Tucson barbers, salons open, despite city order closing other businesses
TEMPE - When Tucson Mayor Regina Romero ordered nonessential businesses to close Saturday to halt COVID-19, she could only ask barbershops and salons to go along, after Gov. Doug Ducey declared them "essential services" - a designation that remains in his statewide "stay-home" directive.
As COVID-19 cases rise, so do hospital workers’ worries about equipment
WASHINGTON - Arizona hospitals are rationing and ordering workers to reuse protective equipment like masks, gowns and eyewear in an attempt to head off shortages expected with the surge in COVID-19 patients in the state, a move some worry will put workers and patients at risk.
Trump signs $2 trillion relief bill hours after House rushes it through
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed a $2 trillion economic stimulus package just hours after it was rushed through the House Friday, clearing the way for aid to businesses, increased benefits for workers and direct payments to taxpayers.
COVID-19 being felt in donations, hours, adoptions at animal shelters
PHOENIX - The spread of COVID-19 has "deeply affected" Arizona animal shelters, which are discontinuing some services, cutting hours and trying to juggle between taking animals in and adopting them out to stretch resources while protecting pets and people.
COVID-19 in Arizona: Schools aren’t required to make up lost days, workers will be paid
PHOENIX – School districts are distributing meals to students, the elderly won’t have to get their vehicles’ emissions tested and other updates from the Grand Canyon State.
Jobless claims jump 3 million in a week, Arizona mirrors national trend
PHOENIX - New unemployment claims rose to almost 3.3 million last week, an increase of 3 million over the previous week and the highest on record, new Labor Department numbers show, and economists say this could just be the beginning of a jobs spiral from the coronavirus.
Senate approves historic $2 trillion economic stimulus package
WASHINGTON - The Senate gave unanimous approval late Wednesday to a historic $2 trillion economic stimulus package that calls for direct payments to taxpayers and hundreds of billions in relief for small businesses and targeted industries, like airlines.
Arizona jobless claims skyrocket, as coronavirus starts to hit economy
TEMPE - Nearly 30,000 Arizonans filed unemployment claims last week, more than eight times the average weekly rate of 3,500 claims before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, state officials said Tuesday.
Economic stimulus bill stalls in Senate, as Democrats, Republicans feud
WASHINGTON - The Senate deadlocked for a second day Monday on more than $1 trillion in proposed support for an economy buffeted by coronavirus, as Democrats said the bill gives too much to corporations and Republicans accuse Democrats of making it a liberal wish list.
U.S., Mexico to limit ‘nonessential’ border crossings to stem COVID-19
WASHINGTON - The U.S. and Mexico will stop all "nonessential" border crossings after midnight Friday in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, but goods and essential workers will still be allowed to cross, the White House announced Friday.
Grape news: Verde Valley close to becoming a designated wine region
WASHINGTON - Wine drinkers may soon be able to reach for that Verde Valley vintage, if local wineries and vineyards have their way. Their application to make the Verde Valley a federally recognized American Viticultural Area is nearing approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
Snowbowl renovation gains speed with Forest Service approval of new ski lift
PHOENIX — Arizona Snowbowl will replace an aging ski chairlift in need of repair with a much faster one, opening next season as part of a multimillion dollar, multiyear expansion, resort officials say.
