KZMU News

This fall, KZMU News worked with the Colorado River Reporting Project at KUNC to produce a story about the Returning Rapids of Cataract Canyon. Returning Rapids is an effort led by Moab river runners Mike DeHoff and Pete Lefebvre to document changes to the Colorado River as Lake Powell recedes. Our feature story was broadcast by radio stations across the river basin last week. Today we have the extended version for our amazing KZMU listeners.

Plus, our Weekly News Reel where we hear first-hand from reporters and editors about the unique stories they write and beats they cover in the area.(07:00) First up, Times-Independent reporter Carter Pape has highlights from Grand County’s budget process, COVID-19, and of course, that captivating metal structure – the Utah monolith. (16:00) Next, Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire starts off with Rally on the Rocks, reporting that the UTV event will move to private property in San Juan County in 2021. McGuire then offers her own unique take on the Utah monolith issue – and it’s all about the internet.

Show Notes:

KZMU: Returning Rapids, Changing Ecosystem in Cataract Canyon

https://www.kzmu.org/returning-rapids-changing-ecosystem-in-cataract-canyon/

KUNC: As Lake Powell Recedes, River Runners Race To Document Long Hidden Rapids

https://www.kunc.org/2020-11-23/as-lake-powell-recedes-river-runners-race-to-document-long-hidden-rapids

Returning Rapids of Cataract Canyon

https://www.returningrapids.com

Weekly News Reel! Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Sketchy Andy claims he removed the ‘monolith’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/sketchy-andy-claims-he-removed-the-monolith/

The Times-Independent: Trail ambassadors could soon post up at Mill Creek

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/trail-ambassadors-could-soon-post-up-at-mill-creek/

The Times-Independent: Grand starts tackling student athlete testing this week

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-starts-tackling-student-athlete-testing-this-week/

The Times-Independent: High school cuts streaming option next trimester

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/high-school-cuts-streaming-option-next-trimester/

Moab Sun News: UTV Rally moves to San Juan County – 2021 Rally on the Rock will be headquartered over the county line

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_8d550a08-3598-11eb-a9f7-2fb761f396e4.html

Moab Sun News: The rise and fall of the monolith

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_c3c2d096-3595-11eb-a2c6-7ba303cf38de.html

When it comes to social distancing, Americans are not doing a good job – and as our radio partners report, that’s especially true in much of the West. Plus, a massive hemp empire is accused of growing illegal marijuana and sowing violence on the Navajo Nation. Our partners at KDNK speak to reporter Ed Williams about his story in Searchlight New Mexico, which was recently picked up by Rolling Stone.

Show Notes:

Searchlight New Mexico: Chaos and Cannabis – A Massive Hemp Empire is Accused of Growing Illegal Marijuana and Sowing Violence on the Navajo Nation

https://searchlightnm.org/chaos-and-cannabis/

In the latest twist to an ever-evolving narrative related to the Utah monolith, Moab slackliners appear to be behind its removal. Andy Lewis and Sylvan Christensen claim they were part of a group who removed the 10-foot metal sculpture on Friday night. In a statement, they attribute their actions to concern over the remote desert ecosystem, which experienced heavy visitation in recent days. Plus, the Grand County Commission awarded over $500,000 in CARES Act funding last night to local organizations including the school district and health care services. And later, new scientific research from a Great Basin cave tells how one hot, dry spell dragged on for thousands of years.

Show Notes:

Photo: The remains of the Utah monolith. Courtesy Crystal Bunch.

Statement on the Utah Monolith Removal

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Statement-on-Utah-Monolith-Removal.pdf

MrSlackline YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6c2EhNtSj4

Inside Climate News: If Aridification Choked the Southwest for Thousands of Years, What Does the Future Hold?

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25112020/paleoclimate-data-Colorado-River-Basin-caves-droughts

People in communities across the nation have found themselves the participants in a fracking experiment. In the small town of Pavillion, Wyoming, such a scenario has played out with a decade-long controversy. Our partners at KHOL spoke with a scientist whose landmark research connects the dots between fracking and its impacts. Plus, states only have a few weeks left to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds. That’s spurring lawmakers in our region to pass major aid deals now. And later, the newly formed Utah Wildlife Federation hopes to protect wildlife across the state.

Show Notes:

UPR: Newly Formed Utah Wildlife Federation To Focus On Animal Migration

https://www.upr.org/post/newly-formed-utah-wildlife-federation-focus-animal-migration

KHOL: Scientist Dominic DiGiulio’s Work Illuminated How Fracking Affects People and Environment

https://891khol.org/scientist-dominic-digiulios-work-illuminated-how-fracking-affects-people-and-environment/

Photo: Scientist Dominic DiGiulio/KHOL

After capturing global attention, the so-called ‘monolith’ of the Utah desert disappeared over the weekend. It’s existence was first reported last week, after wildlife biologists spotted the 10 foot triangular metal sculpture during a bighorn sheep count. The monolith was widely considered to be an art piece, illegally installed in an area undeveloped for the heavy visitation that followed the release of its coordinates. In recent days, BLM officials say visitors have parked vehicles on native vegetation and left human waste in the area. Plus, winter sports are officially open at Grand County High School, in coordination with increased COVID-19 testing for student athletes.

Show Notes:

Photo: The 'base' of the Utah monolith. Courtesy Yev Meister.

Utah monolith on Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_monolith

The Salt Lake Tribune: Utah’s desert obelisk has disappeared

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/11/28/utahs-desert-obelisk-has/

DPS Aero Bureau Encounters Monolith in Red Rock Desert

https://dpsnews.utah.gov/dps-aero-bureau-encounters-monolith-in-red-rock-country/

Whit Richardson Photography: Metal Monolith

https://www.whitrichardson.com/Portfolio/Metal-Monollith/thumbs

Today we’re jumping right in to our Weekly News Reel, where we hear first-hand from reporters and editors about the unique stories they write and beats they cover in the area.

(00:00) First up, Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo. He highlights Grand County’s interest in lobbying the state legislature for changes to Transient Room Tax law, testing local students for COVID-19, and Green River’s mayor spending $17,000 outside of the city’s purchasing policy.

(11:00) Next, Maggie McGuire, editor of the Moab Sun News. Their latest edition features Full Circle Intertribal Center, a nonprofit providing culturally specific pandemic relief for Native elders in the Moab community. McGuire also highlights their new ‘Hidden Lives’ feature.

(17:00) Finally, Salt Lake Tribune reporter Zak Podmore is covering the latest at the Lisbon Valley Mining Company. The mine’s operators are seeking permits that would allow in-situ copper mining on a portion of their property. However, cattle ranchers, environmentalists, and the San Juan County Commission are coming together in opposition to this proposal.

Weekly News Reel! Mentions –

The Times Independent: Grand asks (again) for flexibility in spending tourism tax

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-asks-again-for-flexibility-in-spending-tourism-tax/

The Times Independent: Biweekly testing mandated for school extracurriculars

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/biweekly-testing-mandated-for-school-extracurriculars/

The Times Independent: ‘I made a boo-boo, guys’ – Green River mayor cuts checks totaling $17,000 without invoices…

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/i-made-a-boo-boo-guys/

The Moab Sun News: Holding Strong

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_12b99410-31cb-11eb-9b89-03e8edd1625b.html

The Moab Sun News: Snakes, rats, and motorcycles

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_b071f20a-31cc-11eb-8ec7-8b98a55b59d6.html

The Salt Lake Tribune: Ranchers, landowners worry copper mine’s plan will taint groundwater in San Juan County

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/11/21/ranchers-landowners-worry/

The Salt Lake Tribune: San Juan County copper mine on track to reopen after abrupt shutdown in March

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/24/san-juan-county-copper/

Photo: Burro Canyon Aquifer in Lisbon Valley/Utah Division of Water Quality

Following the racial justice movement of 2020, more Americans are interrogating racism in all aspects of U.S. history. This extends to Thanksgiving, considered by many Indigenous people to symbolize the beginning of genocide, land left, and erasure of culture. Today on the news, we return to our conversation with Adesbah Foguth, a Diné archeologist and former interpretive ranger at Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. Through the Native Power Rangers Instagram account, Adesbah dissects language, showing how certain words inflict harm on Native American people and their history. Plus, a number of controversial historical monuments were taken down by racial justice protesters or removed by authorities this year, including some in our region.

Show Notes:

Photo: Chaco Canyon National Historical Park

Native Power Rangers on KZMU

https://www.kzmu.org/native-power-rangers-on-kzmu/

San Juan County residents are speaking out against a proposal from the Lisbon Valley Mining Company that they say will irreparably damage drinking water and ruin livelihoods like cattle ranching. Although the Lisbon Valley mine has operated for years with traditional open pit mining, the company is applying for permits on a different process that involves pumping sulfuric acid into the ground through a ring of injection wells. Staff from the Utah Division of Water Quality say this would not impact any water sources used for drinking, but residents disagree. And later, instead of hosting a gathering of hundreds for their traditional Thanksgiving community meal, Moab nonprofit WabiSabi is gearing up for delivery.

Show Notes:

Photo: A past community Thanksgiving meal/WabiSabi

Utah Division of Water Quality Public Hearing Notice

https://documents.deq.utah.gov/water-quality/facilities/lisbon-valley-copper/DWQ-2020-023283.pdf

Comments will be accepted through Friday, December 4th. They can be addressed to:

Drummond Earley

801-536-4088

The Salt Lake Tribune: Ranchers, landowners worry copper mine’s plan will taint groundwater in San Juan County

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/11/21/ranchers-landowners-worry/

WabiSabi Thanksgiving

https://wabisabimoab.org/thanksgiving

There’s been a lot of chatter this year around transportation issues in the Moab area and how to solve them. Elected representatives are working on a number of solutions and some will soon be outlined in the Moab & Spanish Valley Regional Transportation Plan. The Utah Department of Transportation is driving this long-term plan, with input from regional stakeholders like Grand County, Moab City, San Juan County, and state trust lands. But they need more community members to share ideas for safety and connectivity improvements across the valley. And later, a private developer’s plan to pipe water from Utah to Colorado has been denied – again.

Show Notes:

Moab & Spanish Valley Regional Transportation Plan

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c88e2a05a7e64d2ea5a646041d4e7975

Moab & Spanish Valley Community Survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C8CWF59

In a rare press conference last week, the CDC urged Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving, emphasizing rising case counts and overwhelmed hospitals across the country. Utah continues to experience record-breaking hospitalizations, with over 90 percent of the state’s ICU beds currently occupied. CDC leaders have said social gatherings are driving the recent surge in cases across the country. While health experts are emphasizing the importance of not mixing households, Utah is dropping its recent restrictions on social gatherings from a mandate to a ‘recommendation.’

Show Notes:

CDC Guidance: Celebrating Thanksgiving

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html

Utah Guidance: Holidays

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/holidays/

Utah COVID-19 Case Count Data

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

The Salt Lake Tribune: Utah coronavirus cases up 2,244 Monday, as state drops restrictions on social gatherings

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/11/23/utah-coronavirus-cases-up/