The Open Range Record article archive — page 5
Complete archive of news articles, investigations and columns published by The Open Range Record, Wyoming's Independent News Source.
- Lange: A Pharisee and a Tax Collector Walk in to a Church
Suddenly, “thoughts and prayers” has become a hot topic. That’s great! Because like the pharisee and the publican, prayer separates the men from the boys—the sons of God from the sons of disobedience - Wake Up and Watch!
If this were going to be a quick and easy battle, Peter wouldn’t have needed to keep reminding us to be diligent. - Wyoming’s Vanishing Winter: Record Heat and Solar Activity Confound Long-Range Forecasts
The unprecedented warmth has also highlighted a growing gap between traditional seasonal forecasting and the reality of a high-solar-activity environment. - Born in a Barn: Eric Barlow and a History of Radical Environmental Politics in Wyoming
If a Governor Eric Barlow faced a clash between Wyoming’s energy economy and the litigation strategies of the advocacy groups long tied to his political roots, voters deserve to know where he would stand. - Keaton: Why Democrats are Ogden Driskill's Biggest Fans
"Driskill, who represents Senate District 1, has often framed the growing conservative wing of the party as a collection of newcomers and "carpetbaggers" who have no right to change Wyoming's political landscape." - Lucas: This Isn’t About Obscenity—It’s About Children
Every community draws lines when it comes to children. We do it in schools, in media, and in countless other areas of public life. Libraries should not be exempt from that conversation. Dismissing that conversation as a “misconception” does not resolve the iss... - WATCH: Brent Bien Live on Cowboy State Politics March 26 9am
Gubernatorial Candidate Brent Bien joins Cowboy State Politics Live March 26 - Not So Common Sense Republicans for Wyoming
The "Common Sense Republicans for Wyoming" are upset that the Freedom Caucus reduced Governor Gordon’s budget by 1.3% (a $143 million reduction on the governor’s $11.1 billion budget). How many Wyoming families have to adjust their household budget 1.3% every... - Billion Dollar Dilemma: Why the Sioux Nation Refuses to Touch its Black Hills Fortune
Justice Harry Blackmun, writing for the majority, famously quoted a lower court’s scathing assessment: "A more ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealings will never be found in our history." - April Marie Morganroth's (Marie Hamilton's) Claims in Black and White
April Marie Morganroth aka Marie Hamilton has been released from the Platte County Jail. We thought we'd line up several of the claims she has made about her credentials side by side. The result was a series of credentials that change over time. - Profiles: Chip Neiman
Chip Neiman is the 64th person to serve as Wyoming Speaker of the House. Though, if you talked to him outside of the state house, he wouldn't strike you as being 3rd in line to the governor's chair. You'd meet a plain spoken rancher with deep Wyoming roots. - Angelos Announces Candidacy for Senate District 23
Two-term Campbell County Representative Abby Angelos is announcing her candidacy for Senate District 23. - WYGOP Chair Attempts to Bar Members of the Press from Participation in Party
At this past Saturday's Sheridan County GOP Convention, State Chairman Bryan Miller attempted to bar members of the press from being in any leadership position in the Party. - Lange: Constitutions are Like Locks
In fact, there is no clear principle that limits the majority’s definition of “health care” to the annihilation of unborn babies. The novel “constitutional” theory that they propound applies to infants, children, adolescents, and adults, as well - Marquardt: Define it How You Want, It's Not Conservatism
That is the problem with the rhetoric coming out of the Sweetwater County’s elite contingent: It is not rooted in a consistent standard; it is not rooted in equal application. And often, it is not even rooted in the Wyoming Republican Party platform. Instead,... - Cody Lawmaker Rachel Williams Announces Run for Secretary of State
A former law enforcement officer, Williams was first elected to the House in 2020. Her campaign highlighted her current role as chair of the House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee and emphasized her identity as a wife, mother of two, and community vol... - Jake Went Looking for Budget Panic. Pendergraft Gave Him a Reality Check.
Cowboy State Daily host Jake Nichols tried to press Representative Ken Pendergraft on “drastic cuts” - and wound up reinforcing the limited-government case instead. - Steinmetz Announces Re-Election Campaign for Senate District 3
“Unity without truth is surrender,” Steinmetz said. “Wyoming has a Republican supermajority, but voting records make clear that not everyone who runs as a Republican governs as a conservative Republican. The people of Wyoming deserve representation that is tra... - SCGOP Chair James Temple Announces Run for House District 29
We came here to build a life based on Wyoming values, Conservative values. But I see that slipping away from the Wyoming people. We all must continue to fight for what is morally right, or we will lose what makes Wyoming great. - Lange: Let's Talk about the Common Good and Woke Religion
Deplorables are danged if they do and danged if they don’t. Justice is whatever the anonymous writer says it is. If you doubt that, and examine it in the light of the Bible, you must be a Christian Nationalist. - Zeta Nuckolls Anderson Announces Run for House District 1
In announcing her cadidacy, Anderson said, "By rolling up our sleeves and working together we can ensure future generations enjoy the Wyoming we all know and love!" - Rep Ken Pendergraft Announces Run for Senate District 21
Ken Pendergraft, who has represented Sheridan County in House District 29 for 4 years, is announcing his candidacy for the Wyoming Senate in District 21. - Marquardt: Let's Try This Again Gail
When a public commentator regularly argues against policies aligned with those principles while still presenting themselves as a conservative voice, it is fair for readers to examine that tension. Symons suggests that ideological politics demands everyone belo... - Sweetwater Co Censure: 2 Votes on the Same Resolution
The Sweetwater County GOP censured Reps Darin McCann and Marlene Brady over the weekend, kind of. After the first vote on the resolution failed, Acting chair Elizabeth Bingham called for a second vote without a motion. Most of the discussion focused on feeling... - Lange: Religionless Christianity
“Doing the word,” rather, means that the faith that saves you—the faith that is a pure gift of the Holy Spirit—the faith that you confess in the Creed—has a shape and a form in the world. What we do and say at work, at school, and in the public square are radi... - Marie Hamilton: The Names, The Resume and the Criminal Arrest
But the public record surrounding that name Marie Hamilton tells a longer and more complicated story. The earliest official records reviewed by The Open Range Record appear in Arizona under the name April M. McClellan and April Marie McClellan - 2026 Budget Session Recap: Key Legislation and Challenges for Wyoming
The Senate’s inability to manage the schedule in a way that allowed these bills to be heard fell short of the level of professionalism Wyoming citizens should expect from their Legislature. Responsibility for managing the daily floor schedule rests with Senate... - The Continued Protection of the Use of Taxpayer Resources by Government Unions is Baffling
"The right question is, why do so many leaders think taxpayers should pay to facilitate government union or political business? Gov. Gordon argues the cost of deductions is negligible given that the infrastructure is already in place to process them, but that’... - Hageman Holds Town-Halls in Northeast Wyoming - Part One
"According to Rep. Hageman, 13,000 vehicles travel across I-80 every day, with about half of those being trucks. We have the highest truck fatality rate in the United States. This problem is intensified by non-English-speaking illegal aliens." - Fmr Rep Jeanette Ward Announces Candidacy for House District 57
I do not rely on surveys to decide how to vote on legislation. My decisions are guided by the principles I hold and the conversations I have with the citizens of District 57. If you know my principles, you can know how I will vote. I believe elected officials... - Lucas: A Tale of Two Cities
"The reason cited by the city planning department? The farmstand is a little too “rural” for Cheyenne’s tastes. Its processing of animals gets a little too “western.” - Exie Brown Announces Candidacy for House District 9
“I understand the priorities of Wyoming families because I live them. Our elected officials must return to prioritizing the voices of their constituents over the special interest groups who donate to their campaigns.” - Letter: Children Do Not Belong to the School System
Do you notice that trade schools, private schools and home schools don't waste their time on protests. Only government schools allow it. At 20,000 bucks per student, are you getting your money's worth? - When It Hits Home: Rep. Joe Webb Speaks About the Cost of Politics
"Webb’s remarks made clear that the damage from the public controversy had already reached far beyond the Capitol walls. Rather than respond with anger, Webb told colleagues he and his family had chosen a different path." - Bextel: Reflections a Month After the Checks--Let's Investigate LSO
A photograph taken by Representative Karlee Provenza led to a full-on media assault and controversy. I’ve been reflecting on what happened in the aftermath. It seems the Democrats found plenty of “Republicans” to do their bidding. - The Legislature Should Override Governor's HB0178 Veto
This bill isn't some vindictive plot; it's scorching-hot accountability. Wyoming counts over 41,000 public employees (per Wyoming Retirement System data), and their families deserve a government that doesn't squander resources on union perks. - Capitol Security Video Surrounding Check Incident Deleted
Whether the security footage requested was overwritten by the Capitol’s security system or if it was intentionally deleted, the result is the same. Those records do not exist anymore. One thing is certain, this is a staggering breach of government transparency... - Are We Building Economic Development or Creating Wyoming's Next Crisis?
Sen. Cheri Steinmetz writes, "Private property rights are the cornerstone of American liberty, but they are not absolute. When private property use escalates into industrial operations that impose costs on neighbors and communities, it ceases to be a matter of... - The $400.00 Campaign Donation That Raises Big Questions
"This isn’t to suggest the existence of a quid pro quo with any of these campaign donations but it certainly raises the specter of one." - A Glimpse into Eric Barlow's Record on Pro-Life Legislation
During his leadership in the House as Chairman of Health and Labor and as Speaker of the House, various pro-life bills were never introduced for consideration by the Legislature. - Politics Over People: The Sheridan Press Uses Sgt Krinkee Photo for Politics
"The Sheridan Press used Krinkee’s picture to push a political narrative—to use the visceral reaction his picture evokes." - Wyoming Speaker of the House Chip Neiman Endorses Chuck Gray for U.S. House
I've worked with Chuck on many issues, including school choice, property tax relief, and election integrity, and he has shown his track record of effective conservative leadership time and time again. He has my complete and total support. - SF101, The Truth about what the Governor, Lobbyists and the Media are Saying-UPDATED
Ironically, a section of the Cowboy State Daily’s March 6 article is titled, “As Written.” It begins by quoting Senate President Dennis “Bo” Biteman when he said, “Read the bill!” The Cowboy State Daily clearly did not follow Biteman’s advice. - How Senate Leadership Subverted the Session
What unfolded during this legislative session was not the deliberative, transparent process the founders envisioned. Instead of open debate, there were closed-door caucuses. There was a lack of rigorous discussion on the Senate floor. There were delays, recess... - Bratten: The Last Week of the 2026 Budget Session
On Wednesday, the legislature will review any vetoes for potential overrides. After that, the legislative session will be over for this year, and it will be time to work on interim committee topics for the rest of the year. - The Single Greatest Enemy We Face
Leftists have had decades to perfect their dark "art" of creating phony moral equivalencies. It is by this means that they assert validity for their evil ideas and actions, heralding them to be legitimate counterparts to what they decry as equally evil concept... - Teton, Lincoln County GOP Attempt Censure of Bextel, Fail Overwhelmingly
Once the meeting began, several individuals who had signed the Teton petition reportedly said they believed they were signing a request simply to hold a meeting to fill vacant party positions, not specifically to pursue a censure resolution. - WATCH: David Interviews Natrona High Club America President Kylie Wall
Natrona County High School Club America President Kylie Wall sits down with David to discuss HB159, the ban on "viewpoint discrimination." HB159 would prohibit school officials from suppressing views with which they disagree. This is the same treatment Wall re... - Viewpoint Neutrality and Student Speech: Senate Advances HB0159
"Wall testified that approved materials were removed, flyers were torn down, and threats were made against her and club members." - A Line Drawn at the Heartbeat: HB126
"Modern science, he said, has given society something previous generations never had. A window into the womb. With that visibility comes responsibility."