The 68th Legislature is set to convene for the 2025 General Session on January 14. Bills are already being filed and there will be even more changes in the make-up of both the House and the Senate.

Dear Editor;

Last legislative session we finally got a law passed eliminating gun free zones. We have been fighting for this for decades because it is important. Over 95% of “mass shootings” occur in so called “ gun free zones”.

If there was anyone more deserving of having a highway named after them than Loren “Teense” Willford, we believe one would be hard pressed to find them.

As a wild year of political vitriol, anxiety and division wimpers to a highly anticipated end, there has been one thing that’s pushed me to continue forward, strengthened my bond with family and kept me in contact with friends on all corners of the county — football.

Last week the Big Horn Basin received the news that the Big Horn Cooperative Marketing Association would be closing many of its retail stores including Worland’s farm store. The tire shop had closed in September without any official notification.

The news was somewhat of a gut punch, similar to when we heard that Shopko would be closing.

Dear Editor, 

Our homes are ablaze with Christmas lights as we celebrate Christmas. But, the question needs to be asked. What are we celebrating? Is it Christ’s birthday or a pagan celebration of selfish acquisition, hatred and tribal exclusion. Do his values permeate Christmas?