"Politics on Planet Idaho: The Atmosphere May Be Turning Green"

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
A special public event sponsored by High Country News and Boise State University
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

High Country News, the award-winning magazine for the American West, is gathering expert Idaho politicians and environmentalists for a lively public talk about the politics of tree-hugging, salmon-kissing and other environmental issues.

The speakers will be:

- Cecil Andrus, four-time Democratic Idaho governor

- Rick Johnson, head of the state's biggest environmental group, Idaho Conservation League

- Brad Little, Republican Majority Caucus Chairman in the Idaho Senate

- María González Mabbutt, Chicana activist

- Laird Lucas, head of the environmentalist lawfirm, Advocates for the West

The event is free and open to the public, with refreshments and seating for several hundred people, Thursday evening, 7-9 p.m., Sept. 18 in the Jordan Ballroom in the Student Union Building at Boise State University. Attendees are welcome to come a few minutes early to mingle and snack.

The university is co-sponsoring the event. John Freemuth, BSU professor of political science and public administration, will kick it off with an introduction to his research on Idahoans' attitudes toward environmental issues.

"We're in the political season, and people in Idaho are concerned about how these issues get handled. We'll make it frank and interesting," says Ray Ring, High Country News senior editor, who will be the moderator.

High Country News is an unusual, nonprofit operation, summing up its mission with a few words on the cover of the magazine: "For people who care about the West." Founded by a Wyoming rancher more than 35 years ago, High Country News has a headquarters in rural Colorado, editors and writers in 11 Western states, and about 25,000 subscribers scattered coast-to-coast.

With the range of viewpoints represented by the speakers, "We'll reinforce our reputation for balanced, independent discussion and analysis of Western issues," says Paul Larmer, executive director of High Country News. "The speakers will do what our magazine does: provide the public an opportunity to hear different sides and inspire people to engage."

More information is available at www.hcn.org/ … Links from other websites are encouraged.
 
High Country News' Ray Ring and Paul Larmer are available for interviews.
 
Contacts:

JoAnn Kalenak
Marketing director
High Country News
970-527-4898
JoAnn@hcn.org

Ray Ring
Senior editor
High Country News
406-585-2432
rayring@hcn.org

Paul Larmer
Executive director
High Country News
970-527-4898
paul@hcn.org