Opinion
Dave Simpson: Still Hunkering in Wyoming, After All These Days
We've still got 19 rolls I'm keeping track - which ought to be enough. But when supplies return to the shelves, I'll pick up a 12-pack.
Dave SimpsonMarch 26, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: The Ringing of the Bells
The gentle ringing of bells is heard by those who listen. Pastoralists around the globe have used bells on their livestock for thousands of years, and in many regions the tradition continues substantially unchanged.
Cat UrbigkitMarch 24, 2020
Dave Simpson: Picking the Walmart Carcass Clean
The big change was apparent Friday afternoon. Both sides of the toilet paper/hand towel aisle were completely empty. The near-panic had spread to the dairy section, where there wasn't a carton of eggs to be had.
Dave SimpsonMarch 18, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: Trust Us, We’re From the Government
Ive been critical of the secrecy and lack of public information about this proposed land deal that is so massive that it would be the largest government purchase of private land since the United States purchased Alaska.
Cat UrbigkitMarch 16, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: Paintballing Grizzlies & Other Predator News
Got a grizzly bear hanging out near the house? Fire up that paintball gun and give it a go!
Cat UrbigkitMarch 10, 2020
Dave Simpson: Voting for the Youngster in the Race
Joe Biden, who is 77, has established himself as the Comeback Septuagenarian, launching into angry, finger-pointing screeds at those who dare doubt his inevitability, like an old guy yelling at kids to get off his lawn.
Dave SimpsonMarch 10, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: Hey Neighbor Kanye, Let’s Talk Sheep!
Kanye Wests Paris fashion show coverage included references to one of the ranches he purchased in Wyoming. West told a reporter for The Cut that hes got 700 sheep and hes trying out different ways of felting the wool. Good on ya, Kanye!
Cat UrbigkitMarch 09, 2020
Dave Simpson: The ‘Children’ Who Oppose Higher Taxes
It isn't enough to simply propose a state income tax. No, proponents must insist that anyone who disagrees is a child, a hopeless case, a denier of reality. Oppose Medicaid expansion? How could anyone be so stupid and heartless, they ask, as to oppose free money from Washington?
Dave SimpsonMarch 03, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: State Will Hear From Public on Land Deal
Last week the Wyoming Legislature adopted revisions to two draft bills that allow state officials to move forward in pursuing a huge land purchase involving 1 million acres of surface and 4 million acres of mineral rights in the checkerboard of southern Wyoming.
Cat UrbigkitMarch 02, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: State Leaders Don’t Want to Hear From Public on Land Deal
Our state leaders keep telling us that what a unique opportunity this deal is, and that the deal could be a strategic investment to add income to state coffers, and unprecedented multiple-use access for the public. But when it comes to specifics, they arent sharing much.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 27, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: House Passes First Reading of Land Deal Bill
On Tuesday afternoon, it took 19 minutes for Representative Steve Harshman (R-Natrona County) to introduce and describe to fellow House members revamped House Bill 249 allowing the State Loan and Investment Board to investigate and pursue the purchase of 1 million acres of surface, and 4 million acres of mineral rights in southern Wyoming.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 26, 2020
Dave Simpson — Splitsville: States Head for the Exits
I see on the news that some folks in Virginia, upset over gun control, want to secede from their state and join up with West Virginia.
Dave SimpsonFebruary 26, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: House Approps Reworks State Land Deal Bill
On Monday the House Appropriations Committee worked until after 9 p.m. to make substantial revisions to House Bill 249 that enables Governor Mark Gordon and other members of the State Loan and Investment Board to examine and negotiate a deal for 1 million acres of surface and 4 million acres of mineral rights in southwestern Wyoming.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 25, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: State Trust Lands Aren’t “Public” Land
Most people Ive talked to about this proposed land deal usually respond with What the and I thought the State was broke, but some have expressed the view that it would be good to have more public land, more public access, more areas set aside for wildlife as if state and federal lands are managed in the same way. They arent.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 23, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: Why the Lack of Transparency with the State’s Million Acre Land Grab?
The hypocrisy of Gordon mentioning his commitment to state government transparency in his State of the State address is not lost on me.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 20, 2020
Dave Simpson:An Old Reporter Checks Out the New Capitol
The newly-renovated Wyoming State Capitol building is, in a word, spectacular. The old Supreme Court Chambers are fully restored. The House and Senate chambers are stunning, faithfully brought back to their original grandeur.
Dave SimpsonFebruary 19, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: The Fighter Leading the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwiths recent address at the American Sheep Industry Association convention gave reason for conservatives to cheer in hope and for liberals to cringe in despair.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 17, 2020
Dave Simpson: I’ve Got Just the Solution for UW President
About a year ago, trustees from the University of Wyoming got on a plane and flew down to Arizona to interrupt the university president's vacation with the news that they wouldn't be renewing her contract. Surprise! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
Dave SimpsonFebruary 11, 2020
Cat Urbigkit’s Legislative Preview: State Land Transfers, Wolves, Brucellosis
Here are the issues Range Writing columnist Cat Urbigkit is paying attention to as the Wyoming State Legislature convenes Monday.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 09, 2020
Dave Simpson: Strike ‘Heartland’ From the OK List
Those of us who live in Flyover Country are in big trouble once again with our more evolved bi-coastal cousins.
Dave SimpsonFebruary 04, 2020
Cat Urbigkit: Grizzly Bears, Cattle, and the Tangled Web of Activism
In more of the same-old-predictable strategy, there have been two notices of intent to sue over conflicts between grizzly bears and cattle in the Upper Green River region of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Heres a quick overview of that issue, then were taking a deep dive into who is threatening to sue.
Cat UrbigkitFebruary 03, 2020
Opinion: We’ll Walk Across Hot Coals to Re-elect Donald Trump
So, what have non-coastal, common-sense folks like us odoriferous Walmart shoppers, wearers of hats with ear flaps, purveyors of homespun wisdom learned from the presidency of Donald J. Trump?
Dave SimpsonJanuary 29, 2020
Colorado Wolf Reintroduction: Why it Doesn’t Make Any Sense
The Endangered Species Act isnt meant to be a popularity contest for charismatic species; science is to be the driving factor for conservation of truly imperiled species.
Cat UrbigkitJanuary 27, 2020
Joan Barron: Hall of Fame Reporter
Joan Barron is being inducted into the Wyoming Press Association Hall of Fame, at the group's annual convention this week.
Dave SimpsonJanuary 23, 2020