Rachel Cohen
Mountain West News Bureau reporterRachel Cohen is the Mountain West News Bureau reporter for KUNC. She covers topics most important to the Western region. She spent five years at Boise State Public Radio, where she reported from Twin Falls and the Sun Valley area, and shared stories about the environment and public health.
As a National Science Health and Environment Reporting Fellow (SHERF), she studied the intersection of these topics and examined how climate change affects human health.
Her favorite part of working in public radio is getting to meet interesting people and talk about what matters to them. When not working, she enjoys hiking, skiing, checking out coffee shops and watching women’s soccer.
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Traffic deaths declined overall in 2025, but several Mountain West states saw increases. The new initiative focuses on risky driving behaviors. -
Ski areas with special-use permits must be primarily focused on skiing and other snow sports. But in a final rule, the U.S. Forest Service said that focus will no longer be determined by revenue, which could help ski areas to adapt business to a changing climate. -
The plan would consolidate research leadership — currently dispersed across the country — in Fort Collins, Colo., while closing laboratories in Montana, Utah and Nevada. -
Several new bridges and tunnels were built in the last few years to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. Now, state lawmakers are looking to build on the momentum — and qualify for remaining federal grant dollars. -
The move is part of a “sweeping restructuring," which the agency said is intended to move leaders closer to the land they oversee. The plan has been met with concern. -
The National Park Service recorded 323 million visits in 2025 at parks, historic sites, monuments and recreation areas, about a 3% decline from 2024’s all-time high. -
The city used to auction off surplus animals to ranchers. But six years ago, it started donating them to tribes instead. More than 170 animals have been gifted so far. -
In its latest quarterly earnings report, Vail Resorts said North America skier visits were down roughly 12% through the beginning of March compared to last year, and revenue fell about 5% for the quarter. -
Outdoor recreation remains a major economic player, but inflation, tariffs and affordability concerns may have contributed to a slowing growth rate in 2024. -
Steve Pearce, a former Republican congressman from New Mexico, would next need to clear a vote in the full Senate in the coming weeks to be confirmed.
