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.
Supreme Court to decide if 2020 Census can ask about citizenship
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court agreed to fast-track a case asking whether the Census Bureau can ask people their citizenship status, a move that advocates and local government officials fear will suppress immigrant participation in the count that is used to allot congressional seats and federal funds.
Constitutional experts express concerns after Trump declares state of emergency
PHOENIX – President Trump declared a national state of emergency on Friday, and law experts are worried about the legality of the action as well as which statutory powers the president will seize.
Arizona reaction to Trump’s border emergency splits along party lines
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers' reaction to President Donald Trump's declaration of a national border security emergency split along party lines, with Democrats calling it "fear-mongering" that sets "a dangerous precedent" while Republicans said the action is needed to "protect American lives."
Sinema joins GOP, two Democrats, to confirm Barr as attorney general
WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema was one of just three Democrats who crossed party lines and voted to confirm William Barr as attorney general, despite critics' concerns that Barr might not defend probes of the Trump administration. Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, also voted for Barr.
Moms Demand Action supports bill to ban guns for people convicted of domestic violence
PHOENIX – Moms Demand Action, a group committed to ending gun violence, talked with state lawmakers to lobby for support of SB 1219.
Senate OKs open-space bill, reviving Land and Water Conservation Fund
WASHINGTON - After months of gridlock, the Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a popular program that sent almost $240 million to Arizona for parks and open space projects over the years before expiring last fall.
As border budget talks wind down, rhetoric from warring sides heats up
WASHINGTON - As congressional negotiators reportedly closed in on a border-security funding compromise, advocates on both sides were complaining about the deal - with immigration advocates saying it gives too much, and strong-border supporters saying it needs to give more.
Arizona’s top 10 specialty license plates
PHOENIX – Arizona offers more than 60 specialty license plates, according to ADOT. The most popular plates include veterans, Arizona Cardinals, and military support.
$300,000 down the drain: Rubber ducky, grease and currency clog treatment plant, cost taxpayers
SURPRISE – Surprise residents toss toys, money and food byproducts like grease into their drains that end up clogging equipment at the Surprise South Water Reclamation Facility. A new campaign teaches Surprise residents to save taxpayer money with proper disposal.
Phoenix mayoral candidates face off over light rail, Suns arena and homelessness
PHOENIX – Phoenix mayoral candidates Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela debated how to approach issues like the Suns’ arena renovations, light rail expansion and homelessness at the Burton Barr Library.
‘In God We Trust’ license plates spark funding furor
PHOENIX – The specialty license plate “In God We Trust” has come under fire because Alliance Defending Freedom, the group behind the plate, is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its anti-LGBTQ views.
