KZMU News

On the latest Regional Roundup, an interview with author and naturalist Craig Childs about Chaos Theory, the theme of his latest Dark Night event. Plus, we hear about a Navajo musician who is channeling John Cage and his Navajo ancestors to honor those lost in the Long Walk. And, a world record setting 'skiing in jeans' event in Wyoming.

KZMU News is back! News director Molly Marcello and reporter Emily Arntsen discuss where they've been and where the news department is headed.

On the latest Regional Roundup, an audio portrait Bruni Mason who volunteers as a bell-ringer raising money for Moab Solutions. Plus, we hear about the Folsom Trail in Salt Lake City and the fight for OBGYN access in Jackson, WY. And later, an interview with two chefs about their new book using Native American ingredients.

Hi listener, KZMU News had to take an unexpected break this week. But we still met with our amazing media partners.

On the Weekly News Reel, Gwen Dillworth of The Times-Independent discusses Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s proposal to invest $185 million in housing. Plus, she talks about the new Community Artist in the Parks and two local athletes who signed on to compete at the college level. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News discusses upcoming biking and hiking trails in Dead Horse Point State Park providing access to a historic area. And, she talks about the Moab City’s recently adopted Sustainability Action Plan. We also wish Alison much luck as she begins a new adventure writing for Sierra magazine!

// Show Notes:

https://www.kzmu.org/weekly-news-reel/

Hate crimes have been on the rise over the last decade. Now, with the Israel Gaza conflict, there has been an increase of Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. ‘Speak Up & Stand Up Against Hate’ is a cooperative that looks to provide resources for those facing hatred. Our radio partners at KRCL spoke with representatives from the Utah Muslim Civic League and the United Jewish Federation of Utah to hear about the work they are doing.

On the latest regional roundup, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count starts December 14, and around the region, groups of bird counters are participating in this important community science event. We'll have a few bird-related stories, plus an interview with the author of 'Killdozer,' which tells the story of Marvin Heemeyer, who in 2004 modified a bulldozer with concrete and steel and demolished numerous buildings in Granby, Colorado.

Governor Spencer Cox recently announced his proposed budget and plan to address homelessness throughout the state of Utah. His proposed budget would set aside nearly $130 million for emergency shelter services targeting housing resources and supportive services to those who need them most. Plus, our partners at KUER report on the pollution on the west side of Salt Lake, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to breathe nasty air. And later, a conversation with the director of ‘Frybread Face and Me,’ a recently released feature film with an all Native American cast.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Gwen Dilworth of The Times-Independent discusses the city’s new affordable housing plan, snags in the county’s support of alternative housing, and pushback from Moab residents about the Manti-La Sal’s new forest management plan. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News highlights Back of Beyond’s annual book drive and previews Science on Tap, a series of engaging lectures put on by Science Moab.

// Show Notes:

https://www.kzmu.org/gov-cox-announces-budget-and-plan-to-address-homelessness-plus-the-weekly-news-reel/

Today we hear from KUNC about the cost of replacing municipal water systems in the face of drought. We also hear from KVNF about wetlands restoration in Colorado, from KGNU about Colorado's increase in insured residents, and from KSUT / KSJD about the federal government's program to return Native land to tribes across the country.

Photo by Alex Hager of KUNC.

Within the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, Oak Flat is an area considered sacred by many Indigenous communities. It’s also been the site of legal battles and court cases. But this fall, it turned into a spiritual hub, and our radio partners were there to witness it. Plus, protests took place in Denver recently spotlighting a rise of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. And later, as communities throughout the country feel the crush of polarizing politics, our radio partners speak with a professor specializing in community building through problem solving and conversations.

// Wendsler Nosie Sr. is the founder of the Apache Stronghold group. He speaks to the crowd about their ongoing religious struggle at Oak Flat.

Today we hear from our partners at Utah Public Radio about a new reflective paint that could prevent pavement from reaching scalding temperatures in the summer months. We also hear from the Utah News Service about a horsemanship program for first responders, from the Mountain West News Bureau about the BLM's new recreation plan, and from Aspen Public Radio about the fate of unsold food in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Photo: Reflective paint could prevent certain surfaces from becoming dangerously hot, such as pavement, which reaches temperatures hot enough to cause third-degree burns in the summer in the Southwest. Photo by James Wang via Flickr.