KZMU News

*Election 2020* As part of our special election coverage, we’re featuring Proposition 8, which – if approved by voters – would enact a 0.1 percent sales and use tax in Moab City to support recreation, arts, and parks. This would equate to one penny for every $10 spent, and would not be levied on groceries or gas. City manager Joel Linares, mayor Emily Niehuas, city council member Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, and arts advocate Rebecca McAllister joined This Week in Moab to discuss Proposition 8.

Prop 8 Info

https://moabcity.org/559/Proposition-8-for-Recreation-Arts-Parks

Prop 8 Frequently Asked Questions

https://moabcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/2918/Proposition-8-FAQs

Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7PM – Public Meeting on Prop 8

Moab City Council will hear comments from the community

How to join the electronic meeting with Zoom

Use the following link: bit.ly/prop8publiccomments

Meeting ID: 821 2405 5519

Passcode (if needed): 279552

When joining the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room and will be added to the meeting by the moderator. Once you are added to the meeting, please state your name for the record.

How to join the electronic meeting by phone

Dial: 1-669-900-9128

Meeting ID: 821 2405 5519

Passcode (if needed): 279552

When joining the meeting, you will be placed in a waiting room and will be added to the meeting by the moderator. Once you are added to the meeting, please state your name for the record.

How to submit written public comments

Use the following link: forms.gle/LvcMTLB9rVi6kPnAA

*Election 2020* As part of our special election coverage, we spoke with Grand County Clerk/Auditor Quinn Hall and Chief Deputy Clerk Jana Smith about voting. They provide details on the local mail-in process and voter registration.

Some important dates/info for Grand County:

October 13th: Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters. If you are registered, you should see your ballot in your mailbox around October 20th. Return your ballot by mail, or drop it in a secure box at the Clerk’s office. If you know you are registered but didn’t receive a ballot by October 20th, call the Clerk’s office at 435-259-1321.

October 23rd: This is the last day to register to vote in Utah (online) at vote.utah.gov. If you still need to register after this deadline, visit the Clerk’s office Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM at 125 East Center Street, Moab.

November 2nd: This is the last day to return your ballot by mail. You can also drop your ballot in a secure box at the Grand County Courthouse, at 125 East Center Street, Moab.

November 3rd: Election Day! The Grand County Clerk’s office will be open from 7AM to 8PM for ballot drop off and in-person voting. If you’re not registered, you can register today and vote by provisional ballot.

Grand County Election Info

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

Register to Vote

https://vote.utah.gov

Grand County Clerk's Office Info

435-259-1321

125 East Center Street

Moab, UT

This year’s Moab Pride Festival will be different – and not just because of coronavirus precautions. The festival’s 2020 theme is ‘Wake Up Call,’ an acknowledgment that “our struggles are deeply and intrinsically connected.” We met up with organizers to learn more about upcoming events focused on these intersections, and how Moab Pride holds space for Grand County youth throughout the year.

Plus, the launch of our new Friday segment – Newsreel! During this program you’ll hear from our print media partners. It’s an opportunity to hear first-hand from reporters and editors about the unique stories they cover in this area.

Today Times-Independent reporter Carter Pape delves into the school district (15:00), beginning with asymptomatic testing for teachers. And later(24:00), Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire highlights the latest on tracking efforts for COVID-19 in the wastewater.

Show Notes:

Moab Pride Festival

https://www.moabpride.com

https://www.facebook.com/Moabpridefestival

Newsreel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Teachers to get asymptomatic virus testing starting next week at MRH

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/teachers-to-get-asymptomatic-virus-testing-starting-next-week-at-mrh/

The Times-Independent: Schools urge all parents to sign up for free, reduced meals. Here’s why:

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/schools-urge-all-parents-to-sign-up-for-free-reduced-meals-heres-why/

The Times-Independent: Long-shot gubernatorial candidate says Moab is gerrymandered, wants to fix it

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/long-shot-gubernatorial-candidate-says-moab-is-gerrymandered-wants-to-fix-it/

Moab Sun News: Rite of passage

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_6c1b5e02-f9c3-11ea-98ed-335f0bdaf3c1.html

Moab Sun News: Moab sewage shows COVID spike

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_0defb5a4-f9c2-11ea-adda-d30f3311ef5c.html

Today on the news, stories from across the region. First, the southwest’s biggest reservoirs will continue to struggle over the next five years, according to new data from the federal agency that oversees them. And, the Grizzly Creek Fire burned over 32,000 acres of lands through Glenwood Canyon. So, how do wildlife handle these wildfires? Plus, High Country News – the nonprofit newsmagazine headquartered in Paonia – celebrates 50 years this month. Our radio partners speak to their executive director about covering the West’s complex environmental and natural resources issues.

Show Notes:

Photo: Bighorn sheep at Grizzly Creek Exist off 1-70 in the Glenwood Canyon in September/KDNK

KDNK: Forest Ecologist Talks Wildlife and Wildfire

https://www.kdnk.org/post/forest-ecologist-talks-wildlife-and-wildfire

High Country News Celebrating 50 Years in Print

https://www.kvnf.org/post/high-country-news-celebrating-50-years-print

Once again, Grand County’s elected officials have sounded out an emphatic ‘no’ to a proposed Book Cliffs Highway. In a 5-2 vote, the commission approved a letter stating they do not agree with any modification or relinquishment of their right of ways to build a 35 mile road from Vernal to Interstate-70 through the Book Cliffs. Their letter has a few choice descriptors for the project, including “a needless waste of time.” Today on the news, an interview with a longtime Grand County resident, radio host, and researcher on how this issue serves as a lens to understand decades of local politics.

Show Notes:

Photo: Seven County Infrastructure Coalition

Grand County 9-15 Agenda Item C (Includes Letter to BLM)

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Grand-County-9-15-Agenda-Item-C-Includes-Letter-to-BLM.pdf

Seven County Infrastructure Coalition: Eastern Utah Regional Connection

http://scic-utah.org/projects/eastern-utah-regional-connection

It must be approaching the fall season because Democratic candidates on this year’s ballot are beginning to pop up throughout the region. On Friday afternoon, Utah’s 3rd Congressional District candidate Devin Thorpe and Lt. Governor candidate Karina Brown convened at the Slickrock Bike Trail. It was one of a series of meetings they held with community members in Grand and San Juan Counties over the weekend. Today on the news, we hear their thoughts on running as a democrat in a largely red state. And later, the Navajo Nation plans to renegotiate a 50-year-old agreement regarding the co-management of Lake Powell.

Show Notes:

Photo: From left - Utah’s 3rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Devin Thorpe, Grand County Commission Chair Mary McGann, and Democratic candidate for Utah Lt. Governor Karina Brown at the Slickrock Bike Trail

Register to Vote

https://vote.utah.gov

Questions about voting? Call the Grand County Clerk’s Office

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

435-259-1321

Utah’s 3rd Congressional District Candidates –

John Curtis (Republican Party - Incumbent)

https://curtis.house.gov

Devin Thorpe (Democratic Party)

https://www.devinthorpe.com

Thomas McNeill (United Utah Party)

https://www.mcneillforutah.com

Daniel Clyde Cummings (Constitution Party)

https://ballotpedia.org/Daniel_Clyde_Cummings

Utah Governor’s Race –

Republican Party

(Gov) Spencer Cox

https://www.votecox.com

(Lt Gov) Deidre Henderson

https://ballotpedia.org/Deidre_Henderson

Democratic Party

(Gov) Christopher Peterson

https://petersonforutah.com

(Lt Gov) Karina Brown

https://www.karinaforutah.com

Libertarian Party

(Gov) Daniel Cottam

https://www.cottamforutah.org

(Lt Gov) Barry Short

https://ballotpedia.org/Barry_Evan_Short

Independent American Party of Utah

(Gov) Gregory Duerden

https://ballotpedia.org/Gregory_Duerden

(Lt Gov) Wayne Hill

https://ballotpedia.org/Wayne_Hill

KUER: Navajo Nation Recieves Extenstion To Renegotiate Lake Powell Agreement With Park Service

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2020-09-11/navajo-nation-receives-extension-to-renegotiate-lake-powell-agreement-with-park-service

Gateway communities like Moab are dealing with increasing pressures from population and tourism growth, which can mean uncomfortable changes – from a dearth in affordable housing to the perceived loss of community character. Today on the news, we speak with the lead author of a new study from the University of Utah and the University of Arizona looking at over 1500 rural gateway communities. We learn what they found, and their recommendations for the future.

Show Notes:

Planning and Development Challenges in Western Gateway Communities

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01944363.2020.1791728

ScienceDaily: As rural western towns grow, so do their planning challenges

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200901164451.htm

Utah State University Gateway & Natural Amenity Initiative (GNAR)

https://www.usu.edu/gnar/about_gnar

Today on the news, stories from our regional partners. First, the Bureau of Land Management released a new travel management plan for the San Rafael desert – and environmentalists are concerned. And later, a proposed set of reservoirs in northern Colorado has stirred up a familiar debate over how the West grows, and whether water should be a limiting factor. Plus, people are growing food not only to feed their families but also to help their communities. It’s an old idea reborn to meet the moment.

Also today, we hear highlights from The Times-Independent’s weekly coverage. Editor Doug McMurdo reviews the form of government issue, a town hall with Rep. John Curtis, and student eligibility for free lunch during the pandemic.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Poudre River near Bellvue, Colorado. KUNC/Luke Runyon

UPR: Environmentalists Voice Concerns Over New Travel Management Plan In The San Rafael Desert

https://www.upr.org/post/environmentalists-voice-concern-over-new-travel-management-plan-san-rafael-desert

KUNC: Population Growth Looms Large In Debates Over Proposed Colorado Water Project

https://www.kunc.org/api-only/2020-09-09/population-growth-looms-large-in-debates-over-proposed-colorado-water-project

H20 Radio: The Sweet Smell of Victory – How Gardeners Are Drawing on History to Help During the COVID-19 Pandemic

http://h2oradio.org/GrowandGive.html

The Times-Independent Mentions:

All students eligible for free lunch amid pandemic

https://moabtimes.com/2020/09/10/all-students-eligible-for-free-lunch-amid-pandemic/

Form of government hearing set for Sept. 29

https://moabtimes.com/2020/09/10/form-of-government-hearing-set-for-sept-29/

Curtis addresses Trump persona, other issues at Moab town hall

https://moabtimes.com/2020/09/10/curtis-addresses-trump-persona-other-issues-at-moab-town-hall/

Mallum charged in Price case

https://moabtimes.com/2020/09/10/mallum-charged-in-price-case/

Six states that rely on the Colorado River are asking the federal government to slow down an environmental review for the controversial Lake Powell Pipeline. It would bring Colorado River water to fast-growing communities in southwestern Utah, but the other states say legal and operational issues with the proposed pipeline still remain. And later, the Ute Mountain Ute community of White Mesa celebrates the Bear Dance over Labor Day weekend. The ceremonial performance usually draws Ute people from Colorado and Northern Utah, but only residents of the 300-person White Mesa community could participate this year. Plus, Utah Diné Bikéyah celebrates the 2020 Bears Ears Summer Gathering online, and some residents of the Navajo Nation are overcoming food insecurity by returning to traditional ways.

Show Notes:

Photo: Mariah and Belicia Posey (right), teach Belicia’s daughters to dance the Bear Dance. Kate Groetzinger/KUER

KUER: White Mesa Community Holds Modified Bear Dance To Continue Annual Healing Tradition

https://www.kuer.org/arts-culture-religion/2020-09-07/white-mesa-community-holds-modified-bear-dance-to-continue-annual-healing-tradition

Utah Diné Bikéyah 2020 Bears Ears Summer Gathering

https://www.facebook.com/766705963366936/videos/2373985682897236

Utah Diné Bikéyah 2020 Women’s Voices Panel

https://www.facebook.com/766705963366936/videos/2540394932918419

KJZZ: Native Americans Overcoming Food Insecurity By Returning To Their Traditional Ways

https://kjzz.org/content/1614705/native-americans-overcoming-food-security-returning-their-traditional-ways

As more visitors mean more impacts to Mill Creek, a stakeholder group is searching for solutions. With the help of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program, the Mill Creek Community Collaborative has drafted several management options for handling the influx of visitors. From the trailhead to the canyon, potential solutions include everything from increasing signage, to installing a fee booth, to moving the main access point to Potato Salad Hill. Now, these options require feedback from the Moab community.

Show Notes:

Photo: Mill Creek on Memorial Day 2020/Brian Murdock

Mill Creek Community Collaborative

Management Options + Survey

https://moab84532.wixsite.com/mccc?fbclid=IwAR2aoq1LIsmzxGIluwdoVLV0iNO953oI1mAeIgGuMu9SaGQ6rddKAxq9p9Q

Mill Creek Community Collaborative

Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/millcreekcommunitycollaborative

NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/rtca/index.htm