Ban on school mask mandates violates Constitution’s ‘single-subject’ rule, opponents argue

PHOENIX – Arizona school boards want to be able to make their own decisions regarding mask mandates, but a Legislature ban will prevent them from doing so.

A masked school official talks with a student

Program continues to provide medical care for 9/11 survivors, first responders

Since 2011, a federally funded program has provided medical care for emergency responders, recovery workers, volunteers and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.


White House plan would help schools skirt Ducey ban on mask mandates

WASHINGTON - Gov. Doug Ducey's threat to withhold funding from schools that impose mask mandates took a severe hit Thursday, when the White House said local school districts can apply directly to the federal government "to restore funding withheld by state leaders."


Poor nutrition heavily influences COVID-19 death toll, studies find

Obesity and dietary issues are contributing to complications and deaths from COVID-19 infections, multiple studies and health officials say.


Delta variant continues to strain Arizona hospitals, nearly all patients are unvaccinated

PHOENIX – Although COVID-19 cases remain stable at Arizona hospitals, nearly all of them are caused by the delta variant. Valleywise Health says 97% of its hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.


Heads-up on concussions: Cardinals’ receiver Christian Kirk praises Barrow’s Brainbook

Christian Kirk and Dr. Javier Cárdenas of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center discussed the usefulness of the Barrow Brainbook for detecting concussions and other head trauma among high school athletes.


Transgender people have higher risk of heart health issues, experts say

PHOENIX — Transgender people experience elevated levels of heart health risks due to levels of stress present in this demographic, and may also avoid preventative care providers due to stigma and fear of mistreatment. Transgender men and women have a four times higher risk of heart attack than people who identify as the gender with which they were born.

A medical office has a rainbow sticker that reads: "We care for ALL children and families."

Oklahoma tribes prepare to pivot to booster shots in COVID-19 battle

WASHINGTON - Formal guidance from the Indian Health Service on how and when to give COVID-19 vaccine booster shots is still in the works, but some tribes in Oklahoma are not waiting but getting ready with the news that booster shot guidelines are on the horizon.


Maricopa County health care workers ask for school mask mandate as COVID pediatric cases rise

PHOENIX – Health care workers across Maricopa County signed a letter to the county Board of Supervisors asking for mask mandates in K-12 schools as more children are being hospitalized with COVID-19.