KZMU News

Today we have a little teaser about an upcoming series from KZMU News. Projects like these are made possible by the generosity of our listeners, and we thank you for supporting us! This week is Radiothon, and if you love the work we do here, consider donating to the station at kzmu.org.

- Show Notes -

- Donate to KZMU

https://www.kzmu.org/

- Buy Merch & Premiums

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/643e1c51-c868-412e-8d74-b61d27ebde97

Last week, the Jordan World Circus performed at the Spanish Trail Arena in Moab. The circus has been protested for animal cruelty for years and was banned from using elephants in Salt Lake County in 2020. But last year, Utah passed an amendment that prohibits local governments from banning or restricting any enterprise that uses "working animals," including circuses. Last year, the state also changed its definition of animal cruelty. Circus animals are not protected in the criminal code.

- Show Notes -

• Utah’s amendments to animal enterprise laws

https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/sbillenr/SB0113.htm

• Utah’s animal cruelty criminal code

https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter9/76-9-S301.html

• A circus show in Utah won’t feature exotic animals for the first time

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/01/28/circus-show-south-jordan/

This week on Regional Roundup, we hear about the intense Logan to Jackson bike race, a vintage car rally in Colorado, and an Indigenous art exhibit inspired by Star Wars. Plus, we hear from the best-selling author Bonnie Garmus during her visit to Colorado to accept the Freedom from Religion Foundation award. To finish up, we have a discussion with a former University of Colorado professor about the exciting future of doing science on the moon.

On the News Reel today, we talk to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the upcoming Grand County commission race. In this week’s paper, eight candidates answer questions about public lands, affordable housing, Moab’s economy, taxes, and the county’s relationship with state lawmakers. Andrew gives us some background on each of the candidates and a brief overview of their answers.

- Show Notes -

• 2024 Grand County Voting Guide

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/2024-grand-county-voting-guide/

This week on Regional Roundup, we hear a story about the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, which is considering a move from Utah to Boulder, Colorado. Two other film festivals recently took place in the Rocky Mountain West: the Aspen Film Festival and the Crested Butte Film Festival. We also meet alien and Bigfoot enthusiasts who gathered in Vernal, Utah. Additionally, a recent festival in Ignacio, Colorado, highlights the significance of heavy metal music within Tribal communities. Contributors to this week's show include Jackie Sedley from KGNU, Kaya Williams from Aspen Public Radio, Emily Arntsen from KZMU, and Clark Adomaitis from KSUT and KSJD.

On the News Reel today, we talk to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about delays in Grand County’s 2023 financial report. We also discuss the upcoming county commission election and give updates about repairs needed at the library. Plus, we hear from Kenny Fallon, editor and publisher of the monthly newsletter, the Green River Observer. Fallon tells us about the annual Melon Days harvest festival, updates about the lithium mine in Green River, and an upcoming event at the River Runners Hall of Fame.

- Show Notes -

• Grand County’s tax revenue suspended, but hold could end soon

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-countys-tax-revenue-suspended-but-hold-could-end-soon/

• Grand County Library will need to pay for repairs, renovations in coming years

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-library-will-need-to-pay-for-repairs-renovations-in-coming-years/

• Commission races heat up as the weather cools down

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commission-races-heat-up-as-weather-cools-down/

• The Green River Observer

https://thegreenriverobserver.substack.com/

The fungus that causes a deadly bat disease called white-nose syndrome has made its way to Utah. Last week, Canyonlands National Park announced that the fungus was detected in an abandoned mine in the Needles District. White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in North America since it was discovered in 2007. Now, Utah has become the 44th state in the U.S. to test positive for the fungus.

- Show Notes -

• White-Nose Syndrome Response Team

https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/

• The economic impacts of ecosystem disruptions: Costs from substituting biological pest control

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg0344

• Canyonlands National Park Announcement

https://www.nps.gov/cany/learn/news/news09182024.htm

• Bat biologist Kimberly Hersey, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

[email protected]

• Photo: A fungal infection causes White-Nose Syndrome in bats across the U.S. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

On Sunday, the fall equinox ushered in a new season, and countless rock art panels near Moab lit up with corresponding displays of sunlight that one archaeologist has spent over 30 years documenting. Today, we look at a pictograph of a figure holding one end of a net. During the equinoxes, sunlight in the shape of a fang appears to hold the other end. We discuss with local archaeologist Rory Tyler, who has documented many of these astronomical connections around Moab.

- Show Notes -

• Moab Rock Art

https://moabrockart.org/about-me/

• Photo: Sunlight in the shape of a fang appears to hold one end of the hunting net displayed in this pictograph. This only happens twice a year during the equinoxes. Photo by Emily Arntsen / KZMU.

This week on Regional Roundup, we'll offer tips on how to be ready for a natural disaster. We'll also hear from Colorado residents working on wildfire mitigation in hopes of keeping insurance costs down. Plus, some of the world’s fastest drivers gathered recently at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats to set speed records in their homemade hot rods, but the future of the World of Speed race is in question.

Contributors to this week's show include Jackie Sedley from KGNU, Gavin McGough from KOTO, and Emily Arntsen from KZMU.

Today on the Weekly News Reel, we talk to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Times-Independent, about the recent decision to nullify Amendment D from the Utah ballot prior to November's election. If passed, Amendment D would have given the Utah Legislature the power to repeal citizen-passed ballot initiatives. We also discuss Grand County's new planning and zoning director, Amy Weiser, who says land use codes need a "complete overhaul." We finish up with a story about 11 recent school bus violations that will result in $1,000 fines per vehicle.

- Show Notes -

• ‘Amendment D is void’: GOP lawmakers’ constitutional amendment won’t be counted in 2024 election

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/amendment-d-is-void-gop-lawmakers-constitutional-amendment-wont-be-counted-in-2024-election/

• New county P&Z director: Land use code needs ‘complete overhaul’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-county-pz-director-land-use-code-needs-complete-overhaul/

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/july-was-arid-throughout-utah/

• MPD cracks down on school bus scofflaws

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/mpd-cracks-down-on-school-bus-scofflaws/