High Country News

For Western politicians, roots matter

In the rural West, how deep a candidate's family roots go -- how long they've lived in the area -- sometimes matters more than his or her experience or political opinions.

by Paul Larmer, Sep 01, 2012
Who can capture the Forest Service?

The national forests are in such terrible shape that it's worth trying a few experiments in collaborative restoration work.

by Paul Larmer , Oct 06, 2010
Doing something about 'anything'

In this issue, Ray Ring offers a top 10 list on the midterm elections and reminds Westerners that the newly empowered Democrats in Congress are still not the sole arbiters of environmental policy

by John Mecklin, Nov 27, 2006
Letter imperfect

Some of the more heated responses to Ray Ring’s gun story show a certain ignorance of general constitutional principles, but HCN loves letters and is already looking forward to readers’ reactions to the current issue’s story on carbon sequestration.

by John Mecklin, Sep 03, 2007
My Crazy Brother

Ray Ring takes a personal, painful look at the West’s suicidal tendencies, as shown in the life and death of his brother, John.

by Ray Ring, Mar 31, 2008
Breaking the silence of suicide

It may seem like a considerable departure for High Country News to write about mental illness and suicide, but as Ray Ring’s deeply personal lead story shows, both tragedies are rooted in the West.

by Jonathan Thompson, Mar 31, 2008
It tolls for us

The energy boom in the Rocky Mountain West has been shadowed by a much darker boom: a frightening rise in death and serious injury

by John Mecklin, Apr 02, 2007
Eccentricity and wildness

Western eccentrics are found underwater as well as in the high country.

by Ray Ring, Jun 20, 2010
Changing of the editorial guard

After Editor in Chief Jonathan Thompson leaves, High Country News will be led by Jodi Peterson, Ray Ring and Sarah Gilman; former intern Michael Moss wins a Pulitzer.

by Paul Larmer and Jodi Peterson, May 09, 2010
See you in July

High Country News skips an issue; visitors; Ray Ring wins prize; correction.

by Jodi Peterson, Jun 14, 2009