High Country News https://www.hcn.org/ A nonprofit independent magazine of unblinking journalism that shines a light on all of the complexities of the West. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 03:05:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.hcn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-HCN_Logo-Monogram_White_Sq-2-32x32.png High Country News https://www.hcn.org/ 32 32 229054741 The BLM may stop notifying landowners about drilling under private land. Ranchers are alarmed https://www.hcn.org/articles/the-blm-may-stop-notifying-landowners-about-drilling-under-private-land/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=346559

Western cattleman are poised to lose almost all opportunity to comment on oil and gas development underneath their property.

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]]> 346559 Protect Sandia Mountain, our church https://www.hcn.org/articles/protect-sandia-mountain-our-church/ Fri, 21 Aug 2026 07:59:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=346553

The Pueblo of Sandia urges lawmakers to transfer lands within the T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Area.

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]]> 346553 ‘I have some very heartfelt conversations’ https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-8/i-have-some-very-heartfelt-conversations/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=345858

#iamthewest: Giving voice to the people that make up communities in the region.

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]]> 345858 Mining execs bought big in company stock days before Bears Ears’ cuts https://www.hcn.org/articles/mining-execs-bought-big-in-company-stock-days-before-bears-ears-cuts/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=346483

House Democrats have opened an investigation for insider trading.

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]]> 346483 It’s a make-or-break year for Hood River’s pear farmers  https://www.hcn.org/articles/its-a-make-or-break-year-for-hood-rivers-pear-farmers/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=346446

After a dismal 2025 season, the pears being picked right now could mean the difference between solvency and bankruptcy.

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]]> 346446 In a warming world, wildflowers offer a warning https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-8/in-a-warming-world-wildflowers-offer-a-warning/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=345704

The discourse between plants and fungi changes with increasing soil temperatures, impacting meadows, nutrients and wildlife.

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]]> 345704 ‘Quite frustrating:’ what it’s like to have a treaty with the United States https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-8/quite-frustrating-what-its-like-to-have-a-treaty-with-the-united-states/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=345737

Heirs to the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott explain their ancestors’ wisdom and how they defend it today.

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]]> 345737 Does your dog make you safer in bear country? https://www.hcn.org/articles/does-your-dog-makes-you-safer-in-bear-country/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:05:05 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=346397

What new analysis of more than 300 bear encounters shows about the notion of dogs as early bear alarms or deterrents.

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]]> 346397 Want to do something about climate change? Talk about it https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-8/want-to-do-something-about-climate-change-talk-about-it/ Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=345714

Atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe explains why conversation on the topic is so important and how to take this step toward climate action.

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]]> 345714 Convocation of crows, sea-lebrity sea lions and what is that nasty smell? https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-8/convocation-of-crows-sea-lebrity-sea-lions-and-what-is-that-nasty-smell/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=345855

Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.

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