Student loan repayments will hit economy; how hard depends on who’s being hit
WASHINGTON - When federal student loan payments resume Oct. 1, they could pull $71 billion a year out of the economy, $5.3 billion from Arizona. The pain could be real for borrowers - about 880,000 in Arizona - but will present only a "modest headwind" to the overall economy.
Remembering the Ooh Ahh Man, the Wildcats’ legendary sports fan
PHOENIX - Joe Cavaleri, a beloved Arizona sports superfan affectionately known as the "Ooh Aah Man," passed away at 71. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy, having earned widespread recognition for his spirited mid-game antics that ignited crowd cheers and added joy to sporting events.
Latest student debt-relief plan could mean $1 billion for 20,000 in Arizona
WASHINGTON – More than 20,000 Arizona residents would see $1 billion in student debt erased under a Biden administration plan unveiled just two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a previous debt-forgiveness plan.
Navajo witnesses clash over government’s Chaco Canyon mining ban
WASHNGTON - A moratorium on mining within 10 miles of Chaco Canyon tramples on tribal sovereignty and denies Navajo badly needed royalty payments; or it is needed to ensure oil and gas operations no longer poison the people, competing witnesses told a House panel.
Protesters gather at state Capitol to challenge Tom Horne’s anti-dual language rhetoric
PHOENIX – Protesters gathered at the state Capitol Thursday to challenge the attacks by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne’s on Arizona’s dual language programs.
Kamala Harris discusses commitment to Native communities during Arizona visit
LAVEEN – Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Gila River Indian Community Thursday. She addressed disparities facing Native communities.
Arizona dental board fails to protect public, hold dentists accountable
PHOENIX – Arizona’s dental board doesn’t protect the public, a Howard Center investigation found. The board hides details about problem dentists and, in rare cases when patients die or are seriously injured, it does little to hold dentists accountable.
Supreme Court nixes Biden plan for $430 billion in student-loan relief
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Biden administration student-debt relief plan that would have aided more than 40 million people, 916,000 of whom live in Arizona and currently hold a total of $32.6 billion in loans.
Economic growth in Dominican Republic fueled by investment and migrant labor
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic is one of the fastest-growing countries in Latin America thanks to a boom in tourism and foreign investment. But it relies heavily on migrant labor from Haitians, who are often mistreated inside the Dominican Republic.
Kaiser says he’s stepping away from Legislature, but not from policy
WASHINGTON - State Sen. Steve Kaiser hopes his abrupt decision to step down will let him generate change from outside the Legislature - but he's not done quite yet, delaying his final day from last week to this Thursday so he "tie up loose ends” on a refugee workforce bill.
New Phoenix medical center to provide health care to people who are blind or visually impaired
PHOENIX – The Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Terros Health will work together to have members of the program and surrounding community get access to health care. The new center is scheduled to open this summer.
GOP lawmakers call for ‘war,’ Democrats for justice after Trump indictment
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers' reacted swiftly to the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump for allegedly hoarding classified intelligence documents. Democrats said the legal process needs to play out, while Republicans called the indictment politically motivated.