KZMU News

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about changes to Grand County’s rural healthcare tax, which will go into effect in January 2026. We also discuss how much the state of Utah spent to maintain limited operations at its five national parks during the government shutdown. And we finish with a quick update about the county’s new planning and zoning director.

- Show Notes -

• New revenue stream headed to EMS, fire protection and local care center

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-revenue-stream-headed-to-ems-fire-protection-and-local-care-center/

• Arches National Park faces uncertainty after the government shutdown

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/arches-national-park-faces-uncertainty-after-the-government-shutdown/

• Grand County hires PZ director after 9 month vacancy

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-hires-pz-director-after-9-month-vacancy/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the missed deadline for a new Colorado River agreement between upper and lower basin states. We also give a quick recap of last week’s Glen Canyon Dam symposium that took place at Star Hall. And we finish with a list of upcoming events happening in Grand County.

- Show Notes -

• Moab symposium reckons with the impacts of Glen Canyon Dam

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-symposium-reckons-with-the-impacts-of-glen-canyon-dam/

• Colorado River talks stall as Utah, other states miss key deadline https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/colorado-river-talks-stall-as-utah-other-states-miss-key-deadline/

• WabiSabi prepares to feed 840 for Thanksgiving

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/wabisabi-prepares-to-feed-840-for-thanksgiving/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the government re-opening and what that means for Utah’s food stamp recipients. We also discuss a vandalism case at Arches National Park, and the latest on asbestos clean up at the city’s Walnut Lane property.

Show Notes:

• Spray painted vandalism found on Devils Garden trail in Arches National Park

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/spray-painted-vandalism-found-on-devils-garden-trail-in-arches-national-park/

• What’s going on with Walnut Lane?

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/whats-going-on-with-walnut-lane/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the results from Moab’s municipal election. We also discuss special groundwater approvals for a copper mine in Lisbon Valley. And we finish with a story about a recent water rights application for a housing development in Cisco.

- Show Notes -

• Langianese, Loftin, Taylor prevail in Moab City Council election

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/langianese-taylor-and-loftin-prevail-in-moab-city-council-election/

• EPA clears major milestone for Lisbon Valley copper mine expansion

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/epa-clears-major-milestone-for-lisbon-valley-copper-mine-expansion/

• State weighs water right change as developer eyes rebirth of Cisco ghost town

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/state-weighs-water-right-change-as-developer-eyes-rebirth-of-cisco-ghost-town/

On the show today we have the weekly News Reel where we talk to other local journalists about what they reported this week. Today, we speak with Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Moab Times-Independent, about whether state funding for Utah’s national parks will continue past the end of the month. We also discuss food stamp benefits, which are expected to expire on November 1 as well, and we explain where locals can get food and other support if and when funding runs out. And we finish with a story about the BLM’s decision to revisit the travel management plan for Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges.

- Show Notes -

• Visitors still eager to visit the Mighty 5 amid government shutdown

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/visitors-still-eager-to-visit-the-mighty-5-amid-government-shutdown/

• Grand County residents band together to support SNAP recipients amid government shutdown

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-residents-band-together-to-support-snap-recipients-amid-government-shutdown/

• Grand County backs BLM review of Labyrinth Rims travel plan

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-backs-blm-review-of-labyrinth-rims-travel-plan/

This week's Regional Roundup features reports from around the region on the No Kings rallies held Oct. 18 in thousands of communities across the country, including Denver, rural Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. The program also includes a story on the growing efforts to ban books in libraries, a report on the rise in immigration arrests in Western Colorado, and coverage of the Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Summit.

On the show today we have the weekly News Reel where we talk to other local journalists about what they reported this week. Today, we speak with Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the fate of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that make health insurance accessible to thousands of Utah residents. We also give an update about a discrimination complaint filed on behalf of 13 women against Grand County. And we finish with a shoutout to the Grand County High School’s mountain bike team for winning another state championship.

Show Notes -

• Thousands of Utahns could face a hard choice if Affordable Care Act subsidies expire

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/thousands-of-utahns-could-face-a-hard-choice-if-enhanced-affordable-care-act-subsidies-expire/

• Expanded legal claim now includes 13 women alleging systemic harassment in Grand County

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/expanded-legal-claim-now-includes-13-women-alleging-systemic-harassment-in-grand-county/

• Red Devils mountain bikers take state again

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/red-devil-mountain-bikers-take-state-again/

Today we hear an interview with director Ash Hanson of PlaceBase Productions and the Moab Theater Project. Her musical, Leaving A Trace, debuted in Moab in September. The original, site-specific production took place in the Sand Flats Recreation Area and involved more than 75 local cast and crew members. In the interview, Hanson discusses her inspiration for the musical and the power of theater to build community.

- Show Notes -

• The Moab Theater Project

https://www.instagram.com/moabtheaterproject/

• Leaving A Trace - The Radiodrama & Full Cast List

https://www.kzmu.org/leaving-a-trace-the-radiodrama/

Photo: Ash Hanson poses with the Tardigrade, played by Sam Van Wetter, on the set of Leaving A Trace. Photo by David Newkirk.

This radio play is a special adaptation of Leaving A Trace, a musical written and directed by Ash Hanson of PlaceBase Productions and the Moab Theater Project. The original, site-specific show debuted in the Sand Flats Recreation Area in Moab in September.

Music for Leaving A Trace was written by Brian Laidlaw, Jen Thomas, Ash Hanson, and Rachel Toups, with musical performances by Brian Laidlaw, Jen Thomas, Ash Hanson, Rachel Toups, Josie Kovash, Jack Hanley, Grizel Williams, Anna Weimholt, Jon Kovash, and Ed Oak. The audio for this radio play was recorded and edited by Rob Walker.

Special thanks to stage manager Joanne Savoie, assistant director Malcolm Campbell-Taylor, set, puppet, and prop designers Sam Van Wetter, Molly Gurney, and Alex Barreto Hathaway, and costume designer, Emily Arntsen. And of course, thanks to all 75 cast and crew members who helped bring this show to life.

This production was made possible with support from the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, the Bureau of Land Management, the Sand Flats Recreation Area, KiKiBouba Press, the Grand County High School, Moab Music Festival, Moab Community Theater, Eagle River Designs, PlaceBase Productions, and the Center for Performance and Civic Practice.

- Show Notes -

• Interview with Ash Hanson & Full Cast List

https://www.kzmu.org/leaving-a-trace-the-radiodrama/

• Moab Theater Project

https://www.instagram.com/moabtheaterproject/

Photo: A rock witch dances during the final scene of Leaving A Trace. Photo by Scott Rogers.

On this week’s Regional Roundup, a report on a crew of dogs helping to sniff out invasive weeds in Wyoming and a special quilting project honoring veterans in Western Colorado. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien discusses the importance of science, and best-selling author Kevin Barry talks about the history of Irish miners migrating to the Rocky Mountain West in the late 1800s, the setting for his latest novel, The Heart in Winter.