Black bear hunting has been a controversial topic in Grand County since 2018, when two hunters in the La Sal mountains were caught abusing one. The hunters used hounds to chase the bear to exhaustion, caged the bear for two days, released it, and then let the hounds chase it again. Since this incident, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources made changes to black bear hunting rules. But Grand’s lawmakers say there are still questionable loopholes. Plus, this week marked the inauguration of the Navajo Nation’s new president, vice president and tribal council members. And later, a discovery about the Basque language has rocked the community in the Mountain West and across the world.

// And the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses closure to the 2021 double homicide case, great winter precipitation, planned upgrades to Kane Creek Boulevard, and ongoing reflections on a Grand Canyon trip. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks training and the Moab City Police Department, scientific research in the drylands, and a student art exhibit at the MARC. And the Moab Sun News tells us ‘what happened’ at the Moab City Council meeting.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Hounds chasing a black bear in the La Sal Mountains in 2018. This still shot is from a video that has pushed the Utah Division of Wildlife to tighten bear hunting rules. But Grand’s lawmakers say the changes don’t go far enough.

// 1/3/23 Wildlife Board Meeting

https://wildlife.utah.gov/agendas-materials-minutes.html

// Weekly News Reel Mentions:

// The Times-Independent: Sheriff’s office closes double homicide case

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/sheriffs-office-closes-double-homicide-case/

// The Times-Independent: ‘We couldn’t write a better script’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/we-couldnt-write-a-better-script/

// The Times-Independent: City plans $8M ‘locals highway’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-plans-8m-locals-highway/

// The Times-Independent: A Grand Adventure, Part 3

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/a-grand-adventure-part-3/

// Moab Sun News: Police Chief details 2023 training agenda

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/01/12/police-chief-details-2023-training-agenda/

// Moab Sun News: Searching for answers in the field with Brooke Osborne

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/01/12/searching-for-answers-in-the-field-with-brooke-osborne/

// Moab Sun News: GCHS students express the ‘Creativity of Life’

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/01/12/gchs-students-express-the-creativity-of-life/