It’s electric: ADOT planning a statewide network of EV chargers along interstates
PHOENIX – Thanks to federal funding, the Arizona Department of Transportation will receive millions to upgrade existing electric vehicle chargers and install new ones along interstate highways.
Already struggling, farmers face another challenge with diesel shortage
As if this year hasn’t been rough enough on the agriculture community, with droughts and inflation, farmers can now add "global diesel shortage" to their hardship bingo card for 2022.
After overwhelming voter OK, political ‘dark money’ law hailed as model
WASHINGTON - It could be months before the impact of Proposition 211 is seen in Arizona, but experts are already hailing the new law aimed at exposing "dark money" in politics as a model for the rest of the nation.
Supporters: Debt collection act an important protection, but not a cure-all
WASHINGTON - Prop 209's backers say voter approval of the Predatory Debt Collection Protection Act will go a long way toward keeping people from being "forced out on the street" for medical debt. But they say consumers will still need to be on their guard.
Voters limited their own power to legislate, told state lawmakers to butt out
WASHINGTON - Arizona voters this fall made it slightly tougher on themselves when it comes to passing laws at the ballot box, but they also sent a strong message to state legislators - keep your hands off voter initiatives.
Fire districts face uncertain funding future after ballot measure’s failure
WASHINGTON – Voters said no to a plan that would have added one-tenth of a penny to the state sales tax to benefit rural fire districts, but firefighters warn that the need - and the threat to public safety - have not gone away.
SRP researches cloud seeding in White Mountains to create snow amid historic drought
PHOENIX – SRP is researching cloud seeding along the Mogollon Rim as Arizona continues to struggle with its worst drought in 1,200 years. The partnership with the White Mountain Apache Tribe could bring Arizona its first cloud seeding operation.
Student loan forgiveness program would help Black, Latino borrowers in Arizona
PHOENIX – Student loan forgiveness could eliminate college debt for thousands of Black and Latino borrowers in Arizona. According to a report from the Student Borrower Protection Center, 90% of Black and 72% of Latinx students take out loans to attend college, compared with 66% of white students.
Arizona slipped from top 10 in Pentagon spending, but defense economy still strong
WASHINGTON - Pentagon spending in Arizona fell sharply in fiscal 2021, part of an overall decline in expenditures nationally that bumped the state from seventh place among states to 13th, Pentagon data shows, but experts say the industry remains strong in the state.
‘C’ you later: Cannabis sales soar, but don’t threaten Arizona’s 5 C’s yet
WASHINGTON - Marijuana sales soared to $1.6 billion in 2021, just one year after Arizona legalized recreational use, according to an industry research group. But production in the state still lags, meaning cannabis is far from threatening the historic "5 C's" of Arizona's economy.
Report: Schools struggle to fill a range of jobs, in classroom and beyond
WASHINGTON - The state's longtime teacher shortage is well-known, but personnel officers said in a recent report that they have openings they cannot fill for everything from nurses to custodial employees, secretaries and administrators.
Not quite universal, but families flocked to universal voucher program
WASHINGTON - Arizona parents have flocked to apply for the state's new universal Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which let any family apply for state funds to pay for their child's schooling, regardless of need.
