KZMU News

The last time the Bureau of Land Management made a comprehensive update to their oil and gas regulations, pop singer George Michael was topping the charts with his new hit song, Faith. So…it’s been awhile. But that’s changing. The federal agency is now poised to reform royalty rates, bonding requirements and even leasing preferences. Today on the news, we report on the local and regional responses to this issue. Plus, a report on the centennial of the town of Blanding’s attacks on the Ute Mountain Ute community.

// Show Notes:

// BLM Onshore Oil & Gas Leasing Rule

https://www.blm.gov/onshore-oil-and-gas-leasing-rule#:~:text=The%20Bureau%20of%20Land%20Management,to%20benefit%20the%20American%20taxpayer

In a world where there are near-infinite ways to disagree, there’s one thing that brings Moabites into consensus: a shared dislike of the tube popping, skin tearing noxious weed…the goathead. Today on the news, we check in with community members focused on eradicating puncturevine, also known as ‘goatheads,’ from our shared trails and walkways. And later, we hear from our radio partners on harmful algal bloom detection, a lawsuit centered on the ‘ecological collapse’ of Great Salt Lake, and Utah’s first statewide mariachi competition.

// Photo: Community members look for invasive plants near the Mill Creek trailhead. New efforts around town to eradicate puncturevine, also known as ‘goatheads,’ from shared trails are underway.

// Goathead Gala 2023

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/FormCenter/Weeds-22/Goathead-Gala-137

Just west of Salt Lake City, there's a tropical fish habitat and scuba diving school called Bonneville Seabase. What will happen to the thousands of marine animals living in natural saline pools when the owners close shop? Plus, we hear from our partners at KUNC about invasive crayfish in the Upper Colorado River Basin. We also hear an audio postcard from KGNU about the country's largest gem and mineral show, which takes place every year in Denver.

//Photo: Christine Finch is responsible for taking care of the fish at Bonneville Seabase. Photo by Emily Arntsen

// Show Notes:

Bonneville Seabase

//http://www.seabase.net/

The Regional Roundup is a now weekly production of the Rocky Mountain Community Radio Coalition, of which KZMU is a proud member. The latest show features interviews on book banning and censorship, as well as a feature on a book binding school in our region. Tune in!

Midweek at the large reservoir south of town, a place people enjoy swimming, paddle boarding, and fishing…it was quiet. New yellow signs dotted the shores of the lake reading ‘HEALTH WATCH. Harmful algae in water!’ This harmful algal bloom could be the first documented at Ken’s Lake, according to the Southeast Utah Health Department’s environmental health director Orion Rogers. Today on the news, we speak with him about the bloom and why it could be happening.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent discusses extended air service to Denver and Salt Lake City from Canyonlands Regional Airport and the new principals at the elementary and middle schools. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News explains how Moab city government is trying to prevent frequent turnover in leadership positions. She also previews the Youth Garden Project’s upcoming Harvest Festival.

// Show Notes:

https://www.kzmu.org/health-watch-at-kens-lake-plus-the-weekly-news-reel/

Today we hear from our partners at KSJD about a new store in Cortez, Colorado, that sells seeds that are native to this region. We also hear from KSUT about an ongoing investigation opened by the New Mexico Attorney General into whether Native American students are disproportionately punished at schools compared to white classmates. Plus, we hear from Aspen Public Radio about what it's like to be a sign language interpreter for live concerts.

//Photo: ASL interpreter Kirk Neuroth signs a song during Billy Idol’s set at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience on Sept. 4, 2023. Photo by Kaya Williams, Aspen Public Radio.

In the summer of 1971, a young Hiroshi Nakanishi made a visit to the United States from Japan. As his family road-tripped across the West, he became fascinated with old American boxcars, freight equipment, and abandoned railway stations. Now a retired professor of design, Nakanishi wants to restore those personal memories. He’s building an exact replica of a place he passed through in 1971: Cisco, Utah. He says the historical project is his way “of paying respect to the place and the people who lived there.”

// Show Notes:

// Photo: The Cisco Mercantile's signs are carefully replicated by Hiroshi Nakanishi in a 1970s era diorama. Nakanishi, a retired professor of design, is replicating the entire township in miniature.

// Cisco Diorama by Hiroshi Nakanishi

https://riogrande.blog.ss-blog.jp/archive/c2303806901-1

// Cisco History by Hiroshi Nakanishi

https://riogrande.blog.ss-blog.jp/archive/c2306068461-1

// Cisco Building History by Hiroshi Nakanishi

https://riogrande.blog.ss-blog.jp/archive/c2306343376-1

On Monday, state wildlife biologists released 30 roundtail chub into the pond at Old City Park as part of a project to boost native fish numbers. Once the population grows, biologists will release some of the fish back into the Dolores River, where they came from. We also hear from our partners at KHOL about a new mushroom survey happening in northwestern Wyoming.

//Photo: Roundtail chub slowly acclimate to the pond water at Old City Park before getting dumped into their new home.

//Show Notes: Moab City's plan to introduce roundtail chub to Old City Park

https://moabcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/3115/City-of-Moab-Carp-Removal

The Regional Roundup is a biweekly production of the Rocky Mountain Community Radio Coalition, of which KZMU is a proud member. The latest show features stories on regional labor movements, a new podcast on Veterans and an audio postcard about a silent comedy movie festival in our region.

Imagine you’re a scientist, doing research in the middle of the ocean. But instead of collecting data, you’re confined to your own quarters with debilitating illness. This is the lived experience of former scientist now turned Moab-based science journalist, Amanda Heidt. Today on the news, we speak to her about a new essay collection titled ‘Uncharted: How Scientists Navigate Their Own Health, Research and Experiences of Bias.’ Essayists from a variety of STEM fields document their own experiences of navigating isolation and ableism in academia.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses the tenth birthday of the controversial La Sal mountain goat herd and has updates on the future of WabiSabi as their lease agreement comes to a close. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks about her ongoing investigation into Grand County Sheriff’s dispatch calls and previews the upcoming Moab Festival of Science.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Moab-based science journalist Amanda Heidt is one of the contributors to a new essay collection documenting first-person experiences with chronic illness and disability in STEM fields. Courtesy Amanda Heidt.

Show Notes:

// The Times-Independent: 10 years in, La Sal mountain goats remain a lightning rod

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/10-years-in-la-sal-mountain-goats-remain-a-lightning-rod/

// The Times-Independent: WabiSabi is on the hunt for new location

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/wabisabi-is-on-the-hunt-for-new-location/

// Moab Sun News: 911, What’s your emergency?

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/09/07/911-whats-your-emergency/

// Moab Sun News: Accessible local science: Moab Festival of Science returns Sept. 13-17

https://moabsunnews.com/2023/09/07/accessible-local-science/