KZMU News
1,411 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 25 ratingsKZMU News features grassroots, independent journalism broadcast from the heart of Moab, Utah. A daily newscast with reliable coverage, local voices, and reporting that empowers community.
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Episodes
Tuesday November 3, 2020
November 03, 2020 21:53 - 10 minutes - 9.78 MBLocal voters have until 8pm to drop their ballots at the Grand County Courthouse today – Election Day, November 3rd. As of this morning, the Grand County Clerk’s Office reported over 4,500 local ballots have been returned. And later, Moab’s elected representatives have given a greenlight to three transportation projects for consideration by the Utah Transportation Commission – dispersed downtown parking on Moab’s side streets, an improved Spanish Valley multi-use pathway, and a pilot shuttle ...
Monday November 2, 2020
November 02, 2020 22:06 - 7 minutes - 7.31 MBLike a lot of traditions, the Moab Valley Multicultural Center’s Day of the Dead festival looked a little different this year. With COVID-19 precautions in mind, the multicultural center transformed the event into a self-guided walking tour, where individuals could safely spend time with altars and graves decorated for loved ones who have passed away. And later, the Bureau of Land Management has published its final rule on electric bikes, leaving decision making to local field offices. Plus, ...
Friday October 30, 2020
October 30, 2020 23:03 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBToday, we thank our listeners for supporting KZMU News during radiothon. With the community’s help, we’ve created over 700 news programs since launching on our 26th birthday, just two years (and some change) ago. We are so proud of this grassroots journalism, and grateful to our KZMU community – near and far – who have gotten behind us in a big way. Keeping our airwaves open to – for – and by our community drives us every day. Thank you so much for being part of it! Plus, our Weekly News Re...
News Extra – Grand County Uncontested Candidates
October 29, 2020 23:16 - 56 minutes - 51.5 MB*Election 2020* After six weeks of special election coverage on This Week in Moab, we finally speak with the local uncontested candidates you may have seen on your ballot. Running unopposed for the Grand County School District Board of Education are Melissa Byrd, Ariel Atkins, and Steve Kennedy. In the first half of the program, they discuss why they are compelled to run for school board and even answer a few student-submitted questions. Then, running unopposed for county commission are Jacqu...
Thursday October 29, 2020
October 29, 2020 21:55 - 9 minutes - 8.86 MBGrand County voters have been filling out and dropping off their ballots for weeks, making their own choices when it comes to county government and candidates. Depending on where you live, voters may have noticed a few local uncontested candidates on that ballot – three candidates for the school board and three for the county commission. Today on the news, we excerpt from a recent This Week in Moab, where the candidates discussed what they are looking forward to during their tenure in public ...
Wednesday October 28, 2020
October 28, 2020 20:30 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBAt the beginning of the pandemic, when local restrictions shuttered places like hotels and restaurants to allow the community to prepare for coronavirus, KZMU News checked in with Moab Regional Hospital CEO Jen Sadoff every single week. Those times were made up of near constant uncertainty and change. Well now, rounding the corner on October, we are once again in a place where change is occurring, and vigilance around COVID-19 is a requirement. The statewide situation is such that hospital ad...
Tuesday October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020 22:31 - 10 minutes - 9.29 MBWhen you think about the outdoors, what comes to mind? Is it recreation like hiking, biking, or climbing? Maybe the National Park System? Or a visit to an ancient site or structure? There’s a lot to conceptualize when it comes to our nearby public lands. And from a privileged perspective all of it can look, well, neutral. But just like the rest of our world, conversations in and about the outdoors are anything but. Today on the news, we speak with archeologist and ranger Adesbah Foguth, who ...
Monday October 26, 2020
October 26, 2020 23:43 - 8 minutes - 8.07 MBAs Utah continues to break records with positive COVID-19 cases, the state’s healthcare providers and government leaders are pleading with the public to take every precaution possible. Utah’s ICUs are currently at 76 percent capacity, and healthcare representatives say workers are being stretched thin. Governor Gary Herbert said if Utahns don’t take ‘serious steps’ to limit group gatherings and wear masks, healthcare providers will not be able to provide ‘quality care’ for everyone who needs ...
Friday October 23, 2020
October 23, 2020 22:36 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBFor decades, the unofficial strategy to protect Mill Creek Canyon was – ‘don’t talk about Mill Creek Canyon.’ However, in an age of social media and easy-to-access hiking websites, that approach is no longer viable. Now a stakeholder group called the Mill Creek Community Collaborative is attempting to address continued impacts from increased visitor use by crafting management recommendations based on public input. Today on the news, we speak with representatives from the collaborative about t...
Thursday October 22, 2020
October 22, 2020 21:52 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBOn Wednesday, the Grand County School District announced an ‘outbreak’ of COVID-19 stemming from the high school volleyball team, after five players and several of their family members tested positive. Although the school district has cancelled the rest of the volleyball season, they have not made any decisions about the future of winter sports like basketball or wrestling. And later, researchers at the University of Utah created a new smartphone app that allows users to design new drugs to f...
Wednesday October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020 21:25 - 10 minutes - 9.29 MBAfter a ‘historic' amount of public comments objecting to noise impacts from ATVs were sent to Moab City and Grand County, the governing bodies have placed a temporary moratorium on permitting new ATV-related businesses and special events. Elected officials also created slower speed limits for the vehicles, in an attempt to reduce noise by slowing them down. During a special joint meeting Tuesday, local officials acknowledged that these actions are not enough to address all noise impacts asso...
News Extra - Grand County's Contested Seats
October 20, 2020 20:20 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MB*Election 2020* As part of our special coverage, we invited the contested candidates for county commission for one last conversation this election season. On the latest This Week in Moab with host Howard Trenholme, candidates discuss development issues, economic diversification, and why voters should choose them to be their representative. First up – Greg Halliday and Trisha Hedin, who are vying for the District 4 seat. And later (25:00), At-Large candidates Stephen Stocks and Kevin Walker. ...
Tuesday October 20, 2020
October 20, 2020 19:24 - 8 minutes - 8.17 MBAll current and active registered voters in Grand County should have received their ballot in the mail by today. As locals begin filling them out and dropping them off at the Clerk’s office, KZMU held one last conversation with our local contested candidates for county commission. Today on the news, we’ll hear At-Large candidates Stephen Stocks and Kevin Walker respond to a question about quality of life issues and noise associated with ATVs and UTVs. Plus, the Doe Fire burning near La Sal, U...
Monday October 19, 2020
October 19, 2020 19:58 - 7 minutes - 6.41 MBTourism during the pandemic does not seem to be slowing down in Moab. In fact, a renewed enthusiasm for outdoor activity could be creating the congestion problem north of town, where a ‘perfect storm’ of construction meets good fall weather and seemingly endless road trippers. The Utah Department of Transportation is recording traffic volumes up to 180% of normal for this time of year. And relief may not come until tourism slows down, or the highway is widened by late spring 2021. We get the ...
Friday October 16, 2020
October 16, 2020 18:49 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBWhat is the best way to solve congestion issues in Moab – is it more parking downtown? A multi-use path connecting Moab to Spanish Valley? Or a tourist and commuter transit system? Well, for the Arches Hotspot Coordinating Committee it may be all three. Today on the news, the committee gathers community input on potential projects in the Moab area. Plus, the final story in our series looking at where water and fire meet in the West. And later, the Weekly News Reel! with the Moab Sun News and...
Thursday October 15, 2020
October 15, 2020 22:32 - 10 minutes - 9.46 MBRepublican John Curtis is running for his second full term in the 3rd Congressional District this November, and Democrat Devin Thorpe is challenging him for his seat. Our radio partners spoke to both of them about the federal pandemic response, how to lower healthcare costs, and why they’re running for federal office. Remember – ballots were mailed on Tuesday to all registered voters in Grand County. Locals should see them in their mailboxes later this week or early next week. Plus, we contin...
News Extra - Defogging FOG
October 14, 2020 20:18 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB*Election 2020* Grand County voters will soon see three questions related to the form of county government on their ballot. They essentially ask community members to consider: Do I want a new form of county government? Do I want things to stay the same? Or, do I want to amend what we have? As part of our special election coverage, we have Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan give us the history on form of government issues, her extensive legal interpretation of local and state laws, and the ...
Wednesday October 14, 2020
October 14, 2020 18:52 - 9 minutes - 8.97 MBGovernor Gary Herbert announced that over the past month, Utah’s COVID-19 case counts have “skyrocketed to the highest they have ever been,” calling this jump “one of the worst outbreaks in the country.” His words preceded an announcement of the state’s new COVID-19 Transmission Index, which rates each county’s transmission rates as low, moderate, or high. Grand County – currently in the state’s moderate category – has averaged three cases per day over the last 12 days. And later, we continue...
Tuesday October 13, 2020
October 13, 2020 21:19 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBBallots are being mailed to all registered voters in Grand County today, October 13th. And there’s a lot for voters to consider, including three questions related to our county’s form of government. The questions essentially ask: Do you want a new form of county government? Do you want things to stay the same? Or, do you want to amend what we have? Today on the news, de-fogging FOG (form of government). And later, we continue an in-depth look at the intersection of wildfire and watersheds in ...
Monday October 12, 2020
October 12, 2020 22:46 - 8 minutes - 7.96 MBAlthough a federal court in Montana recently took away William Perry Pendley’s authority to make decisions as acting director of the Bureau of Land Management, the Wyoming native is currently travelling around the region to let people know his job remains largely the same. Plus, a newly launched digital exhibit explores the similarities in Utah during the 1918 flu pandemic and the current COVID-19 pandemic. And later we begin a series taking a closer look at where water and fire intersect acr...
Friday October 9, 2020
October 09, 2020 20:38 - 29 minutes - 27 MBGrand County Active Transportation and Trails is making progress on the Robin Groff Memorial Park, a new bike skills area snaking an edge of the Mill Creek Parkway. New developments include rocks and wooden ramp features for beginner mountain bikers. Today on the news, we take a tour of the design-in-progress and hear a reflection from the mayor on how some reactions to this project have influenced the city council. Plus, News Reel! with The Times-Independent and the Moab Sun News, an oppo...
Thursday October 8, 2020
October 08, 2020 22:36 - 9 minutes - 8.26 MBAs part of an effort to become an International Dark Sky Community, volunteer monitors are stepping up to measure the quality of our local night skies. This week, well past dark at the Center Street Ballfields, community members received assignments to monitor certain areas in Moab, learning how to take measurements of the dark skies. Today on the news, more on this training, as well as the overall effort to preserve and protect local dark skies. Show Notes: Moab Dark Skies https://moabcity...
Wednesday October 7, 2020
October 07, 2020 22:44 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBAs Grand County’s coronavirus case counts continue to rise, three recent positives have affected the local school district – two students, both siblings, and one teacher. The school district notified parents of students in shared classrooms, recommending they be ‘extra vigilant’ and watch their child for potential symptoms. Today on the news, we learn more about COVID-19 protocol at the school district, as well as growing concerns over mask compliance among certain members of the community. ...
News Extra – League of Women Voters of Grand County 2020 Candidate Forum
October 06, 2020 23:28 - 1 hour - 82.8 MB*Election 2020* As part of our special election coverage, we bring you the League of Women Voters of Grand County 2020 Candidate Forum. The event featured local county candidates, as well as those vying for federal and state seats. Scrub to the sections and candidates that interest you most with this handy schedule of events: 00:00 - 10:00 min -Opening Remarks -Grand County Clerk/Auditor Quinn Hall -Grand County Treasurer Chris Kauffman 10:00 - 16:00 min -Local Propositions and State Const...
Tuesday October 6, 2020
October 06, 2020 22:35 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBLast night, the local League of Women Voters, with the help of KZMU, hosted their 40th annual Candidate Forum. Using a virtual meeting space, candidates participated from their homes and offices to discuss issues like tourism taxes, mineral leasing on public lands, and even the Affordable Care Act. Representatives from the League say having candidates answer questions and talk to voters is an important and necessary exercise in democracy. Today on the news, some clips from the forum. Show N...
Monday October 5, 2020
October 05, 2020 18:27 - 10 minutes - 9.54 MBToday on the news, Grand County reports seven new positive COVID-19 cases. This jump comes as the state’s overall numbers continue to climb. We hear an impassioned plea from a critical care physician at Utah Valley Hospital on the importance of masks, hand washing, and social distancing in prevention. Plus, Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs, Colorado have new fire scars to deal with. Our partners at KDNK recently explored a more mature scar to get a sense of what’s to come for these communi...
News Extra - Proposition 10
October 03, 2020 18:11 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MB*Election 2020* As part of our special election coverage, KZMU welcomed two guests with different perspectives on Proposition 10 during a recent This Week in Moab. The prop asks: Shall Grand County adopt the alternate form of government known as the council-manager form pursuant to the optional plan for Grand County Government that the study committee has recommended? We hear the pros from former study committee member Walt Dabney and the cons from citizen Kya Marienfeld. And listener – her...
Friday October 2, 2020
October 02, 2020 21:31 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBOn Thursday, Judge Don M. Torgerson in the 7th District Court ruled that Propositions 16 and 17 can run on the 2020 Election Ballot. The propositions ask voters if they want to reduce the number of Grand County Commission seats from seven to five, and if they want to remove districts by electing all members at-large. In a lawsuit, plaintiffs asserted these propositions undermined a change of government process already in motion – the study committee recommendation, on the ballot as Propositio...
Thursday October 1, 2020
October 01, 2020 21:50 - 10 minutes - 9.32 MBGrand County recently received a surprise when the combined sales, use, and figures came in above 2019 levels for July. This revenue boost suggests the local economy could be stabilizing after a difficult spring, and supports anecdotal evidence from business owners noticing tourism is booming. And later, coronavirus response was a key focus in Tuesday’s Gubernatorial debate. Plus, the grassroots efforts of one stargazer helped a mountain town’s park receive International Dark Sky status. Sho...
Wednesday September 30, 2020
September 30, 2020 22:55 - 9 minutes - 8.94 MBIn the past, you could bring your empty laundry detergent, glass bottles, and junk mail to the Community Recycle Center and feel confident that each item financially supported their recycling efforts. But in recent years, in part due to complicated global forces, Moab’s Community Recycle Center has operated in the red. The cost of processing recycling is simply outstripping revenue. Now, the solid waste district wants to know – will community members accept a sponsorship program to support th...
Tuesday September 29, 2020
September 29, 2020 19:03 - 8 minutes - 7.75 MBA federal judge in Montana blocked William Perry Pendley from serving as the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management, finding he served unlawfully for over a year. Pendley was given the top spot at the BLM through a series of temporary appointments, and has been a controversial head due to his history opposing federal ownership of public lands. And, our radio partners report on the U.S. Forest Service’s volunteer wilderness ranger programs that help patrol the backcountry. Plus, memb...
Monday September 28, 2020
September 28, 2020 21:25 - 9 minutes - 8.78 MBAfter this week, students, teachers, and staff at Grand County School District will have one month of experience being in school during a pandemic. For the past several weeks, they have adjusted to the 'new normal' – masks, social distance, extra cleaning protocols. Today on the news, we check in with principals Mary Marable, Cari Caylor, and Jill Tatton about ‘staying safe to stay open’ and the issues weighing on their minds as they look ahead to the rest of the school year. Show Notes: G...
Friday September 25, 2020
September 25, 2020 21:42 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBThe Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition recently outlined new goals for reducing suicide rates among the state’s LGBTQ+ community. Central to that aim is promoting social norms of acceptance and inclusivity for people of all identities. Today on the news, we hear an excerpt from a recent conversation with Molly McClish, someone who has long advocated for kindness as the means to create a safer world for everyone. A note to listeners, this interview discusses suicide risk and prevention. If yo...
Thursday September 24, 2020
September 24, 2020 22:31 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBThe Moab City Council heard comments from the public this week about their proposed Recreation, Arts, and Parks (RAP) tax. If approved by voters, the sales and use tax could support facilities and programs like the Aquatic and Fitness Center, youth sports, and the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, which are currently subsidized entirely through the city’s general fund. And later, the Youth Garden Project held their 2nd annual Blue Ribbon Produce Exhibition last weekend. It was an opportunity f...
Wednesday September 23, 2020
September 23, 2020 22:37 - 9 minutes - 8.43 MBAs people flocked to the National Park system for pandemic-safe outdoor time, a team of researchers at USU-Moab started asking questions. They wanted to know how coronavirus safety guidelines influenced visitor behavior on and off the trails – and if National Parks like Arches were set up to deal with any potential impacts. On Monday afternoon, as a busy Arches National Park shut temporarily due to high demand, KZMU News spoke with Moab professor Wayne Freimund about this research. Show Note...
Tuesday September 22, 2020
September 22, 2020 19:29 - 9 minutes - 8.3 MBWhen the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance makes the news, it’s usually because of legal challenges concerning public lands. The conservation organization has worked for decades to protect wilderness areas in Utah, which means they are often at the center of difficult – and sometimes divisive – conversations. But SUWA’s volunteer stewardship program aims to seek common ground with stakeholders…on the ground. Today on the news, we learn more about their resource protection work through restora...
Monday September 21, 2020
September 21, 2020 22:04 - 8 minutes - 7.33 MBLast week marked some of the highest COVID-19 case counts in Utah since the beginning of the pandemic. State officials attribute much of the increase to the college population. Said Governor Gary Herbert in a statement, “not everyone is at high-risk for COVID complications, but we all are equally affected by an unwillingness to follow guidelines.” And later in the news, Senate Democrats pressure the Trump administration to immediately remove William Perry Pendley from his post as acting direc...
News Extra – Proposition 8: Recreation, Arts, and Parks (RAP) Tax
September 20, 2020 16:27 - 24 minutes - 22 MB*Election 2020* As part of our special election coverage, we’re featuring Proposition 8, which – if approved by voters – would enact a 0.1 percent sales and use tax in Moab City to support recreation, arts, and parks. This would equate to one penny for every $10 spent, and would not be levied on groceries or gas. City manager Joel Linares, mayor Emily Niehuas, city council member Tawny Knuteson-Boyd, and arts advocate Rebecca McAllister joined This Week in Moab to discuss Proposition 8. Pro...
News Extra – Voting In Grand County
September 20, 2020 16:03 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB*Election 2020* As part of our special election coverage, we spoke with Grand County Clerk/Auditor Quinn Hall and Chief Deputy Clerk Jana Smith about voting. They provide details on the local mail-in process and voter registration. Some important dates/info for Grand County: October 13th: Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters. If you are registered, you should see your ballot in your mailbox around October 20th. Return your ballot by mail, or drop it in a secure box at the Clerk...
Friday September 18, 2020
September 18, 2020 23:02 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBThis year’s Moab Pride Festival will be different – and not just because of coronavirus precautions. The festival’s 2020 theme is ‘Wake Up Call,’ an acknowledgment that “our struggles are deeply and intrinsically connected.” We met up with organizers to learn more about upcoming events focused on these intersections, and how Moab Pride holds space for Grand County youth throughout the year. Plus, the launch of our new Friday segment – Newsreel! During this program you’ll hear from our print ...
Thursday September 17, 2020
September 17, 2020 23:04 - 9 minutes - 8.88 MBToday on the news, stories from across the region. First, the southwest’s biggest reservoirs will continue to struggle over the next five years, according to new data from the federal agency that oversees them. And, the Grizzly Creek Fire burned over 32,000 acres of lands through Glenwood Canyon. So, how do wildlife handle these wildfires? Plus, High Country News – the nonprofit newsmagazine headquartered in Paonia – celebrates 50 years this month. Our radio partners speak to their executive ...
Wednesday September 16, 2020
September 16, 2020 22:55 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBOnce again, Grand County’s elected officials have sounded out an emphatic ‘no’ to a proposed Book Cliffs Highway. In a 5-2 vote, the commission approved a letter stating they do not agree with any modification or relinquishment of their right of ways to build a 35 mile road from Vernal to Interstate-70 through the Book Cliffs. Their letter has a few choice descriptors for the project, including “a needless waste of time.” Today on the news, an interview with a longtime Grand County resident, ...
Tuesday September 15, 2020
September 15, 2020 18:59 - 10 minutes - 9.17 MBIt must be approaching the fall season because Democratic candidates on this year’s ballot are beginning to pop up throughout the region. On Friday afternoon, Utah’s 3rd Congressional District candidate Devin Thorpe and Lt. Governor candidate Karina Brown convened at the Slickrock Bike Trail. It was one of a series of meetings they held with community members in Grand and San Juan Counties over the weekend. Today on the news, we hear their thoughts on running as a democrat in a largely red st...
Monday September 14, 2020
September 14, 2020 21:16 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBGateway communities like Moab are dealing with increasing pressures from population and tourism growth, which can mean uncomfortable changes – from a dearth in affordable housing to the perceived loss of community character. Today on the news, we speak with the lead author of a new study from the University of Utah and the University of Arizona looking at over 1500 rural gateway communities. We learn what they found, and their recommendations for the future. Show Notes: Planning and Develo...
Friday September 11, 2020
September 11, 2020 18:38 - 24 minutes - 22 MBToday on the news, stories from our regional partners. First, the Bureau of Land Management released a new travel management plan for the San Rafael desert – and environmentalists are concerned. And later, a proposed set of reservoirs in northern Colorado has stirred up a familiar debate over how the West grows, and whether water should be a limiting factor. Plus, people are growing food not only to feed their families but also to help their communities. It’s an old idea reborn to meet the mo...
Thursday September 10, 2020
September 10, 2020 21:00 - 10 minutes - 9.25 MBSix states that rely on the Colorado River are asking the federal government to slow down an environmental review for the controversial Lake Powell Pipeline. It would bring Colorado River water to fast-growing communities in southwestern Utah, but the other states say legal and operational issues with the proposed pipeline still remain. And later, the Ute Mountain Ute community of White Mesa celebrates the Bear Dance over Labor Day weekend. The ceremonial performance usually draws Ute people ...
Wednesday September 9, 2020
September 09, 2020 23:15 - 10 minutes - 9.75 MBAs more visitors mean more impacts to Mill Creek, a stakeholder group is searching for solutions. With the help of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program, the Mill Creek Community Collaborative has drafted several management options for handling the influx of visitors. From the trailhead to the canyon, potential solutions include everything from increasing signage, to installing a fee booth, to moving the main access point to Potato Salad Hill. Now, th...
Tuesday September 8, 2020
September 08, 2020 23:05 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBTwo wildfires burned almost 14,000 acres in Southwest Utah this July, ripping through protected Mojave Desert tortoise habitat. Our radio partners report that this is not the first time fire has scorched the land; and the tortoise’s fate depends on what people do next. Plus, the struggle to protect public lands from corporate exploitation is at the heart of a new documentary. It screens online with a local panel discussion this week. Show Notes: Photo: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve/Turkey Farm...
Monday September 7, 2020
September 07, 2020 20:06 - 9 minutes - 8.67 MBA potential road through the Book Cliffs in Grand County has come up yet again – this time, in the form of a right-of-way holder notice. The Grand County Commission has until the end of the month to send comments about how a 35-mile paved road connecting Interstate 70 in Grand County to Seep Ridge Road in Uintah County might affect their right-of-ways. One commissioner described the project as “a road [that] Grand County doesn’t want, to be built entirely within our county, by a coalition of ...
Friday September 4, 2020
September 04, 2020 22:47 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBA group of Indigenous runners travelled through Moab this week, offering prayers and healing to Native communities. Organized through SLC Air Protectors, the Running as Medicine Indigenous Youth Prayer Run will span 360 miles from Bears Ears National Monument to Warm Springs Park in Salt Lake City. Runners say they are dedicating their practice to Indigenous communities affected by COVID-19, as well as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Today on the news, we learn more about the...