As trade deal looms, North American farm officials pledge cooperation
WASHINGTON - The top agriculture officials from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. reiterated the importance of North American trade and cooperation Thursday in their first joint meeting since the release of a replacement deal for NAFTA that is now struggling toward passage.
UA professor sues state over denial of health-care coverage to transgender employees
TUCSON – Transgender state employees in Arizona are excluded from insurance coverage of transition surgery and related medical treatments, according to a lawsuit filed by University of Arizona professor Russell Toomey. The ACLU-backed suit says the policy violates his civil and constitutional rights.
Find a lawyer: Arizona Bar’s online site matches clients, attorneys
PHOENIX – People can post their legal needs on the State Bar of Arizona’s Find-a-Lawyer online service to seek the right attorney for their needs. The pilot program is part of national trend to simplify the process of hiring an attorney to settle disputes.
Employees hustle ‘nonstop’ to meet blossoming demand for Valentine’s Day roses
PHOENIX – Workers at a Phoenix flower wholesale distributor say demand for Valentine’s Day roses has spiked in recent years.
Shutdown cost economy $11 billion, but long-term effects likely minimal
WASHINGTON - The five-week government shutdown shaved as much as $11 billion off the gross domestic product while it lasted, and while much of that lost activity will come back when federal workers are repaid, other officials said the impact on individuals should not be minimized.
It’s the law that can’t be obeyed: Firms hire with E-Verify on hiatus
WASHINGTON – Arizona law requires businesses to use E-Verify, a system that checks job applicants' citizenship status, but with the government shutdown halting the service employers have to roll the dice and hope any new hires check out after government, and the service, come back.
Bill targeting ‘unfair’ trade in Mexican produce would raise prices, critics say
NOGALES – Fruit and vegetable growers in Arizona and Mexico say a bill in Congress intended to address unfair practices by Mexican growers would help producers in Florida but force higher prices for U.S. consumers.
Mexican ambassador expresses confidence new trade deal will get done
WASHINGTON - The Mexican ambassador to the U.S. said he is confident final details can be worked out a new trade deal between the two countries and Canada, despite President Donald Trump's "colorful," sometimes disruptive rhetoric on border security as negotiations have progressed in recent months,
Breaking into construction: How an ADOT program attracts women and minorities
MIAMI – A program from ADOT, the Arizona Department of Transportation, is helping women and minorities gain the skills they need to get jobs in the construction industry.
Historic Phoenix restaurants are rare but leave lasting impacts
PHOENIX – Sing High Chop Suey House served its last meal after 90 years in downtown Phoenix, joining other longtime restaurants that closed recently, taking customers’ memories with them.
Health insurance premiums to drop about 10 percent in Arizona next year
WASHINGTON - Federal officials said health care premiums are expected to drop about 10 percent next year in Arizona, one of 17 states expected to see declines as the rate nationally is predicted to fall by 1.5 percent for the first time since enactment of the Affordable Care Act.
U.S.-Canada trade deal gives AZ dairy farmers hope, but worries about Mexico tariffs remain
MESA – Mexico-Canada Agreement gives farmers more access to Canada’s dairy markets but two Arizona experts say farmers have been suffering from retaliatory tariffs Mexico imposed on U.S. agriculture.
