KZMU Public Affairs

Imagine it's 1960, and you’ve just rolled into the tiny town of Moab, Utah for vacation. You’ve seen photos in magazines of the ‘canyonland area’ and you’re looking for someone to guide you to these spectacular places. Well, there’s pretty much just one expert guide to do the job - Mr. Lin Ottinger of Lin Ottinger Scenic Tours and the Moab Rock Shop. On the latest History Hour, Lin guides us back...

An informative and historic dialogue on the latest This Week in Moab about growth, development and…property taxes. Thirty years ago, KZMU host Christy Williams-Dunton was one of decision-makers setting Moab City's property tax rate at zero. Now, decades later, she interviews the city officials re-considering that rate, who say sales tax no longer covers important needs like deferred maintenance pr...

Great Wide Open’s Lisa Hathaway dives in with paddleboarder and river rat Natali Zollinger. The duo talk about Natali’s background in water sports, her passion for competition, and journey to guiding. There’s also lots of tips and techniques for the paddleboard newbie! This conversation was first recorded back in the summer of 2020, and an excerpt of it appeared Great Wide Open’s ‘alt rec’ show. G...

What happens when the housing crisis in a gateway community becomes so strained that there are 100 available jobs but only 1 available rental? When then the town of Crested Butte, Colorado experienced this dire scenario they declared an emergency. On the latest This Week in Moab, Crested Butte Community Development Director Troy Russ gives a history on the housing issue in his small community and...

Steampunk Fantasies. Time Travel. Bug Hunting. A storage locker full of UFO-ology. It’s all on the latest Radio Book Club, where hosts Jessie Magleby, Andy Nettell, and Shari Zollinger discuss the latest titles grabbing their attention this month. Lots of reviews and recommendations on their July episode, as well as literary events and happenings in town. Radio Book Club Mentions - La Sal Mountain...

KZMU is thrilled to introduce The History Hour to our airwaves! Blaine Reniger serves as the host and guide for this brand-new show, taking us through some interesting moments of Moab history. On the inaugural episode, Blaine delves deep at Arches National Park. From the early days of Doc Williams and the Moab Lion’s Club to Bates Wilson in blue jeans and ‘the man in the pink Cadillac.’ Hear about...

On the latest This Week in Moab, guest Brian Murdock discusses his observations about recreation impacts from the Pack Creek Fire on the La Sal Mountains. Murdock is the Recreation and Trails Manager for the Manti-La Sal National Forest Moab/Monticello Ranger District and has decades of experience in the area. He says the public shouldn’t lose heart about the fire scar and has hope for recovery. P...

A first-person account of the early days of the Pack Creek Fire on the latest This Week in Moab. Host Christy Williams-Dunton speaks with Jason Kirks, fuels program manager with the Bureau of Land Management, who made the call to get more resources on the blaze. The duo talk wildfire management, as well as the importance of just putting those damn campfires out – completely. (Note: there are no ca...

Art education is the theme of the latest Art Talks, as host Richard Codd explores the ‘Summer Snow’ program at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. He first speaks with co-directors Brad Taggart and Adam Larsen on the art workshops, which feature everything from portrait sculpture to charcoal drawing and jewelry making. Next (19:00), instructor and Summer Snow founder Carl Purcell discusses his techniqu...

It’s Great Wide Open, Olympics edition! Host Lisa Hathaway loves the world-wide competition, and her enthusiasm comes through when interviewing her Olympian guests. First up is Moab part-time resident and skier Pete Patterson, who competed in the 1976 and 1980 winter Olympics. He talks about his upbringing on ski runs in Idaho and gives some sound advice to any kids interested in competing – bring...

This Week in Moab host Howard Trenholme gets the latest happenings on Center Street from local elected representatives. Guests are Moab City Council Member Tawny Knuetson-Boyd and Grand County Commissioner Jacques Hadler. This convo starts at 13:00, and the first big topic on the table is water. Next up, efforts to reduce noise across the valley. Then, renewable energy. And more! But first during...

On the latest Radio Book Club, hosts Jessie Magleby, Sam Van Wetter, and Shari Zollinger discuss some big themes in their chosen books - like dealing with grief and loss as well as the experience of love and rejuvenation. They talk indie bestsellers, literary events, and give thoughtful reviews of the books they just couldn't put down this month. Join KZMU's most well-read show for their monthly b...

On the latest This Week in Moab, state historic preservation officer Christopher Merritt discusses a recent excavation of a Chinese railroad worker's home in northern Utah. It was the first scientific investigation of a railroad town in the state. Merritt talks about how this type of archeology can help fill in the pages of our history books, and how the descendants of Chinese railroad workers hel...

Grand County’s Business Development Specialist, August Granath, joins the latest This Week in Moab to discuss local economic development and diversification efforts. Granath shares some research into the history of the Moab valley, as well as his department’s goals. They include facilitating a diverse economy, workforce development, and increasing the quality of life for residents. Plus, a convers...

On the latest This Week in Moab, host Christy Williams-Dunton welcomes Moab City's new sustainability director Mila Dunbar-Irwin. The duo chat about resiliency across various environmental resources in Moab including water, energy, and even economic development. Plus, Dunbar-Irwin breaks down the latest on water conservation planning the draft sustainability action plan. And later in the show (30:...

Mix a touch of local art with a dab of western watercolor, add a little film history and...voila! You've got the latest Art Talks. Host Richard Codd spends time talking process and local arts culture with Antonio Savarese, a former Community Artist in the Park. Next (24:00), Maura Naughton and Kristi Grussendorf from Utah Watercolor Society give a run down of the 2021 Western Federation of Waterco...

On the latest The Week in Moab, a discussion and with Walt Dabney on the history of public lands in America. Dabney is the former Superintendent of the Southeast Utah Group of the National Parks and former director of Texas State Parks. He gives an overview of the concept of public and private lands in America, how this dynamic has shaped nationwide policy, and the historical issues that are infor...

On the latest Radio Book Club, books that – upon the second or third reading – might spark a different reaction in the reader than the first. Of Mice and Men. The Fountainhead. Catcher in the Rye. Hosts Shari Zollinger, Jessie Magleby, and Sam Van Wetter discuss the personal changes that might contribute to these different reading experiences over time. Plus, reviews of books old and new! And, boo...

It's a little bit of everything on the latest Art Talks. Host Richard Codd starts things off with guest Candice Cravins, the executive director of the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. Candice talks about their latest and upcoming exhibits. Then - Julia Buckwalter, the 2021 Community Artist in the Parks, discusses her artistic process and what she's looking forward to about working 'en plei...

The latest This Week in Moab is a panel discussion on issues related to development. Guests are Curtis Wells, who recently served on the Governor’s rural policy committee, Kalen Jones, Moab City Council Member, and Gabriel Woytek, Vice-Chair of the Grand County Commission. In conversation with host Howard Trenholme, the trio give updates from their various spheres related to housing, water, and re...

One year ago, Great Wide Open host Lisa Hathaway interviewed climber, American Ninja Warrior, and physician Noah Kaufman for a prospective look at what might be on the horizon with coronavirus. They talked mainly about how the pandemic could affect their shared passion - rock climbing. Now, Noah returns to Lisa’s show for a retrospective look at that conversation and to muse about how where we mig...

Name that first line! The latest Radio Book Club includes an exciting pop up trivia segment, where host Shari Zollinger unleashes the wits and wiles of the well-read Jessie Magleby and Andy Nettell. It's 'Hardback Jeopardy!' Also in this episode - the latest bestsellers and classic reads grabbing the attention of the trio this month. Radio Book Club Mentions: Wild Seed by Octavia Butler Remote Con...

Thought for Food goes 'on location' at the amazing Youth Garden Project, where staff and volunteers not only grow food, but kids and community. Host Tim Buckingham gets the latest from executive director Kaitlin Thomas and farm manager Nikki Lax. The trio talk about the Youth Garden's commitment to sustainability in all forms, and take an exciting tour of the garden grounds. Youth Garden Project h...

Remember live storytelling? Take a trip through time and listen to the Storied Self 2020 Look Back Special. We have live storytellers from 2020 event themes LOVE, BEAUTY, and GRADUATION DAY, weaving their tales during a year like none other. Hosts Josie Kovash and Celia Alario take us through the special, discussing how the pandemic has shifted the stories we tell ourselves – and each other.

On the latest This Week in Moab, we speak with two people leading local nonprofits that do a lot in our community – Abigail Taylor of Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center and Rhiana Medina of the Moab Valley Multicultural Center. Both discuss how the past year has changed their services, especially when it comes to crisis resource and advocacy work. Tune in for a conversation about the greate...