It’s beginning to look a lot like a post-COVID Christmas for retailers
WASHINGTON - In the second holiday season of the pandemic era, goods may cost more, but Americans have more money to spend - and they appear to be eager to spend it, and that's true in Arizona, where retailers say holiday shopping is already in full swing.
Arizona jobless rate continues steady decline, workforce keeps growing
WASHINGTON – Arizona's unemployment rate continued its steady decline in October, falling to 5.2%, down a full percentage point from just two months earlier and almost one-third of the state's pandemic high, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Thanksgiving dinner will cost Arizonans 5% more this year, but that’s less than U.S. average
PHOENIX – The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 36th annual Thanksgiving meal review shows Americans will pay almost 14% more for turkey and trimmings than they were last year, but in Arizona the rise is only 5%.
Biden releases 50 million barrels of oil in hopes of easing gas prices
WASHINGTON - The Biden administration said Tuesday that it will release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in an effort to drive down the surging cost of gasoline and home heating oil.
House approves $1.9 trillion ‘Build Back Better’ social spending plan
The House passed the 10-year, roughly $1.9 trillion "Build Back Better" bill early Friday, a plan supporters say would extend tax credits, child care, health care and more to tens of thousands of Arizonans but which still needs Senate approval.
Nonprofits, business groups help Latino-owned businesses hit hard by pandemic
PHOENIX – Salvadoreño Restaurant No. 3, like other Hispanic-owned restaurants, endured many hardships during the pandemic. Yesenia Ramirez, co-owner of the restaurant, says they had to “respond to change immediately.”
Pack your patience: Holiday travel could reach pre-pandemic levels
PHOENIX – Experts predict that this holiday season, travel numbers will return to pre-pandemic levels, with more people traveling locally and regionally this year. Travel experts weigh in on what the holiday season will look like this year and how to prepare for holiday travel.
Arizonans on hand as Biden signs bill worth billions in state projects
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers joined hundreds on the White House lawn Monday as President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that includes billions of dollars for road, transit, environmental cleanup and other projects in the state.
Court: Higher water charge for public housing is not discriminatory
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court said Friday that an Arizona water district can charge more in upfront fees to public housing residents, even though the policy disproportionately affects minority customers and single mothers.
Arizona lawmakers split as House OKs $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers split on party lines late Friday night as the House voted 228-206 to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, giving final passage to a centerpiece of the Biden administration's agenda.
Nogales businesses hope reopening the border will reverse losses suffered during pandemic
NOGALES – After 19 months, Nogales will reopen Monday to nonessential travelers from Mexico, giving the Arizona border city of 20,000 hope that life and the economy may return to pre-pandemic normal.
White House orders workplace vaccinations, state officials vow fight
WASHINGTON - Just hours after the Biden administration issued regulations Thursday to require that businesses mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their workers, Arizona officials were vowing to fight what one called a "direct attack" on personal liberty.
