Arizona News & Current Events | Public News Service

Peggy Judd and Tom Crosby are charged with two felonies, including interference with an election officer and conspiracy, in Cochise County. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Expert: AZ leads with election related lawsuits ahead of 2024

Despite concerns about the next election, one Arizona legal expert says courts have generally sided with voters and democracy. Victoria Lopez is …

Most candidate elections in Arizona are determined in the Primary Election, where only about 23% of registered adults voted in August 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan AZ group pushes for open primaries on 2024 ballot

This week, a bipartisan group in Arizona officially launched its campaign to do away with the state's current system of primary elections - which are …

Since the summer of 2022, the State of Arizona has already secured more than $10 billion in new clean energy investments, which are projected to create more than 13,500 new jobs, according to Climate Power. (Adobe Stock)

Public and private sectors discuss AZ's clean energy economy

The Arizona Governor's Office of Resilience and industry leaders discussed clean energy investments in the state at Honeywell's facility in Phoenix Mo…

Democrats' trust in the media has fallen 12 points over the past year, to 58%, and compares with 11% among Republicans and 29% among independents, according to Gallup. (Christian Schwier/Adobe Stock)

Southern Arizona local news initiative announced

A new project in Southern Arizona aims to support local reporting and enable greater access to local news and information. Earlier this month…

28% of registered voters say they will only vote for candidates for major offices who share their position on abortion, according to Gallup. (Matt Gush / Adobe Stock)

Are polls and the President's approval rating true indicators for 2024?

Recent polling from The New York Times and Siena College found President Biden trailing former President Donald Trump in five of the six most crucial …

Bay says it is important for multi-generational households and families to have discussions about financial planning. (Adobe Stock)

Students across AZ learn how to better financially plan, budget

As the year comes to an end, one event aims to help high schoolers in Arizona learn how to better manage their money. The "Bite of Reality" fairs …

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 …

It's estimated that about 420 children are killed or injured every day in the Gaza Strip, according to the World Health Organization. (Adobe Stock)

Arizonans protest to stop funding Israeli violence against Palestinians

On Monday, Arizonans gathered at the State Capitol to honor the dead in the war between Israel and Hamas, and demand a halt to the killing. Liz …

In a poll this year, 85% of Arizonans agreed the state should do more to manage groundwater in all parts of the state, and 79% agreed the water crisis cannot be addressed without Arizona safeguarding all its groundwater supplies. (Adobe Stock)

AZ expert sheds light on state's challenging water outlook

An Arizona water expert said the state faces a challenging situation with the Colorado River being overallocated, compounded with what she calls a …

More than 10 trillion gallons of water have been lost from the Colorado River basin between 2000 and 2021, according to a recent UCLA study. (Paul Moore/Adobe Stock)

AZ celebrates Colorado River conservation agreements

Arizona leaders are celebrating the federal government's just over $63 million investment for water conservation, efficiency and protection of the …

Around 51% of Democrats thought the economy was working well for them, compared with 17% of Republicans, according to the survey. (Adobe Stock)

Poll highlights policies rural AZ voters value

The state of Arizona and its voters have played a critical role in past elections, which include the voices of rural voters in the Grand Canyon State…

The Inflation Reduction Act tax credits that encourage investment in solar power are expected to help reduce energy costs by 22% over the next 30 years in Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Will Humble)

AZ homeowner touts benefits of Solar Investment Tax Credit

Arizona homeowners contemplating making the switch to solar energy could save substantially. Those who install a solar system now through 2032 can …

The inefficient engines in gasoline-powered lawn equipment can emit as much pollution in an hour as driving hundreds of miles in a typical car, according to the report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Why Arizonans should switch to electric lawn equipment

Arizonans who transition to cleaner electric-powered lawn and garden equipment can help mitigate the noise as well as the harmful fumes produced from …

Latino men in Arizona have higher labor force participation rates than men from other racial groups, according to the Latino Policy and Politics Institute at UCLA. (Roberto Vivancos / Adobe Stock)

Latinos in AZ struggle with closing the wealth gap

Latinos make up 32.5% of Arizona's population and a recent webinar looked at the important role Latinos play in shaping the U.S. economy. According …

Rep. Debbie Lesko becomes the 16th current member to announce they will retire or seek another office next year. (Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons)

AZ Republican leaves Capitol Hill, cites dysfunction

Arizona U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko - R-Peoria - recently announced she will not be seeking re-election next year. In a statement, Lesko said traveling …

A new report from Common Cause calls on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission to lower barriers for low-income and immigrant communities to vote, including by ensuring language access, especially for Spanish-speaking communities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Earns 'B minus' grade for redistricting practices

A report is taking a closer look at how states across the country are managing redistricting policies, and it shows the battleground state of …

Around 36% of Latino voters in Arizona said the issue of immigration has a lot of influence on the candidate they will support for president in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

ASU professor examines legal structures shaping Latino experiences

David Lopez, distinguished visiting professor of law at Arizona State University and co-dean emeritus at Rutgers University, said Arizona State has …

A bill pushing to eliminate right-to-work language in Arizona's Constitution did not pass during the state's latest legislative session. (Adobe Stock)

Initiative aims to remove right-to-work statute in Arizona

A grassroots organization in Arizona is pushing to remove the state's right-to-work statute in an attempt to strengthen unionization. The group …

The average annual per-person cost of home care in 2021 was $42,000, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Gaps in AZ's long-term service care system persist

A new report finds persistent gaps in Arizona's long-term care services. AARP ranked Arizona 22nd in the nation for the care older adults and people …

The TeraWatt Charging Centers are located about 150 miles apart, to support the mileage range of commercially available electric trucks. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: AZ's medium-to-heavy-duty EV infrastructure needs to grow

Since Interstate 10 crosses Arizona, experts believe the state is in need of more electric vehicle infrastructure to support the transition to more …

Cabeza Prieta is one of the largest wildlife refuges in the United States and contains more than 800,000 acres of designated wilderness. (Adobe Stock)

AZ coalition seeks expansion of wildlife refuge and protection of ancestral lands

An Arizona-based coalition is calling on the Department of the Interior to expand the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in addition to returning …

More than 1,675 bills and resolutions were introduced in Arizona's 2023 legislative session.(Adobe Stock)

ACLU of AZ seeks to support access to abortion

The ACLU of Arizona was successful in defeating 93% of the bills it opposed during Arizona's last legislative session, which the group claims makes …

In Arizona, Latinos 19 to 29 years of age made up the largest block of voters in the 2020 general election, according to Voto Latino. (Adobe Stock)

'Tsunami' of AZ Latino youth vote expected in future elections

The state of Arizona played a crucial role in 2020 and 2022 elections. Experts predict that won't be any different in 2024. President of Voto …

While the number of student loan borrowers aged 62 and older grew by 800,000 from 2017 to 2022, the number of Parent PLUS borrowers grew by only 100,000. (Adobe Stock)

Student loan repayments begin soon; older Americans still struggling

By Jill Barshay for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News…

For decades, Arizona courts interpreted the state Constitution to deny the right to vote to Native Americas as

Federal judge blocks AZ law that 'disenfranchised' Native voters

A federal judge has blocked a 2022 Arizona law that voting-rights advocates say would have made it harder for some Native Americans to vote. House …

There were eight major insurance companies offering health policies to individuals and families in Arizona during plan year 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Make smart health coverage choices during open enrollment

The open enrollment period for health insurance can seem daunting to many Arizonans, so experts recommend starting sooner rather than later to do …

Nearly 70% of Arizona voters do not believe that politicians are delivering the results they want, need and deserve, according to Make Elections Fair Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

AZ proposal for open primaries could benefit Independent voters

Arizonans could vote on a proposal next year some advocates said would make politics more equitable in the Grand Canyon State. This week, the Make …

It's estimated there are 6,200 wild burros in the State of Arizona, according to the Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Seeks Public Comment on Wild Burro Management in AZ

The wild burro population in northwest Arizona is about four times the appropriate management level, according to the Bureau of Land Management…

Millennials and 'Gen Zers' will be a majority of potential voters by 2028, according to the Brookings Institution. (Adobe Stock)

VP Harris to Visit NAU to Help Mobilize Young Voters

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff as part of a month-long college tour as the Biden administration…

About one in four rural residents is Black, Indigenous or a person of color, according to a new report from the Rural Democracy Initiative. (Noah Hairston / Adobe Stock)

Report Calls for Sweeping Policy Actions in Rural Arizona, U.S.

A new report highlights policy actions it says could benefit people living in rural Arizona. Sherri Jones, a governing board member for the …

Under the SAVE Plan, a single borrower who makes less than about $15 an hour won't have to make student loan payments, and borrowers earning more could save over $1,000 a year on their payments, according to the U.S. Department of Education. (Damir Khabirov/Adobe Stock)

What AZ Student Borrowers Should Know as Loan Repayment Looms

Many Arizonans will start making payments on their student loans again next month, so it is time for those borrowers to figure out where they stand …

This year, more than 160,000 men will learn they have prostate cancer, according to the American Urological Association. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Doctor Explains What You Need to Know About Prostate Health

The Arizona Department of Health Services said prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form among men. The month of September is about raising …

An estimated 29 million eligible voters live in states at high risk for election denial, according to the report. (Adobe Stock)

Analysis: AZ at Risk for Election Denialism in 2024

Election denialism in Arizona could interfere with the 2024 presidential race. Analysis from the National Election Denial Risk Index shows Arizona …

The 2023 Arizona legislative session was the longest session on record, officially spanning 204 days and finally wrapping up on July 31. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Report Card Released for AZ Legislature, Governor

Grades are in for Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Legislature. The Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club and Chispa Arizona this week …

Among consumers with medical debt, 16% of Black adults report a disproportionate amount of such debt, compared to 9% of white adults, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. (Adobe Stock)

Medical Bills: Understanding Them and Patient Rights Can Save You Big

Medical care is expensive and continues to get more costly. Many people in Arizona only become aware of this after they get a bill for their care…

Claire Gunderson is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Jemez and Laguna Pueblo of New Mexico. (Charlie Leight/ASU News)

First-Year ASU Student Helps Close Engineering Gender Gap

The percentage of female engineers varies by specialty, but 2021 figures show only 9% of mechanical engineers are women. One Arizona State University …

Consumer Reports says credits of up to $7,500 depend on where the vehicle is made, its price and the buyer's income. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Electric Vehicle Sales Not Slowing Down

Experts say consumer interest and sales of electric vehicles in Arizona and across the country aren't slowing down. Arizona is among the top 10 …

The top inbound city in 2022 was Tucson, Arizona, according to Allied Van Lines. (Adobe Stock)

Is AZ Still a Retirement Haven? Some Say That is Changing

Arizona has long been known as one of the 'retirement friendly states,' in the U.S. for its affordability, but that is changing. Brendon Blake…

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 is opening one cooling center and one cooling stop in the Government Mall. The first will be located at 1818 W. Adams St, the second is a portable, cooled shipping container at 1801 W. Madison St. (Ray Redstone/Adobe Stock)

AZ Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Extreme Heat

Last week, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declared an emergency in response to the intense heat wave being felt around the state. The governor had …

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 …

In the 2022 legislative session, state lawmakers introduced at least 43 bills that would allow or require what Demos calls

Report: 'Voter Purges' Could Wrongfully Target AZ Voters

Arizona is in litigation over a 2022 law that could allow for what some are calling "draconian purge practices" that lead to more Arizona voters being…

Arizona ranks among the top five states in the nation for the total number of native bird, reptile and mammal species, according to the Arizona Wildlife Federation. (Adobe Stock)

Expert Wants Federal Investments to Help Ecological Health in AZ

Experts across the West have met to discuss the potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act as the one-year anniversary of the piece of legislati…

The new monument's Native American name is Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni, which refers to the ancestral footprints of Indigenous peoples. It is made up of three distinct areas to the south, northeast and northwest of Grand Canyon National Park. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Announces Historic National Monument Near Grand Canyon

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced the designation of a new national monument near the Grand Canyon. The latest move will conserve and …

Desiree Fowler will be formally inducted into her new role during the board's annual conference in December. (AZ School Boards Association)

Arizona School Boards Association Elects First Indigenous President

The Arizona School Boards Association has for the first time in the organization's approximately 80-year history chosen an Indigenous woman to be pres…

Dental Therapists Could Fill Dental-Health 'Gap' in AZ

Since last month, dental therapists can apply for licenses to practice in Arizona, and some believe they'll play a critical role in a state full of …

AZ Joins USDA to Tackle Lack of Competition in Food Industry

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a group of bipartisan state attorneys general to beef up enforcement and prevent anti-trust activity wi…

Arizona state and city leaders and lawmakers tour several cooling centers in Maricopa County. (Kevin Bushaw)

AZ Faith Leaders Call for Better Heat Response

Intense heat is nothing new for Arizona summers, but the state has been enduring a record heat wave for a number of weeks. The Arizona Faith …

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