Phoenix City Council approves first civilian review board of police conduct
PHOENIX – The Phoenix City Council on Tuesday approved civilian oversight of the Phoenix police that combines a new city agency and a community review board that will have the power to investigate complaints against police, recommend policy changes directly to the police chief and set up community outreach.
Court says Mexicans cannot sue Border Patrol agents in fatal shootings
WASHINGTON - A divided Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a Border Patrol agent in Texas who shot across the border and killed a teen in Mexico cannot be sued by the boy's parents for the death, a ruling likely to affect an almost identical cross-border shooting in Nogales.
Supreme Court upholds death sentence for Phoenix double-murderer
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for Phoenix double-murderer James McKinney, rejecting his argument that he should have been sentenced by a jury and not by the Arizona Supreme Court.
Pro-refugee resolution passes Arizona Senate after push from local activists
PHOENIX – A state resolution praising refugee contributions in Arizona was passed in the Senate after a full day of lobbying from local activists. A similar resolution awaits a vote in the House.
Officials say Arizona Boy Scouting unaffected by national bankruptcy
WASHINGTON - Arizona officials said Boy Scouting in the state will not be affected by the Boy Scouts of America's decision to file for bankruptcy Tuesday as the national group grapples with up to $1 billion in damages from decades of sexual abuse lawsuits.
Healing arts: Recovering from sexual assault through creativity
PHOENIX – Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Art as therapy, whether through visual, performance or other means, is being used as a recovery system from sexual assault.
‘Othered’: Coronavirus fears spur bias against Asian Americans
LOS ANGELES – Fears about the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus that’s affecting tens of thousands in China are motivating racism against Asian Americans in the U.S., where 13 cases but no deaths have been reported.
Divided House votes to reset deadline to ratify Equal Rights Amendment
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers split on party lines Thursday as the House voted to give the Equal Rights Amendment another chance by removing the deadline for states to ratify the proposed constitutional amendment.
Closing loopholes or slamming doors? Advocates blast SNAP changes
WASHINGTON - Advocates told a House subcommittee Thursday that a Trump administration plan to "close loopholes" in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would actually slam the door on millions of recipients, including as many as 72,000 in Arizona.
Court upholds ruling against state prisons for poor inmate health care
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court upheld a contempt order and a $1.44 million fine against the Arizona Department of Corrections this week, saying the agency has been "deliberately indifferent" to health care for inmates.
Bill would expand anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ community statewide
PHOENIX – Phoenix and other cities protect residents and visitors based on race, disability and ”gender identity or expression,” but several lawmakers and community leaders say it’s time for a statewide law. SB 1321 would ban discrimination in housing, jobs and other areas based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Critics call proposed ban on ‘birth tourism’ misdirected, unenforceable
WASHINGTON - Critics are calling a Trump administration plan to curb so-called "birth tourism" unenforceable at best and "rooted in misogyny, xenophobia and racism" at worst, and say it is targeting the wrong people.
