KZMU News

A leaked draft opinion indicates the Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v Wade – which for nearly 50 years has made abortion a right in the U.S. Over the weekend, thousands marched across the country to protest the opinion and share their support for reproductive rights. Our radio partners report from a march in Telluride, Colorado. Plus, a new report shows that public land conservation has lagged over the past decade in Western states, and the number of acres protected in our region varies widely. And, six tribes and a group of conservation nonprofits in the Upper Colorado River basin have released a ‘shared vision’ for the future of the river.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Over the weekend, thousands marched across the country to support reproductive rights, including in Telluride, Colorado. KOTO/Julia Caulfield

// KOTO: Telluride Marches for Reproductive Rights

https://www.koto.org/featured-news-stories/2022/5/16/telluride-marches-for-reproductive-rights

// KUNC: New bill aims to boost tribal access to clean water

https://www.kunc.org/news/2022-05-16/new-bill-aims-to-boost-tribal-access-to-clean-water

One week into his role as Moab City Police Chief, Jared Garcia is doing a lot of listening. The former Utah Department of Public Safety Officer steps into this leadership role after a tumultuous time for local police. He calls this leadership change an opportunity and fresh start both for the department and the community. Plus, a new congressional analysis highlights the economic barriers Native Americans continue to face.

Photo: Moab City Police Chief Jared Garcia

Full interview with Chief Garcia (and transcript):

https://www.kzmu.org/moab-city-police-chief-jared-garcia-on-this-week-in-moab/

If you spend enough time in Moab, you might notice something about the leadership here. From local business to nonprofits and elected positions – women hold a lot of the top jobs. This caught the eye of freelancer Holly Lammert, who set out to interview women working in a variety of roles in our community. Today on the news, an audio essay on the opportunities and challenges around being a woman in leadership in Moab.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: (from top right) Women featured in today’s audio essay include Katie Grauel of Moab Rolfing, Kathryn Blitz of Wild West Voyages and Grand County Commissioner Josie Kovash. The photo of Josie Kovash being sworn into office is courtesy of The Times-Independent/Sophia Fisher.

//Want to be interviewed for Holly's next women in leadership audio essay? Contact [email protected]

// Pew Research Center: Gender pay gap in U.S. held steady in 2020

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/25/gender-pay-gap-facts/

// Catalyst: Globally, the Share of Women in Senior Management Is Increasing

https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-management/

// Harvard Business Review: Women at Work

https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-women-at-work

San Juan County has long-simmering political tension, which can erupt even when trying to fill a temporary county attorney position. Today on the news, the fight over the interim job has led to a lawsuit and bitter feelings. Plus, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new round of funding for water projects. And, an announcement! KZMU’s five-part miniseries, Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility, has been honored with a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Our series won in the category ‘Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.’ We hear from station manager Serah Mead on why winning a Regional Murrow Award is meaningful for KZMU and independent community radio.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories about the Moab area. Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses new police chief Jared Garcia, a long-term community childcare crisis, camping fees at Utahraptor State Park and local county commissioner Trish Hedin’s fox attack. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks prescribed burns, an upcoming hydroponics workshop, ‘Science on Screen’ events and a celebratory ‘mini-fest’ from the Moab Music Festival.

// Show Notes

// Photo: The San Juan County Courthouse in Monticello. The fight over the interim county attorney position has led to a lawsuit.

// (5/11) San Juan Special Board of Commissioners Meeting

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/sanjuancut-pubu/MEET-Packet-b4fc75b0998e42e78d307ef17f492769.pdf

// KZMU receives Regional Murrow Award in Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/KZMU-Receives-First-Regional-Murrow-Award.pdf

// Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility

https://www.kzmu.org/lift-up/

// If you’d like to be involved with the 2022 Lift Up project as a subject, producer or otherwise please contact Serah Mead at [email protected].

// Weekly News Reels Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Garcia aims to bring stability to MPD

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/garcia-aims-to-bring-stability-to-mpd/

// The Times-Independent: ‘There’s absolutely a child care crisis here’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/theres-absolutely-a-child-care-crisis-here/

// The Times-Independent: Plan on camping at Utahraptor State Park?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/plan-on-camping-at-utahraptor-state-park/

// The Times-Independent: Outfoxed? Not Hedin

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/outfoxed-not-hedin/

// Moab Sun News: Moab BLM uses prescribed burns to support ecosystems

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/prescribed-burns/

// Moab Sun News: Community Rebuilds hosts hydroponics workshop

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/hydroponics-workshop/

// Moab Sun News: Science on the silver screen

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/science-on-screen/

// Moab Sun News: Moab Music Festival debuts ‘High Water Festival’

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/high-water-festival/

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office identified Adam Pinkusiewicz as a suspect in the double homicide of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. This major development comes nearly nine months after the Moab couple’s remains were found at a campsite in the La Sal Mountains. Authorities are still looking for information about Pinkusiewicz, who died by suicide in September 2021. Plus, a new report by the US Interior Department is sharply critical of the Indian boarding school system. And, a group of Indigenous runners is currently traveling over 360 miles from Bears Ears National Monument to Warm Springs Park in Salt Lake City. Two runners speak about their connection to running as medicine.

// Show Notes

// Authorities are still looking for information about Adam Pinkusiewicz and his vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Yaris. If you might have information please call the Grand County Sheriff’s Office at 435- 259-8115.

// Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center says trauma is a shared experience for many community members at this time. If you need support, counseling or other resources call their helpline at 435-259-2229.

// Photo: A cross marks the turnoff for the campsite where Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner were camping in August 2021. Nearly nine months since their bodies were found, law enforcement released the name of a suspect.

// 5-11-22 GCSO Press Release (Includes Suspect and Vehicle Photos)

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/5-11-22-GCSO-Press-Release-1.pdf

// KSJD: New report investigates traumatic legacy of federal Indian boarding schools

https://www.ksjd.org/podcast/ksjd-local-newscasts/2022-05-11/new-report-investigates-traumatic-legacy-of-of-federal-indian-boarding-schools

// Running As Medicine Indigenous Prayer Run

https://www.facebook.com/runningasmedicine

Utah’s trust lands administration is looking to obtain more developable land across the state. This so-called ‘SITLA land swap’ has made the local and statewide news in recent weeks. That’s because the agency wants to trade about 140,000 acres currently within the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument for valuable land in other counties. Including Grand. And local commissioners aren’t exactly excited about it. Today on the news, we speak with county commissioner Sarah Stock to get the latest on this issue.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A view from Dead Horse Point State Park. SITLA would like to obtain a parcel adjacent to the state park as well as other areas within Grand County. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

// Grand County Public Lands Bill Process

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/777/Public-Lands-Bill

// Moab Sun News: Public lands proposal in progress

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/05/public-lands-proposal-in-progress/

// SITLA (Trust Lands Administration)

https://trustlands.utah.gov

// The Salt Lake Tribune: SITLA pleads for Legislature’s approval of Bears Ears land swap

https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2022/04/16/sitla-pleads-legislatures/

The Navajo Nation police department wants to triple its number of officers in the next five years. That’s meant to help communities like those in southern Utah where residents report high crime and few resources. Today on the news, we speak with officers from the Navajo Nation and Utah about challenges and solutions to policing in this rural area of our state. Plus, federal officials ordered limits last week on how much water is released by Glen Canyon Dam in order to maintain sufficient levels to generate hydropower. But conservationists warn time is running out to develop long-term solutions to the West’s dwindling water supplies.

// Photo: The Navajo Nation police’s Shiprock District covers towns and communities in southern Utah like Aneth, Montezuma Creek and Red Mesa. Fifteen years ago, around 40 officers covered this northern section of the reservation. Now, the district has about a third that number. Aneth Chapter House/Wikimedia Commons

Motorists traveling northbound on Highway 191 will now see a billboard seeking information in the deaths of local couple Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. Nearly nine months after the couple’s homicide, grassroots organizers are hoping the billboard will bring more visibility on the case and garner tips leading to an arrest and conviction. Plus, protests have been breaking out in small Western towns over a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion suggesting that Roe. vs. Wade could be overturned. And, a group of students and climate activists in our region are teaming up to help Ukranian refugees.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A billboard reading ‘Who Killed Kylen & Crystal?’ will remain on the northbound side of Highway 191 this tourist season. Friends and family of the couple are hoping for a breakthrough in the case soon.

// If you have any information related to the double homicide on August 14, 2021, please contact the Grand County Sheriff’s Office at 435-259-8115

// 1/19/22 GCSO Press Release

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Double-Homicide-Final-Press-Release-1-19-2022.pdf

// Kylen & Crystal Signage Donation

https://www.gofundme.com/f/syezh3-homicide-expense?qid=bc89db592995328bf0896fd97d90bf82&fbclid=IwAR1SN0Qe-tGS2vm6eH_2wmgUT5j3N2P9adl1UF1ACRlBdH48AXx5TSNDSNw

// More on the #KyCry billboard

https://www.kzmu.org/monday-april-18-2022/

// KHOL: Jackson Demonstrates for Reproductive Rights

https://891khol.org/weekly-news-roundup-friday-may-6/

// KBUT: Discarded solar panels will help refugees charge their phones

https://kbut.org/colorado-news/discarded-solar-panels-will-help-refugees-charge-their-phones/

After re-broadcasting a few of our favorite audio portraits in celebration of our community this week, we could not resist putting together a fresh one! Today we speak with Annie Thomas, the founder and executive director of Our Village Community Center. The nonprofit stewards an orchard that once belonged to the late Ray Alger. We speak with Thomas about their orchard revitalization project and connecting Moab’s historic past to its future.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories about the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent discusses some OHV regulations recently lifted, GCHS students excelling at an international competition and cutting water releases along the Colorado River. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News reports on city manager Carly Castle’s goals for city hall, the BLM’s new artist-in-residence program and local student DECA competitors.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Annie Thomas, founder and executive director of Our Village Community Center, stands in the late Ray Alger’s orchard. She says “there’s magic in fruit trees.”

// Our Village Community Center

https://www.ourvillagemoab.org

// Moab Sun News: Growing community – New orchard planted at Our Village

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/04/22/growing-community-new-orchard-planted-at-our-village/

// Music in today’s Audio Portrait

‘Maru Kiray’ by Abdoulaye Alhassane Touré

‘Morning Coffee’ by Holizna

‘My Childhood Daze’ by Holizna

// Other Sounds in today’s Audio Portrait

'Biting an apple' by Urkki69

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Some OHV regulations lifted as county comes into compliance

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/some-ohv-regulations-lifted-as-county-comes-into-compliance/

// The Times-Independent: Red Devils excel at international competition

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/red-devils-excel-at-international-competition/

// The Times-Independent: Feds to cut water releases

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/feds-to-cut-water-releases/

// Moab Sun News: Carly Castle details goals as Moab’s city manager

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/05/carly-castle-details-goals-as-moabs-city-manager/

// Moab Sun News: BLM accepting applications for artist-in-residence program

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/05/blm-accepting-applications-for-artist-in-residence-program/

// Moab Sun News: High school students qualify at international DECA competition

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/05/high-school-students-qualify-at-international-deca-competition/

Our celebratory audio portrait week continues! After a historic radiothon fundraiser, KZMU News is highlighting a few of the many voices that make this town, region and station so great. This next portrait takes us to the Aneth Point Downs racetrack with horse trainer Broderick Lee.

// Show Notes

// If you have an idea for a future profile, please reach out to [email protected].

// Broderick Lee Audio Portrait Original Broadcast

https://www.kzmu.org/thursday-february-10-2022/

// Music in today’s Audio Portrait

Running Eiskrokodil (ID 01) – Remastered by Lobo Loco

// Other Sounds in today’s Audio Portrait

SRS_Foley_Horse_Galloping by StephenSaldanha