Wyoming
Opinion | Why would Wyoming allow concealed guns at the Capitol, but restrict cameras?
Wyoming’s elected officials are trying to simultaneously get more guns and fewer cameras in the State Capitol.
I know that the pen is mightier than the sword, but can we please discard this absurd notion that photojournalists’ Nikons are dangerous, but election deniers’ Glocks are perfectly safe in the halls of government?
Let’s start with the controversial gun possession issue. Far-right lawmakers opposing any gun restrictions, including gun-free zones, have long tried to allow weapons inside the Capitol.
But this new proposal was advanced by the Capitol Building Commission, i.e. the governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and state superintendent of public instruction.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of a plan to allow concealed firearms in many areas of the Capitol and attached facilities, including the extension that connects to the Herschler Building. There will be a 45-day public comment period and other requirements before any rules and regulations actually change.
What concerns me, however, is how blithely the state’s top five elected officials ignored the public feedback they’ve already received. Eighty-seven percent of the 130 respondents to a State Construction Department online survey opposed changing the existing gun-free policy.
One state employee expressed feeling “uncomfortable and fearful of coworkers, public visitors and anyone other than security personnel carrying firearms at my place of work.”
Other respondents believed firearms shouldn’t be allowed where heated debate takes place. That’s a great description of the Legislature, where cooler heads often do not prevail.
At least 23 states allow some form of legal firearms possession at statehouses, though the rules vary greatly. My chief objection to Wyoming joining that list is the likelihood of guns being used — deliberately or not — to intimidate others and silence voices.
The Legislature makes its own rules for how business is conducted in its areas of the Capitol during the session. Lawmakers will have plenty more to say about concealed weapons after the commission finalizes its own plan. In the meantime, they’re busying themselves with new rules concerning media access.
Last month, the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities, Technology and Process advanced a proposal to keep photo and video journalists from using the hallways adjacent to the Senate and House floors.
What are legislators who support this policy — which will be decided by the Legislative Management Council on Nov. 11 — afraid of? And would the public lose if it’s implemented?
The answer to both questions is transparency. Some lawmakers think it’s better to do their work out of the spotlight than to allow media representatives to show the public how legislators work and interact.
There’s no question that restricting photographers to the third-floor gallery above the action in the House and Senate will result in far less interesting and informative images of what’s happening on the floor. Because older white males dominate both chambers, still photos and video images will typically show a sea of pale bald heads.
As the possessor of such a head, I guarantee you that’s a sight no one really needs or wants to see.
The much higher quality of images that can be obtained by taking photos at eye-level isn’t a sufficient reason alone to allow professionals to show their readers/viewers how legislators conduct themselves in the “People’s House.”
But the old adage about a picture being worth a thousand words is often true. My days as a Wyoming Tribune Eagle photographer at the Capitol were long ago, and I enjoyed the chance to depict what was going on behind the scenes in ways I couldn’t always capture with my pen.
The best result I ever had was a series of photos during an emotionally exhausting late-night session when the Legislature killed a bill to create a medical school at the University of Wyoming. It stretched past midnight, and my final photo was of a legislator looking at his sleepy young daughter valiantly trying to stay awake on a couch off the House floor.
That image was only captured because of the access the media had in the chamber’s corridors. It captured the human element of the legislative process on a stressful, historic day.
The excuses being used to restrict press access are lame. Legislative Services Office Director Matt Obrecht told the committee “with the amount of traffic in those hallways … it’s just not a place for photographers.” In reality, the hallways are relatively quiet, with photographers respecting both the work spaces of each other and lawmakers.
Rep. Dan Zwonitzer (R-Cheyene), part of the 4-2 majority that sent the plan to the Management Council, claimed because everything being said at the microphones are captured by audio and video, “You don’t need that same [hallway] access because it is much more transparent.”
Yes, video and audio technology improved. But everything the public sees and hears is controlled by the Legislature, not independent observers. That’s a lot of power given to the government to decide how what’s happening is presented to voters.
I share the concerns of Darcie Hoffland, executive director of the Wyoming Press Association. “It has been the role of the fourth estate to report on the work being done for the people of Wyoming by their legislators,” she wrote in an email to WyoFile. “To limit or revoke access sets a dangerous precedent not only for the Wyoming Legislature itself, but for local government agencies to follow suit.”
Times have indeed changed, to the detriment of legislative transparency. Until 2013, credentialed Wyoming journalists could work at tables on the Senate and House floors. They received memos and proposed amendments at the same time lawmakers did, so they could track bills as they were debated. If reporters had questions, they had easy access to legislative leaders’ offices off the hallways. It improved the quality, accuracy and comprehensiveness of news outlets’ coverage.
Legislative leaders justified removing the press tables 11 years ago by claiming more space was needed for staff. I don’t disagree that quarters were tight, but I don’t think the only viable solution was to boot the working press to the gallery.
During the Capitol’s renovation, officials closed the third floor media office shared by newspapers, radio, TV, WyoFile and wire service reporters. One of the things that made it a great working environment was that every legislator and lobbyist knew where to go to deliver their take on the daily grind of the session. The media plays a vital role in watching what transpires at the Capitol and informing the public.
Now the press room is in the basement, in the corridor between the Capitol and Herschler Building. After more than 40 years covering the Legislature, I know there are always lawmakers who would be overjoyed to boot the media right out the door.
But the Capitol isn’t just home to legislators, or people who want to pack heat while roaming the halls. The Management Council should reject the proposal to keep photojournalists from the space where they have the best opportunity to document what our lawmakers are doing.
CASPER, Wyo. — A month-long slide in Natrona County’s average gas price ended in the past week as the average ticked upward a penny as the national average dropped by the same amount.
The nation’s average price of gasoline rose, then fell, and remains just below its week-ago level at $3.13 per gallon, according to GasBuddy data. The national average is up 3.1 cents from a month ago and down 43 cents from a year ago.
The national average price of diesel fell 3.2 cents in the last week to stand at $3.476 per gallon.
“While the national average didn’t fall quite as far as anticipated for Memorial Day, it was still one of the most affordable since 2021 — and, when adjusted for inflation, among the cheapest in nearly a decade,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “As we move into the heart of summer, I believe we’re likely to see a relatively stable stretch for gas prices as refinery maintenance wraps up. Don’t expect the national average to rise above $3.30 per gallon, nor drop much below $3 for now.
“While refining issues on the West Coast are beginning to ease, several factors could still influence prices in the weeks ahead — including growing uncertainty around the upcoming hurricane season. We’ll also be watching OPEC+’s meeting this week to see if they boost oil production again for July as well.”
On Monday, AAA reported that the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.17, up 4 cents from last week. In Wyoming, the average is $3.14, down 1 cent. Natrona County’s average rose 1 cent to $2.84, giving the county the cheapest gasoline in the state for eight weeks in a row.
Laramie and Goshen counties continue to leapfrog each other week to week, jockeying to offer the second and third cheapest averages. Laramie County’s 9-cent drop last week brought its average to $2.94, now the state’s second cheapest average, while Goshen County’s price dropped 1 cent to $2.99, ranking it as the third cheapest, according to AAA.
The cheapest fuel in Natrona County on Tuesday was $2.69 at Exxon, 1968 E. Yellowstone Highway, followed by $2.75 at multiple gas stations in Casper, according to GasBuddy reports.
Also included in GasBuddy’s report:
OIL PRICES
Ahead of a key OPEC+ meeting where the organization will be weighing another potential production increase, oil prices remained in the low $60 per barrel range as of Tuesday morning. WTI crude was off 62 cents to $60.95 per barrel, down from $62.08 last week, while Brent crude oil was down 54 cents to $64.20 per barrel, down slightly from last Monday’s $64.91 per barrel fetch. While OPEC+ may resort to raising production again, oil markets were also digesting the possibility of President Trump sanctioning Russia for escalating its attacks on Ukraine in recent days, which could impact oil markets, depending on the degree of any potential move. However, with OPEC+ potentially raising oil production, oil markets may see little overall impact.OIL AND REFINED PRODUCT SUPPLIES
The EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week ending May 16, 2025, showed U.S. oil inventories rose by 1.3 million barrels, about 6% below the seasonal average for this time of year, while the SPR rose 800,000 barrels to 400.5 million. Gasoline inventories rose by 0.8 million barrels and stand 2% below the five-year seasonal average, while distillate inventories rose 0.6 million barrels and are about 16% below the five-year seasonal average. Refinery utilization rose 0.5 percentage points to 90.7%, while implied gasoline demand, EIA’s proxy for retail demand, fell 150,000 bpd to 8.644 million barrels per day.GAS PRICE TRENDS
The most common U.S. gas price encountered by motorists stood at $2.99 per gallon, unchanged from last week, followed by $2.89, $3.09, $2.79, and $3.19, rounding out the top five most common prices.The median U.S. gas price is $2.99 per gallon, unchanged from last week and about 14 cents lower than the national average.
The top 10% of stations in the country average $4.60 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $2.54 per gallon.
The states with the lowest average prices: Mississippi ($2.62), Louisiana ($2.67), and Alabama ($2.71).
The states with the highest average prices: California ($4.77), Hawaii ($4.46), and Washington ($4.35).
Biggest weekly changes: New Mexico (-11.6¢), Nevada (-9.8¢), California (-8.5¢), Texas (-8.1¢), Utah (-7.8¢)
DIESEL PRICE TRENDS
The most common U.S. diesel price stood at $3.49 per gallon, up 10 cents from last week, followed by $3.39, $3.29, $3.19, and $3.59, rounding out the top five most common prices.The median U.S. diesel price is $3.39 per gallon, unchanged from last week and about 8 cents lower than the national average.
Diesel prices at the top 10% of stations in the country average $4.75 per gallon, while the bottom 10% average $2.87 per gallon.
The states with the lowest average diesel prices: Texas ($3.01), Louisiana ($3.07), and Oklahoma ($3.08).
The states with the highest average diesel prices: Hawaii ($5.27), California ($5.04), and Washington ($4.60).
Biggest weekly changes: Florida (+9.7¢), Oregon (+8.9¢), Washington (+7.5¢), Texas (-7.4¢), New Mexico (-7.2¢)
Related
Sheridan played in the state tournament in just their first year of existence.
Click here to see results from the state tournament.
Northeast: (Quadrant Record listed first, then Overall Record)
Thunder Basin 5-1, 20-8
Sheridan 4-2, 19-11-2
Campbell County 3-3, 33-5
Worland 0-6, 3-26
Northwest: (Quadrant Record listed first, then Overall Record)
Kelly Walsh 4-2, 14-13
Cody 4-2, 13-17
Natrona County 4-2, 16-16
Jackson 0-6, 1-25
Southeast: (Quadrant Record listed first, then Overall Record)
Cheyenne East 5-1, 28-10
Wheatland 4-2, 18-11-1
Cheyenne Central 3-3, 24-12
Torrington 0-6, 7-22
Southwest: (Quadrant Record listed first, then Overall Record)
Laramie 5-1, 19-11
Rock Springs 4-2, 11-17-1
Green River 2-4, 9-18
Cheyenne South 1-5, 2-17
Softball Scores from last week:
Natrona County 10 Laramie 9
Cheyenne Central 20 Sheridan 17
Cheyenne East 13 Cody 3
Campbell County 10 Rock Springs 0
Cheyenne Central 9 Natrona County 5
Cheyenne East 11 Campbell County 3
Laramie 9 Sheridan 8
Cody 11 Rock Springs 8
Campbell County 19 Laramie 18
Natrona County 14 Cody 12
Campbell County 12 Natrona County 11
Cheyenne Central 5 Cheyenne East 0
Campbell County 10 Cheyenne East 6
Campbell County 29 Cheyenne Central 9
Campbell County 17 Cheyenne Central 12
Chance of mainly afternoon rain in much of Wyoming on Monday, otherwise mostly sunny. Highs from the mid 50s to the mid 70s and lows from the upper 30s to the low 50s.
Central:
Casper: Patchy fog before 8 a.m., slight chance of rain after 1 p.m., gradually becoming sunny today with a high near 68 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 43 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph.
Riverton: Slight chance of rain after 4 p.m., otherwise sunny today with a high near 75 and breezy, gradually becoming mostly clear overnight with a low near 48 and wind gusts as high as 31 mph.
Shoshoni: Sunny today with a high near 75 and partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 48 and wind gusts as high as 33 mph.
Southwest:
Evanston: Slight chance of rain after noon, otherwise sunny today with a high near 70 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 40.
Green River: Sunny today with a high near 74 and partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 47 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph.
South Pass: Chance of rain mainly after 1 p.m., otherwise mostly sunny and windy today with a high near 64 and wind gusts as high as 44 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 44 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph.
Western Wyoming:
Pinedale: Slight chance of rain after 1 p.m., otherwise sunny and breezy today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 39 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.
Alpine: Sunny today with a high near 75 and partly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 11 p.m. and a low near 46.
Big Piney: Sunny and breezy today with a high near 70 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 38 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.
Northwest:
Dubois: Chance of rain mainly after 1 p.m., otherwise sunny and breezy today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph. Partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a chance of rain before 11 p.m., a low near 44 and wind gusts as high as 28 mph.
Jackson: Sunny today with a high near 72 and partly cloudy overnight with a a low near 44.
Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park: Chance of rain mainly after 2 p.m., otherwise sunny today with a high near 67 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight and a low near 39.
Bighorn Basin:
Thermopolis: Slight chance of rain after 4 p.m., otherwise sunny today with a high near 76 and partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 49 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph.
Cody: Slight chance of rain after 1 p.m., otherwise sunny today with a high near 74 and partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a slight chance of rain before 7 p.m., a low near 52 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.
Greybull: Sunny today with a high near 77 and mostly clear overnight with a low near 49.
North Central:
Buffalo: Slight chance of rain after 4 p.m., otherwise sunny and breezy today with a high near 65 and wind gusts as high as 21 mph. Mostly clear overnight with a low near 46.
Sheridan: Patchy fog before 9 a.m., otherwise sunny today with a high near 73 and mostly clear overnight with a low near 44.
Ranchester: Patchy fog before 9 a.m., otherwise sunny today with a high near 72 and mostly clear overnight with a low near 44.
Northeast:
Gillette: Gradually clearing today with a high near 60 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 45 and wind gusts as high as 29 mph.
Newcastle: Chance of rain, patchy fog, mostly cloudy today with a high near 55 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight, a low near 45 and wind gusts as high as 22 mph.
Hulett: Patchy fog before 7 a.m., chance of rain mainly before 1 p.m., otherwise gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 62 and wind gusts as high as 17 mph. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 42 and wind gusts as high as 17 mph.
Eastern Plains:
Torrington: Patchy fog before noon, chance of rain, otherwise gradually becoming mostly sunny today with a high near 59 and mostly cloudy overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight and a low near 45.
Douglas: Patchy fog before noon, chance of rain, otherwise gradually clearing today with a high near 64 and mostly cloudy overnight with a low near 42.
Kaycee: Slight chance of rain after 1 p.m., otherwise mostly sunny today with a high near 67 and mostly clear and breezy overnight with a low near 42 and wind gusts as high as 24 mph.
Southeast:
Cheyenne: Patchy fog before noon, rain likely, mostly cloudy today with a high near 58 and mostly cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight and a low near 42.
Laramie: Patchy fog before noon, rain likely, otherwise partly sunny today with a high near 61 and mostly clear overnight with a slight chance of rain before midnight and a low near 39.
Pine Bluffs: Patchy fog before noon, rain likely, cloudy today with a high near 56 and cloudy overnight with a chance of rain before midnight and a low near 42.
South Central:
Rawlins: Slight chance of rain after 3 p.m., otherwise mostly sunny today with a high near 69 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 44.
Encampment: Chance of rain mainly after noon, otherwise mostly sunny today with a high near 65 and partly cloudy overnight with a low near 41.
Wamsutter: Sunny today with a high near 69 and partly cloudy and breezy overnight with a low near 41 and wind gusts as high as 23 mph.
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