Environment & Civics
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Who Controls the West: Nevada’s New Data Center Boom
Across Northern Nevada, a massive buildout of data centers, AI infrastructure, and energy systems is transforming the desert into a backbone of the digital economy—reviving old questions about land, water, power, and who gets to decide how they are used.
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Thousands Gather in Reno for Third ‘No Kings’ Protest
Organizers aimed for record turnout, but questions remain over whether broad messaging can build a lasting political movement.
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“The land has been calling us back, and we are answering that call.”
In recent years, the “Land Back” movement has led to a series of land transfers and growing calls for Indigenous governance over ancestral territories, including one in our region.
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Public Space and Civic Identity in the Mountains: Truckee Debates Its New Library
Despite overwhelming public support, a funding measure for a new library has led to contentious arguments around its financing and place in the community.
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Photos: Students Walk Out to Protest ICE
Students across Washoe County took part in a nationwide walkout to protest the actions of federal immigration officers.
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![People protesting on a sidewalk holding signs with various messages related to politics, government, and constitutional rights. Some signs read 'Dissent is Patriotic,' 'Hands Off My Federal Employees,' and 'Stop the Coup.' The protest takes place in front of trees and a building.]()
Nevada’s 50501 Protest in Photos
Hundreds came out to Carson City to protest the Trump administration’s actions, Elon Musk, mass deportations, and more.
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![A scenic landscape of a river flowing through a lush green valley surrounded by pine trees, with mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.]()
Two key climate agencies could look different–or cease to exist–under a Trump administration
There are plenty of signals calling for the elimination or reduction of two agencies critical for managing the nation’s lands and waters. What would that mean for Nevada?
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![A black-and-white newspaper page with an article about winter snow activities, featuring a photo of a group of skiers and snowboarders at the Snowmass ski area in Aspen, Colorado. The photo shows people preparing to ski or snowboard at the foot of the snowy mountain.]()
The Corporate Squeeze of the Ski Industry: Vail’s Manufactured Value
Vail Resorts leads the charge in ski mountain monopolization–but their success only magnifies the industry’s growing systemic struggles.
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![Four people hiking through snow-covered forest with tall evergreen trees, with mountains visible in the background.]()
South Lake Tahoe’s Measure N represents a crossroads for mountain towns
This election season, South Lake Tahoe residents will vote on a new ballot measure that would introduce a vacancy tax for homes left unoccupied for more than half the year.
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![Snow-covered mountain with ski lift cables and a building in the foreground, cloudy sky above.]()
The 10-year battle that will shape the future of Lake Tahoe’s Olympic Valley
One company aims to build a water slide, roller coaster, and an indoor skydiving park, but many see it as a threat to the region’s environment.
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![Scenic view of a trail in Yosemite National Park with tall trees, a rocky mountain on the right, and a clear blue sky.]()
The Federal Purge That’s Gutting Our Public Lands
Billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has aggressively targeted the federal civil service—recently, those responsible for protecting and maintaining the nation’s prized public lands.
Outdoor & Culture
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The Co-op and the Distance Between Us
A look at the REI boycott and what it means to be a co-op in 2026...especially when that co-op is now the largest specialty outdoor retailer in the United States.
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Supporting the System
From Joshua Tree, a closer look at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s partnership with the National Park Foundation—and the evolving role of brands in sustaining public lands.
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States of Elevation: On the Road with Kilian Jornet
Jornet is in the midst of his latest endeavor: States of Elevation, a personal project in partnership with his brand NNormal. Described as “a human-powered journey,” the project sees Jornet summiting all 72 14ers—peaks in the western U.S. with elevations of at least 14,000 feet—and connecting them all by foot and bike.
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HBO’s The Dark Wizard Reexamines the Life—and Death—of Dean Potter
In conversation with filmmaker Nick Rosen, Hannah explores the life and legacy of climber Dean Potter as told through HBO’s new docuseries.
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Feeling Empowdered: Redefining Progression and Community in Women’s Freeride
How a new freeride festival is helping women+, non-binary, and gender-diverse riders find confidence, community, and the courage to push their limits.
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Nicholas Thompson on Running, Life, and the Endurance Behind Great Media
As chief executive officer of The Atlantic, Nicholas Thompson is accustomed to the breakneck pace of the 24-hour news cycle—but he’s quick on his feet in every sense. He’s also a runner. A fast one.
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Chris Benchetler’s "Mountains of the Moon" is a Masterpiece in Motion
Behind the scenes at the Mountains of the Moon premiere: Chris Benchetler on his most ambitious project yet.
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Canada Chronicles, Part Two: Of Land & Legacy
Alberta, it turns out, is emerging as a leader in Indigenous tourism—where Indigenous-led experiences aren’t a side note, but a growing movement backed by provincial investment and real global curiosity.
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From Zigong to Reno: Dragon Lights and the Art of Cultural Connection
For several weeks each year, Reno’s Rancho San Rafael Park glows with lanterns and light displays during the Dragon Lights Festival. We go behind the scenes to see how it all comes to life.
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Canada Chronicles, Part One: Dispatches from the Yukon
Remote. Rough roads. No cell service. Even for Canadians, the Yukon can be a daunting place to travel. To the rest of the world, it can seem like something of a secret. Traveling to such an isolated place always entails some adventure–but isn’t that the point?
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National Parks: How Our Best Idea Is Being Dismantled
Often called “America’s Best Idea,” the National Park Service has long stood as a testament to democratic values: public lands preserved not for profit, but for people. Today, that idea is under siege.
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Gabe Patterson’s Tèmi Is Redefining Outdoor Gear with People, Place, and Purpose
Tèmi (pronounced “TEM-ee,” meaning “mine” or “my own” in Yoruba) is an outdoor apparel brand with a mission to challenge the fatigue of mass-produced, overseas gear.
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Jackson Hole Ski Patrol: Inside the Push to Unionize
Amid rising economic strain and changing resort dynamics, the elite ski patrol team fights for stability and accountability.
Personal Writing
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On Photography & the Limits of Attention
What I’ve been thinking about after visiting a Dorothea Lange exhibit—and what her work still reveals about suffering, empathy, and the myths of the American West.
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On the Desert (photo gallery!)
Deserts offer a kind of independence—a gift that comes in the form of isolation, space, and the stripping away of input—which is why this one in particular has long pulled musicians into its orbit.
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On Essence in the Age of AI Slop
Bob Weir, photography, and the long game of cultural stewardship.