High Country News

One month away! Join us for The Social Shift: Content Creators, New Voices & the Future of News. Explore how influencers are reshaping journalism and media with special guests: ✨ Birdie Sam (@showme_YourMask) ✨ Kelsey Russell ✨ Teal Lehto (@WesternWaterGirl) 🗓️ February 5 @ 5:30–7:30 PM (Doors open at 5 PM) 📍 Walker Ames Room, Kane Hall, UW (Red Square) 🎟️ Free – RSVP on Eventbrite | Livestream Available Facilitated by University of Washington Teaching Professor Andrea Otáñez, this conversation will tackle the future of news in a digital world. Don't miss it! https://lnkd.in/gn93bAZm

ICYMI: We're conducting an open call for pitches for short form essays and reportage on the subject of food and power in the West. Deadline ➡️ Sunday, November 10th Send pitches ➡️ info@thefern.org, using the subject line “FERN/HCN project”

🚨NOW HIRING - 3️⃣ Editorial Fellows 🚨 Designed for early-career journalists interested in providing on-the-ground reporting, diving deep into important stories, and helping to evolve and expand High Country News' coverage of the West. The program will run from January 2025 to December 2025 and includes coaching and instruction from across HCN's editorial and art departments. Fellows will produce reported stories, analysis, essays and/or other types of projects, as well as contribute research and fact-checking services for front of book reportage. The closing date for applications is October 27th, 2024. For more information and how to apply ➡️ https://ow.ly/UoYs50TPXLj

Thank you Society of Environmental Journalists for a First Honorable Mention in Wildlife Beat Reporting for the SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment! Congratulations to Kylie Mohr and the rest of the team! 🎉🎉 Emily Benson, Peter Bohler, Ollie Hancock, Emily Harwitz, Jane Hu, Julia Kane, Jill Pelto, David Shultz, and McKenna Stayner

⭐ ISO 3️⃣ 2025 Editorial Fellows ⭐ High Country News seeks applicants for our year-long fellowships. The fellowship is designed for early-career journalists interested in providing on-the-ground reporting, diving deep into important stories, and helping to evolve and expand HCN's coverage of the West, with an emphasis on stories from and for communities typically underrepresented in the media. The fellowship will provide training, professional mentorship, and career development in journalism best practices as well as research and fact checking. ✏️The Virginia Spencer Davis Fellow will bring a desire to report on rural communities in the West, and how those communities are changing. ✏️The Indigenous Affairs Fellow will ideally have lived experience as a person of Indigenous identity and/or a sophisticated understanding of Indigeneity, and an interest in reporting on Indigenous communities and issues. ✏️The Climate and Science Fellow will have an interest in covering the future of the West under our changing climate, including climate justice, the green energy transition, ecosystem resilience, climate mitigation, scientific research and more. For more information and how to apply ➡️ https://ow.ly/LqvU50TAg4p

"The way I look at it is that when I walk, wherever it may be, I don’t walk alone. I am never alone. I carry with me all of the experiences and knowledge acquired throughout my lifetime as well as those who have helped me get to this point." High Country News' Indigenous affairs editor, Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi speaks with Alta Journal on amplifying native nations.

Congratulations to Leah Sottile for second place 🏆 American Academy of Religion Best In-Depth Newswriting for her Our Lady of the Rockies feature "The 90-foot sentinel of Butte, Montana." 👏 The jury appreciated the way Sottile unpacks her central example to consider broader questions about religion and public life - in connection with sex work, the labor movement, and Indigenous spirituality. Throwback to her story ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gDaYM3MN

Such an honor to have my High Country News story on the great city of Butte, Montana and Our Lady of the Rockies selected for the American Academy of Religion's Journalism Awards. https://lnkd.in/gYsrabYu Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/gFHcjc3V

“Our lives lack the fundamental forms of play... necessary for a healthy relationship between the individual and the larger society.” Stephanie Cher's article in High Country News explores the importance of #thirdplaces in bringing us together and providing a sense of belonging. In a digitally-dominant world, these informal gathering spots - like the bar and arcade Stephanie discovered in the San Gabriel Valley - become essential for real-life connections. As we face growing social isolation, returning to these shared public spaces can greatly enhance our sense of community and well-being. #ThirdSpaces #Community Check out this insightful read on why third places matter: https://lnkd.in/dzJ5CsaX

A great way to start the week! The Indigenous Journalists Association has announced their 2024 Indigenous Media Awards and High Country News has been named as winners. 🎉 The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Indigenous and non-Indigenous journalists from across the globe. Congrats to ProPublica, Alastair Lee Bitsóí, Laureli Ivanoff, Anna V. Smith, Mark Olalde, Umar Farooq and all fellow finalists and winners!