Pride of Navajo Nation: Diné College works to rebuild rodeo program amid the pandemic

TSAILE – In the heart of the Navajo Nation lies Diné College, home to a once-prominent rodeo program riddled with issues from COVID. Now the school is trying to return the program to the collegiate rodeo championships.


Here’s what you need to know about Phoenix’s Climate Action Plan

PHOENIX – Phoenix has updated its plan to achieve the city’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, along with plans to address extreme heat, drought, poor air quality and other issues stemming from climate change.


Pandemic adds pressure on doctors, who already had one of the highest rates of suicide

PHOENIX – Physicians have one of the highest rates of death by suicide, and the pandemic has excerbated the stress on health care workers. Doctors often are hesitant to seek help because of the stigma surrounding mental illness.


Operation Restoring Veteran Hope seeks to help veterans grow and heal

PHOENIX – Operation Restoring Veteran Hope, a Phoenix nonprofit, aims to help veterans by offering health resources, community outreach and bonding at the organization’s headquarters, the Bunker.


Free Wi-Fi headed to Phoenix school districts to help end digital divide

PHOENIX – A project called the Digital Education Connection Canopy will provide free Wi-Fi to some Phoenix schools. The technology behind it could be the blueprint for a permanent solution to the digital divide.


These four metrics are used to track drought, and they paint a bleak picture for the Southwest

Soil-moisture data don’t bode well for the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River, which is being diminished by overuse and climate change.


South Central Mercado a creative hub of local businesses

The South Central Mercado was established in October of 2019 by Cecilia Rivera, Sam Gomez and Joe Munoz. The pop-up market gives small businesses, artists and entrepreneurs a space to create business plans and sell their goods.


Door-to-door campaign helps Guadalupe turn the tide against COVID

GUADALUPE – With the help of Town Council members, tribal leaders, and health care organizations, tiny Guadalupe is driving down COVID-19 cases.


As tribes wait for investigation to conclude, debate over Indian schools continues

A federal investigation into graves at Indian boarding schools has renewed debate over the schools, which were established in the 19th century to assimilate Indigenous youth into white culture by denying the use of their languages, dress and other cultural aspects.


Remote work has potential to boost employment for those with disabilities

PHOENIX – People living with disabilities have some of the highest rates of unemployment. Ability360 has job training programs for those who want to be part of the workforce.


Audit shows Border Patrol hampered by outdated technology, flawed evaluation of new equipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has received more than $743 million since 2017 for upgrades in border technology, but it has only bought 28% of the equipment needed to modernize systems that thwart the flow of illegal goods.


CBP agents in Nogales rely on technology in race against Mexican drug cartels

NOGALES – More than 9% of the drugs that entered the U.S. in fiscal year 2021 came over the border in Arizona, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data says. CBP has technology to help seize drugs, but agents say cartels are steps ahead.