AGP Executive Report

Frontier Days build-up: Cheyenne businesses are stocking up and hiring ahead of the July 17 kickoff of the “Daddy of ’Em All,” with shops like Chute 10 Mercantile expanding Wyoming and CFD merchandise and preparing for a mostly cashless rush. Arts & culture: The Broadway Theater in Rock Springs is hosting an Artists’ Reception July 15 for Wyoming wildlife/nature artist Angela Rivers, pairing the new rotating art wall exhibit with Vino & Vinyl. Community events: Casper Airport’s Run the Runway 5K drew 157 runners and raised money for a Casper College pilot training scholarship, with families turning the tarmac into a fun memorial-and-fundraiser day. Education spotlight: Gov. Mark Gordon shared Wyoming’s education innovation “CHANGE Playbook” in Washington, D.C., emphasizing real-world learning and community-tailored reforms. Public health: Wyoming’s Department of Health declared a measles outbreak in Teton County after a third confirmed case, warning of possible exposures around Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. Local governance & privacy: Sweetwater County’s interim sheriff ordered an end to routine online booking-photo posting, while keeping arrest info public. Sports/academics: Three Wyoming Cowgirls golfers earned WGCA All-American Scholar Team honors. Conservation: Como Park Zoo is sending 3,000 Wyoming toad tadpoles to Laramie as part of a recovery program for a critically endangered species.

Big Boy Steam Power: Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 is drawing huge crowds on its 250th anniversary tour, with a scheduled whistle stop in Pacific on July 20 plus more public-facing rail festivities. Cheyenne Music & Culture: Tayla Lynn and Tre Twitty’s Twitty & Lynn show brings country royalty to Sheridan, while Cheyenne’s The Lincoln hosts Benjamin Tod and The Inline Six on July 14. Local Arts Spotlight: Brinton Museum’s Horse-led Comanche home talk highlighted Wyoming artist Patricia Davis and her stories of identity, culture, and resilience. Community Sports: Cheyenne Extreme’s under-18 softball team finished third at the Wyoming USSSA state tournament after a tough final day. Wildlife Safety: A Yellowstone bison attack at Bridge Bay Campground injured a man and sent him flying about 8 feet, underscoring how fast conditions can turn. Tech for Wyoming: ProWebChat launched AI YOU™ and AI YOU OS™ in Cheyenne, aiming to create conversational “digital identities” for people and organizations.

Cheyenne Frontier Days: Bill Oates has been named 2026 CFD Indian Committee Chairman, overseeing the new Indian Village, dancer/vendor contracting, Miss Frontier programming, and the three free pancake breakfasts—plus Native dancing, singing, storytelling, flute playing, and kids’ crafts at Frontier Park. Cheyenne Music: Benjamin Tod and The Inline Six hit The Lincoln in downtown Cheyenne on Tuesday, July 14, with Leon Majcen opening—an Americana/bluegrass night built around personal storytelling. Douglas Community Arts & Nature: UW grad student Melissa Moreno is studying bats at night in Converse County, using catch-and-release work under bridges to boost conservation and clear up myths about the animals. Local Community Fundraiser: Silver City Social returned with sloppy joes, homemade pie, a big raffle, and a Rapid Creek hike—raising major support for the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department. Wyoming Outdoors Buzz: Yellowstone footage shows a bison tossing a grandfather about eight feet at Bridge Bay Campground, underscoring how quickly wildlife encounters can turn dangerous. Design Trend Watch: The ’90s ivy look is back—updated with more abstract, modern styling instead of literal chintz. National News That Hits: Sen. Lindsey Graham died at 71; preliminary findings cite aortic dissection tied to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Local Arts & Community: Douglas grad student Melissa Moreno is turning her fascination with bats into hands-on, night-time conservation work—catch-and-release under bridges and in caves—to help dispel rumors and protect habitat. Wyoming Outdoors & Wildlife: Yellowstone officials and witnesses describe a terrifying bison attack at Bridge Bay Campground that hurled a tourist about eight feet into the air, leaving him with serious injuries. Power & Utilities: Wyoming regulators are pressing Rocky Mountain Power to explain what went wrong during a massive November outage tied to miscommunication and maintenance procedures. Cheyenne Sports: The Cheyenne Extreme U-18 club softball team rolled to a 21-0 win in the state tournament, with a combined no-hitter from Schlothauer and Vaughn. Wyoming Entertainment/Events: MIRROTO officially launched its “Social Trading Network” in Cheyenne, expanding copy-trading access across multiple emerging markets. Heat & Safety: A dangerous heat wave is building across the U.S., with meteorologists warning of record-level temperatures and heightened health risks.

WN Entertainment & Community: Cheyenne’s Laramie County Library is going full luchador for WyoGives, with a mask-making station, food trucks, and a parking-lot wrestling match led by Hugo’s Lucha Libre’s Red Viper on July 22. Local Arts & Culture: The Wyoming International Film Festival returns July 11-12 with 170+ movies across Cheyenne and Laramie venues, plus after-parties. Sports Spotlight: The Las Vegas Aces rolled past the Phoenix Mercury 106-58 as A’ja Wilson powered a franchise-record 48-point night; Cheyenne’s Cheyenne Parker-Tyus added 15. Wyoming Health Watch: Grand Teton National Park says visitors at specific Colter Bay and Teton County locations July 5-7 may have been exposed to measles and should monitor for symptoms for 21 days. Wyoming Events: Toyota of Laramie’s free Cars & Coffee series starts July 18, with three Saturday gatherings (9-11 a.m.) for all kinds of vehicles. Cheyenne News: A south Cheyenne overnight shooting left one teen dead and another juvenile in custody. Weather: A dangerous heat wave and heat dome are expected to intensify across the West, with record-breaking temperatures possible.

Wyoming International Film Festival: Cheyenne-area movie lovers get a big weekend—July 11-12 at LCCC and nearby venues, with 170+ films across genres plus after-parties. Community Events: Cheyenne’s Laramie County Library is hosting “Lucha Libre at the Library” for WyoGives, turning the parking lot into a family-friendly wrestling festival with mask-making, food trucks, and a real match. Local Arts & Culture: The Hansen Museum spotlights “Jesus & Jelly” as its July Artist of the Month, a faith-inspired business story rooted in a health journey. Sports & School Life: Wyoming’s school-activity leaders are weighing budget cuts and trying to keep athletics and other programs alive. Tech & Ethics: Undetectable AI released an ethical framework for “humanization” and detection tools, spelling out acceptable uses and guardrails. Weather Watch: A major heat dome is forecast to hit the western U.S. with dangerous highs and especially risky warm nights. Digital Access: Bluepeak says it has passed 500,000 homes and businesses with fiber service across Wyoming and beyond.

Jackson & Cheyenne Entertainment: Off Square Theatre Company brings Thin Air Shakespeare’s first musical twist—Something Rotten!—to the Center for the Arts lawn in Jackson (July 10–12, 16–19), with picnic-friendly nights and ASL support on July 10. Frontier Days After-Party: After The Outlaw Saloon closed, Cheyenne’s local venues stepped in—The Lincoln launches an indoor 21+ “after hours” concert series during Frontier Nights (most nights 10 p.m. starts). Music Calendar: Kemmerer’s Oyster Ridge Music Festival returns as Wyoming’s largest free music fest (July 11–12) with Americana/bluegrass/roots acts and family-friendly downtown fun. Arts & Community Spotlight: Casper’s Bloomery 307 announces its final season after 23 years, while the Hansen Museum highlights Logan-area maker Sommer Yocum’s faith-inspired “Jesus & Jelly” as July Artist of the Month. Local Culture Events: Laramie’s Jubilee Days carnival keeps downtown buzzing, and Wyoming Public Media/WyoFile/League of Women Voters host a U.S. Senate candidate forum for the Aug. 18 primary.

Wyoming Rodeo Spotlight: Laramie’s Trenton Rogers won the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association bareback state title after a sleepless short-go, and now heads to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska (ride set for July 22). Cheyenne Community Giving: WyoGives returns July 15 as a 24-hour online day of giving that’s raised more than $20M since 2020, with nonprofits across arts, conservation, education, and more. Film & Festival Buzz: The Wyoming International Film Festival is back in Cheyenne after near cancellation, running July 8–12 with a red carpet, 170+ films, and international entries. Local Events: Casper Balloon Roundup lights up the sky this weekend (July 11–12), with sunrise launches at Mike Sedar Park and free kid tether rides. Arts & Culture in Wyoming: A new tradition at the Sheridan WYO Rodeo’s World Championship Indian Relay Races adds an inaugural MVP buckle honoring standout riders and Native relay racing heritage. Tech + Wyoming Watch: Cheyenne’s Meta AI data center cleanup plans follow reports of a rare bacterium found in wastewater near the project.

Wyoming International Film Festival: Cheyenne’s festival is back after near cancellation, running July 8–12 with a red carpet, 170+ films, and international filmmakers—plus a spotlight screening of MMIP documentary She Cried That Day with a Q&A. Public Art & Mental Health: Casper veterans are working to place the “Silent Battle” sculpture permanently, aiming to reduce stigma around PTSD and suicide. Local Culture & Community: The Wyoming Writers, Inc. and partners named winners of the America’s 250th Anniversary Writing Contest, with standout flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s entries. Cheyenne Tech Watch: Cheyenne tightened wastewater rules after a Meta AI data center contractor was linked to a rare bacteria in the city’s reclaimed water system. Wildfire Updates (Cheyenne Mountain): The Rock Creek fire near Cheyenne Mountain reached 30–50% containment as cooler, wetter conditions helped crews; drones are planned for hot-spot checks. Heat & Safety (Jackson Hole): An extreme heat watch is in effect for Jackson Hole this weekend, with warnings about heat illness and keeping pets and kids safe. Sports Spotlight: UW wrestling freshmen Austin Collins (Wray) and Sammy Sanchez (Cheyenne) earned spots at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo.

America 250 Spotlight: Wyoming leaders marked the nation’s 250th at the Capitol with speeches and a time capsule sealed for 2090, tying the celebration to local civic participation. Wyoming Arts & Culture: The Wyoming International Film Festival runs July 9-12 in Cheyenne, with 170+ films and nightly after-parties. Local Arts Leadership: Lynn Boland is set to become executive director of Museum of Art Fort Collins, with plans to fund gallery renovations and improve access to the historic building. Wyoming Media: Wyoming PBS plans to drop PBS branding and rebrand as “Wyoming’s storyteller,” with public focus groups shaping the new identity. Community Events: Cheyenne’s July 9 calendar highlights Sketchbook Sessions at the Botanic Gardens and Cheyenne Neighborhood Night block parties. Public Safety & Health: Wyoming’s rural healthcare push is getting $205M in federal funds for hospitals and responders, aiming to close access gaps. Wildland Firefighter Health: Federal agencies expand protections for long-term firefighter health, including more access to N95 masks and cleaner recovery steps. Robocall Crackdown: AG William Tong and other attorneys general urge stronger FCC rules to stop scammers from accessing legitimate phone numbers. Sports & Rodeo: Wild Thing bull riding returns with top returning champions, running Friday-Saturday at Red Rock Park.

Public Records Fight: Jackson-area conservative activist Rebecca Bextel sued the town over alleged withheld documents tied to the Flat Creek Apartments, including spending lists and texts between housing officials and developers. Wildland Health Protections: Federal agencies expanded fireline protections for long-term firefighter health, adding N95 mask access plus more showering, gear-cleaning time, and “clean air recovery” periods. Cheyenne Tech Rules: Cheyenne tightened wastewater rules after tracing a rare bacterium to testing at a Meta data center under construction, stressing reclaimed water wasn’t drinking water. CFD Entertainment: Cheyenne Frontier Days committee chairs say Mike “Wilkie” Wilkinson is back as 2026 Contract Acts Committee Chairman, responsible for Frontier Nights entertainment and artist contracting. Community Arts & Events: Gruner Brothers in Casper is offering free general admission tickets for a Darryl Worley concert July 11, while Rock Springs URA named Donna Toly Volunteer of the Month for a downtown barn-quilt public art project. Local Safety: Teton Pass crash killed 2 and injured 4 after a dump truck’s brake failure; Rock Creek fire near Cheyenne Mountain saw pre-evacuation notices lifted as containment rose. Wyoming Tech & Connectivity: Bluepeak hit 500,000 fiber passings across its multi-state network, including Wyoming. Sports Buzz: Phil Steele released his 2026 college football preseason rankings, with Notre Dame at No. 1.

Cheyenne Mountain Fire Watch: A pre-evacuation warning went out early Wednesday for a wildfire near Rock Creek Canyon Rd on the southwest edge of Cheyenne Mountain State Park, with crews estimating about 5 acres burning in heavy fuels and coordinating with county resources. Wyoming Energy Investment: Visionary Metals Corp. won $250,000 in Wyoming Energy Authority matching funds to support geophysical work at its King Solomon and Tin Cup nickel-copper projects in Fremont County, aiming to refine drill targets. Music on the Move: Interpol shared “Iron City,” a new single from upcoming album “This Mirror Weighs a Ton,” and added a Wyoming stop—Jackson Hole—on Aug. 2. Community Outdoors: Cheyenne opened a new 870-foot Greenway connector on Parsley Boulevard, expanding access to the city’s trail network for nearby residents. Health Alert: Vitalant is urging Wyoming donors to book appointments after a critical shortage of type O blood hit a two-year low. Local Sports Spotlight: Cheyenne Sixers pitcher Brenden Romero credits an offseason of heavy training for his strong early-season performance.

Cheyenne Frontier Days: Jenny Lakin steps in as 2026 Concessions Chairman, laying out how the carnival midway, food and beverage, exhibits, and “The Garden” free entertainment will run. Cheyenne Data Center Fallout: Cheyenne’s utilities suspended wastewater acceptance from Meta-related data center operations after a rare bacteria contaminated the system, disrupting reuse water used for irrigation. Wyoming Weather Watch: The weekend forecast is turning brutally hot, with western and northern areas flirting with record highs and officials warning conditions could get dangerously extreme. Teton Pass Traffic: A fatal multi-vehicle crash shut WY22/Teton Pass in both directions, with updates on reopening timelines and cleanup underway. Wildfire Risk: Teton County commissioners moved to ban open fires in unincorporated areas west of the Teton Range as drought and human activity raise fire danger. Community Giving: WyoGives returns next Wednesday to support 500+ Wyoming nonprofits in a 24-hour online giving push. Local Arts & Events: The River Festival returns to Green River Aug. 14-15 with music, food, fireworks, and a full weekend lineup.

Cheyenne Frontier Days on the big screen: “Outriding the Devil,” a free public premiere in Cheyenne on July 16, tells world champion barrel racer Angela Ganter’s stage 4 breast cancer comeback story. Local sports spotlight: Cheyenne Post Six’s Quentin King earns Prep Athlete of the Week after a standout week that included a grand slam and a home run run. Community arts: The Green River Pond & Garden Tour (July 25) pairs high desert gardening with local artists and a raffle supporting Nelise Montgomery’s leukemia travel. Rodeo & heritage: Rodeo honors Black history, with events and traditions highlighting Black cowboys and cowgirls. Wyoming culture calendar: The Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo runs in Casper through July 11, mixing carnival fun with rodeo competitions and local exhibits. Wyoming entertainment on the move: Taylor Sheridan’s “Wind River” gets its first trailer ahead of an August theatrical release, set in Wyoming. Independence Day vibes: Wyoming gas prices dip again, averaging $3.79 per gallon statewide.

Longmire Days Buzz: Louanne Stephens (Ruby) is set to return to Wyoming this July, joining cast members like Robert Taylor and A. Martinez in Buffalo, with Bailey Chase also sharing a Dubois ranch getaway. Sports Business Watch: The Kansas City Chiefs’ move into a Kansas dome could mean less income for players and staff due to different state tax rules. Wyoming Arts & Community: Cheyenne’s “The Remarkable Susan” drew a full Capitol Extension house for a Susan B. Anthony trial story, while the RedCan Graffiti Jam returns to Eagle Butte July 8-11 with 11 artists and Lakota-focused programming. Film & Local Culture: A Wyoming-set classic gets a spotlight with “Wings Over Wyoming” (1937), plus a summer-movie roundup that leans into Wyoming-friendly vibes. Nature & Science: Teton rock glaciers may be more resilient than ordinary glaciers, helping sustain cold mountain streams as warming accelerates. Tech & Health: Utah’s AI chatbot prescription refills spark a national debate over whether AI should be allowed to handle medical tasks.

Independence Day & America 250: Wyoming leaders marked the nation’s 250th at the state Capitol, sealing a time capsule for 2090 and spotlighting local history and civic participation. Commemorations: The Battle and Massacre of Wyoming was remembered at the Wyoming Monument with a keynote on “Whose ground, whose independence?” and a full patriotic program. Community Arts & Culture: Laramie’s BumbleBrew Fest is set to blend the Pollinator Festival and Fermentation Festival into a sustainability-focused arts-and-crafts event at the Civic Center. Local Entertainment & Safety: Jackson Police shared tips and enforcement plans for the sold-out Widespread Panic show at Snow King, urging a buddy system and safe rides. Rodeo & Sports: East Texas A&M riders competed at the 2026 CNFR in Casper, while Wyoming’s own rodeo talent also faced top collegiate competition. Horse Racing: Horse Palace Green River opened in a larger new location with more games, a big-screen betting area, and expanded food and bar options. Tech & Utilities: Cheyenne suspended accepting certain data-center wastewater after a Meta contractor contamination linked to a rare bacteria.