Free Republic

New Gov. Bill Walker took office Dec. 1 and ordered immediate changes in top echelons of state government. Walker brought back several top officials from Gov. Sarah Palin’s administration for senior positions in the natural resources and revenue departments. Walker defeated former Gov. Sean Parnell by about 6,200 votes in the Nov. 4 Alaska elections. Parnell first took office in July 2009 when Palin resigned before the end of her term. Out were several state commissioners and deputy commissioners including Joe Balash at the Department of Natural Resources, Susan Bell at Commerce and Economic Development, Bill Streur at the Department...

Convention lets local Republicans discuss the issues By Becky Orr rep6@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle CHEYENNE - Laramie County Republicans supported platform issues Saturday that ranged from voluntary prayer in schools to keeping the job of county sheriff as an elected position rather than an appointed one. In a room decorated with red, white and blue balloons bearing the Bush-Cheney ticket for 2004, the delegates heard from elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyoming, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Trent Blankenship and state Speaker of the House Fred Parady, R-Rock Springs. Parady discussed state budget issues. "Education is...