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The COVID-19 CARES Act is so involved, complex and voluminous that — just as the speaker of the U.S. House famously said of another bill a few years ago — Congress may have had to pass it to see what all was in it. The relief package is broadly structured because the impacts of the virus are spread throughout the entire public and private sectors. In short, there is something in the act for nearly everybody. There is disaster relief for state, local and tribal governments, grants for public education and higher education. Several sections tar...
As of last week, the United States surpassed China in total number of recorded COVID-19 coronavirus infections. There are a few caveats to take in with that, but viral infections in China appear to be on a downward trend. China has a population of 1.4 billion people. The U.S. has a population 331 million people and confirmed infections have only increased. As of this writing, Wyoming had 95 confirmed infections. That will likely increase between the time this paper is printed and when our readers get a chance to peruse this edition, which...
It’s probably a wish a lot of us have right now: to fly away to some tiny island and away from everything that’s going on right now. With that in mind, it’s almost tragic to say “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” released two weeks ago at what is likely the perfect time for its kind of video game. Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, the game allows players to develop a desert-island community for a huge cast of animal residents. While “Animal Crossing” doesn’t have the same name recognition as...
I never expected to be writing about anything as terrible as coronavirus, let alone the strange question that has been on so many people’s minds since the pandemic started: Where can I find some toilet paper? Frequent readers of this column likely believe this is the subject I am most qualified to report about. I will try not to disappoint. So why is toilet paper flying off the shelves of Wyoming stores and throughout the country? I asked several people to give me their theories, including a psychologist. My favorite response was from Joanne Ca...
Something occurred last week which received little, if any, notice amidst the ever growing concern of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. March 15 through 21 was National Sunshine Week, which celebrates open government and citizens’ access to public records, documents, actions and deliberations. The Wyoming Legislature created a guarantee that residents could know what their state and local governments are doing for or to them through the state’s open government and records acts. Those statutes assure that all citizens have access to gov...
As we continue to hunker down and weather this viral epidemic, some of our nation’s leaders have started using tactics to focus blame for causing the global pandemic. President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to the COVID-19 coronavirus as the “Chinese virus,” despite growing criticism of that characterization as being racist. Comments made by Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., may not be as pointed, but deserve scrutiny as well. Appearing on the “Wake Up Wyoming with Glenn Woods” show on KGAB in Cheyen...
History has its eyes on you. That is a quote from the popular musical Hamilton, but as we are dealing with a global pandemic it also applies to all of us. The year 2020 is going to be remembered someday in history books. How it will be remembered is in part, up to us. Will this year go down in history as a time of great selfishness – with people hoarding masses of toilet paper and masks? Will this year go down as a time when we all came together to help our neighbors through this scary and uncertain time? There are heartwarming stories of peopl...
Dear Editor, Watching the Oscars on Feb 9, 2020, my love and respect doubled for award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, when I heard his award acceptance speech addressing social justice issues like gender inequality, racism, queer rights, women’s rights and animal rights. It was inspiring and beautiful. His way of using his fame as a platform to shine light on systemic animal abuse in the dairy industry is admirable. He said, “We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives birth, we steal her baby, even though her cri...
Dear Editor, We are concerned about the operation of the local Smith’s store. We have been there twice in the last two weeks. At Walmart the have a person at the toilet tissue aisle directing how much can be purchased. In Green River there is no such help anywhere. We think the store management just wants money. The clerks are doing the best they can. Where are the managers? Chuck and Wilma Realing Green River...
Amongst Green River’s many nicknames, “Gateway to the Flaming Gorge” is one of the most apt. Not more than 30 miles south of our city, a man-made recreational paradise lies, brimming with potential. Fishing, camping, boating, skiing, swimming -- there’s a lot to do at the gorge. With Interstate 80 bringing visitors to the gorge throughout the summer, Green River’s nickname is especially fitting. So, why isn’t there a ranger station in Green River? The gorge is part of the Ashley National Forest, which is primarily located in Utah. The recreat...
It’s easy to panic during the public health crisis the COVID-19 virus has created throughout the world. I can’t blame anyone for feeling unnerved or worried about current events. We’ve seen our schools and recreation center close and grocery stores sell out of a wide variety of foods and items. This is a truly unprecedented time. Despite all that we’re facing, I want to reiterate something to everyone in Green River: We will make it through this. The residents of Green River have shown themselve...
Green River’s Wild Horse Canyon might only be a name if the Bureau of Land Management moves forward with its preferred plan to contain wild horses found across the checkerboard to a section of land around Adobe Town. The horses are an important cultural resource in Sweetwater County. Western Wyoming Community College’s mascot is the Mustang, we have a tour called the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Tour and the annual distance run hosted during River Festival is the Run with the Horses Marathon. Beyond the cultural heritage, local wild horse her...
As insurance companies push doctors to save money by switching their patients to generic drugs, complaints about those generics appear to be on the upswing. That’s the observation of journalist Katherine Eban, who has written a book, “Bottle of Lies,” that tells a very dark tale about the generic drug industry and the safety of generic drugs Americans are increasingly taking. “My inbox is full of communications from patients who were on a drug that worked but were switched to a generic that didn’t work,” she told me. “Patients find themselv...
If there was anyone left in Wyoming who hadn’t yet gotten the memo, lawmaker activity during current legislative session has made it abundantly clear: The state needs to find some funding solutions. Toward that end, lawmakers have considered bills that would change the sales tax rate, alter the flows of severance and mineral royalty revenues and reduce dependence on the state’s general fund — which was the major motivation behind the lodging tax passage. The House Appropriations Committee even brought forth House Bill 186 – K-12 and local g...
A massive land deal might make a lot of sense for the state, but Sweetwater County’s residents should be weary of such a purchase. With more than 1 million acres of land and 4 million acres of mineral rights in play, it’s hard not to frame it as a great opportunity for the state. However, for residents who like the open spaces and ability to recreate, the purchase may cause problems in the coming decades if it goes through. The mineral rights at play are the key acquisition to be concerned with. A state desperate to keep the mineral rev...
Dear Editor: I am writing to remind the community that comments on the proposed Raven Solar project are due to the BLM by March 12. I am opposed because it will negatively impacts antelope. Already stressed from winter, they are having to expend valuable calories to move around the 600+-acre enclosure of the current Sweetwater solar project. Now the Raven project (400+ acres) is proposed right next to it. The developer also promises he has a “boatload” of projects in the works (his word). The BLM needs to deny the Raven right of way (and any...
Last week, Sen. Tom James (R-Rock Springs) attempted to convince the Senate to cut state funded tourism promotion claiming the promotion of Wyoming tourism would be better served by the private sector. This amendment would later be withdrawn by the senator as others quickly defended the importance of state-funded tourism promotion. In an email to the Star, James said the cuts would save millions in taxpayer funding and called the state department of tourism a “black hole of taxpayer dollars,” believing the department to be a subsidy for the...
It has been well documented and met with zero opposition to the priority and significance of maintaining the Greater Little Mountain Area (GLMA) and its bountiful recreational resources. That being said, I am incredibly concerned about the future of the GLMA, southwest Wyoming’s crown jewel and one of its most important recreational areas in the region. The Department of the Interior has repeatedly shown in recent months that it refuses to listen to local input when deciding how to manage the nation’s public lands, a trend that could con...
Some pieces of legislation receive far less attention than they deserve. House Bill 171 – Wyoming gaming commission, sponsored by the travel committee, looks to be one such under-the-radar measure this session. Early legislative comments focused on the idea that it regulates gambling. It’s more accurate, however, to describe the measure as legalizing instant-gratification gambling on a new level for the state. And the high number in its name reveals, the bill surfaced late in the game, allowing very little time for public scrutiny. Wyoming has...
As a Native Wyomingnite and former State Senator, I’m well aware of the boom and bust economy that we experience here in the Cowboy State. I know firsthand, our elected officials care deeply about Wyoming’s residents and I applaud the Wyoming legislative who work tirelessly dealing with a variety of significant issues that face our state. When I retired as the Director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, Cowboy Skill of Wyoming reached out to me to see if I would like to join their team as a State Compliance Director. The job des...
What do residents love about Sweetwater County? Is it the fact people living in the county can escape civilization with a simple half-hour drive. Public lands not owned and fenced off can be accessed and enjoyed easily. We can camp, hike, ride an ATV, and so much more on these public lands. A day, a weekend, or even much longer on public lands can be both easy to access and a enjoy. For many, its the perfect therapy and it’s something not many people across the United States can enjoy as readily as we can. Is it the fact there are a lot of g...
So many bills, so little time. Most veteran lawmakers would agree that the condensed 20-day budget sessions — like the one Wyoming’s 65th Legislature enters into this week — are much more demanding and stressful than the 40-day general sessions. Despite being only half as long, the amount of work a budget session requires does not drop correspondingly by half. And with time windows closing and deadlines approaching very rapidly, the rapid-fire pace scrambles even the most thoughtful approaches at deliberate scheduling. The time crunch begin...
Winter driving in Wyoming isn’t fun. We’re not talking about the kind of driving where someone is on their way to their favorite ice fishing hole or a weekend trip of skiing or sledding. We’re referring to the everyday, Point A to Point B driving that sometimes needs to be done in the middle of a snowstorm. Our building’s position on Uinta Drive gives us a unique perspective as to how busy the ambulance crews from Castle Rock Ambulance Service are. On particularly nasty days, it isn’t unusual to hear sirens and watch ambulances drive down the...
Last week when news broke that Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney would remain in the House of Representatives instead of running for an open Senate seat, there was a clear winner: the people of Wyoming. In her statement announcing her decision to run for re-election to her House seat, Cheney said “I believe I can have the biggest impact for the people of Wyoming by remaining in leadership in the House of Representatives and working (to) take our Republican majority back.” She’s right. In her short time in Congress, Cheney has quickly risen...
At this pivotal moment for both our state’s finances and education system, the Wyoming Legislature should go beyond just “recalibrating” the cost of our current education system and use this opportunity to modernize our education system. During the recent Governor’s Business Forum, Wyoming youth expressed concerns that their education did not align with future workforce needs. The students stressed the necessity to be forward-thinking about what type of jobs will replace coal and natural gas and keep people in the state. We should listen....
