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Parker Shea

Parker Shea joins the Arizona Mirror after recently graduating from Arizona State University, where he was editor-in-chief of State Press Magazine. He hopes to one day have a career reporting on issues related to the environment. He is a daily runner and enjoys exploring the Arizona wilderness.

Grijalva suggests racial discrimination suit could be filed over BLM’s reorganization

By: - December 4, 2019

An Arizona Democrat’s criticism of the Bureau of Land Management’s reorganization plan reached new heights Wednesday when U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva suggested the agency headquarter’s move to Colorado could lead to a racial discrimination suit. 

ASU prez Michael Crow: technology will level Arizona’s rural, urban divide

By: - December 2, 2019

Arizona State University President Michael Crow insists that thinking of Arizona in terms of urban-versus-rural is wrong. He also thinks ASU will be the catalyst for connecting the entire state via access to education. 

Republican lawmaker doesn’t want environmental justice taught in schools

By: - November 26, 2019

An Arizona House Republican wants to remove lessons about the social and economic consequences of climate change from the statewide requirements for K-12 environmental education.

U.S. Department of Interior disbands committee aimed at privatization of public lands

By: - November 25, 2019

The Trump administration this month abruptly ended work by the so-called “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee that aimed to privatize some aspects of the nation’s public lands. 

Invasive grass a wildfire threat to Sonoran Desert

By: - November 18, 2019

Wildfires throughout Arizona’s desert ecosystems are caused in part by invasive species of grass, and experts say the problem is only getting worse as the grass spreads. 

The BLM is paying people $1,000 to adopt wild burros and horses from a state prison

By: - November 14, 2019

The Bureau of Land Management will pay up to $1,000 to people who picked up a wild burro or horse from its adoption program open house at Florence Prison earlier this month. 

Navajo Nation to NTEC: You’re on your own for mine cleanups

By: - November 13, 2019

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez on Wednesday terminated an agreement with Navajo Transitional Energy Company that would have held NTEC harmless for costly mine cleanup plans. 

Navajo Nation appeals case against the feds over Colorado River water rights

By: - November 12, 2019

The Navajo Nation is appealing a trial court ruling last month dismissing its case against the U.S. Department of Interior over its rights to Colorado River water. 

Navajo Generating Station closure leaves questions of water ownership

By: - November 8, 2019

Navajo Generating Station is closing, and that means an enormous amount of water is up for grabs, a situation that will lead to either a new settlement or more legal battles over the future of the water.  Multiple sources told the Arizona Mirror that the future of the water formerly used to operate NGS, which […]

Finchem at odds with Forest Service over new road plan aimed at preventing wildfires

By: - October 29, 2019

A GOP state lawmaker on Tuesday voiced his opposition to the U.S. Forest Service’s travel management plan for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. 

Navajo Nation Council punts decision on massive liability for troubled coal mine cleanups

By: - October 28, 2019

The Navajo Nation Council on Oct. 23 tabled legislation that would avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in Nation liability for the cleanup of three coal mines.

Recreation is the biggest cash cow for AZ Department of Interior lands, while timber lags

By: - October 17, 2019

Recreation generated the most money of any activity on Department of Interior lands in Arizona, while timber harvesting, a crucial industry to wildfire prevention, brought in substantially less.