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High Country News

@highcountrynews.org

Independent journalism dedicated to shining a light on all the complexities of the Western U.S since 1970. https://bit.ly/HCNLinks

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Latest posts by High Country News @highcountrynews.org

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A champion Iditarod musher proved that caring and trust win races - High Country News As the 2026 sled dog race kicks off, the lessons of Susan Butcher still resonate.

As the 2026 sled dog race kicks off, the lessons of Susan Butcher still resonate.

06.03.2026 09:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 9 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Whatโ€™s needed to protect sage grouse? - High Country News Two tribes are showing how saving sage grouse, and other iconic species of the Westโ€™s vast sagebrush steppe, will require are assessment of the widespread cattle grazing that has become an emblem ofโ€ฆ

The Burns Paiute and Shoshone-Bannock tribes are proving that reducing grazing may be the key to saving the iconic bird.

06.03.2026 00:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 52 ๐Ÿ” 14 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

This nomination recognizes the dedication and creativity of our entire team and community. Thank you for reading, subscribing, and supporting independent journalism that shines a light on the stories of the West and beyond.

05.03.2026 23:45 ๐Ÿ‘ 15 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

High Country News has been nominated for a 2026 National Magazine Award from the American Society of Magazine Editors! Two of our covers โ€” โ€œImmigrant Storiesโ€ and โ€œThe Art of the Cruiseโ€ โ€” were named finalists for Best Independent Magazine Covers.

05.03.2026 23:45 ๐Ÿ‘ 51 ๐Ÿ” 5 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Markwayne Mullin is for Trump โ€“ and Indian Country - High Country News The Cherokee congressman, who is hard-right and white-passing, may not seem like an Indigenous lawmaker, but heโ€™s no anomaly.

President Trump has replaced Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma. Revisit Graham Brewer's 2019 profile of the controversial Indigenous lawmaker.

05.03.2026 20:44 ๐Ÿ‘ 22 ๐Ÿ” 10 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 5 ๐Ÿ“Œ 4
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Osburnโ€™s bridge to nowhere becomes a lifeline for Silver Valleyโ€™s elk - High Country News Idahoโ€™s newest wildlife crossing didnโ€™t need to be built. It already existed near Coeur dโ€™Alene.

Deer and elk are already using the new wildlife overpass in Osburn, safely crossing Interstate 90 instead of risking deadly traffic. Last year, Kylie Mohr wrote about this โ€œbridge to nowhere.โ€ Now, itโ€™s a bridge to safety for wildlife and drivers alike.

05.03.2026 17:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 56 ๐Ÿ” 16 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Badger signs: An essay from Terry Tempest Williamsโ€™ new book โ€˜The Gloriansโ€™ - High Country News Badgers embody one of my mantras, โ€œAs above, so below,โ€ so it is fitting that I have chosen as my final resting place a plot in Castle Valley cemetery that is already inhabited by badgers.

Badgers embody one of my mantras, โ€œAs above, so below,โ€ so it is fitting that I have chosen as my final resting place a plot in Castle Valley cemetery that is already inhabited by badgers.

05.03.2026 09:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 21 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Welcome to Daylight Nonsense Time - High Country News When the Yukon tinkered with the time change, it stretched the Mountain Time Zone to its breaking point.

When the Yukon tinkered with the time change, it stretched the Mountain Time Zone to its breaking point.

04.03.2026 22:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 21 ๐Ÿ” 5 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3 ๐Ÿ“Œ 5
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Coyotes and cougars and rats, oh my! - High Country News Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.

Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.

04.03.2026 09:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 10 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Two former, high-ranking Interior Department employees, from opposing political parties, call for an overhaul of public-land management.

buff.ly/wdK3nVs

04.03.2026 02:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 13 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Why Western states are pushing for plug-in solar - High Country News Plug-in solar offers an easy way to save on power bills and transition to clean energy, but whether the market in the U.S. takes off depends on state laws and product standards.

Plug-in solar offers an easy way to save on power bills and transition to clean energy, but whether the market in the U.S. takes off depends on state laws and product standards.

03.03.2026 09:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 40 ๐Ÿ” 20 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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March 2026: The Uncertainty of Farming in the Colorado River Basin - High Country News HCN looks at several Western ecosystems and the various species that depend on them โ€” including the human beings who rely on the drought-stricken Colorado River. How are farmers in the Colorado Riverโ€ฆ

March has arrived and we dive into Western ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Colorado River farmers face drought and politics. Montana Tribes restore waterways. Alaska grapples with wildlife management. Volunteers in Portland rescue frogs.

New issue โžก๏ธ buff.ly/ernBVZK

02.03.2026 14:47 ๐Ÿ‘ 16 ๐Ÿ” 7 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Can Alaska save caribou by killing bears? - High Country News Alaska officials hope to protect a struggling caribou herd & bring back a critical subsistence hunt. Critics say the culling program isn't supported by available science.

Alaska officials hope to protect a struggling caribou herd & bring back a critical subsistence hunt. Critics say the culling program isn't supported by available science.

02.03.2026 09:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 14 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The essentials of democracy - High Country News Keep sending public comments, because our future hangs in the balance.

Keep sending public comments, because our future hangs in the balance.

02.03.2026 09:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 20 ๐Ÿ” 4 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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FROM THE GRIMOIRE - High Country News A poem by D.A. Powell.

A poem by D.A. Powell.

01.03.2026 08:55 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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An ode to Johnny Sagebrush - High Country News Bart Koehler helped Westerners protect the places they love.

Bart Koehler helped Westerners protect the places they love.

01.03.2026 08:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 11 ๐Ÿ” 5 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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New board members join the team - High Country News These folks graciously serve our nonprofit to ensure the organization stays sound.

These folks graciously serve our nonprofit to ensure the organization stays sound.

01.03.2026 08:45 ๐Ÿ‘ 13 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Letters to the Editor, March 2026 - High Country News Comments from readers.

Comments from readers.

01.03.2026 08:40 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Karen Budd-Falenโ€™s ethics documents spark renewed calls for an investigation - High Country News Interior's new release of ethics disclosures shed new light on the officialโ€™s growing scandal.

Interiorโ€™s new release of ethics disclosures shed new light on the officialโ€™s growing scandal, shares Public Domain.

01.03.2026 02:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 16 ๐Ÿ” 5 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The farther the walk, the fatter the deer, study finds - High Country News In southwest Wyoming, mule deer with the longest migrations end up fatter, live longer and carry more fawns to term than their herd-mates.

New research shows the importance of intact migration pathways for Wyoming deer.

buff.ly/ZWOkGbw

28.02.2026 15:03 ๐Ÿ‘ 32 ๐Ÿ” 10 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Skimo is hot, in hot times - High Country News The newest Olympic winter sport arrives just as snow droughts are becoming more likely.

The newest Olympic winter sport arrives just as snow droughts are becoming more likely, shares Vox.

buff.ly/Umitz4C

28.02.2026 00:52 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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How people are helping breeding frogs dodge cars - High Country News Imperiled northern red-legged frogs need to cross a 4-lane highway in Oregon to lay their eggs. Every winter, volunteers carry them across.

Imperiled northern red-legged frogs need to cross a 4-lane highway in Oregon to lay their eggs. Every winter, volunteers carry them across.

27.02.2026 09:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 41 ๐Ÿ” 22 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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How community organizers are amplifying Oregonโ€™s Black music history - High Country News A community music archive preserves the history of Black arts and culture in Portlandโ€”and fortifies its future.

A community archive amplifies the legacy of Portlandโ€™s longstanding Black music culture.

26.02.2026 23:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 14 ๐Ÿ” 5 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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The Colorado River rift abides - High Country News Statesโ€™ stalemate persists as Lake Powell races toward de facto deadpool.

Statesโ€™ stalemate persists as Lake Powell races toward de facto deadpool.

26.02.2026 09:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 14 ๐Ÿ” 7 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Trumpโ€™s BLM nominee waffles on public land sell-off stance - High Country News Steve Pearce, the White Houseโ€™s second oil and gas-connected pick, is โ€not so sureโ€ heโ€™s changed.

Steve Pearce, the White Houseโ€™s second oil and gas-connected pick, is โ€not so sureโ€ heโ€™s changed.

25.02.2026 21:30 ๐Ÿ‘ 19 ๐Ÿ” 11 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Itโ€™s time to rethink how we care for our public lands and waters - High Country News Two former, high-ranking Interior Department employees, from opposing political parties, call for an overhaul of public-land management.

Two former, high-ranking Interior Department employees, from opposing political parties, call for an overhaul of public-land management.

25.02.2026 16:44 ๐Ÿ‘ 23 ๐Ÿ” 7 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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The little-known photographer who documented a changing Okanogan, Washington - High Country News Beth Harringtonโ€™s 2025 documentary Our Mr. Matsura uses communally-held memory and traditional research to explore the little-known story of a Japanese photographer who documented the changing worldโ€ฆ

A century later, Frank Matsuraโ€™s images are still at the heart of familiesโ€™ memories.

25.02.2026 01:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 26 ๐Ÿ” 7 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
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Snowmaking could be the future of skiing. But at what cost? - High Country News As the climate changes, ski resorts have begun relying more on machine-made snow, which comes with environmental consequences and limitations.

As the climate changes, ski resorts have begun relying more on machine-made snow, which comes with environmental consequences and limitations.

24.02.2026 09:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 10 ๐Ÿ” 6 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
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Documents shed new light on Interior officialโ€™s growing ethics scandal - High Country News The departmentโ€™s release of Karen Budd-Falenโ€™s ethics documents have sparked renewed calls for an investigation.

The departmentโ€™s release of Karen Budd-Falenโ€™s ethics documents have sparked renewed calls for an investigation.

24.02.2026 00:01 ๐Ÿ‘ 16 ๐Ÿ” 8 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 2
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As the planet heats, insurance premiums rise - High Country News Climate-related disasters are causing more and more damage, resulting in higher insurance claims and payouts and, ultimately, higher premiums.

Charting the extreme weather-driven insurance crisis.

23.02.2026 23:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 15 ๐Ÿ” 5 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0