Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Sorted by date Results 1 - 17 of 17
CHEYENNE — State lawmakers on the Joint Education Committee spent most of Tuesday considering a controversial bill that was resurrected from the previous legislative session. Sen. Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, reintroduced the Parental Rights in Education bill that was sponsored in the spring by Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, and mirrors legislation passed by the Florida Legislature. Critics have called it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and an attempt at LGBTQ+ erasure, while supporters consider it a step in the right direction for parent empower... Full story
CHEYENNE - Pro-life advocates who were denied intervention in the state's ongoing abortion court battle have appealed the decision to the Wyoming Supreme Court. Teton County District Court was notified by applicants Right to Life of Wyoming, Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, and House Majority Floor Leader Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, on Friday.They argue they have a stake in the Johnson v. Wyoming case, in which plaintiffs are challenging two abortion bans passed during the most recent... Full story
CHEYENNE — Wyoming advocates pushing to preserve the Indian Child Welfare Act celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court decision issued Thursday. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered the majority opinion that rejected all constitutional challenges to the federal law. Some were based on the merits of the law, while others were for lack of standing, and the high court affirmed the judgment of the U.S. Court of Appeals “regarding Congress’s constitutional authority to enact ICWA.” Affirming the constitutionality of ICWA was conside... Full story
CHEYENNE - The library book policy in Laramie County School District 1 is set to expand, but it will remain opt-out for the immediate future. English language arts secondary curriculum coordinator Joe Evans said he hopes to present four options in the coming months to district stakeholders when it comes to their schools' media centers: open choice, parent limits choice, no access choice or identified list choice. He told trustees at their meeting Monday night the goal is to recognize every... Full story
CHEYENNE - State lawmakers have been tasked with studying how to reopen the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy following its closure in September due to sustained staff vacancies and safety concerns. The Wyoming Military Department made it clear Thursday to the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee that it will be an uphill battle. "The decision to close the WCCA was necessary to assure the safety of cadets, given the inability to meet the National Guard Bureau (NGB)... Full story
CHEYENNE - A Gold's Gym patron tackled and subdued a local man Friday before he was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a vehicle and rob the establishment. Brandon B. Creel, 37, of 505 Williams St. was taken into custody and charged with two counts of felony robbery (threat of injury), misdemeanor interference with a peace officer and misdemeanor simple assault for attempting to cause bodily injury. He faces up to 11 years in prison and $11,750 in fines if convicted. His preliminary hearing... Full story
CHEYENNE - Two Cheyenne teens involved in a drive-by shooting in Lincoln Park that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl will be charged as adults. Julian Espinoza, 16, was driving the vehicle during the time of the April 30 incident and has been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and aiding and abetting first-degree murder. He faces life in prison alongside Johnny Munoz, the 17-year-old passenger, who was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit... Full story
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Freedom Caucus continues to advocate for protection of parental rights in the wake of pending litigation. Five state representatives who are members of the caucus hosted a virtual town hall meeting Monday night to discuss legislation designed to prevent violations of parental rights and actions for residents to take in preparation for the next session. "The attack on the family is only beginning. We're not going to see it let up," said state Rep. Jeremy Haroldson,... Full story
CHEYENNE - Air quality in Cheyenne has worsened since last year, and similar trends were observed statewide, according to a report released Wednesday by the American Lung Association. The organization working to improve lung health and prevent lung disease revealed the air quality changes around the state in its 24th annual State of the Air report. This year's report card on Americans' exposure to unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution, as well as the rankings on the most polluted and... Full story
CHEYENNE — The Wyoming House of Representatives reshaped the chemical abortion prohibition bill on Tuesday with changes lawmakers felt addressed the heart of the issue. Rep. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, introduced his amendment to delete references to chemical abortion drugs, and shift the intent of the bill to banning the procedure of chemical abortions. He said it broadened the purpose of the bill, and leaves it without a chilling effect on pharmacists and physicians who use the drugs for purposes that are legal under the bill. Removing the s... Full story
CHEYENNE — An attempt to extract a parental rights bill from the House Speaker and send it to the House Agriculture, State and Public Lands, and Water Resources Committee failed Tuesday. Rep. Jeanette Ward, R-Casper, put forward a motion to suspend Rule 4-7 for the Wyoming Legislature that allows House Speaker Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, to determine whether to introduce or refer a bill to a committee, in the hopes that Senate File 117 would be introduced and debated by the body. She said constituents were inquiring about the status of the b... Full story
CHEYENNE — Legislation that would influence instruction and supporting materials as public schools teach students about the U.S. Constitution, the Wyoming Constitution and “the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals” was passed Wednesday morning out of the Senate Education Committee. Lawmakers voted 4-1 in support of Senate File 130, with Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, voting no. He voiced concerns that the bill overstepped the Wyoming Legislature’s purview by dictating curriculum and educational content. This was met wit... Full story
CHEYENNE — State representatives compromised Wednesday before the suicide lifeline bill crossed over to the Senate without an original appropriation of $46 million. Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, brought forward an amendment on third reading to reinstate a trust fund for the program, but to leave it empty. This followed his first successful amendment on the House floor last Friday that stripped House Bill 65 of its long-term funding source. “We’re not really doing anything out of the ordinary here, except creating a trust fund with no money... Full story
CHEYENNE — When President Joe Biden announced a new federal rule banning the manufacture of unserialized, privately made firearms on Monday, Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, went to social media to defend his Second Amendment protection bill that was killed in the 2022 budget session. Senate File 87 would have prohibited the enforcement of unconstitutional federal actions infringing upon Second Amendment rights, denied immunities for law enforcement and provided cause for civil action against officers who knowingly denied law-abiding c... Full story
CHEYENNE - More than a month after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, a mother fleeing the country has been reunited with her daughter in Cheyenne. Tamara Kochubei's first week back in America since the COVID-19 pandemic started has been filled with mixed emotions. She braved the weeklong trek across Europe before departing from the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, last Friday, and accepted she might not have a home to return to. She said coming to see her daughter, local paralegal Iryna Wiggam, was... Full story
CHEYENNE - Gov. Mark Gordon signed the Second Amendment Protection Act into law Monday, with the support of law enforcement in attendance. The bill passed during the Wyoming Legislature's recently concluded 2022 budget session. It is designed to protect Second Amendment rights, as well as prevent federal regulation of firearms, accessories, magazines and ammunition. Sheriffs, officers, gun rights advocates and lawmakers said the legislation was needed as President Joe Biden's administration push... Full story
CHEYENNE — Before the Second Amendment Protection Act cleared the Wyoming House of Representatives Wednesday afternoon, lawmakers debated whether public servants would uphold the law. The bill eventually passed 43-15, and an amendment to delete the enacting clause of the bill was withdrawn. But there were still lawmakers unsure as to the power it held. They questioned whether law enforcement officers would continue to follow federal gun control laws and executive orders, and if local attorneys could convict them. “In this bill, your local att... Full story