Innovative programs aim to offset state’s shortage of mental health beds
WASHINGTON - The U.S. has only about a quarter of the beds that experts say is the safe minimum, and Arizona has only about a third of the national rate, but analysts and advocates said the state should get credit for innovative programs it does supply.
Despite gains, Native American employment still lags behind nation
WASHINGTON - Native American unemployment has fallen sharply, from 40 percent in 1968 to 12 percent in 2016, but that is still more than twice the national average at the time and experts say it masks pockets of high unemployment on reservations and rural areas where systemic challenges remain.
Change in Park Service policy catches some seasonal workers off-guard
WASHINGTON - The high season is beginning in the national parks, but union officials say some of the seasonal employees who would normally be brought on to help are instead being turned away under a previously unenforced rule.
Lawmakers, witnesses grapple with how to save Navajo Generating Station
WASHINGTON - Witnesses and lawmakers called for action to head off the 2019 closure of the Navajo Generating Station, a move that could mean the loss of thousands of jobs at the plant and the coal mine that fuels it. But few options were offered on how the plant might be saved.
Plane truth: Airline quality at highest level in decades, report says
WASHINGTON - Despite a "rough year for airlines in the public's eye," the industry had the best year ever in terms of passenger service in 2017, according to the latest edition of annual airline quality report.
Census plan to ask citizenship status on 2020 form sparks backlash
WASHINGTON - For the first time in 70 years, Americans will be asked to report their citizenship status when they fill out their 2020 Census forms, a change that angered immigrant advocates who fear it will harm minority representation and lead to a less-accurate census.
Students, parents, teachers pack D.C. streets at March for Our Lives
WASHINGTON - The March for Our Lives was organized by students but the estimated hundreds of thousands who crowded the streets of Washington at a peaceful, hopeful really Saturday to call for increased gun regulations represented multiple generations.
House panel weighs plans to close $11.6 billion parks repair backlog
WASHINGTON - With $11.9 billion in deferred maintenance at national parks, $530 million of it in Arizona alone, witnesses at a House hearing agreed that something needs to be done to fix the repair backlog, but they disagreed on how to pay for it.
Valley DACA recipients and advocates claim a win after SCOTUS decision on driver’s licenses
The United States Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Brewer, which was an attempt to deny driver's licenses to DACA recipients, and in turn, ADAC won.
Flake renews criticism of Trump, GOP on eve of New Hampshire speech
WASHINGTON - Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake doubled down Thursday on his criticism of President Donald Trump and the GOP's "seeming amnesia" in the face of Trump's attacks on democratic institutions, one day before a scheduled speech at a New Hampshire political event.
17 lives, 17 minutes: Students rally, walk out of schools to mark one month since the Parkland shooting
Students are gathering at the Arizona Capitol, walk out of schools across the state and nation to protest gun violence.
Congress takes a week off as DACA deadline looms, Dreamers fret
WASHINGTON - Despite days of open debate, the Senate failed to agree on immigration reform this week. With a March 5 deadline on DACA looming - and Congress on recess next week - there is little time to find a way to protect about 800,000 young immigrants who could face deportation.
