Sally Ann Shurmur: Much Like Spring Weather, Christians Rejoice As Sunday’s Coming
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Holy Thursday has always been my favorite Mass of the year. I like to think of it as the first great dinner party.”
Sally Ann ShurmurApril 17, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming Republican Party Should Fix Its Own Election Integrity Issues
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "The Republican Party's dispute resolution committee, in one last stroke of arrogance, said its conclusion is 'the Party’s sole remedy and is full, final and not appealable.' If the party were a private club, this whole process would be no big deal. But the party is a creation of law."
Tom LubnauApril 15, 2025
Candy Moulton: Two If By Sea, Get Ready For America's 250th In Wyoming
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, “July 4, 1776, marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America is preparing to commemorate the semiquincentennial (250 years). The lighting of two lanterns in some Wyoming courthouses Friday is the official start of the celebration in the Cowboy State.”
Candy MoultonApril 15, 2025
Dave Simpson: Quite Simply, The Cadillac of Dogs
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “ The way I see it, any guy who calls his wife his best friend has probably never known the joy of owning a black Labrador Retriever. Simple as that.”
Dave SimpsonApril 14, 2025
Cassie Craven: Wyoming Conservatives Should Learn From An 11-Year-Old Girl
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “The divide is deep. Egos have been bruised; people question one another’s motives. But if conservatives can’t get it together and act in unison, I’m worried we’ll squander an opportunity to bring Wyoming into its golden age.”
Cassie CravenApril 13, 2025
Joan Barron: New Rules Review Grows Government
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The late Democratic Senator Robert H. Johnson was a force in the Republican- dominated Legislature in the 1970’s."
Joan BarronApril 12, 2025
Bill Sniffin: How About A Wyoming Walkabout? It’s Time To Get Out There
Bill Sniffin writes: “Most Wyoming cities and towns have wonderful walking paths. Cheyenne has done an amazing job. Greybull has a superb walking path. Evanston has transformed itself into a walker’s paradise.”
Bill SniffinApril 12, 2025
Dennis Sun: The Need to Promote Beef and Lamb
There are a number of countries around the world who have not been treating the U.S. in a fair manner. Some won’t even let the U.S. bring beef or lamb into their countries, and they claim to be our friends.
Dennis SunApril 11, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Trump Resurrected Coal - Let's Make Laws To Keep It Alive
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Will the effects of Trump’s action last? Probably not. And that’s OK. Lasting reform to let Wyoming’s legacy industries compete on a level playing field deserves legislative action."
Jonathan LangeApril 11, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Basketball’s Over, The Rockies Are Lousy, But I’ve Got Books
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes: “It’s the number one question, even surpassing the many about my magic hip: ‘Now that basketball is over, what are you going to do?’”
Sally Ann ShurmurApril 10, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Public Defenders Stave Off Tyranny - Let's Fund Them
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "The public defender stands between the state and accused, wielding constitutional rights. The defender curbs the nearly unlimited power of the state - and acts as a vital check and balance."
Tom LubnauApril 09, 2025
Candy Moulton: A Salute To The Many Ships To Wear The Name ‘USS Wyoming’
Candy writes: “For a land-locked state, Wyoming has its share of naval history, including two battleships that served in the Civil War, World War I and World War II. The USS Wyoming built 1912 had a silver tea service that is now in the collection at the Wyoming State Museum."
Candy MoultonApril 08, 2025
Dave Simpson: The Vociferous Minority Strikes Back
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “I wasn't silent about January 6th at all. I wrote, 'Terrible damage was done to the interests of those who simply want a less-intrusive government and a country our kids can grow up in that resembles the country we inherited.'"
Dave SimpsonApril 07, 2025
Cassie Craven: It's Time For Elementary School Counselors In Wyoming
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Stories of elementary-school sexual assault in Cody, bullying in Natrona County, and the fifth-grade student in Carpenter, Wyoming who died by suicide haunt our recent history. Now that we have commonsense leadership in office, it’s time for Wyoming lawmakers to solve this problem.”
Cassie CravenApril 06, 2025
Bill Sniffin: This Year’s Bucket List Is For Seeing Charcoal Kilns, Petroglyphs
Bill Sniffin writes: “After wandering up, down, back and forth across Wyoming for 55 years, I can call myself an expert on what to do and where to go in this state. Folks, I have concluded that damn, there is a lot to see here in the 'Big Empty.'"
Bill SniffinApril 05, 2025
Joan Barron: It's Time For State Lawmakers To Sit Down And Learn Stuff
Columnist Joan Barron writes: "The Legislature’s interim studies are a great way for lawmakers to get educated on the basics of established programs. This is of particular value for the high number of new legislators elected in 2024, who showed their need for more education in the recent session."
Joan BarronApril 05, 2025
Jonathan Lange: An Enemy Demoralized Us; Love For The Truth Can Reverse That
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 but the enemy didn’t go away. Satan is the ultimate demoralizer. And he is alive and well - attacking the truth so that you would turn to cheap counterfeits."
Jonathan LangeApril 04, 2025
Dennis Sun: "Whiskey Is For Drinking, Water Is For Fighting” Has Never Been Truer
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "By a stroke of a pen, the EPA deemed potholes, farmer’s fields, and small ponds as navigable waters. These waters were no more navigable than a bathtub full of water. The radical environmentalists loved it."
Dennis SunApril 04, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Hoping Al Simpson's Family Gets A Chance To Grieve Well
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “The celebration of life began the only way it could have, with Western Thunder Marching Band playing 'Ragtime Cowboy Joe.' Now with the funerals over, I pray to God that Ann gets a nap."
Sally Ann ShurmurApril 03, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Now The Jury Decides If A Budget Vote Was Some Anti-Trump Scheme
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "The Sweetwater County defamation lawsuit revolves around the alleged falsehood that Reps. Wylie and Larson made a vote to take Trump off the ballot. No vote was ever taken in the Wyoming legislature on any bill, resolution or proposal to keep or remove Trump from any ballot."
Tom LubnauApril 03, 2025
Candy Moulton: The Animal Snatching Wind Was No Match For The Sheriff's Office
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "The wind was howling when a St. Louis family stopped at a rest stop on Interstate 80 near Creston Junction (imagine that!). When the son got of the vehicle, his favorite animal Dog went flying in the wind. When it got the report, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office quickly launched a search and rescue operation."
Candy MoultonApril 01, 2025
Dave Simpson: This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “It was a vociferous majority, on steroids. Some in the crowd of around 500 at the Laramie Civic Center were screaming profanities at Hageman from the start, and giving our two-term representative the middle finger."
Dave SimpsonMarch 31, 2025
Cassie Craven: The Strange Bedfellows of Wyoming, Blockchain and Bill Gates
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Microsoft founder Bill Gates' group said it has received about $14 million in new funding in support of a pilot project in Wyoming. I thought we didn’t like those darn out-of-state influences and dark money? I guess that is only OK when the establishment tells us it is."
Cassie CravenMarch 30, 2025
Bill Sniffin: My Personal Editor's Library Is Living On Borrowed Time
Bill Sniffin writes: “Despite my pride in them, I think these books will become dust catchers going forward into the future. Someday our kids and grandkids will have to lug all these books to some terrible place, like the dump."
Bill SniffinMarch 29, 2025
Joan Barron: Sure Hope You Can Find Your Birth Certificate By Next Election
Columnist Joan Barron writes: "I don’t think anyone wants to see illegal aliens voting in Wyoming elections, though the possibility is remote. But I also don’t believe that people want to disenfranchise residents who cannot comply with the new voter registration requirements."
Joan BarronMarch 29, 2025
Jonathan Lange: The Censorship Machine Is Exposed - Time To Destroy It
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "We didn’t have a word for the suppression of ideas during COVID-19. But this outrageous collusion of manufactured academic claims, official government denials of the truth, and non-governmental organizations has since been dubbed the 'censorship industrial complex.'"
Jonathan LangeMarch 28, 2025
Dennis Sun: Beef Producers Are Looking At Record Prices
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Cattle producers and the beef industry are both looking at record prices for beef products. These prices are expected to stay current or rise over the next couple of years as heifer retention has not showed up yet to grow the U.S. cattle herd."
Dennis SunMarch 28, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Let's Reclaim Awesomeness After That Twisted Stalking Case
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “I have had a behind the scenes view of the disgusting, despicable actions of a 41-year-old wife and mother, herself raised in Glenrock, who decided to stalk two teens with suggestive, sexually harassing texts."
Sally Ann ShurmurMarch 27, 2025
Tom Lubnau: I'm Addicted To Scrolling, But Bob Newhart Said 'STOPPIT!'
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "I had fallen into a destructive habit of surfing the internet instead of doing anything productive. I had to hearken back to the wisdom of comedian Bob Newhart, who bellowed, 'STOPPIT!'"
Tom LubnauMarch 26, 2025
Candy Moulton: Celebrating John Nesbitt – A Boy From The Country
Columnist Candy Moulton writes: “In his newly published autobiography Boy from the Country, John Nesbitt shares the hard, sometimes painful, stories of his growing up in rural poverty and how that shaped him into the writer he is.”
Candy MoultonMarch 25, 2025
Dave Simpson: 400 Bullet Holes, And They Made It Back
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “As his son-in-law, I'm biased. But this new book is a riveting look at the incredible sacrifice, and the deadly price paid by many everyday Americans who risked it all for love of country.”
Dave SimpsonMarch 24, 2025
Clair McFarland: Don't Harass Your Banjo Player
Clair McFarland writes, "Little-Feisty played ‘Joy to the World.’ Even with that banjo being just a pan, a neck, five strings and some invisible sprites, I could hear it well above the sound of ‘Thunderstruck.’”
Clair McFarlandMarch 24, 2025
Cassie Craven: Don’t Get Your Medical Advice From CNN
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “If an ultrasound were not completed prior to taking abortion pills, and a woman merely guessed at how far along she was and was wrong, the results could be devastating."
Cassie CravenMarch 23, 2025
Joan Barron: What About Accountability For New $7,000 School Voucher Payments?
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "What protection, readers have asked, is there to prevent a parent from taking the $7,000 school voucher and letting the kid sit on the couch and watch TV all day?"
Joan BarronMarch 22, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Too Hot! Too Cold? Too Windy! Why Do Old Men Talk About The Weather So Much?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The elderly talk about the weather because it appeals to everyone. The elderly get detached with what many younger people are interested in and often feel like they have nothing to offer. The elderly want to be heard.”
Bill SniffinMarch 22, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Barbuto’s Miscalculation Released The Flying Monkeys
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "By Wednesday, the protesters in Laramie totally forgot the narrative. Instead of looking like MAGA with misgivings, they looked like Portland anarchists. It was a disgrace."
Jonathan LangeMarch 22, 2025
Dennis Sun: The Post Office is Not Listening
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The outgoing postmaster general wants DOGE to examine the 'unfunded mandates imposed on USPS by Congress,' as he calls them. Some of these are delivering mail six days a week and maintaining rural post offices. I believe those are services vital to rural America."
Dennis SunMarch 21, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Hip, Hip Hooray And A Great New Book
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “I have a new hip and it is a miracle, less than 24 hours in. But I also want to share a first novel by a longtime Casper resident that is available for purchase Tuesday.”
Sally Ann ShurmurMarch 20, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Some Of Wyoming's New, Amazingly Stupid Laws
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "How did these bills become law? Legislators who do not want to be labeled as gun grabbers or abortionists chose not to amend them. So we got crappy laws instead."
Tom LubnauMarch 19, 2025
Candy Moulton: When The Women Ran Jackson
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "A group of strong-willed women took over the town of Jackson in 1920 when the town elected an all-female town council. And the women quickly swept the town clean – both literally and figuratively."
Candy MoultonMarch 18, 2025
Joan Barron: Alan Simpson Grew To Be A Statesman
Columnist Joan Barron, who has covered the Wyoming legislature since 1970, writes, "Calling themselves ‘just a couple of country lawyers,” Simpson and Herschler outsmarted the hot shot attorneys who flew in from New York and D.C. The trona industry won and the defeated eastern lawyers flew out of Cheyenne."
Joan BarronMarch 18, 2025
Dave Simpson: These Nuts Oppose Cutting Waste
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Our Democrat friends have painted themselves into an impossible corner. And they're determined to keep right on painting."
Dave SimpsonMarch 17, 2025
Cassie Craven: What Is A Woman? Ask Esther Hobart Morris
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Our Governor allowed the 'What is a Woman Act' to become law without his signature. He cast women's quest to have privacy rights and a biological reality in law as a 'national political itch to be scratched.'"
Cassie CravenMarch 16, 2025
Clair McFarland: Mom Says No More Mountain Haggery On The Video News
Columnist Clair McFarland writes: "Mom wants me to look clean and polished on Cowboy State Daily’s video newscast. But I want to exude enough mountain haggery to terrify the out-of-staters."
Clair McFarlandMarch 15, 2025
Joan Barron: More Wyoming Women Should Run For Election
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The three senior women Senate leaders to watch are Tara Nethercott, a Cheyenne lawyer and majority floor leader; Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, a Torrington rancher; and Wendy Schuler, a retired Evanston teacher."
Joan BarronMarch 15, 2025
Bill Sniffin: The World Says Good-Bye To A Giant – Big Al Simpson’s Style Will Rarely Be Seen Again
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The biggest news story I ever wrote was done working closely with Big Al. In 1990, a Lander gal named Midge Olson told me her husband died of cancer caused by working in the uranium mines. His body was so radioactive, grass would not grow on his grave."
Bill SniffinMarch 15, 2025
Jonathan Lange: The Weston County Clerk’s False Filing Cannot Be Ignored
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Clerk Hadlock has had more than four months to explain to the public how her false report of November 6, 2024, was not willfully false. Now the ball is in Governor Gordon’s court."
Jonathan LangeMarch 14, 2025
Dennis Sun: The Volatile Egg Industry
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "With egg prices at a record high and rising, multiple management methods are at work to try to solve the issue of low egg supplies. However, high egg prices are not entirely due to highly pathogenic avian influenza."
Dennis SunMarch 14, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: How Big Is The Window On Your World?
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Once upon a time, there was an editor who didn’t talk much to me. He did say once though that in writing my columns, he appreciated the way I ‘put it all out there.’ Consider yourselves warned.”
Sally Ann ShurmurMarch 13, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Seeing The Eagles Hits Differently On This Side Of Life
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "My home life in the 1970s was dysfunctional, oftentimes violent. The Eagles’ “Hotel California” struck a chord with me. But seeing that opening number Friday in the Sphere was like putting prescription glasses on for the first time."
Tom LubnauMarch 12, 2025
Candy Moulton: Off The Grid, At Least Temporarily
“We had no power for 22 hours in Saratoga and Encampment this weekend. I thought briefly about the things I could do with no power – like clean the house – but I successfully resisted that opportunity. And the outage pales in comparison to the 25-year outage that once happened here.”
Candy MoultonMarch 11, 2025
Dave Simpson: Good News – Legislature Was Not 'Horrible'
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "You might not have thought we needed 165 new laws, but it could be a lot worse. Hundreds of bills were proposed.”
Dave SimpsonMarch 11, 2025
Cassie Craven: The Wyoming I Know Is Back
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “We bucked the system, stirred the pot, spoke the truth and didn’t back down. Both chambers did the people’s work. And it was damn good work.”
Cassie CravenMarch 09, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Can I Whisper ‘Golden Age’ As We Contemplate Wyoming’s Immediate Future?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “Wyoming will benefit greatly by the presidency of Donald Trump. With a fossil fuel-friendly administration, a friendly Congress, and the sensible Supreme Court, Wyoming’s capacity for generating energy here has not seen such a green light in decades."
Bill SniffinMarch 08, 2025
Joan Barron: Maybe Next Year Will Be Better
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "It was a good thing for the Legislature to quit two days early this year. That way the lawmakers could not do any more damage to the Legislature as an institution than they already have."
Joan BarronMarch 08, 2025
Jonathan Lange: This Year’s Flood Of Election Integrity Bills Accomplished Great Things.
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Kudos to Secretary of State, Chuck Gray for tirelessly pushing the legislature to fulfill its constitutional mandate to “pass laws to secure the purity of elections, and guard against abuses of the elective franchise.”
Jonathan LangeMarch 07, 2025
Dennis Sun: The World Has Gotten Smaller
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "America needs to stop accepting beef from Paraguay as it doesn’t have strict health regulations over its cattle. Ranchers are worried about imported meat bringing in disease, especially foot and mouth disease."
Dennis SunMarch 07, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Farewell To Colleague And Friend Jason Marsden
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, "Back before the big corporate buyout, before reporters thought they should make a union, before home delivery stopped, we were a family."
Sally Ann ShurmurMarch 06, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Actually, The Wyoming Senate Is More Conservative Than The House
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "The Senate did not react well to pressure from mysterious puppet masters. When dealing with the budget the upper chamber instead coalesced into a cohesive body. Leadership agreed to kill the budget, and no one on the Senate floor made a move to overrule Leadership."
Tom LubnauMarch 06, 2025
Candy Moulton: All Aboard! Let’s Get Amtrak Back
Candy writes: “Next to traveling on a wagon, taking a ride on a train very well may be my favorite mode of transportation.”
Candy MoultonMarch 05, 2025
Clair McFarland: Sure, False Spring, I’ll Fall For You
Columnist Clair McFarland writes, "I’m not blind to the fact that it’s going to snow tomorrow. This warm spell was a trickster and a flirt, designed to put me off my guard. And it succeeded."
Clair McFarlandMarch 03, 2025
Dave Simpson: Blame It All On The Freedom Caucus?
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Keep in mind that the awful stuff you hear about the Freedom Caucus might be what Sen. Larry Hicks calls fertilizer.”
Dave SimpsonMarch 03, 2025
Cassie Craven: The Wild Bunch Is Wyoming
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Gordon’s letter quoted an unnamed neighbor: ‘This wild bunch doesn’t understand Wyoming.’ With all due respect, Governor, the wild bunch was elected in a near landslide, despite your big-time money and endorsements trying to stack the deck. Maybe you and your friends don’t understand Wyoming.”
Cassie CravenMarch 02, 2025
Rod Miller: The 800-Pound Gorilla In The Wyoming Classroom
Columnist Rod Miller writes: "Absent the immediate writing and passage of an amendment to the Wyoming Constitution that says lawmakers can do what they damn well please with school funding, our citizen legislature has its work cut out for it. And it all circles back to our Constitution."
Rod MillerMarch 02, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Wyoming's Constitution Demands Fairer Teacher Pay
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "The Legislature has played games with teacher pay. Sometimes lawmakers dole out an increase just for one budget year, so the pay would slump right back down after that year - falling even further behind inflation."
Tom LubnauMarch 02, 2025
Joan Barron: Legislature Pedaling Back 50 Years
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The recent movement to ignore the supplemental budget is clearly Freedom Caucus-inspired and is meant, at least partially, to target and embarrass Gov. Mark Gordon."
Joan BarronMarch 01, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Two Funerals, Two Monte’s, And An Inspirational Dream
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “This column is a somewhat different from my normal writings. It just seemed important to share these stories with you today.”
Bill SniffinMarch 01, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Constitutional Duty Requires Officials Who Oppose Evil From Other Government Officials.
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “Wise officials in county governments have changed the unjust policies of an entire state just by saying ‘no.’ We saw that happen in Wyoming when some sheriffs refused to enforce COVID decrees.”
Jonathan LangeMarch 01, 2025
Dennis Sun: Too Many Ag Cuts May Hurt Food Security
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Agriculture welcomes a more efficient government, but we are also worried tariffs and layoffs may cause extreme pain. I just hope Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins realize their actions affect food security."
Dennis SunFebruary 28, 2025
Cassie Craven: Federal Politics Through the Lens of a Barmaid
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, "I worked at the local bar growing up. Other than a couple of churches and a post office, it was the only place for human contact. I’ve seen people live and die based on what the government wants to give them."
Cassie CravenFebruary 28, 2025
Rod Miller: Whiskeys I Have Known... Another Cautionary Tale
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "Please don’t misunderstand, this column does not advocate alcohol abuse. I believe it is up to the individual to come to their own terms with mind-altering substances, and to determine for themselves what 'abuse' means."
Rod MillerFebruary 28, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Casper Hosting The Best And Then Some Over Three Weekends
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, "These three consecutive weekends were always my favorite time in my decades as a sportswriter, even though they have nothing to do with football."
Sally Ann ShurmurFebruary 28, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Hidden Dark Money Political Operatives Are Trying To Control Wyoming
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "We are seeing slimy mailers from out of state, the same cheesy animation on social media and the editorials demanding the Senate bow to the will of the almighty Freedom Caucus in the House."
Tom LubnauFebruary 26, 2025
Rod Miller: Breakfast With The Old Guard At The Ferris Hotel
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "The Ferris Hotel was once the elegant heart of social life in my hometown. Built by an early Carbon County copper baron and filled with Molesworth furniture, the Ferris featured a cafe that opened long before the sun rose."
Rod MillerFebruary 25, 2025
Candy Moulton: How A Steel Tycoon And A Wyoming Cowboy Left Library Legacies
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "The Carnegie name is recognized across the country for the library network Andrew Carnegie funded. But in Campbell County, Wyoming, an old cowboy, George Amos, left his own legacy to the community."
Candy MoultonFebruary 25, 2025
Dave Simpson: My Wife Is Working Me Like A Pack Mule
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Back then, the burden fell on my wife, who had to pick up 'all the things I do around here.' That was then. This is now.”
Dave SimpsonFebruary 24, 2025
Mandy Fabel: The Cost and Cure to Contempt
Columnist Mandy Fabel writes, "Are we even capable of open dialogue and relationships that span opinions beyond our own? I have seen the answer first-hand in my job of running Leadership Wyoming. And that answer is yes."
CSD StaffFebruary 23, 2025
Cassie Craven: Sure, I'll Be Your Villain
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “My opponents lately are convinced that my work and my voice are about money or some ulterior motive. Let’s be clear, I came from nothing and I will leave with nothing. Money is meaningless to me. But you must always be truthful, no matter the cost. "
Cassie CravenFebruary 23, 2025
Rod Miller: The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat
Columnist Rod Miller writes: "Participation trophies be damned. The rubble of history is full of second place winners. Humanity didn’t survive and advance by celebrating the runner-up. Survival of the fittest is the ultimate meritocracy. We ignore it at our mortal peril."
Rod MillerFebruary 23, 2025
Bill Sniffin: With 18,000 Vehicles A Day, Horrible Crashes Will Occur On Interstate 80
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “It is inevitable that horrible accidents will happen in the winter with 18,000 vehicles fighting snow, ice, and wind conditions on Interstate 80.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 22, 2025
Joan Barron: The Silence of the Sponsors
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "“This was not the finest hour for the Wyoming House of Representatives.”
Joan BarronFebruary 22, 2025
Dennis Sun: Beef is Still King
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Despite the rising price of beef, consumers have not backed away from purchasing it. I believe the main reason for this is because of the high quality of beef products on grocery store shelves."
Dennis SunFebruary 21, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Last Week Brought Tragedy; Don't Stop Praying Now
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Wyoming has had her share of tragedies in recent weeks. But none tore our hearts like the loss of life in Byron. As events unfolded, the narrative changed from reports of mass violence, then murder-suicide, and finally to prayer."
Jonathan LangeFebruary 21, 2025
Guest Column: Teton County’s Workforce Housing Regulations Are Unconstitutional
Guest columnist Austin Waisanen writes, "'Workforce housing' fees — a bad idea that drives up the cost of housing and unconstitutionally places the burden of other people’s housing on individual property owners — may soon run their course in Wyoming."
CSD StaffFebruary 20, 2025
Rod Miller: If SF69 Was A Roundup – A Campfire Allegory About Property Tax Reform
The stranger wore town clothes, and sat his horse uneasily. “I’m just deliverin’ the message,” he said, “put half back where ya found ‘em or somethin’ bad’s gonna happen. Cops will get fired, an’ towns will go thirsty. Bad stuff like that.”
Rod MillerFebruary 20, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Random Thoughts As Random As This $&@?! Weather
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “I could write about the Legislature, but it seems like everyone else is. I could write about Wyoming’s roads, but tragically, that’s been done plenty.”
Sally Ann ShurmurFebruary 20, 2025
Cassie Craven: DOGE Dividends and Property Taxes Have a Lot in Common
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “A Cheyenne representative pointed out that Laramie County collected $32 million in property taxes and put every penny in reserves. In short, the government gets to save for a rainy day while you can’t afford to pay your debt or save for your own rainy day."
Cassie CravenFebruary 20, 2025
Tom Lubnau: If Lawmakers Aren't Being Puppeted By DC, Let Them Show It
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: "I am calling on all the members of the House to release any written, email or text message documents which indicate Wyoming Freedom Caucus positions on bills. Demonstrate to the public they are doing nothing wrong."
Tom LubnauFebruary 19, 2025
Candy Moulton: Standing Strong in the 307
Columnist Candy Moulton writes: “I have covered many accidents and life-threatening situations. At every scene I’ve seen the professionals like EMTs, law enforcement, volunteers, and regular people doing extraordinary things."
Candy MoultonFebruary 18, 2025
Dave Simpson: Don't Fall For The Same Old 'Sky Is Falling' Routine
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "What are the chances our sheriff will have to lay off 25 employees if Senate File 69 passes? Laramie County has $92 million in reserves. If our county is dumb enough to gut law enforcement when it has $92 million in reserves, voters will oust every incumbent..."
Dave SimpsonFebruary 17, 2025
Cassie Craven: Can the Government Compel Your Use of Pronouns?
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Government’s policies attempt to override our God-given freedom and compel our speech to fall in line with their ideological secularism, which is a religion in its own right.”
Cassie CravenFebruary 16, 2025
Rod Miller: Scorched Earth In Wyoming And Elsewhere
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "By strangling the lifeline for local services such as fire and police protection, water and sewer infrastructure, schools, libraries, and other essential elements of civilization, the Freedom Caucus will turn our landscape into a scorched earth of ghost towns."
Rod MillerFebruary 16, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Freedom Caucus Unleashes Big-Government Control
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "Here are five examples of how the Freedom Caucus is less about freedom, and more about 'being the boss of you.'"
Tom LubnauFebruary 16, 2025
Joan Barron: Freedom Caucus’ Top Priority Bill On Stage Next Week.
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "When the legislators return next week after their crossover long weekend, they will find Senate File 69 waiting in the house."
Joan BarronFebruary 16, 2025
Bill Sniffin: The Dawn Of Snowmobile Tourism In Wyoming – I Was There – Here Is What Happened
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “We all knew that snowmobile tourism could be gigantic in Wyoming but nobody knew how to get this new industry off the ground. We needed to call in an expert.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 16, 2025
Dennis Sun: Some Positives Of Agriculture
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "There are always individuals or groups who want to stop livestock grazing and/or keep everyone from eating meat. It has been going on for years, and I realize it will most likely never stop."
Dennis SunFebruary 15, 2025
Jonathan Lange: No, The Ultrasound Bill Does Not Mandate Intrusive Medical Procedures
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: “House Bill 64 stipulates the purpose of the ultrasound: to determine the age, length and head diameter of the unborn baby. A non-intrusive ultrasound can do this as well.”
Jonathan LangeFebruary 15, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Finding The Good Among The Very, Very Bad This Week
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “This week has been a rough one in the 307 most of us love so much. Yet, there is good to be found. Two women are organizing “Wyoming for Olivia,” on Friday at 5:30 p.m."
Sally Ann ShurmurFebruary 13, 2025
Cassie Craven: Death to the Bureaucracy and Its Secrets
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “In lieu of a large unelected bureaucracy, our elected officials seem to be pursuing truth and recreating a government that is responsive to the people. That is the point of democracy after all.”
Cassie CravenFebruary 13, 2025
Rod Miller: Voting With Dollars in the Big Empty
Rod Miller writes, “I have to chuckle when I see someone go all bug-eyed over the possibility of a politician suffering economically over his politics. What could be more free-market, capitalistic and American than that?”
Rod MillerFebruary 13, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Wyoming House Leadership – Promises Made, Promises Broken
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "95 bills died in the Speaker’s drawer – bills that were created at the request of constituents to be considered by the Wyoming legislature. Speaker Neiman substituted his judgment for the wisdom of the entire body."
Tom LubnauFebruary 12, 2025
Candy Moulton: What's Inside The American Windmill Museum
Candy Moulton writes: “Lubbock, Texas, has some similarities to places in Wyoming – the wind always seems to blow! That makes it the perfect place for the American Windmill Museum.”
Candy MoultonFebruary 11, 2025
Dave Simpson: You Wanted Change? We Got It!
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Call it a sea change, a new sheriff in town, or 'a come to Jesus moment,' but Donald Trump is making good on promises, and bringing common sense back into fashion.”
Dave SimpsonFebruary 10, 2025
Cassie Craven: A Wild Week in the Wyoming Legislature
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “A few remnants of the failed and governor-supported ‘Wyoming Caucus’ are kicking and screaming while the majority of the House pushes toward government reform.”
Cassie CravenFebruary 09, 2025
Rod Miller: Goat Ropin’ In Gaza For Trump – A Campfire Parable
The sultry Mediterranean night made the cowhands sit waaay back from the campfire. The hot hamoun wind made them swap their Tony Lamas for sandals, and their sweaty stetsons for sweaty keffiyehs. All in all, they were not pleased to be herding goats in Gaza.
Rod MillerFebruary 09, 2025
Joan Barron: A Revised Tax Reform Bill Is A Test For Local Governments
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "What stood out was the lack of trust many legislators have with their local governments in regard to spending. There were no claims of fraud, just overspending or maybe not being transparent about where the money goes."
Joan BarronFebruary 08, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Folks Recall Times When They Were Happiest – How About You?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “I asked people to share with us when they were most happy in their lives? What they shared made a big impression.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 08, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Our Founders Had School Choice - So Should We
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: The flourishing private schools of yesteryear didn’t close down because of natural market forces – but because every parent who wanted to benefit from private school education had to pay twice. That’s not fair.
Jonathan LangeFebruary 07, 2025
Dennis Sun: Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation Needs Managed
With many people not respecting private property, outdoor recreation can be a large problem. Side-by-side ATVs, four-wheelers and other off-roading vehicles can cause a lot of damage to roads and other resources, especially waterways.
Dennis SunFebruary 07, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Thoughts On Parenting As The Oldest Turns Older
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “I only ‘lost’ him twice and both times nearly killed me.”
Sally Ann ShurmurFebruary 06, 2025
Dave Simpson: Obscenity Bill Could Die In Committee
Columnist Dave Simpson writes: “Time's running out on a bill that would remove an exemption for librarians from a law that prohibits exposing minors to pornography. One would think that our new common-sense House leadership would at least agree to let this bill out of committee, and proceed to the House floor for debate by the whole body. It deserves as much."
Dave SimpsonFebruary 06, 2025
Rod Miller: Using Kids As Human Shields In A Culture War
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It boils down to this: if you don’t want to read a book, don’t read it. If you don’t want your minor children reading a book, don’t let them read it. Libraries don’t force-feed anything to anyone."
Rod MillerFebruary 05, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Freedom Caucus’ Policies Enticing For Bad Actors
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes: “In the desperate pursuit of their agenda, the Freedom Caucus is inadvertently creating the perfect environment for extremist activities. Imagine this fictional scenario…”
Tom LubnauFebruary 05, 2025
Candy Moulton: Wyoming Rock Art Deserves Protection
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "Some of Wyoming’s rock art resources are well known. There are many more sites that are not easily accessible to the public, but they all deserve the protection that will be provided by the current legislation."
Candy MoultonFebruary 04, 2025
Clair McFarland: Writing Up A Test For Real ’Muricans
Clair McFarland writes: "'I think Americans ought to be able to eat 20 hot dogs in a minute!' said Little-Feisty. I choked on my tea. 'And I think,' blustered Big-Sweet, 'you gotta know who Mike Tyson is!'”
Clair McFarlandFebruary 03, 2025
Dave Simpson: Imagine If The Wyoming Legislature Was Run Like Congress
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "With 435 Representatives and 100 Senators, they'll be lucky to get anything passed by Memorial Day. That's because they work in Washington for three days, with Mondays and Fridays reserved for travel."
Dave SimpsonFebruary 03, 2025
Cassie Craven: Let’s Get Back to the Old School Way of Hand Counting Ballots
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “A 7-year-old kid was able to hack into a voting machine at a 2018 DEFCON hacking event. But don’t worry, your vote is safe because U.W. took a poll and 94% of people trust them. Don’t ask questions, conspiracy theorist.”
Cassie CravenFebruary 02, 2025
Rod Miller: A Couple Freedom Caucus Bills I Support
Rod Miller writes, "Voila! Hidden in the pile of pointless culture-war pontificating and goofball populist pipe dreams, I found a couple Freedom Caucus bills I support, and can suggest with a straight face that they’ll be good for Wyoming."
Rod MillerFebruary 02, 2025
Joan Barron: Whatever Happened To The Wyoming Caucus?
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The traditional Republicans may be holding back in hopes that the extremist Freedom Caucus will go too far and will 'hoist itself on its own petard' to borrow a very old saying from Shakespeare."
Joan BarronFebruary 01, 2025
Bill Sniffin: When Were You The Happiest?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "My wife was diagnosed with MS 40 years ago. As a result, we decided to travel the world at a younger age and pay for it with credit cards. Those were happy times. It worked out well.”
Bill SniffinFebruary 01, 2025
Dennis Sun: The High Price of Eggs
For the last two years, I, along with everyone else, understood the pandemic and inflation were two reasons for the high price of groceries. But, when egg prices started rising even more last fall, I realized there were more issues bringing on the rising prices.
Dennis SunFebruary 01, 2025
Jonathan Lange: The March For Life Bears Out The Constitution's Vision
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: The March for Life has become the national gathering of a wildly diverse movement. And as I walked through this cacophony, it struck me that this is the genius of American government.
Jonathan LangeFebruary 01, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Kindness Abounds As January Finds Its Way Out
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Just having someone besides the dog to talk to might be the biggest gift of all.”
Sally Ann ShurmurJanuary 31, 2025
Rod Miller: Emotional Support Critters Around the Ol’ Campfire
Rod Miller writes, "Rawhide Ricky from Rawlins perked up and informed his colleagues, 'All we gotta do is get a letter from a doc sayin’ we cain’t function without our critters. Then we can take ‘em with us everywhere we go. It’s the law!'”
Rod MillerJanuary 30, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Wyoming House Needs To Think, Not Grandstand
Tom Lubnau writes, "The consequences of House Bill 164 are stunning. If a doctor injects a dementia patient with a muscle paralyzer with the intent of paralyzing the patient’s lungs so they can’t breathe and they die, the doctor can’t lose his job or lose his license for killing patients. It's euthanasia legalized."
Tom LubnauJanuary 29, 2025
Candy Moulton: The Creative Circle Of Joseph Marshall III
Columnist Candy Moulton writes: “Joseph Marshall III, a member of the Sicangu Oyate tribe, grew up on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, in South Dakota, on his grandmother’s land. As a child he spoke only Lakota; now he is a member of the Western Writers Hall of Fame. ”
Candy MoultonJanuary 28, 2025
Dave Simpson: Does A Wet Blanket Await In The Wyoming Senate?
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "It's my hope that the wise and august state senators heed the tone of the electorate expressed last August, and proceed right away to the Five and Dime bills, so there's plenty of time to override pesky gubernatorial vetoes if need be, unlike last year."
Dave SimpsonJanuary 27, 2025
Tom Lubnau: This Year’s Abortions Bills Are More Political Theater
Tom Lubnau writes, "These bills are not about abortion, but about creating election issues - again. Anyone who speaks against the stupidity of these bills will see slanderous videos and flyers flooding every inbox, labeling them abortionists.”
Tom LubnauJanuary 27, 2025
Cassie Craven: Freedom Caucus Shows Promises Made, Promises Kept
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “To say the Freedom Caucus is grandstanding for publicity or campaign issues years from now is a wild notion. They just kicked establishment incumbents all the way out the door. They don’t need campaign issues. They need results and promises delivered – and so far so good.”
Cassie CravenJanuary 26, 2025
Rod Miller: The Separation Of Church And School In Wyoming
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "The Wyoming Constitution says religious organizations will never get one thin dime of taxpayer money. Things don’t get much more separate than that. Things are rendered to either Caesar or to God, not to both."
Rod MillerJanuary 26, 2025
Aaron Turpen: Odometer Fraud Is Getting More Commonplace, Thanks to Electronics
Automotive writer Aaron Turpen writes, "As the change from physical to virtual odometer readouts has commenced, so has the number of odometer fraud cases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that around 450,000 vehicles are sold every year with false odometer readings."
Aaron TurpenJanuary 26, 2025
Joan Barron: Needed -- A 101 Course On Property Taxes
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "I think it’s clear that the lawmakers need to know precisely how the tax revenues from property taxes are spent other than that what they learn from their tax statements outlining the mill distributions."
Joan BarronJanuary 25, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Yes, Wyoming Needs A Big New Monument . . . For The Historic Oregon Trail
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “The Oregon Trail has significant sites and sights all across Wyoming that are still in place which deserve recognition.”
Bill SniffinJanuary 25, 2025
Dennis Sun: Cattle and Beef Prices Expected to Rise
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Today, everything we read about cattle and beef say prices are going up. This can be attributed to the short supply of cattle and the high demand of consumers, both in America and around the world. Everyone wants American beef."
Dennis SunJanuary 24, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Every Legislator Should Vote To Protect Wyoming Kids From The Porn Industry
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Without age verification safeguards, anyone of any age can access soul-destroying images merely by clicking on a button that says, 'I’m over 18 years old.'"
Jonathan LangeJanuary 24, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: In The Midst Of A Most Solemn Occasion, A Pep Rally Broke Out
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “The inauguration festivities on Monday were everything I hoped for, and more. Now that’s an opinion.”
Sally Ann ShurmurJanuary 23, 2025
Rod Miller: Let's Not Give More Power To The Gang That Can't Shoot Straight
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "In Park County, home to the nincompoops that are trying to tell Wyoming how to conduct our elections, the county assessor resigned then the dumpster caught fire."
Rod MillerJanuary 22, 2025
Tom Lubnau: The Legislature's Odd Maneuvers Look Like Political Theater
Tom Lubnau writes, "It seems like the legislature is scrambling to create campaign issues on hot-button topics rather than solving problems for run of the mill folks."
Tom LubnauJanuary 22, 2025
Candy Moulton: This Wyoming Cold Is Nothing New
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "We’ve all gotten a pretty good dose of frigid weather all across Wyoming in the last few days with temperatures plunging to 20 or 30 degrees below zero (without any wind)."
Candy MoultonJanuary 21, 2025
Dave Simpson: Trump’s Victory Belongs To The Scorned Underdogs
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “For folks who consider themselves so much smarter than the rest of us, our liberal friends have failed. Spectacularly.”
Dave SimpsonJanuary 20, 2025
Cassie Craven: That Time A National LGBT Group Blasted A Wyoming One
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “An interesting moment surfaced in the Labor and Health Committee this week when national group Gays Against Groomers lambasted the state’s most prominent LGBTQ advocacy group, Wyoming Equality, for its dystopian agenda."
Cassie CravenJanuary 19, 2025
Rod Miller: Planning The New Mount Rushmore Around The Ol’ Campfire
Rod Miller writes, "Sourdough forged onward. 'Vedauwoo has all them rocks right by the interstate. If someone carved Josh Allen’s face on one o’ them boulders, tourists would go nuts an’ Buford would be a boomtown again!'”
Rod MillerJanuary 19, 2025
Joan Barron: It Was Like A Religious Ceremony But No One Was Singing
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "So the juggernaut is off with the leaders promising to pass 20 bills in the first 20 days of the session including the five priority bills. The House Freedom Caucus has shown its muscle."
Joan BarronJanuary 19, 2025
Clair McFarland: That's What I Get For Bribing A Rock Star
Clair McFarland writes, "I like to pad barefoot into the guitar room (we used to call that a living room) and yell things like 'Turn that down!' Middleborn’s nose does a golly-shucks-wonder-what-went-wrong wrinkle, and he slams out an E-minor so loud it shoots up my sinuses."
Clair McFarlandJanuary 18, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Short-Sighted Bills Have Us Barreling Toward A Wyoming Income Tax
Tom Lubnau writes, "The Legislature is looking at 'backfilling' property tax cuts with state savings and funds from taxpayers. The reason it's 'backfilling' is because some lawmakers do not want to bear the consequences of their decisions."
Tom LubnauJanuary 18, 2025
Bill Sniffin: America’s Return To Common Sense A 21st Century “Sputnik Moment”
Bill Sniffin writes: “Sputnik moments are those critical moments in time when a society reacts to immense changes and takes a different direction.”
Bill SniffinJanuary 18, 2025
Jonathan Lange: It’s Time To End DEI
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: By a sleight of hand, DEI substitutes vague notions of collective guilt for concrete accountability to clear moral principles It keeps us stuck in the past and makes present repentance and forgiveness impossible.
Jonathan LangeJanuary 18, 2025
Dennis Sun: The Needs of Agriculture
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I’m not sure how the new administration’s policies will shake out, but I hope some of the current barriers and restrictions will go away and make room for better policies."
Dennis SunJanuary 17, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: And While You’re At It, A To-Do List For 47
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, "As we all wait for Monday and the swearing-in of Donald John as our 47th president, some of us are also praying for a miracle from Touchdown Jesus later in the day."
Sally Ann ShurmurJanuary 17, 2025
Rod Miller: A Music Critic's Look At The Wyoming Freedom Caucus
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "Wyoming’s post-punk, neo-emo, proto-death-metal musical sensation, The Freedom Caucus, rocked the opening gig of their Five and Dime tour by slashing their way through every song on their freshman album, 'Mandate,' in Cheyenne last night.
Rod MillerJanuary 16, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Electing An Attorney General Is A Horrible Idea.
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "House Bill 102, sponsored by many members of the Freedom Caucus, proposes the attorney general become an elected official. This horrible piece of legislation should die an early death, never to be seen, again."
Tom LubnauJanuary 15, 2025
Dave Simpson: Wyoming Paid Us To Cut Dead Trees
Columnist Dave Simpson writes: “In the Snowy Range, we made our places less prone to fire. Too bad California didn't encourage landowners to do the same. What a price they're paying now.”
Dave SimpsonJanuary 13, 2025
Rod Miller: The Big Empty Needs One Good Lawless County
Rod Miller writes, “The legislature can set aside a few hundred-thousand acres in Wyoming for the malcontents and the ungovernable. Let them fend for themselves on their own little piece of heaven.”
Rod MillerJanuary 12, 2025
Joan Barron: Freedom Caucus Calling For Unity Is “The Big Switcheroo.”
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "The biggest surprise to me was the declaration that the Freedom Caucus will strive for unity this session. This is a real switcheroo for a group that banned traditional Republican lawmakers from their caucuses."
Joan BarronJanuary 11, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Wyoming Fans Love Josh Allen – Bills Play Broncos In Playoffs Sunday
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “Can you believe Josh Allen has been gone from UW for seven years? I never saw a player like him. He was super-human. He was our superman.”
Bill SniffinJanuary 11, 2025
Dennis Sun: With Greenhouse Gases, Nothing is Safe
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "Americans are fed up with the climate change talk and people telling us what to eat and not to eat. When people go to the store and buy meat, milk and eggs, no one is thinking about climate change."
Dennis SunJanuary 10, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Don't Zone Out Now That The Legislature Looks Hopeful
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "Citizen involvement in the election brought radical change to Wyoming’s legislature. It shouldn‘t stop there. To convert electoral success into sound legislation, interested citizens need to stay engaged."
Jonathan LangeJanuary 10, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: The Final 15 Countdown To The End Of Football Is Here
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “It seemed so far away in August, but we have finally arrived at the final 15 games for both college football and the NFL. And I hate it.”
Sally Ann ShurmurJanuary 09, 2025
Tom Lubnau: Legislative Leaders Must Race The Clock To Pass Good Laws
Tom Lubnau writes, "Estimated at a conservative figure of 300 bills introduced, one gets a grand total of 18.6 minutes per bill of time available for debate on each bill. That is precious little time to consider multi-page laws that will be placed on our books affecting our individual rights."
Tom LubnauJanuary 08, 2025
Candy Moulton: You Don’t See Those Cowboys From The Road
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, “The Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame mission is to preserve, perpetuate, and celebrate Wyoming’s working cowboy legacy and heritage. Since its founding a dozen years ago, more than 500 working cowboys have been inducted."
Candy MoultonJanuary 07, 2025
Rod Miller: Make (Fill In The Blank) Great Again - A Campfire Conversation
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "It was a dark and stormy night. Cowboys huddled in a miserable circle, as wind blew the sputtering campfire sideways, and blew snow down collars. The beans and coffee had been cold, and there was nothing but a blizzard for dessert."
Rod MillerJanuary 07, 2025
Dave Simpson: A Deep-State Ovation For Liz
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, "If you ever doubted the existence of the Deep State, you should have been watching Thursday as Liz Cheney – polling-booth poison here in Wyoming – received the Presidential Citizenship Medal in Washington."
Dave SimpsonJanuary 06, 2025
Cassie Craven: The Five and Dime Deserves a High Five
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “In addition to the Freedom Caucus’ 'Five and Dime' plan, lawmakers in Wyoming should go on a regulatory rampage. They should engage with law-repealing with as aggressive force as they approach lawmaking."
Cassie CravenJanuary 05, 2025
Rod Miller: Let the First Amendment Free Your Mind
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "If a human mind finds the way to God, that is a result of its own freedom, and not the result of government. Here endeth the lesson."
Rod MillerJanuary 05, 2025
Joan Barron: Wyoming Secrecy LLC Laws Create Absolute Nightmare For Federal Courts
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "Why can’t the Legislature do more to lift the corporate veil on the identity of Limited Liability Companies who choose to register here? Or why can’t the state do a better job of enforcing the laws it has?"
Joan BarronJanuary 04, 2025
Bill Sniffin: Predicting 2025: Return To Normal In DC And Tilt To The Right Here At Home
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, "With Donald Trump taking office, the country will become sane again. After four years of mind-bending craziness and goofy wokeness by the Biden - Harris Regime, orchestrated by puppeteer Barack Obama, the country has a chance to literally return to normal."
Bill SniffinJanuary 04, 2025
Jonathan Lange: Wyoming Needs To Know What Liz Cheney Did On The J-6 Commission.
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes, "How is it that Kevin Greeson, a man like me, could go to Washington for a political rally and come home in an urn? It’s a simple question that has enormous implications for the First Amendment."
Jonathan LangeJanuary 03, 2025
Dennis Sun: It's All About Food Security
Ag columnist Dennis Sun writes, "The public needs to understand ranchers pay for their livestock to graze public lands, whereas sportsmen and recreationists use the lands for free."
Dennis SunJanuary 03, 2025
Sally Ann Shurmur: Amid Tragedy, Great Memories Of New Orleans And Las Vegas
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “Bourbon Street at night might not seem like a family destination…unless Peggy Jane the Mom is calling the shots.”
Sally Ann ShurmurJanuary 02, 2025
Rod Miller: Things Might Be Weird Enough Now
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "Dr. Hunter S. Thompson invented Gonzo Journalism by embedding with the Oakland Hells Angels and provoking them to stomp him into jelly. He would have been the perfect journalist to cover the MAGA movement."
Rod MillerJanuary 01, 2025
Tom Lubnau: I Predict The Uprising Of Straw Villains In 2025
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "To retain their power, the new folks will have to cast themselves as heroes trying to vanquish some feigned evil. I predict 2025 is going to be the year of the imaginary straw man villain."
Tom LubnauJanuary 01, 2025
Candy Moulton: Best Of The American West
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "In less than a year, Cowboy State Daily has become one of the great publishers of history of the American West. I’m so proud and pleased to be a part of the crew that generates these stories of the West."
Candy MoultonDecember 31, 2024
Clair McFarland: Kids Are Cooler When No One’s Watching
Clair McFarland writes: “Firstborn cleared a bulkhead in one leap, side-jumped off a wall and somersaulted down the runway. ‘What the crap,’ I said. ‘Those are OUR kids. And they’re - COOL?’”
Clair McFarlandDecember 31, 2024
Dave Simpson: Who Thought THAT Was A Good Idea?
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “Your typical American mom/dad/voter is NOT OK with their daughter suiting up next to a naked guy parading around like he's got a blue-ribbon entry in the county fair.”
Dave SimpsonDecember 30, 2024
Cassie Craven: The Great Mother’s Goodbye
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “The Great Mother went out of her element to meet death on its own terms. Usually, the nearby den mother stayed with the pack’s pups, after hardened time and battle wore her bones."
Cassie CravenDecember 29, 2024
Rod Miller: That Day I Crashed My Airplane
Columnist Rod Miller writes: "Seminoe Reservoir was smooth as a mirror, and with the sun behind us, we chased our own shadow across the calm water. But something bad happened as soon as the tires touched the runway.”
Rod MillerDecember 29, 2024
Joan Barron: A New Years’s Eve Party to Remember
Columnist Joan Barron writes, "He got overly amorous and ended up falling in the bathtub. I maintained that I did not push him; he wasn’t hurt and behaved himself thereafter."
Joan BarronDecember 29, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Trump Win? Torturing A Wolf? Death Of A Famous Bear? What Were Top News Stories of 2024?
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes: “So, by consensus, were the top five stories: Wolf torture, cop killing, wildfires, girl scout cookie fine, and Trump’s big win? What were the other big stories?”
Bill SniffinDecember 29, 2024
Jonathan Lange: Governments Wield Powers Of Death, Not Life
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Sunday morning, America woke to the horrific news that a New York criminal had set fire to a woman on the subway and watched her burn to death. If such sickening injustice does not justify the death penalty, what does?"
Jonathan LangeDecember 28, 2024
Dennis Sun: What Will Happen To Agriculture In 2025?
Columnist Dennis Sun writes, "I sure hope they don’t raise the debt limit again, but instead start limiting the debt. Currently, it takes $1 trillion to service the debt every four months. Luckily, we will have a president who will make America great again."
Dennis SunDecember 27, 2024
Sally Ann Shurmur: We Suffered Some Huge Losses In 2024, And Not All On The Football Field
Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “From the beginning of the year nearly to its end, 2024 has been marked by the loss of people worth remembering.”
Sally Ann ShurmurDecember 26, 2024
Rod Miller: Returning Power to Wyoming People, One Good Idea At a Time
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "Things should get pretty lively in Cheyenne during the upcoming legislative session. There’s a new posse in town and, according to them, their intent is to invest more political power in the hands of Wyoming’s citizens."
Rod MillerDecember 26, 2024
Tom Lubnau: Understanding Where Your Property Tax Dollars Go.
Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "With property tax relief the centerpiece of political gamesmanship this year, we should all understand how the property tax system works."
Tom LubnauDecember 25, 2024
Clair McFarland: I Guess Honda Accords Aren't Cool Enough For Middle Schoolers
Clair McFarland writes: "This time, I dig way deep. 'Did you know, the Honda Accord is consistently within the top-10 stolen cars every year?' Middleborn raises one soft eyebrow, or at least I think he does, in the black shade of his hat brim."
Clair McFarlandDecember 25, 2024
Candy Moulton: Celebrating the Holidays One Tradition at a Time
Columnist Candy Moulton writes, "For me, there is nothing better than having a simple meal with my family in a cabin heated with a wood cook stove and with light provided by candles and lanterns."
Candy MoultonDecember 25, 2024
Dave Simpson: Still Trying To Bake Like My Mom
Columnist Dave Simpson writes, “My mother once baked a pie for Amelia Earhart. Didn't make a big deal about it, though. In fact, her own kids didn't know about it until after she died, at age 99.”
Dave SimpsonDecember 24, 2024
Cassie Craven: The Game Is Shifting On Sex-Change Laws
Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “Perhaps the Wyoming Republicans who voted against the What is a Woman Act last time, will rethink their positions in light of recent law, and common sense.”
Cassie CravenDecember 22, 2024
Rod Miller: A Campfire Christmas
Columnist Rod Miller writes, "Twas the night before Christmas, ‘round the ol’ campfire. Coyotes were howlin’ out past the picket wire."
Rod MillerDecember 22, 2024
Joan Barron: A Dark Chapter In The Push For Women's Rights
In January, 1973, the Wyoming Senate voted to ratify the ERA. “Supporters in the gallery cheered and rushed outside to crown the nearby statue of Esther Hobart Morris with a garland of gold carnations."
Joan BarronDecember 21, 2024
Bill Sniffin: Curse The Darkness! Celebrate The Days Getting Longer – Yippee!
Columnist Bill Sniffin writes, “Alas, here in Wyoming, this weekend marks the first official day of winter, too. We still might have four and half more months of wintry weather.”
Bill SniffinDecember 21, 2024
Jonathan Lange: The Reopening Of Notre Dame Signals Renewed Hope For Our Civilization
Columnist Jonathan Lange writes: "Notre Dame’s reopening is a visible sign that the Prince of Peace has not abandoned us for our many sins. The Word of God still has free course. It is preached and available throughout the Christian West. We should not take that for granted."
Jonathan LangeDecember 21, 2024
Dennis Sun: A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
I ain’t much good at prayin,’ and you may not know me, Lord – for I ain’t much seen in churches, where they preach Thy Holy Word.
Dennis SunDecember 21, 2024