Kirk Siegler
Stories
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National
Facing water shortages, Arizona will curtail some new development around Phoenix
The state of Arizona today said it will no longer issue new development approvals based on groundwater alone.
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National
State line pot shops latest flashpoint in Idaho-Oregon border debate
There is a marijuana boom in Ontario, Oregon, just across the river from the Boise metro area where pot is illegal. It's the latest flashpoint for conservatives who want to annex eastern Oregon.
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Environment
Tribes are suing to stop a proposed lithium mine in Nevada, saying the site is sacred
The fate of a proposed lithium mine in Nevada — one that's important to production of electric cars — is now in the hands of a federal judge as tribes sue to stop it.
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National
How Maricopa County defeated election disinformation — for now
The Republican chairman of Maricopa County, Ariz., is winning praise for his skilled handling of the election in the face of disinformation and voter conspiracy theories, mostly from his own party.
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Climate
A 23-year megadrought is endangering the agricultural economy in the Southwest
Drought is pushing Arizona farmers to the brink as they've been cut off from the shrinking Colorado River. The crisis is also renewing questions about the viability of growing crops in a desert.
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Where the Colorado River crisis is hitting home
A reckoning has come for cities and farms in the desert Southwest that were built to rely on the Colorado River.
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National
Arizona has 5.5 years of excess Colorado River water stowed in a secret reservoir
Arizona is facing dramatic cuts in water deliveries from the drought-imperiled Colorado River. But many water managers there aren't that worried due to a long in the works conservation strategy.
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National
The Forest Service's ban on controlled burns has come to a close
The U.S. Forest Service's temporary ban on controlled burning, a practice seen as key to preventing huge and devastating wildfires, has now expired — with questions remaining about future burns.
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National
Why suppressing wildfires may be making the Western fire crisis worse
The U.S. is spending record money suppressing wildfires that are only getting more deadly and severe with climate change. But there are signs the needle is moving toward more upfront prevention work.
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Utah sues to stop restoration of boundaries at Bears Ears, Grand Staircase monuments
President Biden restored the original boundaries last year after then-President Trump had significantly slashed them in 2017. Utah officials say Biden overstepped his authority.