KZMU News KZMU News

Concerned about more gentrification in the valley, Grand’s planning commission did not support a rezone request for property adjacent to the Moab Golf Course and Steel Bender OHV trail. Red Rock Development group had planned to bring 54 single-family houses and recreational amenities like pickleball and a pool to the area. But this month, officials indicated they are not interested in approving development without guarantees of workforce housing. Plus, as winter comes to a close in our region’s mountains, a report on what to expect for a summer in the Colorado River Basin.

// Show Notes

// Photo: A rezone for 73-acre parcel of property near the Moab Golf Course and Steel Bender OHV trail did not receive support from Grand’s planning commission. Developers planned to build single family houses and recreational amenities in the area.

// 5/9/22 Public Hearing to Consider PUD Rezone (starts on page 38)
https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05092022-1503

// KUNC: For this summer’s water forecast, climate experts are looking back to winter
https://www.kunc.org/environment/2022-05-12/for-this-summers-water-forecast-climate-experts-are-looking-back-to-winter

A leaked draft opinion indicates the Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v Wade – which for nearly 50 years has made abortion a right in the U.S. Over the weekend, thousands marched across the country to protest the opinion and share their support for reproductive rights. Our radio partners report from a march in Telluride, Colorado. Plus, a new report shows that public land conservation has lagged over the past decade in Western states, and the number of acres protected in our region varies widely. And, six tribes and a group of conservation nonprofits in the Upper Colorado River basin have released a ‘shared vision’ for the future of the river.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Over the weekend, thousands marched across the country to support reproductive rights, including in Telluride, Colorado. KOTO/Julia Caulfield

// KOTO: Telluride Marches for Reproductive Rights
https://www.koto.org/featured-news-stories/2022/5/16/telluride-marches-for-reproductive-rights

// KUNC: New bill aims to boost tribal access to clean water
https://www.kunc.org/news/2022-05-16/new-bill-aims-to-boost-tribal-access-to-clean-water

One week into his role as Moab City Police Chief, Jared Garcia is doing a lot of listening. The former Utah Department of Public Safety Officer steps into this leadership role after a tumultuous time for local police. He calls this leadership change an opportunity and fresh start both for the department and the community. Plus, a new congressional analysis highlights the economic barriers Native Americans continue to face.


Photo: Moab City Police Chief Jared Garcia


Full interview with Chief Garcia (and transcript):
https://www.kzmu.org/moab-city-police-chief-jared-garcia-on-this-week-in-moab/

If you spend enough time in Moab, you might notice something about the leadership here. From local business to nonprofits and elected positions – women hold a lot of the top jobs. This caught the eye of freelancer Holly Lammert, who set out to interview women working in a variety of roles in our community. Today on the news, an audio essay on the opportunities and challenges around being a woman in leadership in Moab.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: (from top right) Women featured in today’s audio essay include Katie Grauel of Moab Rolfing, Kathryn Blitz of Wild West Voyages and Grand County Commissioner Josie Kovash. The photo of Josie Kovash being sworn into office is courtesy of The Times-Independent/Sophia Fisher.

//Want to be interviewed for Holly's next women in leadership audio essay? Contact news@kzmu.org

// Pew Research Center: Gender pay gap in U.S. held steady in 2020
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/25/gender-pay-gap-facts/

// Catalyst: Globally, the Share of Women in Senior Management Is Increasing
https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-management/

// Harvard Business Review: Women at Work
https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-women-at-work

San Juan County has long-simmering political tension, which can erupt even when trying to fill a temporary county attorney position. Today on the news, the fight over the interim job has led to a lawsuit and bitter feelings. Plus, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new round of funding for water projects. And, an announcement! KZMU’s five-part miniseries, Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility, has been honored with a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Our series won in the category ‘Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.’ We hear from station manager Serah Mead on why winning a Regional Murrow Award is meaningful for KZMU and independent community radio.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories about the Moab area. Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses new police chief Jared Garcia, a long-term community childcare crisis, camping fees at Utahraptor State Park and local county commissioner Trish Hedin’s fox attack. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks prescribed burns, an upcoming hydroponics workshop, ‘Science on Screen’ events and a celebratory ‘mini-fest’ from the Moab Music Festival.

// Show Notes

// Photo: The San Juan County Courthouse in Monticello. The fight over the interim county attorney position has led to a lawsuit.

// (5/11) San Juan Special Board of Commissioners Meeting
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/sanjuancut-pubu/MEET-Packet-b4fc75b0998e42e78d307ef17f492769.pdf

// KZMU receives Regional Murrow Award in Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/KZMU-Receives-First-Regional-Murrow-Award.pdf

// Lift Up: LGBTQ+ Visibility
https://www.kzmu.org/lift-up/

// If you’d like to be involved with the 2022 Lift Up project as a subject, producer or otherwise please contact Serah Mead at serah@kzmu.org.

// Weekly News Reels Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Garcia aims to bring stability to MPD
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/garcia-aims-to-bring-stability-to-mpd/

// The Times-Independent: ‘There’s absolutely a child care crisis here’
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/theres-absolutely-a-child-care-crisis-here/

// The Times-Independent: Plan on camping at Utahraptor State Park?
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/plan-on-camping-at-utahraptor-state-park/

// The Times-Independent: Outfoxed? Not Hedin
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/outfoxed-not-hedin/

// Moab Sun News: Moab BLM uses prescribed burns to support ecosystems
https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/prescribed-burns/

// Moab Sun News: Community Rebuilds hosts hydroponics workshop
https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/hydroponics-workshop/

// Moab Sun News: Science on the silver screen
https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/science-on-screen/

// Moab Sun News: Moab Music Festival debuts ‘High Water Festival’
https://moabsunnews.com/2022/05/12/high-water-festival/

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office identified Adam Pinkusiewicz as a suspect in the double homicide of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. This major development comes nearly nine months after the Moab couple’s remains were found at a campsite in the La Sal Mountains. Authorities are still looking for information about Pinkusiewicz, who died by suicide in September 2021. Plus, a new report by the US Interior Department is sharply critical of the Indian boarding school system. And, a group of Indigenous runners is currently traveling over 360 miles from Bears Ears National Monument to Warm Springs Park in Salt Lake City. Two runners speak about their connection to running as medicine.

// Show Notes

// Authorities are still looking for information about Adam Pinkusiewicz and his vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Yaris. If you might have information please call the Grand County Sheriff’s Office at 435- 259-8115.

// Seekhaven Family Crisis and Resource Center says trauma is a shared experience for many community members at this time. If you need support, counseling or other resources call their helpline at 435-259-2229.

// Photo: A cross marks the turnoff for the campsite where Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner were camping in August 2021. Nearly nine months since their bodies were found, law enforcement released the name of a suspect.

// 5-11-22 GCSO Press Release (Includes Suspect and Vehicle Photos)
https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/5-11-22-GCSO-Press-Release-1.pdf

// KSJD: New report investigates traumatic legacy of federal Indian boarding schools
https://www.ksjd.org/podcast/ksjd-local-newscasts/2022-05-11/new-report-investigates-traumatic-legacy-of-of-federal-indian-boarding-schools

// Running As Medicine Indigenous Prayer Run
https://www.facebook.com/runningasmedicine