Sinema sides with GOP on bill blocking Biden’s student debt relief plan

WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema joined two Democrats and all Senate Republicans Thursday to narrowly approve a bill overturning a federal program that would provide student debt relief to 16 million people, including more than 300,000 in Arizona.


Arizona delegation in rare agreement on debt limit bill – nobody likes it

WASHINGTON - The House Wednesday approved a debt-limit bill that was almost universally disliked, but which some lawmakers said they would vote for because failing to do so could spark a default on the nation's debt. Arizona lawmakers were split on the plan.


Room to boom: Pinal County housing grew at fastest rate in state

WASHINGTON - It's unclear which came first in Pinal County, the houses or the people filling them. What is clear is that both continue growing at some of the fastest rates in the state and, in some instances, the nation.


Experts: Arizona economy could be hit hard if default is in our stars

WASHINGTON - If the U.S. defaults on its debt, that's not be good news for anyone, but economists say it would be particularly bad news for Arizona. Tourism would likely be hit hard by a long-term breach in the nation's debt payments, according to a new report.


With pandemic in the rearview mirror, Memorial Day travel expected to boom

WASHINGTON - Memorial Day weekend travelers are expected to pack roads and airports at or above pre-pandemic levels this year, with experts saying that an estimated 42.3 million Americans are likely to travel. Of those, about 887,000 will be from Arizona.


Gov. Katie Hobbs says no Arizonan will ‘be forced to cut their water use’ because of Colorado River conservation plan

PHOENIX – Gov. Katie Hobbs made two things clear at a news conference about a Colorado River water conservation plan Thursday: Arizona will lead the way in the tri-state agreement, and Arizonans need not worry about a water-use crackdown.


Prescott resident decries hurdles veterans face trying to start a business

WASHINGTON - An Arizona veteran who started a string of Prescott businesses after his military service ended told lawmakers Wednesday that reducing barriers and streamlining federal loan applications are essential to helping other vets become business owners.


Arizona film tax credit expected to spur new production companies

PHOENIX – The Arizona film tax credit passed in 2022, and the Arizona Commerce Authority is in the process of reviewing comments to finalize the rules for the credit. The credit is encouraging the launch of new production companies in Arizona, such as Camelback Productions.

Anita Verma-Lallian works at her desk on April 13, 2023, in Paradise Valley. Verma-Lallian is the owner of Camelback Productions, which she says is Arizona’s first woman- and South Asian-owned film production and entertainment company. (Photo by Gianna Abdallah/Cronkite News)

Food forest 360 tour: Glendale permaculture landscape designer grows produce in the desert

GLENDALE – Justin Haddad, owner and operator of Herbal.Lyf.Styl, has been growing a food forest in his backyard for the past seven years. He launched a permaculture landscape design business to help other people grow their own food forests.

Justin Haddad points at flowers growing in his backyard. “My favorite flowers have always been mango flowers,” Haddad said. “I grew this plant from seed.” Photo taken in Glendale on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Paula Soria/Cronkite News)

Golf’s growth across Valley spurs $6 billion economic boost while staying environmentally friendly

PHOENIX – A report from Rounds Consulting Group and the Arizona Alliance of Golf have found that the golf industry in Arizona contributes more than $6 billion to the economy.

Only 2% of Arizona’s daily water usage goes toward golf course irrigation for over 370 locations throughout the state. “The reason the daily usage is going down is that a lot of golf courses are using reclaimed water,” said Luis Cordova, the Vice President and COO of Rounds Consulting Group. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

It’s summer and Arizona gas prices sizzle to third-highest in country

PHOENIX – Arizona gas prices remain the third-highest in the country, just in time for summer vacation season.

Cars line up to get gas early at a QT on the corner of Germann Road and Arizona Avenue in Chandler. (File photo by Hope O’Brien/Cronkite News)

With COVID-19 emergency winding down, Embry Health holds surplus sale

TOLLESON – With the COVID-19 public health emergency ending May 11, the company synonymous with testing in Arizona is winding down as well, holding a surplus supply sale.

Masks, gloves and other COVID-19 equipment are for sale at Embry Health’s Tolleson warehouse through the end of May. Photo taken on April 28, 2023. (Photo by Jack Wu/Cronkite News)