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Bob Bonnar
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Get off the page with Bob and Alexis: A deeper - but less formal - look at the issues that matter to the people of Newcastle and Weston County. Join the reigning Wyoming Journalist of the Year and a former president of the Wyoming Press Association as they dive deeper into the topics that deserve a little different look.

  1. FEB 25

    Episode 53 — Big Bucks, No Whammies!

    If you’re old enough to remember the game show Press Your Luck, you probably remember contestants chanting, “Big bucks… no whammies!” as they tried to land on prize money without getting wiped out by the cartoon villain on the board. That chant feels uncomfortably familiar in Wyoming politics right now. This week, Bob is flying solo to talk about what some have dubbed “Check-Gate” — the controversy sparked when political donor Rebecca Bextel handed campaign contribution checks to House members on the Capitol floor during the 2026 session. It may have been technically legal, but the optics landed hard with a lot of Wyomingites. We’ll break down what happened, why it matters, why the media covered it the way it did, and what it says about the growing role of “big bucks” in our political and media ecosystems. Because it’s not just politics. Media operates in the same climate. Advertising dollars. Sponsorships. Donations. Our own Unabridged Fund. The relationships are complicated, and they require transparency and trust if they’re going to work. We’ll also revisit the defeat of Senate File 49 — Bob's year-long effort to strengthen Wyoming’s Public Records Act — which cleared committee 13–0 only to fail introduction on the Senate floor. You’ll hear the vote, and you’ll hear why the News Letter Journal is not done pushing for transparency. And finally, a few updates from here at the News Letter Journal — including Alexis Barker stepping into the role of Editor-in-Chief and why we’re raising single-copy prices for the first time in nearly 20 years. So buckle up. Spin the board. Big bucks. No whammies. Here’s Episode 53. Show Notes: Check-Gate Stories: https://www.newslj.com/conservative-activist-bextel-hands-checks-lawmakers-wyoming-house-floor-controversy-erupts https://www.newslj.com/governor-bans-campaign-contributions-state-buildings-response-wyoming-check-controversy https://www.newslj.com/emotional-night-wyoming-house-speaker-neiman-tells-whole-story-check-controversy Senate File 49 Information: https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/SF0049 Joint Corporations, Elections & Public Subdivisions Committee 2025 Interim Committee Public Records Discussions. May 9, Beginning at 2:43:00 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhUOeB6zl_8&list=PLOhkcX5d91NrCzIsNxhmK3kWWCzgN1mKn&index=89 August 14 beginning at 3:10:41 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcLylXL1NsY&list=PLOhkcX5d91NrCzIsNxhmK3kWWCzgN1mKn&index=91 November 4 beginning at 1:45:47 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBMWuETGQqA&list=PLOhkcX5d91NrCzIsNxhmK3kWWCzgN1mKn&index=101 Donate to the Unabridged Fund: https://wyomingcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6298 Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    1h 7m

  2. JAN 29

    Episode 52 — Governor Gordon Meets the Press

    Episode 52 is a little different — instead of our usual sit-down conversation, we’re sharing the full audio from Governor Mark Gordon’s annual Meet the Press Luncheon at the Wyoming Press Association’s winter convention. In this recording, the governor opens with a pointed acknowledgment of the value of local journalism and the talent in Wyoming’s press corps, then pivots into the issues that are about to dominate the session: a serious budget fight, deep proposed cuts, and what he says would be “cutting the guts out” of the University of Wyoming if a $40 million reduction moves forward. He also weighs in on proposed cuts to Wyoming’s public media, pushes back on attacks on the judiciary in the wake of recent abortion rulings, and talks about the state’s long-term fiscal posture, economic diversification, and what’s next for emerging opportunities like manufacturing, data centers, and Wyoming’s new stable token. You’ll also hear questions on K-12 funding pressure in small districts, water negotiations tied to the Colorado River, wildfire and emergency alert infrastructure, shared stewardship of federal forest lands, and what advice the governor has for young professionals who are deciding whether Wyoming is worth staying in. Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    51 min

  3. JAN 14

    Episode 51 — Give us Gordo v. Gray

    This week on the podcast, Bob and Alexis dig into one of the most serious accountability stories to come out of Weston County in years — Governor Mark Gordon’s decision to formally ask the Wyoming Attorney General to begin the process of removing Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock from office. Governor Gordon initially declined to pursue Hadlock’s removal following his first investigation in May, but reversed course after receiving a new formal complaint from Weston County voters citing the false audit and her refusal to comply with a legislative subpoena. Secretary of State Chuck Gray also filed a complaint and requested Hadlock’s removal, though that request became entangled in a broader and very public feud between Gray and the governor. With Gordon and Gray now aligned on the Hadlock issue, the conversation closes with a look ahead — and a challenge. Bob and Alexis argue that Wyoming voters deserve a clear choice, and that this year’s race for Wyoming’s lone seat in the U.S. House could be the long-anticipated showdown between the Freedom Caucus and the Wyoming Caucus, with Chuck Gray already in the race and Governor Gordon uniquely positioned to settle the score at the ballot box. Let's get it on! Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    42 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    Episode 50 — Is Weston County Ready for AI

    This milestone episode marks a turning point for Top of Main as Bob Bonnar and Alexis Barker reflect on more than two and a half years of conversations, growth, and community engagement—and look ahead to what comes next. The heart of Episode 50 focuses on a topic that will shape rural America for decades to come: artificial intelligence. Drawing on Bob’s recent experience at the Four Corners AI Conference, the discussion explores how AI can be a practical tool for rural communities, small businesses, and local journalism—not a threat to them. Alexis addresses the tension between innovation and public trust, particularly in newsrooms, and explains how human judgment and editorial oversight remain central even as AI improves efficiency and accuracy. The conversation does not shy away from hard truths. Bob and Alexis confront the resistance to technology in rural governance, the widening economic gap between urban and rural regions, and the risk of communities falling further behind by opting out of change. Joined by Summer Bonnar, the episode also examines AI’s impact on education, workforce preparation, and professional standards, underscoring the need for strong fundamentals alongside new tools. Episode 50 is both a reflection and a challenge: a clear-eyed look at how AI is already reshaping rural communities, and a call for local leaders, institutions, and citizens to engage with the technology thoughtfully — and keep small towns competitive in a rapidly changing world. Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    1h 2m

  5. 12/12/2025

    Episode 49 — Home for the Holiday

    Bob and Alexis share stories from their holiday in Newcastle and discuss the value of staying connected to the community as remote workers and how important it is to stay engaged with hometown projects while living elsewhere. They also dive into the nuts and bolts of local journalism and governance and how conversations with readers shape reporting priorities, including a new emphasis on covering crime and the challenges of doing so in a small town. They also confront the realities of modern media: fragmented audiences, low engagement, and the need to meet people where they already are, and invite the public to view the thinking involved in a decision to make social media more useful by responding directly to community questions with reporting they’ve already done. From the Wyoming budget battle to the promise of AI tools that can help streamline communication, the episode underscores the ongoing effort to strengthen local journalism and deepen community dialogue. At a time when trust and transparency matter more than ever, both hosts make the case for supporting the work that keeps Newcastle informed. Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    50 min

  6. 11/23/2025

    Episode 48 — Reviving Newcastle: Challenges and Chances

    In this episode, we take a candid look at the economic and civic headwinds facing Newcastle, Wyoming, as Bob and Alexis go off the page with former Chamber of Commerce director Susan Love to evaluate the local business climate heading into the holiday shopping season and to confront the broader forces shaping the town’s future. The discussion cuts straight to the core issues: declining civic participation, shrinking population, gaps in civics education, and a Main Street struggling to keep pace with changing expectations. We examine how social apprehension, limited housing, and a weakened retail sector create a cycle that holds back growth — and what it will take to break that cycle. While the conversation is frank about the challenges, it is equally focused on opportunity. From the need for stronger collaboration among businesses to the importance of retaining young families and building a more vibrant downtown, this episode lays out the conditions Newcastle must address to strengthen its economy, attract new industry, and build a community where residents feel empowered to engage. Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    59 min

  7. 10/27/2025

    Episode 47 — Wyoming's Weird and Wicked — Weston County Style

    In honor of Halloween, we go way off the page this week to delve into some of the supernatural legends of Weston County. We welcome guest host Kazen Barker to the program to bring a kid's perspective to the holiday, and visit with horror author and News Letter Journal contributor Michael Alexander. We're also joined by Dean Petersen, host of the "That Doesn't Happen Everyday" Podcast, which features odd and macabre stories from across the Cowboy State. From haunted hotels, restaurants and cemeteries, to Sasquatch, Ouija boards and cattle mutilations, this episode is bound to have something to give even the most stoic skeptic a bit of a chill or thrill! Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    59 min

  8. 10/05/2025

    Episode 46 — Convention of States

    We’re going off the page with a timely conversation about one of the most talked-about constitutional issues in the country. In the wake of President Donald Trump publicly throwing his support behind a potential Article V Convention of States, we sit down with Julie Baker, a volunteer for the Convention of States movement here in Wyoming. Baker’s group will be hosting a Town Hall in Sheridan on October 22, and she walks us through the nuts and bolts of what an Article V convention is, why it matters, and what it will take for Wyoming to become the 20th state to officially sign on to the effort. With 34 states needed to trigger a convention, the stakes are high—and Baker explains how grassroots advocates are working to get there. Join Bob and Alexis as they dig into the national surge in support, the history behind Article V, and what this movement could mean for the size, scope, and power of the federal government. Check us out at newslj.com to keep tabs on this story, or for more news from Newcastle, Weston County and the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming!

    1h 13m
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About

Get off the page with Bob and Alexis: A deeper - but less formal - look at the issues that matter to the people of Newcastle and Weston County. Join the reigning Wyoming Journalist of the Year and a former president of the Wyoming Press Association as they dive deeper into the topics that deserve a little different look.

Information

  • Creator
    Bob Bonnar
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Top of Main Podcast
  • Show Website
    Top of Main Podcast