KZMU News

On the Weekly News Reel today, we talk to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Times-Independent, about local first responders who were recently honored by the state for how they handled a fatal plane crash that killed Senator Doug Larsen and his family last fall. We also talk about Meadow, a pet dog that was found after a nine-day search along the Colorado River. Plus, we have a story about parents who voiced their support for former Grand County High School Principal, Todd Thompson, after he was fired earlier this month. To close, we discuss the school district’s new superintendent, who hopes to improve teacher retention. - Show Notes - • Local responders to be honored by state https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/local-responders-to-be-honored-by-state/ • GCHS parents turn out to support principal fired by state board https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/gchs-parents-turn-out-to-support-principal-fired-by-state-board/ • Lost dog reunites with owners after 9 days on the run https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/lost-dog-reunites-with-owners-after-9-days-on-the-run/ • GCSD hires a new superintendent from Texas https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/gcsd-hires-a-new-superintendent-from-texas/

Today, we hear from KSUT about a bill in Colorado that would fund research about Native American boarding schools in the state. We also hear from KSJD about vets who are seeking compensation for health complications they link to working at the Nevada Test and Training Range where radiation levels are high.

This year, the Grand County School District started a program called the Student Career Success Center to help boost historically low graduation rates. The program is intended to help students earn enough credits to graduate by offering a flexible, online schedule that allows students to work while still attending high school. The program director says it will have helped at least 6 students graduate who otherwise would not have received a diploma. - Show Notes - https://gchs.grandschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4251335&type=d&pREC_ID=2517314

The northern lights swept across the Mountain West last weekend. We hear from a space scientist at the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, about what causes this phenomenon, and the effects it has on Earth. We also hear from a Utah drag artist who performed in Moab two weekends ago about what drag means to the queer community amidst the national culture wars. Plus, we hear from KUER about new snow survey technology that's flying over Utah. And we finish off with a story from KSUT about one man in Gunnison, Colorado, who has been cultivating relationships with beavers his whole life. - Show Notes - https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast

Today on the Weekly News Reel, we talk to Doug McMurdo, editor of the Moab Times-Independent, about why the high school principal, Todd Thompson, was fired last week. We also talk about why a policy that was supposed to help local businesses provide workforce housing hasn’t really succeeded. And we finish up with a story about a rally for motorized vehicle use that turned into a Phil Lyman campaign event in Monticello last weekend. We also talk to Kenny Fallon, editor and publisher of a new, monthly newsletter called the Green River Observer. We discuss Green River’s hopes for a partnership with the state’s inland port authority. Fallon also updates us on the new lithium mine in Green River, which was just approved for water rights from the state. And we finish up discussing how a new state law will enable two coal-fired power plants in Emery County to stay open longer than anticipated. - Show Notes - Moab Times-Independent: • GCHS principal fired by state board https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/gchs-principal-fired-by-state-board/ • Arch Canyon protest rally turns into campaign event https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/arch-canyon-protest-rally-turns-into-campaign-event/ • The company that helped propel the ADO is ditching it https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-company-that-helped-propel-the-ado-is-ditching-it/ Green River Observer: • Wanted: ideas for potential Inland Port Authority project https://thegreenriverobserver.substack.com/p/wanted-ideas-for-potential-inland • Lithium mine gains more water rights and coal plants gain time https://thegreenriverobserver.substack.com/p/eye-on-energy

Today on the Regional Roundup, we hear an interview with KBUT and KVNF about the impact of the closure of U.S. Route 50, which is impacting thousands on Colorado's Western Slope. We also hear a feature about how one school district is working with high school students ahead of prom to warn them about the dangers of driving under the influence. Plus, an interview with a student activist from The University of Colorado about Los Seis of Boulder, 6 Chicano activists who were killed 50 years ago this month in two car bombs in Boulder. We finish off with a feature on the largest powwow in North America that took place recently in Albuquerque, NM.

Today we hear from our partners at KUNC about a new study that predicts more precipitation at the headwaters of the Colorado River in the coming years. We also hear from KSUT and KSJD about a program to bring fiber optic cables to the Ute Mountain Ute tribe. Plus, we hear from KHOL about the beginning of this year's shed antler hunting season and how things are different now that out-of-state hunters are barred from participating in the first week.

On Tuesday, Grand County Commissioners voted to deny a conditional use permit that would enable developers to build a wastewater treatment facility for the new Kane Creek housing complex. The vote was a big win for local organizers opposed to the project, which is under construction in an undeveloped corridor of the Colorado River. The battle isn't over yet, though. Organizers with Kane Creek Development Watch are worried a new state law could override the county's authority by granting developers municipal oversight on their property. We also hear from KHOL about a new Mexican community center that hopes to connect Jackson's Hispanic residents with their roots. - Show Notes - • New state law that could override county's authority, State Bill 258 https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/SB0258.html • Grand County Commission Meeting 5/7/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UPPBGoXrkw

Today, we hear from our partners at KDNK about rises in the number of cases of syphilis, especially in newborn children. We also hear from Aspen Public Radio about how local law enforcement is trying to prevent DUIs in high schoolers after prom.

On the latest Regional Roundup, we hear a story about an award-winning high school mariachi band from Uvalde, TX, which just wrapped up a tour of Boulder, Colorado. We also hear an interview on a new helpline for Indigenous Women in Utah. Plus, an interview with the film makers behind a new documentary about navigating housing and healthcare in Chaffee County, CO. To finish up, we hear a two-way with Derek Gow about his new book, Hunt for the Shadow Wolf, in which he explores the mythology, mystery and history of wolves, and their speckled history with our species.

Today on the Weekly News Reel, we talk to Sophia Fisher, reporter with the Moab Times-Independent, about a conditional use permit that was approved for a guiding business in a residential area in Spanish Valley. We also talk about plans for the Utah Renewable Communities Coalition, and what that could mean for renewable energy projects in Moab in the future. We also discuss the City Council’s response to upcoming evictions at the Walnut Lane trailer park. Plus, we talk about the GOP’s nomination of local House Representative, Phil Lyman, for Utah’s upcoming gubernatorial election. - Show Notes - • Hearing officer overturns county’s conditional use decision https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/hearing-officer-overturns-countys-conditional-use-decision/ • Clean energy program adjusts as Rocky Mountain Power pivots https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/clean-energy-program-adjusts-as-rocky-mountain-power-pivots/ • Council devastated by Walnut Lane issue; vow to see project through https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/council-devastated-by-walnut-lane-issue-vow-to-see-project-through/ • Gov. Cox beat at GOP convention, Lyman wins big https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/gov-cox-beat-at-gop-convention-lyman-wins-big/

On the latest Regional Roundup: an event in our region aims to welcome more people of color to the mountains and snow sports. Plus: a selection of cowboy poetry, recorded at a cowboy poetry gathering in 1990, from the archives. And: an interview with environmental historian Jessica Lee who explores borders, plants and belonging in her new collection of essays, 'Dispersals.'

On the Weekly News Reel, we talk to Sophia Fisher, reporter with the Moab Times-Independent, about the Grand County Commission postponing a decision related to a luxury and residential and overnight rental development. We also talk about why it's difficult to forecast weather in Moab and how local topography affects our weather systems. And we finish off with news of a groundbreaking at the Arroyo Crossing housing development. // Show Notes: https://www.kzmu.org/weekly-news-reel-county-takes-time-on-kane-creek-decision/

Who killed Ann Woodward? The question still haunts local law enforcement, who have been stumped by the murder since 1973 when the former owner of Woody’s Tavern was murdered at the bar. Law enforcement botched the initial investigation, and in the process, lost a box of crucial evidence for over 50 years. But earlier this fall, the Moab Police found that missing evidence, and thanks to DNA testing, the investigator who reopened the case is pretty certain he’ll be able to name a culprit once he gets the results back. In this series, we talk to the criminal investigator, family members, and friends who lived through the experience. We discuss possible ties to Ted Bundy, finding closure with clairvoyance, and the parallels between other recent murders in Moab that were mishandled by law enforcement. In this episode, we talk to Tim Buckingham, the childhood best friend of Ann Woodward's son. We discuss the effect the murder had on the community and draw parallels between other murders that have happened in Moab recently. The music in this episode was produced by Maxim Novak.

Who killed Ann Woodward? The question still haunts local law enforcement, who have been stumped by the murder since 1973 when the former owner of Woody’s Tavern was murdered at the bar. Law enforcement botched the initial investigation, and in the process, lost a box of crucial evidence for over 50 years. But earlier this fall, the Moab Police found that missing evidence, and thanks to DNA testing, the investigator who reopened the case is pretty certain he’ll be able to name a culprit once he gets the results back. In this series, we talk to the criminal investigator, family members, and friends who lived through the experience. We discuss possible ties to Ted Bundy, finding closure with clairvoyance, and the parallels between other recent murders in Moab that were mishandled by law enforcement. In this episode, we talk to Annie Dalton, Ann Woodward's granddaughter, about the toll this took on her family, and over 50 years later, does it even matter to know who did it? The music in this episode was produced by Maxim Novak.

Who killed Ann Woodward? The question still haunts local law enforcement, who have been stumped by the murder since 1973 when the former owner of Woody’s Tavern was murdered at the bar. Law enforcement botched the initial investigation, and in the process, lost a box of crucial evidence for over 50 years. But earlier this fall, the Moab Police found that missing evidence, and thanks to DNA testing, the investigator who reopened the case is pretty certain he’ll be able to name a culprit once he gets the results back. In this series, we talk to the criminal investigator, family members, and friends who lived through the experience. We discuss possible ties to Ted Bundy, finding closure with clairvoyance, and the parallels between other recent murders in Moab that were mishandled by law enforcement. In this episode, we talk to Jeremy Drexler of the Moab Police about the new investigation. The music in this episode was produced by Maxim Novak.

On the latest Regional Roundup: an interview with Heather Cox Richardson, author of the daily e-newsletter and podcast 'Letters from an American,' about the state of our democracy, why she's worried and what we can do. Plus: we revisit an interview with Lena Pace, the superintendent of the Southeast Utah Group of National Parks. And: a report about the last train journey for the conductor of the Winter Park Express ski train.

On the News Reel today, we talk to Sophia Fisher, reporter with the Moab Times-Independent, about the city’s new budget, which includes plans to reinstate a property tax in Moab for the first time in 30 years. We also talk about where things stand for new hotels that were approved years ago before city and county laws restricted construction of new overnight accommodations. We finish off with an update on Utah’s snowpack and what to expect this spring. Plus, a shout out to the Grand County High School’s boys soccer team. - Show Notes - • Moab council approves $20M tentative budget https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-council-approves-20m-tentative-budget/ • Infrastructure needs dominate city’s 5-year CIP https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/infrastructure-needs-dominate-citys-5-year-cip/ • There are still hundreds of unbuilt hotel rooms in Grand County https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/there-are-still-hundreds-of-unbuilt-hotel-rooms-in-grand-county/ • For second year in a row, Moab’s snowpack exceeds median https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/for-second-year-in-a-row-moabs-snowpack-exceeds-median/ • Turner notches impressive season on the pitch https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/turner-notches-impressive-season-on-the-pitch/

For six years, Moab City has made various attempts to build workforce housing at the Walnut Lane trailer park without displacing current residents. And for six years, these efforts have fallen short for a variety of reasons. Now, the story of Moab City and Walnut Lane has reached a new low. Facing a pending loss of insurance for the trailer park, city officials are now requiring all tenants vacate their homes. Today on the news, we speak with interim city manager David Everitt and city council member Kaitlin Myers, who variously describe this turn of events as “painful, devastating, and heartbreaking.” // Show Notes: // Fundraiser for Walnut Lane families: https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-help-walnut-lane-families-avoid-homelessness?qid=3e3c4c814b07e1adbb8c22e20b5cb846

On the show today we speak to director Hadley Austin and cinematographer Yoni Goldstein about their new documentary, Demon Mineral. The film, which screened in Moab on Tuesday night, shows the devastating health and environmental consequences of uranium mining on the Navajo Nation where over 500 mines are still unremediated. // Show Notes: https://www.demonmineral.com/