AGP Executive Report

Music & Arts (Cheyenne/Laramie): The University of Wyoming planetarium is hosting Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Weekend” Planetarium Experience on Aug. 13–14, pairing the new album with custom dome visuals or immersive laser shows. Live Performances (Laramie): The Wyoming Fringe Festival returns Aug. 21–23 at the Laramie Plains Civic Center, with a weekend pass for $25 and volunteer passes available. Community Dance (Laramie): Wyoming Dance Collective is opening fall registration for its inclusive studio classes in ballet, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary and more. Sports (Wyoming): Troopers (Casper) are among the DCI World Championships finalists after making the cut to 12 corps for finals on Aug. 8. Outdoor Fun (Laramie): Laramie Bike Park opens with a ribbon-cutting Aug. 22, featuring clinics, food trucks, music, and a pump track. Local Culture (Cheyenne): Depot Days keeps Cheyenne’s train-spotting crowd rolling, with the Depot Museum drawing visitors from around the world. Environment (regional impact): Federal officials say no “cool water” releases from Lake Powell this year to protect threatened fish, underscoring ongoing Colorado River strain.

Cheyenne Downtown: The Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority is hiring an executive director to lead downtown revitalization, economic development, and partnerships. Elections Watch: Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee says 5,700+ voters have already cast ballots in the primary; filings also show candidates for LCSD1 and other trustee seats. Community & Arts: WyoLotto unveiled a new “big boot” at its headquarters, and Cheyenne’s Wits End Adventure Park opened as a free-to-enter hangout with paid add-ons like paintball/airsoft. Sports & School Spirit: Wyoming soccer kicks off its 2026 season Sunday, and Casper College released spring honor rolls for Cheyenne-area students. Wildlife & Outdoors: Angi Bruce resigned as Wyoming Game and Fish director; interim leadership named. Public Health: A salmonella jalapeño recall and a lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak are driving new food-safety reminders nationwide. Climate/Science: Research finds wildfire smoke is reversing ozone pollution gains in the West.

Wyoming Arts & Community: Arts Cheyenne’s Cheyenne Arts Celebration is back for its 13th year, with mentorship at the center as local artists help newcomers turn passions into careers. Wyoming Sports: Jersey Berg is bringing her “mid-range” style to the University of Wyoming Cowgirls, fitting into a slower, motion-based offense. Wyoming Outdoors & Health: Wyoming Game and Fish is asking anglers to shift catch-and-release earlier in the day as warm water threatens trout survival. Regional Entertainment: The Lone Peak Film Festival announced its 2026 lineup, spotlighting Montana, Indigenous, conservation, and resilience stories. Big Picture Entertainment/Media: Toronto’s TIFF expands its Midnight Madness and TIFF Docs slate with 24 world premieres. Public Safety: Spokane wildfire response is being disrupted by rising drone incursions, grounding aircraft and raising risks for crews and the public. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter over possible salmonella contamination, adding to a wider wave of salmonella alerts. Tech & Schools: A new report says K-12 districts are pouring money into AI tools even as concerns grow about harm to students’ thinking.

Local Health Milestone: Cheyenne Regional Medical Center performed Wyoming’s first Amulet procedures for atrial fibrillation, giving some patients a new option to reduce stroke risk without long-term blood thinners. City Infrastructure: The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board approved $20 million for Cheyenne lead service line investigations and replacements, accelerating work in high-risk areas. Public Lands Politics: A new poll finds 91% of Wyoming voters oppose selling federally managed public lands, with support cutting across party lines. Rodeo & Community Culture: Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is drawing attention for a “cowgirl with wings” trick rider and her goose, while Wyoming’s own community spotlight includes the Plymouth Alive Kielbasa Festival’s ongoing local impact. Wildlife & Summer Safety: Wyoming Game and Fish warns drought is pushing deer and other big game toward roadsides, creating collision risk. Arts & Sports Calendar: Laramie’s first bike park is set to open Aug. 22, and Wyoming soccer was picked second in the Mountain West preseason coaches’ poll. Road Work: WYDOT will mill and pave WY22 near Teton Pass starting Aug. 10, with delays possible.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Safety: Local law enforcement pooled resources for a traffic-safety push, running 1,122 traffic stops and landing 38 DUI arrests, with an average BAC of 0.147. Community Arts: CRYP’s 12th Annual RedCan Graffiti Jam turned Eagle Butte into a youth-led public art celebration, pairing local creators with nationally recognized muralists and original poetry and music. Wyoming Film & Events: Capitol Cinema 16 in Cheyenne posted its latest lineup, including “Ice Cream Man,” “Minions & Monsters,” “Moana,” and “The Odyssey,” plus weekend community happenings. Local Housing Watch: Laramie officials held an open house on a proposed West Side development, stressing the plan isn’t finalized and will still face zoning, floodplain, code, and public-review steps. Wildlife & Outdoor Safety: Wyoming Game and Fish urged residents not to release unwanted county-fair goldfish into the wild, citing illegal introductions’ harm to fisheries and native species. Sports & Schools: Lovell school leaders approved cuts to some athletic and activity pay for 2026-27 as budgets tighten. Health Alert: A CDC-linked Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños has reached 27 states, including Wyoming.

Wyoming Film & Culture: A new “Disclosure Day”-style movie list is making the rounds, spotlighting alien-contact and government-secret thrillers for sci-fi fans. Cheyenne Arts & Entertainment: “Queens of the Dead” lands as a drag-forward zombie comedy, mixing camp energy with undead chaos. Music Calendar: The Roehrig Music Festival benefit is set for this Saturday. Community Events: Cheyenne’s Downtown Development Authority board will hold a special meeting Friday on its long-term structure, and the Kiwanis FFA Livestock Sale of Champions returns Friday at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Outdoor & Sports: Wyoming Game and Fish urges anglers to shift to early-morning fishing and avoid catch-and-release after noon as summer heat stresses trout. State & Local Governance: Gov. Mark Gordon issued an emergency order for oversize/overweight livestock feed and livestock transport permits amid drought and wildfire impacts. Food Safety: FDA recalls Bettergoods Pistachio Nut Butter sold at Walmart in 19 states, including Wyoming, due to possible salmonella contamination. UW Sports: Wyoming football opens fall camp for the 2026 season, with multiple early injuries shaping depth and development.

Wyoming Arts & Culture: Cheyenne library goes full Hogwarts for Harry Potter’s birthday, and local voters are being urged to back sixth-penny proposals that include Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs library projects. Community Spotlight: Goshen County Library in Torrington earned Library Journal’s Best Small Library in America honor, credited to smart programming shifts like adding Friday kids activities after the four-day school week. Live Music: Pinedale’s free Soundcheck Summer Music Series keeps rolling in August with Nik Parr & the Selfless Lovers (Aug. 8) and Low Gap (Aug. 14). Film & Media: TIFF Docs unveiled its documentary lineup, including Megan Rapinoe’s “Rapinoe” opening the section and major music and labor-focused titles. Local Entertainment Life: A new look at how far Wyoming residents travel to catch a movie highlights the long drives to Casper, Cheyenne, or Laramie and the real costs of “big screen” nights. Sports on the Radar: Orange County’s Hot 150 football list spotlights college-committed impact players—an eye-catching reminder of how Wyoming-area prep talent is getting noticed.

Special Education Guidance: Wyoming Superintendent Megan Degenfelder is convening a state working group to develop common guidance on IDEA requirements, focusing on staffing and how districts can deliver services when teachers lack full special-education credentials. Campaign Endorsement: Degenfelder also announced a Wyoming Right to Life endorsement, framing it around protecting unborn life. Community Fundraiser: Meridian Trust North Star Foundation’s “Flags for Heroes” returns, letting Cheyenne-area residents sponsor a flag for $20, with tags designed by Colorado artist Kendra Hart and a Sept. 3 kickoff celebration. Cheyenne Frontier Days Buzz: Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig looked back at the 130th run, citing record attendance and off-season fixes for new attractions. Local Safety: A packed Teton Pass safety meeting in Wilson gathered residents, officials, and candidates after a July crash, with people pushing for clearer next steps. Arts & Culture: Ucross Foundation announced 60 fall fellows for its Wyoming artist residency program, selected from 1,085 applicants. Wildlife Reminder: Wyoming Game and Fish urged people not to release unwanted fair goldfish into the wild, warning of illegal introductions and harsh penalties. Food Recall: Walmart recalled a Bettergoods pistachio nut butter lot after Salmonella was found in testing, including sales in Wyoming. Wyoming’s Big Show: Sweetwater Events Complex says Wyoming’s Big Show wrapped with record crowds, including an Ian Munsick single-night attendance high.

Wyoming PBS Election Coverage: Wyoming PBS will televise and livestream 2026 primary debates, with statewide races scheduled Aug. 11 and 13 from the Little Theater at Central Wyoming College in Riverton, moderated by Steve Peck. Local Civic Prep: Weston County residents got to watch voting-machine testing ahead of the Aug. 18 primary; machines passed and were sealed for election day. Community & Arts: Casper’s Barnes & Noble is set for a grand opening Friday with author Craig Johnson on hand for a ribbon-cutting and book signing. Culture on the Reservation: Fort Washakie artist Sarah Ortegon is finding healing through beadwork and visual expression on the Wind River Reservation. Wildlife & Weather: Devils Tower reopened Monday after weekend wildfire closures, though trails and backcountry areas stayed shut. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Bettergoods pistachio nut butter in 19 states, including Wyoming, over possible salmonella risk.

Wyoming Arts & Community: Ann Simpson, a longtime civic leader and arts champion, was remembered by state leaders after her July 31 passing. Public Safety & Local Life: Campbell County is moving ahead with a courthouse security checkpoint, adding a glassed screening area for second-floor access later this year. Cheyenne Weather: After Cheyenne tied a heat record at 98° on Aug. 2, a brief cooldown is expected before warmer temps return. Tourism Spotlight: The Wyoming Office of Tourism named five “Mavericks of Wyoming,” honoring residents who help create lasting state memories. Outdoor & Learning Events: The Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series brings archaeologist Nathan May to the Wyoming State Museum on Aug. 13 for “Campaigns in the American West.” Art From Reuse: A new mural at the Wyoming Rescue Mission Recovery Ranch uses 120 feet of discarded wind turbine blades. Sports: Jersey Berg is set to join the University of Wyoming Cowgirls after a standout run at Williston State. Natural History: The Natural History Museum of Wyoming opened a second location in Ranchester.

Wyoming Sports & Community: The North 40 practice fields in Laramie will be quiet this fall as Wyoming football shifts camp away from grass after recent injury history, with coach Jay Sawvel citing non-contact issues and heat concerns. Local Fair Spotlight: The Laramie County Fair keeps rolling Aug. 3 with kids crafts, 3-D printer demos, leather keychain making, goat showmanship, and pie contests. Rodeo Behind the Scenes: A look at the Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo highlights the work of a rodeo secretary who runs draws, timing sheets, and event logistics. Wyoming Arts & Music: Wyoming Singer-Songwriters heads to its grand finale after regional winners were picked at Wyoming’s Big Show, including Laramie’s John Laux and Rock Springs’ Dakota Knezovich. Cheyenne Creative Project: A Cheyenne “BIG SLAB” mural under the airport/National Guard base is underway, painted by Jordan Dean using a grid layout and base-coat color mapping. True Crime on TV: Freeform greenlit “Somebody Knows Something,” hosted by true-crime influencer Kara Robinson Chamberlain, with an episode featuring a Wyoming mountain disappearance. Health & Safety: Red Cross wildfire smoke tips urge clean indoor air, N95s, and monitoring local alerts.

Local Rodeo Spotlight: The Laramie County Fair kicked off its inaugural Steve Price Memorial Ranch Rodeo in Cheyenne, with 12 ranch teams branding, loading, doctoring and milking for the win; the Wahlert/Breeden Ranches took top honors (2:22) and Derik West won ranch bronc riding. Wyoming Music Scene: Southwest Wyoming singer-songwriters advanced to the state grand finale after a regional round at the Sweetwater Events Complex; Laramie’s John Laux led the field, with Dakota Knezovich, Elyse Kisner and Kaydence Graham also moving on. Community & Culture: The Laramie County Fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 8, featuring youth exhibits, a 3-D printer demo, pan-for-gold, crafts, and new fair events like the Best of Laramie County Salsa Showdown. Outdoor Adventure: A weeklong search ended tragically for 28-year-old hiker William Standish on Wyoming’s Continental Divide Trail. Wildlife & Safety: A new state-by-state report ranks the deadliest animals by location, with Wyoming’s hazards tied to the mix of large mammals and unexpected threats.

Wyoming Arts & Live Music: Fridays on the Plaza in Cheyenne is closing out summer with free shows at Cheyenne Depot Plaza, with openers at 6 p.m. and headliners at 7:30 p.m., including Jay Sean (Aug. 7) and a second late-season headliner. County Fair Spotlight: The 2026 Laramie County Fair keeps running through Saturday, Aug. 8, with youth exhibits, demos like 3-D printing, and crowd favorites such as the Steve Price Memorial Ranch Rodeo and a new Best of Laramie County Salsa Showdown. Outdoor & Community: A 28-year-old Melbourne hiker, William Standish, was found dead on a remote Wyoming stretch of the Continental Divide Trail after a weeklong search. Arts Interview: Spy chats with Luci Thomas about Groove/Factory Play, a rural-Wyoming drama where faith, politics, and friendship collide. Local Culture: Wyoming’s community dance halls are making a comeback, keeping live social music traditions alive. Health Watch: CDC data shows gestational hypertension rates rose in every state, with Wyoming among those seeing big jumps.

Wyoming Politics: The GOP primary for Wyoming’s open U.S. House seat is heating up, with nine candidates trading jabs over money, lawsuits, and crowded forums ahead of the Aug. 18 vote. Faith & Community: A record 88,500 Latter-day Saint missionaries are now serving worldwide, meaning more chances to see (and talk with) missionaries across Wyoming communities. Music & Theater (Cheyenne): Fridays on the Plaza wraps with free final headliners in Cheyenne—Jay Sean (Aug. 7) and a second late-season act—plus opening sets starting at 6 p.m. Stage Spotlight (Wyoming): Gaslight Theatre brings “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” to King’s College Aug. 7–9 and Aug. 14–16. Arts & Culture (Laramie/Cheyenne): The Wyoming International Chamber Music Festival returns Aug. 7–16, adding a Cheyenne stop on Aug. 11. Outdoor & Local Fun: Brush Creek Ranch earns Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodge of the Year for its conservation-minded, private-water trout access. Sports (WNBA): The Las Vegas Aces hit the road to face the Chicago Sky on Aug. 1, with A’ja Wilson again driving the matchup talk.

WNBA Spotlight: Las Vegas Aces host the Chicago Sky on Aug. 1, with coverage leaning toward A’ja Wilson’s big rebound game and a high-scoring Aces win on CBS/Paramount+. Community & Culture: Cheyenne’s Wyoming International Chamber Music Festival returns to Laramie (Aug. 7–16) and adds a Cheyenne stop Aug. 11 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Local Fair Talk: Sweetwater County Fair wrap-up brings community voices on what they love most—music, reconnecting, and the “high-thriving vibes.” Outdoor & Wildlife: Wyoming Game and Fish pushes back on a $10,000 influencer bounty targeting hunters who kill Yellowstone wolves outside the park. Weather Watch: Western states brace for record-breaking heat and extreme heat warnings through the weekend. Remembering Wyoming: Tributes continue for David Page, a Winter Wildlands Alliance leader and writer, killed in a Teton Pass crash. Tourism Honors: Wyoming Office of Tourism names inaugural “Mavericks of Wyoming,” spotlighting trailblazers across music, art, tech, and ranching.

Zoo News: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced the birth of a female Amur leopard cub to Anya, with the youngster still cautious but exploring more and climbing as she gains confidence. Arts & Community: Ann Simpson, longtime Wyoming advocate and arts supporter (including work tied to UW Artmobile and Ucross), died at 94. Local Governance & Civic Life: Pinedale Mayor Matt Murdock received the Benjamin Franklin Award for Open Government, praised for backing transparent, community-first communication. Public Safety & Outdoors: Teton County Search and Rescue reported a fatal Continental Divide Trail case: an Australian hiker was found dead after a likely fall. Elections Watch: Weston County will hold a public voting machine test Aug. 3 ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. State & Culture: Wyoming Children’s Society highlighted adoption support work, emphasizing careful language and ongoing help for birth mothers and adoptive families. Weather: A heat advisory is in effect for Cheyenne starting Aug. 2, with record-to-near-record temperatures possible.