Items by Tay Wiles

A whistleblower speaks out over excavation of Native sites
A whistleblower speaks out over excavation of Native sites
In California, archaeologists unearthed Indigenous burials 11 years ago, but the remains have yet to be repatriated.
Staffers allege misconduct at BLM’s busiest oil and gas office
Staffers allege misconduct at BLM’s busiest oil and gas office
Complaints to Interior’s Office of Inspector General reveal concerns that the Carlsbad Field Office broke laws to favor industry.
The hidden consequences of New Mexico’s latest oil boom
The hidden consequences of New Mexico’s latest oil boom
Carlsbad residents are experiencing health impacts, but the science behind their woes lags behind the pace of drilling.
Fire-starting ranchers get a new blessing from BLM
Fire-starting ranchers get a new blessing from BLM
The agency hopes the Hammonds’ cows will reduce fire risk in eastern Oregon.
Militias, MAGA activists and one border town’s complicated resistance
Militias, MAGA activists and one border town’s complicated resistance
How Arivaca, Arizona, became a magnet for anti-immigrant activists – and what locals did next.
Anti-public lands and anti-Native groups converge in Montana
Anti-public lands and anti-Native groups converge in Montana
At a property rights conference, prominent critics of tribal sovereignty and federal land management found common ground.
The country’s busiest oil and gas office has a plan for more drilling
The country’s busiest oil and gas office has a plan for more drilling
Southern New Mexico offers a testing ground for Trump’s vision for energy dominance.
Conspiracy theories inspire vigilante justice in Tucson
Conspiracy theories inspire vigilante justice in Tucson
How one man’s imagined discovery of a sex-trafficking camp in the Sonoran Desert gained life online — and in the real world.
Rapid evolution saved the starfish
Rapid evolution saved the starfish
West Coast ochre stars make a remarkable reversal after a mass mortality event.
After Malheur, side effects of the Bundys’ extremism linger
After Malheur, side effects of the Bundys’ extremism linger
But in Harney County, Oregon, collaboration around public lands grows.
Interior revives the push for a higher Shasta Dam
Interior revives the push for a higher Shasta Dam
But the state of California and Winnemem Wintu Tribe oppose the project.
Oil- and gas-rich counties ask for more federal revenue
Oil- and gas-rich counties ask for more federal revenue
A new bill would return money earmarked for Western water projects to mineral-producing counties.
How the feds helped make Cliven Bundy a celebrity
How the feds helped make Cliven Bundy a celebrity
The creation of an anti-public-lands hero.
At a range rights gathering, the press was in the crosshairs
At a range rights gathering, the press was in the crosshairs
In the era of social media, far-right activists aim to subvert mainstream journalists.
Acquitted, convicted, fined or free: after the Oregon standoff
Acquitted, convicted, fined or free: after the Oregon standoff
Two years after the armed takeover of a wildlife refuge, consequences vary widely.
Coastal cities battle industry over climate change
Coastal cities battle industry over climate change
Fossil fuel companies face mounting lawsuits for their contributions to the looming climate catastrophe.
In Congress, both parties agree on one public lands bill
In Congress, both parties agree on one public lands bill
A bill allowing public land sales for conservation inches towards passage.
BLM speeds ahead on Grand Staircase-Escalante plans
BLM speeds ahead on Grand Staircase-Escalante plans
The agency won’t wait for the courts to rule on monument boundaries to start planning.
The Air Force wants to expand into Nevada’s wild desert
The Air Force wants to expand into Nevada’s wild desert
A 300,000-acre base expansion would push into intact bighorn sheep habitat.
Monument reductions threaten future dinosaur discoveries
Monument reductions threaten future dinosaur discoveries
Digs are imperiled by Trump’s move to slash protections for public land.
A separatist state of mind
A separatist state of mind
In the era of Trump, rural discontent settles in the state of Jefferson.
Timeline: A brief history of the Sagebrush Rebellion
Timeline: A brief history of the Sagebrush Rebellion
An interactive, year-by-year look at the current insurgency.
Cliven Bundy walks for involvement in 2014 standoff
Cliven Bundy walks for involvement in 2014 standoff
Judge dismisses case for ‘flagrant misconduct’ after prosecutors and FBI withheld evidence.
Will Trump put a ‘hired gun’ for ranchers in top BLM post?
Will Trump put a ‘hired gun’ for ranchers in top BLM post?
The president is considering a BLM director who has continually fought the agency.
Cliven Bundy case ruled a mistrial
Cliven Bundy case ruled a mistrial
The ruling represents an unprecedented failure for federal prosecutors on Western lands issues.
Former BLM investigator alleges misconduct in Bundy case
Former BLM investigator alleges misconduct in Bundy case
In leaked document, accusations of ethics violations and unprofessionalism in Bunkerville standoff investigation.
Defendants ordered released as Bundy trial continues
Defendants ordered released as Bundy trial continues
Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy says he would rather stay in jail.
How Ryan Bundy sees the West
How Ryan Bundy sees the West
The Bunkerville standoff case portends a trial over federal authority in the region.
Bundy trial delayed as the defense hammers on feds
Bundy trial delayed as the defense hammers on feds
Defense wants more transparency on surveillance footage and shredded documents.
The jury for key Bundy trial in Las Vegas has been selected
The jury for key Bundy trial in Las Vegas has been selected
Prospective jurors faced questions on mass shootings, conspiracy theories and more.
High Country News Classifieds
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    Seeking qualified Northern New Mexico Project Manager to provide expertise, leadership and support to the organization by planning, cultivating, implementing and managing land conservation activities....
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    The NFPPRD District Administrator provides leadership and managerial services associated with the Recreation District. Facilities include a seasonal pool, ballfields, bike trails, tennis/pickleball and skateboarding....
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    The Executive Director of the Badlands Conservation Alliance (BCA) builds and leads a premiere North Dakota advocacy group that serves to protect the ecology of...
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    About the Organization Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat from...
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    Are you ready to take the reins at Lemhi County Humane Society and make a difference in the lives of countless animals? We are seeking...
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    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
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  • "PROFILES IN COURAGE: STANDING AGAINST THE WYOMING WIND"
    13 stories of extraordinary courage including HCN founder Tom Bell, PRBRC director Lynn Dickey, Liz Cheney, People of Heart Mountain, the Wind River Indian Reservation...