Arizona food banks prepare for possible government shutdown – again
PHOENIX – Food banks that helped furloughed federal employees learned lessons that will help if the government shuts down again.
Clean-water permits take longest in Arizona, study of Southwestern states says
PHOENIX – It takes longer to get a construction permit under the Clean Water Act in Arizona than in any other Southwestern state, a new University of California-Irvine study says. The question is why.
Trump call for unity appears to do little to sway divided Congress
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump used his first speech to a divided Congress to call for unity and a plea to "govern not as two parties, but as one nation." But the reaction to his State of the Union address fell largely along party lines, which was mirrored in the Arizona delegation's response.
Poll: Phoenix residents want answers about government shutdown during State of the Union
PHOENIX – An informal poll on President Trump’s State of the Union address showed most respondents want him to discuss the recent government shutdown.
Arizona lawmakers deliver messages with State of the Union guests
WASHINGTON - Lawmakers can each bring a guest to the State of the Union address and most do it to send a subtle - or not so subtle - message. Arizona lawmakers are no different, with guests including a Border Patrol agent and a DACA, a teacher and a conservative talk show host.
Experts give 4 reasons why Trump can’t declare a national emergency to build a wall
PHOENIX – Two legal experts say President Trump can’t use a national emergency to build a border wall.
Pentagon more than doubles active-duty troops deployed to border
WASHINGTON - The Defense Department will send an additional 3,750 active-duty troops to the southern border to string razor wire help with surveillance, bringing the number of soldiers supporting Customs and Border Protection officers to 4,350.
Transgender troops in limbo as courts, Pentagon debate right to serve
WASHINGTON - Since leaving her dream job as a Navy pilot because she is transgender, Brynn Tannehill has seen her hopes of re-enlisting repeatedly raised and dashed as the Pentagon and the courts flip-flop on the issue, leaving Tannehill and thousands of other service members waiting and watching.
Arizona bills to expand non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ have bipartisan support
PHOENIX – Arizona lawmakers have tried in previous sessions to update the state’s non-discrimination laws to add protections for the LGBTQ community, but they failed to gain enough traction. They’re trying once again. This time, with more bipartisan support.
Estrada says border wall alone is not the best way to stem drug trafficking
WASHINGTON - Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada said a border wall would do "very little" to stop the flow of drugs, most of which come in to the U.S. through ports of entry, which require more personnel and better technology.
Pentagon defends use of active-duty troops to support border security
WASHINGTON - Pentagon officials told House lawmakers that there's nothing unusual about the 2,300 active-duty troops at the border, saying it mirrors deployments under previous administrations, but critics said the use of forces other than the National Guard is "highly unusual."
‘Afflicted not addicted’: Chronic pain sufferers rally for access to opioids
PHOENIX – About 40 people rallied at the Arizona Capitol Tuesday to support chronic pain sufferers, who said state laws that limited opioid prescriptions to alleviate a national crisis also restrict access to people who desperately need them.
