Social equity: Critics say Arizona’s cannabis program did ‘exact opposite’ of what voters intended
PHOENIX – Arizona legalized recreational marijuana and established a social equity ownership program. Critics say the state failed to establish a fair program. We explain how it happened.
In rare bipartisan agreement, House and Senate push to lift ban on felons with drug-related convictions receiving SNAP benefits
WASHINGTON — The Farm Bill advancing in the U.S. House would lift the 28-year ban on felons with drug-related convictions receiving SNAP benefits. Ex-offenders and prison advocates say this will make rehabilitation and returning to life after incarceration easier.
Supreme Court dashes Arizona death row inmate’s hope to avoid death penalty in 1992 double murder
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Danny Lee Jones, on Arizona death row since 1993, won’t be resentenced despite claims his lawyer didn’t do enough to win sympathy at sentencing.
Sedona parking lot program to ease homelessness on hold until November election
SEDONA – Sedona has been looking for solutions to its homelessness problem, and city leaders think the Safe Place to Park Program could be a step in the right direction. However, residents against the program stalled the measure by pushing it to a public vote in November.
Globe detective, private investigator work to solve missing-person case
GLOBE – After Natalie Jo Sebastian went missing in Globe in December, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office got to work. Sebastian’s husband also hired a private investigator, who has been feeding leads to the detective.
Indigenous advocates work to combat fake sober living homes in Arizona
PHOENIX – After Arizona legislation targeting fake sober living homes failed, tribal advocates across the state are working to combat the $2.8 billion Medicaid scheme that targets vulnerable Indigenous individuals.
Minneapolis to Phoenix: George Floyd protest offerings displayed at ASU Art Museum
TEMPE – ASU Art Museum partnered with Arizona State University’s Center for Work and Democracy and the George Floyd Global Memorial following a professor’s acquisition of a collection of offerings gathered during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis.
Older adults face homelessness at high rates. Here’s how governments, organizations are responding
PHOENIX – With the help of federal funding, the Justa Center and city of Phoenix are working to help older adults experiencing homelessness, including helping people find long-term housing solutions.
Ketamine: An alternative to police force or a silent killer?
Paramedics use ketamine to subdue agitated people during law enforcement encounters. But in Aurora, Colorado, investigators found “a pattern and practice of using ketamine in violation of the law,” including in the death of Elijah McClain.
Myth of ‘superhuman strength’ in Black people persists in deadly encounters with police
The term “superhuman strength” is a post-Civil War relic applied to Black men, often to justify racist violence. But a new investigation into police force shows that it still appears in officers’ accounts of deadly, non-shooting encounters.
‘Power to evoke change’: Phoenix-based Artists 4 Liberation uses art to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
PHOENIX – based Artists 4 Liberation holds community events and rallies in support of Palestinians. The human-rights advocacy group uses art as a means to raise awareness and fight for marginalized groups across the globe.
State asks Supreme Court to reject new trial for Arizona death row inmate
WASHINGTON - State officials told the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday that a lower court gave too much weight to mitigating factors when it ordered a new sentencing for Danny Lee Jones in a pair of brutal 1992 murders in Bullhead City.
