In a pivotal leadership transition for one of the American West’s most respected independent news organizations, High Country News (HCN) has announced the appointment of Kate Schimel as its new editor-in-chief, alongside the elevation of Gretchen King to an expanded role as executive editor. This strategic restructuring follows the departure of former editor-in-chief, Jennifer Sahn, signaling a renewed focus on rigorous investigative journalism, community-centric reporting, and operational excellence as the publication navigates the evolving landscape of regional media. The tandem appointment establishes a formidable leadership duo poised to guide HCN through its next phase, emphasizing both journalistic vision and the intricate operational framework required to deliver impactful storytelling across a vast and diverse region.

Kate Schimel brings a profound understanding of High Country News‘s mission and the unique challenges facing the American West, marking her third significant tenure with the organization. Her journey began in 2015 as an intern, swiftly progressing to an assistant editor later that year. During her initial four-year period, Schimel played a crucial role in shaping HCN’s editorial direction, particularly in developing its robust Indigenous affairs team, a vital area of coverage addressing historical injustices, contemporary issues, and the sovereignty of Native nations across the West. Her leadership also drove comprehensive reporting on contentious topics such as grazing practices and public land use, which are often at the heart of environmental and economic debates in the region. Schimel further challenged conventional narratives by interrogating the very concept of "wilderness," prompting deeper discussions about human interaction with natural landscapes and the diverse perspectives on conservation. Her commitment to deep-dive reporting culminated in her leadership of a special issue published on May 14, 2018, which meticulously explored the profound power and inherent perils of recreation in the West, an increasingly relevant topic as outdoor activities surge and place immense pressure on fragile ecosystems and local communities.

Following her impactful contributions at HCN, Schimel broadened her journalistic expertise by returning to her roots in local news. She joined Colorado Public Radio, where her editorial leadership was instrumental in an investigation into teen suicide that garnered national acclaim, highlighting the critical role of local journalism in addressing public health crises. Her tenure at CPR also saw her leading the station’s comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential information to communities grappling with unprecedented health and societal disruptions. Her career trajectory then led her to Searchlight New Mexico, an investigative news nonprofit renowned for its in-depth reporting on complex statewide issues, and subsequently to the Southern New Mexico News Collaborative, where she continued to hone her skills in collaborative journalism. This diverse background, spanning investigative journalism, public radio, and nonprofit news, ultimately brought her back to High Country News in 2022 as its news and investigations editor, a role that further solidified her reputation for incisive and impactful reporting.

A native of Colorado’s Front Range, Schimel’s deep connection to the American West is both personal and professional. After attending Reed College in Portland, her career and personal life have taken her through various Western states, including Washington and New Mexico. She now resides in Bozeman, Montana, with her husband, Ethan Linck, their daughter, and a spirited border collie, further embedding her in the landscapes and communities that High Country News serves. Her lived experience across the diverse geographies and cultures of the West provides an invaluable perspective for leading a publication dedicated to chronicling the region’s complex narratives.

Complementing Schimel’s vision and investigative prowess, Gretchen King steps into an expanded role as executive editor, solidifying her long-standing and instrumental presence within High Country News. For years, King has served as a steadfast force behind the scenes, ensuring the seamless operation of HCN’s editorial processes. Her journey to HCN began in 2007 when she and her husband, Mike, along with their son, Riley, moved to Paonia, Colorado, and established a microbrewery near the HCN office. This seemingly unrelated venture belied her deep professional qualifications: a master’s degree in communications from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and several years of experience as a journalism instructor. Recognizing her invaluable expertise, High Country News successfully recruited King in 2014 to serve as its community engagement coordinator.

Since then, King has demonstrated remarkable versatility, undertaking a variety of critical roles across the organization. Her contributions range from spearheading complex website redesigns, ensuring HCN’s digital platforms are modern and accessible, to meticulously overseeing the publication’s vital intern and fellowship programs. These programs are crucial for nurturing the next generation of environmental journalists and ensuring a pipeline of diverse talent committed to covering the West. Raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, King now resides in Gunnison, where she fully embraces the rich recreational opportunities afforded by life near one of the largest tributaries of the Colorado River, further connecting her to the environmental and recreational issues central to HCN’s coverage.

The synergistic partnership between Kate Schimel and Gretchen King forms a robust foundation for HCN’s future. Schimel articulates a clear and compelling vision for the publication, one rooted in rigorous reporting, meticulously tailored to community needs, and aimed at achieving tangible, real-world impact. Her focus lies squarely on the "what" – defining the critical stories, shaping the investigative agenda, and ensuring the editorial output resonates deeply with the issues facing the West. King, on the other hand, embodies the "how," serving as the master of HCN’s intricate editorial processes. Her expertise ensures that the entire journalistic operation, from manuscript submission to final publication, runs efficiently and on schedule, guaranteeing the timely delivery of high-quality content across all platforms. This division of labor, where visionary leadership meets operational excellence, positions High Country News to maximize its influence and reach in an era demanding both depth and agility from independent media.

Beyond its internal leadership enhancements, High Country News continues to champion collaborative journalism through initiatives like the Western Environmental Reporting Collaborative (WERC). Billy Arnold, HCN’s new partnerships editor, recently traveled to New Orleans for the annual gathering of Report for America, a national program that places emerging journalists in local newsrooms, and HCN’s key partner in WERC. There, Arnold convened with the first cohort of four WERC reporters: Stephanie Casanova of Arizona Luminaria, Teal Davis of Wyoming Public Media, Nick Mott of Mountain Journal/Montana Free Press, and Chart Riggall of the Ouray County Plaindealer. Despite the geographical challenges of bringing together journalists from vast and often remote corners of the West to the "Big Easy," the gathering fostered invaluable exchange and collaboration.

The WERC reporters engaged in spirited discussions about their aspirations for the collaborative and the pressing topics they have been diligently covering. Their work spans a critical array of environmental and social issues, including the complex dynamics surrounding gray wolf populations and their management, the ecological and land-use implications of grazing in burn scars following increasingly frequent and intense wildfires, the ongoing environmental and human conflicts exacerbated by border wall construction, and the persistent disagreements among the Colorado River Basin states over water rights and scarcity. These issues are not merely regional; they reflect broader national and global challenges related to climate change, resource allocation, and biodiversity. The collaborative model of WERC, supported by Report for America, is crucial in a time when local newsrooms face unprecedented resource constraints, enabling deeper, more impactful reporting on issues that directly affect Western communities. Their impactful reporting is accessible through their respective home publications and via a dedicated section on the HCN website.

In a proactive effort to deepen its connection with the communities it serves, High Country News is embarking on a year-long "listening tour." Recognizing that the American West is experiencing rapid and often unprecedented change – from the escalating impacts of climate change to shifting demographics and economic landscapes – and that the news industry itself is undergoing tumultuous transformation, the HCN staff and board are committed to direct engagement. This initiative seeks to gather direct input from the residents and workers across the West about the most pressing issues they face. The tour will involve a series of road trips to both established and far-flung communities, visiting local community halls, gathering spots, parks, and other public spaces. Through these interactions, HCN aims to understand how it can best support community efforts to drive positive change.

The "listening tour" represents a critical commitment to community-centric journalism, moving beyond traditional news dissemination to foster genuine dialogue. By meeting with readers and local leaders, and partnering with local nonprofit and news organizations, HCN intends to cultivate a more nuanced understanding of regional challenges and identify avenues for meaningful service. This proactive engagement strategy is designed to ensure that HCN’s reporting remains relevant, resonant, and truly reflective of the diverse voices and concerns within the West. Details regarding upcoming stops and opportunities for community involvement will be shared in future issues and updated on the HCN website. Readers are encouraged to contribute suggestions for places to visit or potential community partners by contacting [email protected], underscoring HCN’s dedication to collaborative and responsive journalism. This comprehensive approach to leadership, collaborative reporting, and community engagement reinforces High Country News‘s enduring role as a vital independent voice for the American West.