KZMU News

Today on the Weekly News Reel, we talk to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Times-Independent, about the recent decision to nullify Amendment D from the Utah ballot prior to November's election. If passed, Amendment D would have given the Utah Legislature the power to repeal citizen-passed ballot initiatives. We also discuss Grand County's new planning and zoning director, Amy Weiser, who says land use codes need a "complete overhaul." We finish up with a story about 11 recent school bus violations that will result in $1,000 fines per vehicle.

- Show Notes -

• ‘Amendment D is void’: GOP lawmakers’ constitutional amendment won’t be counted in 2024 election

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/amendment-d-is-void-gop-lawmakers-constitutional-amendment-wont-be-counted-in-2024-election/

• New county P&Z director: Land use code needs ‘complete overhaul’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-county-pz-director-land-use-code-needs-complete-overhaul/

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/july-was-arid-throughout-utah/

• MPD cracks down on school bus scofflaws

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/mpd-cracks-down-on-school-bus-scofflaws/

Last year, Utah legalized unlimited, year-round hunting of mountain lions. Some argue that mountain lion numbers need to come down in order to help the state's dwindling deer population, despite no evidence to support this correlation. In fact, wildlife biologist Jim Keen recently published a paper arguing the opposite — that a healthy predator population is necessary to help deer numbers, especially if those deer are suffering from disease.

- Show Notes -

• Utah just legalized unlimited mountain lion hunting. What does that mean for the state's cougars?

https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/friday-may-19-2023

• Wildlife advocates sue the state of Utah over changes to mountain lion hunting

https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/wildlife-advocates-sue-the-state-of-utah-over-changes-to-mountain-lion-hunting-laws

• Big cats as nature's check against disease, by Jim Keen

https://catsarenttrophies.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Natures-Check-Against-Disease-Report-08-21-24.pdf?ms=EM_NBI_AWA_20240827_FR_CWD_0_3MO_WaynePacelle_NA_NA_CWD&emci=1473c15a-9764-ef11-991a-6045bdd9e096&emdi=1490e0f0-ad64-ef11-991a-6045bdd9e096&ceid=11359917

• Photo: Weight loss is a main symptom of chronic wasting disease, as seen in this deer. Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

On Friday, a new lithium mine in Green River announced that the Utah Division of Water Rights approved its application. The mine, owned by Anson Resources, was granted a flow rate of 19 cubic feet of water per second on the condition that all water used in the extraction process will be re-injected back into the aquifer after lithium has been removed. Following a drilling accident this spring, concerned residents protested the mine's water rights, spurring the state to re-evaluate the application. Friday's decision is the result of that review process.

- Show Notes -

• Green River residents voice concerns about lithium mine accident

https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/green-river-residents-voice-concerns-about-lithium-mine-accident

• Photo: Anson Resource's lithium mine is located less than half a mile from the Green River. Photo by Kenny Fallon / Green River Observer.

This week on Regional Roundup, we hear how many of our beloved outdoor spaces are being loved to death as increasing numbers of tourists flock to the region. This show explores how local communities are grappling with the challenge of preserving their natural landscapes while sustaining their economies. From overcrowded trails to endangered ecosystems, this piece sheds light on the delicate balance between growth and conservation. This show is a collaboration between Clark Adomaitis, Maeve Conran, Gavin McGough, Lily Jones, and Hattison Rensberry.

- Show Notes -

• A feature about the impact of social media influencers on our outdoor spaces. (KDNK)

• A feature on a historic train in southwest Colorado switching from coal to oil. (from KSJD/KSUT)

• A feature on a the U.S. Forest Service's efforts to tally visitors on southern Colorado. (KHOL)

• A feature on the timed entry system at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMCR)

• A feature on the danger of spreading invasive species into delicate ecosystems. (KDNK)

On the News Reel today, we talk to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about disagreements among commissioners on how the state’s audit of Grand County tourism funds was represented at a recent legislative meeting. We also discuss a report on National Park Service revenue in southeastern Utah during 2023. And we finish up with a story about Moab’s Taiko Dan group, which is celebrating 30 years of drumming with an event on Sept. 28.

- Show Notes -

• Commissioners clash over ‘misrepresentation’ at legislative meeting

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commissioners-clash-over-legislative-meeting/

• Parks, monuments visitors spent nearly $400M in southeast Utah

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/parks-monuments-visitors-spent-nearly-400m-in-southeast-utah/

• Moab Taiko Dan celebrates 30 years of drumming

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-taiko-dan-celebrates-30-years-of-drumming/

The annual paranormal conference Phenomecon took place in Vernal, Utah, last weekend. UFO spotters, Bigfoot enthusiasts, and Skinwalker believers convened for four days of lectures and presentations about supernatural occurrences in the Uinta Basin and beyond.

- Photo: Phenomecon attendees Audie Tackett and Gail Tackett show off a photo of what they believe are Bigfoot tracks spotted in the snow in Colorado.

For over a century, the world's fastest drivers have been coming to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah every year to set speed records in their homemade hotrods. But the future of the sport is uncertain as conditions of the speedway deteriorate from decades of mining on the salt flats. What will that mean for the next generation of racers?

Photo: At 15 years old, Carson May is one of the youngest competitors at the World of Speed, an annual car race at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. He might not have his driver's license yet. But at speeds of over 170 miles per hour, he proves he knows what he's doing behind the wheel.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear an interview with the author of a new book, "The Western Horse: A Popular History of the Wild and Working Animal" by RMCR. We also hear a feature on the Churro sheep and its significance to the Navajo Nation, from the archives at KSJD/KSUT. Plus, a feature on Trumpeter swans in Wyoming, by KHOL. And an interview with the author of "Why Animals Talk: The New Science of Animal Communication" by KGNU.

KZMU News is on a break until early September. Tune in to KZMU News live every weekday at noon and 6:00 pm for regional news from our sister stations and rebroadcasts of some of our favorite stories from the past year. Talk to you in a couple weeks. Thanks for listening.

On the News Reel today, we talk to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Times-Independent, about former Salt Lake Tribune reporter Zak Podmore’s new book, Life After Dead Pool. We also discuss the state’s most recent precipitation report, which found below average rainfall in Utah this summer. And we finish off with a story about Grand County Commission Chair Jacques Hadler’s recent travels to Tanzania where he grew up.

- Show Notes -

• Is Lake Powell doomed? And if so, what comes next?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/is-lake-powell-doomed-and-if-so-what-comes-next/

• July was arid throughout Utah

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/july-was-arid-throughout-utah/

• Moabite returns to childhood home in Africa

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/july-was-arid-throughout-utah/