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.
Pick’em: Sport gambling in Arizona underway and options are plentiful
PHOENIX - With sports gambling officially legal in Arizona, professional teams celebrate partnerships with Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel and Barstool Sportsbook.
Delta variant continues to strain Arizona hospitals, nearly all patients are unvaccinated
PHOENIX – Although COVID-19 cases remain stable at Arizona hospitals, nearly all of them are caused by the delta variant. Valleywise Health says 97% of its hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.
Transgender people have higher risk of heart health issues, experts say
PHOENIX — Transgender people experience elevated levels of heart health risks due to levels of stress present in this demographic, and may also avoid preventative care providers due to stigma and fear of mistreatment. Transgender men and women have a four times higher risk of heart attack than people who identify as the gender with which they were born.
Maricopa County health care workers ask for school mask mandate as COVID pediatric cases rise
PHOENIX – Health care workers across Maricopa County signed a letter to the county Board of Supervisors asking for mask mandates in K-12 schools as more children are being hospitalized with COVID-19.
‘A cliff effect’: As federal benefits drop, food insecurity likely to rise again
An enormous influx of federal dollars helped stem the rising tide of hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what happens when those benefits end?
Sandra Day O’Connor’s hands-on sports medicine program teaching athletic trainers of the future
PHOENIX – With over 700 athletes at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, the task of providing treatment to everyone can be demanding. But the school has three athletic trainers who double as teachers leading a hands-on program that provides treatment while preparing aspiring sports medicine professionals.
How COVID-19 and red tape pushed millions to the brink of homelessness
Across the U.S., as many as 1 in 5 renters have fallen behind on rent during the pandemic. For families who have no financial safety net to fall back on, the economic consequences of the pandemic have pushed them to the precipice of homelessness. The situation is made worse by bureaucracy.
Some schools sticking with mask mandates, despite Ducey funding threat
WASHINGTON - Friday was the deadline for schools to drop mask mandates if they wanted to be eligible for a share of millions in COVID-19 state aid, but at least several districts in the state were refusing to comply with Gov. Doug Ducey's demand.
Have app, will gamble: Arizona online sports betting sites open registration Saturday
PHOENIX – Online Sports betting sites open Saturday, moving one step closer to the launch date for sports betting in Arizona on Sept. 9.
Essential but ignored: How day care powered the pandemic workforce
The pandemic exposed how vulnerable and essential child care providers are in America. The median hourly wage is $10.31, and most workers receive no benefits, but they play a crucial role in getting people back to work.
Child welfare systems face additional challenges during pandemic
Systems meant to deal with abused and neglected children are facing many new challenges in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which put many parents out of work and many families on the streets.