KZMU News

As Utahns aged 70 and older become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine this week, demand is currently exceeding supply. But Governor Spencer Cox feels confident vaccination distribution is becoming more efficient, and expects doses to be made to more groups in late February or early March. Plus, Utah State University is leading a comprehensive study to better understand how women across the state have been impacted by the pandemic. And, residents of a tiny, unincorporated, coal town on Colorado’s Western Slope are pitted against billionaire mine owner Bill Koch in a fight for clean drinking water. Our partners at KBUT wanted to find out if this David versus Goliath story is as simple as it sounds.

Show Notes:

Photo: Somerset Water District board member Debbie Pennington and board president John Mlakar. Roberta McGowan/The Sopris Sun

Southeast Utah Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Info

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

Utah Vaccine Data

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/

Survey by the Utah Women & Leadership Project

https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bQknL06T53oaTDn

Utah Public Radio: Survey To Look At How COVID-19 Is Impacting Women in Utah

https://www.upr.org/post/survey-look-how-covid-19-impacting-women-utah

KZMU: Serve your community on MLK Day

https://www.kzmu.org/mlk/

As Moab local Brett Sutteer watched the drama play out over the Utah monolith – that 10 foot metal structure discovered on nearby public lands then swiftly dismantled near the close of 2020 – it made him think about another mysterious art piece. Sutteer has been climbing and canyoneering around Moab for decades, and about eight years ago came across a series of contemporary homemade pots in Southeastern Utah. In contrast to the monolith, they deftly blend in with the landscape. They also appear very personal – each features an image of a face, with handwritten notes inside. Today on the news, we hear Sutteer’s thoughts on this artistic mystery, and his curiosity about others’ impressions of the objects.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel! where local newspaper reporters and editors discuss their latest stories about our area. First (6:00), Times-Independent reporter Carter Pape has updates about COVID-19 vaccination distribution in Grand County, and also some sweeping statewide political data recently collated and ready for analysis. And (15:00), Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire covers an ongoing community review of the Moab City Police Department’s use of force policy, as well as a luxury train headed to Moab.

Show Notes:

Photo: A contemporary homemade pot found on public lands in Southeastern Utah

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Moabites 70 and up, educators eligible for COVID vaccine

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moabites-70-and-up-educators-eligible-for-covid-vaccine/

The Times-Independent: The most Democratic counties in Utah

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-most-democratic-counties-in-utah/

The Times-Independent: Partisanship in Utah – Carbon also an outlier

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/partisanship-in-utah-carbon-also-an-outlier/

Moab Sun News: Moab police use-of-force policy studied

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_887ca394-56bb-11eb-aa03-2f4429e137ba.html

Moab Sun News: Luxury train heads to Moab

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_d0817094-56ba-11eb-b9ee-1fa877c2bb34.html

Climate scientists at Utah State University are using ocean memory to forecast drought and water flow in the Colorado River. Researchers say this tool could help predict the river’s water supply years in advance, and assist water managers to make better decisions. Plus, calls for newly elected Congressmember Lauren Boebert to resign are increasing across Colorado’s third district, which includes Grand Junction. And later, Tri-State electrical utility provides power to many rural areas in the West, relying on coal and fossil fuels to generate the bulk of its power. Now, the company is beginning a rapid shift toward renewable energy. But as our partners at KSJD report, undoing years of fossil fuel influence may be challenging.

Show Notes:

Nature: Colorado River water supply is predictable on multi-year timescales owing to long-term ocean memory

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-020-00027-0#ref-CR17

U.S. Drought Monitor

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

KVNF: Calls Increase for Lauren Boebert to Resign, Be Investigated

https://www.kvnf.org/post/calls-increase-lauren-boebert-resign-be-investigated#stream/0

KSJD: As Tri-State Embraces Renewables, It’s Fossil Fuel Sources Haven’t Burned Out Yet

https://www.ksjd.org/post/tri-state-embraces-renewables-its-fossil-fuel-sources-haven-t-burned-out-yet

As COVID-19 vaccination continues rolling out in Grand County, the Southeast Utah Health Department is receiving calls from ‘an ever widening group of people’ about eligibility. Plus, residents have spent nearly $40,000 through Moab City’s ‘Buy Local Bucks’ program. So far, locals are mostly spending their ‘bucks’ at grocers, including City Market, Moonflower Community Co-op, and Walker Drug. And later, new rules around oil and gas development in Colorado go into effect this month, giving local communities more authority to regulate the industry. But as our partners at KGNU report, two Front Range counties have radically different ideas of what ‘local control’ means.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Moab Valley Multicultural Center's Zoe Huston holds donated 'local bucks' which the nonprofit will spend to fill their food pantry.

Southeast Utah Health Department: COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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

City of Moab Buy Local Bucks Program

https://moabcity.org/566/Moab-Buy-Local-Bucks

City of Moab Grant Program

https://moabcity.org/568/City-of-Moab-Grant-Program

KGNU: A Tale of Two Counties – Oil and Gas Regulation Along the Front Range

https://news.kgnu.org/2020/12/a-tale-of-two-counties/

Police reform is slated for discussion during Utah’s 2021 legislative session, which begins next week. Dozens of reform bills have already been filed, and a panel hosted by the League of Women Voters of Salt Lake, ACLU Utah and others outlined several last night. Policy makers say more bills are slated to go public soon, including legislation revising use of force policies and qualified immunity in Utah. Plus, a 'Remove Trump Now' car rally and parade took place in Denver this weekend.

Show Notes:

Photo: A Moab protestor holds a sign reading ‘Stop Killing Black People’ at a June 5, 2020 demonstration for Black lives.

1/11 Panel - ‘Coming Together On Police Reform: How Will the Legislature Make a Difference?’

https://www.facebook.com/lwvsl/videos/2869959486613093

Utah State Legislature

https://le.utah.gov

KGNU: Denver Rally Calling for Trump to be Removed from Office

https://news.kgnu.org/2021/01/denver-rally-calling-for-trump-to-be-removed-from-office/

Utah Governor Spencer Cox issued an executive order regarding vaccine distribution on Friday, in an effort to speed up the state's process. By the end of February, Cox anticipates everyone over 70 and all teachers and staff who want a vaccine will have received one. Plus, our radio partners profile Moab’s Full Circle Intertribal Center. And, the most severe drought in years continues to take hold of our region.

Show Notes:

Photo: Miyoshi Lee (Left) and Leslie Goldtooth (Right) are on the Full Circle Intertribal Center board. Kate Groetzinger/KUER.

Southeast Utah Health Department: COVID-19 Vaccine Information/Updates

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

UPR: Gov. Issues Executive Order On Vaccine Distribution

https://www.upr.org/post/gov-issues-executive-order-vaccine-distribution

KUER: ‘For Natives, By Natives’ – A New Nonprofit Is Empowering Indigenous People in Moab

https://www.kuer.org/arts-culture-religion/2021-01-08/for-natives-by-natives-a-new-nonprofit-is-empowering-indigenous-people-in-moab

Full Circle Intertribal Center

https://fullcircleintertribalcenter.org

The newly seated Grand County Commission might have some fresh faces, but all have worked for years in various capacities across our community. That’s certainly true for Sarah Stock, who was appointed on Tuesday to fill the vacant District 3 seat. Stock grew up in Castle Valley, and has worked largely in community service, especially on issues surrounding environmental justice. Today on the news, her thoughts as she begins her role as Grand County Commissioner.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel! where local newspaper reporters discuss their latest stories about our area. First (8:00), some water news from The Times-Independent. Editor Doug McMurdo explains how Moab City is taking a harder look at how much water is in the aquifer, and what that means for development. He also discusses the new Grand County Commission, and an evaluation of its role with the Utah Association of Counties. Plus (17:00), the San Juan County Commission denied Rally on the Rocks a lease for their headquarters and vendor show in Spanish Valley. We hear from Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire about what happened and why this issue might no longer be just about this one event. And, McGuire discusses a new study about public health and regional economics.

Show Notes:

Photo: Grand County Commissioner Sarah Stock

Weekly News Reel Mentions -

The Times-Independent: Got Water?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/got-water/

The Times-Independent: Commission appoints Sarah Stock to vacant seat

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commission-appoints-sarah-stock-to-vacant-seat/

The Times-Independent: Commission discusses OHVs, illegal camping, zoning issues at meeting

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commission-discusses-ohvs-illegal-camping-zoning-issues-at-meeting/

Moab Sun News: San Juan declines Rally on the Rocks lease

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_aec9960a-51d0-11eb-980d-8b2a11eaec1c.html

Moab Sun News: Businesses look ahead to 2021 season

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_ebccd4bc-51db-11eb-9523-ef1e3aaeec5d.html

President-elect Joe Biden’s win was finally confirmed by Congress early Thursday morning, hours after rioters stormed the Capitol Building and prompted an evacuation. Utah’s congressional leadership condemned yesterday’s riot, but perhaps none were more direct than Senator Mitt Romney, who called the events “an insurrection incited by the President of the United States” and demanded his colleagues respect voters by telling the truth. Plus, our radio partners look at the role lawmakers in our region have played in this moment.

Show Notes:

Photo: U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (UT)speaking to his colleagues on January 6th

U.S. House Results: 1/7 Roll Call Votes

https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2021/index.asp

U.S. Senate Results: 1/7 Roll Call Votes

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/votes_new.htm

C-SPAN: Mitt Romney Speech

https://www.c-span.org/video/?507698-5/senate-rejects-objection-arizona-electoral-votes-93-6

San Juan County denied Rally on the Rocks a permit to stage their spring ATV event at the Old Airport Road in Spanish Valley. Although chair Willie Grayeyes said he would welcome the event in Blanding or Monticello, approving the event’s headquarters in Spanish Valley – just a few miles from the border of Grand County – might cause a loss of trust between the two governing bodies. Plus, Grand’s newly seated commission unanimously approved a letter to President Elect Joe Biden requesting that his administration immediately restore the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument to its original size. And, water advocate Sarah Stock is appointed to serve a two-year term on the Grand County Commission.

Show Notes:

Dispatch from the Undisputed Motorhead Capital of the West: A Radio Special by Jon Kovash and Josie Kovash

https://www.kzmu.org/dispatch-from-the-undisputed-motorhead-capitol-of-the-west-a-radio-special-by-jon-kovash-and-josie-kovash/

With changing commodity prices as well as speculation, oil and gas wells on public lands aren’t always pumping. KZMU’s Justin Higginbottom investigates the lost zones in Utah, where wells are holding land from wilderness management, if not polluting. Plus, our radio partners report on the inauguration ceremony for Utah’s new governor. And, new research suggests that wildfire fuel treatment projects are much more likely to happen in wealthy and white neighborhoods.

Photo: A view from Hatch Point is seen in southeastern Utah. Ray Bloxham/Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance