Arizona News & Current Events | Public News Service

According to a University of Minnesota study, transgender women, trans-feminine and visibly gender-nonconforming riders report higher incidences of discrimination and violence when using public transportation. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Groups Partner for 'Safer, More Inclusive' Ride-Share Option

An Arizona LGBTQ+ group has established a partnership with Waymo, the autonomous-driving tech company, to provide what it said will be a safer …

Mesa Mayor John Giles, elected in 2014, was one of many who attended the <a href=

91st U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. (Adobe Stock) ">

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

AZ Mayor Meets with City Leaders in DC to Discuss Local Challenges, Solutions

Mesa Mayor John Giles has plenty of takeaways after attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in the nation's capital. The event lets bipartisan local …

According to a VoteCast survey for the Associated Press, 44% of 94,000 voters said the future of democracy was their primary consideration in the last election. (Adobe Stock)

Enhancing Trust in Arizona Elections Post-2022 Midterms

Election watchdog groups are taking a closer look at the 2022 midterms and how they influenced voters' overall trust in the election process in Arizon…

Vitalant said it is seeing 20% fewer blood donations than before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

AZ's Blood Supply Drops to Lowest Level in a Year

Arizona's blood supply is at its lowest level in a year. Vitalant is encouraging Arizonans of all blood types to donate blood, especially universal …

According to Arizona's state climatologist, the last two monsoon seasons and triple-dip La Ni�a winters are all playing a role in the long-term drought improvements. (Adobe Stock)

Drought Conditions in AZ Improving

Arizona's drought conditions are improving. Erinanne Saffell, state climatologist, said it is important to note Arizona evaluates short-term and …

On Sunday, the Arizona Department of Transportation had already announced State Route 64 was closed between mileposts 241 and 268, near the Grand Canyon. (Adobe Stock)

Close to 2 Feet of Snow Expected in Northern AZ

The greater Flagstaff region in Northern Arizona could potentially see close to two feet of snow in the coming days. The National Weather Service has …

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation will host its seventh annual National Day of Racial Healing on Tuesday. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Events Highlight National Day of Racial Healing

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day in which many across the country celebrate the revolutionary words and thoughts of the civil rights …

The CDC reported only 15.4% of people 5 years of age and older have received the most updated booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. (Adobe Stock)

Omicron Subvariant Could Fuel Next AZ COVID Surge

The newest Omicron subvariant could be the reason Arizona starts to see COVID-19 cases rise again. The Arizona Department of Health Services …

One of Sen. Anthony Kern's bills also sets more specific zoning requirements where drag shows can take place. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Senators Aim to Restrict Drag Shows with New Bills

Two Republican Arizona state senators have kicked off the new legislative session wanting to limit and restrict drag shows. State Sen. Anthony Kern…

AZ Community Starts New Year Waterless

Arizona residents in the Rio Verde Foothills community started off the new year with no water after being cut off from the city of Scottsdale as part …

One of the priorities on this year's list is that the Arizona Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs ensure access to free and fair elections for all. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Release 2023 Environmental Priorities for AZ Legislature

Arizona conservation, climate, faith and community groups have released a list of top environmental priorities they want state lawmakers to take up …

In 2022, Southwest Gas applied for an <a href=

11.5% rate increase for its Arizona customers. (Adobe Stock)">

Southwest Gas Seeks Rate Hike for AZ Customers

Southwest Gas customers could pay higher utility bills if the Arizona Corporation Commission gives the green light to the utility's proposed rate hike…

Students will meet virtually or in-person with their GRIT advisor throughout the academic year. (Photo courtesy of the Phoenix Public Library)

Phoenix High Schoolers Get College-Ready with Access to Tech

The Phoenix Public Library is making navigating going to college easier for first-generation college students. The Arizona Lottery's Give Back …

According to University of Arizona data, 43% of workers at the university make less than $25 an hour. (Adobe Stock)

AZ University Workers Ask for Better Pay, Working Conditions

Unionized workers at The University of Arizona and Arizona State University are calling for the schools to pay all campus workers $25 an hour by 2025…

A total of 5,623 households, consisting of families and individuals, are experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County, according to the Maricopa Association of Governments' latest quarterly report. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona's First Emergency Shelter for Homeless Seniors to Open Next Summer

Arizonans 55 and older who are experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix area will soon have a place that will offer services and assistance to meet th…

Pumped storage projects move water between two reservoirs, each at separate and different elevations, to store energy and produce electricity. (Adobe Stock)">

AZ Hydropower Update: Two Projects Suspended, One Still in Works

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has closed the door on plans to build two hydroelectric dams in Northern Arizona. The applicant behind the …

In 2019, Ty'Lesha Yellowhair worked with the town of Gilbert as its Native American management intern, as part of its Family Violence Unit. (Photo courtesy of Yellowhair)

ASU Grad Wants to Make a Difference for AZ Tribal Members

Arizona tribal communities face inequalities every day, but a recent Arizona State University graduate said she wants to shape public policy to help …

About 30% of residents on the Navajo Nation do not have running water or electricity in their homes. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Knowledge, Science Team up to Fight Climate Change in AZ

By Fiona L.Q. Flaherty for Cronkite News.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

According to the new Arizona PIRG report, ground ambulances transport about 3 million privately insured people to emergency rooms each year. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Report: Putting the Brakes on 'Surprise' Ambulance Bills

A new report says Arizonans who have a medical emergency and good health insurance could still find themselves with a costly "surprise" bill…

The Moore v. Harper case being heard before the Supreme Court emerged from a North Carolina redistricting dispute. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona's Electoral Role at Play with ISLT Case Ruling

Arizona has been pivotal in determining the results of recent national elections, and it's something Arizonans are aware of. Last week the U.S…

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 …

If EPCOR's application is approved, Rio Verde Foothills residents could pay $20 per 1,000 gallons of water. In comparison, Scottsdale residents currently pay $1.65 per 1,000 gallons. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Community Faces Water Crisis

Arizona is running dry, and one community north of Scottsdale is facing the harsh reality. Rio Verde Foothills has more than 2,000 homes, and about 5…

Areas highlighted in yellow have medium levels of COVID-19 transmission, while areas in orange are considered to have high levels of transmission. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Arizona Sees High COVID-19 Transmission Levels

Arizona is seeing some of the highest levels of COVID-19 transmission in the nation. It is the only state with 'medium' or 'high' levels present in …

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 …

Nationwide, more than 700 nursing home residents died from COVID-19 during the four-week period ending on Oct. 23, and more than 35,000 were infected, according to <a href=

AARP. (Adobe Stock)">

AZ Nursing Homes Rank Poorly on COVID Boosters

Arizona is currently in last place nationwide in terms of nursing home residents and staff being up-to-date on their COVID-19 boosters. That's …

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 …

According to the Bureau of Land Management, the new policy is expected to increase financial costs for state BLM offices as habitat connectivity is assessed. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Prioritizes AZ Habitat Connectivity for Wildlife

The Bureau of Land Management says it will prioritize habitat connectivity of public lands in Arizona and other states, to improve migration routes …

The SunZia Transmission wind project will be located in Torrance, Lincoln and San Miguel counties in New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of Pattern Energy)

AZ Vote Allows Continued Development of Massive Wind Project

The Arizona Corporation Commission has unanimously voted development of the massive SunZia Transmission Wind Project can continue. The commission …

Free Program Fosters Business Skills for AZ Native American Women

Native American women in Arizona are getting a chance to launch their own businesses, with expert advice. Project DreamCatcher is a unique, free …

In 2022, Arizona had 970,751 students enrolled in 1,590 schools in 261 districts across the state, according to Ballotpedia. (Adobe Stock)

AZ School Districts Face Possible Budget Cuts

Arizona school districts could face the tough challenge of having to cut 18% of their current budgets, which amounts to a statewide total of more …

By 3 a.m. on Wednesday, 95% of the votes had been counted in Pima County, according to the county recorder's office. Due to ballot irregularities, tabulation will likely continue for a number of days. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona Election Results Will Be Crucial, and Take Time

Votes in Arizona are still being counted two days post-election, and several close races are still to be called. Arizonans will not only ultimately …

In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden won in Arizona over Donald Trump by a slim margin. Officials in both parties expect similar close calls to be made in races this time around. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Democrats, Republicans Both Feeling Hopeful Amid Uncertainty

For weeks now, Arizonans have heard the state could be crucial in deciding the direction of the country, and now, it is being closely watched as …

According to the Arizona Secretary of State's website, the Grand Canyon State has more than 1.4 million registered Republicans, more than 1.2 million registered Democrats, and more than 1.4 million voters either unaffiliated or members of other parties. (Adobe Stock)

Make Sure Your AZ Vote is Counted on Election Day

Arizona voters now have less than one week to vote, and if there is one thing voters agree on, it is the stakes are high. Alex Gulotta, Arizona …

According to the U.S. Forest Service, any horse present on the National Forest that doesn't fall under the definition of a wild horse under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Act of 1971 is not authorized, and is considered feral. (Adobe Sock)

AZ Group Wants Wild Horse Killings to Stop

Three dozen wild horses have been shot and killed in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and an Arizona group is advocating for protection for …

In a CDC report following COVID-19, unintentional injuries and chronic liver disease were some of the leading reasons for a drastic decline in life expectancy among Native Americans and Alaskan Natives from 2020 to 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Health Disparities Only Part of Problem for AZ Native Americans

Between 2020 and 2021, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives saw a two-year decrease in their life expectancy - the biggest drop among demographic …

According to Pew Research Center, Latinos are projected to account for 14.3% of all eligible voters across the country in the upcoming midterms. That's up from 12.8% in 2018, and just 7.4% in 2000. (Adobe Stock)

Record Latino Voter Turnout Expected for AZ Midterms

More than 644,000 Arizona Latinos are expected to cast their ballots in November. That's a 9.6% increase in Latino voter turnout since 2018, and an …

Native American students, girls on the right and boys on the left, attend class at the Walapai Indian School in Kingman, Ariz., around 1900. (Wikimedia)

SCOTUS Case on 'Separations' Could Affect AZ, Other Native Families

A case before the U.S. Supreme Court has Native Americans concerned the outcome could revive a centuries-old practice of separating indigenous …

According to The Pew Research Center, 46% of Americans say they would favor or strongly favor making it illegal for healthcare professionals to provide gender-affirming care to people under 18. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Anti-Transgender Laws Face Possible Legal Challenges

Arizona saw a record number of anti-transgender bills in the state legislature this year, aimed largely at youth, and those successfully passed are …

A Sierra Club report found in 2022, only 56% of power utilities have made progress toward lowering emissions, while 9% made no progress, and 35% were actually worse. (R. Gino Santa Maria/Adobe Stock)

AZ Utilities Get Poor Grades for Progress Toward Clean-Energy Goals

Arizona's three major power utilities are doing a poor job of meeting the goals they set to transition from coal and gas to clean energy. A new …

Arizona voters will be asked to make dozens of decisions when they fill out their ballots for the Nov. 8 midterm elections. (pathdoc/Adobe Stock)

LWV Guide Helps Familiarize Arizonans With Midterm Candidates, Issues

The midterm elections are only 30 days away, and early voting begins this Wednesday in most parts of Arizona. Voting advocates say now is the time to …

Critics of Arizona's long-term care system are pushing state legislators for more money and staff for the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. (godfather/Adobe Stock)

AZ Seniors List Social Security, Long-Term Care Among Top Midterm Issues

New polling has revealed older Arizonans, who make up more than half the state's registered voters, are more likely to support candidates with strong …

Abortion pills cannot legally be mailed in Arizona, so a Phoenix clinic is counseling women to pick them up in towns just inside the California border. (Kzenon/Adobe Stock)

Phoenix Clinic Develops Plan to Work Around Arizona's Strict Abortion Law

An Arizona women's health clinic has devised a novel workaround to help women end their pregnancy without running afoul of the state's strict anti-abo…

In a proposed rate increase filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission, Southwest Gas customers would pay an average of $5.12 more per month if the utility's request is approved. (Valerii/Adobe Stock)

Beleaguered AZ Consumers Oppose Pending SW Gas Rate Hike

Arizona consumers are contesting a proposed $90 million Southwest Gas rate increase that analysts say would only benefit future - but not current - cu…

Researchers say improving diversity in the nursing profession starts with a more inclusive learning environment. (Adobe Stock)

Researcher: AZ's Nursing Workforce Should Reflect its Patients

Nurses are at the forefront of patient outcomes, and experts say a workforce that better reflects the population it serves can help reduce healthcare …

According to the Bureau of Land Management, there are more than 200,000 abandoned mine sites in Arizona, about 20,000 located on public land. (John Chandler Media/Adobe Stock)

Report: Reclaiming Abandoned, Degraded Lands Benefits Economy, Climate

A new study found reclaiming abandoned mines and other degraded lands could bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the U.S. economy, fight climate …

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 …

Petroglyphs and other rock formations dot the landscape in the Great Bend of the Gila, which could become a National Conservation Area. (Dawn Kish/The Wilderness Society)

Bill Would Give Tribal Leaders Stake In Managing AZ Conservation Lands

A bill to make tribal governments equal partners with the federal government in managing a pair of Arizona land preserves advanced in the U.S…

Interior Department Changes 650 Place Names to Remove Racial Slur

The U.S. Department of the Interior has ordered name changes for nearly 650 sites on federal lands, in Arizona and across the country, containing …

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