Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

In other news, Tooele Valley residents are opposing a possible data center, concerned about water and a lack of transparency. And, fire restrictions are dropping at some national parks.

Half a dozen companies have applied to mine Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments since July. Environmentalists called it a harbinger for further exploitation.

President Donald Trump recently signed executive orders shrinking the size of two Utah national monuments. On this episode, we hear both sides of the debate.

A commissioner near Grand Staircase-Escalante supports the Trump administration significantly shrinking two national parks in the state. Conservationists oppose the move.

Utah political leaders claimed the monument designations locked up too much land. Conservation groups argued that land needs to be protected for future generations.

The state challenged former President Biden's national monument designations, saying they were too big and broad. However, some environmental groups remained confident the designations will hold.

In other news, a world-renowed BASE jumper was one of two people killed in an accident near Moab. And, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams has two primary challengers for his District 7 seat.

Republican lawmakers are increasingly turning to the Congressional Review Act to overturn public lands management plans — but until now, it hadn't been used to target a national monument.

In other news, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments could shrink again under President Trump. And, a mountain lion was spotted near a Murray apartment complex Wednesday morning.

Ahead of possible changes by the incoming Trump administration, the poll found that Utah voters were in support of preserving existing monuments and Native stewardship of the land.