Today we continue Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility. KZMU recognizes the need to share voices and stories from our local LGBTQ+ community members on the airwaves. We hope Lift Up helps deepen understanding and empathy within our community and reinforces a sense of belonging.

Our third LGBTQ+ storyteller is Sam Van Wetter, an organizer, writer, and outdoorsman based in southern Utah. His work seeks the connection and coincidence of progressive leadership, rural autonomy, and community resilience. He is fueled by the instance that things truly splendid will inevitably eclipse the traumatic rot of our time. May it be our job to amplify and perpetuate all the very good things we live among.

Ginger Allen and Serah Mead co-produced today’s piece.

And later, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters about their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent talks ‘dark skies’ friendly streetlights coming to Moab, a guilty plea in last year’s fatal car crash, and redistricting Grand County. Alison Hartford of the Moab Sun News discusses updates to the city’s sustainability action plan, and the Youth Garden Project’s upcoming Harvest Festival.

Show Notes:

Photo: Sam Van Wetter is our third storyteller in KZMU’s Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility project. Sam’s work seeks the connection and coincidence of progressive leadership, rural autonomy, and community resilience. Courtesy Sam Van Wetter

Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility

https://www.kzmu.org/lift-up/

Music featured in today’s newscast includes:

Upbeat Funk Pop by Scott Holmes Music

Pennies by Ketsa

Wallow by Ketsa

Guestlist by Podington Bear

Weekly News Reel Mentions ¬–

The Times-Independent: Let your light shine down – but not up

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/let-your-light-shine-down-but-not-up/

The Times-Independent: Driver in fatal crash pleads guilty

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/driver-in-fatal-crash-pleads-guilty/

The Times-Independent: It’s time to redistrict Grand County

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/its-time-to-redistrict-grand-county/

Moab Sun News: Talking to Moab’s sustainability director for Utah Climate Week

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_f2d3b51a-1c82-11ec-a014-cb40481b4a08.html

Moab Sun News: Celebrating the harvest – Youth Garden Project hosts fall festival

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_c14f537a-1c94-11ec-bd2f-677303799f87.html