KZMU News

Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New Mexico has been tapped to lead the Department of the Interior. President-elect Joe Biden’s pick is a historic one – Haaland will be the first ever Indigenous cabinet secretary if she’s confirmed. Plus, all signs point to a dry start to 2021 across much of the Colorado River watershed. And later, three local governments in Colorado have joined the growing rank of lawsuits filed against fossil fuel companies for their role in climate change. Our partners at KOTO report on the effect the lawsuits could have even before they’re decided in court.

And it’s Friday, that means we have our Weekly News Reel! where local reporters and editors discuss their latest stories about our area.

(8:00)First, Grand County’s 2021 budget was approved on Tuesday. Times-Independent reporter Carter Pape has a report on some interesting items the county will fund next year. He also touches on the county’s decision to formally deny Rally on the Rocks a special event permit for their 2021 event.

(23:00)Plus, the Moab Sun News published their meaty year in review this week. Looking back on their coverage from 2020, editor Maggie McGuire says she sees community resilience during stressful times.

Show Notes:

Photo: Telluride, Colorado/Julia Caulfield

KUNC: Colorado River Basin Winter Forecast Signals Dry Times Ahead

https://www.kunc.org/2020-12-17/colorado-river-basin-winter-forecast-signals-dry-times-ahead?fbclid=IwAR1C94CUkXjHJyuqfDm2dgez9W1AEDqji8WrN6OtHciqghU5RifL9JywiEk

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: What does ‘bypass’ mean?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/what-does-bypass-mean/

County budgets for $654K surplus in Travel Council

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-budgets-for-654k-surplus-in-travel-council/

The Times-Independent: Grand looks to halt 2021 Rally on the Rocks

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-looks-to-halt-2021-rally-on-the-rocks/

Find the Moab Sun News’ Year in Review on local newsstands, or with an E-subscription to the Moab Sun News.

Girls wrestling is officially a sanctioned sport at Grand County High School, after the school board voted unanimously to approve it for two years. That’s good news for 10th grader Marek Relph, who needed the school sanction to compete at tournaments across Utah. Even though she’s competing solo for Grand County at the moment, Relph hopes by the end of her high school career, there will be a full Red Devil girls wrestling team. And later, revenue from oil and gas in Utah hasn’t recovered since plummeting earlier this year. That means government grants and loans that rely on energy royalties have less in their coffers – just when communities need it most.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Book Cliffs are seen in the distance in southeastern Utah. Courtesy Bill Rau.

In a firm statement approved last night, the Grand County Commission says Rally on the Rocks cannot hold their 2021 ATV event - period. After negotiations broke down over safety stipulations earlier this year, Rally on the Rocks organizers announced they would move their vendor show over the border to San Juan County but still run trails on public lands within Grand. But county attorney Christina Sloan says that’s not legal. Plus, the company that owns the White Mesa Mill in San Juan County just announced plans to roll out production of rare earth elements from radioactive material. The move raises questions about the state’s permitting process.

Show Notes:

Photo: Off-Highway Vehicle speed limits are posted around Moab City. The new speed limits were approved this fall along with a temporary moratorium on ATV-related special events and new rental businesses.

Grand County 12-15 Agenda Item Q (ROTR Denial Letter)

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Grand-County-12-15-Agenda-Item-Q-ROTR-Denial-Letter.pdf

Energy Fuels’ 12/15 Presentation to San Juan County Commission

(Starts at 36:30)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7kRY1zA2dA&t=2314s

KUER: Plans To Process Radioactive Material In San Juan County Raise Questions About State Oversight

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2020-12-16/plans-to-process-radioactive-sand-in-san-juan-county-raise-questions-about-state-oversight

A small celebration was held at the Arroyo Crossing housing development site this weekend. Moab Area Community Land Trust board members cut a ceremonial ribbon to mark the completion of the project’s infrastructure, and the beginning of everything ahead – 300 units of affordable housing for locals. Developers like Community Rebuilds and the Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah will break ground early next year, bringing a long-held vision to fruition, which includes walkable trails, community spaces, and most important – housing that locals can afford.

Show Notes:

Photo: Moab Area Community Land Trust board members cut the ceremonial ribbon at Arroyo Crossing on December 13th

12/13 Arroyo Crossing Ribbon Cutting Celebration

https://www.facebook.com/moabclt/videos/409868380447055

Moab Area Community Land Trust

https://www.moabclt.org

Arroyo Crossing Housing Developers –

Community Rebuilds

https://www.communityrebuilds.org

Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah

https://www.hasuhomes.org

Utah Housing Corporation

https://utahhousingcorp.org

President Trump’s task force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People has released its first report. It recommends the creation of a centralized database to track cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, and increased federal funding for local efforts to address the crisis. Plus, our partners speak with the filmmakers behind ‘The Blessing,’ a documentary about a Navajo coal miner struggling with the irreversible destruction of their sacred mountain at the hands of America’s largest coal producer.

Show Notes:

Photo: A still from 'The Blessing' from PBS America ReFramed

Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives: 11/25/20 Operation Lady Justice

https://operationladyjustice.usdoj.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh281/files/media/document/operation-lady-justice-report-508_final.pdf

America Reframed: The Blessing

https://worldchannel.org/episode/arf-blessing/

Last week, when a ‘train’ of bright objects were spotted moving briskly across the night sky, Moabites started speculating on social media – UFO? Military activity? Nope. It was Starlink, an ambitious yet controversial satellite constellation project from SpaceX, aiming to provide internet to underserved and rural areas. Scientists say continued plans for Starlink will ‘fundamentally change’ astronomy and the appearance of the night sky for stargazers worldwide. Today on the news, some history and perspective from a local astronomer.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel, where we catch up with the Moab Sun News and The Times-Independent about some of their latest stories.

(05:30) First up, Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo has some highlights about Moab City’s ‘biggest ever’ September sales tax figures, a coupon program from Moab City to encourage residents to ‘buy local,’ and some off-highway vehicle manufacturers’ opposition to vehicles like ATVs and UTVs using on-highway roads.

(15:30) Next, the Moab Sun News takes a dive into what local frontline healthcare employees have to say about their work related to COVID-19. Plus, snow experts expect more recreation in the backcountry this year and a local climber removes some highline gear from Castleton Tower, hoping to prevent search and rescue calls. Editor Maggie McGuire reports.

Show Notes:

Photo: Starlink in the Moab night sky on 12/4/20. Courtesy Crystal White.

American Astronomy Society: Impact of Satellite Constellations on Optical Astronomy and Recommendations Toward Mitigation

https://aas.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/SATCON1-Report.pdf

FindStarlink.Com

https://findstarlink.com/#38.5677,North,109.5271,West;3

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: What a comeback

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/what-a-comeback/

The Times-Independent: City approves economic stimulus plan for locals

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-approves-economic-stimulus-plan-for-locals/

The Times-Independent: UTV maker groups want them off paved roads due to safety

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/utv-maker-groups-want-them-off-paved-roads-due-to-safety/

The Moab Sun News: Health officials have hope but urge caution

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_d3a14daa-3b1f-11eb-8e52-ef5b6fed5b03.html

The Moab Sun News: Tricky snow and more backcountry users worry experts – Avalanche Center increases outreach

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_7eff07fe-3b21-11eb-b424-3b6c4bc75a5f.html

The Moab Sun News: Rescue on Castleton – climbers stranded after rappelling from highline anchors

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_cc4acb2c-3754-11eb-8e79-87b359b4f687.html

The White Mesa Uranium Mill, near Bears Ears National Monument, has long been the subject of concern from nearby Indigenous residents as well as environmental groups. In a virtual town hall meeting yesterday, members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in White Mesa spoke about contamination to their land, air, and water resources. The town hall was held by a number of grassroots organizations, all seeking to highlight how uranium's legacy disproportionately affects Indigenous communities across the nation. Plus, Moab City and the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources plan to create a propagation pond for roundtail chub at Old City Park. But they first have to remove invasive carp, which are currently causing a bit of trouble at the park.

Show Notes:

Photo: A group gathers for the 2018 protest and spiritual walk to the White Mesa Uranium Mill

12/9 Event, Indigenous People & Environmental Justice at White Mesa

https://www.facebook.com/Greenaction4EJ/videos/662226424420016

12/10 Event, Native Perspectives: Uranium and the Cultural Impacts on Native America

https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/native-perspectives-uranium-and-cultural-impacts-native-america?fbclid=IwAR1YbZkb8eqTekQC1ecHz0TAxRqxDowucoLb4t1a767KwOpOEEN4pSn7GGE

American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2020

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4897/text

Open auditions for KZMU’s 6th annual radio play will be held virtually this weekend. Writer and director Jenna Whetzel says ‘Choreomania’ is a light hearted comedy, inspired by a different – and stranger – pandemic in the 1500s. Today on the news, we speak with Whetzel about an ‘outbreak of dance,’ and keeping spirits up during a difficult year. Plus, when it comes to gender parity, tribal councils in our region have made more progress than statehouses or U.S. Congress. But as our partners report, women still remain underrepresented.

Show Notes:

Photo: The cast of Wormhole! The Musical rehearses in pre-COVID times

Choreomania Auditions Info

https://www.kzmu.org/auditions/

Public works points to Moab City's aging infrastructure as the root cause for three water main line breaks last week. Crews worked throughout the night on Thursday to repair the leaks, which erupted near Grand County Middle School, Kane Creek, and 100 South. Last year, Moab City identified over $73 million in capital improvement needs, but due to funding constraints those projects are not yet off the ground. Plus, a coal mine near Paonia, Colorado punched a road and drilling pads on lands conservation groups say should be roadless, according to federal policy. Mine operators disagree and our partners at KVNF have the story.

Show Notes:

Photo: Moab City crews block off a section of roadway last week as they repair multiple water main breaks/Credit Moab City

KZMU News: Thursday September 12, 2019 – Public works recently identified an estimated $73 million worth of needed infrastructure projects

https://www.kzmu.org/kzmu-news-thursday-september-12-2019/

KVNF: Roadless Rule ‘Exception’ at Center of Coal Mine Expansion Controversy

https://www.kvnf.org/post/roadless-rule-exception-center-coal-mine-expansion-controversy#stream/0

COVID-19 has disrupted many parts of life in 2020, including holiday festivities. But Moab City and local businesses are keeping certain traditions alive this year – and creating new ones. Plus, the Navajo people have relied on medicine men for spiritual, psychological, and physical wellness for centuries. But as our partners at KJZZ report these ancient healers have been threatened by the pandemic and now they are fighting for survival.

Show Notes:

Photo: Mayor Emily Niehaus at Moab City's virtual tree lighting ceremony in Swanny City Park on December 4th

‘Light It Up’ Participating Businesses

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Light-It-Up-Holiday-Decorating-Businesses.pdf

KJZZ: Pandemic Shines Light On Complex Coexistence of Modern Times, Traditional Ways On Navajo Nation

https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1636512/pandemic-shines-light-complex-coexistence-modern-times-traditional-ways-navajo?_ga=2.59318634.670645719.1606230718-101729423.1594337169