3 days ago · Sign up for a trial Try HCN for free to start Water ‘We’re basically slitting our own throat’: Montana rolls back water-quality standards

HCNU classrooms receive free full access to HCN’s website and five decades of archives as well as the print magazine for sharing and lesson planning.

High Country News is the nation’s leading source of news on the West. In award-winning, in-depth reporting, HCN covers the most-pressing social, political and ecological issues in our region.

Dec 5, 2025 · We welcome reader letters. Email High Country News at [email protected] or submit a letter to the editor. See our letters to the editor policy.

As New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness Area — the nation’s first designated wilderness — turns 100, HCN considers how the nature — and concept — of wilderness have changed over the years.

Oct 6, 2025 · Water officials of five Phoenix-area suburbs that get Colorado River water told HCN that they may have to scale back their future growth plans if the region sustains a significant cut to CAP ...

Annie is HCN’s Virginia Spencer Davis fellow, covering rural life, agriculture, and migration. Originally from DC, she got her reporting start at the weekly paper in Homer, Alaska.

Aug 4, 2025 · But in a memo shared with HCN, Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz told agency leaders on July 16 that “as expected, the 2025 Fire Year is proving to be extremely challenging.”

Nov 24, 2025 · Shi En Kim is an editorial fellow at HCN covering science, environment and society. Feel free to email her at [email protected] to speak with her about these topics and more or submit a …

Sep 29, 2023 · April 24, 1989: HCN’s Guide to Outdoor Education in the West April 24, 2000: At your service: Unions help some Western workers serve themselves April 25, 1975: Who profits from our …