KZMU News

It's Regional Roundup Monday! As censorship increases in the US, libraries are under growing pressure. We hear more from regional librarian and author Jamie LaRue, who wrote the new book "On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the U.S." Plus, we hear about the recent 'day without water' event and learn about hauling water in our region.

The 2023 Moab Area Affordable Housing Plan outlines the state of housing in our community. It’s an important document filled with data that will be used by local government and community organizations to set policy around this fundamental need. Today on the news, we speak with Moab Area Housing Task Force Chair Laura Harris about what’s new and different in the latest plan.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses the ongoing trial of a local man who was arrested for allegedly vandalizing Moab with stickers protesting tourism and UTVs. Sophia also talks about the town of Castle Valley’s response to a wedding fiasco that took place near Castleton Tower a few months ago. We also hear from Gwen Dillworth, a new reporter with The Times-Independent, about daycares in Moab that will soon lose federal pandemic-related funding. Gwen also talks about two sisters at Grand County High School who placed at a recent cross country event. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News covers the Grand County High School’s upcoming musical, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and a new preschool in La Sal.

// Show Notes:

https://www.kzmu.org/plan-updates-data-on-housing-the-backbone-of-every-community-plus-the-weekly-news-reel/

The BLM's recent decision to close a third of off-road vehicle trails in Labyrinth Canyon near Moab has caused a major controversy. The State of Utah and motorized recreation groups appealed the decision earlier this week. The appeals come just a few days after Utah Senator Mike Lee proposed a bill in protest of the closures. We also hear from KSJD about a new store on the Navajo Nation that sells drinking water to a community with limited access to potable water. We also hear from KHOL about the status of Wyoming's abortion ban. Plus, KSUT and KSJD reports on the Southern Ute Tribe's response to a new movie called "Killers of the Flower Moon."

//Photo: Labyrinth Canyon is still the site of over 800 miles of OHV trails. Photo by Ray Bloxham for SUWA.

//Show Notes:

//KZMU: BLM closes over 300 miles of roads to OHV use

https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/blm-closes-over-300-miles-of-roads-to-ohv-use-plus-weekly-the-news-reel

Hear from local candidates before filling out your ballot! There are five candidates running for three seats on Moab's city council. Tune in for their thoughts on a number of important local issues, including water, housing, property tax, strategic planning and much, much more. KZMU's 2023 candidate debate was produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Southeast Utah.

Phil Lyman will challenge Governor Spencer Cox next year. Lyman currently represents Utah’s House District 69, covering the southeast corner of the state. He says his gubernatorial campaign will focus on several conservative pillars, including natural resources, infrastructure and election integrity. And later on KZMU News: Moab’s municipal voters should see their ballots in the mail soon. And, we get to know the five candidates running for three seats on Moab’s city council. Plus, our radio partners interview a USU professor running the shores of Great Salt Lake to bring awareness to its shrinking water levels.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Republican Phil Lyman is the first candidate to announce his intention to challenge Governor Spencer Cox in next year's gubernatorial election

// Phil Lyman For Governor

https://lymanforutah.com/

// KUER: Rep. Phil Lyman is running for Utah governor, challenging Spencer Cox next year

https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2023-10-31/rep-phil-lyman-is-running-for-utah-governor-challenging-spencer-cox-next-year

// Moab City 2023 Election

https://moabcity.org/236/Election-Information

Wildlife advocates filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah following changes to hunting laws that now allow for unlimited, year-round mountain lion harvest. We also hear from our partners at KSJD about a former president of the Navajo Nation who is now running for Congress in Arizona. Plus, we hear from Aspen Public Radio that Colorado will be receiving up to 10 gray wolves from Oregon for its wolf reintroduction program. Finally, we hear from KSUT about a lawsuit filed by Chinese immigrants over forced labor violations on a cannabis farm on the Navajo Nation.

//Photo: Mountain lions are spotted on a trail camera in Zion National Park. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service via Flickr.

//Show Notes:

//KZMU: Changes to mountain lion hunting laws just went into effect. What will it mean for the state's cougar population?

https://soundcloud.com/user-452372146-352514478/friday-may-19-2023

It's Regional Roundup Monday! In this episode, we hear about a sheepdog competition in Carbondale, Colorado. Plus, we hear about a controversy over a 600-acre solar energy proposal near Norwood, Colorado. We also hear about one Utah doctor working to improve maternal healthcare for Indigenous women.

Hi listener, we are away this week attending the Rocky Mountain Community Radio Coalition conference. We’ll be back on the podcast soon with fresh reporting (and a local candidate debate!) See you then and thank you for supporting KZMU, community powered radio.

It's Regional Roundup Monday! In this episode, an interview on the recent annular eclipse that captivated the Four Corners region. Plus, we hear from a regional author on his book 'Atlas of Wild America' and learn about the Maple Grove hot springs on the Utah/Idaho border.

Two Moab residents are under arrest for allegedly stealing over $1 million dollars of dinosaur bones from public lands in Southeastern Utah. Prosecutors allege the Moabites, along with two others, were involved in a conspiracy to steal, sell and export paleontological resources. In a press conference Thursday, a US attorney categorized this case as an environmental crime. And later, tribal advocates are trying to repeal a prohibition of same sex marriages on the Navajo Nation. And, a free, outdoor – and makeshift – wedding venue gets shut down in Park City.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent gives us the latest on traffic-reducing projects in Moab City, a deep dive on constraints related to housing solutions and re-defining glamping in Grand County. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News keeps track of pika in the La Sal Mountains, and has updates on restaurant 98 Center’s kitchen renovation.

// Show Notes:

https://www.kzmu.org/invaluable-loss-to-science-public-lands-feds-prosecute-moab-residents-for-allegedly-stealing-over-1m-in-dinosaur-bones-plus-the-weekly-news-reel/