A plumbing issue at Lake Powell dam could mean big trouble for Western water
Damage to the Glen Canyon Dam’s “river outlet works,” a critical set of small tubes near the bottom of the dam that hold back Lake Powell, are raising new concerns that it may become harder to keep the falling Colorado River flowing downstream.
Border sheriffs see more ‘load car’ drivers, teens paid to smuggle migrants
WASHINGTON - It's a "scary" trend that border county officials say is getting scarier: Mexican cartels paying teenagers from throughout the country to smuggle illegal migrants across the state as "load car" drivers.
Border shelters stave off ‘homelessness on steroids,’ but funding worries remain
TUCSON - Shelters like Casas Alitas in Tucson prevent what one official said could be "homelessness on steroids," by caring for hundreds of asylum seekers who arrive daily with little more than the clothes on their backs. But funding for such programs almost ran out this year.
‘Time has a beginning, middle and end:’ Expert says telling time provides life skills
PHOENIX – As the world continues to move further into a digital era, some might ask: Is reading an analog clock even a necessary skill anymore? Education and time-management experts say it is. Here’s why.
Northern Arizona University research team addresses disparities in access to autism services
FLAGSTAFF – Olivia Lindly, an assistant professor at Northern Arizona University, is leading a research project highlighting disparities in access to autism services. This work will focus on inequitable care experienced by Latino, Black or American Indian and Alaska Native children with autism.
Cracks in the blacktop: How Peoria maintains basketball courts in spite of Arizona’s environment
PEORIA – Outdoor basketball courts in the Valley face unique circumstances when it comes to weathering and climate, which Peoria officials and specialists have to keep up with.
Globe detective, private investigator work to solve missing-person case
GLOBE – After Natalie Jo Sebastian went missing in Globe in December, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office got to work. Sebastian’s husband also hired a private investigator, who has been feeding leads to the detective.
Indigenous advocates work to combat fake sober living homes in Arizona
PHOENIX – After Arizona legislation targeting fake sober living homes failed, tribal advocates across the state are working to combat the $2.8 billion Medicaid scheme that targets vulnerable Indigenous individuals.
Quiet heroes: Meet the Valley animal lovers tending to feral cat colonies
PHOENIX – In the Phoenix area, there are a number of feral cats, prompting efforts to address the situation through Trap, Neuter, Return, commonly known as TNR. Numerous volunteers throughout the Valley commit their time and resources to address the issue.
Deaf community is divided over how cochlear implants affect deaf identity and culture
PHOENIX – Cochlear implants have sparked controversy about deaf culture and identity for decades. Some say they treat deafness as a disability that needs to be fixed and undermine the use of American Sign Language. One woman who got the implants says she was grateful to alleviate some of the hearing loss she’s suffered from her whole life.
‘No dull days’: Pages get front-row seats, help keep the Capitol running
PHOENIX - They sit on the sidelines of legislative hearings in their blazers, ties and khakis, or bustle around the House or Senate delivering papers to lawmakers. They are the Legislature's pages, quiet but essential workers called "the oil in a machine that keeps things running."
‘A tangible difference’: Phoenix Zoo scientists work to save native species
PHOENIX – Phoenix Zoo scientists are working to save species under threat. The zoo’s website lists nine native species conservation projects that scientists are working on, including the black-footed ferret, Chiricahua leopard frog, cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl, desert pupfish, narrow-headed gartersnake, Huachuca water umbel, springsnail, Mount Graham red squirrel and Gila topminnow.
