KZMU News

Today on the news, we jump right into our Weekly News Reel! where we hear first-hand from reporters and editors about the unique stories they write and beats they cover in this area. First, Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo has a few highlights from the paper’s current edition including local election results. Then (13:00) we speak with Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire on the latest with the ‘hotspot’ projects, meant to relieve congestion in the Moab area. And finally (21:00), KUER’s Kate Groetzinger discusses her recent reporting on the White Mesa Uranium Mill in San Juan County, whose engineers figured out how to produce a concentrate of rare earth elements.

Weekly News Reel! Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Grand keeps form of government; backs Hedin, Walker

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-keeps-form-of-government-backs-hedin-walker/

The Times-Independent: Proposition 8 equals a penny for every 10 bucks spent

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/proposition-8-equals-a-penny-for-every-10-bucks-spent/

The Times-Independent: Bypass talks yield animosity, no decisions as residents voice fears

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/bypass-talks-yield-animosity-no-decisions-as-residents-voice-fears/

The Times-Independent: $270M wrongful death claim filed against Arches after gate kills woman

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/270m-wrongful-death-claim-filed-against-arches-after-gate-kills-woman/

Moab Sun News: Hotspot transportation proposals headed to UDOT

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_80b405ac-1fa8-11eb-90bb-139cbc2d628b.html

Moab Sun News: Officials pass on the bypass – Highway reroute continues to be controversial after years of discussion

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_1b3d8620-1fa9-11eb-8856-4f8aa475d857.html

Moab Sun News: Trailhead has burgers and more

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_3a052972-1faa-11eb-9406-a768c9c33733.html

KUER: PM News Brief – White Mesa Mill

https://www.kuer.org/podcast/news-briefs/2020-11-03/pm-news-brief-white-mesa-mill-ben-lomond-high-school-waiting-for-election-results

While Grand County’s COVID-19 transmission rates have lowered slightly this week, other Southeastern Utah counties have seen increases. Bradon Bradford, of the Southeastern Utah Health Department, partially attributes big spikes in Carbon County to a resistance around mask wearing, saying the use of masks is not ‘as accepted’ there as it is in Grand. Currently mask wearing is required in 23 ‘high transmission’ counties throughout Utah, including Grand, Carbon, and Emery. And later, engineers at the White Mesa Uranium Mill have figured out how to produce a concentrate of rare earth elements from North American ore. Plus, unconventional methods to control erosion from long ago are still affecting waterways today.

Show Notes:

Photo: Small boulders have been placed along the Dolores River to protect the base of this bridge, located at a trailhead in the San Juan National Forest. (Daniel Rayzel/KSJD)

Utah COVID-19 Transmission Index

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels/

Southeast Utah Health Department COVID-19 Info

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-19

Today on the news, a review of local election results – candidates and propositions. It was a close race for Grand County’s At-Large candidates Kevin Walker and Stephen Stocks. But Walker eventually took the seat with 51.7 percent of the popular vote to Stocks’ 48.3 percent. In Grand County’s District 4, Trisha Hedin unseated incumbent Greg Halliday taking over 57 percent of the vote to Halliday’s 42.5 percent. Plus, Grand County will keep its seven member county commission and district seats, while Moab City will have a new sales tax to support arts, parks, and recreation.

Show Notes:

Grand County Election Results

https://electionresults.utah.gov/elections/county/grand

KZMU Election 2020 Interviews and Events

https://www.kzmu.org/election-2020-grand-county-information/

Local voters have until 8pm to drop their ballots at the Grand County Courthouse today – Election Day, November 3rd. As of this morning, the Grand County Clerk’s Office reported over 4,500 local ballots have been returned. And later, Moab’s elected representatives have given a greenlight to three transportation projects for consideration by the Utah Transportation Commission – dispersed downtown parking on Moab’s side streets, an improved Spanish Valley multi-use pathway, and a pilot shuttle program for the downtown area. In the same meeting, reps expressed opposition to exploring a highway bypass to solve Moab's congestion issues.

Show Notes:

Grand County Election Information

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/612/Elections

Utah Election Results

https://electionresults.utah.gov/elections/

Arches Region Hotspot Project Proposals

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2956?fileID=4133

Recent Bypass History

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/2959?fileID=4147

Moab City Council/Grand County Commission/Arches Hotspot Region Coordinating Committee 10/30 Joint Meeting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4fBL8iVH_s&t=1299s

Like a lot of traditions, the Moab Valley Multicultural Center’s Day of the Dead festival looked a little different this year. With COVID-19 precautions in mind, the multicultural center transformed the event into a self-guided walking tour, where individuals could safely spend time with altars and graves decorated for loved ones who have passed away. And later, the Bureau of Land Management has published its final rule on electric bikes, leaving decision making to local field offices. Plus, hundreds of people throughout the West will receive high-speed broadband through a government program.

Show Notes:

Moab Valley Multicultural Center

https://moabmc.org

Today, we thank our listeners for supporting KZMU News during radiothon. With the community’s help, we’ve created over 700 news programs since launching on our 26th birthday, just two years (and some change) ago. We are so proud of this grassroots journalism, and grateful to our KZMU community – near and far – who have gotten behind us in a big way. Keeping our airwaves open to – for – and by our community drives us every day. Thank you so much for being part of it!

Plus, our Weekly News Reel! where we hear first-hand from newspaper reporters and editors about the unique stories they write and beats they cover in this area. First, Times-Independent staff writer Carter Pape highlights several stories, including some updates about housing affordability in Moab. And later (15:00 min), Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire reviews some articles, including overcrowding at Arches National Park.

Show Notes:

News Reel! Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Half of Moabites can’t afford housing

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/half-of-moabites-cant-afford-housing/

The Times-Independent: City crunches numbers on Walnut Lane housing, stays optimistic for project

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-crunches-numbers-on-walnut-lane-housing-stays-optimistic-for-project/

The Times-Independent: Mail ballots must be postmarked before Election Day

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/mail-ballots-must-be-postmarked-before-election-day/

The Times-Independent: At your fingertips – A last minute overview of every question on the ballot in Grand County

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/at-your-fingertips-a-last-minute-overview-of-every-question-on-the-ballot-in-grand-county/

Moab Sun News: Arches closes gates almost every day this October

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_2b750386-1a15-11eb-aeb6-6ffd898c120a.html

Moab Sun News: Bike thefts continue to plague Moab area

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_ada9e070-1a2d-11eb-a089-1fbaacbb9ab2.html

*Election 2020* After six weeks of special election coverage on This Week in Moab, we finally speak with the local uncontested candidates you may have seen on your ballot. Running unopposed for the Grand County School District Board of Education are Melissa Byrd, Ariel Atkins, and Steve Kennedy. In the first half of the program, they discuss why they are compelled to run for school board and even answer a few student-submitted questions. Then, running unopposed for county commission are Jacques Hadler, Evan Clapper, and Gabriel Woytek. They hop on in the second half of the program (30 min), in conversation about challenges ahead for Grand County. Tune in!

Show Notes:

Grand County Election 2020

www.grandcountyutah.net/612/Elections

KZMU Election Info, Candidates and More

www.kzmu.org/election-2020-gran…ounty-information/

Grand County voters have been filling out and dropping off their ballots for weeks, making their own choices when it comes to county government and candidates. Depending on where you live, voters may have noticed a few local uncontested candidates on that ballot – three candidates for the school board and three for the county commission. Today on the news, we excerpt from a recent This Week in Moab, where the candidates discussed what they are looking forward to during their tenure in public service.

Show Notes:

Grand County Election 2020

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/612/Elections

KZMU Election Info, Candidates and More

https://www.kzmu.org/election-2020-grand-county-information/

At the beginning of the pandemic, when local restrictions shuttered places like hotels and restaurants to allow the community to prepare for coronavirus, KZMU News checked in with Moab Regional Hospital CEO Jen Sadoff every single week. Those times were made up of near constant uncertainty and change. Well now, rounding the corner on October, we are once again in a place where change is occurring, and vigilance around COVID-19 is a requirement. The statewide situation is such that hospital administrators are ringing alarm bells about ICU capacity, contingency plans, and overworked and stressed healthcare providers. Today on the news, we check in with Sadoff about how Moab Regional Hospital is testing and preparing for coronavirus patients, as well as the importance of breaking the chain of transmission.

Show Notes:

Moab Regional Hospital Coronavirus Hotline: 435-719-3998

https://mrhmoab.org/coronavirus-updates/

Southeast Utah Case Counts/Breakdowns

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-19

Utah health guidance levels

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels/

When you think about the outdoors, what comes to mind? Is it recreation like hiking, biking, or climbing? Maybe the National Park System? Or a visit to an ancient site or structure? There’s a lot to conceptualize when it comes to our nearby public lands. And from a privileged perspective all of it can look, well, neutral. But just like the rest of our world, conversations in and about the outdoors are anything but. Today on the news, we speak with archeologist and ranger Adesbah Foguth, who is using her Instagram account Native Power Rangers to interrogate the language and behavior used in outdoor spaces. It’s a segment of a much broader conversation from a special public affairs show.

Show Notes:

Native_Power_Rangers on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/native_power_rangers/

or contact

10/26 Native Power Rangers on KZMU

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

Photo: Chaco Culture National Historical Park