‘Historical’ infusion of dollars resuscitates marginalized arts and cultural groups
PHOENIX – Eighty-eight nonprofit cultural organizations are coming back to life after the pandemic, thanks to $2.65 million in federal COVID-relief aid targeting the arts. The money was allocated by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.
Reopening of border after 20 months is both exciting and low key in Nogales
NOGALES – Nogales had a celebratory if low-key border reopening Monday, as people in cars and on foot crossed over from Mexico for the first time since March 2020, when COVID-19 prompted the U.S. to ban all nonessential travel.
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.
Tucson chief moves a step closer to CBP job, on narrow committee vote
WASHINGTON - Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus moved closer to becoming the next commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Wednesday after a Senate committee narrowly approved his nomination.
DHS tries again to end ‘remain in Mexico’ policy, despite court order
WASHINGTON - The Department of Homeland Security said Friday it will end the Migrant Protection Protocols, its second attempt to reverse the Trump-era policy that makes asylum seekers wait in Mexico while their cases are considered.
Latina moms, environmental advocates fight air pollution with electric school bus
In one west Phoenix neighborhood, Latina moms came together to combat the issue of unhealthy air by targeting school buses.
Border apprehensions hit all-time high of 1.7 million in fiscal 2021
WASHINGTON - Apprehensions at the southern border hit 1.7 million in fiscal 2021, the highest in more than 60 years. Apprehensions at the Arizona border were also up sharply.
Yuma mayor says surging illegal migration is stressing local services
WASHINGTON - Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls told a Washington forum this week that the rise in illegal immigration is stressing health care and nonprofits that help migrants in his town, and he's worried the situation will worsen.
Republicans press Tucson police chief on border in nomination hearing
WASHINGTON - Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus walked a fine line in a hearing Tuesday on his nomination to lead Customs and Border Protection, attempting to balance interests from Democrats and GOP senators.
As marijuana profits fade, cartels increasingly smuggle fentanyl across the border
ARIVACA – Cartels are smuggling more and more deadly fentanyl across the border, leaving Arizonans to deal with the repercussions. Nationwide, overdose deaths hit a record high in 2020 and are continuing to rise.
Citizenship applications backlog leaves thousands with cases pending
WASHINGTON - More than 11,000 citizenship applications are pending in Arizona. Federal offials blame the pandemic for the delays, but critics blame Trump-era agency cuts.
Nonessential border travel ban to be lifted after nearly 20 months
WASHINGTON - Fully vaccinated non-essential travelers will be allowed to cross the U.S. border from Mexico starting in November, ending nearly 20 months of pandemic restrictions that were choking businesses in border communities.
