December Vol. 57, No. 12
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December Vol. 56, No. 12
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High Country News is the nation's leading source of reporting on the Western United States. Through in-depth reporting, High Country News covers the West’s social, political and ecological issues.
High Country News
Know The West.
The humanity of it all
LETTERS
A frog hops into a park • The last Cascades frog in Lassen Volcanic National Park vanished in 2007. Now, scientists are bringing them back.
The gaming advantage • Tribes leverage gaming income to navigate shifting federal economic policies.
Get to know the western spotted skunk • A biologist uncovers the hidden life of a small, stinky creature.
He makes bows — and bow makers • Joshua Hood is decolonizing traditional bow-making and archery education from his Portland backyard.
Ars Poetica
Thank you, readers! • Your generous and dedicated support makes these pages possible.
HCN’s journalism is having on-the-ground impact • THIS YEAR MARKS THE CULMINATION of an ambitious three-year plan created by High Country News board and staff to “future proof” HCN by developing the tools, skills and strategy that will enable us to thrive and grow in a rapidly changing West and amid an ever-evolving media landscape.
Stories with Impact • Our top stories from the year that resounded across the West (and beyond).
Awards & Recognition • HCN picked up 10 awards from the Indigenous Journalists Association, including:
How Our Stories Are Shared
Collaborations
FREE RANGE • A ProPublica and High Country News investigation finds that government programs intended to support Western ranchers benefit a very wealthy few — while taxpayers and public lands bear the cost.
THE WEALTHY PROFIT FROM PUBLIC LANDS. TAXPAYERS PICK UP THE TAB. • Roughly two-thirds of grazing on Bureau of Land Management land is controlled by just 10% of permit holders.
CONGRESS MADE IT EASIER TO IGNORE GRAZING IMPACTS. AGENCY OVERSIGHT PLUMMETED. • Federal law requires that agencies review the impacts of grazing on public lands. Government employees allege that the system is riddled with loopholes and caveats.
SYMPATHETIC OFFICIALS AND POLITICAL CLOUT HELP RANCHERS DODGE OVERSIGHT • From a U.S. senator to county commissioners, elected officials have supported ranchers accused of breaking the rules.
WILD HARVEST • In Northern California’s high country, crews race a changing climate, catastrophic wildfire and the uncertainty of migrant labor to bring silvertip trees to market for the holidays.
Reno’s Gay Rodeo is back • Nearly 40 years after an armed sheriff, anti-LGBTQ activists and a judge’s order shut down the Gay Rodeo Finals, this year the riders came home.
The love is there • Finding energy and light at the turning of a season.
Heard Around the West • Tips about Western oddities are appreciated and often shared in this column. Write heard@hcn.org.
KylieMohr
#IAM THE WEST