Going the distance
In less than 2 minutes, Jenks captured gold in the event, broke a state record and garnered 3A indoor track All-State honors.... more
Guest editorial: Failure to expand Medicaid costs us all
However, Wyoming’s refusal to expand Medicaid only exacerbates the problem. Wyoming is one of 12 states that has not expanded Medicaid. When expanding Medicaid was first introduced, Wyoming declined for fears that the federal government would not continue to pay the lion’s share of the premiums. Fourteen years on, the United States government still pays 90 percent of the premiums.... more
Legislative Update – March 1, 2023
I will highlight four bills that passed the House on Wednesday.... more
Letter to the editor: Public should plan to attend March 7 meeting
On Tuesday, March 7, there will be a County Commission Meeting discussing the conditional use permit (CUP) of the Jackson Fork Ranch involving more of the land owned by the ranch. I urge all to mark the date, time and plan to attend if you are able. Of course, always be respectful but let your opinions be known! And make note of which commissioners vote with their constituents and which do not. ... more
Guest column: The greatest threat to your property rights in Sublette County
If you care about this, get involved in the drafting of the regulations, make your voice heard at P&Z and county commissioner meetings, and vote for County Commissioners that demonstrate their commitment to the Sublette County Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations through their actions. Care to know more details? Read on.... more
Letter to the editor: Green River Valley Health Foundation
As a foundation, we want to make sure that we are able to meet the needs of our community in advancing health and wellness, as well as being able to continue to support our clinics and the future critical access hospital. After much consideration, we felt keeping our independence would best help us continue to accomplish this.... more
Legislative Updates – Jan 16 through Jan. 19
As a citizen legislature, there is limited time to discuss all the ideas brought forward by legislators. Today, we spent time discussing the rules for this legislative session with the aim of deciding on procedures that will allow us to run a smooth and effective legislative process. The House considered several rule changes today. There has been a great deal of discussion about how large a majority it requires to bring a bill out of the Speaker’s desk, or move a bill up on the Majority Floor Leader’s bill order for the day.... more
Letter to the editor: Not so much of a renewable resource
Wyoming is one of the three driest states in the Colorado River Basin States so it begs the question – why build a dam at this point in time. Some research indicates that the total annual evaporation loss could be up to 50 percent of the dams’ total storage volume. If Lower Basin States make an effort to reduce water consumption it would be an act of good faith to show all of the Colorado River Basin states that Wyoming is willing to work together to come up with a workable solution.... more
Legislative Update – Jan. 10
In 1961, Joe Budd of Big Piney was the last Speaker of the House to be elected from Sublette County. Joe Budd’s great-granddaughter Matty Fear Swain, great-great-grandson Shad Swain, and great-great-granddaughter Jaylee Swain were in attendance today to watch the event.... more
Let’s remember heroes who became victims
The people of Wyoming need to give thanks to first responder Tyeler Harris, 29, of Saratoga and to Safety Officer Bruce Lang, 68, of Pine Haven, who lost their lives trying to save others. We also mourn the loss of Jason Otto, 48, who accompanied Lang on the rescue mission and lost his life, too. ... more
Legislative Update – Nov. 22
Hello Sublette County, this is Albert Sommers reporting to you from interim work of the 66th Legislature.... more
Vern: 'No Name'
My name is Vern McWilliams and I’ve been in and around the cattle, horse and general ranching lifestyle for 60 years.... more
Eiden: Investigating SCUF's spending
As I researched expenditures versus income in Sublette County, I found that we’re spending far more than we make and while a few of our county commissioners find it acceptable to continually use our reserves, that is not sustainable. ... more
Roscoe: Legislative Update — Special Session summary 2021
On Oct. 26, both houses of the Wyoming Legislature convened for a special session.... more
Lawton: A community of river guides copes with loss
The Grand Canyon boating community — devoted to each other and to the Colorado River — was shocked to learn this fall that we’d lost two of our own.... more
Legislative Update – Oct. 27-28
Hello Sublette County, this is Albert Sommers reporting to you from Cheyenne and the Special Session of the Wyoming Legislature.... more
McWilliams: Take it or leave it
Take it or leave it. I had just completed some marvelous carnie feat that allowed me to present to this girl that I had known since first memory, one of the finest pieces of jewelry that we, me or her, had ever seen before.... more
Marston: This rancher has radical ideas about water
If Jim Howell, a fourth-generation rancher in western Colorado, has a guru, he’s Allan Savory, the champion of intensive cattle grazing even on semi-arid land.... more
Legislative Update – Oct. 21
Hello Sublette County, this is Albert Sommers reporting to you on Thursday, Oct. 21, prior to a Legislative Special Session.... more
Gordon: Government should be limited with as few regulations as possible
From Gov. Mark Gordon.... more
Woodruff: Let's redefine those bucket lists
What did we learn this summer and fall? We learned that people who’d been cooped up, thanks to COVID-19, flocked to our national parks and forests. Once there, many were eager to empty their bucket list of must-do activities in the outdoors.... more
Wellington: Please don't pet the wildlife
“I can’t believe that person is getting that close.”... more
Sniffin: Here was the time when I missed the best part of America the most
The rain was falling in sheets. The wind was howling. The temperature was 40 degrees and I could see my breath. My raincoat was soaked through and my umbrella was inside out. It was late at night and I was standing on a street corner in Cardiff, Wales, waiting for a bus.... more
Barrasso & Lummis: IRS wants to spy on your bank accounts
Democrats in Washington are planning a far-reaching Big Brother initiative to squeeze every last penny out of everyday Americans. They need more money to pay for their reckless spending programs. Their targets are middle-class families in Wyoming and across the country.... more
Barrasso: Biden and Democrats are the party of chaos
For eight months, the Democrats have been in control of the White House and Congress. In that time, America has veered from calamity to calamity.... more
Sniffen: Yellowstone Part 2 – Wow, what a place!
“Like No Place on Earth” was the official slogan for Wyoming’s tourism division a few years ago. I liked the slogan but thought it referred more to Yellowstone National Park than anywhere else in the state.... more
Babbitt: Chaco Culture National Park is under siege
It is not an exaggeration to say that New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park is under siege. A surge of oil and gas development threatens this ancestral site, recognized as one of the architectural marvels of the world and revered by Native Americans who consider it a living presence.... more
Sniffen: Liz vs Harriet could be a big-time heavyweight boxing match
Donald Trump made a big Cowboy State splash this past week when he anointed Harriet Hageman as his choice to run for Wyoming’s lone Congressional seat against three-termer Liz Cheney.... more
Pyne: Welcome to Yosemite, the new Pyrocene Park
The Pleistocene epoch that began 2.6 million years ago sent ice in waves through Yosemite.... more
Legislative Update – Sept. 7
Hello Sublette County this is Albert Sommers reporting to you from interim work of the 66th Legislature. On Sept. 1, the Wyoming Wildlife Taskforce met in Casper, and I am a legislative member of that taskforce.... more
UW game day ‘back to normal’ – so much fun for the Cowboy State
And by the way, the Pokes won last Saturday! But there was so much more going on besides a football game.... more
Surdam: Mask up and vaccinate
Dr. Dan Surdam, MD, is an emergency medicine physician at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and Amy Surdam, FNP, is the COO of Stitches Acute Care Clinics and Lt. Col. in the Wyoming Army National Guard.... more
Hageman: Biden's land grab
One thing that can be safely said about the Biden administration is that when you think they could not become even more extreme, they make clear that you underestimate them at your peril.... more
As Lake Powell dwindles, wonders are revealed
On May 9, protected by neoprene, I bobbed around in a flooded canyon in Utah’s Lake Powell.... more
Barrasso: Biden must pull Stone-Manning BLM nomination if he's serious about domestic terrorism
This originally ran as an op-ed in the July 19 edition of USA Today.... more
Hey Phoenix Zoo, that ferret is from Wyoming
This past spring, I noticed that Wyoming’s black-footed ferret is a rock star at the Phoenix Zoo. In fact, you might think the elusive little critter was native to Arizona.... more
My dad’s been doin’ my thinkin’ long enough – True stories with Vern
True stories with Vern.... more
This could tear your clothes – True stories with Vern
The latest installment in stories from Vern.... more
Lummis: Why I'm founding the Financial innovation Caucus
Wyoming has always boasted pioneers.... more
Double clutch it, Bill – True stories from Vern
When the siren went off in the little town where I went to school, just like in any other small metropolis, the volunteer fire putout crew sprang into action.... more
Barrasso: MAP Land Act will make accessing Wyoming's federal lands simpler and safer
From Sen. John Barrasso.... more
Balow: Addressing our school funding crisis
From Wyoming State Superintendent Jillian Balow.... more
Buchanan: Dangers of the "For the People Act"
I write today to offer my opinion on recent legislation before Congress.... more
Celebrating Wyoming's history of remarkable women leaders
Sens. Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso... more
Open government is key to honest government
When government fails, it’s the rare public official who says, “Oops. My fault.”... more
Gilliland: SF103 bad for Wyoming's economy
On Thursday, Feb. 25, SF103 a 90/10 license allocation and fee increase bill was filed by Sen. Larry Hicks.... more
Funding Wyoming's K12 educational program
House Rep. Albert Sommers provides context and corrects the record.... more
Nesvik: Presidential suspension on mineral development bad for Wyoming's wildlife
Brian Nesvik is the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. He has worked on behalf of Wyoming wildlife and people for over 25 years.... more
As Wyoming Legislative session resumes, committees begin advancing critical bills
From Rep. Eric Barlow and Sen. Dan Dockstader... more