Emma VandenEinde
Reporter, Mountain WestEmail: emma.vandeneinde@kunc.org
I'm the Mountain West Reporter for KUNC, here to inform you of all the latest news affecting the Mountain West region. From new legislation to climate patterns to invasive species, I'll research what is happening in your backyard—as well as the backyards of neighboring states—and share those stories with you as you go about your day.
The Mountain West is a very biodiverse region–each town contains detailed stories about its culture and its challenges, and I love learning about it all. I enjoy the creativity that comes with captivating listeners with sounds and transporting them to the heart of the scene–something KUNC does frequently.
Before coming to Colorado, I worked as an audio reporter for Arizona PBS covering sustainability and climate issues. I’ve worked as a reporter and digital producer for KJZZ, the NPR-affiliate station in Arizona. I was also selected to participate in News21, an investigative news project in which I worked on a podcast series and a documentary about the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on various populations.
Recently, the daily news podcast I produced and hosted at Arizona PBS–CN2Go–was awarded a National Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence In Audio Newscast. I placed second in the 2021 National Hearst Championship Competition for my audio storytelling about live music returning after the pandemic. Additionally, I placed second in the 2021 BEA Festival of Media Arts Awards for a feature about drought in Arizona crops.
When I’m not hearing your stories, you can find me sinking a disc golf putt or spending time riding my bike outside. In the snowy months, I’m usually sipping my second cup of black tea while singing along to some songs on my guitar.
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Researchers found that the emotions people feel – or don’t feel – when learning about climate change impact their support of policies on the issue. The George Mason study specifically focused on guilt, sadness, anger, fear and hope. -
Maternal deaths nationwide more than doubled from 1999 to 2019, according to a new study in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The research also showed that death rates are especially high for Black and American Indian and Alaska Native moms.
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The Forest Service is awarding more than $1 billion nationwide in grants to plant trees in cities, tackle climate change and make green spaces more accessible to less wealthy neighborhoods.
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A group led by the Interior Department has released recommendations to reform mining practices on public lands.
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Researchers have found a way to predict whether or not a forest will survive based on drought conditions – information that can help forest managers deal with climate change.
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There are thousands of popular hiking trails in the Mountain West, but until recently it’s been difficult to measure just how many people use them. Now, the nonprofit Headwaters Economics is combining infrared counters with fitness tracking apps to accurately measure trail use so that land managers can gain a better sense of how to spend.
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Researchers from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory recently found that some winged insects native to the Mountain West – and crucial to maintaining ecosystem balance – are on the decline.
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A new Audubon Society report on birds and power transmission lines pushes for a clean energy grid, but warns the buildout could harm birds. Yet the report contends collaborative planning can create a symbiotic relationship between those pushing for clean energy and others seeking to protect bird species.
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The Census Bureau has a tool called 'My Tribal Area' that provides accessible demographic information about tribal communities. It’s been around since 2016, but changes to the available data – or lack thereof – have affected how the tool has been received over the years.
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A new report shows that visitors to national parks spent a record amount in surrounding communities last year, providing a major economic boost to those areas.
