Fighting the heat: Arizona officials petitioning for federal aid in extreme heat situations
PHOENIX – Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Rep. Ruben Gallego are petitioning for FEMA to declare extreme heat a major disaster and taking measures to curb the number of heat-related deaths in Arizona.
Phoenix official: River restoration projects bring ‘wide-ranging’ benefits
WASHINGTON - A Phoenix city official told lawmakers Wednesday that Army Corps of Engineers assistance with river restoration projects has provided wide-ranging benefits for the Valley, but that there is more to be done.
Defiant Republicans block gas stove bills in anger over debt ceiling
WASHINGTON - Conservative Republicans, including two from Arizona, took what was expected to be a routine party-line vote Tuesday on bills reining in federal bureaucrats and turned it into a referendum on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
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.
