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
High Country News Union demands sustainability, equity for staff
January 24, 2024 19:35 - 14 minutes - 13 MB“We need journalism. And we need really good journalism like [High Country News] produces. And we want to keep producing it. And we need to be able to do that under stable, sustainable conditions.” — B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster Learn more about unionizing efforts from three HCN staffers on today’s newscast.
Moab local reflects on his experience in the Stanford Prison Experiment
January 23, 2024 22:06 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MBMoab resident Jerry Shue was a prisoner in the famously controversial Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971. He was recently asked to participate in a National Geographic documentary about the study. Over 50 years later, Shue reflects on the experience and what it was like to see his fellow participants again. Photo: Jerry Shue, prisoner 5486, is accompanied to the bathroom by a guard during the Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971. Photo by Duke Downey for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Regional Roundup: Craig Childs' chaos theory
January 22, 2024 23:02 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBOn the latest Regional Roundup, an interview with author and naturalist Craig Childs about Chaos Theory, the theme of his latest Dark Night event. Plus, we hear about a Navajo musician who is channeling John Cage and his Navajo ancestors to honor those lost in the Long Walk. And, a world record setting 'skiing in jeans' event in Wyoming.
News Announcement
January 18, 2024 23:04 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBKZMU News is back! News director Molly Marcello and reporter Emily Arntsen discuss where they've been and where the news department is headed.
Regional Roundup: Moab Solutions, Healthcare Access, Indigenous Foodways
December 18, 2023 19:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBOn the latest Regional Roundup, an audio portrait Bruni Mason who volunteers as a bell-ringer raising money for Moab Solutions. Plus, we hear about the Folsom Trail in Salt Lake City and the fight for OBGYN access in Jackson, WY. And later, an interview with two chefs about their new book using Native American ingredients.
Weekly News Reel!
December 16, 2023 00:25 - 18 minutes - 17 MBHi listener, KZMU News had to take an unexpected break this week. But we still met with our amazing media partners. On the Weekly News Reel, Gwen Dillworth of The Times-Independent discusses Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s proposal to invest $185 million in housing. Plus, she talks about the new Community Artist in the Parks and two local athletes who signed on to compete at the college level. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News discusses upcoming biking and hiking trails in Dead Horse Point Sta...
Utah’s Jewish and Muslim communities address increasing hatred
December 12, 2023 19:00 - 10 minutes - 9.83 MBHate crimes have been on the rise over the last decade. Now, with the Israel Gaza conflict, there has been an increase of Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. ‘Speak Up & Stand Up Against Hate’ is a cooperative that looks to provide resources for those facing hatred. Our radio partners at KRCL spoke with representatives from the Utah Muslim Civic League and the United Jewish Federation of Utah to hear about the work they are doing.
Regional Roundup: All About Birds
December 12, 2023 00:56 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBOn the latest regional roundup, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count starts December 14, and around the region, groups of bird counters are participating in this important community science event. We'll have a few bird-related stories, plus an interview with the author of 'Killdozer,' which tells the story of Marvin Heemeyer, who in 2004 modified a bulldozer with concrete and steel and demolished numerous buildings in Granby, Colorado.
Gov. Cox announces budget and plan to address homelessness. Plus, the Weekly News Reel!
December 08, 2023 19:27 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBGovernor Spencer Cox recently announced his proposed budget and plan to address homelessness throughout the state of Utah. His proposed budget would set aside nearly $130 million for emergency shelter services targeting housing resources and supportive services to those who need them most. Plus, our partners at KUER report on the pollution on the west side of Salt Lake, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to breathe nasty air. And later, a conversation with the director of ‘Frybread Fa...
Tap water will likely get more expensive throughout the Southwest
December 08, 2023 01:03 - 9 minutes - 12.6 MBToday we hear from KUNC about the cost of replacing municipal water systems in the face of drought. We also hear from KVNF about wetlands restoration in Colorado, from KGNU about Colorado's increase in insured residents, and from KSUT / KSJD about the federal government's program to return Native land to tribes across the country. Photo by Alex Hager of KUNC.
Interfaith coalition offers prayer and song for Oak Flat
December 07, 2023 02:02 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBWithin the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, Oak Flat is an area considered sacred by many Indigenous communities. It’s also been the site of legal battles and court cases. But this fall, it turned into a spiritual hub, and our radio partners were there to witness it. Plus, protests took place in Denver recently spotlighting a rise of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. And later, as communities throughout the country feel the crush of polarizing politics, our radio partners speak with a profe...
Can white paint prevent burns from hot pavement?
December 06, 2023 18:49 - 10 minutes - 14.5 MBToday we hear from our partners at Utah Public Radio about a new reflective paint that could prevent pavement from reaching scalding temperatures in the summer months. We also hear from the Utah News Service about a horsemanship program for first responders, from the Mountain West News Bureau about the BLM's new recreation plan, and from Aspen Public Radio about the fate of unsold food in the Roaring Fork Valley. Photo: Reflective paint could prevent certain surfaces from becoming dangerous...
Regional Roundup: 'Gangbuster' book, Spoken Word Poetry and more
December 05, 2023 16:11 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBTune in to the Regional Roundup to hear about the prominence of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado politics in the 1920s. Alan Prendergast explores this history and tells the tale of the district attorney who brought them down in his new book. Plus, we have a report on a collaboration between a regional printmaker and a musician, and spoken word poetry from a world poetry slam champion.
The annual Audubon bird count is a feat of citizen science. Plus, the Weekly News Reel!
December 02, 2023 01:36 - 29 minutes - 40.2 MBThe Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count is a fun activity for birders that happens to contribute tremendously to the field of ornithology. Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent explains how an unusable boat ramp at Lake Powell is affecting river guiding businesses in Moab, the city’s new green burials program at the cemetery, and Moab’s forthcoming rock climbing gym. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News covers a local author’s new book and the future of ...
Lift Up: Josh Patterson
November 30, 2023 20:44 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBLift Up is a KZMU storytelling project intending to deepen understanding and empathy within our community and reinforce a sense of safety and belonging for all. Our next Lift Up storyteller is Joshua Patterson. A two-year transplant, Josh hopes to one day be considered a full Moabite. He is currently working on a degree in history in hopes to be a history teacher. He lives with his husband, and enjoys reading, video games, and eating as much Filipino food he can get. // This episode of Lift ...
Development in Kane Creek will break ground next week
November 29, 2023 22:09 - 9 minutes - 13.7 MBConstruction on a stormwater system will begin at a development in Kane Creek next week. Concerned residents held a meeting with the Utah Division of Water Quality on Monday to discuss flood risks. Plus, we hear from KGNU about what really happens to most clothes donated to thrift stores in the U.S. //Photo: Construction on a housing and shopping development near the Colorado River is set to begin next week. Photo by Rob Lucas via Flickr. //Show Notes: Recent coverage on the Kane Creek d...
Bells are back! Volunteers raise money for emergency needs
November 28, 2023 20:49 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBIf you experienced an emergency in Moab and had nowhere else to turn, Moab Solutions is an organization that could help. All year long, the nonprofit fields calls for emergency lodging, gas, food and even medicine. About one third of the funding Moab Solutions needs to support these calls is raised over the next few weeks by bell ringers. Today on the news, we have an audio portrait of long time bell-ringing volunteer, Bruni Mason. Plus, our radio partners report on winter supply runs to Blac...
Regional Roundup: Navajo language class, Bird Names and more
November 27, 2023 19:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBOn the latest Regional Roundup, we hear about a high school in Durango teaching the Navajo language. Plus, an interview about supporting a group of migrants from Venezuela in our region, a feature on a new move to stop naming birds after people, and author Betsy Gaines Quamman examines the myth of the American West.
Moab's Living Room
November 24, 2023 19:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB“The library is the place where you don’t have to ever believe something or buy something to come in here and stay and enjoy the space. Everyone is welcome.” –Meg Flynn, Grand County Public Library Assistant Director
A Hopi farmer is using ancient practices to grow crops in Arizona — with no irrigation
November 23, 2023 19:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBIn the West, ongoing drought is forcing us all to think about how we use water differently. Hopi farmer and University of Arizona faculty member Michael Kotutwa Johnson is using ancient practices to grow food. Our radio partners visited Johnson in his fields, and learned more about the ways he grows corn, squash and beans and why he wants native seeds repatriated back to Indigenous communities like his.
Myers, Topper, and Knuteson-Boyd elected in Moab city council race
November 22, 2023 22:20 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBKaitlin Myers, Colin Topper, and Tawny Knuteson-Boyd won seats in the Moab city council during Tuesday's election. Plus, we hear from our partners at Aspen Public Radio about the blessing of the skis. And from KSJD about hydropower developments on the Navajo Nation. Show Notes: Election results: https://electionresults.utah.gov/results/public/grandcountyutah/elections/2023-Nov-General
City considers upgrades to ‘parks and rec’
November 21, 2023 19:37 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBThe first-ever Parks & Recreation Master Plan recommends an estimated $22.3 million dollars worth of improvements for Moab City’s parks and recreation facilities. These include getting public parks into ADA compliance, redesigning the Center Street Ballfields, and improving trail connections. Plus, WabiSabi’s free, in-person community Thanksgiving meal returns. And later, our radio partners report on Telluride, Colorado’s unique claim to Thanksgiving fame: the tofurkey. // Show Notes: // M...
Regional Roundup: Visual Thinking, Mountain Lion Hunting and more
November 20, 2023 19:06 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBOn the latest Regional Roundup, an interview with professor Temple Grandin on her new book about visual thinking. Plus, revisit KZMU's reporting on mountain lion hunting in Utah as Colorado voters seek to ban the practice. Plus, high speed broadband comes to a rural town in our region. Tune in!
Digitized Channel 6 News provides ‘invaluable’ record of Moab in transition. Plus, the News Reel!
November 17, 2023 22:23 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBA lot happened between the years 1989 and 2000 in Moab. There were near-seismic shifts in the economy, people and the character of this town. And Channel 6 News caught it all on tape. That’s right, Moab’s local television news station captured the people and the politics that shaped the experience of this place at a seminal moment. Now, with the help of the Moab Museum, over 2,000 news broadcasts will be digitized from this period and available for the public to access. Today on KZMU News, we...
Native fish numbers are up in Moab after high water this spring
November 16, 2023 19:15 - 9 minutes - 12.6 MBThe native fish nursery in the Matheson Wetlands Preserve in Moab had a boom in razorback suckers this year — 51 juveniles this fall compared to zero last year. The wetlands are managed by The Nature Conservancy. Plus, we hear from KGNU about a biodynamic farming conference in Boulder County, Colorado. //Photo: Razorback suckers are native to the Colorado River and need to spawn in protected ponds out of reach from invasive predators. Photo via Flickr. //Show Notes: https://www.nature.org/...
Utah Avalanche Center forecaster talks local snowpack, conditions
November 15, 2023 20:58 - 10 minutes - 9.65 MBThe team at the Utah Avalanche Center is back in the Moab office – and the field. As they gear up for the winter recreation season, we check in with avalanche forecaster Eric Trenbeath about our local snowpack and typical conditions. Plus, a rally honoring Great Salt Lake brought Native and youth voices to Utah’s Capitol Hill. And later, the latest National Climate Assessment shows the impact of water shortages in the Colorado River basin. // Show Notes: // Photo: October 29th snowfall in ...
Utah sponsors wildlife crossing infrastructure to protect drivers and animals
November 14, 2023 19:49 - 12 minutes - 16.9 MBToday, we hear from the Utah News Connection about the state's recent decision to allocate more funds for wildlife crossing infrastructure. We also hear from KOTO about the federal government's program to identify rare earth minerals at former mine sites near Telluride via helicopter. Plus, we hear from the Mountain West News Bureau about how algal blooms can be identified using satellite imagery. Photo: November is the most common time to hit a deer while driving in Utah. Increased funds f...
Regional Roundup: Colorado River Compact, Jingle Dress Project, Sandhills
November 14, 2023 16:01 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBOn the latest Regional Roundup from the Rocky Mountain Community Radio Coalition: an interview with a regional senator on the Colorado River compact, a feature on a naturalist who won a book award for writing about the sandhills, and a feature on the Jingle Dress Project.
Gourd-esses grace Castle Valley festival in 20th year. Plus, the Weekly News Reel!
November 10, 2023 19:33 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBFor two decades, the town of Castle Valley has celebrated the beauty and versatility of the hard shelled gourd. During the 20th year of the Castle Valley Gourds & More Festival, the many gourd-esses of the past joined the festivities for a retrospective of gourd regalia. Plus, the Western megadrought is getting some attention from an unexpected music icon. And later, our radio partners report on managing the buffalo herd on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. // Plus, the Weekly News Reel! So...
Forest Service rejects changes to mountain goat herd, grazing, and mining in new Manti-La Sal plan
November 09, 2023 21:56 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBThe Forest Service is drafting a new plan for the Manti-La Sal National Forest. One local conservation group proposed alternatives to the plan earlier in the process that would reduce the amount of grazing and mining, and encourage the Forest Service to remove the herd of non-native mountain goats in the La Sals. These alternatives were rejected even though comparable alternatives have been adopted by other National Forest plans recently. The public comment period for the plan ends November 1...
First trail system for Class 1 e-bikes, adaptive cycles proposed for Moab area
November 08, 2023 21:33 - 10 minutes - 9.6 MBThe Mud Springs Trail System will be a ‘first’ for the Moab area, bringing roughly 10 miles of single-track south of town built with Class 1 e-bikes and adaptive cycles in mind. Today on the news, we speak with a planner from the Bureau of Land Management, who says the trail system will be inclusively designed for mountain bike riders of diverse skills and abilities. Plus, a preliminary report found no sign of mechanical problems with an aircraft that crashed outside Moab, killing the four pe...
Human trafficking investigation at Moab hotel spurs bigger questions about trafficking in Utah
November 07, 2023 22:52 - 8 minutes - 12.2 MBIs human trafficking a problem in Moab? Law enforcement and victim advocates say it's probably happening more often than we think. A recent human trafficking investigation at a Moab hotel drew new attention to the issue. //Photo: Highway 191 and Interstate 70 are both major corridors for drug and human trafficking, according to the Moab Police Department. Moab is close to the intersection of both thoroughfares. Photo via Flickr. //Show Notes: //https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/hu...
Regional Roundup: Censorship in Libraries, Day Without Water and More!
November 06, 2023 23:27 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBIt's Regional Roundup Monday! As censorship increases in the US, libraries are under growing pressure. We hear more from regional librarian and author Jamie LaRue, who wrote the new book "On Censorship: A Public Librarian Examines Cancel Culture in the U.S." Plus, we hear about the recent 'day without water' event and learn about hauling water in our region.
Plan updates data on housing, the ‘backbone’ of every community. Plus, the Weekly News Reel!
November 03, 2023 18:39 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBThe 2023 Moab Area Affordable Housing Plan outlines the state of housing in our community. It’s an important document filled with data that will be used by local government and community organizations to set policy around this fundamental need. Today on the news, we speak with Moab Area Housing Task Force Chair Laura Harris about what’s new and different in the latest plan. // Plus, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses the ongoing trial of a local man who w...
State of Utah appeals the BLM's recent closure of off-road vehicle trails in Labyrinth Canyon
November 02, 2023 22:27 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBThe BLM's recent decision to close a third of off-road vehicle trails in Labyrinth Canyon near Moab has caused a major controversy. The State of Utah and motorized recreation groups appealed the decision earlier this week. The appeals come just a few days after Utah Senator Mike Lee proposed a bill in protest of the closures. We also hear from KSJD about a new store on the Navajo Nation that sells drinking water to a community with limited access to potable water. We also hear from KHOL about...
KZMU & LWV Candidate Debate: City Council 2023
November 01, 2023 19:40 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBHear from local candidates before filling out your ballot! There are five candidates running for three seats on Moab's city council. Tune in for their thoughts on a number of important local issues, including water, housing, property tax, strategic planning and much, much more. KZMU's 2023 candidate debate was produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Southeast Utah.
Rep. Phil Lyman makes run for Governor of Utah
November 01, 2023 18:56 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBPhil Lyman will challenge Governor Spencer Cox next year. Lyman currently represents Utah’s House District 69, covering the southeast corner of the state. He says his gubernatorial campaign will focus on several conservative pillars, including natural resources, infrastructure and election integrity. And later on KZMU News: Moab’s municipal voters should see their ballots in the mail soon. And, we get to know the five candidates running for three seats on Moab’s city council. Plus, our radio ...
Wildlife advocates sue the state of Utah over changes to mountain lion hunting laws
October 31, 2023 19:00 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBWildlife advocates filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah following changes to hunting laws that now allow for unlimited, year-round mountain lion harvest. We also hear from our partners at KSJD about a former president of the Navajo Nation who is now running for Congress in Arizona. Plus, we hear from Aspen Public Radio that Colorado will be receiving up to 10 gray wolves from Oregon for its wolf reintroduction program. Finally, we hear from KSUT about a lawsuit filed by Chinese immigrant...
Regional Roundup: Competing sheepdogs & Indigenous maternal healthcare
October 30, 2023 20:14 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBIt's Regional Roundup Monday! In this episode, we hear about a sheepdog competition in Carbondale, Colorado. Plus, we hear about a controversy over a 600-acre solar energy proposal near Norwood, Colorado. We also hear about one Utah doctor working to improve maternal healthcare for Indigenous women.
News Break!
October 24, 2023 18:00 - 36 seconds - 566 KBHi listener, we are away this week attending the Rocky Mountain Community Radio Coalition conference. We’ll be back on the podcast soon with fresh reporting (and a local candidate debate!) See you then and thank you for supporting KZMU, community powered radio.
Regional Roundup: Annular Eclipse, 'Wild America' author, Hot Springs
October 23, 2023 22:04 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBIt's Regional Roundup Monday! In this episode, an interview on the recent annular eclipse that captivated the Four Corners region. Plus, we hear from a regional author on his book 'Atlas of Wild America' and learn about the Maple Grove hot springs on the Utah/Idaho border.
Feds prosecute Moab residents for allegedly stealing over $1M in dinosaur bones
October 20, 2023 21:19 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBTwo Moab residents are under arrest for allegedly stealing over $1 million dollars of dinosaur bones from public lands in Southeastern Utah. Prosecutors allege the Moabites, along with two others, were involved in a conspiracy to steal, sell and export paleontological resources. In a press conference Thursday, a US attorney categorized this case as an environmental crime. And later, tribal advocates are trying to repeal a prohibition of same sex marriages on the Navajo Nation. And, a free, ou...
Event proposal to bring 380 UTVs into Moab divides county commissioners
October 19, 2023 20:50 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MBOn Tuesday, Grand County commissioners made their first round of decisions for upcoming special events, including the Redrok Roundup, which would provide a weekend of guided tours to 380 UTVs. The organizer's Intent to Apply was approved by the county in a 4-3 vote. Plus, we hear from our partners at KUNC about the Department of Reclamation's recent report regarding Colorado River management. And we hear from the Utah Public News Service about the state's controversial redistricting maps. /...
Moab City pays $430K to hotel in settlement agreement
October 18, 2023 23:13 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBMoab City recently paid out $429,879 to a company that manages the newly built Element hotel. The 116-room hotel was subject to the city’s workforce assured housing ordinance, which mandates that new overnight accommodations either build some workforce housing or pay a fee in lieu of that construction. The Element made the case that their original fee was too high, and the city agreed to settle. Plus, a tiny home village for unhoused veterans in our region is showing how cities can work with ...
The eclipse brought far fewer tourists to San Juan County than expected
October 17, 2023 20:22 - 10 minutes - 15 MBBluff, Utah, was expecting huge crowds of tourists for the eclipse last weekend. The mayor even told the Salt Lake Tribune, about tourists, "Don't try to come here." But the hype was a little overblown, and the small town received the same amount of visitors as it would on a typical fall day, according to one business owner. How did restaurants and businesses fare in terms of supply and demand? Plus, we hear from KRCL's Lara Jones, who interviewed University of Utah professor Amos Guiora abou...
Regional Roundup: Body Brokering, Bookstore Bomb Threat and more
October 16, 2023 18:00 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBIt's Regional Roundup Monday! In this episode, an interview about the Sunset Mesa Funeral Home's body-brokering scam. And, we hear from the manager of a Salt Lake City bookstore that received a bomb threat over their drag queen story time. And later, reporting on new legal help available for immigrants in our region.
It's all business at recent city council debate; Plus the Weekly News Reel!
October 13, 2023 20:32 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBDuring a recent debate, the five candidates running for Moab’s city council were quizzed by the Chamber of Commerce about what they’ll do for local business. Although not all candidates are business owners themselves, they each played to their strengths. Plus, the state of Utah is suing TikTok, claiming the company intentionally encourages unhealthy social media use in children. And later, public lands in the Four Corners region are preparing for eclipse-related traffic. Plus, the Weekly Ne...
An audio postcard of the sounds of Moab
October 12, 2023 19:00 - 8 minutes - 11.6 MBKZMU partnered with Moab Arts for this year's Red Rocks Arts Festival to teach a workshop about telling stories with sound. Participants recorded sounds that remind them of Moab and described why those sounds are meaningful to them. Plus, we hear from our partners at the Mountain West News Bureau about conservation of a sacred fish at Pyramid Lake in Nevada. //Photo: KZMU's Emily Arntsen teaches a podcasting workshop at the Red Rocks Arts Festival. Photo by Kelley McInerney at Moab Arts.
How is a town of 300 people preparing for possibly 20,000 eclipse tourists?
October 11, 2023 19:37 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBBluff, Utah, is one of the only towns in the southeastern part of the state near the path of the upcoming solar eclipse. The town only has one gas station, limited cell service, and few restaurants. Plus, many of their Indigenous workforce will take the day off in observance of the astronomical event. Will the eclipse be a boon to the economy, or will it merely bring chaos to the small town? We also hear from our partners at KSJD about a recent march to protest of the uranium mill in White Me...
Art installation imagines meaning, resilience 200 years in the future
October 10, 2023 21:03 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBLast month was a banger for arts in Moab. New sculptures downtown. Two brand new murals. An arts-focused street festival. And, for a few days, an art installation called Junkyard Reverie invited us to imagine 200 years into the future. Today on the news, local artists explore the practices, rituals and meaning humans might create in a climate-altered world. Plus, our radio partners report on our region’s bumper crop of fruit turning into an incredible fall harvest.