Featured Articles in Regional Politics

Kennedy off Wyoming ballot

(The Center Square) – Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has withdrawn his name from the Wyoming general election ballot. The son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew to President John F. Kennedy petitioned the state to appear as an independent candidate for president on Aug. 26. “Following his notice of Read More…

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U.S. Senators visit the Wyoming Capitol

The Energy Sector and Cyber-Security have been hot topics in the Wyoming legislature this session. U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso have echoed Wyoming’s concerns. “We have the opportunity to be energy independent here. We need to stake our claim on energy independence and help the world with those who would interfere with freedom Read More…

Election transparency bills introduced in Idaho committee

Two bills focused on transparency in Idaho’s elections were introduced in a Senate committee on Monday. The first, from Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, a Republican from Caldwell, would increase campaign finance reporting requirements for contributions and expenditures made in non-election years.    The legislation would trigger campaign finance reporting requirements once a candidate has received Read More…

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announces proposal to ban most abortions in the state

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is taking another step toward fulfilling her September pledge to ensure South Dakota has the “strongest pro-life laws in the books.” The first-term governor’s latest round of pro-life bills was announced Friday, the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The two bills would adopt similar legislation to Texas’ Heartbeat Act preventing abortions after a Read More…

Youngkin names Wyoming schools leader as Virginia’s next superintendent

Wyoming’s state superintendent of public instruction is resigning to become the head of Virginia’s public school system. The resignation of Wyoming State Superintendent Jillian Balow will be effective Sunday. Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin, who takes office Saturday, has named Balow to replace Rosa Atkins, who has been acting state superintendent since James Lane’s resignation in Read More…

Bill providing funds for legal challenges to COVID-19 vaccine mandates signed by Wyo. Gov.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – House Bill 1002, Federal COVID vaccine mandates-prohibition and remedies-2 was signed by Governor Mark Gordon. HB1002 provides $4 million in funding for legal challenges to any COVID-19 vaccination mandates passed by the Federal government according to a release. “This bill confirms the Legislature’s support for the Executive branch’s previously-expressed determination to fight Read More…

Oregon County Votes To Join ‘Greater Idaho’ in Rejection of Progressive Portland Policies

Another county in eastern Oregon voted to approve a measure to join the “Greater Idaho” movement in response to progressive policies in Portland. Sixty-three percent of voters in Harney County supported the non-binding Measure 13-18 as of Wednesday morning, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reported. It’s the only countywide vote this year. READ FULL STORY

WYO LAWMAKERS ADVANCE TWO, KILL THIRD ANTI-FEDERAL VAX RULE BILLS

The Wyoming Senate voted 15-13 Friday to kill a bill fighting expected federal COVID-19 rules as the House advanced two heavily amended measures of its own. Senators voted down Senate File 3-COVID-19 discriminatory practices, one of three COVID-related measures being worked by the Legislature, after considering 13 amendments and adopting seven. As originally written, the measure Read More…

SPECIAL SESSION OF WYOMING LEGISLATURE FORMALLY ANNOUNCED

The leaders of the Wyoming House and Senate have formally announced a special session of the Wyoming Legislature to deal with President Biden’s vaccine mandate. The session is scheduled for Oct. 26-28, according to Senate President Dan Dockstader and House Speaker Eric Barlow. According to a release from the pair on Tuesday afternoon: READ FULL STORY

Burgum: Net neutral goal set off $25 billion ‘cascade’ of interest in North Dakota

Gov. Burgum’s net-zero challenge to industry during the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference raised eyebrows — and maybe even a few hackles — back in May.   It did something else, too, though. It has attracted what Burgum described as a multibillion dollar “cascade” of global investment interest.   “Our announcement that we made in May Read More…

Idaho governor and lieutenant feud over vaccinations

Idaho‘s feuding governor and lieutenant governor are at it again. As coronavirus cases spike in the state, Gov. Brad Little’s office disclosed Tuesday that he was mobilizing the National Guard again and adding hundreds of new medical personnel for state hospitals. And with hospitals strained due to unvaccinated patients, he called for more Idahoans “to receive the safe and Read More…

WYOMING’S CRYPTO SECTOR’S FATE UP TO FEDERAL REGULATORS

After years of laying groundwork, the future of Wyoming’s cryptocurrency banking industry now lies in the hands of federal regulators, officials with Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ office told lawmakers Tuesday. In a presentation to the Wyoming Legislature’s Select Blockchain Committee on Tuesday, Lummis policy advisers Tyler Lindholm and Chris Land warned lawmakers that Wyoming Read More…

Wyoming Democratic Party unionizes

The Wyoming Democratic Party staff is unionizing as a part of the IBEW Local 415 union.   Workers handed in their union cards Saturday to Joe Barbuto, the chair of the party, and he voluntarily recognized the union.   “A big part of it is walking the walk,” said Lindsey Hanlon, the deputy communications director and a Read More…

Gordon, Lummis to fundraise for South Dakota’s Noem

The fundraiser, coordinated by Michigan-based Republican consultants the Templar Baker Group, features former candidates for the Wyoming statehouse, agriculture leaders and other high-profile political figures. It comes as Noem has been floated as a potential candidate for the Republican Party’s 2024 nomination for president. A representative for Gordon said Noem’s campaign approached him initially, asking Gordon whether he would Read More…

Death of former House Majority Leader David Lust stuns South Dakota political world

A longtime South Dakota lawmaker and former House majority leader died unexpectedly Friday, prompting tributes from state political leaders from around the state. David Lust died during the overnight hours Friday morning of a suspected heart attack, his law office confirmed to the Argus Leader. Lust was a partner at the Rapid City firm Gunderson, Read More…

Wyoming GOP official asked congressmen for help ousting Cheney

Breaking with the longstanding norm of intraparty candidate neutrality, a Wyoming Republican Party official asked members of Congress for help vetting potential challengers to U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney in next year’s Republican primary. According to emails obtained by WyoFile, Wyoming Republican Party Revenue Committee Chairman Jeff Wallack contacted staffers for Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, on Read More…

Governor plans to expand outdoor opportunities, address overcrowding at Wyoming State Parks

(Cheyenne, WY) –  Governor Mark Gordon has announced that up to $6.5 million of remaining CARES Act funds will be used to fund capacity expansion at Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites. This will expand opportunities for people to spend time outside in the state, boost tourism and address overcrowding caused by COVID-19. The funds will Read More…

South Dakota governor slams Biden over fireworks plans: ‘What a hypocrite’

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) blasted President Biden on Tuesday, accusing him of being a “hypocrite” for planning Fourth of July celebrations at the White House after her plans to hold a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore were denied. “What a hypocrite. President @JoeBiden wants “a summer of freedom” where we “mark independence from the virus by celebrating with Read More…

North Dakota Enacts Price Transparency Law

On April 27, 2021, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota signed House Bill 1032 into law, making North Dakota the latest state to enact drug price transparency measures. The North Dakota law has three main disclosure requirements applicable to drug manufacturers: (1) quarterly Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC) reporting, (2) disclosure of certain information upon a drug price Read More…