Two weeks in the West
Browse High Country News feature stories
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Reefer politics
The West leads the way on medical marijuana.
by Ray Ring, Mar 08, 2010 -
Turnover at the top
Many environmental groups are seeing a changing of the guard, epitomized by 38-year-old activist Mike Brune's new job as head of the Sierra Club.
by Ray Ring , Feb 22, 2010 -
Supreme beings
The Supreme Court's precedent-overturning ruling allowing more corporate money in politics raises the possibility that it plans to tackle the Commerce Clause next.
by Ray Ring , Feb 10, 2010 -
Poltertics, 2010
"They're ba-a-ackk!": Enviro-boogeymen return from the dead as Republicans like Richard Pombo seek a comeback.
by Sarah Gilman , Jan 26, 2010 -
The EPA rides again
Under Lisa Jackson, the Environmental Protection Agency swings into action, much to the dismay of ranchers and industry.
by Jodi Peterson, Jan 13, 2010 -
The federal energy two-step
Oil and gas companies are furious with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, but environmentalists wonder if he’ll go far enough in restraining the industry.
by Ray Ring, Dec 18, 2009 -
'The West's Biggest Bully' gets his
Controversial right-wing "shock jock" John Stokes loses his Montana radio station in a battle over bankruptcy.
by Ray Ring, Dec 01, 2009 -
Frack 2, Scene 1
New York City fights drilling in its watershed, and even some energy executives say the industry needs to be more transparent about the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.
by Sarah Gilman, Nov 17, 2009 -
Interior scandal: Rated G(reen)
Recent scandals at the Interior Department – this time involving environmentalists – pale in magnitude (and luridness) compared to the agency's dalliances with industry.
by Jonathan Thompson, Nov 09, 2009 -
Indians vs. Greens?
In a controversial resolution, Hopi and Navajo politicians have told environmentalists – including grassroots Indian groups – that they are not welcome on the Rez.
by Jonathan Thompson, Oct 19, 2009 -
Parties 'R' Some Of Us
Despite the economic slump, Western party-throwing companies are doing well, especially when it comes to throwing fancy weddings.
by Ray Ring, Oct 12, 2009 -
Our best idea
A family trip out West in 1959, when he was 9 years old, inspired Dayton Duncan to make a new documentary series with Ken Burns, called The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.
by Ray Ring , Sep 14, 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 27, 2009 -
Affirmative actions
Three recent Obama nominations draw flak from environmentalists.
by Ray Ring, Aug 17, 2009 -
The same old Sen. Reid?
Year after year, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid has stood squarely in the path of every attempt to reform the 1872 Mining Law. Plus: The Energy Department wants to dump tons of deadly mercury, most likely in the West.
by Ray Ring , Aug 03, 2009 -
Mixed greens
California's "green" leadership is imperiled by the state's inability to handle the other "green" -- i.e., money. Plus: Statistics describe and a map locates some of the geologic carbon sequestration sites planned for the West.
by Ray Ring , Jul 24, 2009 -
Modern-day La Mancha
Are wind-turbine-fighting environmentalists re-enacting Don Quixote's crusade against windmills -- while ignoring the real monster of climate change?
by Jonathan Thompson , Jun 17, 2009 -
Sci-fi conservation
Enviros create force-fields around national parks. Also: Recovery Act funds are coming to BLM lands in the Western states.
by Ray Ring , May 20, 2009 -
The West dissected
The Environmental Working Group and other organizations have released detailed studies of the West along the lines of Colorado College’s State of the Rockies Report Card. Also: The economic stimulus package has money for Western national parks and monuments.
by Ray Ring , 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
