High Country News

Sierra Club fights Keystone XL with civil disobedience

The act will be the first of its kind sanctioned by the group’s board of directors in its 120 year history, and may push the conversation over the controversial tar-sands oil pipeline to a new level.

by Judith Lewis Mernit, Feb 18, 2013
The man beneath the hat: Ken Salazar's search for middle ground

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, a twelfth-generation Latino-American, works politely and quietly but stubbornly to protect the West’s environment in polarized times.

by Kate Sheppard, Dec 11, 2011
Obama message control blocks journalists covering the environment

The Obama administration makes it harder for its environmental message to be heard when it sets up roadblocks to information and blocks media access.

by Judith Lewis Mernit, Oct 23, 2011
When all else fails, go to court

Obama could give environmental causes a push in the right direction with his choices for new judges, especially in the West.

by Ray Ring, May 05, 2011
Arizona: Obama's curse?

When Obama plucked Janet Napolitano out of the governor's seat to run Homeland Security, he surrendered Arizona to the ultra-conservatives.

by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010
Is Obama's goal of diversity trumping other goals?

Three recent Obama nominations have drawn flak from environmentalists.

by Ray Ring, Sep 03, 2009
The new Third World

While some Americans fight over healthcare reform, others line up at dawn to receive free care at a temporary clinic in Los Angeles.

by Ray Ring , Aug 26, 2009
Affirmative actions

Three recent Obama nominations draw flak from environmentalists.

by Ray Ring, Aug 17, 2009
Salmon Salvation

Obama’s new political order, backed by the legal acumen of Judge James Redden, may help the Northwest’s salmon survive and end the era of the Lower Snake River dams.

by Ken Olsen, May 04, 2009
Champions go both ways

The Obama administration appoints environmentalists to some important positions in the Interior Department and other agencies. Also: The West faces a growing shortage of food-supply animal veterinarians.

by Ray Ring, Apr 20, 2009