KZMU News

Gabby Petito’s parents intend to sue the Moab City Police Department for $50 million, wanting to prompt changes in how police here and elsewhere respond to domestic violence. They claim Moab’s police could have prevented their daughter’s death. Plus, the Senate passed policy changes for the oil and gas industry operating on public lands. And later, the migratory monarch butterfly makes a red list of threatened species and new federal legislation aims to protect parts of the Dolores River Canyon as a National Conservation Area.

// Show Notes:

// Moab City: Investigative Review of Aug 12th Petito-Laundrie Incident in Moab

https://moabcity.org/595/Investigative-Review-of-Aug-12-2021-Peti

// Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

https://www.democrats.senate.gov/inflation-reduction-act-of-2022

// Western Monarch Advocates

https://www.westernmonarchadvocates.com/utah

// Xerces Society

https://xerces.org/western-monarch-call-to-action

// KSUT: Portions of Dolores River Canyon could be protected under new legislation if passed

https://tribalradio.org/portions-of-dolores-river-canyon-could-be-protected-under-new-legislation-if-passed/

The Canyonlands Research Center offers a paid summer internship to Native American students interested in conservation. Today on the news, we visit students as they tour Dugout Ranch on the border of Canyonlands National Park. Used by the Ute and Navajo tribes and later by white ranchers, the land now helps educate and train the next generation of conservationists. Plus, a county in Southwest Colorado is working with an unusual partner to tackle the area’s noxious weeds – goats. And later, a group of tribes in the Colorado River basin is asking for more of a voice in negotiations about conserving the river’s water amid historic drought. 

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Students from Canyonlands Research Center's NATURE (Native American Tribes Upholding Restoration and Education) program at Dugout Ranch near Moab. KZMU/Justin Higginbottom

// Canyonlands Research Center: Native American Tribes Upholding Restoration & Education

https://canyonlandsresearchcenter.org/programs/nature

// KSUT Tribal Radio: Ecological land management and preventing fires with goats

https://tribalradio.org/ecological-land-management-and-preventing-fires-with-goats/

// KUNC: Tribes in the Colorado River basin say they’re ‘in the dark’ as states discuss water conservation

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-08-05/tribes-in-the-colorado-river-basin-say-theyre-in-the-dark-as-states-discuss-water-conservation

Elected officials recently moved some new housing ideas forward to assist locals with finding safe and affordable places to live. But there’s one program that’s provided housing help to our area for years – Housing Choice Vouchers. And now experts say this rental assistance program could use a little attention. Stigma around voucher recipients is causing some landlords to deny their applications, illegal under fair housing law. Local housing organizations are launching an education campaign to counter misinformation and discrimination around the vouchers, and to help close the affordability gap for our local residents. 

// Show Notes:

// Photo: The Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah. The organization has more rental assistance vouchers to distribute in Grand and San Juan Counties but are encountering challenges with finding available – and nondiscriminatory – housing for recipients.

// Housing Authority of Southeastern Utah

https://www.hasuhomes.org/section-8

// Landlords Housing Choice Voucher Info Poster

https://www.facebook.com/HASUtah/photos/a.714564675294543/5459032244181072/

In today’s political climate, it could be risky to encourage extemporaneous speech in a public setting. But local Marc Horwitz says soapboxing has an important place in the protection of free speech. “It’s not just about speaking your mind; it’s about respecting the other guy speaking his mind – even if you differ completely.” Today on the news, we report on the ‘citizen soapbox’ popping up at the Moab market, available for poem recitation, amusing anecdotes and even community announcements. Plus, Colorado River activists are calling on the federal government to make upgrades at the Glen Canyon dam. And later, our radio partners take a boat trip with longtime river runners to show us Lake Powell at historic lows.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Doug McMurdo of The Times Independent discusses Moab City’s workforce housing ordinance, flight cancellations at the Moab airport, speculations on lithium in Grand County and an open casting call for an upcoming western. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks about the return of the aedes aegypti mosquito, improv meet-ups in Moab and the Full Circle Intertribal Center finding a permanent office space.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Theresa King relates a personal story on the ‘citizen soapbox’ in Swanny City Park as Marc Horwitz adjusts the sound levels. The pop-up free speech platform occurs every first and third Thursday of the month during the Moab Arts & Ag market. KZMU/Molly Marcello

// Arts & Ag: A Moab Market

https://www.moabarts.org/arts-and-ag

// KUNC: One of the Colorado River’s most important dams could need upgrades to keep water flowing

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-08-03/one-of-the-colorado-rivers-most-important-dams-could-need-upgrades-to-keep-water-flowing

// KUNC: A mud-caked ‘terra incognita’ emerges in Glen Canyon as Lake Powell declines to historic low

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-08-04/a-mud-caked-terra-incognita-emerges-in-glen-canyon-as-lake-powell-declines-to-historic-low

// Weekly News Reel Mentions:

// The Times-Independent: City passes workforce housing ordinance

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-passes-workforce-housing-ordinance/

// The Times-Independent: Moab airport records 16 SkyWest flights canceled so far in 2022

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-airport-records-16-skywest-flights-canceled-so-far-in-2022/

// The Times-Independent: Lithium – Moab’s next extractive industry?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/lithium-moabs-next-extractive-industry/

// The Times-Independent: ‘How exciting to have the movie industry in Moab’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/how-exciting-to-have-the-movie-industry-in-moab/

// Moab Sun News: Aedes aegypti is back

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/08/04/aedes-aegypti-is-back/

// Moab Sun News: ‘Wannabe Players’ bring improv to Moab

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/08/04/wannabe-players-bring-improv-to-moab/

// Moab Sun News: Full Circle Intertribal Center finds new home

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/08/04/full-circle-intertribal-center-finds-new-home/

It was a banner day for housing discussions in Moab on Wednesday. First, the Moab City Council passed a requirement that new multi-household development in some residential neighborhoods include workforce housing. The ‘active employment household ordinance’ passed after 10 months of deliberation. Second, community members gathered to strategize solutions around housing and the workforce as part of the city’s strategic action plan process. Third, Grand County held a public meeting about ‘alternative dwelling developments’ for the local workforce including tiny homes, RVs and other vehicles.

Show Notes:

Photo: Utah Association of Realtors President Randy Day, speaking before the city council on Wednesday. He and other representatives of private property rights groups negotiated with local elected officials for months on the ‘active employment household ordinance.’ KZMU/Anthony Militano

Moab City Active Employment Household Ordinance

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08032022-1134

Moab City Community Visioning

https://lab2.future-iq.com/moab-tomorrow-together/

Grand County Long Term Camparks & Alternative Dwelling Community

https://grandcountyconnects.com/housing-efforts

“On YouTube, there’s a lot of information about Moab…but it’s all in English. So, I want to show people who [speak] Spanish how the life is here and the places they can visit if they want to come here.” Today on the news, we speak with local Mónica Piñera about making her Spanish-language videos on ‘La aventura en Moab.’ In them, she features popular local sights as well as practical information for Spanish speakers about resources and events. Plus, a conversation with the CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains about an expected influx of patients crossing state lines for reproductive care. And later, much of the Southwest is expected to get drenched during August according to new forecasts.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Local resident Mónica Piñera hosts ‘La aventura en Moab,’ a Spanish language YouTube channel about the Moab area. She started the channel when she noticed a lack of attention on Spanish-speakers in our region. Courtesy Mónica Piñera

// La aventura en Moab

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMwtKJVbxOitMFjw5hyyDNw

Moab’s latest sculpture installation comes from Justin Tyler Tate, the MARC’s 2022 artist-in-residence. Made of materials sourced from the local waste stream, the piece is incredibly interactive and intended to emphasize play as a source of power. “I like giving people an opportunity to embrace their curiosity,” says Tate. “Because that’s what I like doing.” Plus, we speak with a scientist working on a new solution for uranium-contaminated groundwater. And later, a report on the death of a Hollywood legend with deep roots in our region.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Artist Justin Tyler Tate with an interactive installation created with material sourced from Moab’s waste stream. The piece is currently at Lions Park. KZMU/Molly Marcello

// Moab Arts Re-Use Residency

https://www.moabarts.org/residency

// Justin Tyler Tate

https://justintylertate.weebly.com

// Aspen Public Radio: Bob Rafelson was passionate about Aspen, filmmaking

https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/arts-culture/2022-07-28/bob-rafelson-was-passionate-about-aspen-and-filmmaking

Utah Governor Spencer Cox released another chapter of Utah’s water plan last week. It aims to balance water conservation, agriculture and state growth. Plus, the FBI published a ‘first of its kind’ list of almost 180 missing Indigenous people throughout the Navajo Nation. And later, the climate crisis has been the cause of lower stream flows in rivers and creeks throughout the West. Our radio partners report on how this changing ecosystem is affecting boreal toads in Colorado wilderness.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Samantha Alford weighs a boreal toad in a plastic bag as it attempts to escape. Toads are indicator species, which means they can tell researchers a lot about the health of the environment. Caroline Llanes / Aspen Public Radio

// UPR: Utah releases third chapter of state water action plan

https://www.upr.org/utah-news/2022-07-27/utah-releases-third-chapter-of-state-water-action-plan

// FBI: List of Native Americans Verified as Missing Throughout New Mexico and the Navajo Nation

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/albuquerque/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-list-of-native-americans-verified-as-missing-throughout-new-mexico-and-the-navajo-nation

// Aspen Public Radio: Small boreal toads in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness face big challenges

https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/2022-07-13/boreal-toads-in-the-maroon-bells-snowmass-wilderness-face-big-challenges

Visitors to Arches have had some time to try out the national park’s new reservation system, put in place to reduce the crowding impacting visitors’ experience. Today on the news, we speak with a park representative about some recent survey results and the future of the pilot timed entry system. Plus, a Wyoming judge issued a temporary restraining order this week, blocking the state’s trigger ban on most abortions from going into effect. Utah’s own abortion trigger ban continues to be on pause as a lawsuit against it makes its way through the courts. And later, mountain towns in Colorado have seen an influx of luxury tourism and housing development. Our radio partners report on one town that has largely avoided that fate.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent talks fire and flood, monsoon season returning, the nation’s new mental heath crisis line and Utah’s new OHV course. Alison Harford of The Moab Sun News discusses this week’s record-breaking water height in Mill Creek, a local man winning a prize at a famous trail ride and the return of Canyonlands Native Plant Society.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: Arches National Park over Memorial Day Weekend 2021. The park received feedback that a visitor’s Memorial Day Weekend 2022 experience was ‘night and day’ better than previous years because of the pilot timed entry system. Credit Arches National Park

// Arches National Park: FAQ on the Timed Entry System

https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-faq.htm

// US Travel Association (7/11) Letter re: NPS Reservation Systems

https://www.ustravel.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/junenationalparks-ustravel_signon-7.7.22.pdf

// Weekly News Reel Mentions:

// The Times-Independent: Fire & Flood

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/fire-flood/

// The Times-Independent: After a lapse, the monsoons are back

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/after-a-lapse-the-monsoons-are-back/

// The Times-Independent: Meet the nation’s new mental health crisis line

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/meet-the-nations-new-mental-health-crisis-line/

// The Times-Independent (Opinion): What it’s like to work at a crisis helpline

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/what-its-like-to-work-at-a-crisis-helpline/

// The Times-Independent: A peek inside Utah’s new OHV course, test

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/a-peek-inside-utahs-new-ohv-course-test/

// Moab Sun News: Record water height in Mill Creek flash flood

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/07/28/record-water-height-in-mill-creek-flash-flood/

// Moab Sun News: Local man wins prize at famous rugged trail ride

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/07/28/local-man-wins-prize-at-famous-rugged-trail-ride/

// Moab Sun News: Looking out for native plants – Canyonlands Native Plant Society ramps back up

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/07/28/canyonlands-native-plant-society/

Dispersed camping has exploded on Bureau of Land Management lands across Grand County. And when visitors spread out, looking for that perfect private campsite, they can encroach on natural resources like native vegetation and wildlife habitat. The BLM is now looking at implementing more camping rules for three places: Utah Rims, Two Rivers, and the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges areas. Today on the news, we speak with advocates of this plan about why ‘camping anywhere you want’ is no longer viable in Grand County.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: A dispersed campsite in Grand County. The BLM is considering limiting camping to designated sites in the Utah Rims, Two Rivers, and the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges areas.

// Utah Rims BLM Planning:

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015213/510

// Two Rivers BLM Planning:

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015215/510

// Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Planning:

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2015209/510

// The Deseret News (May 1989) Moab Dislikes Smell Of Success

https://www.deseret.com/1989/5/20/18807808/moab-dislikes-smell-of-success-br-human-waste-turning-river-areas-into-cesspools