Wyoming U.S. Senator John Barrasso is leading a bipartisan push to protect hometown radio stations from new federal taxes or fees. The proposal, the Local Radio Freedom Act, introduced by Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Barrasso (R-Wyo.), reaffirms that Congress should not impose new performance royalties or charges on locally owned broadcasters.
Supporters say the measure is critical to preserving one of the last true community connectors, local radio.
“People across Wyoming depend on local radio stations for timely information, news, and programming that impact their daily lives,” said Barrasso. “For decades, radio stations and the recording industry have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship: free airplay for free promotion. If forced to pay a performance royalty, broadcasters will have to make cuts to important programming to make ends meet.”
Senator Young echoed that message, emphasizing how small-market radio remains vital across rural America.
“Locally owned radio stations are essential to keeping communities connected, informed, and safe,” Young said. “From providing local news and weather updates to delivering emergency alerts, this bill ensures small businesses and families — especially in rural areas — continue to benefit from these vital services.”
The bipartisan resolution has drawn support from across the political spectrum, a rare sight in Washington these days. Co-sponsors include Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King (I-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).
For Wyoming, where mountain ranges still disrupt cell service and snowstorms can isolate entire valleys, local radio remains a lifeline, not just background noise. The legislation aims to ensure those stations can keep broadcasting without being buried under new federal fees that could silence smaller operators.
📄 Read the full resolution here.
Wyoming’s Local Voices on the Air
From ranch weather reports to live music and avalanche updates, Wyoming’s independent and community-focused stations continue to shape daily life across the state:
| Station | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| KHOL 89.1 FM | Jackson Hole | Wyoming’s only community radio station — blending local news, culture, and indie music. |
| KZJH 95.3 FM | Jackson Hole | Classic rock and local sports with the Jackson Hole Radio Network. |
| KMTN 96.9 “The Mountain” | Jackson Hole | Adult alternative format with a strong local presence and event coverage. |
| KODI 1400 AM / 96.7 FM | Cody | News talk and local sports coverage for the Big Horn Basin. |
| KTAG 97.9 FM | Cody | Country favorites and community updates. |
| KGAB 650 AM | Cheyenne | Talk radio featuring Wyoming politics, weather, and traffic. |
| Wyoming Public Radio (WPR) | Statewide | NPR affiliate broadcasting Wyoming news, arts, and cultural programming. |
Each of these stations plays a part in keeping Wyoming residents connected, whether you’re commuting through the Snake River Canyon or tuning in from a remote ranch east of Pinedale.
