Arizona highway deaths rose during pandemic, as driving was declining
WASHINGTON - Traffic deaths in Arizona surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the number of miles driven in the state appeared to be decreasing, according to preliminary statistics from 2020.
PPE trash, plastic – and feces – mar many beaches and scenic spots across the Southwest
LOS ANGELES – Face masks, plastic bottles and other items are showing up more and more in nature since the beginning of COVID-19 as people go outdoors.
Special Olympics athletes build connections, form community through esports
WADDELL - Special Olympics athletes immerse themselves in esports teams to help alleviate the loss of social connections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Group steps up to get supplies to Navajo veterans during pandemic
PHOENIX – When two Arizona veterans heard that veterans on the Navajo reservation were struggling during the pandemic, they felt it was their duty to help. So they started raising money to get supplies directly to them.
A player remembered, a community crushed: Friends mourn loss of GCU’s Oscar Frayer
PHOENIX – Just three days after playing in Grand Canyon's first NCAA Tournament, Oscar Frayer died in a car accident in California. Friends mourn the loss of the standout.
Report: Arizona a ‘shining example’ for Democrats wooing Latino voters
WASHINGTON - Democrats looking to win the Latino vote should take their cues from Arizona, which was held up as a "shining example" of how it's done by the author of an election post-mortem on the Latino vote.
Neighbors hope for relief from crematorium smoke as COVID-19 deaths decrease
PHOENIX – Maricopa County’s air quality department lifted regulations for crematoriums to operate past sunset. Public records show county residents have filed nearly 20 complaints about smoke coming from across the county.
Arizona tribes get $88 million more for housing in COVID-relief bill
WASHINGTON - Tribes in Arizona will get another $88 million in housing grants - the most of any state - from the $450 million in tribal housing assistance released Thursday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ducey orders Arizona businesses to reopen, calls for end of local mask mandates
Gov. Doug Ducey’s latest executive order prohibits local mask mandates and allows for gatherings of more than 50 people. Bars also will be allowed to operate normally, without serving food.
Baseball in a border town: Nogales finds its favorite pastime a ‘release’ from pandemic
NOGALES – A city that has had enormous success in baseball has finally come back to life after the pandemic.
ASU basketball watches Jaelen House enter transfer portal, secures key 6-11 recruit
TEMPE - The Sun Devils face a slew of departures this offseason but the unexpected loss of Jaelen House, who entered the transfer portal last week, could turn out to be one of the biggest losses of the offseason.
Tribal leaders ask for more funding, less meddling for water projects
WASHINGTON - Arizona tribal officials told a Senate committee Wednesday that the federal government can help address a crisis with water infrastructure on their lands through more funding, and less meddling.
