After the pandemic travel surge and increased publicity for Bears Ears National Monument, it seems more visitors than ever have explored the canyons and forested mesas of southeastern Utah. That can mean more vandalism, theft or disturbance of Ancestral Pueblo artifacts and ruins. Archeologists in the state are racing to survey areas before something is lost. Plus, four states along the Colorado River are getting closer to finalizing details of a program to pay water users to conserve. And last week Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser pushed for a judge to block Albertsons’ $4 billion payout to its investors while the company’s merger with Kroger is under review. Weiser’s office is leading a multistate investigation of the proposed grocery chain merger. Last, the Navajo Nation Police Department has received numerous missing persons reports that they have traced to addiction treatment centers in Arizona.

// Show notes:

// Photo: Archaeologist Allison Aakre has seen vandalism of Ancestral Pueblo sites in remote National Forest areas in southeast Utah. KZMU

// See the 'Pledge to Protect the Past' campaign for information on visiting sensitive sites responsibly

https://history.utah.gov/take-the-pledge-to-protect-the-past/

// KUNC: Some water users could get paid to conserve as Upper Colorado River Basin program gets planned reboot

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-12-08/some-water-users-could-get-paid-to-conserve-as-upper-colorado-river-basin-program-gets-planned-reboot

// KSUT: Navajo Nation Police Department warns tribal citizens about recruiters

https://tribalradio.org/navajo-nation-police-department-warns-tribal-citizens-about-recruiters/

// KSJD: Colorado AG to lead a multi-state investigation of proposed Albertsons/Kroger merger

https://www.ksjd.org/2022-12-08/attorney-general-weiser-to-lead-multi-state-investigation-of-albertsons-kroger-merger