Wyoming Roundup: Data Center Debates, Yellowstone Inspires Pixar, Drought Grips Big Horn Basin
Data Centers Spark Tension Across Wyoming Communities
Residents in two Wyoming communities pushed back against proposed data center projects at recent public meetings, raising concerns about water use, transparency, and local control over land development.
In Uinta County, a standing-room-only crowd packed a commissioners’ meeting on May 19 in Mountain View to question a proposed data center by Prometheus Hyperscale in Evanston. Attendees pressed commissioners directly on how they planned to vote. Officials said they lacked sufficient information to commit to a position, citing unresolved questions about water rights and community oversight.
In Cheyenne, the city council gave second-reading approval to a rezoning measure covering more than 1,600 acres across two eastern business parks. The council voted 8-1 in favor after more than an hour of public testimony touching on landscaping requirements, future development plans, and apprehension about data center activity in the area. The ordinance is scheduled for a final council vote on June 8.
Data center development has become a flashpoint in Wyoming as demand for large-scale computing infrastructure grows nationally. Wyoming lawmakers have separately been weighing changes to state utility regulations to accommodate rising electrical demand tied in part to the industry’s expansion.
Pixar Filmmakers Drew Inspiration From Yellowstone
A behind-the-scenes documentary short reveals that Pixar animators traveled to Yellowstone National Park to conduct research before producing the animated film Hoppers, which was released in March.
The short film, posted to YouTube, shows members of the Hoppers crew observing wildlife and exploring an abandoned beaver lodge inside the park. Director Daniel Chong described the visit as foundational to the film’s creative approach. “Going to Yellowstone, getting to be in nature, being among the animals was very crucial in how we made this movie,” Chong said in the short.
Drought Conditions Tighten Grip on Big Horn Basin
Federal forecasters are projecting significantly below-average water supplies across Wyoming’s Big Horn Basin following a mild winter with reduced snowpack and limited precipitation.
According to Bureau of Reclamation projections, inflow to Bighorn Lake between May and July is expected to reach approximately 407,000 acre-feet — just 38 percent of the 30-year historical average. The lake currently sits at 78 percent capacity, but forecasts for other regional reservoirs similarly anticipate below-normal inflows through the summer months.
The drought conditions add pressure to agricultural users and municipal water systems across the basin, where irrigation-dependent ranching and farming are economic mainstays.
Former Newcastle Officer Arrested on Assault Charge
A former Newcastle police officer was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery following an alleged incident in which he reportedly threatened a woman with a handgun during a domestic dispute earlier this month.
Newcastle Police Chief Derek Thompson confirmed the officer’s dismissal in a statement. “Nicholas Kaminski has been relieved from duty with the Newcastle Police Department as of May 22, 2026. There is an ongoing investigation into the events that led to his arrest,” Thompson said.
Wyoming Supreme Court Rules Against Radio Station Founder’s Repayment Claim
The Wyoming Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling against the founder of Jackson Hole Community Radio, who sought repayment of funds he said he loaned the station during its startup phase. The high court affirmed a summary judgment in the station’s favor, concluding that the founder was not entitled to recover the money he claimed to have advanced for launch and early operational costs.
Wyoming communities are navigating a range of pressures this spring — from infrastructure demands driven by the digital economy to water scarcity rooted in changing weather patterns. Local and state politics are also heating up ahead of coming elections.