AGP Executive Report

Education & Media Literacy: A new look at how “pictures don’t lie” and how charts, maps, and graphs can mislead students—because numbers and visuals can be engineered to tell a story. Community Support: The Food Bank of Sweetwater County received a $50,000 United Way award to expand emergency food help across Rock Springs and Green River. Aging & Housing: Respect has taken ownership of Wyoming’s Rumbalara House and Adelene retirement village, planning major expansion while keeping local history and relationships in mind. Arts & Civic Life: The Wyoming Arts Council is hosting three virtual public focus groups on artist support, arts education, and grants. Cheyenne Calendar: Cheyenne’s Sept. 13–19 lineup includes Shrek The Musical and a Cheyenne Botanic Gardens heirlooms-and-blooms market. Mental Health & Safety: A local push connects mental health support with firearm safety training to reduce suicide risk. Western Events: Goshen’s Wild West Equifest Horse Expo brings equine demos, trick riding, and a kids area, with proceeds supporting veteran and first responder equine therapy.

Patriot Day in Wyoming: Gov. Mark Gordon ordered flags lowered statewide to half-staff Friday, Sept. 11, from sunrise to sunset, with a moment of silence at 6:46 a.m. MDT to honor 9/11 victims and first responders. Native culture on the move: The Indian Relay Championship of Champions heads to Cheyenne Sept. 25-27, bringing multiple relay categories together for a milestone 10th championship year. Education and immigration stress: The ACLU of Wyoming urged school leaders to be ready for possible ICE interactions, saying fear on school grounds is raising stress and harming learning. School policy and access: A new literacy law is expanding K-12 reading assessments in Campbell County, aiming to catch students who are still reading below grade level. Local governance and housing: A Republican Teton County Commissioner candidate withdrew over a conflict of interest, leaving an unopposed race for the seat. Community and culture events: Cheyenne’s Indian Relay is one highlight, while Wyoming’s WY22 Safe Pass program is set to roll out this fall to improve mountain pass driving for RVs, trailers, and heavy vehicles. Wildfire future: A new study warns faster, more severe wildfires could push North American forests toward non-forest conditions.

ACLU & Schools: The ACLU of Wyoming is urging superintendents to keep schools safe and welcoming for all students, including those facing immigration enforcement, and to follow constitutional protections around searches and student privacy. Education Policy: A new Wyoming literacy law is rolling out with more ungraded tests across K-12, aiming to catch reading gaps earlier while adding pressure on teachers to build individualized plans. Student Life Rules: Wyoming’s new cellphone law doesn’t force blanket bans; it requires each district to publish clear device-use policies for the 2026-27 school year. Local Governance & Tech: Natrona County residents are split over a proposed $500 million, 940-acre AI data center, with commissioners weighing whether to bypass parts of the state industrial siting review. Community & Culture: Jackson Hole is gearing up for a packed mid-September weekend—Old Bill’s, LOTOJA, One Fly, and the Fall Arts Festival—bringing a late-season boost for local businesses. Wildlife & Outdoor Life: Wyoming Game and Fish funding proposals are advancing in the Legislature’s TRW committee as inflation strains license and grant revenue. Health & Safety: Wyoming’s Supreme Court will hear an appeal tied to a deadly crash involving a Memorial Hospital EMT, while suicide prevention updates highlight ongoing urgency for youth mental health. Sports & Youth: Cross-country and swim teams across the state are turning in strong early-season performances despite heat, injuries, and small rosters.

University & Education: Western Wyoming College and the University of Wyoming launched a new Express Transfer Agreement, letting eligible students map a degree plan from day one and connect with UW through coaches, events, and even a UW student ID. Arts & Culture: The Wyoming Arts Council is taking public input via three virtual focus groups on artist support, arts education, and grants as it updates its strategic plan. Community Health: Cheyenne Laramie County Public Health hosted a free Community Baby Shower with local partners, plus Cheyenne’s Lions Park is set for an Out of the Darkness Walk supporting suicide prevention. Public Lands & Stewardship: Wyoming State Parks is joining National Public Lands Day with volunteer projects statewide and free park entry on Sept. 26. Sports & Local Pride: The Rawlins Outlaws posted strong showings at the Wyoming Invitational, and UW is rolling out PRCA branding on Jonah Field end zones. Civic Life: Cheyenne’s BOPU received an award for its role in the “Value of Water” documentary. Policy & Rights: A lawsuit over a transgender woman’s admission to a UW sorority heads to the 10th Circuit for opening arguments.

Education & Access: Wyoming County Career and Technical Center will test learning styles and career interests for 10th graders with disabilities, including some 11th/12th grade resource students, to meet federal and state requirements and improve programming. Community Learning: Wyoming Department of Education invites the public to a Chapter 57 Language & Literacy Program rules hearing on Sept. 16 (4–5:30 p.m. MDT). Hunting & Safety: Sheridan’s hunter education class has only female in-person openings left, with Game and Fish urging people to watch for cancellations or split-course options. STEM & Local Culture: The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and UW NASA STEM engagement team host a NASA STEM dinner Sept. 12 in Buffalo. College Pathways: Western Wyoming College and UW launch an Express Transfer Agreement to help students map a direct associate-to-bachelor path. Health & Service: A $10,000 donation supports Pathways Health Centre for Children, backing rehab and speech services for kids. Civic History: Wyoming Women’s History House marks Louisa Swain’s 1870 vote reenactment and celebrates the house’s milestones in Laramie.

Water Worries: A new look at Grand Valley reservoir levels paints a grim picture for next spring, with key storage numbers sitting dangerously low as demand stays high. Disaster Aid Uncertainty: Even as FEMA’s fate looks less dire, states still face confusion over when disaster declarations unlock recovery funds. Wyoming Politics & Governance: Cheyenne’s Rebecca Bextel lays out a “First 100 Days” plan while Wyoming’s election-season churn continues. Culture & Community: Linkville Players bring “The Diary of Anne Frank” to Linkville Playhouse (Sept. 11–26), and First Congregational Church of Rock Springs marks 145 years with a Sept. 13 celebration. Health Access: Planned Parenthood of Montana announces a Bozeman clinic opening in summer 2027 to expand abortion services. Education & Equity: Wyoming’s UW president is named in a federal lawsuit alleging suppression of climate-related classroom speech. Sports: University of Wyoming rodeo opens its season in Nebraska, and UW cross-country’s Habtamu Wetzel and Eowyn Dalbec earn Mountain West weekly honors.

Cheyenne Data Center Fight: A Cheyenne activist says data center growth is “steamrolling” residents and calls for major updates to local rules, arguing the risks aren’t being taken seriously. Public Safety & Immigration: Records show ICE detainers in Campbell County have sometimes stalled violent-crime investigations, with many transferred people not facing district court charges. Community Conflict on the Wind River: A pastor filed for an order of protection against protesters after a dispute tied to a July sermon escalated into ongoing demonstrations. Wyoming Outdoor Recreation: Six of Wyoming’s 12 Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives will hold public meetings in September and October to set local outdoor priorities. Culture & Heritage: The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody authenticated rare early 1800s Indian peace medals, including one of only three tied to the Lewis & Clark expedition. Arts & Live Music: Rosanne Cash postponed three shows, including a Sheridan date, due to an unexpected medical emergency. Health & Giving: The Red Cross is urging fall blood and platelet donations as supplies remain vulnerable.

College Sports (Wyoming): Indian Hills women’s soccer stayed hot, beating No. 14 Laramie County CC 2-1 in Cheyenne to extend its unbeaten streak to six. Community & Health: A new report warns rural hospital closures would mean longer drives for pregnant Medicaid patients, with big gaps between rural and urban access. Outdoor Culture: Trailfest brought the Continental Divide Trail Coalition to Steamboat, pairing trail work and local business promotion around the 3,100-mile route. Public Events (Cheyenne): Botanic Gardens in Cheyenne is gearing up for fall with Heirlooms and Blooms, Storytime at the Children’s Village, and weekly classes for kids and adults. Arts & Music: Country singer Jessica Lynn talked Nepali music and how to build sustainable careers through workshops and collaboration during a U.S. Embassy arts visit. Safety Watch: Synthetic kratom 7-OH is linked to two Yampa Valley deaths, including a Steamboat case tied to drug toxicity. Local Spotlight (Laramie): LGBTQ activist Rihanna Kelver faces felony charges tied to a 2025 altercation, with the case drawing attention to how identity and self-defense are being argued.

Route 66 & road-trip culture: KJZZ’s “The Show” marks Route 66’s 100th anniversary with a look at the highway’s complicated history and why Southwest motels are booming again as boutique, community-focused stays. Cycling: The 44th LoToJa Classic kicks off Saturday from Logan, with about 1,500 riders heading toward Jackson Hole Mountain Resort on a 200+ mile course. Local sports: Star Valley and Rigby both turned in strong showings at the Cardinal Classic in Soda Springs, with Star Valley’s teams and Wyoming’s Star Valley runners among the standouts. Faith & community: A Montpelier Idaho Temple open house runs Sept. 10–26, inviting tours for people of all faiths before regular operations begin after a later dedication. Wyoming outdoors & wildlife: The Wyoming Wildlife Federation highlights growing pressures on habitat and wildlife in Jackson Hole, urging practical conservation work and stronger partnerships. Wyoming culture spotlight: A Laramie LGBTQ activist, Rihanna Kelver, faces felony charges tied to a 2025 bar-area incident that has drawn national attention and debate over identity and self-defense. UW athletics: The University of Wyoming women’s soccer team beat Eastern Washington 2-0, with Erin Dahl scoring her first career goal.

Indigenous Culture & Solidarity: An Indigenous delegation is set to visit Derry for a six-day Developing International Solidarity program, bringing together organizers, cultural leaders, and artists focused on sovereignty, land rights, environmental justice, and cultural preservation. Local Sports Spotlight: University of Wyoming women’s soccer opened with a 2-0 win over Eastern Washington, and Cheyenne Central inducted its second Athletics Hall of Fame class. Faith & Community Life: The Montpelier Idaho Temple opens for public tours starting Sept. 10, and Wyoming-area religious gathering schedules run Sept. 6–12. Wyoming Youth & Learning: A Wyoming-area education item looks at Hispanic enrollment shifts at Grandville Grand View Elementary, while another report tracks Hispanic bachelor’s completion rates at University of Wyoming. Food & Tech Culture: A growing backlash is hitting AI-generated food images on restaurant menus, with diners calling them misleading and unappetizing. Wyoming Sports Notes: Sheridan and Buffalo swimmers posted top finishes at the Natrona County Invitational.

Wyoming Community Safety: A Campbell County jury convicted Evan Haywood of stalking his ex and violating a protection order, with incidents spanning Gillette and Denver hotels and involving dozens of voicemails and contacts with friends and an ex-husband. Education & Outcomes: Albany County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Hispanic or Latino students (2018 cohort) at University of Wyoming was 57.1% by 2024, with many non-completers transferring elsewhere. Local Giving & Food Access: Powell Economic Partnership Grants and Giving AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Bridget Zuniga is running “Loose Change for Local Change,” collecting spare coins to fund community development tied to local foods access, agriculture education, and outdoor recreation. Culture & Community: Cheyenne Children’s Museum is taking chess set donations for a new club, adding to the city’s youth-focused cultural offerings. Tech & Everyday Life: A growing backlash is hitting restaurants using AI-generated food images for menus, with diners calling the results misleading and “unappetizing.” Sports & Pride: Cheyenne Central’s Adalyn Racines set a school-record time and placed fourth at the Liberty Bell Invitational, highlighting Wyoming’s cross-country momentum.

Wyoming sports & school life: Cheyenne-area runners turned in standout early-season results at the Liberty Bell Invitational, with Central’s Adalyn Racines posting a school-record 17:13.98 for fourth and multiple other Indians and Thunderbirds placing across varsity races. Community & culture: Wyoming’s National Public Lands Day push is underway, with Wyoming State Parks inviting volunteers across September for trail work, cleanup, habitat improvements and preservation—plus free day-use/entrance fees on Sept. 26. Arts leadership: 3 Square Art in Fort Collins named Lisa Hatchadoorian as its new director, a move tied to expanded studio space, a bigger gallery, and plans for a short art-school certificate program. Local history & learning: The Wyoming Archaeology Fair returns Sept. 12 at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, offering hands-on flintknapping and dozens of booths aimed at getting kids and families excited about archaeology. Faith & community events: The Montpelier Idaho Temple will open for public tours in September, welcoming visitors of all backgrounds to learn about temple purposes and rooms. Safety & youth wellbeing: Colorado’s “Alyssa’s Youth Concussion and Mental Health Protection Act” takes effect Aug. 12, requiring youth coach training that includes the mental health risks tied to concussions.

Community & Culture: Wyoming Archaeology Fair returns Sept. 12 at the Wyoming Territorial Prison, with free hands-on stations like flintknapping and dozens of booths aimed at getting kids and families excited about local history. Arts & Education: UW Western Thunder Marching Band alum Jacob Walker is now helping arrange music for country star Ian Munsick, showing how Wyoming talent keeps feeding Wyoming culture. Local Government & Civic Life: Cheyenne’s mayor highlights ongoing talks on data centers and a potential sister-city relationship with Brazil, while Laramie and Albany County launch an “Informed Laramie” site to explain the upcoming fifth-penny sales tax renewal. Public Lands: Wyoming State Parks is gearing up for National Public Lands Day with volunteer projects and a Sept. 26 fee-free day at parks and historic sites. Sports: Eastern Wyoming College Foundation’s golf tournament raised support for students, and Wyoming-area college rosters continue to fill with former local athletes.

Community & Education: Wyoming PBS’ “Wyoming Chronicle” returns for its 18th season Sept. 11, spotlighting local history and people behind the state’s big stories. Local Schools: UNK grad Cheyenne Fitzgerald is bringing a “caring start” to Bertrand preschoolers, while Caledonia Community Schools welcomes new Special Programs leadership. Health & Support Outdoors: The Redside Foundation backs river and wilderness guides across the region, tackling loneliness, depression, substance use, and suicide risk. Public Safety: Another fatal Teton Pass crash has renewed calls for restrictions on heavy and high-risk vehicles. Wyoming Life & Culture: Wyoming Invite cross country delivered a Cowgirls home win in Cheyenne, and the Cowboys placed second. Food & Community: The Food Bank of Wyoming is partnering with Wyoming farmers through Fresh Express, including sweetcorn from 1890 Farms. Civic/Politics: Campaign finance reports show fundraising disparities tied to Wyoming Freedom Caucus races. Family & Daily Life: WYDOT is urging safer towing and RV driving as the last summer holiday weekend winds down.

Comic Culture: Colorado Springs Comic Con’s 10th anniversary pulled in just under 30,000 attendees, with big-name guests like TMNT creator Kevin Eastman and stars from A League of Their Own—fans in Wyoming are already looking ahead to next year. Community Learning: Cheyenne Children’s Museum is launching a free chess club for kids ages 12–17 and wants donated chess sets. Outdoor Access: Wyoming State Parks is offering free entry for first responders on Patriot Day, Sept. 11, with camping and other fees still applying. Mental Health Conversation: Sweetwater County is kicking off Suicide Prevention Month with a story about turning grief into purpose after a brother’s suicide and a daughter’s attempts. Wyoming Heritage & Education: Fort Washakie’s 2026 Historic Stampede and Annual Shoshone Tribal Fair returns for Labor Day weekend with rodeo events and youth competitions. Arts & Women’s History: Wyoming Women’s History House extended its art exhibit through October and will reenact Louisa Swain’s historic vote. Sports & Local Pride: Wyoming’s college recruiting buzz continues, plus a reminder that Week 1 college football is here.

Local Care & Community Support: A free clothing closet inside Cheyenne Children’s Clinic at CRMC is expanding, offering clothes, shoes, and essentials for newborns through adults with no patient requirement or set limit. Public Safety & Accountability: A driver in the July 7 Teton Pass crash has been charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle after a dump truck rear-ended a motorcycle, triggering a chain reaction that killed two people. Culture & Faith on the Reservation: Montana AIM members are joining weekly protests outside a Wind River Reservation church tied to controversy over a sermon criticizing Sundance pipe worship. Education Spotlight: Colorado named two Wyoming-area teachers as finalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year 2027, including Aurora’s Viviana Martínez and Strasburg’s Merci Ames. Civic Life: Cheyenne released its Labor Day schedule, including sanitation shifts and closures for city offices and facilities. Arts & Entertainment: Freestyle Digital Media released the psychological horror film “Influence,” starring Cheyenne Perez from “The Pitt,” now on North American VOD/DVD/cable/satellite. Sports Calendar: The Wyoming Invite brings collegiate cross country to Cheyenne Friday evening, with women’s 5k at 6 p.m. and men’s 5k at 6:30 p.m.