Rise in food-stamp benefits is partly undercut by end to pandemic aid

WASHINGTON - More than 900,000 Arizona food stamp recipients will see an increase in their monthly benefits starting Friday, but activists say much more needs to be done to fight food insecurity in the state.


COVID-19 death toll in Arizona expected to top 20,000 this week

WASHINGTON - Arizona is on pace to reach 20,000 COVID-19 deaths this week, according to state data, as the disease that seemed to be waning just months ago has come roaring back with a new variant and new battles on safety protocols.


More research, better treatment for Lyme disease sought amid rising case rates

PHOENIX – The incidence of Lyme disease has nearly doubled in the U.S. since the 1990s, yet funding for research is still lacking and patients struggle to get help. Advocates say that should change, considering predictions that climate change could increase case numbers.


Q&A: How a brother’s drug overdose led to one woman’s crusade for harm reduction

PHOENIX – Amid rising opioid overdoses, needle exchange programs now are legal in Arizona. An advocate for one program talks about her work and how such efforts combat addiction and deaths.


Ban on school mask mandates was unconstitutionally enacted, judge rules

PHOENIX – A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled the Arizona Legislature’s ban on school mask mandates was unconstitutionally included in budget bills, paving the way for schools to continue requiring masks.


Advocates spotlight an overlooked cause of maternal mortality: Deaths related to mental health

The national conversation around maternal mortality has served to spotlight preventable physical complications, but it often overlooks a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths: conditions linked to behavioral health.


Mikey’s League changing the status quo for disabled community through sports

PHOENIX - Mikey’s League bridges the gap between accessibility and inclusivity through creating the opportunity to experience sports’ triumph and success in ways its participants will remember forever.


COVID vaccine, testing sites still working to provide free resources to Phoenix area

PHOENIX – Even as COVID-19 vaccination rates decrease, mobile events are being held in the Phoenix area to provide testing and vaccines to community members.


Traveling NFL fans won’t let COVID-19 stop them from getting to the games

LOS ANGELES – As the NFL welcomes fans, differing COVID-19 policies have some confused. Fan groups are back in action this season and plan on traveling, regardless of the pandemic.


Valley traffic returns, carbon emissions rise as COVID-19 restrictions ease

PHOENIX – COVID-19 reduced road traffic to unknown lows, but now it’s returning in full force. After carbon emissions dropped during a year of less travel, will they return to problematic levels?


As COVID-19 pandemic wears on, demand increases for deworming drug ivermectin

Prescriptions for the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to treat COVID-19 are increasing, and one Phoenix feed store has struggled to stock the medication, which in some forms is used to deworm large animals.


Brnovich joins Ducey, vows to block Biden’s business vaccine mandate

WASHINGTON - The Biden administration plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in large companies is likely weeks away from being implemented, but Arizona officials are already lining up with pledges to stop it.