From toilets to mattresses: Arizona officials warn motorists to “Secure Your Load” to prevent road debris
PHOENIX – Arizona safety officials say road debris is dangerous: The region saw more than 800 debris-related crashes last year, Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers said. Gov. Katie Hobbs declared June 6 Arizona’s “Secure Your Load Day.”
Study: Phoenix faces health crisis if heatwave, blackout hit at same time
WASHINGTON - Thousands would die, and hundreds of thousands would need emergency medical care if a blackout hit Phoenix at the same time as a multiday heat wave, a recent study says. But Valley officials say they plan for heat, and chances of those events coinciding are remote.
For more blue skies, Phoenix asks residents to blue-sky climate plan ideas
WASHINGTON - Phoenix wants to be more ambitious with its climate action plan, and city officials said they want residents to tell them the best way to get there. A recent public hearing included several big projects but a number of concerns at the neighborhood level, too.
Ranchers hail, environmentalists fear Supreme Court clean water ruling
WASHINGTON - Ranchers and GOP lawmakers say a Supreme Court ruling that narrows which waters are subject to federal regulation is a win for private property rights, But environmentalist call the ruling in Sackett v. EPA "disastrous for Arizona, where water is rare."
Gov. Katie Hobbs says no Arizonan will ‘be forced to cut their water use’ because of Colorado River conservation plan
PHOENIX – Gov. Katie Hobbs made two things clear at a news conference about a Colorado River water conservation plan Thursday: Arizona will lead the way in the tri-state agreement, and Arizonans need not worry about a water-use crackdown.
Mohave County official blasts plans for expanded national monuments
WASHINGTON - A Mohave County supervisor said Wednesday that a proposed new national monument in northern Arizona would "devastate the economic growth potential" of the region, leaving little more than what he called "poverty with a view."
Congress considers making Chiricahua National Monument Arizona’s fourth national park
WILLCOX – Bipartisan bill to make Chiricahua National Monument Arizona’s fourth national park could bring more tourism to southeastern Arizona.
Watchdog fights to protect consumers, keeps tabs on utility companies and the commission that regulates them
PHOENIX – Since 2018, Abhay Padgaonkar has worked as a fierce consumer advocate, fighting for the rights of those who struggle to pay their electricity bills. Padgaonker believes that his background in engineering and financial modeling makes him uniquely suited for data analysis as he keeps tabs on utilities and the commission that regulates them.
Arizona, California, Nevada agree on cuts to Colorado River water use
WASHINGTON - Arizona, California and Nevada unveiled a plan Monday to save 3 million acre-feet of Colorado River water between now and 2026, a stopgap measure to buy time while authorities figure out a long-term plan for the river.
Honor your ‘mother’: Working to keep traditional ways, types of Hopi corn
MAYER – Michael Kotutwa Johnson, a farmer from the Hopi Tribe, is focusing on bringing Hopi corn back to the dining table – not only for the health benefits but also to connect his people to their culture.
Court rejects claim that copper mine land is needed for jaguar preservation
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that regulators were wrong to conclude that parts of Pima County targeted for a copper mine are critical to the preservation of endangered jaguars, reviving chances for the stalled Rosemont Copper mine.
Food forest 360 tour: Glendale permaculture landscape designer grows produce in the desert
GLENDALE – Justin Haddad, owner and operator of Herbal.Lyf.Styl, has been growing a food forest in his backyard for the past seven years. He launched a permaculture landscape design business to help other people grow their own food forests.
