MWNB

A new report from the American Lung Association finds about half of U.S. children are living in areas with unhealthy air quality, and several Mountain West cities rank among the most polluted in the country.

More than 60 organizations published a policy paper in response to a recent push to sell public lands for housing. They argue that such proposals would need to check certain boxes to ensure affordability and community benefits.

“Suppression is always going to be there,” Chief Brian Fennessy told the Mountain West News Bureau. “But we're not going to suppress our way out of this situation.”

Proponents of a bill in Colorado say stronger roofs would mean less damage during storms, and lower home insurance costs.

People in serious car crashes or ski accidents can lose a lot of blood quickly. The faster they get blood, the better their chances of surviving.

The U.S. already has about 3,000 data centers — and that number is expected to grow quickly in the coming years. A new report finds much of that growth is shifting away from cities and into rural areas, including in the Mountain West.

In some parts of the Mountain West, residents are reviving these gathering places, which have long been a staple for westerners living in isolated places.

The declines were felt across the Mountain West. In Idaho, SNAP participation fell nearly 8%. Nevada saw a drop of more than 14%. In Arizona, participation fell by nearly 34%. New Mexico saw a decrease of about 6%, while Wyoming dropped by more than 11%.

A coalition of environmental groups is suing the Environmental Protection Agency, alleging the agency missed a key deadline tied to a stricter national standard for soot pollution. The case could affect air quality protections across the Mountain West.

Traffic deaths declined overall in 2025, but several Mountain West states saw increases. The new initiative focuses on risky driving behaviors.