KZMU News

Today on the news, we check in Bradon Bradford of the Southeast Utah Health Department. He discusses some trends with recent local coronavirus cases, encouraging news from Summit County about face coverings, and Grand County’s school reopening plan. Plus, a feature story on more Americans looking to RVs and trailers to get away from home during the pandemic.

And later (15:00), we chat with Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo about some of the stories they covered this week. McMurdo gives the latest on visitation numbers, Moab City’s plan for outdoor dining, and Grand County’s school reopening plan. Plus, a Texas man dies in a fall at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Show Notes:

Southeast Utah Coronavirus Information

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

MWNB: RV Business Booms As The ‘Pandemic Demographic’ Hits The Road

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/rv-business-booms-pandemic-demographic-hits-road

The Times-Independent Mentions –

Domestic travel not replacing global visits

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/domestic-travel-not-replacing-global-visits/

CNY flights more empty than full

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/cny-flights-more-empty-than-full/

Al fresco: COVID-19 pushes city to permit outdoor dining

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/al-fresco-covid-19-pushes-city-to-permit-outdoor-dining/

Flexibility is key to Grand’s school start

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/flexibility-is-key-to-grands-school-start/

Man falls to his death at Dead Horse Point

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/man-falls-to-his-death-at-dead-horse-point/

Today on the news, we check in Bradon Bradford of the Southeast Utah Health Department. He discusses some trends with recent local coronavirus cases, encouraging news from Summit County about face coverings, and Grand County’s school reopening plan. Plus, a feature story on more Americans looking to RVs and trailers to get away from home during the pandemic.

And later (15:00), we chat with Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo about some of the stories they covered this week. McMurdo gives the latest on visitation numbers, Moab City’s plan for outdoor dining, and Grand County’s school reopening plan. Plus, a Texas man dies in a fall at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Show Notes:

Southeast Utah Coronavirus Information

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

MWNB: RV Business Booms As The ‘Pandemic Demographic’ Hits The Road

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/rv-business-booms-pandemic-demographic-hits-road

The Times-Independent Mentions –

Domestic travel not replacing global visits

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/domestic-travel-not-replacing-global-visits/

CNY flights more empty than full

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/cny-flights-more-empty-than-full/

Al fresco: COVID-19 pushes city to permit outdoor dining

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/al-fresco-covid-19-pushes-city-to-permit-outdoor-dining/

Flexibility is key to Grand’s school start

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/flexibility-is-key-to-grands-school-start/

Man falls to his death at Dead Horse Point

https://moabtimes.com/2020/07/31/man-falls-to-his-death-at-dead-horse-point/

Conservation groups are suing the Trump administration’s re-write of federal environmental review regulations, which they say could have a ‘staggering’ effect on public lands. According to the groups, transparency and accountability from the public – as well as scientific communities – are at stake. Several point to recent re-writes around vegetation removal projects, which they say will negatively impact pinyon pine and juniper forests. Plus later in the news, Grand County School District Superintendent Taryn Kay reviews the three different learning options for students this school year.

Show Notes:

Photo: Upper Kanab Creek Mastication/Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

Bloomberg Law: Groups Launch Legal Fight Against Environmental Review Rules

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/groups-launch-legal-fight-against-new-environmental-review-rules

NEPA Rulemaking re: Pinyon Pine and Juniper Forests

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/13/2020-05095/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-procedures-for-the-bureau-of-land-management-516-dm

NEPA Rulemaking re: Vegetation Removal Projects

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/01/2020-09301/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-procedures-for-the-bureau-of-land-management-516-dm

GCSD 20-21 COVID-19 Student Re-Entry Options

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HMehJYJSmDbwrO0K-1PJHk1r3pVKAzPNl-DsNM31sas/edit

Parent Notification of Choice of Online or In Person Instruction

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSellXdHYJOP7Qela7swkZC4xApW6fgNmVau0Wn6gtOq1SF6nw/viewform

Conservation groups are suing the Trump administration’s re-write of federal environmental review regulations, which they say could have a ‘staggering’ effect on public lands. According to the groups, transparency and accountability from the public – as well as scientific communities – are at stake. Several point to recent re-writes around vegetation removal projects, which they say will negatively impact pinyon pine and juniper forests. Plus later in the news, Grand County School District Superintendent Taryn Kay reviews the three different learning options for students this school year.

Show Notes:

Photo: Upper Kanab Creek Mastication/Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

Bloomberg Law: Groups Launch Legal Fight Against Environmental Review Rules

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/groups-launch-legal-fight-against-new-environmental-review-rules

NEPA Rulemaking re: Pinyon Pine and Juniper Forests

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/13/2020-05095/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-procedures-for-the-bureau-of-land-management-516-dm

NEPA Rulemaking re: Vegetation Removal Projects

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/01/2020-09301/national-environmental-policy-act-implementing-procedures-for-the-bureau-of-land-management-516-dm

GCSD 20-21 COVID-19 Student Re-Entry Options

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HMehJYJSmDbwrO0K-1PJHk1r3pVKAzPNl-DsNM31sas/edit

Parent Notification of Choice of Online or In Person Instruction

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSellXdHYJOP7Qela7swkZC4xApW6fgNmVau0Wn6gtOq1SF6nw/viewform

What do community members want to see north of town? Is it a grocery store, housing, or RV Parks? Whether it’s all or none of the above, Grand County wants to know. The planning commission is working on a Small Area Plan for the node around Highways 313 and 191. Developers are interested in this area, and county representatives want local input to drive an updated vision plan. Plus later in the news, many states in the west are looking to get a handle on coronavirus by diving into the sewer.

Show Notes:

Photo: A February mockup of the proposed Willow Springs Campground. The Grand County Council voted against moving the project forward until a Small Area Plan is created for the node around Highways 313 and 191.

Public Comment Survey: Small Area Plan for 313/191

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAP313?fbclid=IwAR0HOlTdE3BwmeENdKyNcG9szrzviRP2gIf2mNPcbBNwFlMf1mxF7ZnGHNo

KUNC: In Colorado, Your Stool Is a Tool In The Fight Against Coronavirus

https://www.kunc.org/post/colorado-your-stool-tool-fight-against-coronavirus#stream/0

SARS-CoV2 Sewage Monitoring in Utah

https://udwq.shinyapps.io/pilot-ww-virus-db/

Instead Podcast/USU Office of Research: Flushed to a testing site, finding coronavirus in wastewater, with Dr. Roper & Dr. Sims

https://instead.buzzsprout.com/440347/4225253-flushed-to-a-testing-site-finding-coronavirus-in-wastewater-with-dr-roper-dr-sims-day-99

The Salt Lake Tribune: Testing Sewage for coronavirus seemed to work. It detected the outbreak in Cache County.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2020/06/11/testing-sewage/

Moab Sun News: Moab’s sewage, revealed

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_b2ee3b16-b282-11ea-9a85-f382c8f71eec.html

What do community members want to see north of town? Is it a grocery store, housing, or RV Parks? Whether it’s all or none of the above, Grand County wants to know. The planning commission is working on a Small Area Plan for the node around Highways 313 and 191. Developers are interested in this area, and county representatives want local input to drive an updated vision plan. Plus later in the news, many states in the west are looking to get a handle on coronavirus by diving into the sewer.

Show Notes:

Photo: A February mockup of the proposed Willow Springs Campground. The Grand County Council voted against moving the project forward until a Small Area Plan is created for the node around Highways 313 and 191.

Public Comment Survey: Small Area Plan for 313/191

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAP313?fbclid=IwAR0HOlTdE3BwmeENdKyNcG9szrzviRP2gIf2mNPcbBNwFlMf1mxF7ZnGHNo

KUNC: In Colorado, Your Stool Is a Tool In The Fight Against Coronavirus

https://www.kunc.org/post/colorado-your-stool-tool-fight-against-coronavirus#stream/0

SARS-CoV2 Sewage Monitoring in Utah

https://udwq.shinyapps.io/pilot-ww-virus-db/

Instead Podcast/USU Office of Research: Flushed to a testing site, finding coronavirus in wastewater, with Dr. Roper & Dr. Sims

https://instead.buzzsprout.com/440347/4225253-flushed-to-a-testing-site-finding-coronavirus-in-wastewater-with-dr-roper-dr-sims-day-99

The Salt Lake Tribune: Testing Sewage for coronavirus seemed to work. It detected the outbreak in Cache County.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2020/06/11/testing-sewage/

Moab Sun News: Moab’s sewage, revealed

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_b2ee3b16-b282-11ea-9a85-f382c8f71eec.html

In the summer, Moab and surrounding communities are typically enjoying a fruit harvest. Orchards – some established for generations - do well in this region. But perhaps none have survived longer than the peach trees in northern Arizona’s Canyon De Chelly. The trees and their fruit have a long history and cultural significance to the Navajo people tending them. Our partners at KJZZ have more.

Show Notes:

Photo: Sylvia Watchman and Ron Garnanez break up clods of dirt as they prepare to plant a young peach tree at the bottom of the canyon. Julien McRoberts/Arizona Highways

Arizona Highways: The Navajo People Growing Peaches in Canyon De Chelly

https://kjzz.org/content/1568711/arizona-highways-navajo-people-growing-peaches-canyon-de-chelly

In the summer, Moab and surrounding communities are typically enjoying a fruit harvest. Orchards – some established for generations - do well in this region. But perhaps none have survived longer than the peach trees in northern Arizona’s Canyon De Chelly. The trees and their fruit have a long history and cultural significance to the Navajo people tending them. Our partners at KJZZ have more.

Show Notes:

Photo: Sylvia Watchman and Ron Garnanez break up clods of dirt as they prepare to plant a young peach tree at the bottom of the canyon. Julien McRoberts/Arizona Highways

Arizona Highways: The Navajo People Growing Peaches in Canyon De Chelly

https://kjzz.org/content/1568711/arizona-highways-navajo-people-growing-peaches-canyon-de-chelly

When Arches National Park reopened at the end of May, staff didn’t know what to expect in terms of visitation. At the time, tourism and travel experts were predicting ‘the road trip’ as the travelers’ method of choice during coronavirus, and America’s National Parks - their destination. The park is busy, but less so than last year, according to June visitation statistics. Arches staff say they continue to monitor visitation patterns in light of COVID-19, but they don’t have any plans to implement a temporary timed entry system at the moment. Today on the news, sounds from the ‘new normal’ at Arches National Park.

Show Notes:

Photo: Arches National Park ranger Sierra Goodwin helps a visitor pick out a hike while maintaining social distance

Arches National Park

https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm

National Park Service Visitation Statistics

https://irma.nps.gov/STATS/Reports/Park

When Arches National Park reopened at the end of May, staff didn’t know what to expect in terms of visitation. At the time, tourism and travel experts were predicting ‘the road trip’ as the travelers’ method of choice during coronavirus, and America’s National Parks - their destination. The park is busy, but less so than last year, according to June visitation statistics. Arches staff say they continue to monitor visitation patterns in light of COVID-19, but they don’t have any plans to implement a temporary timed entry system at the moment. Today on the news, sounds from the ‘new normal’ at Arches National Park.

Show Notes:

Photo: Arches National Park ranger Sierra Goodwin helps a visitor pick out a hike while maintaining social distance

Arches National Park

https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm

National Park Service Visitation Statistics

https://irma.nps.gov/STATS/Reports/Park