Opinion


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 1604

  • Legislature passes conservative budget, large property tax reform package

    Albert Sommers and Ogden Driskill|Mar 14, 2024

    On Friday evening we gaveled a close to the 67th Budget Session in the Wyoming Senate and House. It was a tumultuous budget year. Yet, despite political differences and policy disagreements, the Legislature passed a conservative, balanced budget that addresses our state's needs and invests in the future. Those investments include funding for nursing homes, preschool for developmentally disabled children, and home services for senior centers. The budget supports mental health efforts and funds... Full story

  • 988 suicide hotline saves lives

    From the office of Rep. Cyrus Western, Wyoming House District 51|Mar 7, 2024

    The state of Wyoming has taken a significant step in addressing its longstanding struggle with high suicide rates by implementing the 988 suicide hotline. This critical tool in the fight against suicides has proven to be an invaluable resource for individuals facing mental health crises in the state. The 988 hotline, unlike national hotlines, operates locally in Wyoming, with trained counselors based in Casper and Greybull who are available around the clock. This localized approach ensures that individuals calling the hotline receive support...

  • Officials applaud decision to keep Trump on ballot

    Mar 7, 2024

    On March 4, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a unanimous decision reversing the Colorado Supreme Court’s December ruling to remove Donald Trump from the ballot in 2024. Some Wyoming politicians released statements to express their approval of this decision. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray previously filed an Amicus Curiae brief with the Supreme Court of the United States, arguing that the Supreme Court should reverse the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to bar Donald Trump from the ballot under Section Three of the Fourt... Full story

  • Our View: A once-in-28-years newspaper

    Feb 29, 2024

    This week’s newspaper is a very special edition.  For one thing, along with the articles on local issues, people, and sports, this week’s paper also includes our special “Things We Love” section highlighting just a few of the reasons we love our community. But even beyond that, this week’s paper is extra special simply because of the date on which it is being published, as February 29 is a day that doesn’t always exist. In the roughly 130-year history of the Green River Star, the newspaper has been published on Leap Day only a...

  • Lifelong Learning: Unconditional love

    Lu Sweet, Western Wyoming Community College|Feb 22, 2024

    My cat and I are watching TV as I write this. She loves sitting on me or near me, she sleeps on my head and is forever coming up to me and asking me to pet her. Sweetest cat ever. The ironic part of this whole thing is that from the time I was born until about 6 years ago, I have been extremely allergic to cats. Because of this, I really didn’t like cats even though we grew up with one. Being allergic and having a cat in the house really wasn’t hard, as our cat was really my mom’s cat and she pretty much kept to herself. Additionally,...

  • Our View: CRHD is on the right track

    Feb 15, 2024

    After the ongoing questions about ambulance safety, it was encouraging to see the Castle Rock Hospital District Board sit down with the Board of County Commissioners last week to open an honest discussion and channel of communication. It was especially encouraging to see that Castle Rock is taking strides to being more open and accessible in general, and that some of the concerns we brought up in a past editorial (“Castle Rock Hospital District needs to be more accessible,” published September 28, 2023) are being addressed. Just from... Full story

  • Op-Ed: Governor's budget is unaffordable and unsustainable

    Wyoming Freedom Caucus Representatives|Feb 15, 2024

    By Representatives John Bear (HD 31), Scott Heiner (HD 18), Ben Hornok (HD 42), and Tony Locke (HD 35) In late 2023, Governor Gordon submitted his state budget. The Governor described his budget as  ‘disciplined,’ ‘business like,’ ‘forward-thinking,’ ‘fiscally conservative,’ ‘realistic,’ ‘practical,’ ‘balanced, ‘prudent,’ ’sustainable,’ and ‘living within our means.’   The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has thoroughly reviewed the Governor’s budget and would ourselves describe it as UNAFFORDABLE and... Full story

  • Where have all the doctors gone?

    Katie Klingsporn, Writers on the Range|Feb 8, 2024

    There’s never been enough doctors in rural Wyoming, where I live, but a shortage of obstetricians is now increasing the risks for pregnant women across the state—and the nation. In the last decade in Wyoming, three hospitals have closed their maternity ward. That includes Rawlins, where pregnant moms now have to risk travel on Interstate 80—notorious for weather-related closures—to deliver their babies in Laramie, 100 miles away. But Wyoming isn’t the only state to face inadequate maternal care: Less than half of the rural hospitals... Full story

  • Op-Ed: Coming together over the BLM's RMP

    Joshua W.D. Coursey, Muley Fanatic Foundation President and CEO|Feb 1, 2024

    Land use planning does not usually grab a lot of headlines. It tends to happen out of the public eye; its terminology can be confusing and hard for the layperson to understand; and its impact – while significant – can seem removed from our daily lives. That’s all changed over the past few months. You can hardly open a paper or go online these days without coming across a story about BLM’s draft land use plan for the Rock Springs area. Members of the public are clearly engaged and paying attention in ways that they haven’t before....

  • Letter to the Editor: Skip the national search

    Feb 1, 2024

    Dear Editor, I see this same mistake made by college boards all the time. They hire these out-of-state firms so that they can claim to have done an “exhaustive, nationwide search” when really all they are doing is allowing the education establishment to pick their next short term President, V.P. or Dean. I have lived in fifteen states, so far, and I see the same stupidity practiced by college boards over and over again. They take some candidate from a group of three delivered to them by some far-away consultant who has no ties to the...

  • I am not an imposter

    Hannah Romero, Editor|Jan 25, 2024

    I tend to struggle with imposter syndrome.  "Imposter syndrome" generally involves feelings of self-doubt and incompetence, feeling like a fraud, feeling like you don't deserve to be somewhere or do something, etc. Usually these feelings are unfounded, or they may even be in contrast to external, objective success.  WebMD points out that Imposter Syndrome isn't an actual mental health condition, but the term is used to describe a pattern of thinking and a common feeling and experience that... Full story

  • Endangered Species Act is flawed; there is now a road map to fix it

    Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito|Jan 18, 2024

    Fifty years ago, the Endangered Species Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon with the intention of establishing a clear process for recovering species on the verge of extinction. In the years that have passed since its enactment, this well-intended law has taken on a life of its own and has dramatically shifted from its original purpose to the point where it does far more harm than good.  Since its passage, the ESA has become a weapon wielded by the Left to appease environmental activists that has punished landowners and once...

  • Letter to the Editor: Senators show Alzheimer's leadership

    Jan 18, 2024

    Dear Editor, 2023 was arguably the most significant year in advancing care for 10,000 Wyomingites and nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, and Wyoming Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis each played important roles in that progress. Both Wyoming senators were instrumental in ensuring that people living with Alzheimer’s can have access to FDA-approved treatments by signing a letter urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider its requirements limiting access. In addition, Sen.... Full story

  • Letter to the Editor: Putting people first

    Jan 11, 2024

    Dear Editor, Residential Property taxes are up 87% and out of control. No one, young or old, can afford a home because of the government rent. 540,000 people are being asked to pay more residential property tax while state and counties sit on $2 billion in reserves. Sheriff.net lists 3,400 tax liens on homes in Wyoming. The Legislature must come up with a permanent fix to our broken tax code.  The Constitution was written to restrict government, not People. Legislators forget they are elected to restrict government, not people.... Full story

  • Wyoming needs to be bullish about energy

    Governor Mark Gordon|Jan 4, 2024

    Loading an unwilling bull into a trailer can be daunting, even if it is for its own good. Bulls  tend to be testy and their size presents a special challenge. My dad’s approach involved roping the bull, dragging it to the trailer, attaching a block and tackle and then – after a good deal of cussing and a lathered-up saddle horse or two – we might wrench it into the trailer. We never hurt a bull, but we had some impromptu rodeos in the process. It didn’t always work, especially if the bull was distracted by somebody’s yappy dog or a...

  • Our View: Christmas to New Year's is time for reflection

    Dec 28, 2023

    The week between Christmas and New Year’s is an interesting time.  Some people are trying to dig themselves out from under piles of wrapping paper so they can take a second to recover from the chaos of Christmas. Many people have to go back to work for just a few days in the middle of two breaks, which can be disorienting and lead to questioning what day it even is and trying to figure out how to be somewhat productive. Others will give up on the idea of productivity or progress entirely, and will take the chance to eat a few extra cookies o...

  • Keeping Christmas every day

    Hannah Romero, Editor|Dec 21, 2023

    "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."  These words from Ebenezer Scrooge as he pleads for his hope of redemption are the climax and heart of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens - one of my all-time favorite Christmas stories.  Last year I wrote a column sharing some of my favorite adaptations of the story... Full story

  • Wyo. is open for business – let's keep it that way

    Rep. J.T. Larson, Sweetwater County Republican House District 17|Dec 14, 2023

    Serving in the Wyoming House of Representatives for just one year has opened my eyes to what the future holds for the State of Wyoming. Coupled with my role as an economic developer serving to drive robust prosperity in Sweetwater County, I can confidently say Wyoming has big opportunities ahead. Our mining and energy industries are a big reason for our optimistic outlook. Wyoming has powered the country for generations and fueled our world’s ever-growing energy needs. Wyomingites across the Cowboy State have proudly worked and leaned into su...

  • Letter to the Editor: Thank you, local heroes

    Dec 14, 2023

    Dear Editor, In the wee hours of the morning on December 9, angels walked into our home. Green River Police Officer Murphy was first to arrive. He showed incredible comfort and care. Next to arrive was the ambulance crew. Then came the lift team to assist in taking Larry/Papa from his home to the ambulance. Once we were discharged from the hospital, the lift crew returned to move him from our vehicle back into his home. We could not have done this without the help of these incredible people. You are all heroes – thank you from the Cummings,...

  • "A date that will live in infamy"

    Major Anderson RN, Prairie Doc Perspectives|Dec 7, 2023

    December 7, 1941 is a “date that will live in infamy” as stated by President Theodore Roosevelt in his famous speech after the events of the Pearl Harbor bombing. That event let to the United States involvement in World War II. President’s Roosevelt’s speech was a call to arms and a declaration of war against this act of aggression by a foreign nation. He never wanted us to forget what happened. President Roosevelt concluded his speech by saying “With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we...

  • Letter to the Editor: Regarding the proposed nuclear power plant

    Dec 7, 2023

    Dear Editor, The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently held a meeting in Kemmerer letting the public know there will be opportunities to get involved in the permitting process for Terra Power’s proposed natrium nuclear plant. That’s great since public input is important. However, I wonder how the NRC thinks the public can comment on and get involved in something where all of the main details have been kept secret. Time and time again NRC staff couldn’t answer questions, saying things like some details are proprietary and can’t...

  • A conservative budget that focuses on today's needs and looming challenges

    Governor Mark Gordon|Nov 30, 2023

    Last week I fulfilled my constitutional duty when I submitted a balanced budget proposal for the next two years. Consistent with my approach since taking office, I presented a fiscally conservative budget that focuses on needs more than wants. It addresses the pressing challenges of today, but also anticipates the concerns of tomorrow. It is a budget crafted to live within our means, in keeping with Wyoming’s traditional conservative values, and at its core, it is designed to leave Wyoming a little better for our time here. Today Wyoming is... Full story

  • Letter to the Editor: Responding to the BLM RMP

    Nov 22, 2023

    Dear Editor, I have been trying to keep up with the discussions that have been going on in reference to the proposed resource management plan (RMP) for the Rock Springs District of the Bureau of Land Management. There is so much misinformation in the press and public discussion, it makes my head spin. I spent a 41 year career with the State of Wyoming, almost all of it as a law enforcement officer (Damage Control Warden and Game Warden) with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in the Green River Region. There are many extremely important...

  • Letter to the Editor: An open invitation to Vice President Kamala Harris

    Nov 16, 2023

    Dear Editor, I recently wrote and sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris inviting her to Wyoming to witness a recitation of the Gettysburg Address. I don’t know whether she will receive the letter. But as Wyoming is the Equality State and she is our first female and Black vice president, I believe it is an important issue and wanted to invite her. Democracy is all about communication. And the Gettysburg Address is relevant to our country today. Lincoln knew we needed to overcome slavery to move on in our country. Have we moved on? He...

  • Letter to the Editor: The big city's hand has reached into Green River

    Nov 16, 2023

    Dear Editor, I recently moved to Green River in hopes of recapturing what once was in America, but the big city’s ways had moved here way before I did. Not going into all those things, what I am so very disappointed about is when there is a person obviously working on a car that is broken down on a busy bridge and three separate officers simply drive by, one making eye contact with the minor granddaughter and the other two staring straight ahead as one does the panhandlers on the street corners. It is very alerting that the big city has...

Page Down

Rendered 03/19/2024 03:36