Nate Hegyi

A temporary boost in pay for wildland firefighters is set to expire in October. Some say they'll quit if Congress doesn't act to make it permanent.

As the movie Oppenheimer plays in theaters across the country, families affected by fallout from atomic testing in New Mexico are pushing Congress for compensation.

Last year saw the most deaths and attempted suicides at federal Bureau of Indian Affairs jails since 2016. The Bureau promised reforms after NPR reporting found a pattern of misconduct in its jails.

At least four inmates died and 46 others attempted suicide from July 2021 through June 2022, according to a new report. It is the most yearly deaths and attempted suicides recorded since 2016.

The jails program has come under fire for numerous deaths. NPR and Mountain West found a previous review was managed by a retired official who oversaw the facilities when some of the deaths occurred.

Wildland firefighters will soon see big increases in pay and other benefits from the infrastructure bill. But firefighters are split on whether the changes are enough to keep them on the job.

Even in non-pandemic years, Las Vegas has struggled to fill school jobs. COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. Now, principals are filling in as substitute teachers and even cafeteria workers.

At least 10 hospitals in the state started rationing care for everyone because they're filled with COVID-19 patients. But there's deep distrust of authority.

Hospitals in that part of the state are under crisis standards of care — rationing services to the most in need. The area is skeptical of COVID-19 controls and has the nation's lowest vaccination rate

An epic drought and population explosion is draining Lake Mead and the Colorado River, which millions in the Southwestern U.S. rely on.