Here’s what police, car dealers recommend to deter catalytic converter theft
PHOENIX – Catalytic converter thefts are rising across the U.S. The pollution-control parts, which can cost more than $1,000 to replace, don’t come with a serial number, but one Phoenix dealership has a way to increase the likelihood of recovering a stolen converter, and police recommend drivers be intentional about where they park.
Can’t hurt to ask: Arizona lawmakers raise earmark requests by $194 million
WASHINGTON - For a second straight year, Arizona Republicans refrained from requesting any funding for local projects in Congress, while Democrats boosted requests by $194.5 million, a 43% increase over last year, when earmarks were restored after a decade-long hiatus.
It’s a TikTok party: Social media helped two businesses survive the pandemic
PHOENIX – TikTok, which has more than 1 billion users, has helped two Valley businesses take off. Viral videos for Jump Into Bliss, which rents bounce houses, and Decor by Jess, which makes party decorations, gave the businesses much-needed exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic and led to new customers.
Rise of the robotexts: As new rules curbed spam calls, texts took off
WASHINGTON - Federal regulations aimed at blocking robocalls appear to have had some effect over the past year, but robotexts have skyrocketed in their place, according to a recent report from the Arizona Public Interest Research Group.
Valley’s 12.3% inflation among highest in nation; U.S. at 40-year high
WASHINGTON - The Phoenix area posted one of the nation's highest inflation rates over the past year at 12.3%, compared to a national rate of 9.1% that was itself the sharpest rise in more than 40 years.
After nearly 37 years, stolen de Kooning painting is back on public display
LOS ANGELES – A Willem de Kooning painting stolen from the University of Arizona Museum of Art in 1985 is back on public display in Los Angeles. The Getty Center spent three years restoring “Woman-Ochre,” which was heavily damaged during the theft. The painting will return to Tucson this fall.
Business, political, migrant advocates kick off campaign for Prop 308
WASHINGTON - A broad-based group of political, business and immigration leaders rallied Wednesday to drum up support for Proposition 308, the ballot initiative that would guarantee in-state tuition for any Arizona high school graduate, regardless of citizenship status.
National park tourism, spending recovers from pandemic but still lags
WASHINGTON - National parks in Arizona welcomed 10.7 million visitors who pumped $1.12 billion into local economies in 2021, both sharp increases from the pandemic-induced lows of the year before, but still shy or pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent report.
Burgers and bucks: Typical July 4th cookout will cost 17% more this year
WASHINGTON - The real fireworks for this Fourth of July weekend may be in the supermarket aisles. The American Farm Bureau's annual survey of holiday food prices found the cost of a cookout for 10 will be $69.68 this year, 17% higher than the same meal last year.
Migrants stuck in Mexico still rely on money from family to live
TAPACHULA, Mexico – While migrants remain trapped in Tapachula, in southern Mexico, the money they receive from family members is spent towards benefiting the city’s economy. But because of delays in issuing legal documentation – some migrants face economic instability and uncertain survival routes while working to survive.
Rent hikes, downtown boom spur gentrification of older Tucson neighborhoods
TUCSON - Rents are rising all over the country, but Tucson, once a sleepy, affordable city, has seen a particularly painful spike. And with rising prices, gentrification is pushing people out of neighborhoods that once were affordable.
Passing on gas: Biden’s gas-tax holiday gets cool reception in Arizona
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden's plan to ease prices at the pump by suspending state and federal gas taxes could be running on empty, after state and federal lawmakers who would have to approve the tax holiday greeted it skeptically - or with hostility.
