KZMU News

- Arches, Canyonlands resume normal winter operations

- New state bill aims to forbid changes to sex on birth certificate

- Drought inspires cooperative model for Four Corners growers

[photo: Fresh purple and yellow carrots ready for shareholders at the Southwest Farm Fresh Co-Op. Credit KSJD/Daniel Rayzel]

KZMU chats with Doug McMurdo, associate editor of The Times-Independent, about the latest in Moab. This week, a man pleads 'not guilty' to killing a Moab resident last October. New details emerge in the case as witnesses testify in a preliminary hearing. Also, an avalanche kills a San Juan County man in the La Sal Mountains, Grand County's Middle School Principal is placed on administrative leave, and a new timeshare development is slated for construction near the Slickrock Campground. Tune in!

KZMU chats with Doug McMurdo, associate editor of The Times-Independent, about the latest in Moab. This week, a man pleads 'not guilty' to killing a Moab resident last October. New details emerge in the case as witnesses testify in a preliminary hearing. Also, an avalanche kills a San Juan County man in the La Sal Mountains, Grand County's Middle School Principal is placed on administrative leave, and a new timeshare development is slated for construction near the Slickrock Campground. Tune in!

Shortly after Willie Grayeyes was sworn in as San Juan County Commissioner, he entered a courtroom to defend, for the second time, his residency. Republican Kelly Laws, who lost to Grayeyes in the 2018 election, filed a complaint in late December alleging his opponent does not live in Navajo Mountain, Utah. After an eight-hour hearing last week, seventh district judge Don Torgerson issued a ruling late Tuesday in favor of Grayeyes. Our partners at KSJD in Cortez, Colorado spoke with a local writer who followed the case and attended the day-long hearing.

Shortly after Willie Grayeyes was sworn in as San Juan County Commissioner, he entered a courtroom to defend, for the second time, his residency. Republican Kelly Laws, who lost to Grayeyes in the 2018 election, filed a complaint in late December alleging his opponent does not live in Navajo Mountain, Utah. After an eight-hour hearing last week, seventh district judge Don Torgerson issued a ruling late Tuesday in favor of Grayeyes. Our partners at KSJD in Cortez, Colorado spoke with a local writer who followed the case and attended the day-long hearing.

Many of the water problems in the American West could be eased if it just snowed more in the Southern Rocky Mountains. For decades, states have invested in weather modification to do just that. But the science to show that cloud seeding actually works has never been clear. While there are still plenty of questions about it, our partners at KUNC did find some answers.

[photo: In 2017, researchers flew over Idaho's Payette River basin to try and determine how effective cloud seeding is in boosting snowpack. Courtesy Larry Oolman, University of Wyoming]

Many of the water problems in the American West could be eased if it just snowed more in the Southern Rocky Mountains. For decades, states have invested in weather modification to do just that. But the science to show that cloud seeding actually works has never been clear. While there are still plenty of questions about it, our partners at KUNC did find some answers.

[photo: In 2017, researchers flew over Idaho's Payette River basin to try and determine how effective cloud seeding is in boosting snowpack. Courtesy Larry Oolman, University of Wyoming]

Livestock operations contribute a significant percentage of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The beef industry, which takes more water and land than other kinds of meat production, is often seen as a major problem. Our partners at KBUT in Crested Butte, CO visited a ranch in Gunnison County that wants to change that idea.

[photo courtesy of KBUT]

Livestock operations contribute a significant percentage of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The beef industry, which takes more water and land than other kinds of meat production, is often seen as a major problem. Our partners at KBUT in Crested Butte, CO visited a ranch in Gunnison County that wants to change that idea.

[photo courtesy of KBUT]

Witnesses to the Oct. 28th homicide of Moab resident Edgar Luna Najera, or "Rojo," took the stand Friday in a preliminary hearing at Grand County's 7th District Court. Those in the room at the time of Rojo's death allege that defendant Omar Guerro questioned the man about stolen drugs and the whereabouts of Guerro's family before becoming violent. Seventh District Judge Don Torgerson found probable cause in the case, and set a week-long jury trial this March for Guerro, who will be prosecuted for first degree felony murder and second degree possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. On Friday, Guerro pled not guilty to both counts.

[photo: Omar Guerro]