Analisa Valdez expects to graduate May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Valdez has interned as a nightlife/lifestyle reporter at the Copper Courier in Phoenix and as an arts, opinion, culture and community reporter with The State Press.
PHOENIX – Arizona legalized recreational marijuana and established a social equity ownership program. Critics say the state failed to establish a fair program. We explain how it happened.
PHOENIX – With rattlesnake season reaching its peak in Arizona, professionals warn hikers and pet owners to proceed with caution outdoors. One business in Cave Creek is taking a proactive step to train dogs to avoid the venomous reptiles.
PHOENIX – Common Sense Institute Arizona has released a report on the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Key findings from the report contend that while ESA enrollment is slowing down and public school enrollment is in decline, the ESA program may not be solely to blame.
PHOENIX – HB 2764, which Gov. Katie Hobbs signed into law Monday, requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish stricter standards and oversight for assisted living facilities, particularly those that provide memory care.
GLENDALE – Gov. Katie Hobbs, accompanied by law enforcement and city officials, held a news conference to discuss security protocols for the upcoming NCAA men’s Final Four games and events, set to be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale and in downtown Phoenix.
PHOENIX – The flower fields once grown by Japanese American farmers along part of Baseline Road have now been replaced by housing and urban development. Despite the drastic changes to the South Mountain area, the unique subclimate at the base of the mountain makes it the perfect place for agriculture and farming.
PHOENIX – Third spaces are environments that don’t feel like a requirement or a chore to be in them – a home away from home. Following COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, many of these spaces were shut down, but now the concept of third spaces is regaining recognition.
PHOENIX – From legislative proposals to extend Proposition 123 to the two-day Arizona State University Fulton Teachers College Summit on Strategic School Staffing Structures, educators, politicians and researchers weigh in on strategies to help alleviate staffing shortages in Arizona schools.
PHOENIX – Luminate's 2023 Year-End Report has found that physical album sales grew 8.9% over 2022, with records seeing the largest growth. As audio streaming popularity skyrockets, vinyl, CD and cassette tape popularity are holding strong in sales up from 79.9 million in 2022 to 87 million in 2023. Arizona record stores have noticed the trend, and Arizona artists hope to record physical copies of their music.
