On November 5, a federal district court decided Thompson v. Masterson . The decision may put to rest objections in the Montana legislature to calling for a “convention of states” to address the federal government’s dysfunction.   To understand why, let’s start with some history:   The delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention recognized that America needed more powerful federal institutions. But they also recognized that power can be abused and misused. So they inserted

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Loper Bright Enterprises  v. Raimondo  is reshaping federal land use in Wyoming and policy throughout the United States. The ruling reversed decades of precedent requiring courts to defer to a U.S. agency’s interpretation of laws. This meant that federal judges were required to favor the government over individual taxpayers or businesses, regardless of how far off base an agency's interpretation strayed from common sense or a plain re

The phrase ‘government shutdown’ is younger than most members of Congress. Fifty years ago, government shutdowns didn’t exist. But now,...

Think about that: a school board, funded by taxpayers, making decisions that affect families, students, and teachers—telling the press and the public to put their cameras away.

Government officials who damage private property must pay for what they ruin ruled the Wyoming Supreme Court unanimously last week in...

Navajo George Tutt started uranium mining in 1949 as a hand mucker. Hand muckers would procure uranium waste and ore from veins in the...

In a shocking 8-1 ruling , the Washington State Supreme Court has given its official blessing to a secretive process that allows the...

The fireworks of July 4 celebrate the ideals of liberty and equality. But July 2 was when independence truly began—when courage triumphed over fear, and a group of revolutionaries voted to create a new nation.

Congress is currently debating many important issues as part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB). One very concerning proposal that may be...

The legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Washington are over. Depending on your political perspective, the benefits - or damages - will be felt for years to come.

When Lander resident Tina Clifford sent a public records request in August 2024 to Fremont County seeking more detailed election...

Nobel-winning economist, F. A. Hayek warned us what happens when we trade process for power. In moments of crisis or uncertainty, free...

Concluding the measure was "administrative" in nature, rather than a policy matter, justices claimed it couldn't be brought to voters. The state Supreme Court was the only court to rule that way, with other courts upholding the measure calling it a "classic vagrancy ordinance."

We all have our favorite president. For me, it’s Ronald Reagan. My admiration of the Gipper began as a young child. You can imagine the...

There are two fundamental truths about open government laws. First, it is essential for citizens to have robust and easy access to public...

While district elections can help cities have members who highlight issues from specific neighborhoods, there are drawbacks. For example,

Though time is said to heal all wounds, the scars from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns remain fresh as the nation experienced executive...

Lawmakers in Washington State and Wyoming are taking two radically different approaches to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Washington...

President Donald Trump has big plans to tackle government efficiency and accountability during his new administration. This includes...

Several lawmakers in Washington state have proposed a bill to study the creation of an official open government ombudsman. The details...