Cheyenne Events: The 28th Street Metro Cruise returns to Wyoming’s Rogers Plaza Aug. 21-22 with collector car rows, live music, and 20+ food trucks. Wildlife/State Leadership: Wyoming Game and Fish named Deputy Director Eric Wiltanger interim director after Angi Bruce’s resignation.

Wyoming Sports: The University of Wyoming Cowgirls opened fast but fell short late, dropping a 2-1 decision to Weber State despite outshooting the Wildcats 19-6. Local Talent Pipeline: Prep Redzone reports multiple Wyoming football commitments, including Batavia’s Thomas Prescott to UW, plus Levi Rillos, Karson McKenzie, Alijah Landrum-Hamilton, and Noah Reid all headed to Laramie. TV & Film Buzz: “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan says he was homeless twice, including sleeping in his car for six months, before building his TV empire. HBO’s “The Pitt” also released a Season 3 teaser and added new recurring cast. Music & Live Shows: Garth Brooks kicked off his Blame It All on My Roots arena run, while Duane Betts sat in with Little Feat in Jackson, WY. Community & Culture: JANM in Los Angeles will reopen in January after a major overhaul, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is inviting the public to help name two orphaned grizzly cubs. Wyoming Watch: Albany County and Laramie officials held a joint work session on data centers as communities weigh standards and concerns.

Wyoming Arts & Community: Cheyenne’s Greenway Fall Cleanup is set for Sept. 5-27, with four Greenway segments up for group adoption and a Sept. 5-27 window for crews to pick up bags and finish strong. Local Sports: Wyoming volleyball opens with two public exhibition matches Friday-Saturday (Northern Colorado), then starts the regular season Aug. 28 at the Arena-Auditorium. Cowgirls Soccer: Wyoming fell 2-1 to Weber State after an early goal by Maddie Burr, despite outshooting the Wildcats 19-6. Workforce Training: LCCC will return to the Metallica Scholars Initiative for its Essential Systems Technician track, supported by a $50,000 grant and local partners. Health & Events: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Great Bison Shuffle lands Sept. 26 to support Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab. Music on Campus: UW brings back the free Cowboy Kickoff Concert Sept. 11, a tradition returning after 2018. Entertainment Spotlight: Taylor Sheridan says he was homeless twice and lived in his car before buying a Wyoming river property with his first big paycheck.