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.


$1 billion investment to acquire, conserve water is signed by Ducey

PHOENIX – Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday signed a bipartisan bill allocating more than $1 billion for water projects and reestablishing the authority of the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona.


‘We are ready to receive you’: Blue states prepare for influx of patients seeking abortion care

PHOENIX – Health care clinics in California, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington and other states are preparing to become “safe havens” for pregnant people living in states where abortion is restricted or banned, like Arizona.


School lunch program, a ‘game changer’ for kids, gets last-minute reprieve

WASHINGTON - A pandemic-era program that greatly expanded access to school lunches won a last-minute extension through the summer, "fantastic" news for the tens of thousands of Arizona kids who have relied on those meals, advocates said.


This third-generation pilot helped ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ take flight

LOS ANGELES – Kevin LaRosa, a film aerial coordinator, talks about his role on the Tom Cruise film “Top Gun: Maverick” and how his aviation journey from a young age led him to it.


Tampon shortage spotlights fight against ‘period poverty’

PHOENIX – The latest supply chain problem – a shortage of feminine care items – has prompted Arizona advocates to renew calls for “period equity” to ensure that menstrual products are accessible and affordable for all.


As budget deadline nears, Arizona educators rally at Capitol to protest public school spending

PHOENIX – Members of the Arizona Education Association rallied Tuesday at the state Capitol to again call on lawmakers to funnel a bigger chunk of the state’s $5 billion budget surplus into public school spending.


New Juneteenth holiday gains acceptance – slowly – in Arizona, elsewhere

WASHINGTON - Juneteenth was a holiday for federal workers Monday, but not workers in many states, including Arizona. Some cities recognize the day but not all, and just 30% of businesses gave workers the day off. But advocates say it's still a step in the right direction.


Orange goes green: ASU mall earns certification for sustainable landscapes

TEMPE – Outdoor spaces can be certified as sustainable under the SITES program. California, Texas and other states have been quick to adopt the standards, but Arizona has not. ASU is an exception.


‘Wounded healers’: Advocates spotlight hidden struggles of young caregivers

MESA – Brenda Donovan was 12 when her mother was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. By her senior year in high school, she’d become her mother’s primary caregiver. Across the U.S., more and more people are becoming caregivers to a loved one in need – among them, young people thrust into a role for which they have little training or support.


Blinken urges young journalists to defend their craft – and themselves

LOS ANGELES – The ninth Summit of the Americas kicked off Tuesday night with remarks by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but much of the discussion was on the safety of journalists in the Western Hemisphere and the growing mistrust of the news media.


Bye, Bee: Prescott girl’s run through national spelling bee ends in finals

WASHINGTON - Aliyah Alpert predicted the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee would be harder than the first two days of competition. Turns out she was right. The Prescott 11-year-old bowed out of the finals in ninth place, but said she was thankful for the experience.