Vaccine hesitancy, new variants kept COVID-19 infections from falling
WASHINGTON – Almost two years after the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in Arizona, new infections in the state have reached a "bizarre plateau," rising from summertime lows in the hundreds to more than 3,000 new cases a day through the fall.
Trap-Neuter-Return: The most humane way to save stray cats, veterinarians say
LOS ANGELES – This past summer was the worst kitten season in years due to many trap-neuter-return clinics losing funding to continue their services because of COVID-19.
Fentanyl, COVID-19 help drive overdose deaths to record 12-month high
The COVID-19 pandemic and a growing unsafe drug supply combined to push overdose deaths up by 27.6% in the U.S. over a 12-month period from 2020 to 2021, a surge in deaths that was matched in Arizona.
Asians, other minorities fear attacks because of race, survey finds
PHOENIX – An NPR report found that one in four Asian households in the U.S. fear physical and verbal attacks because of their race. Studies show mental health issues related to economic inequalities increased across the country during the surge in COVID-19 cases tied to the delta variant.
Report: Census undercount may have missed 1.6 million in U.S., 48,000 in Arizona
WASHINGTON - The 2020 Census may have missed more than 1.6 million Americans, about 48,000 of them in Arizona, with the undercount disproportionately falling on minority groups, according to a recent report.
State statutes could protect families if Indian Child Welfare Act is overturned
The Indian Child Welfare Act, which was passed in 1978, could be overturned by the Supreme Court, advocates say, but state laws could provide some of the same protections.
Arizona lags in prenatal care, but ranks well in infant deaths, preemies
WASHINGTON - Arizona outperformed the nation on its rates of premature births and infant deaths, despite having some of lowest rates of prenatal care among the states, according to a recent March of Dimes report.
Design chosen for quarter commemorating Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller
The design of the Wilma Mankiller commemorative quarter has been released by the U.S. Mint. It’s the third coin of the American Women’s Quarters program, which honors five women in American life.
Kurt Warner’s biopic hits theaters on heels of coaching son at Brophy
CHANDLER – Football fans nationwide will have the opportunity to learn about the life of the Valley's most popular quarterback when "American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story" is released. But the football player's biggest role has included coaching his son Elijah, the quarterback at Brophy Prep.
Corridos tumbados bring modern, urban edge to traditional musical style
The new Southern California style of storytelling known as trap or 'hood corridos' offers a grittier style of storytelling than traditional Mexican corridors.
Arizona saw ten-fold jump in catalytic converter thefts, second-most in nation
WASHINGTON - Theft of catalytic converters - the part of a car's exhaust system that changes toxic gases to less-harmful emissions - is surging across the country, including Arizona.
Federal grant funds training of emergency medical services in rural communities
PHOENIX – $5.6 million has been awarded to rural communities for emergency medical services training in overdose and mental-health crisis cases. The grant is meant to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on smaller communities with fewer resources.
