Arizona News & Current Events | Public News Service

According to the Anti-Defamation League, 20% of Americans believe six or more Jewish tropes. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Biden Reveals Nation's First Plan to Combat Antisemitism

As hostility toward Jewish people continues to spike in Arizona and nationally, the Biden administration has issued a National Strategy to Counter …

According to the Mars Veterinary Health study, nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians will be needed to meet the needs of companion animal health care by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

AZ Governor Enacts Law Allowing Telemedicine for Pets

In Arizona, telemedicine is now not only available for humans but also for people's beloved animals. Last month Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate …

Arizona State University reports first generation students make up almost 35% of its enrollment. Its Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program has served more than 2,300 parent-student teams. (Hector Pertuz/Adobe Stock)

ASU Outreach Program Helps First-Generation College Students

Navigating college can seem overwhelming for first generation students, but an early outreach program at Arizona State University aims to change it…

The report also found that in 2021, 5.6 million adults ages 65 and older lived in poverty, a 10% increase since 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Ranks 30th for Health Status of Older Adults

Arizona has received an overall rank of 30th in the nation for the health and well-being of older adults in the state. According to the United …

Advocates say the EPA's proposed carbon pollution standards would avert approximately 1,300 premature deaths. (Ralf Broskvar/Adobe Stock)

AZ Leaders Urge Strong Standards to Cut Climate Pollution from Power Plants

Arizona leaders gathered Tuesday in support of the Biden administration's proposed plans to cut climate pollution from fossil-fuel power plants to tac…

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…

According to Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention, starting in late April or May many areas across the state will implement seasonal fire restrictions and then typically rescind them in September or October. (Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock)

Arizona Trail, a 'Lifeline' for Many, Under Threat by Wildfires

The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across Arizona, from Mexico to Utah. The trek is considered by many a "lifeline," under threat with fire season …

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 …

Every 80 seconds, the American Heart Association says, cardiovascular disease kills one woman. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Mom Warns of Signs During American Stroke Month

May is National Stroke Month, and one young Arizona mom wants to share her experience to let Arizonans know stroke can happen to anyone and at any …

Arizonans can text their ZIP code to 438829 to find a nearby location to get the COVID-19 vaccine. (Adobe Stock)

Three Years Later, COVID Concerns Remain in Arizona

Arizona experienced the highest adjusted death rate in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report. The …

Din� College is the first tribally controlled and accredited collegiate institution in the United States. (Wikimedia Commons)

Rural, Tribal AZ College Works to Support Student, Community Needs

A tribal college in Arizona has gotten some national attention this spring for "community college excellence," in this case, on the Navajo Nation…

A new American Hospital Association report says labor costs -- which, on average, account for about half of a hospital's total budget -- increased 20.8% between 2019 and 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Hospitals Struggle Amid Mounting Financial Pressure

A new report sheds light on what it calls the "mounting financial pressures" hospitals in Arizona and across the country are facing; pressures it said…

Back in 2021, Arizona lawmakers passed companion bills, Senate Bill 1797 and House Bill 2772, to legalize sports betting in the state. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Sees Close to $600 Million So Far in Sports Betting This Year

Legal sports betting operators in Arizona handled close to $600 million in wagers last January, significantly higher than last year. Phillip Milan…

According to the NFIB, President Biden's proposed 2024 budget includes $2.5 trillion in tax increases which it says would

Group Warns AZ Small Businesses of Possible Tax Hike

Tax day is tomorrow, and the National Federation of Independent Business is warning Arizona small businesses of what the group called "unprecedented …

Daniel Hernandez is the only global fellow from Arizona State University participating in the fellowship. (Photo courtesy of Hernandez)

ASU Student to Embark on Fellowship Spanning Three Continents

Most people's college schedules don't involve learning on three continents in the same year. But that's the plan for one Arizona State University …

According to the Trevor Project, two-thirds of LGBTQ+ youth report debates over state laws restricting the rights of transgender youth have negatively affected their mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Advances Targeting LGBTQ+ Arizonans

This week, multiple bills are making their way through the Arizona Legislature some say unfairly target LGBTQ+ people. One measure, Senate Bill 1040…

The Flagstaff project between the groups was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Four Corners Carbon Coalition, a group of local governments financing projects to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (photo courtesy CarbonBuilt)

Small Northern AZ Business Decarbonizing Concrete with Help from Startups

By Emily Pontecorvo for Grist.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public New…

According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQ youth who found their school to be LGBTQ-affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Bill Restricting Use of Preferred Pronouns Advances to House Floor

A Republican-backed bill is making its way through the Legislature that could restrict the use of preferred gender pronouns in Arizona schools…

The airlines with the worst on-time performances in 2022, when the delays and cancellations within seven days are tallied, were Allegiant Air, JetBlue and Frontier. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Airline Consumer Complaints Quadrupled Between 2019 and 2022

While the number of people who flew last year on U.S. airlines is below pre-pandemic levels, the number of complaints relating to air travel nearly …

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 Winslow Mayor Roberta Cano, the median household income in her city is around $40,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Mayor in DC to Discuss City Challenges with Federal Leaders

One Arizona mayor is among the more than 2,800 elected city officials in Washington, D.C., this week for The National League of Cities' Congressional …

According to the Arizona Education Association, there are also more than 1,600 vacancies for special-education paraprofessionals in the state. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Educators Rally to Address "Teacher Retention Crisis"

Arizona educators spoke out about what they're calling a teacher retention crisis in the state and released a proposed budget for how the state should…

At least 59 Mexican gray wolf packs were documented in 2022; 40 in New Mexico and 19 in Arizona. A wolf pack is defined as two or more wolves that maintain an established home range. (Adobe Stock)

Mexican Gray Wolf Population Rebounds in AZ

The Mexican Gray Wolf population in Arizona is on the rise. For the first time since reintroduction into the wild, the population of wolves across …

According to County Recorder Stephen Richer, Maricopa County is the second-largest voting jurisdiction in the country. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

AZ Election Official 'Pessimistic' about Democracy's Future

An Arizona election official shared his concerns at a recent national conference about threats to safe and fair elections. Multiple experts at the …

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…

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has the authority to set enforceable regulations for drinking water contaminants and require monitoring of public water systems. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Group: EPA's Limit on PFAS Chemicals 'Crucial'

Groups advocating for clean water in Arizona are applauding an Environmental Protection Agency plan to limit toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances…

There are about 1.7 million credit union members in Arizona. (Sundry Photography/Adobe Stock)

Credit Unions Step Out from Shadow Cast by Bank Collapses

The collapse of two banks has put the U.S. financial sector into focus this week. Some are considering the alternative structures of institutions …

$1.2 million was lost because of fraud over social media in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Arizonans Experience High Levels of Imposter Scams

Arizona is among the top 15 states for highest per capita rates for impostor scams. The Federal Trade Commission wants to help Arizonans spot…

The estimated economic value of family caregiving is $600 billion as of 2021, based on about 38 million caregivers providing an average of 18 hours of care per week. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Family Caregivers Provide Billions in Unpaid Care to Loved Ones

The unpaid care provided by an estimated 850,000 Arizona caregivers is valued at $14.5 billion, according to an AARP report, a $3.9-billion increase …

The Nature Conservancy says the most extensive study to date assessed regeneration of eight major tree conifer species after 334 wildfires across the West, using information from more than 10,000 field plots. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Hotter, Drier Conditions Limit AZ Forest Recovery from Wildfires

New research has found hotter and drier climate conditions are making it less likely for forests in Arizona and across the Western United States to re…

Accord to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Maricopa Association of Governments and Pima Association of Governments make up the two most populous areas of the state, accounting for 80% of Arizona's population. (Adobe Stock)

Public Input Needed for AZ's Long-Range Transportation Plan

The Arizona Department of Transportation wants to hear from people across the state as it looks to set priorities for the state's 2050 Long-Range Tran…

According to the American Heart Association, more than 40% of Hispanic adults experience obesity. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Cardiologist Weighs In on Health Disparities Among Minorities

New research suggests Hispanic people born in the United States may be at higher risk for multiple chronic diseases than their counterparts born in ot…

Leaders in Tucson predict more Arizona businesses, nonprofits and homeowners will choose solar and other clean-energy resources, based on the financial incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. (Photo courtesy Climate Action Campaign)

Leaders Highlight Opportunities to Grow AZ Solar Industry

Tucson community leaders gathered at an event to highlight opportunities to grow Arizona's clean-energy economy say it's been made more accessible thr…

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes defeated Republican Mark Fincem in the 2022 midterm elections. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

AZ Secretary of State Concerned for Future of State Elections, Political Climate

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said nonpartisan voters are and will become increasingly important for the Grand Canyon State, but he also …

Irresponsible target shooting, littering and off-highway vehicles are among the human factors causing damage to heritage assets. (Adobe Stock)

New Map Outlines Reasons for Protecting Great Bend of Gila

Conservation groups have added an interactive story map to their toolkit as they continue to push for permanent protections for the Great Bend of the …

The EPA says if its annual standard for fine particulate pollution is lowered to nine micrograms per cubic meter from its current standard of 12 micrograms, it would prevent up to 4,200 premature deaths per year. (Adobe Stock)

EPA 'Soot Rule' Faces Pressure from AZ Clean-Air Advocates

Arizona advocacy groups said a new federal standard proposed for soot pollution is a step in the right direction, but are urging the Environmental …

The water level at Lake Powell hit a record low this week, sinking to just 3,522 feet above sea level. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: AZ Among SW States in Worst Drought in 1,200 Years

Despite Arizona and other Southwestern states experiencing a wetter winter, experts say the region is enduring the worst drought in 1,200 years…

While many circumstances of Native American female homicide are unknown, the largest known circumstance involved an argument between the victim and the offender. (Adobe Stock)

ASU Research Shows Increasing Number of Missing Indigenous Women, Girls

Researchers at Arizona State University are tackling the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women in the state, trying to figure out why it is …

Most voters in Arizona strongly support creating new protected national areas. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: AZ Voters Worried About Water, Support Cleaner Energy

The 13th annual 'Conservation in the West' poll shows Arizonans are seriously concerned about the state's water situation, and that they support …

The American Lung Association says Arizona could avoid more than 1,300 premature deaths and 38,500 asthma attacks through widespread implementation of zero-emission transportation. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Leaders Call for New Federal Clean-Car Standards

A coalition of Arizona leaders is asking the Environmental Protection Agency and President Joe Biden to pass the strongest possible clean-air vehicle …

According to a Lumina Foundation report, attainment for Arizona adults in 2019 was 53.8%. In 2021, it was 54.4%. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Makes Degree Attainment Progress; More Work Needed

Arizona is one of the states seeing a significant increase in degree attainment from 2019 to 2021, according to a new report. The Lumina Foundation …

This is a three-dimensional model of the Resolution Copper Project. Opponents say it will use 40,000 acre-feet of water per year, comparable to the City of Tempe, Ariz. (Photo courtesy Henry C. Mu�oz, Sr.)

Proposed Mine Near Superior Draws AZ Tribal, Environmental Pushback

Members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe are planning a march and other events this week to oppose what they're calling a destructive mining project sla…

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 Power To Decide, 14 states currently have no health clinics that provide abortion care, affecting an estimated 77 million people and 16 million women of reproductive age. (Adobe Stock)

Interactive Map Illustrates AZ Abortion Access

Some doctors and pro-choice advocates are urging people to pre-order so-called "abortion pills," citing a looming Texas court decision, which might …

Social Security was implemented in 1935, and the Medicare program was created 30 years later, in 1965. (Adobe Stock)

AARP to Congress: 'Hands Off Social Security, Medicare'

As a showdown looms in Congress over whether to raise the federal debt ceiling, AARP Arizona is among the groups voicing concerns about the future of …

About 15,000 types of products fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, but there are mandatory standards for only about 250 of them. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Product Recalls Up 33%, AZ Group Recommends Action

A new report asks lawmakers and regulators to look at why some unsafe products aren't recalled sooner, and what can be done to get them off the …

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