KZMU News

The Moab valley gets much of its water from aquifers fed by snow and precipitation in the La Sal Mountains. Today on the news, we head to the mountains to learn more about a device gathering critical information for drought times. Plus, climate change is making it easier for invasive trout species to drive native trout to extinction in northeast Montana. Our radio partners report on how tribal and non-tribal agencies are researching the issue together to preserve one lake as it has been for centuries.

Show Notes:

Photo: Jordan Clayton with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) stands in front of the SNOTEL site in the La Sal Mountains. Data collected can help forecast yearly water supplies. Justin Higginbottom/KZMU

Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) Natural Resources Conservation Service

https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/

Utah Avalanche Center

https://utahavalanchecenter.org

KSJD: Coping With Climate Change And Invasive Species In One Montana Lake

https://www.ksjd.org/2021-08-27/coping-with-climate-change-and-invasive-species-in-one-montana-lake

Today we continue Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility. KZMU recognizes the need to share voices and stories from our local LGBTQ+ community members on the airwaves. We hope this project helps deepen understanding and empathy within our community and reinforces a sense of belonging.

Sallie Hodges moved to Moab in 2004, from Los Angeles, California. Born in Bristol, England, they gained a Communications BA honors degree in Film, Video and Photographic Arts, which ultimately led to the film industry. Sallie is now a self-declared artist specializing in tintype portraiture and film. They advocate for the acceptance and introduction of non-gendered bias in our institutions and culture in the hopes of a more equitable future for all.

Ginger Allen and Serah Mead co-produced today’s piece.

And later, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters about their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent discusses continued criticism of the Moab City Police Department as well as memories of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner shared by their friends and family. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News has updates about controlling congestion at Arches National Park, and new dark-skies friendly streetlights.

Show Notes:

Photo: Sallie Hodges is our fourth storyteller in KZMU’s Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility project. They advocate for the acceptance and introduction of non-gendered bias in our institutions and culture in the hopes of a more equitable future for all. Courtesy Sallie Hodges

Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility

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

Music featured in today’s newscast includes:

Only Knows by Broke For Free

Becoming by Ketsa

Aced-it by Ketsa

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: May, Morgan implore city council to correct MPD problems

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/may-morgan-implore-city-council-to-correct-mpd-problems/

The Times-Independent: Crystal and Kylen – ‘They were two of the best people I’ve ever met’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/crystal-and-kylen-they-were-two-of-the-best-people-ive-ever-met/

Moab Sun News: Arches to trial timed entry, city considers search for new staff – Notes from the regular Sept. 28 City Council meeting

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_06da5732-223a-11ec-8737-774fd1507ef3.html

Moab Sun News: City Council talks sustainability at Sept. 28 special meeting – The council heard a presentation from the Drawdown Fund and discussed electric-ready building and Dark Sky compliance

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_e9ed82f8-2238-11ec-9369-4ff54805f948.html

Moab City has started the hiring process for the next city manager. But with city hall in the local and national spotlight, council members said they don’t want to rush the recruitment. Plus, today Canada acknowledges the impacts of residential boarding schools on Indigenous people. And, a new program in our region provides affordable housing for youth aging out of the foster care system – along with support and guidance.

Authorities have offered little information in the six weeks since the double homicide of Moab locals Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. Today on the news, KZMU’s Justin Higginbottom reports on the people turning to social media for answers. Plus, a new five-year forecast from the Bureau of Reclamation shows already-historic low levels in Lakes Powell and Mead are on track to keep dropping. And, our radio partners tell the story of one Utah town’s history with racial discrimination.

Show Notes:

Photo: A memorial photo of couple Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner stands at Kylen’s workplace, Moonflower Community Co-op.

If anyone was in the South Mesa area of the La Sal Mountains between Friday August 13th and Sunday August 15th, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office needs you to contact them with anything you may have seen or heard. That number is 435-259-8115. According to GCSO, there is currently a $20,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) involved in the double homicide.

Find all the GCSO press releases related to the double homicide here:

https://www.kzmu.org/wednesday-september-29-2021/

Moab City Police Chief Bret Edge has taken a leave of absence. The confirmation of his leave comes days after Moab City announced they would investigate any breach of police department policy during their August 12th interaction with Gabrielle Petito and Brian Laundrie outside of Arches National Park. In recent weeks, the local police department has faced scrutiny on a local and national scale. And, volunteers from Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps floated the river to clean up trash on National Public Lands Day. Plus, demonstrators in our region are demanding a pathway to citizenship in federal legislation.

Show Notes:

Photo: Moab City Chief of Police Bret Edge has taken a leave of absence. Edge has been with the department since 2006, and was promoted to chief in 2019.

Moab City: (9/23) Statement on the Aug. 12 Moab Police Officer Interaction with Gabrielle Petito and Brian Laundrie

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/923-Moab-City-Statement.pdf

The Times-Independent: Embattled MPD Chief Edge out under Family Medical Leave Act

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/embattled-mpd-chief-edge-out-under-family-medical-leave-act/

The Times-Independent: Judge Torgerson – MPD body camera misuse ‘detrimental to fair process’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/judge-torgerson-mpd-body-camera-misuse-detrimental-to-fair-process/

Fox 13 Investigates: Moab police officer under investigation resigns

https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/moab-police-officer-under-investigation-resigns

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

https://ancestrallands.org

Canyonlands Field Institute

https://cfimoab.org

KGNU: Denver March Underscores Demand For Pathway to Citizenship for Millions of Immigrants

https://news.kgnu.org/2021/09/denver-march-underscores-demand-for-pathway-to-citizenship-for-millions-of-immigrants/

As Moab’s weather cools, more people are getting out to enjoy the desert landscape. Over a dozen conservation groups have asked the Bureau of Land Management to form a working group to look more closely at the impacts of increased recreation. Plus, new sculptures created by artists across the region are now dotting the downtown corridor in Moab. And, our radio partners report on the intersection of wildfire and water in northern Colorado.

Show Notes:

Photo: Awareness by Nathan Brimhall is part of the 2021-22 Moab ArTTrails sculpture exhibition. The public can experience new works throughout the downtown corridor.

Moab ArTTrails

http://moabarttrails.org

Art Talks – Moab ArTTrails, Sculpture

https://www.kzmu.org/moab-arttrails-sculpture-on-art-talks/

KUNC: When A Wildfire Ends, The Work To Protect Water Is Just Getting Started

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2021-09-22/when-a-wildfire-ends-the-work-to-protect-water-is-just-getting-started

Today we continue Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility. KZMU recognizes the need to share voices and stories from our local LGBTQ+ community members on the airwaves. We hope Lift Up helps deepen understanding and empathy within our community and reinforces a sense of belonging.

Our third LGBTQ+ storyteller is Sam Van Wetter, an organizer, writer, and outdoorsman based in southern Utah. His work seeks the connection and coincidence of progressive leadership, rural autonomy, and community resilience. He is fueled by the instance that things truly splendid will inevitably eclipse the traumatic rot of our time. May it be our job to amplify and perpetuate all the very good things we live among.

Ginger Allen and Serah Mead co-produced today’s piece.

And later, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters about their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent talks ‘dark skies’ friendly streetlights coming to Moab, a guilty plea in last year’s fatal car crash, and redistricting Grand County. Alison Hartford of the Moab Sun News discusses updates to the city’s sustainability action plan, and the Youth Garden Project’s upcoming Harvest Festival.

Show Notes:

Photo: Sam Van Wetter is our third storyteller in KZMU’s Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility project. Sam’s work seeks the connection and coincidence of progressive leadership, rural autonomy, and community resilience. Courtesy Sam Van Wetter

Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility

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

Music featured in today’s newscast includes:

Upbeat Funk Pop by Scott Holmes Music

Pennies by Ketsa

Wallow by Ketsa

Guestlist by Podington Bear

Weekly News Reel Mentions ¬–

The Times-Independent: Let your light shine down – but not up

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/let-your-light-shine-down-but-not-up/

The Times-Independent: Driver in fatal crash pleads guilty

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/driver-in-fatal-crash-pleads-guilty/

The Times-Independent: It’s time to redistrict Grand County

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/its-time-to-redistrict-grand-county/

Moab Sun News: Talking to Moab’s sustainability director for Utah Climate Week

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_f2d3b51a-1c82-11ec-a014-cb40481b4a08.html

Moab Sun News: Celebrating the harvest – Youth Garden Project hosts fall festival

https://www.moabsunnews.com/get_out_and_go/article_c14f537a-1c94-11ec-bd2f-677303799f87.html

As one of the volunteer trail stewards at Arches National Park, Sue Baril acts as ‘the eyes and ears’ for the park’s important natural and cultural resources. During a typical volunteer shift, Baril does a little bit of everything – from graffiti and off-trail mitigation to making sure visitors carry enough water. Today on the news, we hit the trail to learn more about the importance of volunteers at our local national parks.

Show Notes:

Photo: After encountering a hiker suffering from dehydration and other issues, trail steward Sue Baril radios for assistance during a shift at Arches National Park.

Interested in volunteering at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks?

Contact Sofia Nicholson at [email protected] or 435-719-2214

https://www.nps.gov/arch/getinvolved/volunteer.htm

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

Arches National Park Sept 24 – 27

https://lnt.org/hot-spots/arches-national-park-2020/

National Public Lands Day

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm

Grand County commissioners want more funding and safeguards for area public lands. They’re working on a federal bill proposal which currently includes five National Conservation Areas and an expansion to Arches National Park. Now, they’re looking for public input on this draft proposal. Plus, a report on a ‘vacant homes tax’ that means to return homes to the local rental market and raise revenue for affordable housing projects. And, our radio partners speak to a leader in Wyoming’s efforts to address missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Show Notes:

Photo: Grand County's commissioners are working on a public lands bill proposal. Their current draft includes five National Conservation Areas and an expansion to Arches National Park.

Grand County Public Lands Bill Info

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

Grand County Public Lands Bill Survey

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrtliLl2ouFAqxVDAC8U7YRhU1o48agxK11NQxu6ovPzvXEg/viewform

This Week in Moab: Grand’s Public Lands Bill Proposal (and Mosquitoes!)

https://www.kzmu.org/grands-public-lands-bill-proposal-and-mosquitoes-on-this-week-in-moab/

KHOL Jackson Hole Community Radio: Some Mountain Towns are Eyeing Vancouver-style Vacancy Taxes. Could it Help Address Housing Crises?

https://891khol.org/some-mountain-towns-are-eyeing-vancouver-style-vacancy-taxes-could-it-help-address-housing-crises/

Wyoming Public Radio: Media Fascination With The Petito Mystery Looks Like Racism To Some Native Americans

https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/2021-09-21/media-fascination-with-the-petito-mystery-looks-like-racism-to-some-native-americans

Some Moab locals hoped that the recent search for missing-person Gabby Petito could bring more national attention to the still-unsolved double homicide of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. Petito and her boyfriend visited the Moab area in August, around the same time Schulte and Turner were last seen in town. But law enforcement has determined the two cases are not related. That means locals are still left grappling with their questions – and grief – around the Moab couple’s death. Plus, air tours near Utah’s five national parks are one way to get above the crowds, but regulations on this form of tourism has been slow. Today on the news, a report on a new draft management plan for flights over Arches National Park.

Show Notes:

Photo: A memorial for Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner was held at Old City Park on Friday, September 17. Credit Justin Higginbottom

If you have information that may be relevant to the double homicide, please call the Grand County Sheriff’s Office at 435-259-8115. According to GCSO, there is currently a $20,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) involved.

Statewide Report Wyoming: Missing & Murdered Indigenous People

https://wysac.uwyo.edu/wysac/reports/View/7713

The Salt Lake Tribune: Authorities rule out link between Gabby Petito case, couple killed in Moab

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2021/09/17/authorities-rule-out-link/

Arches National Park Draft Air Tour Management Plan

Comment Period Closes Oct 3rd

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=25&projectID=102782&documentID=114693