South Phoenix business owners wary of light rail expansion, seek city assistance
PHOENIX – With the rejection of Proposition 105, the expansion of the light rail in south Phoenix will begin in November. A group of businesses is organizing to demand that Phoenix officials support them with subsidies in anticipation of business losses during years of construction.
Trump sees treason in whistleblower, but it’s not so clear-cut to ASU prof
WASHINGTON - To President Donald Trump, the White House whistleblower who reported concerns about his call with the Ukrainian president is comparable to a spy and a traitor.To ASU professor Marianne Jennings, whistleblowers aren't sinners - but they aren't always saints, either.
Biggs take reins of Freedom Caucus at tough time for conservatives
WASHINGTON - Democrats have a 38-seat majority in the House and are pressing an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, but as Rep. Andy Biggs takes over the conservative Freedom Caucus the Gilbert Republican says he's ready for the fight.
Yee, in Washington, backs $5 billion tax credit plan for school choice
WASHINGTON - Arizona has long been at the forefront of the school choice movement, but State Treasurer Kimberly Yee told a Washington audience more can be be, as she joined others to support the Trump administration's proposed $5 billion Education Freedom Scholarship program.
Restrictive election laws, lack of polls hamper Native American voters, leaders say
PHOENIX – The voting rights of Native Americans in Arizona are routinely suppressed by a slew of requirements and practices, such as photo ID laws and a scarcity of polling places, Navajo and Gila River leaders said Tuesday at a congressional hearing in Phoenix.
Barrett nomination, despite hiccup, expected to proceed through Senate
WASHINGTON - Arizona businesswoman Barbara Barrett's nomination to be Air Force secretary is expected to proceed without incident when the Senate returns from its two-week recess, despite concerns of one Senate Democrat who had threatened to hold it up.
Volker steps down from State Department role, stays at McCain Institute
WASHINGTON - Kurt Volker is still serving as executive director of the McCain Institute, after resigning as U.S. special envoy for Ukraine when his name surfaced last week in a whistleblower's report on President Donald Trump's dealings with that country.
ICE officials say immigration crackdowns don’t make them the ‘bad guys’
PHOENIX – Albert Carter, acting field office director of Enforcement Removal Operations, says ICE officials are just doing their job to secure public safety. Arizona immigration activist Salvador Reza disagrees.
Congress again voids Trump’s border emergency declaration; veto likely
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers split on party lines this week as Congress voted again to terminate President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the border, which he has cited to justify use of Pentagon funds for border construction.
Arizona lawmaker brings personal story, gun-reform plea to Washington
WASHINGTON - State Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, didn't need to tell congressional lawmakers Thursday about the harm firearms can do: She showed them, when she rolled her wheelchair into a House hearing on the costs of gun violence.
Trump administration reduces numbers, tightens criteria for refugees
WASHINGTON - Refugee organizations in Arizona and nationally said they were disappointed, but not surprised, at a Trump administration plan to reduce the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. to the lowest level in modern history next year.
March for Our Lives Arizona honors gun-violence victims, plans next steps on reforms
PHOENIX – Congressional candidates and members of the Arizona Legislature spoke at a town hall about gun reform organized by 17-year-old Genesis Rivas, director of special projects for March for Our Lives Arizona.
