KZMU News

Utahns can now send in their own designs and ideas for a new state flag. The redesign process aims to engage many diverse perspectives from all corners of the state. Today on the news, we dig into flag design and how a good one can spark a positive feedback loop between the flag and the people and place it represents.

Show Notes:

Photo: Utah’s state flag is known in flag communities as a ‘seal on a blue background.’ Lawmakers want to find a more distinctive design that could better represent the state.

Utah Dept of Cultural & Community Engagement: More Than A Flag

https://flag.utah.gov

North American Vexillological Association: ‘Good’ Flag, ‘Bad’ Flag

https://nava.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=622278&module_id=475721

It’s often low-key and relaxed in downtown Moab on a winter afternoon. It can be so low-key and relaxed, that you might even notice a little music. It’s coming from Talan Wilhelm, playing his recorder in a few select spots. Today on the news, an audio portrait featuring Wilhelm and his musical ambiance. Plus, the Department of Energy’s Office of Legacy Management is turning their focus to abandoned uranium mines on tribal land. They are studying defense-related mines used for the U.S. nuclear program. The vast majority of these mines on tribal land are on the Navajo Nation.

Show Notes:

Photo: Talan Wilhelm plays the recorder in downtown Moab. He says he often pours different feelings and moods into his music.

KZMU Audio Portraits are non-narrated profiles of this place and its people. Listener, if you’d like to nominate someone for a profile, please reach out to [email protected].

U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Legacy Management: Defense-Related Uranium Mines Program

https://www.energy.gov/lm/defense-related-uranium-mines-program

It’s been five months since Crystal Turner and Kylen Schulte were found murdered outside of Moab. The community continues to grieve and look for answers. Over the weekend people gathered to see a sculpture dedicated to the couple. Plus, as the Biden Administration aims to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and combat climate change, many of the battles between conservationists and business interests are being waged over federal land across the vast Mountain West. Our radio partners report from Wyoming where millions of acres, and thousands of livelihoods, are at stake.

Show Notes:

Photo: Sean-Paul Schulte, father of Kylen Schulte, passes out roses and sunflowers to those gathered at the Grand County Public Library on Saturday. They were his daughter and daughter-in-law’s favorites, and the inspiration behind a new sculpture celebrating their lives.

GCSO 1/19/22 Press Release

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

Companies have proposed a wave of glamping developments in Grand and San Juan County. Is it camping gentrification or increasing access to the outdoors? Today on the news, a report on the benefits and potential costs of these upscale options. And, mining has been an economic driver in the West since the late 1800s. But when a Southwest Colorado mine and power plant closed in in 2017, a number of communities were forced to reimagine a new economic future.

Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we speak with reporters about their latest stories of the Moab area. The Times-Independent’s Doug McMurdo (10:30) discusses mistakes found to be made by the Moab PD in the Jayne May case. The Moab Sun News’ Alison Harford (21:00) talks about the upcoming homeless point in time count, as well as community profiles on Moab’s ‘unofficial’ ice forecaster and the community dance band.

// Show Notes //

Photo: Grand View Research estimates the global glamping market at around $2 billion dollars. And it’s expected to grow at a rate of 14% annually in the next decade. Credit VisitUtah/Trent Bona.

// Grand View Research (3/21): Glamping Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/glamping-market

// Save Looking Glass Rock

https://www.savelookingglass.com/_files/ugd/f8dc3a_82273d90fa164fff84029b03e675b44b.pdf

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Moab PD made numerous mistakes in Jayne May case

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-pd-made-numerous-mistakes-in-jayne-may-case/

// The Times-Independent: Castle takes steps to avoid similar MPD failures in future

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/castle-takes-steps-to-avoid-similar-mpd-failures-in-future/

// Moab Sun News: Advocates ring alarms about local homelessness, evictions

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_5ccbe23c-7ae1-11ec-a27e-3790f5215978.html

// Moab Sun News: An eye on the ice – On Ian Jewell, Moab’s unofficial ice forecaster

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_dca7310e-7ae2-11ec-be5a-c3127f5abbeb.html

// Moab Sun News: Moab Community Dance Band recruiting new members

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_6311ccb2-7ae4-11ec-993c-4f45d1f58a14.html

According to local homeless council data, over 50 people actively receive services related to homelessness and housing instability each month in Moab. A local crisis response rep calls this a public health crisis that needs community-wide solutions. Plus, the Ute Mountain Ute tribe of Southwest Colorado is turning to solar generation to provide cheap electricity for its members and infrastructure. But the tribe also has solar ambitions that go beyond the community level. As our radio partners report, they include generating solar power that can be sold for a profit.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Ute Mountain Ute tribe’s main solar project sits at the base of Ute Mountain and supplies the town of Towaoc with supplemental electricity. (Lucas Brady Woods/KSJD)

KSJD: The Ute Mountain Ute tribe used to rely on fossil fuels to make money. Now, it’s turning to solar power.

https://www.ksjd.org/podcast/ksjd-local-newscasts/2022-01-20/the-ute-mountain-ute-tribe-used-to-rely-on-fossil-fuels-to-make-money-now-its-turning-to-solar-power

At a White House press conference yesterday, infrastructure czar Mitch Landrieu said the Biden administration would focus on plugging abandoned oil and gas wells across the country. But one issue is finding out just how many of these abandoned wells exist. Today on the news, a report on how many orphaned wells Utah might have. And, on opening day of the 2022 Utah Legislative session, leadership outlined key focus areas including education, water, and maintaining ‘the Utah way.’ Plus, our radio partners profile a company making energy-efficient building materials from timber felled during fire mitigation.

Show Notes:

Photo: Dots show orphaned oil & gas wells in Utah. The federal infrastructure bill will include billions for cleaning up wells like these across the country. Courtesy Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

Utah State Legislature

https://le.utah.gov

U.S. Department of the Interior 12/17/21: Implementation Guidance to States on Infrastructure Law Efforts to Address Legacy Pollution

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-releases-implementation-guidance-states-infrastructure-law-efforts

KSUT: A Durango firm makes energy-efficient building materials from timber felled during fire mitigation

https://www.ksut.org/environment-climate/2022-01-07/a-durango-firm-makes-energy-efficient-building-materials-from-timber-felled-during-fire-mitigation

A report on Moab Police Department’s response to a domestic abuse incident between Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie found officers made ‘several unintentional mistakes.’ After a search that captivated the country, Petito was later found dead in Wyoming, causing many to wonder if the tragedy could have been prevented here in Moab. Today on the news, we speak with an expert in domestic violence. Plus, the police department is looking to upgrade their equipment, including tech for body worn cameras. And, snowpack totals are above average across most of the Mountain West, but there’s not enough to erase months of drought.

Show Notes:

Photo: From the Moab City Police Department Facebook page

Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center

https://www.seekhaven.org

If you need support Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center has a 24-hour crisis line. That number 435-259-2229.

Utah Domestic Violence Coalitions: Statement Regarding the Investigative Review of the August 12, 2021 Petito-Laundrie Incident in Moab, Utah

https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/74/ba/f9e828ab4657ba2e6f8c63a81460/media-release-utah-domestic-violence-coalition-statement-regarding-the-investigative-review-of-august-12-2021-petito-laundrie-incident-in-moab-utah-13jan22.pdf

City of Moab Statement On Investigative Review of Aug. 12 Petito-Laundrie Incident

https://moabcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/3432/Combined-Statement-and-Investigative-Report---Petito-Laundrie-Incident

Moab City Police Department: Portable Audio/Video Recorders Policy

https://moabcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/3310/MCPD-Use-of-Portable_Audio_Video_Recorders-0921

Moab Sun News 1/7/22: Investigation finds Moab officers violated body camera, mask, coarse language policy in February incident

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_6c52c026-7015-11ec-97d9-93c7aaa8354f.html

The Times-Independent 12/20/21: Review – 2 MPD officers violated policies

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/review-2-mpd-officers-violated-policies/

This year, a group of mountain climbers hopes to make history as the first all-Black team to summit Mt. Everest. Known as Full Circle Everest, the team says they want to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and mountaineers of color ‘to continue chasing their personal summits.’ Today on the news, our radio partners speak with team leader and southwest Colorado resident Phil Henderson about this historic planned ascent of the world’s highest mountain.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Full Circle Everest Expedition team, pictured atop Washington's Mount Rainier in July 2021, hopes to summit Mount Everest in 2022.

Full Circle Everest

https://www.fullcircleeverest.com/who-we-are

KSUT: Meet the southwest Colorado man leading the first all-Black expedition to the summit of Mt. Everest

https://www.ksut.org/2021-12-24/meet-the-southwest-colorado-man-leading-the-first-all-black-expedition-to-the-summit-of-mt-everest

Utah is the fastest-growing and second-driest state in the country. We also have one of the nation’s highest per-capita rates of water use. According to a recent investigation by ProPublica, officials often push for costly new infrastructure over conservation. Today on the news, we speak with the author of that investigative report. Plus, a national and global effort to conserve 30% of public land and water by 2030 has a new, broad coalition of supporters in Utah. They say Utahans are directly experiencing the effects of climate change and it’s time “to do something.”

Plus, the Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo and Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discuss COVID-19 cases soaring, delays to the Walnut Lane housing development, a local man’s death during a wingsuit incident, and Moab’s first baby of 2022. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks COVID-19 protection, Arches National Park timed entry tickets, and a new pizza place opening this month.

Show Notes:

Photo: Glen Canyon Dam substation and bridge as seen from the south. Utah has one of the nation’s highest per-capita rates of water use.

ProPublica: Why the Second-Driest State Rejects Water Conservation

https://www.propublica.org/article/why-the-second-driest-state-rejects-water-conservation

Utah Geological Survey: Glad You Asked – Does Utah Really Use More Water Than Any Other State?

https://www.propublica.org/article/why-the-second-driest-state-rejects-water-conservation

Utah 30x30

https://utah30x30.org

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: COVID-19 cases soar as omicron hits Moab

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/covid-19-cases-soar-as-omicron-hits-moab/

The Times-Independent: Walnut Lane housing project delayed again

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/walnut-lane-housing-project-delayed-again/

The Times-Independent: Local man dies in wingsuit incident

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/local-man-dies-in-wingsuit-incident/

The Times-Independent: Introducing Zoie Kamenske, Moab’s first baby of 2022

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/introducing-zoie-kamenske-moabs-first-baby-of-2022/

Moab Sun News: Southeast Utah sees record COVID spread

https://www.moabsunnews.com/covid-19/article_5dc90b58-755d-11ec-ba0c-073fd49369e1.html

Moab Sun News: Arches has sold over 7,000 timed entry tickets so far

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_dda339ce-755e-11ec-8f62-0ff371518e8a.html

Moab Sun News: Pizza restaurant, Canyon Pizza Co., to open location in Moab

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_b379d7ea-7566-11ec-83d3-2bf2b50d9a32.html

In their first meeting of the year, the newly seated city council and mayor discussed a big question – how proceed on the Walnut Lane housing development. Council members voiced their commitment to making the project work in spite of ongoing challenges. Recent evictions in the Moab area peppered some urgency into this conversation. Plus, the state Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Task Force is investigating high crime rates in San Juan County. In Utah, Native Americans are victims of homicide at four times the rate of the white population, with many of those crimes going unsolved. Today on the news, we speak with an expert about jurisdictional issues that may contribute to this situation.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Walnut Lane trailer park, owned and managed by Moab City. The city council is discussing how to move forward on building new affordable units on the site. Courtesy Moab City documents

Walnut Lane Overview & Options 01/11/22

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/4382?fileID=5526

KZMU’s recent eviction-related coverage:

More Evictions Hitting Moab Residents This Winter

https://www.kzmu.org/more-evictions-hitting-moab-residents-this-winter/

With Nowhere To Go, Elderly Kane Creek Blvd Resident Calls Eviction ‘Almost Life Threatening’

https://www.kzmu.org/with-nowhere-to-go-elderly-kane-creek-blvd-resident-calls-eviction-almost-life-threatening/

Close-knit ‘Charlie-wood’ Residents Tell Story of Displacement, Housing Insecurity

https://www.kzmu.org/close-knit-charlie-wood-residents-tell-story-of-displacement-housing-insecurity/

Facing Eviction Along Kane Creek Road, Locals Worry Over Housing Options

https://www.kzmu.org/facing-eviction-along-kane-creek-road-locals-worry-over-housing-options/

Restoring Ancestral Winds

https://restoringawcoalition.org/utah-must-lead-the-way

The Piaute Indian Tribe of Utah 10/21/20 Position Statement

https://www.utahpaiutes.org/app/uploads/2020/10/Missing-Murdered-Indeginous-Women-Listening-Session-10.21.2020-1.pdf

Murder Accountability Project 04/14/19: Half of Native American homicides not reported to FBI

http://www.murderdata.org/2019/03/half-of-native-american-homicides-are.html