AP writer Nicholas Geranios looks back at the Aryan Nations, the racist colony built by Richard Butler in Hayden Lake, Idaho. The group is long gone, but memories were recently stirred when the man who shot up the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. was found to have spent a few days in the area in 2004. Today, the area is home to tourists, country clubs and a posh homes. But the locals haven't forgotten.
"The stain is so deep," said Tony Stewart, a long time resident who helped evict the Aryan Nations, told Gerionas. "We feel stereotyped in a way that is unjust."
The story you just read is only possible because readers like you support our mission to uncover truths that matter. If you value this reporting, help us continue producing high-impact investigations that drive real-world change. Your donation today ensures we can keep asking tough questions and bringing critical issues to light. Join us — because fearless, independent journalism depends on you!
Gary "Chris" Twombley was put on administrative leave in December 2023
Get the inside scoop in your inbox, free.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters and never miss an investigation.
Journalism that sparks change
Our work has inspired new state laws, exposed government failures and impacted local communities in powerful ways. These stories wouldn't be told without InvestigateWest, and we couldn't do it without our generous supporters.
