Podcast appearances and mentions of kate schimel

In this episode of West Obsessed, contributing editor Jonathan Thompson joins High Country News editors Brian Calvert and Kate Schimel to explore the struggle of Navajo Nation residents, and others, to prevent more oil and gas exploration in historically important lands. Chaco Canyon holds cultural significance to several tribal nations and is also at the center of one of the richest oil and gas fields in the country.

Since President Donald Trump was inaugurated in Jan. 2017, he and his administration have been steadily undoing Obama-era protections, including designations of national monuments and rules designed to fight climate change. In the latest episode of West Obsessed, High Country News’ D.C. Correspondent Elizabeth Shogren, and editors Brian Calvert, Kate Schimel and Paige Blankenbuehler review some of the most important rollbacks that hit the West this year.

Why did the rural Colorado town of Walsenburg swing from voting blue to red in the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump? High Country News editors Brian Calvert and Kate Schimel talk to writer Leah Todd about her recent feature story on the politics behind the shift that helped elect Trump to the White House.

Today, a conversation with Kate Schimel, of High Country News, who looked into why Colorado and other Western states are in the Top 10 when it comes to police officer-involved killings. Then, a Coloradan who's set on defying the Taliban by teaching Afghan women to climb mountains. Also, a father's fears inspire his new novel. And, a crazy chapter in the history of the National Western Stock Show, which starts this weekend in Denver.