Feature stories
Browse High Country News feature stories
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Utah's Sagebrush Rebellion capital mellows as animal-lovers and enviros move in
Kane County, Utah, heart of the Sagebrush Rebellion and an off-road vehicle paradise, is also home to a growing number of environmentalists, hikers and animal lovers.
by Joshua Zaffos, Jan 24, 2011 -
My walkabout with Michael
Author Pat Toomay shadows iconic Western photographer Michael Berman on a trip through the Gila Wilderness.
by Pat Toomay, Jan 18, 2011 -
California's Tangled Water Politics
Will there ever be enough water in California's Bay Delta to satisfy farmers, keep fish alive and quench the thirst of millions of people?
by Matt Jenkins, Dec 20, 2010 -
Oil and Water Don't Mix with California Agriculture
In Kern County, Calif., the oil industry shares land and water with fruit-growers and farmers -- not always comfortably.
by Jeremy Miller, Dec 15, 2010 -
Farming's Toxic Legacy
Long-banned pesticides linger in the soils of neighborhoods built on former agricultural land in central Washington.
by Rebecca Clarren, Dec 13, 2010 -
Debating Preservation in the Southwest's Spanish Missions
Archaeologists debate how best to preserve Arizona's crumbling missions – and sometimes ask if it’s time to let them die.
by Ariana Brocious, Dec 09, 2010 -
Hardrock Mining Showdown
In southern Arizona, the Forest Service is debating whether to defy the 1872 Mining Law and stop a controversial copper mine.
by Tony Davis, Nov 28, 2010 -
Washington eco-saboteurs topple towers
The Earth Liberation Front claims responsibility for toppling radio towers north of Seattle, but no one really knows who the culprit is.
by M.L. Lyke, Nov 25, 2010 -
Dr. No
Tom Coburn and James Inhofe came to power with the help of Oklahoma's oil industry and religious conservatives.
by Arnold Hamilton, Nov 14, 2010 -
Oklahoma vs. the West
Oklahoma Republican Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe have a way of riding roughshod over the West's environmental politics.
by Denver Nicks and Ray Ring, Nov 07, 2010 -
How I ran for a U.S. Senate seat, and what I learned
A first-hand account by a longtime Arizona investigative reporter, John Dougherty, about his surprising Senate campaign.
by John Dougherty, Oct 24, 2010 -
Wyoming: A popular governor gets mysterious
Wyoming's popular Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal is carefully staying out of the race between his wannabe successors, Leslie Petersen and Matt Mead.
by Ray Ring, Oct 19, 2010 -
Utah: A Sagebrush Rebel headed for D.C.
Right-wingers ousted wilderness-dealmaker Sen. Bob Bennett in the Republican primary, and now anti-wilderness Mike Lee will probably take his place in the Senate.
by Ray Ring, Oct 19, 2010 -
Oregon: Tea Party limbo
John Kitzhaber, champion of land-use planning, is running for governor again -- and the Tea Party has failed to draw much attention.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010 -
New Mexico: Wolves, wilderness, drilling and Latinos
Ultra-conservative anti-wolf Steve Pearce wants his old House seat back from Democratic oilman Harry Teague, and the next governor of New Mexico will be a woman.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010 -
Montana: Utility regs and clean energy up for grabs
A Montana populist, Ken Toole, tries to keep his seat on the Public Service Commission, while other key races involve wealthy hunters and the state Supreme Court.
by Ray Ring, Oct 19, 2010 -
Lynch-mob politics
It's not the Old West -- it's our guide to this year's Western elections.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010 -
Washington: Tea Party limbo #2
A Tea Party loss ironically helps Republican Dino Rossi's effort to unseat Sen. Patty Murray, while conflicting ballot measures seek to raise taxes on wealthy people or choke off all potential tax hikes.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010 -
Nevada: A hairy ride for Harry
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tries gun-play in his battle with Sharron Angle, and former poli-sci prof Dina Titus tries to keep her Nevada House seat out of Joe Heck's reach.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010 -
Colorado: The West's true swing state
Colorado voters are almost evenly split between Republicans, Democrats and the nonaffiliated, including the Tea Party -- and a Salazar looks vulnerable.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2010
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