Money

Women entrepreneurs focus on business, personal growth in new program

PHOENIX – A new business growth mentorship program provides women entrepreneurs with tools and resources to run a successful business. The program is run by the ImagiNexGen Institute of Excellence and the Chicanos Por la Causa Prestamos Women’s Business Center.

Raquel Solis is one of 12 graduates of the business growth mentorship program put on by the ImagiNexGen Institute of Excellence and Chicanos Por la Causa Prestamos CDFI Women’s Business Center. Solis says the “program really focused us on ourselves as women first,because in order to run our business, we need to be self-sufficient and make it a habit to prioritize our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness first.” Photo taken on March 13, 2023, at Lash Bottega Salon in Phoenix. (Photo by Izabella Hernandez/Cronkite News)

Trademarking their turf: Jack Daniel’s, Arizona dog-toy maker spar in court

WASHINGTON - An Arizona dog-toy manufacturer told the Supreme Court Wednesday that its "Bad Spaniels" squeaky toy is a "playful parody" of Jack Daniel's that does not infringe on the distiller's trademarks - arguments the distiller rejects.

Flagstaff competitions, businesses grow snowboarding community

FLAGSTAFF – Flagstaff clothing brand, Collective Supply Co., co-hosted a snowboarding contest with Sunset Terrain Park in Arizona Snowbowl. The company aims to grow the snowboarding community and bring people together.

Contestants at the “The Site” snowboarding and ski competition wait to do a run down Sunset Terrain Park on Jan. 28, 2023. Collective Supply Co., a clothing brand geared toward the Flagstaff snowboarding community, co-hosted the competition with the park. “Snowboarding is growing at a huge rate and obviously we are stoked on that,” said Rich Phillips, co-founder of Collective Supply Co. “Snowboarding is definitely alive and kicking, especially in AZ.” (Photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

School advocates worry about keeping counselors as federal funding set to expire

CHANDLER – Federal funding provided during the pandemic allowed some schools to bring on extra counselors. School counselors and advocates emphasize the importance of keeping them on to work with students and families even when the funding ends.

Hamilton High School counselor Mandy Tietjen says “our kids see the same counselor, the same administrator all four years and we’re able to communicate if there’s a discipline issue we have a little insight about that and what social-emotional needs could be supported.” (Photo courtesy of Chandler Unified School District)

Phoenix City Council bans “source of income” discrimination for renters, home buyers

PHOENIX — Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 to pass an ordinance banning “source of income” discrimination for anyone who rents or buys a home. The March 1 vote followed a push from Phoenix residents and affordable housing advocates who said people on public assistance and Section 8 housing vouchers face discrimination from landlords.

Phoenix joined Tucson in passing legislation the prohibits "source of income" discrimination against renters, which is when landlords reject applicants who rely on Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, disability payments or other public income. The Tucson law is under review by the attorney general, but Phoenix officials are confident the ordinance will survive. (File photo by Carolina Lopez/Cronkite News)

Coin collectors unite: National Money Show in Phoenix features rare currency

PHOENIX – The 2023 National Money Show, hosted by the American Numismatic Association, brings hundreds of millions of dollars worth of rare coins and paper money to the Valley. The show runs through Saturday.

A misprinted $5 bill with upside-down serial numbers and a $1 bill with double serial numbers are on display at the 2023 National Money Show, hosted by the American Numismatic Association at the Phoenix Convention Center on March 2, 2023. (Photo by Lydia Curry/Cronkite News)

Tohono O’odham leader says lack of infrastructure, capital hinders development

WASHINGTON - Economic development on the remote Tohono O'odham Nation is hobbled by everything from a lack of basic infrastructure to poor access to capital, a tribal leader told lawmakers at a House hearing Wednesday on development challenges in Indian Country,

‘Are the KD jerseys here yet?’ Valley businesses excited about possible economic boost from Kevin Durant

PHOENIX – Local bars, restaurants, and sports memorabilia shops have felt the residual effects of Kevin Durant’s arrival in the Valley. Ahead of his Suns debut, downtown is prepared for an increase in foot traffic and sales.

The Kevin Durant era is underway in Phoenix after the Suns pulled off a blockbuster trade last month to land the 13-time All-Star. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Staking a claim: Annual unclaimed property auction draws bargain hunters

PHOENIX - Coins, collectibles, jewelry - any unclaimed property left in an Arizona safe deposit box is turned over to the state, which auctions the goods off after holding them for a few years. This year's auction, held in January, brought in $329,948.50 for the state.

Baseball’s back! Cactus League expects full crowds, significant economic impact with 2023 spring training

SURPRISE – In 2018, the W.P. Carey School of Business reported that the Cactus League generated $644.2 million in economic impact for Arizona. But between the COVID-19 pandemic and MLB lockout, the economy has taken a hit. With the first normal spring training in four years beginning on Feb. 24, the Cactus League expects full crowds, and a massive turn for the better.

The Peoria Sports Complex, home of the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, expects to return closer to its pre-pandemic employment numbers. (Photo by John Cascella/Cronkite News)

Downtown Phoenix businesses see range of Super Bowl crowds, from record-breaking to a snail’s pace

PHOENIX — During a busy week for the Phoenix metro area, business at downtown restaurants was a mixed bag. Some were slammed, and others were nearly empty. Official economic impact numbers have not yet been released, but officials said last week that visitors were out in force and that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport set a single-day passenger record the day after the Super Bowl.

A gambler’s paradise? For some, the industry’s extreme growth leads to addiction and worse in the Valley

PHOENIX – With Arizona transforming into a gambler’s paradise during Super Bowl week, there is an opposite side to the giant industry that is causing clinicians and counselors to become worried.

The legalization of sports betting in Arizona has generated billions in revenue, thanks in part to mobile apps like DraftKings that allow gamblers easy access. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)