Like some actors, iconic Hollywood sign gets a makeover – and a closeup
LOS ANGELES – A reporter and a photographer get special access to the Hollywood sign, which is being repainted to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. It’s not just a sign, but rather a symbol of the power of storytelling and the pursuit of the American dream.
‘You never forget’: Honoring Arizona’s veterans one flight at a time
WASHINGTON - Thirty Arizona veterans of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars were in Washington this week to visit the memorials to their service, the latest of more than 2,000 vets to make the trip from the state free of charge as part of Honor Flight program.
‘We can figure this out’: Police, public and policymakers work to improve responses to mental health crises
SALT LAKE CITY – Police have become the de facto mental health responders across the country, often with tragic results. Most strategies to deal with mental health calls focus on shifting funds to social services, creating diversion programs and better training for officers. Experts say the solution relies on a combination of efforts.
Latinos working frontline jobs powered U.S. economy during peak of pandemic, report says
LOS ANGELES – At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Latino community made significant contributions to maintaining the country’s gross domestic product. New numbers show the Latino population is making great contributions to the economy as labor workers, homeowners and college graduates.
Petition to block voucher law falls short; application deadline extended
WASHINGTON - The secretary of state’s office is still counting, but it had seen enough by Friday to say that a petition drive to block expansion of the state's school voucher program fell short of the required signatures.
To shore up dwindling ranks, police departments hire more civilian investigators
PHOENIX – Police departments – including Baltimore, Phoenix and Mesa – have hired more civilian investigators to “make sure crimes get hands-on attention” as departments face staffing shortfalls.
Opponents of expanded vouchers concede petition may have fallen short
WASHINGTON - The apparently successful petition drive that blocked an expansion of Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts may not have been so successful after all, with opponents of the law conceding they "definitely got the numbers wrong."
Some states use ‘integrity bulletins’ to provide limited police misconduct information to public
SALT LAKE CITY – About a dozen states provide what’s commonly known as “integrity bulletins,” which contain information about complaints against law enforcement and investigation outcomes, but typically don't include identifying information – such as the officer’s name.
No dead poets here: Program ignites interest among students blasé about poetry
LOS ANGELES – Get Lit-Words Ignite is an organization that inspires students to perform and write poetry.
Do look up: Arizona scientists have hand in first ‘planetary defense’ test
WASHINGTON - When NASA smashes a spacecraft into an asteroid Monday evening to test whether it's possible to deflect a future killer asteroid, several Arizona scientists will be watching as part of the project.
Opponents file petitions to halt voucher expansion; now the fight begins
WASHINGTON - Opponents of the state's expanded Empowerment Scholarship Accounts filed more than 140,000 petition signatures Friday to temporarily halt the program that would have allowed any student in the state to use public dollars for private education.
Ban on sexually explicit materials in Arizona schools set to take effect
PHOENIX – A state law banning any materials in public schools that contain sexual content takes effect this week, and critics worry self-censoring will put more stress on already overburdened teachers.
