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.


Arizona domestic violence shelters filling up again as abusers return to work

COVID-19 didn’t slow domestic violence in Arizona, but fewer victims sought shelter beds. Experts doubt Arizona's high abuse numbers will drop soon.


Ban on school mask mandates violates Constitution’s ‘single-subject’ rule, opponents argue

PHOENIX – Arizona school boards want to be able to make their own decisions regarding mask mandates, but a Legislature ban will prevent them from doing so.

A masked school official talks with a student

Program continues to provide medical care for 9/11 survivors, first responders

Since 2011, a federally funded program has provided medical care for emergency responders, recovery workers, volunteers and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.


White House plan would help schools skirt Ducey ban on mask mandates

WASHINGTON - Gov. Doug Ducey's threat to withhold funding from schools that impose mask mandates took a severe hit Thursday, when the White House said local school districts can apply directly to the federal government "to restore funding withheld by state leaders."