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July 1, 2020

In this issue, we bear witness to the protesters in the #BlackLivesMatter demonstrations who have overflowed the streets of Los Angeles. We examine innovative alternatives to policing in Eugene, Oregon, where non-emergency EMS services are dispatched for de-escalation, mental health crises, substance abuse and other issues — all without police involvement. Scanning the data, we map the disproportionate police militarization and violence across the Western U.S. As the climate crisis worsens, we consider the adaptions forced on the Inupiaq people of the Arctic, as well as on the coastal cities of California. Our feature story follows the arduous efforts to save a vanishing species of catfish along the U.S.-Mexican border. And we describe the unexpected rise of labor organizing among fruit packers and ski patrollers alike. The issue also features an interview with a founder of #BlackBirdersWeek; an argument for full-time wildland firefighters; and a former insider’s warning of a compromised Bureau of Land Management.

Feature

As the Arctic warms, the Inupiat adapt
As the Arctic warms, the Inupiat adapt
‘What choice do we have?’
Jenna Kunze July 1, 2020 From the print edition
The only catfish native to the Western U.S. is running out of water
The only catfish native to the Western U.S. is running out of water
The Yaqui catfish was going extinct. Then came the border wall.
Maya L. Kapoor July 1, 2020 From the print edition

Reportage

Bay Area towns need to address sea-level rise. Will they?
Bay Area towns need to address sea-level rise. Will they?
‘It’s not natural for them to cooperate.’
Robin Meadows June 2, 2020 From the print edition
How a Washington ski patrol learned to unionize
How a Washington ski patrol learned to unionize
When Vail Resorts added Stevens Pass to its empire, ski patrollers feared becoming fungible parts in a corporate machine. So they organized.
Andrew Schwartz June 10, 2020 From the print edition
There’s already an alternative to calling the police
There’s already an alternative to calling the police
A 31-year-old program in Eugene, Oregon, is a model in de-escalating situations that could end with law enforcement violence.
Anna V. Smith June 11, 2020 From the print edition
Bureau of Land Management investigates a new Bundy ranch project
Bureau of Land Management investigates a new Bundy ranch project
Ryan Bundy is allegedly building irrigation structures in Gold Butte National Monument.
Kalen Goodluck June 16, 2020 From the print edition
Coronavirus concerns revive labor organizing
Coronavirus concerns revive labor organizing
Washington fruit packers seek lasting gains from pandemic strikes.
Carl Segerstrom June 18, 2020 From the print edition
Will COVID-19 help save small slaughterhouses?
Will COVID-19 help save small slaughterhouses?
As laborers for the Big Four meatpackers fall ill, small slaughterhouses see unprecedented demand.
Carl Segerstrom May 20, 2020 From the print edition

Editor's Note

The West protests
The West protests
‘Dominator culture’ and the injustices of climate change, COVID-19 and racism.
Brian Calvert July 1, 2020 From the print edition

Facts & Figures

Western police are geared up for war
Western police are geared up for war
But who’s the enemy?
Jonathan Thompson Analysis June 26, 2020 From the print edition

Conversation

#BlackBirdersWeek takes on systemic racism
#BlackBirdersWeek takes on systemic racism
‘The whole purpose is to highlight and showcase Black birders, and anybody can do that.’
Emily Benson Interview June 1, 2020 From the print edition

Book Reviews

A pandemic of both feminism and despair
A pandemic of both feminism and despair
In Lauren Beukes’ ‘Afterland,’ only women survive. Can they rebuild?
Kimi Eisele July 1, 2020 From the print edition

Photo Essay

Voices from an uprising
Voices from an uprising
Portraits from Los Angeles’ Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
Stephanie Mei-Ling Photos July 1, 2020 From the print edition

Perspective

The Forest Service should embrace a full-time workforce
The Forest Service should embrace a full-time workforce
Permanently investing in firefighters would improve the health of employees and the landscapes we protect.
Anastasia Selby Perspective June 15, 2020 From the print edition
Bureau of Land Management leaders have lost their way
Bureau of Land Management leaders have lost their way
A former state director argues narrow interests have dominated the agency’s direction.
Jim Kenna Opinion May 26, 2020 From the print edition

Heard Around the West

Helicopter wild; five drives; isolation tips
Helicopter wild; five drives; isolation tips
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
Betsy Marston July 1, 2020 From the print edition

Dear Friends

Grateful in turbulent times
Grateful in turbulent times
HCN’s journalism continues, thanks to great supporters.
High Country News July 1, 2020 From the print edition

Letters

Graphic content warning, please
Louis Jaffe July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Radicalized poaching
Ian Morse July 1, 2020 From the print edition
A flag of fantasy
Joe Bickel July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Flying fish?
Alex Kouvel July 1, 2020 From the print edition
America’s historical violence
Alan-Michael Foucault July 1, 2020 From the print edition
The crisis is culling our vulnerable
Natalie Hirt July 1, 2020 From the print edition
A chilling analysis
Jürgen Kraus July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Poison for profit
Alyosha Goldstein July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Rollbacks at a breakneck pace
Susan Stone July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Anti-regulatory architect
J.K. Sloan July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Unjustified captivity
Lance Martin July 1, 2020 From the print edition
An orca as a surfboard
Fred Page July 1, 2020 From the print edition
Orca culture
Quad Finn July 1, 2020 From the print edition
High Country News Classifieds