They ‘just want to play:’ The history of girls in the Little League World Series
LOS ANGELES – Victoria Ruelas broke a gender barrier in 1989 by playing in the Little League World Series. Today, Ellie Bruning is continuing her legacy.
Giles joins state, local officials to kick off homelessness initiative
WASHINGTON - Mesa Mayor John Giles joined state and local leaders from around the country to kick off a federal initiative to boost affordable housing and get 100,000 homeless households in permanent shelters, as the problem of homelessness has grown during the pandemic.
Preserving the force of Navajo language: Dubbing ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’
FLAGSTAFF – Star Wars: A New Hope” was dubbed into the 700-year-old language of the Navajo in 2013 and now streams for subscribers of Disney+. The museum director who launched the dub sees it as a method of language preservation, with parallels between the tribe and “Star Wars.
Tucson official touts benefits of school gardens to fight kids’ hunger
WASHINGTON - The director of Tucson Unified School District's Community and School Garden Program joined advocates from around the country Wednesday at a House Rules Committee roundtable on the ways that schools can help fight childhood hunger.
Maricopa County agencies push to spend federal relief funds on affordable housing
PHOENIX – Maricopa County received more than $2.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds that are available to help metro Phoenix end homelessness.
Poverty rate climbed in 2020, but pandemic assistance blunted losses
WASHINGTON - The U.S. poverty rate rose from 10.5% to 11.4% last year, reversing years of steady declines, but that increase in poverty was offset by pandemic relief funds and other benefits, according to new Census Bureau data.
Arizona domestic violence shelters filling up again as abusers return to work
COVID-19 didn’t slow domestic violence in Arizona, but fewer victims sought shelter beds. Experts doubt Arizona's high abuse numbers will drop soon.
Does controversial partnership between Barstool Sports, Arizona Bowl suggest attempt at image change?
PHOENIX - The controversial partnership between Barstool Sports and the Arizona Bowl sheds light on the media company’s attempt to reform.
Pandemic unemployment relief ends, cutting off 45,000 jobless in state
WASHINGTON - A federal pandemic relief program that provided extra financial aid to jobless workers ended Monday, hitting more than 45,000 unemployed Arizonans who had already seen the state pull away another source of federal aid in July.
‘A cliff effect’: As federal benefits drop, food insecurity likely to rise again
An enormous influx of federal dollars helped stem the rising tide of hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what happens when those benefits end?
How COVID-19 and red tape pushed millions to the brink of homelessness
Across the U.S., as many as 1 in 5 renters have fallen behind on rent during the pandemic. For families who have no financial safety net to fall back on, the economic consequences of the pandemic have pushed them to the precipice of homelessness. The situation is made worse by bureaucracy.
Roll on: New mats provide greater access to LA County beaches
Wheelchair users and other mobility device users now can roll on a synthetic mat at popular California beaches without getting stuck in the sand. It gives them freedom to move closer to the waves.
