Public News Service

As of June 2024, electric school bus adoption in the U.S. has grown to a total commitment of 12,164 buses since 2012, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

AZ has over 150 electric school buses, could more be on the way?

With school in full swing, many Arizona students will take the bus to school. Earlier this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded $900 …

Nationwide, the child poverty rate decreased from 17.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to this year's Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ's educational system failing its students

Arizona's overall child well-being ranks 42nd in the nation. The latest Annie E. Casey "Kids Count" Data Book looks at markers to see how well …

In September, Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads were recalled after an infant died in July. (Adobe Stock)

Expert warns some toys pose danger to kids

With the holiday gift-giving season here, consumer advocates want to make sure parents and caregivers understand the threats some toys can pose to …

Annually, nearly 4,000 children and teens are shot and killed and 15,000 are shot and wounded, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Study examines far-reaching impacts of gun violence on children

More than 1,300 Arizonans died by gun violence in 2021 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While mass shootings get …

Arizona was one of the first five states to start the

Health Experts Warn AZ Children Could Lose Medicaid Coverage

Parents' back-to-school checklist in Arizona might include double-checking to make sure their children still have health insurance. Arizona was one …

Arizona fue uno de los cinco primeros estados en iniciar el proceso de

Expertos en salud advierten que niños de AZ podrían perder cobertura de Medicaid

La lista de verificación para el regreso a clases de los padres en Arizona podría incluir una doble comprobación para asegurar que sus …

Many Gen Zers have indicated their first step in managing behavioral health challenges was going to TikTok or Reddit for advice from the young people. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Cross-Generational Talk Urged to Tackle Gen Z's Mental-Health Worries

One doctor of behavioral health and licensed professional counselor in Arizona said he has found 'Gen Zers,' those born after 1996, are not only …

According to Arizona's Department of Child Safety, nearly 14,000 children are in foster care, but there are only about 3,000 licensed foster families. (Adobe Stock)

Group Wants to Expand Adoption Services in Arizona

One organization wants to help the longest waiting children in Arizona's foster-care system find their way into loving, adoptive family homes…

According to the Food and Drug Administration, more than 2.5 million high- and middle-school students currently use e-cigarettes, and almost 85% of them used flavored e-cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)

FDA Cracks Down on Vape Products; Experts Say More Action Needed

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced several actions in an effort to crack down on illegal, flavored, disposable vape products which …

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, child care workers make less than workers in 98% of the nation's other professions, with a median annual pay of just under $29,000. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Arizona Ranks Poorly in Overall Child Well-Being

New data ranks Arizona 39th in the country for overall child well-being. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2023 Kids Count Data Book…

According to ALL in Education, climate and environment has been identified as one of nine factors that have the biggest effect on student academic outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Schools Set to Receive Trees Through State Budget Appropriation

Arizona environmental-justice advocates are celebrating some big wins passed through the state budget. One of the provisions, Senate Bill 1689…

After receiving her master's degree in Education from Arizona State University, Laura Terech began teaching in a Title I school. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

Former Teacher, Now AZ Lawmaker, Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

It is Teacher Appreciation Week , and one Arizona lawmaker, who is a former elementary school teacher, wants to recognize the important work …

School districts have until Aug. 22 to turn in their applications for this year's Clean School Bus Program. (Moms Clean Air Force)

AZ School District Sees Benefits of Electric Buses, More Funds On Way

This week, one Arizona school district is sharing the local benefits ushered in by the Inflation Reduction Act. Isaac School District in West …

According to the American Heart Association, children in low-income households consume two and a half times more sugary drinks than their peers in higher-income households. (Adobe Stock)

AZ School District Prioritizes Water Access for Students

Two school districts in Arizona are working to improve water access for students. Tolleson Elementary and Cartwright Elementary school districts …

Joellen Russell says diesel buses emit fumes like formaldehyde and benzene, the same chemicals found in cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: AZ's Dirty Energy Negatively Impacts Kids, Federal Dollars Could Help

April is Earth Month, and for many climate scientists and advocates across the world, it's a time to raise environmental awareness. In Arizona…

According to Students Demand Action, firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Law Could Allow Parents to Carry Guns on School Campuses

A new law in Arizona could allow parents and guardians of children who attend public schools to carry their guns on campus if they hold a valid concea…

The Arizona Senate approved the measure with a two-thirds vote, and it did not require a signature from Gov. Katie Hobbs. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Legislators Waive Education Funding Cap, Avoiding School Closures

With only weeks until the March first deadline, Arizona lawmakers voted to let public school districts spend the close to $1.4 billion allocated to …

According to the report, Arizona's rate of uninsured children was 8.5% in 2021, compared with 9.2% in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Could See Rebound in Uninsured Kids as Federal Dollars Stop Flowing

Arizona saw 15,000 more kids get health insurance between 2019 and 2021, thanks to federal dollars which kept them and their families insured during …

Seg�n el informe, la tasa de ni�os sin seguro de Arizona fue del 8.5 % en 2021, en comparaci�n con el 9.2 % en 2019. (Adobe Stock)

AZ podría ver un repunte de niños sin seguro cuando dejen de fluir los fondos federales

Arizona vio 15,000 niños más obtener un seguro de salud entre 2019 y 2021, gracias a los dólares federales que los mantuvieron a ellos …

According to the report, 59% of child deaths in Arizona were from natural causes, followed by fatal accidental injuries, at 29%. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Child Deaths, Many Preventable, Increased in 2021

A grim reminder is out - that Arizona could be doing more to keep its youngest residents safe and healthy. The state's 29th annual Child Fatality …

According to First Things First, 90% of a child's brain develops before he or she starts kindergarten. (Adobe Stock)

New Parent Guide Helps AZ Parents Meet Challenges of Having a Baby

The Arizona New Parent Guide is a resource that is intended to help new parents meet the challenges of having a baby and support their baby's health …

A number of cities across the country are increasingly using tiny homes as cost-saving alternatives to help shelter people experiencing homelessness. (Sirikornt/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit Group Builds Tiny Homes to Shelter AZ Youths

By Lourdes Medrano for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Arizona News Connection, reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

Doctors say sickle cell disease patients rely on a diverse and available blood supply to treat the effects of the disease. (belyjmishka/Adobe Stock)

Sickle Cell Awareness Month Aims to Inform, Educate about Genetic Disease

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time when doctors and patient advocates hope to spread awareness of a complex and often misunderstood …

An annual study on the health and well-being of American children found that the incidence of mental-health issues increased significantly during the pandemic. (Prostock studio/Adobestock)

Annual Report Finds Arizona Children Increasingly Face Anxiety, Depression

Advocacy groups are sounding the alarm about the well-being of Arizona's children. The 2022 Kids Count Data Book released today ranks Arizona 44th …

A recent study finds that parents and teachers need to be involved as more kids ages 8-18, already on social media, are beginning to use the metaverse. (Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)">

Tech Insider, Health Experts Call Social Media Growing Threat to Kids

Last year, a whistleblower lifted the curtain on how Facebook and its sister companies impact children's mental health. Now, alongside teachers and …

Per a report from the Sentencing Project, most kids are arrested on relatively minor, nonviolent charges. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Bill Would Compel Officers to Inform Minors of Miranda Rights

An Arizona bill would compel police officers to inform minors under 18 of their rights after being arrested; which is required by federal law…

Thousands of Arizona children gained health-insurance coverage during the pandemic but may need to re-register when the health-care emergency ends. (didesign/Adobe Stock)

AZ Kids Could Lose Insurance Coverage When Health Emergency Ends

With the end of the pandemic-driven public-health emergency looming, a new report reveals that millions of children in Arizona and elsewhere are at …

Miles de ni�os de Arizona obtuvieron cobertura de seguro m�dico durante la pandemia, pero es posible que deban volver a registrarse cuando finalice la emergencia de atenci�n m�dica. (didesign/Adobe Stock)

Niños de AZ podrían perder la cobertura de seguro cuando termine la emergencia de salud

Con el inminente fin de la emergencia de salud pública provocada por la pandemia, un nuevo informe revela que millones de niños en Arizona …

The Salt River Project will award $200,000 in grants next year to Arizona teachers for special projects in science and social studies. But they must apply to be considered. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Salt River Project Competition Means Grants for Arizona Teachers

Arizona educators constantly are coming up with creative ways to keep their students engaged, but often money is not available for special projects…

Many Arizona public school districts may have to cut back or eliminate transportation or other programs if state legislators force year-end budget cuts. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

Students, Teachers Caught in Battle Over AZ School Funding Cap

A battle between Arizona legislators and the state's 230 public school districts over a four-decade-old funding cap has put students and their familie…

Pete Sands and two of his puppet creations, Sadie and Ash. The puppets will be the stars of

Puppets Aim to Teach Navajo Children Tribe's Language, Culture

It was a little bit "Muppet Show," a little bit "Sesame Street" and a lot of community pride that brought about the idea for a TV series to teach Nava…

Researchers say parents should set a good example for their kids when it comes to screen time using digital devices. (paulaphoto/Adobe Stock)

Experts Warn Parents on Excess Screen Time, Blue Light Exposure

The pandemic shows no signs of ending soon, and with working from home and distance learning still a reality for many households - health experts are …

The Build Back Better Act would require states to provide 12 months of postpartum health coverage and 12 months of continuous health coverage for children, as well as making federal funding for CHIP permanent. (didesign/AdobeStock)

Children's Advocates See Build Back Better Act Improving AZ Kids' Health

PHOENIX -- Health advocates in Arizona and across the country are pressing the U.S. Senate to approve the Build Back Better Act, because it would …

El Proyecto de Ley Reconstruir Mejor requerir�a que los estados proporcionen 12 meses de cobertura de salud posparto y 12 meses de cobertura de salud continua para los ni�os, as� como que los fondos federales para CHIP sean permanentes. (didesign / AdobeStock)

Defensores de menores ven que Ley Reconstruir Mejor aumentará salud de niños en AZ

PHOENIX -- Defensores de la salud en Arizona y en todo el país están presionando al Senado de los EE. UU. para que apruebe la Ley …

A new survey shows only one in five American children get at least 60 minutes of physical exercise a day, putting them at risk for chronic health conditions later in life. (Jordan/Adobe Stock)

Health Report: AZ Children Less Active, More Anxious

PHOENIX, Ariz. - A new report ranks Arizona 48th in the nation for kids' lack of physical activity. And only 20% of kids nationwide are physically …

Children enrolling in most Arizona public schools must receive several vaccines to protect themselves and their classmates from infectious diseases. (CSMedia/Adobe Stock)

Report: Annual Doctor Visit Should be High on 'Back-to-School' Checklist

TUCSON, Ariz. -- It is getting to be "back-to-school" time in Arizona, and pediatricians say a visit to the doctor is as important for kids as …

Los ni�os que se inscriben en la mayor�a de las escuelas p�blicas de Arizona deben recibir varias vacunas diferentes para protegerse a s� mismos y a sus compa�eros de clases de enfermedades infecciosas. (CSMedia / Adobe Stock)

Visitar al doctor debe estar en un lugar destacado en la lista de pendientes para el “Regreso a clases”

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Se está acercando el momento del "regreso a clases" en Arizona, y los pediatras dicen que una visita al médico es tan …

Before this week, families with children got a deduction on their income tax return for the Child Tax Credit. Under a new law, money from the tax credit will instead be deposited directly into families' bank accounts. (methaphum/Adobe Stock)

Groups Push Congress to Make Child Tax Credit Permanent

PHOENIX -- Starting this week, most Arizona families with children are seeing extra money in their bank accounts, and more than 1.5 million Arizona …

Antes de esta semana, las familias con ni�os obtuvieron una deducci�n en su declaraci�n de impuestos por el Cr�dito Tributario por Hijo. Bajo la nueva ley, el dinero del cr�dito tributario se depositar� directamente en las cuentas bancarias de las familias. (metafum / Adobe Stock)

Grupos presionan al Congreso para hacer permanente el Crédito Tributario por Hijo

PHOENIX -- A partir de esta semana, muchas familias con niños en Arizona están viendo dinero extra en sus cuentas bancarias. Con esto má…

A new report shows Arizona's investments in its children's health, education and overall family economic stability are among the lowest in the 50 states. (cerva/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Report: AZ Under-Invests in Children's Health, Education, Well-Being

PHOENIX -- A decade-long look at how Arizona is taking care of its children finds the state is failing to provide the social, educational and …

A new mobile medical service will provide health care and behavioral services for some 11,000 Arizona students over the next three years. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Mobile Clinics to Provide Medical, Emotional Care for Underserved AZ Students

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Studies estimate about 60% of Arizona children do not have regular access to primary health care, but a new grant program is looking …

Students from multi-generational families who studied at home during the pandemic may be putting their grandparents at risk now that Arizona is returning to in-class studies. (studio romantic/Adobe Stock)

Keeping Grandparents Safe as AZ Students Return to Classroom

TUCSON, Ariz. -- As Arizona classrooms begin reopening this week, students and educators seem equally enthusiastic over a return to in-school …

Medical care for a child with a life-threatening condition can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation can help families cover those expenses. (Photographee.eu/Adobe Stock)

Foundation Helps Families Cover Costs of Children's Medical Care

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- It's something every parent fears: Their child has a life-threatening or chronic disease, and in addition to the stress of …

While it's normal for kids to lose their baby teeth, pediatric dentists remind parents to teach them good oral hygiene to make sure when their permanent teeth come in, they stay that way. (Nuzza11/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Shouldn't Curb Kids' Dental-Care Routine

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Pediatric dentists are reminding parents with kids schooling from home during the pandemic that it's important to make sure they …

More than 20% of Arizonans have reported feeling

COVID-19 Pandemic Heightens Struggles for AZ Families, Kids

PHOENIX -- A new report details the struggles of many Arizona families in the COVID-19 crisis, from unstable housing and hunger to a lack of health …

Some 50 Arizona doctors and nurses have signed an open letter declaring climate change a public health emergency. Nationwide, it got more than 4,300 signatures. (Kerbor/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Doctors Demand Lawmakers Take Action to Address Climate Change

TUCSON, Ariz - Dozens of Arizona doctors and nurses are among more than 4,300 medical professionals who have signed a letter warning that climate …

Studies show access to health insurance results in better health outcomes, higher academic achievement and greater economic security throughout a child's life. (sutthichai/Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer Arizona Children Have Health Insurance

PHOENIX -- The number of Arizona children with health insurance, which had steadily increased over the past decade, has begun dropping again…

Los estudios muestran que el acceso a los seguros de salud llevan a mejores resultados, m�s altos logros acad�micos y m�s seguridad econ�mica a lo largo de la vida de los ni�os. (sutthichai/Adobe Stock)

Estudio: Menos Niñas y Niños de Arizona tienen acceso a Seguros de Salud

PHOENIX -- El número de niñas y niños de Arizona con seguro de salud, que había estado creciendo sostenidamente durante la dé…

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AZ: Children's