Analysis

Can Western states afford to break the boom-and-bust cycle?
Can Western states afford to break the boom-and-bust cycle?
Climate action on public lands would force a reckoning for fossil fuel dependent states and communities.
Carl Segerstrom Analysis Aug. 7, 2019
The Bureau of Indian Affairs steps up its harassment policy
The Bureau of Indian Affairs steps up its harassment policy
Timeframes for responding to allegations and more show improvements from ‘zero tolerance’ rhetoric.
Anna V. Smith Analysis Aug. 1, 2019
New Mexico’s economic and energy extraction quagmire
New Mexico’s economic and energy extraction quagmire
‘We’re on a death train, economically.’
Jonathan Thompson Analysis Aug. 1, 2019
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.
Tay Wiles Analysis April 26, 2018 From the print edition
EPA proposal would let states relax coal plant pollution rules
EPA proposal would let states relax coal plant pollution rules
The change could increase contamination from coal ash leaching into groundwater.
Talia Buford Analysis April 25, 2018
Should scientists speak up for climate action?
Should scientists speak up for climate action?
How to balance professional objectivity and the existential threat of climate change.
Ingfei Chen Analysis April 25, 2018
How a community-based program aids sexual assault victims
How a community-based program aids sexual assault victims
A new approach to empowering survivors in remote parts of Indian Country.
Jill Burke Analysis April 23, 2018
All (climate) politics is local
All (climate) politics is local
During a dry spring, Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet visits rural Colorado to talk economics and agriculture.
Emily Benson Analysis April 19, 2018
Organic reach: Food sovereignty moves to the web
Organic reach: Food sovereignty moves to the web
Colonial contact brought foreign food and disease to tribal nations. Now, a digital generation is reconnecting with tradition.
Kim Baca Analysis April 18, 2018 From the print edition
Fish and Wildlife reconsiders protections for rare species
Fish and Wildlife reconsiders protections for rare species
Susan Combs, who will oversee the service, has likened endangered species to incoming missiles.
Maya L. Kapoor Analysis April 16, 2018 From the print edition
See the data behind our #NoDAPLdollars investigation
See the data behind our #NoDAPLdollars investigation
Millions of dollars were raised on GoFundMe around the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. What happened to it?
Paige Blankenbuehler Analysis April 13, 2018 From the print edition
Tribes lead the way for faster internet access in New Mexico
Tribes lead the way for faster internet access in New Mexico
Across sovereign governments, a group of Southwest tribes prepares to launch their own network.
Leah Todd Analysis April 6, 2018
How a rural electric co-op connected a community
How a rural electric co-op connected a community
By expanding into broadband, Kit Carson Co-op provides high-speed internet to thousands.
Leah Todd and Marisa Demarco Analysis Audio April 5, 2018 From the print edition
In small towns, a way to make remote work, work
In small towns, a way to make remote work, work
A ‘micro’ economic development program bolsters a community of telecommuters.
Leah Todd Analysis April 4, 2018
Park Service report nixes humans’ role in climate change
Park Service report nixes humans’ role in climate change
Interior promised not to interfere with agency science. A long-awaited report shows otherwise.
Elizabeth Shogren Analysis April 2, 2018
Did Fort Collins grow too big too fast?
Did Fort Collins grow too big too fast?
The Colorado city’s unwieldy expansion offers a cautionary tale for similar Western locales.
Lewis Kendall/Bozeman Daily Chronicle Analysis March 28, 2018
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.
Tay Wiles Analysis March 28, 2018
Exchange or exploitation? Ski towns turn to foreign students
Exchange or exploitation? Ski towns turn to foreign students
The J-1 program is the main source of migrant labor for the ski industry.
Carl Segerstrom Analysis March 27, 2018
How the U.S.-Mexico border has split the Tohono O’odham
How the U.S.-Mexico border has split the Tohono O’odham
When it comes to the ‘wall,’ the Nation is divided.
Chelsey Luger Analysis March 19, 2018 From the print edition
Northwest tribes aid a fight against fossil fuels
Northwest tribes aid a fight against fossil fuels
Two Pacific Northwest conflicts exemplify a union between tribal nations and anti-fossil fuel advocates.
Stephen Quirke Analysis March 16, 2018
‘I saw more dead birds in that one pit than hunters would poach’
‘I saw more dead birds in that one pit than hunters would poach’
Egged on by industry lobbyists, Interior Department weakens bird protections.
Elizabeth Shogren Analysis March 15, 2018
As Alaska’s waters warm, squid move Northward
As Alaska’s waters warm, squid move Northward
Opalescents are showing up in waters previously considered too cold for them.
Theresa Soley Analysis March 14, 2018
Scott Pruitt’s EPA drags its feet on controlling pollution
Scott Pruitt’s EPA drags its feet on controlling pollution
An anti-regulations agency delays enforcing the rules it was created to oversee.
Maya L. Kapoor Analysis March 14, 2018
High Country News Classifieds