KZMU News

Every year, Utah Division of Wildlife officials collect fish for a breeding program. Their goal is the Tiger muskie – the division’s secret weapon in managing fish populations throughout the state. Today on the news, we spend time fishing. Plus, a National Park Service program aims to recruit interns from diverse backgrounds historically underrepresented at the federal agency.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Calvin Black, Utah Division of Wildlife's assistant aquatics manager, catches Northern Pike in Recapture Reservoir on April 4th. Pike are bred with muskie to create the sterile Tiger muskie predator.

KHOL: Effort to Diversify National Park Service Hosts Orientation at Grand Teton

https://891khol.org/effort-to-diversify-national-park-service-hosts-orientation-at-grand-teton/

Moab City needs housing for the local workforce. If the current trend of rising cost and limited availability continues, Moab City staff say the workforce population required for the community to function will be eliminated. To help counter this trend, elected officials want a certain percentage of new multi-family developments in certain zones set aside for workforce housing. Although this requirement seemed likely to pass last week, it hit a snag – concerns from statewide realtors and politicians. Today on the news, we speak to mayor Joette Langianese about this process. 

// Show Notes

// Photo: New residential development in central Moab. Elected officials want to require future multi-family developments in certain zones include a percentage of workforce housing. The ordinance process stalled after late-stage concerns from realtors and state politicians.

// Active Employment Household Requirement (Briefing and Ordinance as of 3/31)

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03312022-1110

Utah State University celebrated the completion of their brand-new Moab campus with a ribbon cutting on Friday. The facility on Aggie Boulevard is the first net-zero building in the USU system. USU representatives are excited about the building –but they’re also excited about solidifying a pathway to higher education for locals.

// Show Notes

// Photo: USU-Moab students cut the ribbon at the new campus on Friday, April 1st with campus staff, supporters and donors in the background. The new USU-Moab campus will have nursing, social work, natural resources and technical education programs. Credit Levi Sims

// USU: Moab’s New Academic Building

https://statewide.usu.edu/moab/newcampus/

// USU: Contribute to the Success of Students at the New USU Moab Campus

https://statewide.usu.edu/moab/newcampus/donation

// This Week in Moab: USU-Moab’s new academic building

https://www.kzmu.org/dinos-and-degrees-on-this-week-in-moab/

Renewable energy projects like solar are expanding on the Navajo Nation, an important step for the reservation to create sustainable power. The latest project is a solar farm on the Utah side of the Navajo Nation. But just because it’s renewable, doesn’t mean it’s without controversy. Today on the news, a report on fight over land in the area.

// And later, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest local coverage. Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses plans to transform a mobile home park taking shape, two small fires last weekend in central Moab and unaffiliated candidacy in Grand County. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks about researchers studying native seeds for landscape restoration, Gallery Moab showcasing local artists and Seekhaven-related events for sexual assault awareness month.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Protestors gather in Red Mesa at a Navajo Tribal Utility Authority job fair for the Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Generation Plant on October 26, 2021. Courtesy Tó Nizhóní Ání

// Red Mesa Tapaha Solar Farm

https://www.ntuasolar.com/red-mesa-tapaha

// The Navajo Nation (April 2021): Navajo Nation’s renewable energy future step forward with 70-megawatt emissions-free energy project in Red Mesa community

https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/OPVP/2021/Apr/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE%20-%20Navajo%20Nation_s%20renewable%20energy%20future%20takes%20step%20forward%20with%2070%20megawatt%20emissions%20free%20energy%20project%20in%20Red%20Mesa%20community.pdf

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Moving begins at mobile home park turns into apartments

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moving-begins-as-mobile-home-park-turns-into-apartments/

// The Times-Independent: Fires burning

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/fires-burning/

// The Times-Independent: USU-Moab ribbon-cutting Friday

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/usu-moab-ribbon-cutting-friday/

// The Times-Independent: Unaffiliated candidacy holds on in Grand County; O’Brien backs out of District 4 race

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/unaffiliated-candidacy-holds-on-in-grand-county-obrien-backs-out-of-district-4-race/

// The Times-Independent: Your 2022 Grand County candidates

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/your-2022-grand-county-candidates/

// Moab Sun News: Researchers study native seeds for restoration

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_dd52d53e-b1d5-11ec-be38-ff565cc9fbd7.html

// Moab Sun News: Gallery Moab showcases landscape painter and sculptor

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_a89b11f4-b1d4-11ec-9855-a3f7c228bf42.html

// Moab Sun News: Supporting survivors, preventing assault – Seekhaven plans events for sexual assault awareness month

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_fa91bca4-b1d6-11ec-93fa-ffd4066dbcdf.html

Although the SCIC has shelved a proposed highway through the Book Cliffs for now, Grand County officials want their thoughts on conserving land to be clear for the future. They’re currently at work on a Small Area Plan for the Book Cliffs region. Plus, a regional paleontologist says overall damage to Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite was ‘minor’ but fractures could have formed when BLM-approved construction crews drove heavy equipment around the fossils. An assessment says filling vacant paleontology positions is imperative to protect resources.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Members of Utah Friends of Paleontology at the Mill Creek Dinosaur Tracksite. The BLM recently released an assessment of recent damages that happened during a boardwalk replacement project.

// Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite Paleontological Assessment (March 2022)

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2022-03/MCDT_Paleontological_Assessment_March8_2022web508.pdf

// Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trailhead Interpretive Site

https://www.blm.gov/visit/mill-canyon-dinosaur-trailhead-interpretive-site

New Census data on county-level population changes have some surprising results for Grand County. While most of Utah saw an increase in population due largely to migration, other counties did not grow – at least not in terms of residents. Today on the news, we speak with a demographer about what happened in our area. Plus, low-income residents of rural towns in our region are finding it difficult to stay housed.

// Show Notes

// Photo: New affordable residential housing in development at Arroyo Crossing. Although Moab might seem as crowded as ever this time of year, Grand County hasn’t actually grown in population over the last year, according to new Census data.

// Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute (3/22) US Census Bureau County Fact Sheet

https://gardner.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021-County-MSA-FS-Mar2022.pdf?x71849

// US Census: Over Two-Thirds of the Nation’s Counties Had Natural Decrease in 2021

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/population-estimates-counties-decrease.html

What do you want for the future of the Moab community? Moab City wants to know. A community-wide visioning process is happening now, and will eventually set up a framework for future economic, social and environmental decisions. Today on the news, we hear from acting city manager Carly Castle on this months-long process and opportunities for the public to engage. Plus, firefighters are battling a blaze near a national research facility in Colorado, where the memories of the most destructive fire in that state’s history is still fresh.

// Show Notes

// Moab Tomorrow Together Project and Survey

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

// KGNU: NCAR Fire Compounds Collective Hardship in South Boulder

https://news.kgnu.org/2022/03/ncar-fire-compounds-collective-hardship-in-south-boulder/

Utah lawmakers have banned transgender athletes from girls’ sports. This move overrides Governor Spencer Cox’s recent veto of the legislation. LGBTQ rights organizations are calling the ban ‘cruel and discriminatory’ and are preparing to fight in court. Expecting this legal challenge, state lawmakers set aside $500,000 for the ban’s defense. Plus, the Manti-La Sal National Forest Service is conducting prescribed burns to reduce the risk of wildfire spread.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Demonstrators gathered at the Utah State Capitol on Friday to show support for trans youth/Utah Pride Center

// HB 11 Student Eligibility In Interscholastic Activities

https://le.utah.gov/~2022/bills/static/HB0011.html

// 3/25/22 Legislature Overrides Veto On HB 11

https://senate.utah.gov/legislature-overrides-veto-on-h-b-11/

// 3/22/22 Gov Cox Veto Letter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1emUTfFEbmNmSdW9UhhsRAseVNr4cPIv9/view

// Equality Utah

https://www.equalityutah.org

// PBS 4/16/21: New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender laws

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-poll-shows-americans-overwhelmingly-oppose-anti-transgender-laws

In 2018, a murder shocked a small Navajo community just south of Bluff. Federal agents arrested a suspect later that year. But since then the victim’s family has lived without closure – and in fear. Said one family member, "I am scared. I live with that scare of having to look over my shoulder wondering who's going up the road. I have that every day.” Today on the news, we report from Mexican Water on the Navajo Nation.

// And later, the Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories about the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent talks fire fuel mitigation, the busy spring tourism season, murals in area pit toilets and local housing discussions. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News discusses USU-Moab’s new building, the return of Green River Rocks and the cowboy-focused work of two local photographers.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Rebecca Green lives on a remote stretch of the Navajo Nation bordering Utah and Arizona. Four years ago, her common-law husband was killed not far from her home. A jury trial in this case has been postponed due to the pandemic. KZMU/Justin Higginbottom

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: ‘Getting stuff done’ along Pack and Mill creeks

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/getting-stuff-done-along-pack-and-mill-creeks/

// The Times-Independent: March Madness

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/march-madness/

// The Times-Independent: ‘Choose a loo with a view’ says Moab artist Pete ‘PiMo’ Apicella

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/choose-a-loo-with-a-view-says-moab-artist-pete-pimo-apicella/

// The Times-Independent: Moab rule on housing occupancy requirement nears completion

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-rule-on-housing-occupancy-requirement-nears-completion/

// The Times-Independent: ‘Bunkhouse housing’ on Moab City Council’s radar

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/bunkhouse-housing-on-moab-city-councils-radar/

// Moab Sun News: USU Moab’s new building to open April 1

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_069ba228-ab9a-11ec-9f95-cb58d71cc146.html

// Moab Sun News: Green River Rocks returns

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_937fd080-ab98-11ec-b7bf-57e3dfd60722.html

// Moab Sun News: The process of creating ‘Cowboy Stories’

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_afe0ef68-ab96-11ec-b063-37614ddb45d7.html

Fresh signs are popping up in Moab neighborhoods with a message: ‘We Support Quiet Streets.’ The sign campaign comes from a group of concerned citizens aiming to lend visual support for ongoing efforts to quiet down the town. Meanwhile, ATV businesses with the help of an advocacy organization are posturing to challenge Moab policy makers over local noise ordinances. Plus, Governor Cox recently vetoed a bill that would ban transgender students’ participation in high school sports corresponding to their gender identity. Now state lawmakers are meeting to override that veto.

// Show Notes

// Blue Ribbon Coalition (3/22): Moab ATV Businesses and Blue Ribbon Coalition Celebrate Passage of HB 146 and Announce Challenge to Grand County ATV Business Regulations

https://www.sharetrails.org/moab-atv-businesses-and-blueribbon-coalition-celebrate-passage-of-hb-146-and-announce-challenge-to-grand-county-atv-business-regulations/

// Grand County: Noise Pollution Ordinance

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/11607/Title-11---Noise-Pollution---approved-7-20-21

//HB11 Veto Letter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1emUTfFEbmNmSdW9UhhsRAseVNr4cPIv9/view

// National Library of Medicine: Suicidality Among Transgender Youth – Elucidating the Role of Interpersonal Risk Factors

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345113/