Watershed Management Group removes invasive plants to aid in river flow, land restoration in Tucson
TUCSON – Tucson-based nonprofit Watershed Management Group works to restore area waterways by removing invasive arundo from riparian preserves. The reedy arundo takes water from other plants, negatively affects the ecosystem, increases flood risk, decreases vegetation and trees, and reduces groundwater used for irrigation and reclamation.
‘We are survivors:’ National, Arizona projects aim to uncover, preserve histories of Native American boarding schools
PHOENIX – The Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative launched an oral history project documenting the traumatic experiences of Indigenous children in the federal boarding school system. Local preservation efforts have already delved into Arizona’s history of boarding schools and resulting generational trauma.
Saavi Services for the Blind provides life skill practices, career services and technology training for independent living
PHOENIX – Saavi Services for the Blind helps the visually impaired with career services, job readiness, special techniques for using computers and navigating life without vision.
Gardening helps protect threatened bees in Arizona
PHOENIX – Urban expansion limits bees’ habitat options, putting more space between the bees and the water and food sources they need access to. But community members can attract native bees to their gardens and help them thrive by planting native, desert-acclimated wildflowers.
Arizona Sailing Foundation makes waves with sailing lessons in the Valley
TEMPE – The Arizona Sailing Foundation has helped people of all ages learn to sail in the desert since 1958, mostly on Tempe Town Lake and Lake Pleasant. On select weekends throughout the year, the organization teaches youth and adult classes for those yearning to become mariners. The students learn key skills such as control, patience and a capsize drill.
Alzheimer’s impacts border communities in Texas at a higher rate than the rest of the state
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo and El Paso, two border communities, are tied for the highest rate of Alzheimer’s cases in Texas. According to a study released by the Alzheimer's Association, Laredo and El Paso have the highest Alzheimer's rate in Texas – and ninth in the nation – at 15%.
An early-winter ‘snow drought’ is leaving the West’s mountains high and dry
Winter is off to a dry start across the West, with wide swaths of the Rocky Mountains seeing lower-than-average snow totals for this time of year. That "snow drought" could affect the region's water supply, but experts say there’s plenty of time to turn it around.
Liberty, Liberty, Liiiberty: Flames’ resurgence spotlights coach Jamey Chadwell, despite Vrbo Fiesta Bowl loss
GLENDALE – When Liberty University brought on a new football coach for the 2023 season, few knew what to expect. Yet Jamey Chadwell brought a unique team together and ended up in a New Year's Six bowl. Even though the loss in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl wasn't what the team wanted, the foundation is set.
Arizona Adaptive Watersports provides fun-filled lake days for people with disabilities
SCOTTSDALE – Arizona Adaptive Watersports helps people with disabilities get out on the water and do activities like water skiing and wakeboarding.
Tucson sees most border encounters, as migrants turn away from other sectors
WASHINGTON - Migrant encounters in the Tucson sector of the border have steadily increased in recent years until the sector became busier last year than any other on the southern border, replacing the Rio Grande Valley as the busiest.
Bo-dacious: Oregon’s Nix ends storied college career with record-setting Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
GLENDALE – Oregon quarterback Bo Nix sets multiple school and bowl records in a convincing victory over Liberty at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in Glendale on New Year’s Day.
New and upgraded health care facilities for Native Americans open in Arizona
PHOENIX – Several new and upgraded health facilities for Native Americans opened in Arizona this year and the Navajo Nation is working to improve the nursing shortage in rural communities.
