Senate OKs up to $1.9 billion a year for parks repair, land acquisition
PHOENIX - Senators broke into applause Wednesday as they gave overwhelming approval to a bill allocating up to $1.9 billion a year for public lands acquisition and national park maintenance fund, a bill advocates said is "55 years overdue."
Lawsuit seeks trade sanctions against Mexico for failing to protect endangered porpoise
HERMOSILLO, Mexico – The Center for Biological Diversity and the Animal Welfare Institute are demanding the United States formally certify that Mexico’s failure to end fishing practices that endanger the tiny vaquita marina porpoise violates an international treaty, requiring the U.S. to prohibit all wildlife imports, including seafood.
University of California divests from fossil fuels, puts $1 billion into clean energy
PHOENIX — UC moved $1 billion in investments from fossil fuels to clean energy, the largest divestment in the movement away from coal, oil and gas, but that movement does not yet include Arizona universities.
Tribal leaders, advocates question reopening at Grand Canyon, other parks
PHOENIX - Arizona tribal leaders told House lawmakers Tuesday that moves to reopen national parks are being made without needed health safety measures to protect tribal members or park visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preliminary OK for Little Colorado dam proposals worries plan’s critics
PHOENIX - Federal regulators have given a Phoenix company the green light to study a hydropower project for the Little Colorado River, what opponents fear is a first step toward "destroying incredibly rare, beautiful, sacred resources."
Despite slight dip, Phoenix still ranks high for solar power in cities
PHOENIX - Phoenix dipped slightly in a national ranking of solar power capacity, even as the total amount of power generated and the power per person increased from last year, according to a national report released Wednesday.
Mexico changes renewable energy rules, citing COVID-19 pandemic
MEXICO CITY – New regulations introduced by the government favor the fossil fuel industry and may stifle the renewable energy market in Mexico, critics say.
Amid conflict over Salt River horses, a controversial fence is finished
MESA – Amid conflict over Salt River horses, a controversial fence is finished
Limited Memorial Day reopening of Grand Canyon ‘premature,’ critics say
PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon will reopen on a limited basis for Memorial Day weekend, a move critics call "premature" during the COVID-19 pandemic and "tone-deaf" in the face of startling infection rates in the neighboring Navajo Nation.
Opinions on water, willingness to protect it varies by region, survey finds
American Public Media surveyed more than 1,000 Americans about their thoughts on water quality and availability. Among the findings is that knowledge of water issues isn’t the biggest predictor of whether someone takes action. Personal connections to rivers, lakes and oceans lead to people taking more conservation measures.
As if firefighting wasn’t dangerous enough, crews grapple with COVID-19
TEMPE - As if fighting fires wasn't dangerous enough, firefighters now have to worry about COVID-19 while they're on the job, making for what fire officials say will be the "most challenging season we're going to have."
Tool shows what many know: Arizona communities at high risk for wildfire
PHOENIX - A new U.S. Forest Service tool removes any doubt that wildfire poses a high risk Arizona properties, mapping the state in blazing reds and flaming yellows, but officials hope the tool can help community leaders and fire experts take steps to reduce risk to homes and businesses.
