Sweetwater County voters expand commission Nov 5, 2009
The idea of expanding the commission has been floating around for years in 140-year-old Sweetwater County, located in southwest Wyoming ... Contact southwest Wyoming bureau reporter Jeff Gearino at 307-875-5359 or. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Census: Gay Couples Similar To Straight Spouses Nov 4, 2009
The study released by a think tank based at UCLA also found that Utah and Wyoming were among the states with the highest percentages of gay spouses in 2008, despite being heavily conservative states with no laws providing legal recognition of gay relationships ... But Hawaii, Utah and Wyoming -- states with neither civil unions nor same-sex marriage -- came in next, ahead of California, Nevada, Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island. (Click2Houston, TX)
Mich. looks at worst-case 20 percent budget cuts Nov 4, 2009
In Iowa, where Gov. Chet Culver just ordered an across-the-board 10 percent cut for departments getting general fund money, or in Louisiana and Wyoming, where revenues are falling by double-digit amounts, the pain is just as real. But where other states have seen their revenues fall below expectations for the past year or two because of the latest recession, Michigan has never recovered from the spiral that began a decade ago. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
AP: Hardest-Hit Areas Recovering Slowly Nov 3, 2009
Live Cameras, Conditions. AP Analysis Looks At More Than 3,100 US Counties. (Click2Houston, TX)
Lowe is new Ellensburg Rodeo Board president Nov 3, 2009
Scott Shelton is also the Northwest Territorial manager and factory representative for WW Manufacturing Co., managing Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. In other business at the Wednesday board meeting, the board elected new officers for the 2010 rodeo season. (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)
Political Grapevine Nov 3, 2009
The states with the most "deadwood" include: Washington State, Wyoming, West Virginia, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. A company representative refused to release all state-by-state totals, saying the company did not want to affect Tuesday's elections in any way in Virginia, New Jersey and New York. (Fox News)
A Look Back in Time: Reform-minded Nov 3, 2009
Crime doesn't pay tax -- A pre-election advertisement by the Constitutional Repeal Association of Wyoming urged the public to "Repeal Wyoming's Constitutional Prohibition Amendment "TO BE VOTED ON BY THE WYOMING ELECTORATE AT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 6, 1934 ... "Prohibition in Wyoming, adopted in 1919, ... was clinched with a constitutional amendment adopted by the Wyoming electorate, and its repeal is possible only by this same electorate. ... "Failure of repeal in the coming general... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Time for five? Nov 2, 2009
The idea of expanding the commission has been floating for years around this southwest Wyoming county of about 44,000 residents, mostly blue-collar workers in the soda ash and oil and gas industries ... Southwest Wyoming bureau reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at 307-875-5359 or at. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Report: Karzai's brother gets CIA pay Nov 1, 2009
that had been on the congressional agenda for a decade, the measure is named for Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student murdered 11 years ago. Obama acknowledged Shepard's mom, Judy, and remembered that he had told her this day would come. (Salon)
Wonnacott: No open meeting violation Nov 1, 2009
Boevers confirmed that the contract appointing Brown would be available at the next county commissioner s meeting, once it has been properly executed and accepted, but declined comment on allegations that Wyoming s open meetings law has been violated. All we were thinking is, maybe we should let people know what s going on, and, how should we handle it. (Green River Star, WY -- Local)
White Male Vote Especially Critical - washingtonpost.com Nov 1, 2009
Barack Obama has gained significant support from white voters in smaller states outside the South, such as Wyoming, where he appeared on March 7. (By Alex Brandon -- Associated Press). (Yahoo News -- FYI)
Obama Signs New Hate Crimes Bill Oct 30, 2009
Shepard was a gay Wyoming college student murdered in 1998; Byrd was a black man chained to a pickup truck by three white men and dragged to his death in east Texas that year. Obama's relationship with gay activists has been rocky since his election. (Newsmax)
Vote- for those who can't Oct 29, 2009
The consequence of this self-pampering excuse is a parade of statistics: Remember the saga of Randy Luthi and Larry Call, two men who ran for the Wyoming legislature from Jackson Hole. They each got 1,941 votes. (Weymouth News, MA)
Back-Door Taxes Hit Americans With Public Officials Financing in the Dark Oct 26, 2009
Settlement in Wyoming. In 2002, Piper Jaffray reached a $42,500 settlement of a customers allegations that Ely had purchased and sold securities contrary to Wyoming state law or local investment policy, the records show. (Bloomberg)
Another Brown running for governor? Oct 25, 2009
" He and his wife, Shannon, own the Northern Broadcasting System, which they bought in1985 from future Sen. Conrad Burns. It provides a variety of programming to 80-plus radio stations in six states and ag programs on nine Montana and Wyoming TV stations.It includes the Northern Ag Network, where Brown cut his teeth broadcasting ag news. He now has one of Montana's most recognizable, radio voices, particularly in rural areas.Besides his business, Brown said he also has aging parents and the... (Montana Standard, MT)
Man charged with hate crime in Irvine church fires Oct 24, 2009
The measure is named for Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student murdered 11 years ago. To assure its passage after years of frustrated efforts, Democratic supporters attached the measure to a must-pass $680 billion defense policy bill the Senate approved 68-29. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Camille Paglia Oct 23, 2009
It is a towering credit to Sarah Palin's ambition, courage and will to persevere that she acquired college credit hours when and where she had the opportunity and could pay for them and had the drive and guts to earn her B.A. Although a degree from the University of Idaho may not impress someone who attended an Ivy League school, having the title the University of Idaho on her sheepskin is certainly more elegant than, say, Southwest Wyoming State Teachers College. Those whose parents paid their... (Salon)
Click to read:Gays Will Get Hate Crimes Protections Oct 23, 2009
Shepard was a gay University of Wyoming college student who was beaten and left for dead in a Wyoming pasture near Laramie, Wyo ... The measure is named for Matthew Shepard, the gay Wyoming college student murdered 11 years ago. (CBS News)
Key senators may rebuff Obama on health care Oct 22, 2009
When lawmakers face a tough vote, their uppermost thought is "survival," said Alan Simpson, a Wyoming Republican who spent three terms in the Senate. On a very few occasions, Simpson said, then-President George H.W. Bush asked him to cast a vote likely to cause him political problems back home. (Albany Times Union)
Delta employees in limbo as unions vie to change the rules Oct 22, 2009
But in our democracy, we don t subject California or New York to one set of voting rules because they have large populations, while setting other rules for Wyoming or Rhode Island. There is no reason for delaying Delta s elections and we see no reason for the NMB to discriminate against Delta employees. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
manufacturing Oct 21, 2009
4h ago Clifford Hansen, a former Wyoming governor and the nation's oldest former member of the U.S. Senate, died Tuesday night at his home in Jackson, his son said. He was 97. (USA Today -- Money)
Former chamber president charged with fraud Oct 17, 2009
Skidmore, who no longer lives in the area, now directs a Main Street program in Wyoming. She did not return a request for comment. (Bradford County Telegraph, FL)
Gay Activists Split on Obama Oct 16, 2009
Of these four legislative priorities, a hate crimes law, unofficially referred to as the Matthew Sheppard Act after the slain 21-year-old from Wyoming, is the closest to becoming a reality. If passed, the measure would expand the definition of a federal hate crime to include protections against crimes motivated by gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. (CBS News -- Opinion)
Simpson considers run for gov Oct 13, 2009
Cody Enterprise: News about Cody, Wyoming, and Yellowstone Country ... Next year, House Speaker Colin Simpson, R-Cody, will follow a long-standing Wyoming tradition ... Simpson said the opportunities for people to serve are limited in Wyoming. (Cody Enterprise, WY)
Gay votes ‘make a difference’ Oct 11, 2009
As you know, he was the gay Wyoming college student who was beaten by two men, tied to a remote fence post and left for dead. Many regard his death as hate crime. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
City orders man to move fence Oct 3, 2009
Cody Enterprise: News about Cody, Wyoming, and Yellowstone Country ... Notdewey101 wrote on Sep 29, 2009 11:52 AM:" Rich out-of-staters have owned city hall for generations and it keeps on going. Even Teton County took on a rich homebuilder who violated rules. It went to Wyoming Supreme Court. City Hall is a joke for the middle class resident. How many counsel members will be drinking wine up on sunshine? ". (Cody Enterprise, WY)
Man illegally shot at wolf pack from the sky Oct 2, 2009
The wolves didn't kill any of his rams that June morning, Siddoway concedes, but more than 100 of his roughly 18,000 ewes, lambs and rams in Idaho and Wyoming have been killed by the big predators this year. "It's insane that I would have to ask for permission over my own ground," he said. (Rexburg Standard Journal, ID)
Feds investigate Western Wats Sep 30, 2009
More unusual was the sheer volume of children the company was hiring, said Lee Ann Dunbar, the Labor Department's district director for Utah, Montana and Wyoming ... Western Wats disputed the fine and said it would fight the child-labor allegations in Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. (Rexburg Standard Journal, ID)
Wyoming wants to block YNP snowmobile plan Sep 26, 2009
A judge in Wyoming says he has no authority to block a federal plan to reduce snowmobile traffic in Yellowstone National Park this winter ... -- The state of Wyoming has asked a federal appeals court to give a judge authority to block a proposal reducing the number of snowmobiles allowed in Yellowstone National Park ... The Wyoming Attorney General's Office argued Friday that the plan would violate U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer's order that set the daily limit at 720 snowmobiles a day. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
A bigger house would favor Democrats Sep 25, 2009
One intermediate idea that I have seen floated around is to set the size of the smallest state (currently WY at about 540K) as a base for one congressional district and assigning every state a number of seats based on the quotient of its population to Wyoming's ... (Also, I should note: The most "over-represented" districts are Wyoming. (Harper's Magazine)
Whats next? Dissolving the board is an unlikely option Sep 24, 2009
According to Title 22, Chapter 29 Wyoming State Statutes, a special district may be dissolved by petition. But such a petition would require signatures from not less than 25 percent of the voters owning not less than 25 percent of the assessed valuation of property within the district. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Christina Maycock claimed divorced husband on insurance Sep 24, 2009
Maycocks alleged violations of Wyoming open meetings laws would carry a fine of up to $750 each. She and the rest of the board trustees will appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 on charges of open meetings violations. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Baucus releases health care plan Sep 24, 2009
Wednesday's bill release follows months of negotiations among Baucus and five other Finance Committee senators dubbed the Gang of Six Republicans Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Olympia Snowe of Maine, and Democrats Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico. Enzi said he couldn't support the Baucus bill and preferred an incremental approach. (Laurel Outlook, MT)
More of this story Sep 23, 2009
The resolution reads: Whereas, in 2005 an adequacy study was commissioned to examine education funding for school children throughout the State of South Dakota; Whereas, the study has confirmed that the State of South Dakota is under funding education by at least 133,000,000 annually, Whereas, our neighboring states of North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota have recently invested hundreds of millions of dollars of additional money into their education funding systems in... (Tyndall Tribune & Register, SD)
BREAKING: A breakdown of charges against cemetery board members Sep 23, 2009
Maycock's alleged violations of Wyoming open meetings laws would carry a fine of up to $750 each. She and the rest of the indicted board members will appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 on charges of open meetings violations. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
No compassion for sick illegal immigrants Sep 23, 2009
That cornpone burglar argument was made by the Senatuh with 3 major malpractice settlements from Wyoming. And what you hick Repubozos don t get still is that you re going to keep paying for illegal immigrants if you don t allow them to get insurance only you ll keep paying a helluva lot more because their conditions will be worse and they ain t goin anywhere. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
US police fired for Tasering 76-year-old parade tractor driver Sep 23, 2009
Two police officers in the US state of Wyoming have been fired for using a Taser on a 76-year-old man driving a tractor in a parade, media reports say. Glenrock resident Bud Grose was shocked by the stun gun five times after a dispute with police over the route of the Deer Creek Days parade in August. (BBC News -- Americas)
Census: Recession has had sweeping impact on Americans Sep 22, 2009
Alabama, Georgia and Wyoming had the fewest recipients, at roughly 1 ... Alaska had the highest share at 14 percent, followed by Montana, Maine, Wyoming and Virginia. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Realtors begin push for law banning transfer tax Sep 18, 2009
JACKSON -- The Wyoming Association of Realtors is getting ready to promote its plan to amend the state constitution to prohibit the imposition of a real estate transfer tax ... Current regulations allow Wyoming to levy a real estate transfer tax, which some compare to a sales tax on real estate ... Brett McPeak, a Jackson member of the Wyoming Association of Realtors, said the proposed constitutional amendment is aimed at protecting property owners, especially sellers who would be required to... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Baucus Plan Would Cost $856B over 10 Years Sep 17, 2009
Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Olympia Snowe of Maine. In the end, Democrats believe Snowe may be the only one to support the bill, though she wasn't committing to that Tuesday night. (CBS News)
Senate unveils sweeping health bill Sep 17, 2009
Charles Grassley of Iowa, Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Olympia Snowe of Maine came up short, at least for the time being. Baucus told reporters he expects to gain bipartisan backing before the bill emerges from committee, probably next week, an evident reference to Snowe. (AZCentral -- News)
The Top Political Dynasties Sep 15, 2009
The last of the line, also named William Henry, was a congressman from Wyoming. He died in 1990. (Juneau Empire)
Stimulus funds keep contractors working Sep 14, 2009
Wyoming is the only state that ranks higher than Iowa in the percentage of federal stimulus funds earmarked for transportation projects. Newhard said that information was contained in a report from U.S. Rep. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Wyoming briefs Sep 12, 2009
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK -- A 30-year-old woman has drowned in a backcountry river in the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming ... The Wyoming Department of Health announced Friday the man had been hospitalized before he died this week ... "Wyoming residents need to recognize that West Nile infection can, at times, become a very serious health threat," said Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Shut out by court, paper Sep 12, 2009
First, we learned that the Supreme Court chose not to allow the citizens of Wyoming one minute. Yes, one minute -- by University of Wyoming graduate and former counsel to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Benjamin Barr to add to the ongoing review of the landmark free speech case "Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission." ... Second, and just as disturbing, the "Managing Editor/State and Online" of the statewide Casper-Star Tribune, "Wyoming's News Source," apparently chooses to... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Budget woes, national reform color Bay State's health care future Sep 12, 2009
Families USA, a national advocate for consumers, said the number of individuals uninsured nationwide exceeds the collective population of 24 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Opponents of national health reform plans argue that government involvement in health care will hinder... (Arlington Advocate, MA)
School board seeks applicants Sep 11, 2009
He will be sworn in at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the House Chamber of the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne. School trustees, who have until Oct. 8 to fill Blikres position on the board, have not yet set times for interviews. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
Lehman Monday Morning Reveals Lesson Lost With Obama as Regulator-in-Chief Sep 11, 2009
That too-big-to-fail predicament -- the theory that certain businesses cant be allowed to go bankrupt because of the economic damage that would cause, and that the implicit government guarantee encourages risky behavior -- was discussed in conference rooms and watering holes during the Kansas City Feds annual symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in August. Financial Oligarchy. (Bloomberg)
Micheli outlines political beliefs Sep 11, 2009
These and other actions threaten Wyoming and its way of life, Micheli told the Natrona County Republican Women at the Petroleum Club ... "There is nothing that threatens the lifestyle of you and I in the state of Wyoming more than our federal government," Micheli said ... Micheli served 16 years in the Legislature until his election defeat in 1992, and was director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture from 1995 to 2003 in Gov. Jim Geringer's administration. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Health Care Tops Congress' Full Agenda Sep 9, 2009
Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Mike Enzi of Wyoming. The Baucus proposal reflected many of their priorities, chief among them the decision not to include the so-called public option to compete with private insurers. (CBS News)
White Male Vote Especially Critical - washingtonpost.com Sep 4, 2009
Barack Obama has gained significant support from white voters in smaller states outside the South, such as Wyoming, where he appeared on March 7. (By Alex Brandon -- Associated Press). (Yahoo News -- FYI)
IRS would become Obamacare's enforcer... Sep 4, 2009
" jen Sep 3, 2009 I've been on a payment plan with the IRS before, & they can't even keep track of payments!! How in the he!! are they supposed to pull this off?? Roger Sep 3, 2009 Fed up with Obama? Check out this song at: www.myspace.com/rogerweber J Gertz Sep 3, 2009 I was audited by the IRS by a person who had absolutely no accounting or business experience. Needless to say, they had no idea what business expenses were and denied me most of mine. However, I told her that if she did deny them... (The Drudge Report)
County courting Eleutian Sep 4, 2009
Cody Enterprise: News about Cody, Wyoming, and Yellowstone Country ... The county could then lend its name to a Wyoming Business Council grant application that would provide money for erecting the building, plans for which would have to be approved by the partnership, which would remain the actual owners ... Theresa Donley wrote on Sep 2, 2009 5:39 PM:" I'm sorry I could not be there yesterday.Based on what I have been told. Eleutian is a company that would contribute immensely to our... (Cody Enterprise, WY)
Sources: Obama to give big health care speech Sep 3, 2009
The official added that the White House thinks those actions indicate that the two Republican senators -- Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Mike Enzi of Wyoming -- "are essentially walking away from the table.". Enzi delivered the Republican national radio address Saturday to harshly criticize Democratic health care proposals. (CNN -- Health)
Both sides are negative Sep 2, 2009
Charles Grassley of Iowa, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Michael Enzi of Wyoming. It was shameless. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Obama Considers New Health Care Strategy Sep 2, 2009
Axelrod condemned recent comments by two chief Senate Republican negotiators -- Charles Grassley of Iowa and Mike Enzi of Wyoming -- who have sharply criticized key elements of Democrats' health care plans even as they insisted that a workable bipartisan plan was possible. Their remarks, Axelrod said, "were not exactly consistent with good-faith negotiations.". (KIRO TV, WA)
Cheney: CIA Abuse Probe a Political Act Aug 31, 2009
The former vice president was interviewed this week at his Wyoming home by Chris Wallace and broadcast this morning on ... " the old whipping block, the torture chamber, women and girls used for base desires. oh well, i guess things don't change much in the land of the republicans. by jaslet101 August 30, 2009 1:56 PM EDT There is no doubt that Obama is doing this for political cover. His approval ratings are dropping like a rock, way faster than Bush's ever thought of doing this early. His... (CBS News)
15 states agree to attend Wyo. energy symposium Aug 29, 2009
Richard Grant Jr.'s family has ranched Wyoming's rugged granite-and-grass hills for generations, their 123-year-old ranch dotted with reminders of their long history - an historic schoolhouse, an old red barn and the parcels of land sold away during hard times ... Richard Grant Jr.'s family has ranched Wyoming's rugged granite-and-grass hills for generations, their 123-year-old ranch dotted with reminders of their long history - an historic schoolhouse, an old red barn and the parcels of land... (Fresno Bee -- State)
Kennedy dead at 77 Aug 27, 2009
At the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles in 1960, when Wyoming cinched JFK s nomination, Ted Kennedy stood among the state s delegates, cheering them ... When he finally lifted the curse from himself that Kennedys had to be president, he truly became a legislator, said Simpson, a Wyoming Republican who served 18 years in the Senate with Kennedy. (Boston Globe)
Kennedy mourned near, far Aug 27, 2009
She also received condolence calls later, including those from Governor Deval Patrick; Vice President Joe Biden; Kerry; former presidents George W. and George H.W. Bush and their wives; Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona; former senator Alan Simpson, Republican of Wyoming; and US Representative Niki Tsongas, who lost her husband, Paul, also a former senator, to cancer in 1997. Political foes took a break from their bickering, joining in mutual tribute to the man who dominated the... (Boston Globe)
Prosecutor won't file charges in tasing incident Aug 26, 2009
The county attorney's office announced their decision Monday after reviewing a report by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, which was tasked with determining whether any crimes were committed during the Aug. 1 incident. "In light of all the circumstances pertaining to the incident, prosecution is not warranted," the county attorney's office said in brief written statement. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Freudenthal's trips on state planes total $60K Aug 25, 2009
CHEYENNE -- The state spent $60,000 flying Gov. Dave Freudenthal and his staff on state business both in and outside of Wyoming in the first six months of this year ... tla wrote on Aug 24, 2009 3:39 PM:" AGREED!! When are we going to STOP and think of all the ridiculous expenses that our gowvernment officials are spending!! were cutting, employment, were down sizing school fundings, people homeless, this money could have given A LOT of people advantages for survival & opportunity. Wake UP!!... (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Investors Don't See Bubble While Drunk on Lafite: Kevin Hassett Aug 25, 2009
In a 2008 , economists Lee Sanning, and Jo Marie Sharratt at the University of Wyoming demonstrated that wine investments provide enormous positive returns over time, with almost no correlation to the market as a whole. Their study provides a textbook example of the problem with risk analysis. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Time to repeal Bob Barrs defense of marriage Aug 23, 2009
Where tradition (and law) had dictated that a marriage in New York or Hawaii must be recognized in Alabama or Wyoming, the Defense of Marriage Act allowed any state to deny the legitimacy of a same-sex marriage that had taken place elsewhere. The bill s sweeping prohibitions also deny to same-sex couples who work for the federal government shared insurance and other work-related benefits, all so that Congress could pose as the moral defender of traditional marriage. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Obama, Congressional Dems Near Clash Aug 21, 2009
Mike Enzi of Wyoming said Wednesday. Enzi is one of three GOP senators who have met regularly with Finance Committee members to seek a bipartisan bill. (CBS News)
