KZMU News

This week on the Regional Roundup, we look at concerns over a proposed move by the U.S. Forest Service from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, and what that could mean for public lands management in the West. We’ll also visit a conserved organic orchard in Western Colorado, and we hear about new composting efforts in Aspen aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from food waste. Plus, a longtime avalanche rescue dog in Telluride retires after years of service, and a conversation with Denis Moynihan of Democracy Now! about the new documentary Steal This Story Please! and the importance of independent journalism. A report on concerns about the proposed U.S. Forest Service move from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City. (RMCR/KRCL) A feature on an organic orchard in Western Colorado that is now permanently conserved. (KVNF) A feature on composting efforts in Aspen that seek to reduce greenhouse emissions from wasted food. (Aspen Public Radio) A feature on a retiring avalanche rescue dog in Telluride. (KOTO) A two way with Denis Moynihan of Democracy Now! about the new documentary Steal This Story Please! (RMCR)

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear songs of resistance from around the region that were part of the March 28 No Kings rallies. We look at new efforts to support local news outlets in Colorado, at a time when many are struggling to survive. And in Telluride, a first-of-its-kind skijoring event brought horses, skiers, and spectators together. Plus, a conversation about the growing threats facing salt lakes around the world, including Utah’s Great Salt Lake.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the record low water levels in Lake Powell that are threatening deadpool this year after scare snowfall this winter. We also recap the No Kings rally in Moab, and give an update about upcoming free medical screenings that will take place in town later this month. - Show Notes - • Lake Powell is heading for a record low https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-situation-is-dire-lake-powell-is-heading-for-a-record-low-as-colorado-river-states-remain-deadlocked/ • No Kings protest draws 350 protesters in Moab https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/no-kings-protest-draws-350-protesters-in-moab/ • Moab Free Health Clinic to offer free breast and cervical cancer screenings https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-free-health-clinic-to-offer-free-breast-cervical-cancer-screenings/

National park staff in Utah are reviewing dozens of signs after new federal orders call for the removal of any displays deemed critical of the government or American history. Leaked documents show the confusion this is causing among park staff nationwide who are questioning signs about climate change, mining, and Indigenous history. /Photo: A sign about writer and former park ranger Ed Abbey has been flagged in Arches National Park for possible removal. Photo courtesy of Tom Ryan.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear about community concerns over an ICE detention facility in Glenwood Springs, the impact of the abortion ban in Wyoming, and a possible reason for high mule deer death rates in southeastern Utah. We finish the show with a conversation with a tribal water attorney on the relationship between Indigenous communities and the Colorado River.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the county’s recommendation for a new airline service contract at the airport. We also discuss the new director for the county’s tourism office. And we finish with a story about recent vandalism at a petroglyph panel near Tusher Tunnel.

Measles cases continue to rise across Utah, with more than 440 infections reported statewide since the outbreak began in June. In Moab, only three confirmed cases have been identified, but the virus has repeatedly appeared in local wastewater, suggesting infected people are still moving through the community. Health officials say tourism could increase the risk of transmission, even though vaccination rates in Grand County are slightly above the state average. Medical workers are urging people with symptoms to call ahead before seeking care so hospitals can isolate potential cases safely. - Show Notes - • Utah Department of Health https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/ • Utah Wastewater Testing https://avrpublic.dhhs.utah.gov/uwss/ Photo: A young boy shows symptoms of measles. Via Wikimedia Creative Commons.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear why moose populations are declining in the region and why Wyoming’s annual moose count is such an important event. We also dive into the mountain West’s unique sport of skijoring, which combines skiing and horseback riding. Later, we hear how a mountain community is building resilience in the face of climate change. And we round out the show with best-selling author Terry Tempest Williams, who talks about protecting public lands and her new memoir, The Glorians.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about a new cafe and shop that opened in town this week. We also discuss the county’s yearly trail maintenance volunteer weekend, which is scheduled for April 10 - 13. And we hear about an uptick in tourism trends in Moab this winter. - Show Notes - • The Press, Moab’s newest business opens March 19 https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-press-moabs-newest-business-opens-march-19/ • Spring Spruce Up seeks volunteers https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/spring-spruce-up-seeks-volunteers/ • Register for Spring Spruce Up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3wwTzZh7OVcDxi0wbhrBXNKM-gy1omxcez1FC5MBu9s2gBA/viewform • Winter tourism was good for Moab as city budget season arrives https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/winter-tourism-was-good-for-moab-as-city-budget-season-arrives/

In southeastern Utah, mule deer fawns are dying at unusually high rates, and researchers are trying to understand why. A collaborative study in the La Sal and San Juan mountains has found signs that Chronic Wasting Disease may be affecting deer much earlier in life than previously thought, possibly even before birth. As infection rates climb in the Moab area, scientists say the disease could be playing a growing role in the region’s struggling deer populations.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear a report on the growing outdoor recreation economy, a look at an abortion doula program supporting patients in Western Colorado, and a feature on youth activists rallying at the Utah legislature in support of efforts to save the Great Salt Lake. The show also features a story about a new mobile food bank serving rural communities in Colorado, and explores free speech and censorship: from a Durango bookstore’s lawsuit to block police from accessing a customer’s book purchase records, to a conversation with a Colorado librarian featured in the documentary The Librarians, which examines the rise of book bans and challenges to libraries.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about construction on the bike path on River Road, WabiSabi’s new building, and a recent decision to allow Class 1 e-bikes on certain Moab-area bike trails. - Show Notes - • Colorado River Trail Gap construction begins March 9 https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/colorado-river-trail-gap-construction-begins-march-9/ • WabiSabi makes huge strides on its relocation project https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/wabisabi-makes-huge-strides-on-its-relocation-project/ • Moab area trails open to Class 1 e-bikes on about 190 miles of singletrack https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-area-trails-open-to-class-1-e-bikes-on-about-190-miles-of-singletrack/

At their next meeting, Grand County commissioners will make a recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation about which airline they hope will serve Moab for the next four years. The county's current contract with Contour Airlines expires in September. In the meantime, the airline plans to add a second daily flight to Denver starting in April. Contour is one of four airlines in the running for the contract with Canyonlands Regional Airport. Residents can submit comments about the decision online or during the upcoming commission meeting. - Show Notes - Agenda for Grand County Commission Meeting - 3.17.26 https://grandcountyut.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2922/overview Photo by Emily Arntsen/KZMU

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear about an animal sanctuary in Wyoming that looks after animals who used to spend their days in laboratories. We find out what happens to patients when a rural health facility closes. Then we meet a Navajo basket weaver who is keeping the tradition alive for the next generation. We round out the show with a story about a recent community event on Colorado's Western Slope to educate young community members about the reality of drought and water conservation.

This week on the News Reel, we speak with Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the responses from local business owners about the end of timed entry at Arches. Plus, we give a preview of Stoopfest, a performing arts festival that will take place in Moab this weekend. - Show Notes - • Moab's stoops becomes stages at new performance arts festival https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moabs-stoops-become-stages-at-new-performance-arts-festival/

The Moab Police Department is investigating two recent scams that cost local victims more than $100,000. One case involved a business that lost a third of its cash reserves after a scammer impersonating a bank employee convinced a bookkeeper to transfer funds. Police say these kinds of scams are difficult to investigate because the perpetrators are often overseas, and they urge residents to contact their bank directly if they receive calls about suspicious account activity.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear from Colorado State University professor Michael Childers about how ski resorts may need to adapt to increasingly dry winters. We visit Salida, to hear about Monarch Mountain ski resort’s expansion during a historically dry season. Then we travel to the small mountain town of Nederland, where a low-snow winter is raising climate concerns among residents and local businesses. We hear the latest on avalanche danger in the backcountry, and we round out the show with a conversation with Park City resident Tom Bickner, father of Team USA ski jumper Kevin Bickner, about what it takes to be an Olympic ski jumper.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the end of the timed entry system at Arches National Park and what that means for Grand County’s economic assessment of the reservation system, which will cost the county $60,000. - Show Notes - • Arches National Park drops timed entry reservations for 2026 https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/arches-national-park-drops-timed-entry-reservation-for-2026/ • Residents question communication and transparency on Arches timed entry economic study https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/residents-question-communication-and-transparency-on-arches-timed-entry-economic-study/

Visitors no longer need a reservation to enter Arches National Park. The National Park Service announced last week that the timed entry program is discontinued for 2026. In a press release, federal officials said the decision is intended to “expand public access,” and similar reservation systems have ended at Glacier, Yosemite and Mount Rainier national parks as well. The change aligns with the goals of some Moab officials, who argue the reservation system caused visitor numbers to drop and harmed the local economy. Today, we speak with a former Arches park ranger about the benefits of timed entry. - Show Notes - • National Park Service timed entry press release https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/news/news02182026.htm Photo: A crowd of tourists wait in long lines at the entrance to Arches. Photo courtesy of the NPS.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear about an art exhibit in Durango, Colorado, that centers Indigenous and Latinx artists. Then, we hear from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, who spoke last month in Aspen about a new initiative aimed at advancing equality through women’s sports. We also travel to southeast Utah to learn how the ancient craft of flint knapping is being preserved and passed down to a new generation. And we wrap up in Denver hearing about two museums dedicated to preserving Black American history.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about a recent lawsuit filed against the Lieutenant Governor’s office and developers of the Echo Canyon development over their status as a preliminary municipality. We also discuss the cleanup effort at the UMTRA site in Moab, which finally relocated all 16 million tons of uranium waste to Crescent Junction.

Having a reliable well is the only way a lot of people can live in rural Utah. But digging a well can be an expensive gamble. You could spend thousands to hire a hydrologist to point you in the right direction. Or, for a fraction of the price, you could hire a water witch. Today we speak to Jim Brandt, an excavation contractor and dowser who uses brass rods and a handsaw to "witch" for the perfect place to dig. In his 40-year career, he’s only dug two dry wells.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear how national tensions around immigration enforcement are playing out in Wyoming. We visit a tiny mountain community in western Colorado that has worked to provide services for its senior residents, and we round out the show with a conversation about the recent ski patrol strike in Telluride and how it continues to impact the community.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the region’s record-low snowpack this winter. We also discuss Grand County’s $60,000 study into the timed entry system at Arches National Park. And we close with an update about a possible new air service contract at the airport. - Show Notes - • Utah snowpack hits worst levels on record https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/its-horrible-utah-snowpack-hits-worst-levels-on-record/ • Arches timed entry economic study delayed https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/arches-timed-entry-economic-study-delayed/ • Grand County hires consultant to explore airline options for Canyonlands Regional Airport https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-hires-consultant-to-explore-airline-options-for-canyonlands-regional-airport/

Negotiators from the seven Colorado River Basin states will likely miss a crucial deadline this weekend to submit a new plan for how to divide the dwindling water source. Without an agreement, the federal government retains the right to impose a contract on the states. The Feb. 14 deadline comes as the region faces record-low snowpack coupled with unusually warm temperatures this winter. - Show Notes - • USDA Snow Water Equivalent Map https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/imap/#version=2&elements=&networks=!&states=!&counties=!&hucs=&minElevation=&maxElevation=&elementSelectType=any&activeOnly=true&activeForecastPointsOnly=true&hucLabels=false&hucIdLabels=false&hucParameterLabels=true&stationLabels=&overlays=&hucOverlays=&basinOpacity=75&basinNoDataOpacity=25&basemapOpacity=100&maskOpacity=0&mode=data&openSections=dataElement,parameter,date,basin,options,elements,location,networks&controlsOpen=true&popup=&popupMulti=&popupBasin=&base=esriNgwm&displayType=station&basinType=6&dataElement=WTEQ&depth=-8&parameter=PCTMED&frequency=DAILY&duration=I&customDuration=&dayPart=E&monthPart=E&forecastPubDay=1&forecastExceedance=50&useMixedPast=true&seqColor=1&divColor=7&scaleType=D&scaleMin=&scaleMax=&referencePeriodType=POR&referenceBegin=1991&referenceEnd=2020&minimumYears=20&hucAssociations=true&relativeDate=-1&lat=42.300&lon=-114.300&zoom=4.5

This week on the Regional Roundup, we bring you voices from ICE protests held across the region, along with reporting on Native Americans who say they’ve been stopped, and in some cases detained, by immigration agents. We also look at growing concern in Indigenous communities over the possibility that Congress could overturn the current resource management plan for Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. Plus, we hear from an Aspen athlete headed to the Winter Olympics in Italy to compete in ski mountaineering, and we wrap up the show with the story of a radio play performed by students in Telluride.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Doug McMurdo, editor at the Times-Independent, about the ICE protest that took place in Moab last week. We also discuss a recent state audit of a former USU president who spent nearly $300,000 dollars renovating her office. And we finish with a quick update about funding for CFI’s youth program.

Today we speak to Greg Nunn, a master flintknapper from Castle Valley who crafts stone tools using an ancient technique. We discuss the ways he’s preserving, documenting and passing on the tradition and what the practice means to him personally. This episode is part of a KZMU series that highlights people in our community who are keeping Southwestern traditions alive. You can find more stories in this series on KZMU.org. - Show Notes - • Greg Nunn Flintknapping https://gregnunnflintworks.com/ • Photo: Greg Nunn chips away at a knife with an antler. Photo by Emily Arntsen/KZMU.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we'll hear about the formation of a new federal agency: the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, and a report on so-called “death cards” found in abandoned vehicles following rumored ICE activity near Vail, Colorado. We’ll also check in on an avalanche training program in Wyoming, and efforts underway to reintroduce wolverines to Colorado. Plus, a look at the dismantling of a beloved gathering place for some locals in Moab by the Bureau of Land Management, and we wrap up the show in Park City with a look at the Sundance Film Festival, the final year the festival will call Utah home before moving to Boulder, Colorado, next year.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about a statement from Moab City officials in response to federal immigration officers shooting and killing two Americans in Minnesota recently. We also discuss a survey taking place in the area to assess homelessness. - Show Notes - • Moab mayor reaffirms support for immigrants: ‘We’re not going to let anything happen to you.’ https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/were-not-gonna-let-anything-happen-to-you-moab-mayor-reaffirms-support-for-immigrants/ • Statewide effort to count Utahns experiencing homelessness https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/statewide-effort-to-count-utahns-experiencing-homelessness/

LeAnder Goldtooth is one of very few people his age keeping the art of Navajo basket weaving alive. At just 23 years old, he's become a master of the craft, harvesting his own sumac, reviving ancient patterns, and sharing his knowledge with the next generation. - Show Notes - • LeAnder Goldtooth on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashkiiasaa.goldtooth/ Photo: LeAnder Goldtooth holds two baskets he's working on for an upcoming ceremony. Photo by Emily Arntsen/KZMU.

This week on the Regional Roundup, we'll pay a visit to the First People's Festival that took place in Estes Park, Colorado, earlier this month. The three-day event brought together Indigenous artists, educators, and community members for fashion, art, dance, and storytelling. We also learn about a program that teaches high school students trade skills, and puts those skills to work building affordable housing. We’ll also take a closer look at the Colorado River Basin, where the U.S. Department of the Interior has released a draft environmental impact statement outlining potential paths forward for managing the river and its two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead. We’ll round out the show with a conversation with the filmmaker behind a new documentary examining the crisis in local journalism.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the Moab Chamber of Commerce’s recent business summit, and a special guest appearance at that meeting by Kevin Lilly, acting assistant secretary for the Department of Interior Fish, Wildlife and National Parks. We finish with a quick update about Our Village Community Center, a nonprofit that recently lost funding for free food distribution in Moab. - Show Notes - • Strengths, opportunities highlight chamber’s business summit https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/strengths-opportunities-highlight-chambers-business-summit/ • Lilly connects National Parks to God, children and cartels at business summit https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/lilly-connects-national-parks-to-god-children-and-cartels-at-business-summit/ • Our Village distributed nearly 34,000 pounds of food in 2025 as grant funding ends https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/our-village-distributed-nearly-34000-pounds-of-food-in-2025-as-grant-funding-ends/

For decades, Otho Bridge was a beloved gathering place for a small community of Moab locals who lived in Mill Creek Canyon. That era has come to an end—the last person left the canyon a few years ago. Then, last spring, the Bureau of Land Management dismantled the site at Otho Bridge, including the famous sandstone chessboard. In this story, we speak with a BLM archaeologist and a member of that original Mill Creek community about the line between art and vandalism, community and public land. Photo by Emily Arntsen/KZMU

This week on the Regional Roundup, we hear from vigils and protests around the region after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. We also hear from a former National Forest supervisor about the challenges currently facing public lands. Then, a conversation with a conservationist about efforts to restore American bison to Indigenous lands. We finish the show with a BLM archaeologist who tells us about efforts to preserve and conserve the region’s rich archaeological history.

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about a possible new sales tax in Grand County that would fund new public safety facilities. We also recap the city’s 2026 goals, which were discussed in a recent strategic planning retreat. And we finish with a quick update about the murder-suicide case in Island in the Sky. - Show Notes - • City discusses priorities at strategic planning retreat https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/city-discusses-priorities-at-strategic-planning-retreat/ • Commission launches review of proposed public safety sales tax https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/commission-launches-review-of-proposed-public-safety-sales-tax/ • 6-year-old child found deceased inside Canyonlands National Park https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/child-found-deceased-inside-canyonlands-national-park/

Living on the Colorado Plateau can sometimes feel like living in a science fiction novel with its nuclear waste sites and failing dams and Mars-like landscapes. Science fiction writers have long been drawn to the region, including authors John Clute and Pamela Zoline, who recently donated 14,000 first-edition sci-fi novels to a little library in Telluride. - Show Notes - Clute Science Fiction Library • https://www.tellurideinstitute.org/clute-science-fiction-library/ Photo by Emily Arntsen/KZMU

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the man found guilty of attempted murder after stabbing a woman on the Mill Creek Parkway in 2023. We also discuss a new medical cannabis pharmacy, which is expected to open in Moab this summer. Plus, we give a quick recap of the quicksand search and rescue mission in Arches that gained national attention last week. - Show Notes - • Parkway assailant found guilty of attempted murder https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/parkway-assailant-guilty-of-attempted-murder/ • Moab to receive a medical cannabis pharmacy https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-to-receive-a-medical-cannabis-pharmacy/ • Hiker rescued after becoming trapped in quicksand in Arches backcountry https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/hiker-rescued-after-becoming-trapped-in-quicksand-in-arches-backcountry/ • Ground beef donated to Moab food pantries ahead of holidays https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/pounds-of-ground-beef-donated-to-moab-food-pantries-ahead-of-the-holidays/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the county’s trail ambassador program, which will begin operating independently next year as a nonprofit called Steward Moab. We also discuss some upcoming holiday events. And we finish with a quick feature about what life is like for service workers in Moab. - Show Notes - • County trail ambassador program to relaunch as nonprofit Steward Moab https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-trail-ambassador-program-to-relaunch-as-nonprofit-steward-moab/ • Holiday events return https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/holiday-events-return-to-moab/ • Undervalued and misunderstood: How service workers live in Moab https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/undervalued-and-misunderstood-how-service-workers-live-in-moab/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about changes to Grand County’s rural healthcare tax, which will go into effect in January 2026. We also discuss how much the state of Utah spent to maintain limited operations at its five national parks during the government shutdown. And we finish with a quick update about the county’s new planning and zoning director. - Show Notes - • New revenue stream headed to EMS, fire protection and local care center https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-revenue-stream-headed-to-ems-fire-protection-and-local-care-center/ • Arches National Park faces uncertainty after the government shutdown https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/arches-national-park-faces-uncertainty-after-the-government-shutdown/ • Grand County hires PZ director after 9 month vacancy https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-hires-pz-director-after-9-month-vacancy/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the missed deadline for a new Colorado River agreement between upper and lower basin states. We also give a quick recap of last week’s Glen Canyon Dam symposium that took place at Star Hall. And we finish with a list of upcoming events happening in Grand County. - Show Notes - • Moab symposium reckons with the impacts of Glen Canyon Dam https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-symposium-reckons-with-the-impacts-of-glen-canyon-dam/ • Colorado River talks stall as Utah, other states miss key deadline https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/colorado-river-talks-stall-as-utah-other-states-miss-key-deadline/ • WabiSabi prepares to feed 840 for Thanksgiving https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/wabisabi-prepares-to-feed-840-for-thanksgiving/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Lizzie Ramirez, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the government re-opening and what that means for Utah’s food stamp recipients. We also discuss a vandalism case at Arches National Park, and the latest on asbestos clean up at the city’s Walnut Lane property. Show Notes: • Spray painted vandalism found on Devils Garden trail in Arches National Park https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/spray-painted-vandalism-found-on-devils-garden-trail-in-arches-national-park/ • What’s going on with Walnut Lane? https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/whats-going-on-with-walnut-lane/

Today on the News Reel, we speak to Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the results from Moab’s municipal election. We also discuss special groundwater approvals for a copper mine in Lisbon Valley. And we finish with a story about a recent water rights application for a housing development in Cisco. - Show Notes - • Langianese, Loftin, Taylor prevail in Moab City Council election https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/langianese-taylor-and-loftin-prevail-in-moab-city-council-election/ • EPA clears major milestone for Lisbon Valley copper mine expansion https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/epa-clears-major-milestone-for-lisbon-valley-copper-mine-expansion/ • State weighs water right change as developer eyes rebirth of Cisco ghost town https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/state-weighs-water-right-change-as-developer-eyes-rebirth-of-cisco-ghost-town/

On the show today we have the weekly News Reel where we talk to other local journalists about what they reported this week. Today, we speak with Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Moab Times-Independent, about whether state funding for Utah’s national parks will continue past the end of the month. We also discuss food stamp benefits, which are expected to expire on November 1 as well, and we explain where locals can get food and other support if and when funding runs out. And we finish with a story about the BLM’s decision to revisit the travel management plan for Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges. - Show Notes - • Visitors still eager to visit the Mighty 5 amid government shutdown https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/visitors-still-eager-to-visit-the-mighty-5-amid-government-shutdown/ • Grand County residents band together to support SNAP recipients amid government shutdown https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-residents-band-together-to-support-snap-recipients-amid-government-shutdown/ • Grand County backs BLM review of Labyrinth Rims travel plan https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-backs-blm-review-of-labyrinth-rims-travel-plan/

This week's Regional Roundup features reports from around the region on the No Kings rallies held Oct. 18 in thousands of communities across the country, including Denver, rural Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. The program also includes a story on the growing efforts to ban books in libraries, a report on the rise in immigration arrests in Western Colorado, and coverage of the Mountain Towns 2030 Climate Summit.

On the show today we have the weekly News Reel where we talk to other local journalists about what they reported this week. Today, we speak with Andrew Christiansen, reporter at the Times-Independent, about the fate of the Affordable Care Act subsidies that make health insurance accessible to thousands of Utah residents. We also give an update about a discrimination complaint filed on behalf of 13 women against Grand County. And we finish with a shoutout to the Grand County High School’s mountain bike team for winning another state championship. Show Notes - • Thousands of Utahns could face a hard choice if Affordable Care Act subsidies expire https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/thousands-of-utahns-could-face-a-hard-choice-if-enhanced-affordable-care-act-subsidies-expire/ • Expanded legal claim now includes 13 women alleging systemic harassment in Grand County https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/expanded-legal-claim-now-includes-13-women-alleging-systemic-harassment-in-grand-county/ • Red Devils mountain bikers take state again https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/red-devil-mountain-bikers-take-state-again/

Today we hear an interview with director Ash Hanson of PlaceBase Productions and the Moab Theater Project. Her musical, Leaving A Trace, debuted in Moab in September. The original, site-specific production took place in the Sand Flats Recreation Area and involved more than 75 local cast and crew members. In the interview, Hanson discusses her inspiration for the musical and the power of theater to build community. - Show Notes - • The Moab Theater Project https://www.instagram.com/moabtheaterproject/ • Leaving A Trace - The Radiodrama & Full Cast List https://www.kzmu.org/leaving-a-trace-the-radiodrama/ Photo: Ash Hanson poses with the Tardigrade, played by Sam Van Wetter, on the set of Leaving A Trace. Photo by David Newkirk.

This radio play is a special adaptation of Leaving A Trace, a musical written and directed by Ash Hanson of PlaceBase Productions and the Moab Theater Project. The original, site-specific show debuted in the Sand Flats Recreation Area in Moab in September. Music for Leaving A Trace was written by Brian Laidlaw, Jen Thomas, Ash Hanson, and Rachel Toups, with musical performances by Brian Laidlaw, Jen Thomas, Ash Hanson, Rachel Toups, Josie Kovash, Jack Hanley, Grizel Williams, Anna Weimholt, Jon Kovash, and Ed Oak. The audio for this radio play was recorded and edited by Rob Walker. Special thanks to stage manager Joanne Savoie, assistant director Malcolm Campbell-Taylor, set, puppet, and prop designers Sam Van Wetter, Molly Gurney, and Alex Barreto Hathaway, and costume designer, Emily Arntsen. And of course, thanks to all 75 cast and crew members who helped bring this show to life. This production was made possible with support from the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, the Bureau of Land Management, the Sand Flats Recreation Area, KiKiBouba Press, the Grand County High School, Moab Music Festival, Moab Community Theater, Eagle River Designs, PlaceBase Productions, and the Center for Performance and Civic Practice. - Show Notes - • Interview with Ash Hanson & Full Cast List https://www.kzmu.org/leaving-a-trace-the-radiodrama/ • Moab Theater Project https://www.instagram.com/moabtheaterproject/ Photo: A rock witch dances during the final scene of Leaving A Trace. Photo by Scott Rogers.

On this week’s Regional Roundup, a report on a crew of dogs helping to sniff out invasive weeds in Wyoming and a special quilting project honoring veterans in Western Colorado. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien discusses the importance of science, and best-selling author Kevin Barry talks about the history of Irish miners migrating to the Rocky Mountain West in the late 1800s, the setting for his latest novel, The Heart in Winter.

This week on the News Reel, we hear from Times-Independent reporter Lizzie Ramirez about the effects of the government shutdown on Arches National Park, the latest update in a discrimination complaint filed against two county commissioners and the county attorney, and the new workforce housing complex under construction on Highway 191. • County categorically denies alleged mistreatment of female employees, contractors https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/county-categorically-denies-alleged-mistreatment-of-female-employees-contractors/ • What Arches National Park visitors are experiencing during a government shutdown https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/what-arches-national-park-visitors-are-experiencing-during-a-government-shutdown/