Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police director Byron Oedekoven (left) leads the fight against commonsense cannabis reform with his buddy, Rep. Bill Pownall (right) pictured here while he was a Gillette sheriff.

Law enforcement lobbyists convince House committee to kill CBD bill

CBD oil is essentially harmless. But fear-mongering law enforcement officials convinced legislators that "harmless" is still too dangerous for Wyoming adults.
"Handmaiden's Tale" Illustration by Tran Nguyen

Here come the abortion bills

Two bills threatening Wyoming women's reproductive rights are moving through the state legislature. Many more are expected to come.
Amanda Barnes at home in Laramie (photo: wyomingrenegadeimages.com)

Profile of a hard-working Wyoming woman barely getting by — STATE OF INSECURITY

Meet Amanda. She's a typical low-wage worker in Wyoming. Like tens of thousands of others she's doing her best with a crummy hand made worse by the Wyoming State Legislature.
Foster Friess may be sunning himself in Arizona during the 2019 Legislative session, but the influence of his wealth is present.

As the Wyoming Legislature convenes, Foster Friess’ influence is everywhere

The billionaire and gubernatorial loser has brought two bills, created a new media outlet, and recruited lobbyists to support his causes.
Better Wyoming will run advocacy campaigns during the 2019 session related to school funding, cannabis, and nondiscrimination

Better Wyoming launches advocacy campaigns for the 2019 State Legislative session

Our new grassroots organizing staff will recruit volunteers to focus on public school funding, commonsense cannabis reform, and LGBTQ nondiscrimination
The Wyoming State Legislature discusses not passing a minimum wage increase—maybe ever. (photo: brosher.com)

A brief history of the Wyoming Legislature’s not raising the minimum wage — STATE OF INSECURITY

An economist, a small business owner, and a waitress—all serving in the Wyoming Legislature—have been lonesome voices advocating for a higher minimum wage.
Tens of thousands of Wyoming workers would benefit from an increased minimum wage. So would the state's economy.

Want to improve Wyoming's economy? Raise the minimum wage — STATE OF INSECURITY

Tens of thousands of Wyoming workers earn poverty wages or less. More money for them would mean more for their local economies, plus a decreased need for welfare and, of course, better lives.
Fruit stacks up at the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies warehouse in Casper. If distribution problems arise, it will likely rot.

Food meant to feed Wyoming's hungry often goes to waste — STATE OF INSECURITY

Big anti-hunger organizations have trouble distributing food across Wyoming's vast spaces before it sours or rots. But the problem might have local solutions.

Wyoming's food stamp problem — STATE OF INSECURITY

Wyoming has fewer of its hungry residents signed up for SNAP benefits than any other state, meaning we lose out on millions of dollars in federal food aid.

Wyoming is the only state without a “food policy council” to fight hunger and improve food access — STATE OF INSECURITY

Unlike everywhere else, Wyoming lacks a mechanism to coordinate its fight against hunger. Thankfully, some activists are working to change that.

Wyoming’s lack of mental health and substance abuse services fuels homelessness — STATE OF INSECURITY

Many homeless people suffer from mental illness and addiction. Wyoming's lack of resources to treat these underlying problems contributes to more and more people on the streets.
"Ed" (Illustration by Robert Bryans)

Give Ed a place to live: "Housing First" works in Wyoming — STATE OF INSECURITY

Casper's "Housing First" program is among the most effective anti-homelessness effort in the state. Its secret? Folks get a place to live—no strings attached.