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.

Signs on the Devonshire Senior Center in Phoenix point voters toward where to cast their ballots. Photo taken March 14, 2023. (Photo by Gianna Abdallah/ Cronkite News)

‘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

The Salt River is popular for water recreation, including this spot near Granite Reef, pictured on Feb. 24, 2023. (Photo by Izabella Hernandez/Cronkite News)

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 Mayor Kate Gallego says being mayor of the nation's fifth-largest city is no protection against the growing threat of antisemitism. (File photo by Sophie Oppfelt/Cronkite News)

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.

Phoenix joined Tucson in passing legislation the prohibits "source of income" discrimination against renters, which is when landlords reject applicants who rely on Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, disability payments or other public income. The Tucson law is under review by the attorney general, but Phoenix officials are confident the ordinance will survive. (File photo by Carolina Lopez/Cronkite News)

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.


Homeless encampments would be torn down, people charged under Arizona Senate bill

PHOENIX – Under Arizona Senate Bill 1413, police officers would be required to tear down homeless encampments and charge the person or people living there with criminal trespassing. The bill passed the Senate Wednesday.

David King sits and clutches his Bible on the couch that doubles as his home near the Human Services Campus in Phoenix on March 1, 2023. (Photo by Logan Camden/Cronkite News)

‘My child, my choice’: Parents, children march to support school voucher program

PHOENIX – Parents, children and educators on Wednesday marched to the state Capitol to support an education voucher program that Gov. Katie Hobbs has said she wants to dismantle. Empowerment Scholarship Accounts provide up to $7,000 annually in state funds.


Pinal, Yuma officials tell House migration surge is overwhelming them

WASHINGTON - Arizona officials told a House panel that local law enforcement and health care workers are ill-equipped to handle the recent surge of immigration at the southern border, the latest in a string of GOP hearings attacking the White House over the border.


Crime survivors rally at state Capitol to demand better trauma care

PHOENIX - Crime survivors and their families from across Arizona gathered at the state Capitol Monday, calling on lawmakers to fund trauma recovery centers that offer therapy and social services.


Both sides pan administration plan to tighten rules for asylum seekers

WASHINGTON - The White House unveiled a plan Thursday to deny asylum to migrants who try to cross the southwest border illegally or who do not first seek asylum in countries they cross on their way to the U.S. as they flee their home countries.


Federal grant could extend broadband to 127,000 Arizona homes, businesses

WASHINGTON - The Treasury released $99.4 million in broadband funding to Arizona Tuesday, money that officials said could bring broadband internet service to an estimated 127,807 households and businesses around the state.