Opinion
News

Cat Urbigkit: Shedding Cabin Fever Amid COVID-19
I get it. Everyone is unhappy and stressed, and either the government is doing too much, or the government isnt doing enough. General complaints about government arent doing much to help anything, but lets all take personal responsibility for what happens next.
Cat UrbigkitApril 27, 2020

Dave Simpson: Why We Support Trump, In Four Words
After almost four years, however, we have decided that while we would almost always put things a bit differently, it was Donald Trump who was elected president, not us.
Dave SimpsonApril 21, 2020

Cat Urbigkit: Rejecting an Unsustainable System
The consolidation of the meat supply has resulted in companies selling an inferior product that costs them less, providing for huge profit margins for the companies while livestock producers get shafted.
Cat UrbigkitApril 20, 2020

Dave Simpson: When Hunkering Down Isn’t Enough
If the barber shops stay closed for much longer, I'm going to look like Meatloaf.
Dave SimpsonApril 14, 2020

Cat Urbigkit: The Certainty of Spring Migrations
The first sign of spring on the ranch is usually something heard rather than seen: the soft, warbling song of a bluebirds early dawn message.
Cat UrbigkitApril 13, 2020

Dave Simpson: Bored? Pick A Fight On Facebook!
Let's just pray that Coronavirus isn't as virulent and incurable as Trump Hate.
Dave SimpsonApril 07, 2020

Cat Urbigkit: The Helpers, and Paying It Forward
During this national emergency, this unsettled and distressing time, Im noticing helpers in every direction.
Cat UrbigkitApril 06, 2020

Dave Simpson: What Will You Do With Your $1,200?
What comes after a trillion? A gazillion?
Dave SimpsonApril 03, 2020

Cat Urbigkit: Governor Rejects Legislative Oversight of Land Deal, But Plows Ahead
Although vetoing the bill, Gordon continued to pledge his commitment that we will continue to find ways to take steps to explore this opportunity.
Cat UrbigkitMarch 28, 2020

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
