Explosives training brings military and law enforcement from around the world to Marana
MARANA – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives hosts improvised explosive device exercises for public safety bomb squads and military explosive ordnance disposal units. The most recent, called Raven’s Challenge, was at Pinal County Airpark in Marana earlier this month.
David and Goliath: PACs go head-to-head before Tempe special election for Coyotes arena
TEMPE — With a special election set for May, two political action committees are sparring over whether it’s in the city of Tempe’s best interest to break ground on an Arizona Coyotes entertainment district.
Arizona governor signs executive order banning discrimination based on hair style or texture
PHOENIX – The CROWN Act, banning hair-based discrimination in the workplace, was enacted in Tempe and Tucson in 2021. Gov. Katie Hobbs’ executive order extends those protections to state workers. She hopes the order inspires similar legislation “across the board.”
California to store more rainwater as it vies with Arizona for flow from Colorado River
LOS ANGELES – California is taking advantage of extreme weather with a new approach: Let it settle back into the earth for use another day. As the latest batch of storms lashed the Golden State, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order this week to hasten projects that use rainwater to recharge aquifers, reversing decades of an emphasis on channeling it into drains and out to sea.
Arizona Republican legislators announce formal opposition to ranked choice voting
PHOENIX – Two bills and a Wednesday news conference signal some Arizona Republicans’ and the state’s Freedom Caucus’ opposition to ranked choice voting. The process, which would allow voters to rank candidates on preference, would be prohibited by the two bills.
Dementia’s dangerous rise leads legislators to ask up to $500,000 for Alzheimer’s
PHOENIX – Arizona legislators and Alzheimer’s advocates call for the state to step up in dementia care, proposing several bills, including one to bring $500,000 to AZDHS. Arizona has the fastest growth rate in the U.S. of people 65+ diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a national Alzheimer’s Association 2023 report.
Kesha Hodge Washington, Kevin Robinson claim victory in Phoenix City Council runoff elections
PHOENIX – Phoenix City Council races for districts 6 and 8 were decided in runoff elections Tuesday, with Kevin Robinson beating Sam Stone in District 6 to replace term-limited Council member Sal DiCiccio and challenger Kesha Hodge Washington claiming victory over incumbent Carlos Garcia in District 8.
‘Where’s the River?’ event calls attention to Arizona’s depleted waterways
PHOENIX — “Where’s The River?” an environmental event hosted by the Sustainable Water Network, aims to spread awareness about Arizona’s depleting rivers and what people can do to help conservation efforts
Colorado River senators meet quietly to facilitate states’ water talks
Senators from the seven Western states in the Colorado River basin have been quietly meeting "for about a year," to facilitate difficult discussions between the states over the future of the river.
Phoenix mayor speaks to ASU Jewish students about tolerance, inclusion and overcoming antisemitism
TEMPE – As one of the youngest big city mayors in the country and a member of the Jewish faith, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego often speaks about tolerance and inclusion. She spoke to members of Chabad at ASU about her experiences and how she approaches leading the nation’s fifth-largest city.
Phoenix City Council bans “source of income” discrimination for renters, home buyers
PHOENIX — Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 to pass an ordinance banning “source of income” discrimination for anyone who rents or buys a home. The March 1 vote followed a push from Phoenix residents and affordable housing advocates who said people on public assistance and Section 8 housing vouchers face discrimination from landlords.
LA County finally following Arizona is ending COVID-19 emergency
LOS ANGELES – The LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to end its COVID-19 emergency declaration. The move comes almost a year to the day after Arizona did the same.
