Latest from Molly Hudson
Ban on school mask mandates violates Constitution’s ‘single-subject’ rule, opponents argue
PHOENIX – Arizona school boards want to be able to make their own decisions regarding mask mandates, but a Legislature ban will prevent them from doing so.
How students born after 9/11 are learning about the terrorist attacks
PHOENIX — How are educators teaching about 9/11 to students who have no recollection of that day?
Another Hill to climb: Obscure law denies Dreamers congressional jobs
WASHINGTON - One benefit of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is work authorization, but it does not extend to Capitol Hill - a surprise to some Arizona Democrats who, barred from hiring Dreamers, are now trying to change the law.
Border deployment the latest in National Guard’s ‘roller coaster’ year
WASHINGTON - Last week's decision to send the Arizona National Guard to the border was another deployment in a busy year that has seen Guard members go from stocking grocery shelves to fighting wildfires to setting up vaccination sites - and helping at the border.
Ducey orders National Guard to border to respond to surge in migrants
WASHINGTON _ Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency Tuesday and ordered 250 Arizona National Guard members to assist state and local law enforcement agencies at the border, as migrant apprehensions rise to their highest number in years.
Praise God, but take precautions: Faiths juggle holy seasons, pandemic
WASHINGTON - As major religions observe a second holy season under the specter of COVID-19, faith leaders in Arizona find themselves juggling the spiritual needs of worshipers with the physical realities of protecting them in a pandemic.
Arizona tribes get $88 million more for housing in COVID-relief bill
WASHINGTON - Tribes in Arizona will get another $88 million in housing grants - the most of any state - from the $450 million in tribal housing assistance released Thursday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Tribes welcome COVID-19 relief funds, say deep-rooted problems remain
WASHINGTON - Advocates said the billions in aid slated for Native Americans under the latest COVID-19 relief bill is welcome, but they told a House committee Tuesday that a one-shot infusion will not solve all the challenges facing tribes.
Biden insists border’s closed, unveils plan to halt migrants at source
WASHINGTON - The White House had a strong message on Wednesday for migrants who are flocking to the southern border in hopes of getting into the U.S.
COVID-19 relief would overhaul, boost aid for 1.5 million Arizona kids
WASHINGTON - As many as 1.5 million Arizona children could benefit from an expansion of the child tax credit that would mean monthly checks to parents of up to $300 per child if approved by Congress as part of the COVID-19 relief bill this week.
Ducey back-to-school order leaves educators shocked, scrambling, upset
WASHINGTON - Educators across the state Thursday were calling Gov. Doug Ducey's surprise back-to-school order disruptive, challenging and frustrating, a last-minute complication to reopening plans that many schools already had in the works.
Supreme Court hears Arizona voting law case with national implications
WASHINGTON - Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich argued that voting laws overturned for reflecting the state's "long and unhappy history of official discrimination" are no more the "common-sense and commonplace" voting protections and should be restored.
Senators press Capitol police on security breakdowns before Jan. 6 riot
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema joined other senators asking police officials Tuesday how it is that an FBI report warning of the deadly Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol did not reach the right officials before the attack.
As demand surges, advocates worry food stamps miss eligible families
WASHINGTON - The number of food stamp recipients in Arizona has surged over the past year, but advocates worry that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is still only reaching a portion of those eligible for assistance.
Court: Holiday did not give Arizona voter an extra day to register
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Thursday rejected a Maricopa County man's claim that he was denied the right to vote in 2016 because the last day to register fell on a holiday, and he registered a day later.
Arizonans prepare for a March for Life with no marching, more surfing
WASHINGTON - In any other year, scores of Arizonans would be in Washington this week for the National March for Life, an annual anti-abortion event. But during COVID-19, this year's virtual event will have less marching, more surfing.
The deadliest year: Overall death toll grew by 25% in Arizona in 2020
WASHINGTON - Total deaths in Arizona rose 25% from 2019 to 2020, with some counties seeing increases near 50% for the year in which COVID-19 became the state's top killer. While COVID-19 is likely the main cause, it may have driven an increase in other deaths, too.
Distant but devoted, Biden supporters gear up for virtual inauguration
WASHINGTON - COVID-19 and heightened security have made the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden a largely virtual affair. But after a year of virtual conventions, virtual schooling. even virtual legislating, Arizonans are taking the distance inauguration in stride.
