An in-depth discussion about climate change in the Western Slope region with former National Weather Service forecaster, Joe Ramey. Roughly a decade ago, as the Climate Liaison at the Grand Junction office, Joe undertook his own regional climate study to better understand potential changes in climate occurring here on the ground and to inform the local community of the impacts of global warming in relation to its effects on their daily lives.

Crossing the Divide CMU Intern Lohgan McClung joins me at the KAFM studio to discuss her internship project, Deep Roots, available on our social media accounts in January. Deep Roots is an in-depth profile of Parachute, CO as told through several of its residents.

8 months into the year 2020 a global pandemic of COVID-19 continues to rage here at home and around the world. The United States, struggling to adopt a coherent national plan to combat the disease, faces another rise in cases and surmounting death toll as we enter our yearly flu season with the potential for a twindemic that could cripple our health care system.

Mesa County Public Health Epidemiologist Andrew Tyler joins me for a deeper look at SARS-COV-2 and the illness known as COVID-19, the reasons behind our comparatively mild local outbreak, and how we must proceed to keep this disease in check and usher in a return normalcy.

Mesa County Public Health Epidemiologist Andrew Tyler joins me at the KAFM studio for a preview of our upcoming podcast, Pandemic! with a focus on proper cleaning and hygiene to help prevent the spread of illness during a pandemic.

Former National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe Ramey joins me in the KAFM studio to preview our upcoming podcast, "Climate Talks," detailing the process and results of a Western Slope climate study he undertook analyzing 100 years of weather data in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.

In this preview, we discuss the potential impact of climate change on the region's critical winter outdoor recreation industry. Joe is an avid alpine and nordic ski enthusiast and currently serves as President of the Grand Mesa Nordic Council.

A conversation with best-selling author and Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of History, Timothy Winegard, whose latest book, The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator examines the dramatic impact of a pesky but seemingly unassuming creature on the course of human existence.

The release of this podcast coincides with the release of the book in paperback format.

This PREVIEW to our upcoming release, Mosquito, features excerpts from our conversation with New York Times bestselling author Tim Winegard on his most recent book highlighting the dramatic impact this disease-carrying foe has had on the course of human history.

Our in-studio guest for this sneak preview is Tim Moore, Director of the Grand River Mosquito Control District, who brings a local focus to the battle against a pesky predator responsible for spreading West Nile virus across Western Colorado each summer.

This show originally aired live on KAFM Community Radio on June 17th.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward? To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Our 6th and final installment of Life Under Lockdown, "Dining In: The Hot Tomato" looks at the effects of lockdown on the restaurant industry in a conversation with The Hot Tomato owners Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller. Since its inception 15 years ago, The Hot Tomato has elevated the funky vibe of Fruita, CO and transformed into an appetizing example of capitalism with a social conscience.

Jen and Anne share insight into the internal debate of how to restructure operations under a state of new normal; their decision to stick with a take-out model for the near future despite a statewide re-opening; and the unique opportunities presented by a chance to step back from the norm and re-evaluate priorities moving forward.

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward? To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Episode 5, "Tensions Rising: Domestic Abuse" spotlights the increased tension of lockdown on those living with domestic abuse and features Paige Cadman of Hilltop's Latimer House. While the Colorado Governor declares a state of "Safer at Home," what is the impact on people whose homes present the threat of violence and danger? How can survivors seek out the vital services when their abusers are now a constant presence?

In an effort to document the unique Zeitgeist of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crossing the Divide has created a limited video series, Life Under Lockdown, where we interview individuals, businesses and organizations impacted by a society in limbo while the battle against an insidious disease rages all around us. How has a life under lockdown altered our realities and how will it continue to shape human existence moving forward? To keep our podcast listeners occupied while we channel efforts toward this video endeavor, we are releasing the audio track from this video, recorded via Zoom and available in video format on our Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Episode 4 examines the challenges and surprising upsides of maintaining D51 student counseling and mental health support services during the extended school closure caused by the coronavirus outbreak. How is the district pivoting internally to more seamlessly provide remote learning and services in the future? And how can school districts bear the increasing demands placed on public institutions of learning?

This episode features a group conversation with D51 Counseling Coordinator Shauna Hobbs; Suicide Prevention Specialist Gen Morris; and SEL Specialist Heather O'Brien.