KZMU News

For Grand County’s graduating seniors, the last year of high school has been unlike any other. Not only was class moved online, but activities that so often define the high school experience – competitions, senior trips, even hanging out with friends – were cut short. Today on the news, we speak with several members of the Class of 2020 about their experience, graduation, and what they’ll remember from this unique time. Plus, hear some thoughtful ‘audio letters’ from GCHS staff to their senior class students.

-Grand County School District Superintendent Taryn Kay Interview (00:00 – 9:00 min)

-Class of 2020 Reflections (9:00 – 23:00 min)

-GCHS Staff Audio Letters (23:00 – 30:00 min)

Show Notes:

GCHS Plans for Graduation

https://gchs.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1228902

GCHS Community Expectations

https://gchs.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1228907

GCSD Plan for health, social/emotional care, and academic recovery

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WIKxRXoQR2ND3uv4KBnG4b3OfncMAednesSD_TI7cYw/edit#slide=id.g83ca5db088_0_391

For Grand County’s graduating seniors, the last year of high school has been unlike any other. Not only was class moved online, but activities that so often define the high school experience – competitions, senior trips, even hanging out with friends – were cut short. Today on the news, we speak with several members of the Class of 2020 about their experience, graduation, and what they’ll remember from this unique time. Plus, hear some thoughtful ‘audio letters’ from GCHS staff to their senior class students.

-Grand County School District Superintendent Taryn Kay Interview (00:00 – 9:00 min)

-Class of 2020 Reflections (9:00 – 23:00 min)

-GCHS Staff Audio Letters (23:00 – 30:00 min)

Show Notes:

GCHS Plans for Graduation

https://gchs.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1228902

GCHS Community Expectations

https://gchs.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1228907

GCSD Plan for health, social/emotional care, and academic recovery

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WIKxRXoQR2ND3uv4KBnG4b3OfncMAednesSD_TI7cYw/edit#slide=id.g83ca5db088_0_391

Facing plummeting sales tax revenue and ongoing financial hardship, Moab City has restructured their staff. On Thursday, administrators informed “a number” of current employees that they would be laid off beginning June 4th. However, Moab City has not yet publicly released the amount of jobs or the departments affected. Moab City and Grand County – both reliant on tourism dollars – are scaling back their budgets, focusing on funding their essential services. Plus, a conversation with the Moab Sun News on the hotspot funding committee’s latest ideas to solve transportation congestion across the community.

Show Notes:

City, County Face Tough Budget Decisions –

5/21 Press Release: City Announces Staff Restructuring As Sales Tax Revenues Fall

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/City-Announces-Staff-Reductions-As-Sales-Tax-Revenues-Fall.docx

Moab City Total Numbers for both the March 13th staff changes and the May 21st Reductions in Force/Furloughs:

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Moab-City-Total-Numbers-.pdf

Additional Local Budget Reading:

5/22 Moab Sun News, Council debates how and where to cut

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_14f47ec0-9c57-11ea-a9cd-1304966f29f9.html

5/21 The Times Independent, County to diversify post-virus

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/county-to-diversify-post-virus/

5/15 The Times Independent, City: Nothing left to cut but jobs

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/15/city-nothing-left-to-cut-but-jobs/

5/12 Moab Sun News, Moab tax revenue plummets

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_36bb8e96-96de-11ea-90f5-e70c4b020b45.html

5/8 The Times-Independent, County could cut budget by 30%

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/08/county-could-cut-budget-by-30/

Hotspot Funding Committee –

5/22 Moab Sun News, Hotspot funding, round two

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_565a3fe0-9c56-11ea-84c5-ef84a0b157f0.html

Hotspot Committee Info

https://moabcity.org/558/UDOT-Hotspot-Funding-for-Moab-Area

5/27 Hotspot Committee Agenda

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272020-939?html=true

Facing plummeting sales tax revenue and ongoing financial hardship, Moab City has restructured their staff. On Thursday, administrators informed “a number” of current employees that they would be laid off beginning June 4th. However, Moab City has not yet publicly released the amount of jobs or the departments affected. Moab City and Grand County – both reliant on tourism dollars – are scaling back their budgets, focusing on funding their essential services. Plus, a conversation with the Moab Sun News on the hotspot funding committee’s latest ideas to solve transportation congestion across the community.

Show Notes:

City, County Face Tough Budget Decisions –

5/21 Press Release: City Announces Staff Restructuring As Sales Tax Revenues Fall

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/City-Announces-Staff-Reductions-As-Sales-Tax-Revenues-Fall.docx

Moab City Total Numbers for both the March 13th staff changes and the May 21st Reductions in Force/Furloughs:

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Moab-City-Total-Numbers-.pdf

Additional Local Budget Reading:

5/22 Moab Sun News, Council debates how and where to cut

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_14f47ec0-9c57-11ea-a9cd-1304966f29f9.html

5/21 The Times Independent, County to diversify post-virus

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/county-to-diversify-post-virus/

5/15 The Times Independent, City: Nothing left to cut but jobs

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/15/city-nothing-left-to-cut-but-jobs/

5/12 Moab Sun News, Moab tax revenue plummets

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_36bb8e96-96de-11ea-90f5-e70c4b020b45.html

5/8 The Times-Independent, County could cut budget by 30%

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/08/county-could-cut-budget-by-30/

Hotspot Funding Committee –

5/22 Moab Sun News, Hotspot funding, round two

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_565a3fe0-9c56-11ea-84c5-ef84a0b157f0.html

Hotspot Committee Info

https://moabcity.org/558/UDOT-Hotspot-Funding-for-Moab-Area

5/27 Hotspot Committee Agenda

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272020-939?html=true

On the latest roundup with The Times-Independent, editor Doug McMurdo reviews their continued COVID-19 coverage, including a state funding boost for testing, local PPE donations, and a reminder that individual businesses can require customers to wear masks if they so choose. Plus, Community Rebuilds completes the Living Building Challenge on two homes. And, a spotlight on Grand County’s Class of 2020, who graduate next week.

Show Notes:

Utah receives $87M to expand testing

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/covid-19-utah-receives-87m-to-expand-testing/

County attorney: Businesses can require customers to wear masks

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/county-attorney-businesses-can-require-customers-to-wear-masks/

Outdoor industry delivers masks as community preps for busy Memorial Day weekend

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/outdoor-industry-delivers-masks-as-community-preps-for-busy-memorial-day-weekend/

Community Rebuilds aims to meet Living Building Challenge

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/community-rebuilds-aims-to-meet-living-building-challenge/

School leaders say past months have taught ‘resilience,’ the power of relationships

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/school-leaders-say-past-months-have-taught-resilience-the-power-of-relationships/

The class of 2020 will celebrate like none before

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/the-class-of-2020-will-celebrate-like-none-before/

On the latest roundup with The Times-Independent, editor Doug McMurdo reviews their continued COVID-19 coverage, including a state funding boost for testing, local PPE donations, and a reminder that individual businesses can require customers to wear masks if they so choose. Plus, Community Rebuilds completes the Living Building Challenge on two homes. And, a spotlight on Grand County’s Class of 2020, who graduate next week.

Show Notes:

Utah receives $87M to expand testing

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/covid-19-utah-receives-87m-to-expand-testing/

County attorney: Businesses can require customers to wear masks

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/county-attorney-businesses-can-require-customers-to-wear-masks/

Outdoor industry delivers masks as community preps for busy Memorial Day weekend

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/outdoor-industry-delivers-masks-as-community-preps-for-busy-memorial-day-weekend/

Community Rebuilds aims to meet Living Building Challenge

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/community-rebuilds-aims-to-meet-living-building-challenge/

School leaders say past months have taught ‘resilience,’ the power of relationships

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/school-leaders-say-past-months-have-taught-resilience-the-power-of-relationships/

The class of 2020 will celebrate like none before

https://moabtimes.com/2020/05/21/the-class-of-2020-will-celebrate-like-none-before/

As Moab Regional Hospital reopens its doors to elective surgeries and procedures, they are still prioritizing COVID-19 preparedness – including testing. On our weekly check in with CEO Jen Sadoff, we learn more about asymptomatic screening and antibody tests. Plus, several outdoor gear companies donated PPE to Moab after a request from Mayor Emily Niehaus. In a recent letter, she stressed the importance of face coverings, good hygiene, and social distancing while recreating to protect vulnerable gateway communities. And later, our radio partners report on travel data as well as research from USU on new drugs to treat the novel coronavirus.

Show Notes:

Interested in asymptomatic screening for you or your business?

Contact Doug Caylor: 435-260-6049 or [email protected]

Interview with Doug Caylor on Asymptomatic Screening

https://www.kzmu.org/kzmu-news-wednesday-may-20-2020/

CDC Info re: Testing for COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html

Outdoor Manufacturers Donate PPE to Moab

https://www.facebook.com/cityofmoab/videos/284797652676614/

5/19 Press Release re: Outdoor Manufacturers Donation

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Outdoor-Gear-Manufacturers-Donate-PPE-to-Moab.docx

Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus Letter to Outdoor Manufacturers

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Moab-Mayors-pro-mask-letter.pdf

Mountain West News Bureau, Mountain West Takes Baby Steps In Reopening to Tourists

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/mountain-west-takes-baby-steps-reopening-tourists

UPR, How Would A Drug to Potentially Treat the Coronavirus Be Developed?

https://www.upr.org/post/how-would-drug-potentially-treat-coronavirus-be-developed

As Moab Regional Hospital reopens its doors to elective surgeries and procedures, they are still prioritizing COVID-19 preparedness – including testing. On our weekly check in with CEO Jen Sadoff, we learn more about asymptomatic screening and antibody tests. Plus, several outdoor gear companies donated PPE to Moab after a request from Mayor Emily Niehaus. In a recent letter, she stressed the importance of face coverings, good hygiene, and social distancing while recreating to protect vulnerable gateway communities. And later, our radio partners report on travel data as well as research from USU on new drugs to treat the novel coronavirus.

Show Notes:

Interested in asymptomatic screening for you or your business?

Contact Doug Caylor: 435-260-6049 or [email protected]

Interview with Doug Caylor on Asymptomatic Screening

https://www.kzmu.org/kzmu-news-wednesday-may-20-2020/

CDC Info re: Testing for COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html

Outdoor Manufacturers Donate PPE to Moab

https://www.facebook.com/cityofmoab/videos/284797652676614/

5/19 Press Release re: Outdoor Manufacturers Donation

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Outdoor-Gear-Manufacturers-Donate-PPE-to-Moab.docx

Moab Mayor Emily Niehaus Letter to Outdoor Manufacturers

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Moab-Mayors-pro-mask-letter.pdf

Mountain West News Bureau, Mountain West Takes Baby Steps In Reopening to Tourists

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/mountain-west-takes-baby-steps-reopening-tourists

UPR, How Would A Drug to Potentially Treat the Coronavirus Be Developed?

https://www.upr.org/post/how-would-drug-potentially-treat-coronavirus-be-developed

Moab Regional Hospital and the Southeast Utah Health Department have several strategies for safely navigating increased visitation and economic activity in our community. At the top of their list? Asymptomatic screening of individuals at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. Today on the news, we speak with Doug Caylor, the liaison officer for MRH's incident command who is running this testing program. Plus, Mesa Verde National Park's phased reopening begins Sunday. And, an audio postcard from kids about coronavirus. Tune in.

Show Notes:

Interested in asymptomatic screening?

Contact Doug Caylor: 435-260-6049

KSJD, Mesa Verde Begins Phased Reopening Sunday

https://www.ksjd.org/post/mesa-verde-begins-phased-reopening-sunday

Arches, Canyonlands National Parks

https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news051120.htm

Audio Postcards: Kids Voice Their Coronavirus Anxieties

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/audio-postcard-kids-voice-their-coronavirus-anxieties

Moab Regional Hospital and the Southeast Utah Health Department have several strategies for safely navigating increased visitation and economic activity in our community. At the top of their list? Asymptomatic screening of individuals at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. Today on the news, we speak with Doug Caylor, the liaison officer for MRH's incident command who is running this testing program. Plus, Mesa Verde National Park's phased reopening begins Sunday. And, an audio postcard from kids about coronavirus. Tune in.

Show Notes:

Interested in asymptomatic screening?

Contact Doug Caylor: 435-260-6049

KSJD, Mesa Verde Begins Phased Reopening Sunday

https://www.ksjd.org/post/mesa-verde-begins-phased-reopening-sunday

Arches, Canyonlands National Parks

https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news051120.htm

Audio Postcards: Kids Voice Their Coronavirus Anxieties

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/audio-postcard-kids-voice-their-coronavirus-anxieties