Arizona Dreamer’s journey depicted in ‘¡Americano!’, a musical debuting off-Broadway

PHOENIX – Tony Valdovinos of Phoenix gave up his dream of joining the Marine Corps when he learned he was undocumented. Ultimately, he had a bigger impact than being a Marine, becoming an inspiration to other Dreamers and the musical “¡Americano!”, which debuts off-Broadway this month.


A year later, city officials call American Rescue Plan aid a lifesaver

WASHINGTON - A year after passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, local officials say the COVID-19 relief measure that steered $103 billion to cities - and $1 billion to Arizona cities - gave them the funds to help businesses and towns rebound from the pandemic.


Arizona lawmakers consider Medicaid expansion for postpartum care

PHOENIX – Advocates are pushing Arizona lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for women after they give birth to help improve maternal health outcomes and combat rising pregnancy-related deaths.


Townsend drops House bid after rebuke of Rogers costs her Trump backing

WASHINGTON - Arizona Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, dropped her bid for Congress Friday, after failing to get a "promised" endorsement from former President Donald Trump - and days after criticizing another Trump-backed candidate on the Senate floor.


13 bills that could affect transgender youth winding through Arizona Legislature

PHOENIX – LGBTQ advocates and transgender youth in Arizona continue to push back against 13 bills that been introduced in the Legislature this session. These bills, whether they are passed or not, can negatively affect transgender youth and their mental health.


Gates expresses ‘great concerns’ about future of Arizona election integrity

WASHINGTON - Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Gates told a national panel he has “great concerns about the future” of election integrity in Arizona, after threats following the 2020 election and as election deniers run for Secretary of State in 2022.


Arizona bill requiring parental oversight of school library books passes Senate committee

PHOENIX – House Bill 2439 would establish parental review for books that are approved for school libraries, requiring schools to post the list of newly purchased books on their websites for at least 60 days after approval. The House-approved bill has passed the Senate Education Committee.


Biden’s upbeat State of the Union in unsteady times splits state lawmakers

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address Tuesday in a speech that toggled between plans for tackling domestic challenges and reasserting U.S. international leadership.


Russians in Arizona look on with dismay, sadness at invasion of Ukraine

WASHINGTON - It’s been decades since Paul Antseliovich and Nikolai Riasnianski left Russia, but the years and the miles have not made it any easier for the two longtime Arizona residents to watch events of recent weeks that lead up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.


Bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks passes Arizona Senate, heads to the House

Senate Bill 1164, which would ban abortions after 15 weeks – similar to a Mississippi law now before the Supreme Court – was passed by Republicans in the state Senate and now goes to the House.


Far-left, far-right lawmakers come together to caution Biden on Ukraine

WASHINGTON - Who says bipartisanship is dead? House members from the liberal "squad" joined members of the conservative Freedom Caucus this week to urge President Joe Biden to get congressional approval before committing any U.S. troops to fighting in Ukraine.


Arizona Senate overrides education spending cap, avoids $1.2 billion in cuts to public schools

PHOENIX – In a 23-6 vote, the Arizona Senate passed SCR 1050 and overrode the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, an education spending cap that would have required a $1.2 billion cut in public school spending.