KZMU News

Throughout its 15-year history in the Moab community, the Moab Valley Multicultural Center has pivoted to meet the community’s diverse and changing needs. Increasingly those needs include housing. Today on the news, we check in with the center’s executive director about the coordination she says it’s going to take between government and the private sector to ensure access to safe and stable housing in the Moab community.

// Show Notes

// Photo: MVMC executive director Rhiana Medina leads Governor Spencer Cox on a tour of the nonprofit. The multicultural center was recently awarded the first-ever ‘Spirit of Service’ award for their services, which include work on housing and homelessness.

// Moab Valley Multicultural Center

https://moabmc.org

// Moab Area Housing & Resources

https://www.moabhousing.com

// Grand County Local Homeless Council

https://www.moabhousing.com/lhc

The once stagnant Pinyon Plain uranium mine near the Grand Canyon is one step closer to resuming operations. Once operational, the mine’s ore could be shipped to San Juan County for processing. Today on the news, a report on Arizona’s Havasupai Nation, whose members are pushing back on these plans. Plus, a recent report shows a relationship between companies involved in lobbying and lawmakers’ stock portfolios, including Rep. John Curtis.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Havasupai tribal councilman Stuart Chavez is opposed to the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon

// KJZZ: Arizona’s Havasupai push back as interest in nearby uranium mine grows

https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1780965/arizonas-havasupai-push-back-interest-nearby-uranium-mine-grows?_ga=2.110527238.2020309325.1653843477-1716198363.1651520670

// High Country News: Two Southwest tribes raise concerns over uranium storage

https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-pollution-two-southwest-tribes-raise-concerns-over-uranium-storage

// Energy Fuels: Pinyon Plain Mine

https://www.energyfuels.com/pinyon-plain-mine

Governor Spencer Cox was born and raised largely in rural Sanpete County, well outside the political power center of the Wasatch Front. He often attributes this experience as a reason his office focuses on rural issues. The Governor was in Moab last week presenting an award to the multicultural center and spoke with KZMU News about his position on rural matters. Plus, prolonged drought and extremely dry vegetation means fire restrictions for Southeastern Utah. And, leaders from the Navajo Nation, the federal government and state recently signed a historic water agreement.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Governor Spencer Cox recently toured the Moab Valley Multicultural Center with director Rhiana Medina (right) and gave the nonprofit the first-ever Utah Spirit of Service award. There he spoke to KZMU News about his position on rural issues. KZMU/Justin Higginbottom

// Utah Fire Info: Fire Danger Prompts Fire Restrictions In Southeastern Utah

https://utahfireinfo.gov/2022/05/27/fire-danger-prompts-fire-restrictions-in-southeastern-utah/

// Karl Hunt on Utah’s ‘Fire Sense’ Campaign

https://www.kzmu.org/emily-roberson-on-the-youth-garden-karl-hunt-on-fire-prevention-this-week-in-moab/

// Utah Fire Sense

https://utahfiresense.org

It’s been nearly a decade since the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources released mountain goats in the La Sal Mountains. And throughout that same decade, critics have consistently called for their removal, saying they are damaging a federally protected alpine ecosystem. Just this week, the U.S. Forest Service released data outlining their concerns about potential impacts from mountain goats, recreation and climate change. Today on the news, why a conservation advocate calls the Forest Service data a ‘watershed’ moment in the ongoing controversy over mountain goats in the La Sal Mountains.

//Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Sophia Fisher of the Times-Independent talks addiction recovery resources and the scale of the local opioid epidemic, COVID increases, possible development in Castle Valley and Moab City’s $16.3 million budget. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News discusses a profile on Japanese railroad workers at the turn of the century, farming in the desert at Easy Bee Farm and the return of Canyonlands PRCA rodeo.

// Show Notes

//Photo: Since their introduction to the La Sal Mountain range in 2013, mountain goats have been a source of ongoing controversy in the Moab community. Now the Forest Service has concerns about their potential impacts to the alpine ecosystem. Image from the Utah Division of Wildlife’s 2018 Mountain Goat Statewide Management Plan

// (May 24, 2022) USFS: Alpine Ecosystem Monitoring in the La Sals, Forest Service to Release Summary of Results

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mantilasal/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1027112

// (2018) Utah DWR: Mountain Goat Statewide Management Plan

https://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/bg/mtn_goat_plan.pdf

// USFS: Rare Plants and Alpine Vegetation of the La Sal Mountains

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mantilasal/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1027112

// (2015) Grand Canyon Trust: Alpine Vegetation Impact Assessment of the Mt. Peale Research Natural Area

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/Rare_Plants/conservation/success/LaSals_studies.shtml

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Moab Regional Recovery Center opening in June

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-regional-recovery-center-opening-in-june/

// The Times-Independent: Overdoes, fentanyl plague Grand County

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/overdoses-fentanyl-plague-grand-county/

// The Times-Independent: Grand should be in ‘Medium’ COVID status

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-should-be-in-medium-covid-status/

// The Times-Independent: New residential development in Castle Valley possible

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-residential-development-in-castle-valley-possible/

// The Times-Independent: Moab City’s $16.3 budget moves ahead

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-citys-16-3m-budget-moves-ahead/

// Moab Sun News: The untold story of K. Kawanishi

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/26/the-untold-story-of-k-kawanishi/

// Moab Sun News: Inside Easy Bee Farm

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/26/inside-easy-bee-farm/

// Moab Sun News: Saddle up! Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo returns to Moab from June 3 to June 5

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/26/canyonlands-rodeo-returns/

Authorities have charged bear-hunting guide Wade Lemon with illegal baiting during a 2018 trip with Donald Trump Jr. in Carbon County. Today on the news, we speak with an official at Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources about the enforcement situation in bear country. Plus, the Interior Department will commit $33 million to plug orphaned oil and gas wells on public lands, including here in Moab. And, as the nation reels after the second deadliest school shooting in Texas this week, survivors of another horrific school shooting in our region speak out.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A screenshot of an Instagram post shows Donald Trump, Jr. on a hunt in Utah in May 2018. The Salt Lake Tribune and Utah Investigative Journalism Project say prosecutors indicated there was no evidence Trump Jr. would have known about alleged bearbaiting that went on during the hunt.

// The Utah Investigative Journalism Project: Utah hunting guide faces felony charge for Donald Trump Jr.’s big game hunt:

https://www.utahinvestigative.org/utah-hunting-guide-faces-felony-charge-for-donald-trump-jr-s-big-game-hunt/

// U.S Department of Interior: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $33 Million Infrastructure Investment to Address Legacy Pollution, Spur Good-Paying Jobs on Public Lands

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-33-million-infrastructure-investment-address

// Utah Division of Water Resources: Water Resources ‘Blitzes’ park strips to show Utahns how to save thousands of gallons

https://water.utah.gov/water-resources-blitzes-park-strips-to-show-utahns-how-to-save-thousands-of-gallons/

// Utah Water Savers

https://utahwatersavers.com

A butterfly living in the high elevation wetlands on the Colorado Plateau is under threat. Their only food source grows near water, which is in short supply in a region with a warmer climate and reduced snowpack. Today on the news, a report on the ‘butterfly effect’ of climate change as the US Fish and Wildlife Service considers listing the silverspot as officially threatened. Plus, federal research is beginning to prevent and treat ‘long’ COVID. And, as Utah braces for another COVID-19 surge, doctors recommend ways to reduce risk.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A male silverspot butterfly. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering listing the species as threatened. Credit Terry Ireland/USFWS

// U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Service Proposes Listing Silverspot Butterfly as Threatened under Endangered Species Act

https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2022-05/service-proposes-listing-silverspot-butterfly-threatened

// Silverspot Butterfly Range

https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Speyeria%20nokomis%20nokomis%20range%20map.png

// Recover COVID

https://recovercovid.org

// UPR: As Utah braces for another COVID-19 surge, doctors recommend how to reduce risk

https://www.upr.org/utah-news/2022-05-20/as-utah-braces-for-another-covid-19-surge-doctors-recommend-how-to-reduce-risk

Quitobaquito Springs is a natural water source and sacred site to a southern Arizona tribe near the US-Mexico border in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Today on the news, a report on the race to save this tiny desert oasis. Plus, plans to build a new desalination plant in Southern California were rejected after more than 20 years of debate. The decision has implications for the future of the Colorado River Basin. And, a federal judge has vacated a plan for drilling and fracking on Colorado's Western Slope.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A young mud turtle relocated from Quitobaquito's pond to a temporary holding tank. Different stakeholders are working to preserve the desert oasis. Alisa Reznik/KJZZ

// KJZZ: In southern Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a race to save a tiny desert oasis

https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1777833/southern-arizonas-organ-pipe-cactus-national-monument-race-save-tiny-desert-oasis?_ga=2.266969737.682127935.1652726445-1716198363.1651520670

// KDNK: A Koch brother’s energy firm wants to drill in the North Fork and Thompson Divide. A federal judge said no.

https://www.kdnk.org/local-news/2022-05-23/a-koch-brothers-energy-firm-wants-to-drill-in-the-north-fork-and-thompson-divide-a-federal-judge-said-no

// Rocky Mountain Community Radio

https://rockymountaincommunityradio.org

Over the past decade, the amount of people needing emergency medical services in the Moab area has doubled. People need medical attention in the backcountry, on the highway and downtown. And as the need for emergency medicine grows, so have the needs of Grand County's local service. Today on the news, a tour through the brand new EMS facility. Plus, drought conditions fueling the spread of bark beetles aren’t easy to address. 

// Show Notes

// Photo: The ambulance bays at Grand County EMS’ new facility. The building coalesces EMS’ needs into one building, which those close to the department say is beneficial for efficiency and culture.

// GCEMS Director Andy Smith on This Week in Moab

https://www.kzmu.org/moab-city-streetlights-grand-county-ems/

// Grand County EMS

https://www.grandcountyems.net/

// The Times-Independent (12/16/21): New EMS building is ‘substantially completed’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-ems-building-is-substantially-completed/

// KSJD: Fueled by drought, a beetle that kills pinyon pines is expanding into new areas of Southwest Colorado

https://www.ksjd.org/podcast/ksjd-local-newscasts/2022-05-13/fueled-by-drought-a-beetle-that-kills-pinyon-pines-is-expanding-into-new-areas-of-southwest-colorado

Every year a number of Moabites injure themselves doing activities they are passionate about. Paying for medical bills and possibly dealing with trauma can be difficult. But there’s a growing number of options for help, from grants for medical bills to therapists dedicated to post-accident trauma. Plus, a nationwide formula shortage is affecting parents and their children across the country, including Southeastern Utah.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent talks 20 years for thrift store WabiSabi, Moab Regional’s recovery center and former county commissioner Curtis Wells heading the state’s Community Impact Board. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News discusses Moab Bee Inspired Gardens, a local law enforcement officer receiving a national award, and the return of the Moab Arts Festival.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Hunter Kessler spent nearly three weeks in a Grand Junction hospital after a canyoneering accident. He says he’s struggled to return to the sport, but is working on trusting his equipment again.

// High Fives Foundation

https://highfivesfoundation.org

// The White House: Biden Administration Approves Operation Fly Formula Mission

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/19/biden-administration-approves-first-operation-fly-formula-mission/

// HHS: Helping Families Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage

https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html

// Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine re: Shortage of Breastmilk Substitutes

https://www.bfmed.org/statement-on-shortage-of-breastmilk-substitutes

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: ‘Much more than a thrift store’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/much-more-than-a-thrift-store/

// The Times-Independent: MRH substance abuse clinic set to open

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/mrh-substance-abuse-clinic-set-to-open/

// The Times-Independent: Moab’s Wells to head Community Impact Board

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moabs-wells-to-head-community-impact-board/

// The Times-Independent: Commission to lobby DOI on SITLA swap

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commission-to-lobby-doi-on-sitla-swap/

// Moab Sun News: Bee Inspired Gardens project buzzes to life

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/19/bee-inspired-gardens-project/

// Moab Sun News: Moab BLM law enforcement officer Cody Marsh receives national award

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/19/cody-marsh-national-award/

// Moab Sun News: ‘This is going to be a fabulous year’

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/19/moab-arts-festival-2022/

Concerned about more gentrification in the valley, Grand’s planning commission did not support a rezone request for property adjacent to the Moab Golf Course and Steel Bender OHV trail. Red Rock Development group had planned to bring 54 single-family houses and recreational amenities like pickleball and a pool to the area. But this month, officials indicated they are not interested in approving development without guarantees of workforce housing. Plus, as winter comes to a close in our region’s mountains, a report on what to expect for a summer in the Colorado River Basin.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A rezone for 73-acre parcel of property near the Moab Golf Course and Steel Bender OHV trail did not receive support from Grand’s planning commission. Developers planned to build single family houses and recreational amenities in the area.

// 5/9/22 Public Hearing to Consider PUD Rezone (starts on page 38)

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05092022-1503

// KUNC: For this summer’s water forecast, climate experts are looking back to winter

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-05-12/for-this-summers-water-forecast-climate-experts-are-looking-back-to-winter