Author

Jacob Fischler

Jacob Fischler

Jacob covers federal policy as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Based in Oregon, he focuses on Western issues. His coverage areas include climate, energy development, public lands and infrastructure.

4FRI biomass

Disappointing four-forest management project targeted for changes

By: - October 5, 2020

A massive forest management project in Arizona has been hampered for a decade because there’s not enough of a market for the small trees and brush that must be cleared to reduce fire risk.

youth vote early ballot

‘I just don’t trust the system any more’: Voters on edge as election nears

By: and - October 5, 2020

WASHINGTON — Widespread anxiety and confusion around voting, compounded by the pandemic that has spread to millions of Americans, including President Donald Trump.

‘You just have to act’: Thousands outraged by police brutality rally in DC

By: and - August 28, 2020

WASHINGTON – On the 57th anniversary of the original March on Washington and in the throes of a pandemic, thousands of demonstrators on Friday joined Democratic lawmakers on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to demand Congress act on police brutality and voter suppression.

‘Extremely frustrating’ mail delays for prescriptions hit veterans, rural areas

By: - August 25, 2020

Jan Stowe, a Vietnam War veteran from Traverse City, Mich., says she was unable to move her head and neck for several days last month after going without medication to treat extreme muscle spasms.

BLM Colorado HQ

Pendley nomination may be scrapped, but he’s still in charge at BLM

By: - August 20, 2020

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management will continue leading the agency even after his nomination is withdrawn, leading the diverse conservation groups that opposed him to call for his removal from office.

‘I have not lost my voice’: Gabby Giffords at DNC convention calls for end to gun violence

By: - August 19, 2020

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords opened the third night of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, recounting her recovery from a gunshot wound to the head and her embrace of activism on gun violence policy.

Trump’s $400 a week jobless aid could be just $300. It depends on where you live.

By: - August 10, 2020

Governors, lawmakers and state unemployment agencies on Monday wrestled with confusion created by President Donald Trump’s executive action extending unemployment benefits, and it appeared some states could settle for $300 a week in benefits instead of the $400 that the president touted.

Trump issues sweeping executive orders after coronavirus aid talks break down

By: and - August 9, 2020

President Donald Trump on Saturday circumvented Congress and took action into his own hands after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations over another coronavirus relief package on Capitol Hill.

Ariz. conservationists sound alarm over Trump pick to head public lands bureau

By: - July 31, 2020

President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Bureau of Land Management has supported mining near the Grand Canyon, livestock grazing in federally protected areas, resource extraction at national monuments and generally opposed federal management of Western lands — all positions conservationists in Arizona say would hurt the state’s public lands.

House passes bipartisan public lands bill; next stop president’s desk

By: and - July 22, 2020

WASHINGTON — Major environmental legislation sailed through Congress Wednesday while the nation’s political leaders were stuck in intense negotiations over the contours of a fifth coronavirus relief package. The bill would provide $9.5 billion over five years to pay down the National Park Service’s maintenance backlog and provide permanent funding at $900 million per year […]

covid 19 supplies Jonathan Nez

Arizona delegation looks for changes to Native aid in next relief package

By: - July 17, 2020

Arizona’s Native American tribes are among the worst-hit jurisdictions in the world by COVID-19. 

McSally, other vulnerable 2020 GOPers spur public lands bill passage

By: - June 26, 2020

Endangered Republican senators like Arizona’s Martha McSally provided key backing for the public lands bill the U.S. Senate passed June 17, a possible indication the issue holds increasingly bipartisan appeal.