Items by Jessica Kutz

Q&A: Parks Service chief historian on creating inclusion in the nation’s story
Q&A: Parks Service chief historian on creating inclusion in the nation’s story
Meet Turkiya Lowe, the first Black person and the first woman to oversee history taught by the agency.
Arizona’s utility commission slashed just transition assistance for tribes
Arizona’s utility commission slashed just transition assistance for tribes
The Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe will receive significantly less funds to assist in economy after the end of coal.
How to cool one of the fastest-warming cities in the West
How to cool one of the fastest-warming cities in the West
In Phoenix, a new heat office hopes to prevent more people from dying of extreme heat.
EPA announces $630 million plan to stem cross-border sewage flows
EPA announces $630 million plan to stem cross-border sewage flows
Once approved, these infrastructure projects will treat contaminated water before it’s released into the ocean.
What unions at green groups hope to gain
What unions at green groups hope to gain
‘We have to stand up against the exploitation of us.’
Visualizing the aquifers that straddle the U.S.-Mexico border
Visualizing the aquifers that straddle the U.S.-Mexico border
For the first time, scientists have mapped out the groundwater the two countries share.
Afghan refugees find a home in the West
Afghan refugees find a home in the West
A resettlement agency in Twin Falls, Idaho, prepares for newcomers.
How community control of housing and land can help solve the housing crisis
How community control of housing and land can help solve the housing crisis
Communities are turning to land trusts and real estate cooperatives as possible solutions.
9 numbers that explain the BLM’s headquarters boomerang back to D.C.
9 numbers that explain the BLM’s headquarters boomerang back to D.C.
A look at what happened to the reorganization of the agency under the Trump administration.
How Texas’ restrictive abortion law puts pressure on clinics in Western states
How Texas’ restrictive abortion law puts pressure on clinics in Western states
Patients are turning to places like New Mexico and Colorado for care.
A monsoon summer in the Southwest
A monsoon summer in the Southwest
How residents across the region are engaging with the yearly weather phenomenon.
11 stats on Washington’s problematic so-called ‘murder hornets’
11 stats on Washington’s problematic so-called ‘murder hornets’
A nest found last week was home to approximately 1,500 hornets.
Tree DNA thwarts black market lumber
Tree DNA thwarts black market lumber
How the genetic code of flora helped catch timber thieves.
The fight over a  5,000-year-old burial site in California
The fight over a 5,000-year-old burial site in California
How a state law to expedite affordable housing erased a tribe’s right to consultation.
Could casitas help prevent displacement in the West’s cities?
Could casitas help prevent displacement in the West’s cities?
As the housing crisis worsens, advocates sound off on how to bring homes to the people.
Oil and gas behemoth ExxonMobil shaken by shareholders
Oil and gas behemoth ExxonMobil shaken by shareholders
Three new directors appointed to company’s board could steer a transition to renewables.
A hallucinogenic toad in peril
A hallucinogenic toad in peril
How a Sonoran Desert species got caught up in the commodification of spiritual awakening.
The essential — and dangerous — work prisoners do
The essential — and dangerous — work prisoners do
Incarcerated people respond to pandemics, wildfires, avian flu outbreaks, mudslides and more.
Can a wildlife refuge help a community’s fight for environmental justice?
Can a wildlife refuge help a community’s fight for environmental justice?
In Albuquerque’s South Valley, activists are happy for more green space but worry about gentrification.
Foreign-born doctors fill physician shortages in the West
Foreign-born doctors fill physician shortages in the West
Some find a permanent home; others languish in a visa holding pattern.
A rural remedy to health care access
A rural remedy to health care access
A virtual telementoring program helps the West respond to the pandemic.
Biden halted border wall construction. Now what?
Biden halted border wall construction. Now what?
Environmental and human rights advocates hope to steer the administration toward a new vision at the border.
 The fight for an equitable energy economy for the Navajo Nation
The fight for an equitable energy economy for the Navajo Nation
Diné activist Nicole Horseherder’s long quest for equity from the rise and fall of the coal economy.
Where the Great American Outdoors Act stands now
Where the Great American Outdoors Act stands now
After passing with bipartisan support in August, the conservation law hits stumbling blocks. Here’s what may happen next.
Trump gutted NEPA regulations, but a Biden presidency could restore them
Trump gutted NEPA regulations, but a Biden presidency could restore them
An environmental lawyer discusses the future of the country’s bedrock environmental law.
Violence at the U.S.-Mexico border as a presidential election nears
Violence at the U.S.-Mexico border as a presidential election nears
Law enforcement deploys tear gas and rubber bullets in confrontation with Indigenous activists.
How residents rallied to get their post office back
How residents rallied to get their post office back
In rural Arizona, the postal service is a literal lifeline.
Young and politically empowered in Arizona
Young and politically empowered in Arizona
Latino canvassers push to get out the vote.
Nuestro sistema de detención está dejando a los inmigrantes en bancarrota
Nuestro sistema de detención está dejando a los inmigrantes en bancarrota
Mientras las corporaciones se benefician, las familias de estatus mixto son arrojadas a la pobreza.
Extreme heat is here, and it’s deadly
Extreme heat is here, and it’s deadly
Gearing up for the fight against a new climate enemy.
High Country News Classifieds
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) seeks a strategic and visionary Executive Director: View all job details here- https://bit.ly/CCRHED
  • MONTANA BLUES
    The new novel by Ray Ring, retired HCN senior editor, tackles racism in the wild, a story told by a rural White horsewoman and a...
  • DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
    Title: Digital Engagement Specialist Location: Salt Lake City Reports to: Communications Director Status, Salary & Benefits: Full-time, Non-Exempt. Salary & Benefits information below. Submission Deadline:...
  • CONSERVATION FIELD ORGANIZER
    Title: Conservation Field Organizer Reports to: Advocacy and Stewardship Director Location: Southwest Colorado Compensation: $45,000 - $50,000 DOE FLSA: Non-Exempt, salaried, termed 24-month Wyss Fellow...
  • UTAH STATE DIRECTOR
    Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Apply by Oct 18. Seeking collaborative, hands-on ED to advance our work building community through fresh produce.
  • INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS EDITOR - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
    High Country News is hiring an Indigenous Affairs Editor to help guide the magazine's journalism and produce stories that are important to Indigenous communities and...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
    Staff Attorney The role of the Staff Attorney is to bring litigation on behalf of Western Watersheds Project, and at times our allies, in the...
  • ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
    Northern Michigan University seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its next Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. With new NMU President Dr. Brock...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Clark Fork Coalition seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its Executive Director. This position provides strategic vision and operational management while leading a...
  • GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT MANAGER
    Help uphold a groundbreaking legal agreement between a powerful mining corporation and the local communities impacted by the platinum and palladium mine in their backyard....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Feather River Land Trust (FRLT) is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to advance our mission to "conserve the lands and waters of the...
  • COLORADO DIRECTOR
    COLORADO DIRECTOR Western Watersheds Project seeks a Colorado Director to continue and expand WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Colorado,...
  • ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HISTORY - INDIGENOUS HISTORIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST
    Whitman College seeks applicants for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Histories of the North American West, beginning August 2024, at the rank of Assistant Professor....
  • DAVE AND ME
    Dave and Me, by international racontuer and children's books author Rusty Austin, is a funny, profane and intense collection of short stories, essays, and poems...
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
    Rural Community Assistance Corporation is looking to hire a CFO. For more more information visit: https://www.rcac.org/careers/
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation (ABWF) seeks a new Executive Director. Founded in 2008, the ABWF is a respected nonprofit whose mission is to support...
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
    Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the northern Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
    Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.