American Southwest

An NGO focused on water poverty turns its attention from Africa back to the US

A call from a potential donor to an international NGO working on access to clean water proved a turning point for both the group and a fight in the US.

The worst droughts in 1,000 years may be on the horizon for the American West

Since 2011, California has been in the grip of one of the worst droughts in recent history. It's shrinking water reserves, intensifying wildfires and, so far, costing farmers billions of dollars in agricultural losses. But all of that may be just a preview of what’s to come later this century.

Texas volunteers help Central American migrants during their first hours of freedom on US soil

Some migrant families with young children detained shortly after arriving from Central America are sent to live with relatives in the US as they await their date in court. That transition — suddenly being released — can be frightening and overwhelming. But there is one effort in McAllen, Texas, to help these migrants during their first few minutes on US soil.

For some Texans on the border, more walls and patrols won't solve the immigration crisis

The 11 candidates at CNN's Republican debate on Wednesday clashed over immigration and the issue of building a wall on the US-Mexico border. But a year ago, we spoke to some people living closest to the border who say it's time to consider options outside of longer fences and increased patrols.

Las Vegas maids are taking on The Strip's hottest hotel

Nevada's unemployment rate peaked during the Great Recession at 14 percent. A lot of people looking for work were immigrants: the maids, line cooks, and blackjack dealers who keep the Nevada tourism industry afloat. Now with the Nevada economy picking up, many of those workers want more job security and better pay. They want to be in a union. But it’s not coming easy for some.

Why is it so hard to find a good Filipino restaurant?

It's tough to find a Philippine restaurant in the US, and most likely you've never been to one. But maybe some day soon, you'll get the chance.

BirdNote® Aplomado Falcon – Species Recovery in the Works

The remarkable story of bird restoration in South Texas.

At the end of the Colorado, a new rift opens over the river's last drops

A plan by the U.S. to reuse polluted Colorado River water that now flows across the Border into Mexico is putting one of the region's last wildlife refuges, and a number of Mexican farms, at risk.

Desertscapes