KZMU News

Prepare for a busy spring in Moab. That’s the advice of city manager Joel Linares, who informed the city council last week of growing sales tax revenues reflecting more visitation. As COVID-19 restrictions continue shaping travel plans, ‘drive-able’ destinations like Moab are more popular than ever. Plus, water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin is causing some states to rethink longstanding tenets of western water law. And, when Congresswoman Deb Haaland faced confirmation hearings last week to become the first Indigenous Secretary of the Interior, young tribal citizens were watching.

Photo: Downtown Moab in May 2020

Heads up listener, today we launch a brand new segment of the newscast - audio portraits of people in the Moab valley. These non-narrated features aim to collect an aural sense of this place and its people. Our first one takes us to Old City Park, where outdoor guide Blaine gives us some insights on #vanlife in our community.

And later, our Weekly News Reel, where we speak to reporters and editors about their latest coverage. A bill that would have allowed resort communities like Moab to establish a nighttime curfew for ATVs on local roads failed in the state senate by a very narrow margin on Wednesday - one vote. The Times-Independent’s Doug McMurdo has more on that vote (9:00), as well as a new program from EMS addressing ground falls, and a profile on local athletes. Plus, local high school junior Sam Kesavadhana recently earned his pilot’s license, and the Moab Sun News took flight with him. Editor Maggie McGuire has more on this local profile (17:00), as well as a group of climbers forming an alliance in Carbon County.

Show Notes:

Audio Portrait Featured Music:

Lobo Loco, Jessy Travel Gambler

The Joy Drops, Not Drunk, No Vocal

The Joy Drops, Not Drunk, Trumpet

If you have an idea for a future profile, reach out to [email protected].

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Hinkins sinks OHV curfew bill

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/hinkins-sinks-ohv-curfew-bill/

The Times-Independent: EMS looks to expand services

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/ems-looks-to-expand-services/

The Times-Independent: Shumway sisters earn All-State honors

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/shumway-sisters-earn-all-state-honors/

Moab Sun News: Grand County teen takes flight

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_844d2c62-785d-11eb-bab8-8fd952386573.html

Moab Sun News: Carbon County climbers get a seat at the table

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_116cbc4e-785d-11eb-8b9a-93383485cbdc.html

A bill that would have allowed Moab City to establish a nighttime curfew for ATVs on local roads failed by a narrow margin in the Utah Senate on Wednesday. Today on the news, we speak with Moab City Mayor Emily Niehaus, who championed the legislation. Niehaus reacts to the vote, and discusses other strategies to curb noise impacts from ATVs, including stepped-up noise enforcement and sociological research on visitation.

Show Notes:

SB 168: Designated Vehicle Route Amendments

https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/SB0168.html

Locals eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine now have a few options - the Southeast Utah Health Department, Moab Regional Hospital, and City Market. All have committed to administering vaccine, and are gearing up for the next group that becomes eligible next week - those 18 and older with underlying medical conditions. Plus, the Moab Museum’s latest exhibit reflects the collective experience of the pandemic. Memories of the Quarantine/Memorias de la Cuarentena displays personal reflections on the early days of lockdown from both sides of the U.S-Mexico border. And later, some Western advocacy around removing state taxes from menstrual products.

Show Notes:

Photo: Temporary exhibit Memories of the Quarantine/Memorias de la Cuarentena is available for viewing by appointment at the Moab Museum.

Utah Vaccine Eligibility

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-distribution/#eligibility

Southeast Utah Health Department Vaccine Scheduler

https://www.seuhealth.com/vaccine-scheduling

Moab Regional Hospital Vaccine Scheduler

435-719-3998

City Market Vaccine Eligibility/Scheduler

https://www.citymarket.com/rx/covid-eligibility

Moab Museum

https://moabmuseum.org/contact/

Memorias de la Cuarentena (Spanish Book)

https://www.amazon.com/Memorias-Cuarentena-Recopilaci%C3%B3n-escritos-confinamiento-ebook/dp/B08L58ZP6Z?fbclid=IwAR36skeFS5rNZ6lOgcA9UqZKIyuKxxeZnalj_o85HgvPD86yFhT5n0m4Vtw

Most Utah students are back in the classroom, but that’s not the case on the Navajo Nation. There, teachers and parents have had to find creative ways to help students learn with limited internet access. As our radio partners report, in most cases, it’s working. Plus, a lawmaker in our region has reintroduced a bill to create a federal conservation corps. And, a picturesque 117-mile stretch of highway in Southwest Colorado is now a National Scenic Byway.

Show Notes:

Photo: Georgiana Simpson has taught at Whitehorse for 6 years. She said her students have learned to advocate for themselves while learning at home this year. Kate Groetzinger/KUER

KUER: ‘There Isn’t Just One Way’ – Students on the Navajo Nation Find Ways to Learn at Home During Pandemic

https://www.kuer.org/education/2021-02-19/there-isnt-just-one-way-students-on-the-navajo-nation-find-ways-to-learn-at-home-during-pandemic

KVNF: State Highway 149 is Now a National Scenic Byway

https://www.kvnf.org/post/state-highway-149-now-national-scenic-byway#stream/0

State lawmakers are once again considering Utahraptor State Park, which would create camping and other infrastructure for lands in the Dalton Wells area. Grand County’s elected representatives say better stewardship of Dalton Wells - which has seen drastic impacts from dispersed camping - is long overdue. Plus, the state senate has watered down a bill that would establish a curfew for ATVs driving on local Moab roads. And finally, new legislation could change the way Utah spends revenue generated by drilling and mining on federal public lands.

NB: The Utahraptor State Park bill passed the House this afternoon, and moves on to the Senate for consideration.

Show Notes:

HB 257: Utah State Park Amendments

https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/HB0257.html

SB 168: Designated Vehicle Routes Amendments

https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/SB0168.html

SB 176: Mineral Lease Funds Amendments

https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/SB0176.html

We are jumping right into our Weekly News Reel today, speaking with local newspaper reporters about their most recent stories of our area. The Transient Room Tax reform bill is making progress at the state legislature. Times-Independent reporter Carter Pape has the latest (00:30), as well as a potential new flight route from Moab to Salt Lake City. Plus, Pape and Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire (14:30) each give breakdowns of the new controversy surrounding the high density housing overlay ordinance. County officials say HDHO units can only be owned by locals, but developers are reading the law differently. Plus, the Sun covers community visioning for Thompson Springs.

Image: High Density Housing Overlay Ordinance Boundary Map

Weekly News Reel Mentions:

The Times-Independent: Reform of TRT is reaching its final iteration

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/reform-of-trt-is-reaching-its-final-iteration/

The Times-Independent: SkyWest wants to connect CNY, SLC

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/skywest-wants-to-connect-cny-slc/

The Times-Independent: County holds line on HDHO reading, tables vote on rules

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-holds-line-on-hdho-reading-tables-vote-on-rules/

The Times-Independent: A former county staffer challenges official HDHO narrative

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/a-former-county-staffer-challenges-official-hdho-narrative/

Moab Sun News: Intended to increase housing access for residents, HDHO code hits a snag

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_6f28aca2-72f5-11eb-879b-83ba50919aa5.html

Moab Sun News: A wake up call - A house fire highlights community needs in Thompson Springs

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_25eb6982-72f3-11eb-b8ff-f30ab34aa9ae.html

Moab Regional Hospital announced plans for a $30 million expansion that will increase space nearly everywhere – from the emergency room to medical offices. Although this expansion project was largely driven by heightened tourism-related demands on medical services, staff says one of its most ‘important’ components will serve locals – a new building for outpatient therapy for substance use disorders. Plus, rivers throughout the southwest are projected to get hammered by climate change as the region continues to warm. And, the U.S. House of Representatives will consider passing a massive public lands package next week.

If approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, SkyWest Airlines could begin offering flights from Moab to Salt Lake City in addition to their current Moab-Denver route. Grand County is petitioning DOT to allow this change, which Moab’s airport director expects will have long-term success. Plus, a $6,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in recent downtown art vandalism incidents. And, the Moab Community Recycle Center launches a voluntary sponsorship program for residential and commercial customers.

Show Notes:

Photo: Canyonlands Regional Airport

KZMU News: Friday February 12, 20201 – Locals expressed shock, disappointment after several art installations found vandalized

https://www.kzmu.org/kzmu-news-friday-february-12-2021/

Moab City Police Department: 435-259-8938

Moab Community Recycle Center Sponsorship Program Overview

https://swssd1.org/crc-sponsorship-overview/

With the Utah legislature in session, elected representatives are currently making decisions that will affect life for all state residents. Utah State University is taking a closer look at how those decisions get made – and who’s making them. Their Utah Women & Leadership Project recently released a report on the status of women in state politics. Director Susan Madsen spoke with KZMU’s Christy Williams Dunton to talk about the data, and what it means for the quality of Utah leadership and government. Today on the news, an excerpt from their conversation.

Show Notes:

Photo: State Rep. Angela Romero from District 26 files for re-election in March 2020

The Status of Women in Utah Politics: A 2021 Update

https://www.usu.edu/uwlp/files/briefs/29-status-of-women-in-utah-politics-2021.pdf

Utah Women & Leadership Project

https://www.usu.edu/uwlp/