Tohono O’odham Nation receives grant to expand internet connectivity
TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION – The Tohono O'odham Nation received $10 million in grants to expand its internet connectivity to regions that previously had no internet.
Phoenix-area Black businesses face challenges with start-up capital
PHOENIX – Black businesses are facing funding problems to start up. The State of Black Business report has recommendations to help fix the problem.
$1.2 trillion budget bill, racing against shutdown, funds more border security
WASHINGTON - Lawmakers on Friday advanced a $1.2 trillion package of budget bills that includes funding for 42,000 new beds in migrant detention facilities and for the hiring of an additional 22,000 Border Patrol agents.
Feds award Intel $8.5 billion; money to expand Chandler, other chip plants
CHANDLER - President Joe Biden announced the award of $8.5 billion to chipmaker Intel on Wednesday, along with $11 billion in loans that will help the semiconductor manufacturer expand operations in Arizona and three other states.
Home away from home: Third spaces reemerging for community engagement, social development following COVID-19 impact
PHOENIX – Third spaces are environments that don’t feel like a requirement or a chore to be in them – a home away from home. Following COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many of these spaces were shut down, but now the concept of third spaces is regaining recognition.
Phoenix banks on wheels try to make banking more accessible, provide financial education
PHOENIX – With portions of Arizona’s population having limited or nonexistent access to banking services, financial institutions are working with nonprofits to help. Bank branches on wheels provide financial education and get more people signed up for bank accounts.
Pretty in pink: Phoenix Barbie exhibit highlights cultural, fashion icon
PHOENIX – Despite the “Barbie” movie’s snubs at Sunday night’s Academy Awards, the doll franchise has continued to influence the current cultural climate. Even prior to the movie’s release in 2023, Barbie has influenced fashion for decades since the doll’s launch in 1959. Phoenix Art Museum has an exhibit representing Barbie’s impressive collection and history.
‘All I wanted to do was dance’: Ballet scholarship competition helps further dancers’ dreams
PHOENIX – Ballet dancers competed for scholarships at the Youth America Grand Prix international student ballet scholarship competition at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix in February.
Business owners challenge bill requiring E-Verify checks for jobs, benefits
PHOENIX - House Speaker Ben Toma says his latest immigration bill could save Arizona billions in welfare benefits annually, but small business owners rallied Monday to say it will cost the state instead, by driving out businesses and workers.
Going on offense over Defense spending: Biden touts benefits to states
WASHINGTON - As Congress weigh $95 billion in military aid for Ukraine and Israel, the Pentagon is reporting that defense spending in Arizona totaled $15 billion in fiscal 2022, making Arizona the 10th-biggest beneficiary of Defense Department support among states.
Arizona public schools struggle to fill teaching positions as leaders brainstorm school staffing solutions
PHOENIX – From legislative proposals to extend Proposition 123 to the two-day Arizona State University Fulton Teachers College Summit on Strategic School Staffing Structures, educators, politicians and researchers weigh in on strategies to help alleviate staffing shortages in Arizona schools.
As animal shelters exceed capacity, groups seek to keep pets with families
PHOENIX – As Maricopa County animal shelters work to handle more dogs than they can handle, local organizations seek to remind current and future pet owners of resources to help them keep their pets.
