High Country News
60 articles in the TruthFoundry index. Each links out to the original.
- AI chatbot reliance leads to backcountry hiker safety incidents · Hikers relying on AI chatbots face increased safety risks and rescue incidents in wilderness areas.
- Arizona joins Nevada lawsuit opposing federal Colorado River water plan · Arizona will intervene in Nevada's lawsuit against the Trump administration's Colorado River management plan.
- Ninth Circuit hears case determining future of Western wolf protections · US Ninth Circuit heard arguments over Endangered Species Act status for Western gray wolves
- 2026 US West extreme weather linked to human caused climate change · 2026 saw record drought and floods across the US West, driven by climate change.
- Author reflects on life and luck lessons from her late dog Lincoln · A grieving writer draws life lessons about presence from her deceased family dog.
- Deceased dog Lincoln teaches author to recognize ordinary daily luck · Author reflects on her late dog Lincoln and lessons about noticing good fortune.
- Colorado Voters Will Decide Constitutional Right To Hunt Amendment 83 · Colorado will vote next month on Amendment 83 to codify a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
- Utah former coal county residents oppose planned data center projects · Carbon County Utah residents push back against incoming data center and nuclear developments
- New Mexico wildfire threatens historic irrigation system and water quality · The Frijoles Fire in New Mexico risks damaging acequias and contaminating water supplies with fire retardant and sediment.
- Scarlet monkeyflower shown evolving fast enough to survive climate change · Researchers confirm wild scarlet monkeyflower can evolve rapidly to outpace climate change.
- Western US roundup: OnlyMarms, stolen dino, sailboat cats, Jimothy raccoon · Lighthearted western US stories feature marmots, a stolen dinosaur, sailboat cats, and Jimothy the raccoon.
- Border Patrol Bulldozes 400-Year-Old Cottonwood Trees for Wall in Arizona · Border Patrol agents raided a camp and cut down historic cottonwood trees to advance a border wall in Arizona.
- Long-term Duck Banding in Montana Tracks Lesser Scaup Recovery · Researchers in Montana's Centennial Valley continue a 22-year study tracking lesser scaup populations to inform conservation.
- Native Nations Sue Federal Government Over Endangered Species Act Changes · Tribal leaders sued the Trump administration after it narrowed the Endangered Species Act definition of harm.
- Toxic Algal Blooms Threaten Pets and People Across the American West · Toxic cyanobacteria blooms are spreading across the West, posing deadly risks to pets, wildlife, and humans.
- Historical US West land conflicts shape modern political divides · Archived reporting traces US West land disputes evolving into modern right-wing politics.
- High Country News editor reflects on enduring local journalism value · High Country News editor Kate Schimel outlines the lasting impact of local reporting.
- High Country News appoints Kate Schimel and Gretchen King to lead editorial · High Country News names Kate Schimel editor-in-chief and expands Gretchen King's executive editor role.
- HCN Readers Praise Environmental Reporting and Criticize Political Inaction · High Country News subscribers share letters praising coverage of the Great Salt Lake, Standing Rock, and climate issues.
- US Forest Service transfers Maroon Bells management to Pitkin County Colorado · Pitkin County will take over Maroon Bells Scenic Area management starting 2027 amid Forest Service budget cuts.
- Montana settles Indian education lawsuit, sets example for Western states · Montana reached a legal settlement to enforce its constitutional Indigenous education mandate.
- Winter crow roosts observed in downtown Portland Oregon · Naturalists document over 12,000 roosting crows in urban Portland overnight.
- Hail Damage Costs Surge as Climate Change Fuels Larger Storms · New research reveals hail damage costs are skyrocketing due to climate change and urban expansion.
- Interior Secretary Burgum Eviscerates Public Lands Protections · Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has dismantled environmental safeguards and public land protections under President Trump.
- Escalating bear conflicts force Montana wildlife managers to euthanize animals · Red Lodge Montana faces unprecedented bear-human conflict in 2026 due to food shortages.
- Alaska Drops Voter Fraud Charges Against American Samoan Family · Alaska prosecutors dropped felony charges against an American Samoan family who voted in local elections believing they were citizens.
- Wyoming GOP primary voters favor public lands, Freedom Caucus loses House majority · Wyoming GOP primary voters favored moderate Republicans like Eric Barlow over Freedom Caucus incumbents, partly due to public lands positions.
- Montana Initiative 194 aims to strip corporate political spending rights · Jeff Mangan's Montana Plan, Initiative 194, seeks to end corporate political spending and faces major legal challenges.
- Montana ballot measure to limit corporate election spending qualifies for vote · Montana Initiative 194 qualifies for ballot to restrict corporate political spending.
- Idaho Wildfire Started by Trump Appointee's Brother Costs $950,000 · Steve Boren, brother of USDA official Michael Boren, started an unpermitted wildfire consuming 5,600 acres in Idaho.