Coal-fired power plants are closing, or being given firm deadlines for closure, across the country. In the Western states that make up the over-allocated...
About Luke Runyon
As KUNC’s reporter covering the Colorado River Basin, Luke digs into stories that show how water issues can both unite and divide communities throughout the Western U.S.
Recent Stories by Luke Runyon
Climate Change, and Our Response to it, is Making Life Hard for Desert Tortoises
Every time thick, dark rain clouds move over the deserts that surround Las Vegas, there’s an anticipatory buzz. Flora and fauna alike begin preparing for...
Water Managers Pause Colorado River Negotiations After Drawing Short-Term Drought Plans
With short-term drought plans finished, water managers from across the Southwest recently gathered in Las Vegas to figure out what’s next. The Colorado...
As Winter Approaches, All Eyes Turn Toward Rocky Mountain Snowpack
The West’s water security is wrapped up in snow. When it melts, it becomes drinking and irrigation water for millions throughout the region. A high...
Historically Left Out, Colorado River Tribes Call For More Sway In Western Water Talks
Earlier this year, Arizona—one of seven southwestern states that rely on the Colorado River—was in the midst of a heated discussion about water. “It’s...
‘Climate Whiplash’ Tests Four Corners Communities’ Ability To Adapt
Climate change has been called the new normal. But residents in some parts of the Southwest say after living through the last two years, there’s...
