Western United States

In this episode, Stephen sits down with Laine Johnson, founder of Horsefly History Tours in Durango, Colorado. A former wildlife biologist and park ranger turned storyteller, Laine shares how she swapped tracking mountain lions for uncovering Durango’s untamed past. From ghost walks and Wild West tales to her spirited BOOze & Bites tours, Laine brings humor, heart, and a true sense of place to her work. Discover Durango’s wild side and learn how history, haunts, and local flavor come together in Horsefly History Tours.

The Trump administration has named Scott Cameron acting commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation and Andrea Travnicek assistant Interior secretary for water and science—two key roles overseeing the Colorado River amid tense negotiations between Basin states.

This past water year was dry, with not all of the snowpack making it into the basin's rivers and streams. Forecasters will be looking out for conditions driven by climate change and prolonged drought as they consider what Water Year 2026 will bring.

The Public Lands Rule allowed conservation to be managed as part of BLM's multiple-use mandate, along with other uses like mining and grazing. The Trump administration now says that rule doesn't pass muster.

A University of Utah study used data from wildfires in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California to look at how private forests for industrial timber harvest were impacted by severe fire weather, brought about by climate change.

About 65% of the Western U.S. is in drought, with Lake Mead and Lake Powell below one-third full. Experts warn the region may face a deeper water crisis without multiple strong snow seasons.

A new study shows severe wildfires in western U.S. forests are accelerating and could triple by mid-century without expanded management strategies.

On Thursday, July 31, Rocky Mountain Community Radio hosted a regional call-in show that brought together listeners across the Mountain West to talk about the future of our shared landscapes.

Researchers excavate Rock Springs’ historic Chinatown, uncovering artifacts from the 1885 massacre that killed 28 Chinese workers in Wyoming.

At the Montrose County Fair, 4-H and FFA kids showcase months of hard work in the livestock arena, learning responsibility and life lessons beyond the show ring.