News Letter Journal

11/05/2025

Hageman reintroduces the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act

Via the
CHEYENNE (WNE) — U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., have reintroduced the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, legislation designed to help law enforcement crack down on the production of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
This legislation is both bipartisan and bicameral, a news release from Hageman’s office said.
https://newslj.com/hageman-reintroduces-fight-illicit-pill-presses-act

11/05/2025

Former Fremont County Library Board member heads to court

Via the and the Journal
LANDER — On October 29, David Mossburg filed a legal motion against the Fremont County Commission. He had been unlawfully removed from the library board, his motion alleged, and he asked that the court "declare that petitioner remains a duly seated member of the Fremont County Library Board."
Mossburg's motion came on the heels of the county commissioners' October 21 reconsideration and new vote on the matter of library appointments.
https://newslj.com/former-fremont-county-library-board-member-heads-court

11/05/2025

FROM WYOFILE:
Low-income Wyoming homes still without heating assistance as temperatures dive and federal shutdown drags on
An estimated 3,529 households that have applied for assistance still await help with heating costs, though officials estimate the need is much higher.

Via the and WyoFile
Temperatures are plunging across the Equality State, and thousands of low-income households are without heating assistance due to the federal government shutdown, now entering its fifth week.
The federally funded Wyoming Low Income Energy Assistance Program stopped approving new applications when its funding ran out Oct. 15, but continues to accept applications so that qualified candidates will receive help as soon as Congress approves a spending bill.
https://newslj.com/low-income-wyoming-homes-still-without-heating-assistance-temperatures-dive-and-federal-shutdown

11/05/2025

Today in Wyoming history:
In 1889, Wyoming's Constitution was approved by the electorate.

(Thanks Wyoming Historical Society.)

11/05/2025

FROM WYOFILE:
Dick Cheney, Wyoming oilman and former vice president, dies at 84
The divisive and powerful 9/11-era vice president was also a devoted husband, avid outdoorsman and close advisor to his daughter, Liz Cheney.

Via the and WyoFile
Dick Cheney, the Wyoming oilman and politician who was widely considered to be the most powerful vice president in America’s history, died on Monday. He was 84.
Cheney, who grew up largely in Casper, served as Wyoming’s sole U.S. representative in Congress from 1979-1989. It was among his many roles in Washington. At age 34, he became the youngest presidential chief of staff in history when President Gerald Ford appointed him to the post. He served as secretary of defense under George H.W. Bush, and years later joined the ticket of George W. Bush to become vice president, serving two terms.
https://newslj.com/dick-cheney-wyoming-oilman-and-former-vice-president-dies-84

11/05/2025

11/05/2025

Some small businesses face steep challenges

Via the and the Wyoming Tribune Eagle
CHEYENNE — Local entrepreneurs say owning a small business in Cheyenne often means battling high costs, complex regulations and limited community support, leaving many to feel the deck is stacked against them.
After recent closure announcements of local businesses like Angelic Beauties Boutique and Bonsai Books — the former citing city and state fees and regulations as the reason for closing — other entrepreneurs say they’re facing similar hardships.
Small businesses account for 98.9% of all Wyoming businesses, according to the U.S. Small Businesses Administration Office of Advocacy. Of the individuals employed in Wyoming, 65.2% are small business employees. In Cheyenne, specifically, 97.6% of all businesses are considered small, and 56.9% of employees work for small businesses.
https://newslj.com/some-small-businesses-face-steep-challenges

11/05/2025

FROM WYOFILE:
Rancher lobbyist knocks Wyoming bill recognizing corner crossing’s court-decided legality
Hunters vow they won’t let opponents dictate terms to dilute hard-won court victory.

Via the and WyoFile
Stock growers won’t support a bill that would clarify Wyoming law following a court decision allowing public access to public land by corner crossing, an industry representative says.
The draft bill, “Corner crossing clarification,” is headed to the Legislature early next year after the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee narrowly endorsed it in August. The measure is intended to encapsulate the 49-page decision of the U.S.10th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court ruled that landowners cannot block the public from accessing public land in the checkerboard landscape of public-private land ownership.
https://newslj.com/rancher-lobbyist-knocks-wyoming-bill-recognizing-corner-crossings-court-decided-legality

11/05/2025

Draft bill would codify direct distribution

Via the and Sheridan Press
SHERIDAN — A draft bill would allocate some of the state’s sales and use tax revenue to its direct distribution program.
Every two years, debate surrounds how much to fund the program, which supplements Wyoming local governments’ revenues.
Over the summer, executive directors from the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association urged the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee to codify the program in state statute.
https://newslj.com/draft-bill-would-codify-direct-distribution

11/05/2025

Dogies battle Bulldogs to the wire
21–14 quarterfinal loss to Lovell ends season

The Newcastle Dogies’ memorable 2025 football season came to a hard-fought end Friday afternoon in a 21–14 loss to the Lovell Bulldogs in the opening round of the Class 2A State Playoffs at Schoonmaker Field.
On a crisp Halloween afternoon that drew a strong home crowd, the Dogies came out swinging and took the fight to one of the West’s top teams. Newcastle started fast, driving the length of the field on its opening possession and finishing the march with a 33-yard touchdown run by Dane Crabtree to take a 6–0 lead.
https://newslj.com/dogies-battle-bulldogs-wire

11/04/2025

FROM WYOFILE:
Sticker shock? Wyomingites could see skyrocketing bills on ACA health insurance marketplace
Enrollment opened Saturday. Changes in federal policy are anticipated to result in huge annual premium cost spikes, fewer resources and more reporting requirements.

Via the and WyoFile
When the Affordable Care Act marketplace, where roughly 42,000 Wyoming residents get their health insurance, opened enrollment Saturday, customers likely faced a double whammy: higher prices and fewer resources.
The landscape looks different this year between federal changes to the marketplace’s administration and the ongoing government shutdown — caused in part by a deadlock over ACA tax credits designed to make insurance cheaper for consumers.
As things stand, consumers are generally experiencing less help in navigating the system, seeing higher premium costs for plans and facing new reporting requirements. In some cases, people could find their health insurance costs spiking by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars annually.
https://newslj.com/sticker-shock-wyomingites-could-see-skyrocketing-bills-aca-health-insurance-marketplace