Court refuses to order Arizona to pay for transgender teen’s surgery
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court has refused to order Arizona's Medicaid program to pay for the sex reassignment surgery of a transgender teen who claimed the state's failure to do so amounted to sex discrimination.
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.
Narrowing of state, U.S. gender wage gaps slow; may widen post-pandemic
The wage gap that had been narrowing between men and women stalled in 2019, according to new numbers from the Census Bureau, and advocates fear the situation will only get worse when pandemic-era data is released.
After scrambling to resettle nearly 1,900 Afghans, groups await more
WASHINGTON - Refugee resettlement groups in Arizona found homes for almost 1,900 Afghan refugees from the fall of Kabul in August through February, the most the agencies said they have placed in the least amount of time. And they say they are ready to place more.
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.
Teletherapy expanded during the pandemic, but is it effective for behavioral health?
PHOENIX – Telehealth has been a widely used resource during the pandemic, but some experts continue to weigh the pros and cons of treating certain conditions from a distance – specifically mental illness and substance use.
Some Arizona downwinders who blame illnesses on nuclear testing remain uncompensated
KINGMAN – Residents in lower Mohave County who attribute their illnesses to the nuclear testing at the Nevada National Security Site continue to be left out of RECA compensation. New legislation is being introduced to include them in the compensation.
Court rejects family’s suit against Mesa, Gilbert police in suspect’s death
A federal appeals court said Monday that Mesa and Gilbert police cannot be sued for depriving surviving family members of their right to "familial association" with a man whom officers shot 30 times in a 2016 confrontation.
Q&A: How PRJKT RUBY gets contraceptives to women in need in the U.S. and developing countries
Inspired by his daughters, Arizonan Peter Ax created a discreet and easy way to get birth control to women in need in the U.S. and donate money toward improving reproductive care in the developing world.
‘Grit and determination’: NASCAR trailblazer Wendell Scott honored with downtown mural
PHOENIX – The Shining Light Foundation recently unveiled a mural of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Wendell Scott to honor his career. Scott was the first full-time Black driver to compete in the Cup Series and also win.
Arizonans march in support of Ukraine after Russian invasion
PHOENIX – Hundreds of demonstrators marched from the Ukrainian American Cultural Center to Colter Park in Phoenix in support 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.
