KZMU News

On the show today we speak to director Hadley Austin and cinematographer Yoni Goldstein about their new documentary, Demon Mineral. The film, which screened in Moab on Tuesday night, shows the devastating health and environmental consequences of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation where over 500 mines are still unremediated.

// Show Notes:

https://www.demonmineral.com/

On April 12, the Bureau of Land Management announced new rules around oil and gas drilling on public lands, including increasing the minimum bond for drilling. The BLM will also focus oil and gas leasing in areas that have the highest potential for development – and the least conflict with other uses. Plus: federal water managers recently discovered damage to plumbing inside the dam that holds back Lake Powell. And: a missing 13-year-old girl who is a Southern Ute descendant was found last week. Finally: a new documentary depicts one larger than life Navajo legend who evaded the long walk and aided those upon their return.

On the latest Regional Roundup: an interview with two Utah women on the fight for equal rights for queer families. And, a report on a prom that promotes inclusivity in our region. Plus: a poem from Colorado's new poet laureate.

Today we talk to Sophia Fischer of the Moab Times-Independent about construction on the La Sal Loop Road, the dismissal of a lawsuit against the city and county by local OHV businesses, YGP's acquisition of the Moab Community Gardens, and a possible esports team at the Grand County High School. We also welcome Kenny Fallon, publisher and editor of a new, monthly publication called the Green River Observer. We discuss drug busts in Green River, property taxes, and an upcoming event about cultivating healthy soil.

// Show Notes:

// Two year Loop Road project to start in May

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/two-year-loop-road-project-to-start-in-may/

// City, county avoid most of OHV lawsuit with dismissal of all but 1 claim

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-county-avoid-most-of-ohv-lawsuit-with-dismissal-of-all-but-1-claim/

// Branching out: With this acquisition, YGP also expands its reach

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/branching-out-with-this-acquisition-ygp-also-expands-its-reach/

// UHSAA approves esports as official activity starting 2025-2026 school year

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/uhsaa-approves-esports-as-official-activity-starting-2025-2026-school-year/

// The Green River Observer

https://thegreenriverobserver.substack.com/

Kevin Dwyer and former Moab City Council member Karen Guzman-Newton recently presented solutions for improving the safety of Main Street, where 13 traffic fatalities have occurred in the past 10 years. Their research found that Moab's Main Street is the deadliest main street in Utah among cities of comparable sizes. We also hear from KSUT about a missing Indigenous girl.

// Show Notes:

// City Council Meeting April 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft7_jK0sP2Q&ab_channel=MoabCity

It’s not unusual for ancient pottery sherds to make their way to a museum. Maybe they were found in a storage box, or were passed down by a family member, or even recently plucked illegally from public lands. The Moab Museum hopes that by hosting a weekly gathering around such sherds, they can help spread the word about the importance of leaving artifacts in place on our shared landscapes. Plus: on Tuesday the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 ban on nearly all abortions. And: animal rights groups across the country are calling for felony level penalties for a Wyomingite who recently captured and allegedly abused a wolf.

// Photo: Pottery sherds from the Four Corners region. A pop-up archeology station at the Moab Museum aims to help educate folks on visit with respect principles. Courtesy Moab Museum

Lena Pace has worked all over this country. On a floating ranger station in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, to the desert of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, even the south shore of Long Island at Fire Island National Seashore. Now she will spend her time in the red rock of Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges as the superintendent of the Southeast Utah Group of National Parks. And: a USU researcher wants to know why pinyon jays are rapidly declining. Plus: a ski event in our region brings together hundreds of women and femme skiers to celebrate their common love for the sport.

// Show Notes:

// Full interview with Lena Pace:

https://www.kzmu.org/lena-pace-new-nps-superintendent-of-se-utah-group-on-this-week-in-moab/

On the latest Regional Roundup: an interview about making art more accessible for people with disabilities in our state. Plus, we hear about the challenges in researching women's history, new education programing aiming to increase diversity in nursing, and heartbreak poems.

Today we talk to Sophia Fisher of the Moab Times-Independent about the Hayduke Trail, an 800-mile route through six national parks that was co-founded by a Moab resident. We also talk about a lawsuit against the National Parks Service for no longer accepting cash at certain park entrances. Plus, we discuss the city’s plan to reinstate property taxes for the first time in over 30 years. We finish off highlighting an upcoming event about solutions for making Moab's Main Street safer.

// Show Notes:

// Meet the Hayduke Trail, southern Utah’s most backbreaking backcountry route

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/meet-the-hayduke-trail-southern-utahs-most-backbreaking-backcountry-route/

// Lawsuit challenges legality of NPS cashless fee payments

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/lawsuit-challenges-legality-of-nps-cashless-fee-payments/

// A new look for city’s budgeting process

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/a-new-look-for-citys-budgeting-process/

// Learn about Moab’s Main Street, Utah’s deadliest

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/learn-about-moabs-main-street-utahs-deadliest/

The Denver Art Museum is preparing to reach out to tribes following new federal regulations regarding possession of Native American sacred and funerary objects. After new rules went into effect, the museum removed a case of ceramics from display. Plus: people in the Rocky Mountain West will see some effects from an upcoming solar eclipse. And: a new hiking group in our region is pushing back on exclusionary stereotypes of hikers. Finally: author Terry Tempest Williams releases a fine arts book.