KZMU News KZMU News

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.