Natalia Mesa, Author at High Country News https://www.hcn.org A nonprofit independent magazine of unblinking journalism that shines a light on all of the complexities of the West. Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:11:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.hcn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-HCN_Logo-Monogram_White_Sq-2-32x32.png Natalia Mesa, Author at High Country News https://www.hcn.org 32 32 229054741 Disaster disparities in the West https://www.hcn.org/articles/disaster-disparities-in-the-west/ Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=323150

The risk of climate catastrophe is complex, but people of color often face ‘unnatural hazards.’

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]]> 323150 Saving the Pacific lamprey https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-3/saving-the-pacific-lamprey/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=322762 Monica Blanchard, a fish biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, uses electrofishing equipment to track down Pacific lamprey at Boardman Creek near Granite Falls, Washington, last October.

Documenting populations of
the ancient fish is a step toward ensuring their survival.

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]]> 322762 Reviving the Samish Tribe’s kelp https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-2/plants-reviving-the-samish-tribes-kelp/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 02:30:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=321834

Researchers are documenting the decline of once-plentiful kelp beds in an effort to reverse the trend.

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]]> 321834 Climate litigation to watch in 2024 https://www.hcn.org/articles/climate-litigation-to-watch-in-2024/ Tue, 02 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/climate-litigation-to-watch-in-2024/

These court cases could move the needle on the climate crisis.

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]]> 321315 First direct cash assistance program exclusively for Indigenous parents launched https://www.hcn.org/articles/social-justice-first-direct-cash-assistance-program-exclusively-for-indigenous-parents-launched/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/social-justice-first-direct-cash-assistance-program-exclusively-for-indigenous-parents-launched/ Tia Yazzie (Diné) visits with a Nest relative at one of Hummingbird’s community events.

The Nest, a Washington nonprofit program, seeks to serve Native people during and after pregnancy.

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]]> 321594 A new film asks: how do you make art in a city you can’t afford? https://www.hcn.org/articles/review-a-new-film-asks-how-do-you-make-art-in-a-city-you-cant-afford/ Wed, 18 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/review-a-new-film-asks-how-do-you-make-art-in-a-city-you-cant-afford/ Fantasy A as himself.

‘Fantasy A Gets a Mattress’ is a dark, surreal, fun adventure that deals with themes of eviction, homelessness and disability.

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]]> 203395 Western states saw increasing poverty and lower incomes in 2022 https://www.hcn.org/articles/economy-western-states-saw-increasing-poverty-and-lower-incomes-in-2022/ Tue, 10 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/economy-western-states-saw-increasing-poverty-and-lower-incomes-in-2022/

From Alaska to Wyoming, cash assistance can pull families out of income hardships.

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]]> 193776 Farmworkers fight for higher pay, better hours and fair treatment https://www.hcn.org/articles/labor-farmworkers-fight-for-higher-pay-better-hours-and-fair-treatment/ Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/labor-farmworkers-fight-for-higher-pay-better-hours-and-fair-treatment/ Two labor advocates wave United Farm Workers flags at the rally in Seattle on August 31.

Labor advocates rallied in Seattle to demand a union contract from Windmill farms amid allegations of poor treatment and retaliation.

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]]> 197563 Washington to adopt rules protecting farmworkers from wildfire smoke https://www.hcn.org/articles/labor-washington-to-adopt-rules-protecting-farmworkers-from-wildfire-smoke/ Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/labor-washington-to-adopt-rules-protecting-farmworkers-from-wildfire-smoke/ Edgar Franks, policy director of the farmworkers’ union Familias Unidas por la Justicia, at the union office in Burlington, Washington.

Some labor advocates say they don’t go far enough.

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]]> 197577 Meet the beetle threatening Washington’s cherries, hops and other crops https://www.hcn.org/articles/wildlife-meet-the-beetle-threatening-washingtons-cherries-hops-and-other-crops/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/wildlife-meet-the-beetle-threatening-washingtons-cherries-hops-and-other-crops/ Japanese beetle in the grass in Grandview, Washington.

Invasive Japanese beetles are drawn to flowers and fruit. Washington officials are trying to eradicate them from the state.

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