Guesting game: State of the Union guests make political, personal points
WASHINGTON - First lady Jill Biden will host two Arizonans for the State of the Union Tuesday and state lawmakers have invited guests ranging from college student to a college chancellor, tribal leaders to business leaders, in a tradition that can have both personal and political goals.
Jimmie Johnson test drives NASCAR’s Next Gen car in Phoenix Raceway return
AVONDALE – It was a big week in the world of NASCAR at Phoenix Raceway. Not only was NASCAR testing new modifications to the Next Gen 7 car, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson got behind the wheel of the new race car for the first time before his return to the sport.
Record numbers sign up for Obamacare health coverage in Arizona, U.S.
WASHINGTON - A record number of Arizonans signed up for health insurance this year under the Affordable Care Act, as enrollment in the program continues to rebound from the Trump administration's efforts to suppress coverage.
Gallego makes it official, announces a run for Sinema’s Senate seat
PHOENIX - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, made it official Monday, formally announcing a long-anticipated challenge to Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a first-term senator who recently left the Democratic Party to become an independent.
Jury convicts Arizona Oath Keeper of seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 attack
WASHINGTON - An Arizona man charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 insurrection thought he was supporting peaceful protesters, his attorney argued Wednesday, but prosecutors said Edward Vallejo was played an essential role in the Oath Keepers' attack on the Capitol.
Forest Service resumes cleanup of abandoned mines near Prescott after pause
PRESCOTT – The U.S. Forest Service this week resumed its abandoned mine cleanup project in the Cherry Creek Mining District near Prescott to protect the environment and human health.
Biden honors Bowers, others, on second anniversary of Jan. 6 insurrection
WASHINGTON - Former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers was honored with 11 others by President Joe Biden for their "contributions to democracy" during and after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, in a White House ceremony on the second anniversary of that attack.
Derrick Michael Xzavierro’s history-making odyssey lands him at GCU
PHOENIX – Derrick Michael Xzavierro’s journey to GCU has led him across the world from his home of Indonesia. Though he is taking a redshirt year this season, Xzavierro has already made an impact and history as Indonesia’s first Division I basketball scholarship player.
Phoenix nursery provides model solution for newborns exposed to opioids
PHOENIX – Hushabye Nursery uses a model called Eat, Sleep, Console to treat newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome, the result of withdrawing from drugs they were exposed to before birth. The nursery gives parents and babies private rooms to allow for family-centered care, with the goal of breaking the cycle of addiction across generations.
Brittney Griner’s release raises questions about lingering impact of Russian penal colony imprisonment
PHOENIX – Brittney Griner was released Thursday from a Russian penal colony and is headed the United States. Some worry about the lingering effects of imprisonment in a Russian penal colony.
Tribal leaders welcome return of White House summit, administration pledges
WASHINGTON - For the first time in six years, leaders of federally recognized tribes from across the country gathered in Washington this week to meet with Biden administration officials in a gathering one Oklahoma leader called "extremely powerful."
Arizona lawmakers vote to impose contract on rail workers, fend off strike
WASHINGTON - Most members of Arizona's congressional delegation joined the rest of the House Wednesday to give overwhelming bipartisan approval to a bill that would head off a national rail strike by imposing contract terms on rail workers' unions.