Study: Arizona hospitals could be overwhelmed by COVID-19 case surge
WASHINGTON - A surge in coronavirus patients could overwhelm Arizona hospitals in the coming months if action is not taken now to expand hospital capacity and curb infections, according to a new study by the Harvard Global Health Institute. And the state is not alone.
Rally tallies: Campaigns come to town, often leave unpaid bills behind
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's campaign returned to Arizona - where Tucson and Mesa say he still has not paid $145,000 for city services he ran up during previous rallies. But analysts say Trump is not alone, that campaigns do not have to reimburse local governments, and often don't.
Officials say Arizona Boy Scouting unaffected by national bankruptcy
WASHINGTON - Arizona officials said Boy Scouting in the state will not be affected by the Boy Scouts of America's decision to file for bankruptcy Tuesday as the national group grapples with up to $1 billion in damages from decades of sexual abuse lawsuits.
Ahead of ‘public charge’ change, advocates struggle to keep Hispanic families enrolled in benefits
PHOENIX – Advocates continue struggling to keep qualified Hispanic families enrolled in public programs like food stamps and cash assistance amid changes to the so-called public charge rule. The U.S. Supreme Court last month decided to let the rule take effect, and that happens on Feb. 24. It allows immigration officers to consider applicants’ use of public benefits, including Medicaid, in deciding to grant green cards, visas and changes in residency.
Endangered species throw roadblock in path of Rosemont Copper mine
WASHINGTON - A federal judge has overturned environmental permits for the proposed Rosemont Copper Mine, saying the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to consider the mine's impact on several endangered species in the Santa Rita Mountains.
‘What’s old is new again’: Advocates say tribal voting hurdles remain
WASHINGTON - Voting barriers for Native Americans have always existed, but polling cutbacks, discriminatory voter ID laws and lack of funding are making things worse, advocates told a House panel Tuesday - the same day a federal court reinstated an Arizona law against "ballot harvesting."
Court upholds ruling against state prisons for poor inmate health care
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court upheld a contempt order and a $1.44 million fine against the Arizona Department of Corrections this week, saying the agency has been "deliberately indifferent" to health care for inmates.
Heat deaths continue to rise, as federal disaster relief continues to lag
WASHINGTON - The Federal Emergency Management Agency doles out billions annually in response to tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters, but the deadliest disaster goes largely unfunded - extreme heat, cited as the cause of death for about 100 people a year in Maricopa County alone.
Feds waived environment, other regs on 90 miles of state border in 2019
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration waived environmental and other regulations on nearly one quarter of Arizona's border with Mexico last year to ease the way for border wall construction, a review of government documents shows.
Navajo Generating Station, coal mine face years of breakdown, cleanup
WASHINGTON - They may have turned out the lights, but the party's not over at the Navajo Generating Station and Kayenta coal mine. The facilities' owners face years of decommissioning and cleanup and possible decades of environmental monitoring of the sites, which closed for good this fall.
Role reversal: Teen caring for father with Alzheimer’s shares her experience
CERRITOS, Calif. – Emily Jenkins has helped care for her father since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about 10 years ago. She just turned 19.
Why are racehorses still dying? Authorities struggle to find the answers
ARCADIA, Calif. – Horses are dying at a rapid rate at Santa Anita Racetrack, home of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup. But betting on horses continues at a rapid clip, even as experts look for the reasons behind the deaths.
