Gretchen King

When I got a tour of @washingtonpost.com back in 2017, I was wowed. They were fresh under big investment from Bezos, & the newsrooms were energized. It's disappointing & upsetting to see what the billionaire is doing to this important institution. I wish the best for everyone laid off & remaining.

Ansel Adams in the age of ICE - High Country News Ansel Adams took one of his most famous nature photos while documenting the American citizens of Japanese ancestry who were imprisoned at Manzanar during World War II. Our country is both the darkness...

"It is not wrong to seek solace in nature. But we cannot turn a blind eye to injustice, however far away it occurs." @highcountrynews.org EIC with some thought fodder www.hcn.org/issues/58-2/...

What Americans Lose If Their National Center for Atmospheric Research Is Dismantled - Eos Five ways dismantling NCAR will cost the American people, and two ways to save it.

If weather affects you, consider contacting your congressman about @ncar-ucar.bsky.social - good explainer from @eos.org eos.org/opinions/wha...

How geology not only shapes the world, it shapes us - High Country News Deep time and how geology shapes us all.

I'm a geologist's daughter myself, and this essay really hit me 🥹 If you are a parent or have parents, don't miss reading @ninamcconigley.bsky.social latest for @highcountrynews.org Such a pleasure to edit and read 💖 www.hcn.org/issues/58-1/...

What does ‘time immemorial’ really mean? - High Country News If you’ve seen the phrase time immemorial used repeatedly in Indigenous affairs reporting, there are some compelling reasons why.

"Time immemorial sweeps the debate itself aside & makes space for our ancestors to speak their silent gravitas from beyond the grave, prophesying a future so beautiful it defies the colonized imagination." Just wow from @btoastie.bsky.social for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/issues/58-1/...

Skimpy snow makes life worse for skiers — and everyone else - High Country News The sport may seem selfish, but it reminds us why good snowpack matters.

Snowpack across Colorado is nearing record lows :( www.hcn.org/articles/ski...

Colorado wolves are on the move - High Country News Almost two years after reintroduction began, wolves are nearing the state’s southern and western borders.

Wolves don't know boundaries, and after Colorado reintroduced them into the state, they're moving beyond state lines. @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social checks into what that means for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/articles/col...

Skimpy snow makes life worse for skiers — and everyone else - High Country News The sport may seem selfish, but it reminds us why good snowpack matters.

Who's missing fresh powder this year? ⛷️ In the end, we all will. @hhansman.bsky.social ponders the stakes for @highcountrynews.org
www.hcn.org/articles/ski...

High Country News magazines

For about $1.50/month (or less if you go digital), you can give your pal the gift of @highcountrynews.org in their mailbox - a magazine full of stories about the complicated and beautiful West. I might be biased, but I'm not wrong! They will thank you for the whole year: www.hcn.org/subscribe/gi...

The West’s vanishing porcupines - High Country News Scientists are racing to figure out why porcupines are disappearing from their former stomping grounds.

Having had some unfortunate dog-related porcupine run-ins, I was surprised by this @goesbykim.bsky.social reporting for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/articles/the...

Heavy metal is healing teens on the Blackfeet Nation - High Country News In response to youth suicides, teachers show students the power of headbanging at Fire in the Mountains festival.

“We’ve all had periods of hurt. And this music was the medicine we didn’t know we needed until we’re in it.” Give this @btoastie.bsky.social story for @highcountrynews.org a read to feel hopeful for a change 🎸🤘 www.hcn.org/issues/57-11... Heads up @longreads.com

The nation’s energy dominance falters - High Country News Trump is killing clean energy, and it’s not even helping fossil fuels.

"If Trump really cared about energy dominance, independence or abundance, he would use all of the tools at his disposal to 'win' this war." -- @landdesk.bsky.social w/more great thought-provoking words for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/articles/the...

Cemeteries: How the Dead Protect the Wild • The Revelator From wildly popular to nearly forgotten, some of our cemeteries play an unexpected role in fostering biodiversity — and may provide climate solutions, too.

Perfect Halloween reading from @therevelator.org
"Historically, the primary cause of habitat loss for the moth was thought to be cattle grazing. Indeed, the fence that surrounds Harshaw Cemetery may be the best reason why the moth still survives there." therevelator.org/cemeteries-p...

Today I explained what a rolodex is to a college class 😭😂

Get them on record 😁

So, someone at DOI is working! What did they want you to correct; were they suggesting what you saw wasn't true?

The case for national monuments - High Country News National monuments across the West face unprecedented threats, making public voices and vigilance more crucial than ever.

"National monuments go beyond protecting land; they are acts of memory, our acknowledgment that certain histories, species and landscapes hold stories too vital to be entered into a balance sheet." Josh Jackson for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/articles/the...

The dismantling of the Forest Service - High Country News The Trump administration’s plans would remake the agency and public lands. The deadline to comment is Sept. 30.

You might have gripes with the @forestservice.bsky.social but it looks like the Trump administration has more with plans for radical overhauls. You have until 9/30 to comment. @landdesk.bsky.social analyzes what's going on for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/articles/tru...

How a Utah wildfire created its own tornado - High Country News Firefighters were caught in a pyro-vortex last month on the Deer Creek Fire.

You know you want to know about 🔥firenandos🔥 @thatsmohrlikeit.bsky.social looks into what created one in Utah for @highcountrynews.org complete with WILD VIDEO www.hcn.org/articles/how...

Who controls food in the West? - High Country News Consolidation, shifting politics, water rights and the myth of the cowboy all play into the region’s ability to feed itself.

Buckle up for an in-depth overview about who controls our food (& you wondered why it was so expensive) w/amazing of #infographic by @jbrookelarsen.bsky.social & Nick Underwood for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/issues/57-9/...

#journalists: what in-article newsletter signup widget don't you hate? You know, it encourages folks to sign up, but doesn't interrupt the story too much? Screenshots appreciated 🙏

In rural New Mexico, kids paint a sonic portrait of their ghost town - High Country News Madrid was once a booming coal town. At radio camp, its youngest inhabitants had big questions about its past — and present.

Can I sing the praises of @annierosenthal.bsky.social more? Yes, yes I can. This story will make your heart grow 3X 💓 💓 💓 complete w/ wonderful youth and audio (for @highcountrynews.org). www.hcn.org/articles/in-...

The race to protect homes from speculators post-wildfire  - High Country News Around the West, community land trusts are helping people recover from disaster — and prepare for the next one.

How can Altadenans & those displaced from LA's wildfires protect their communities from opportunists? @annierosenthal.bsky.social provides a community land trust 101 for @highcountrynews.org
www.hcn.org/articles/the...

@sammyroth.bsky.social I live within spitting distance of the Taylor! I'm sorry I didn't know you were here, but I may know your raft guide. Great convo with @landdesk.bsky.social too

The West's data centers suck (water and power) - High Country News From simple searches to chatGPT, the big digital buildup threatens the grid and water supplies.

You know what sucks? Data centers. I mean, they do... @landdesk.bsky.social analyzes why for @highcountrynews.org www.hcn.org/issues/57-8/...

Western states step up to save their wetlands - High Country News The West’s vital wetlands are in trouble — but states are working to safeguard them.

aaaand the link: www.hcn.org/issues/57-7/...

In stressful times, what do the plants and animals have to say? - High Country News The time-honored tradition of humans looking to the natural world can help us survive difficult times.

Sometimes you should just stand like an Oregon white oak or embrace the coyote's vocal self. Anna V. Smith looks into how Western wildlife might help humans cope in these times for @highcountrynews.org GORGEOUS illios too
www.hcn.org/articles/in-...

Mass layoffs can move forward, with devastating impacts for conservation and science - High Country News ‘Shortsighted’ cuts could eliminate bird banding program, federal bee research and much more.

Federal layoffs are likely to move ahead quickly, with major impacts on conservation and science.

buff.ly/XieVRNB

Senate Republicans want to sell 3 million acres of public land - High Country News The majority of public land is too fire prone and far away from communities to even make sense for housing, research shows.

Public lands sales in vogue again www.hcn.org/articles/sen...

What defunding public media would mean for the West - High Country News Data show that rural, tribal and Western stations would be the most impacted by Trump’s attempt to cut CPB funding.

Hover over your state to see what Trump's request to cut >$1B from public broadcaster funding might mean. @annierosenthal.bsky.social & @chadebradley.bsky.social report for @highcountrynews.org #infographic www.hcn.org/articles/wha...