This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear from vigils and protests around the region after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. We also hear from a former National Forest supervisor about the challenges currently facing public lands. Then, a conversation with a conservationist about efforts to restore American bison to Indigenous lands. We finish the show with a BLM archaeologist who tells us about efforts to preserve and conserve the region’s rich archaeological history.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about a possible new sales tax in Grand County that would fund new public safety facilities. We also recap the city’s 2026 goals, which were discussed in a recent strategic planning retreat. And we finish with a quick update about the murder-suicide case in Island in the Sky.

- Show Notes -

• City discusses priorities at strategic planning retreat

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-discusses-priorities-at-strategic-planning-retreat/

• Commission launches review of proposed public safety sales tax

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commission-launches-review-of-proposed-public-safety-sales-tax/

• 6-year-old child found deceased inside Canyonlands National Park

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/child-found-deceased-inside-canyonlands-national-park/

Living on the Colorado Plateau can sometimes feel like living in a science fiction novel with its nuclear waste sites and failing dams and Mars-like landscapes. Science fiction writers have long been drawn to the region, including authors John Clute and Pamela Zoline, who recently donated 14,000 first-edition sci-fi novels to a little library in Telluride.

- Show Notes -

Clute Science Fiction Library

• https://www.tellurideinstitute.org/clute-science-fiction-library/

Photo by Emily Arntsen/KZMU

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the man found guilty of attempted murder after stabbing a woman on the Mill Creek Parkway in 2023. We also discuss a new medical cannabis pharmacy, which is expected to open in Moab this summer. Plus, we give a quick recap of the quicksand search and rescue mission in Arches that gained national attention last week.

- Show Notes -

• Parkway assailant found guilty of attempted murder

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/parkway-assailant-guilty-of-attempted-murder/

• Moab to receive a medical cannabis pharmacy

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-to-receive-a-medical-cannabis-pharmacy/

• Hiker rescued after becoming trapped in quicksand in Arches backcountry

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/hiker-rescued-after-becoming-trapped-in-quicksand-in-arches-backcountry/

• Ground beef donated to Moab food pantries ahead of holidays

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/pounds-of-ground-beef-donated-to-moab-food-pantries-ahead-of-the-holidays/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the county’s trail ambassador program, which will begin operating independently next year as a nonprofit called Steward Moab. We also discuss some upcoming holiday events. And we finish with a quick feature about what life is like for service workers in Moab.

- Show Notes -

• County trail ambassador program to relaunch as nonprofit Steward Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-trail-ambassador-program-to-relaunch-as-nonprofit-steward-moab/

• Holiday events return

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/holiday-events-return-to-moab/

• Undervalued and misunderstood: How service workers live in Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/undervalued-and-misunderstood-how-service-workers-live-in-moab/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about changes to Grand County’s rural healthcare tax, which will go into effect in January 2026. We also discuss how much the state of Utah spent to maintain limited operations at its five national parks during the government shutdown. And we finish with a quick update about the county’s new planning and zoning director.

- Show Notes -

• New revenue stream headed to EMS, fire protection and local care center

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-revenue-stream-headed-to-ems-fire-protection-and-local-care-center/

• Arches National Park faces uncertainty after the government shutdown

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/arches-national-park-faces-uncertainty-after-the-government-shutdown/

• Grand County hires PZ director after 9 month vacancy

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-hires-pz-director-after-9-month-vacancy/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the missed deadline for a new Colorado River agreement between upper and lower basin states. We also give a quick recap of last week’s Glen Canyon Dam symposium that took place at Star Hall. And we finish with a list of upcoming events happening in Grand County.

- Show Notes -

• Moab symposium reckons with the impacts of Glen Canyon Dam

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-symposium-reckons-with-the-impacts-of-glen-canyon-dam/

• Colorado River talks stall as Utah, other states miss key deadline https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/colorado-river-talks-stall-as-utah-other-states-miss-key-deadline/

• WabiSabi prepares to feed 840 for Thanksgiving

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/wabisabi-prepares-to-feed-840-for-thanksgiving/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the government re-opening and what that means for Utah’s food stamp recipients. We also discuss a vandalism case at Arches National Park, and the latest on asbestos clean up at the city’s Walnut Lane property.

Show Notes:

• Spray painted vandalism found on Devils Garden trail in Arches National Park

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/spray-painted-vandalism-found-on-devils-garden-trail-in-arches-national-park/

• What’s going on with Walnut Lane?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/whats-going-on-with-walnut-lane/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the results from Moab’s municipal election. We also discuss special groundwater approvals for a copper mine in Lisbon Valley. And we finish with a story about a recent water rights application for a housing development in Cisco.

- Show Notes -

• Langianese, Loftin, Taylor prevail in Moab City Council election

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/langianese-taylor-and-loftin-prevail-in-moab-city-council-election/

• EPA clears major milestone for Lisbon Valley copper mine expansion

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/epa-clears-major-milestone-for-lisbon-valley-copper-mine-expansion/

• State weighs water right change as developer eyes rebirth of Cisco ghost town

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/state-weighs-water-right-change-as-developer-eyes-rebirth-of-cisco-ghost-town/

On the show today we have the weekly News Reel where we talk to other local journalists about what they reported this week. Today, we speak with Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Moab Times-Independent, about whether state funding for Utah’s national parks will continue past the end of the month. We also discuss food stamp benefits, which are expected to expire on November 1 as well, and we explain where locals can get food and other support if and when funding runs out. And we finish with a story about the BLM’s decision to revisit the travel management plan for Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges.

- Show Notes -

• Visitors still eager to visit the Mighty 5 amid government shutdown

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/visitors-still-eager-to-visit-the-mighty-5-amid-government-shutdown/

• Grand County residents band together to support SNAP recipients amid government shutdown

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-residents-band-together-to-support-snap-recipients-amid-government-shutdown/

• Grand County backs BLM review of Labyrinth Rims travel plan

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-backs-blm-review-of-labyrinth-rims-travel-plan/