In one of the West’s biggest arguments, the battle lines are complicated and opaque.
Politics
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Scalia was Supreme Court’s leader on limiting environmental rules
A conservative legal foundation fears its winning streak may be over.
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Western states react strongly to Supreme Court stay of Clean Power Plan
Some states stop all work on cutting greenhouse gases but others forge ahead.
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California Coastal Commission fires its executive director
The decision exposes the quintessential coastline to damage, development and closures.
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Livestream from the Oregon occupation
The remaining occupiers and their supporters speak live as FBI closes in on the Malheur wildlife refuge.
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Potty-mouths have a long history in Western politics
Donald Trump is just the latest politician to resort to vulgar language.
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New leader steps up for the American Lands Council
Montana lawmaker takes over lands transfer group, as a new tendril of the movement emerges.
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Should coyote hunting contests be banned?
The debate over organized kills and whether they actually impact population, via a new podcast.
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On the Klamath, a surprising win for river advocates
Dam removals on the Oregon-California border move forward without water deals for irrigators.
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Montana tribe’s water deal clears major Senate milestone
Blackfeet have waited decades to resolve their water claims but Congress is in no hurry.
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No, federal land transfers are not in the Constitution
Legal scholars debunk arguments about how founding documents support local control of all lands.
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
Sugar Pine Mine, the other standoff
How a small-time mining dispute in Oregon readied a network of militias for the Malheur occupation.
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
Graphic: The hidden connections of the Sagebrush Insurgency
Where a sprawling network of actors find common cause.
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
Sagebrush Insurgency connections
Connecting the dots within a vast right-wing network of militia members, state and local politicians, and others.
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
The rise of the Sagebrush Sheriffs
How rural ‘constitutional’ peace officers are joining the war against the feds.
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
Hope fades for Klamath River accords
Could the breakdown of the landmark water agreement imperil other collaborative deals?
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
How a huge Arizona mining deal was passed — and could be revoked
Pushed through Congress, the Resolution Copper deal could damage sacred Apache sites.
Posted inFebruary 2, 2016: Sagebrush Insurgency
In Washington, activists and the ‘necessity defense’ on trial
The ‘Delta 5’ made a legal and moral case for their actions, with mixed results.
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Forest Service leaves control of water rights to ski resorts
How does industry control of water affect public land management?
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How do we define climate pollution’s cost to society?
Every year, the government recalculates how much money a metric ton of carbon costs us.