Editor's Note

The West is an accumulation of stories
The West is an accumulation of stories
Complex and different to all, the region changes with time and tellings.
The illusion of discovery
The illusion of discovery
How understanding our past can strengthen our future.
Finding tools for the future
Finding tools for the future
Westerners continue to innovate despite adversity.
The West needs more effective political coverage
The West needs more effective political coverage
Retrospective storytelling captures the nuance of our systems to better inform us as we enter election season.
Poor oversight comes back to haunt us
Poor oversight comes back to haunt us
Two investigations reveal federal agencies are too lax on bad actors.
The West is the stories we tell
The West is the stories we tell
To truly know a place, seek out its hidden histories.
Hunting still holds meaning
Hunting still holds meaning
Fewer people are picking up a rifle or bow, but the act warrants examination regardless.
Reexamine history in the service of justice
Reexamine history in the service of justice
Understanding our shared histories can help us think critically about accountability in the West.
Climate change and the challenges to human happiness
Climate change and the challenges to human happiness
It’s not too late to confront despair.
The corrupting influence of power
The corrupting influence of power
It’s more important than ever to pursue accountability.
The case for speculative journalism
The case for speculative journalism
Climate fiction can help us imagine the impacts of climate change in a way that science journalism can’t.
Where the incarceration and wildfire crises meet
Where the incarceration and wildfire crises meet
Prison firefighters are severely underpaid. And they’re the lucky ones.
The subversive nature of Indigenous art
The subversive nature of Indigenous art
These are the stories other non-Native outlets don’t dare to touch.
Why invisible dangers are the hardest to face
Why invisible dangers are the hardest to face
Evolved as humans are, we’re terrible at solving problems we can’t actually see.
Death, life and friendship in the rural West
Death, life and friendship in the rural West
Rural communities can find solace in one another.
It’s time to take a stand
It’s time to take a stand
Rise above provocation and choose decency.
Road trips and the importance of reflection
Road trips and the importance of reflection
In New Mexico, tourism illuminates a violent atomic past and threatens a religious sanctuary.
Question the myths that shape America
Question the myths that shape America
And remember that what your teachers told you is likely wrong.
The persistent trampling of the West
The persistent trampling of the West
Environmental laws are one way to force people to consider their actions.
Why we’re building coverage by, from and for Indigenous audiences
Why we’re building coverage by, from and for Indigenous audiences
A few words on HCN’s award-winning coverage of Native America.
The West is large enough to host contradictions
The West is large enough to host contradictions
Embrace incongruity, both domesticated and the wonderfully wild.
Making sense of the West
Making sense of the West
Why we’ve expanded our coverage beyond environmental issues.
The ecological danger of ethical impoverishment
The ecological danger of ethical impoverishment
The West is facing challenges that won’t be solved without moral considerations.
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