Wells left behind by industry threaten to overwhelm Western states.
State government
Posted inFebruary 19, 2018: Unfrozen North
Idaho protects the rights of faith healers. Should it?
A debate rages over the extent of religious freedom in the face of preventable deaths.
Posted inArticles
For endangered species, politics replaces science
A leaked Fish and Wildlife memo suggests a shift away from science.
Posted inDecember 11, 2017: Scorched Earth
In a burning West, wildfire smoke threatens public health
Montana hospitals handled an increase of respiratory-related problems this year.
Posted inArticles
After Oroville, officials across the West review dam safety
The California dam’s spillways are ready for rain as safety officials prepare for future catastrophes.
Posted inNovember 27, 2017: Profit and Politics
In Utah, public access to state lands comes at a cost
Public access to trust lands varies widely from state to state.
Posted inArticles
Zinke’s new sage grouse plans ignore years of work
The changes adhere with Trump’s goals of energy dominance on public lands.
Posted inArticles
What a new report on climate science portends for the West
From wildfires to drought, a look at a warming world.
Posted inArticles
Western governors take the lead on climate change
New alliance highlights states’ progress despite President Donald Trump’s rollbacks.
Posted inArticles
Send us a tip: How are your state lands managed?
We’d like to know how your state is managing — or mismanaging — its trust lands or parks.
Posted inSeptember 4, 2017: The Elwha, Unleashed
How we risked losing the West
A look back at how range science misled land managers.
Posted inArticles
Why the Bundy crew keeps winning in court
The feds just lost another case against public lands occupiers.
Posted inArticles
Blame for wildfires gets pinned on ‘environmental extremists’
Montana’s lawmakers slight climate change as a main driver for the state’s blazes.
Posted inAugust 21, 2017: Rooftop Revolution
Latest: Malheur occupiers sentenced
Ten other participants still await their punishment.
Posted inAugust 21, 2017: Rooftop Revolution
Latest: Utah counties claim access to old roads
A convoluted legal battle takes a step forward.
Posted inArticles
The Interior secretary gave a closed-door speech to ALEC
The pro-land-transfer group has the ear of Ryan Zinke and other key Trump cabinet members.
Posted inAugust 21, 2017: Rooftop Revolution
One grid to rule them all
And in the darkness, bind them: The West’s bid for one big electric grid.
Posted inArticles
You can’t slash health care and say it’s better off
The Senate discusses a bill that will further erode health services in Indian Country.
Posted inArticles
California enters the global climate stage
As Trump backs off climate agreement, California tackles ambitious renewables goal.
Posted inArticles
Nevada governor signs law to revive rooftop solar industry
Public pressure prompts reversal of unfriendly solar policies.