Voting rights advocates condemn March election as voter suppression, urge restoration of federal oversight
Phoenix — Voting rights advocates Wednesday said the March presidential preference election amounted to voter suppression and proposed renewing federal election standards to protect voters.
Democrats end 26-hour House sit-in, but vow to continue fight
WASHINGTON - Democrats ended a 26-hour takeover of the House claiming victory Thursday afternoon, even though they did not get the guaranteed vote on a gun-control measure they had been seeking.
Lawmakers call for unity, prayer in aftermath of shootings
WASHINGTON - The reaction in Washington to Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando was swift and nearly unanimous, as statements and social media posts offered prayers and condolences for what the president called "a horrific massacre" flooded the web.
Phoenix shows support for Orlando shooting victims
PHOENIX – A Muslim woman in Phoenix says Ramadan promotes peace, contrary to the man who killed 49 people and injured 53 others at an Orlando gay nightclub. A Christian minister who was among hundreds who attended a vigil for the victims said interfaith conversations needed to continue. An owner of a LGBT clothing store said the tragedy shows more security measures should be taken to guard against those intolerant of gays.
Advocates rally for bill to include LGBT status on federal forms
WASHINGTON - The federal government does not have accurate data on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and guessing is no longer good enough at a time when LGBT issues are grabbing headlines, lawmakers said this week.
Thousands honor Muhammad Ali in Louisville prayer service
LOUISVILLE – More than 14,000 paid homage to Muhammad Ali, the Louisville native son and decade-long Phoenix resident who was revered as a champion inside and outside the boxing ring.
House balks at Library of Congress plan to drop term ‘illegal alien’
WASHINGTON - House Republicans are trying to block a Library of Congress proposal to replace the term "illegal aliens" with "noncitizens" in its subject listings, a move the GOP called an attempt to "unilaterally censor these terms."
Women of color who own Arizona businesses are on the rise
PHOENIX – Jenny Poon is a serial entrepreneur.
Federal judge rules on victim compensation in Arpaio civil contempt case
PHOENIX – A federal judge who ruled Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio violated a court order to curb racial profiling decided Tuesday the county will have to pay at least $1,000 to each person unlawfully detained. But the judge delayed a decision on other penalties until June 30.
‘It’s hard to be a Gypsy in my town’
NORTHEASTERN HUNGARY — Maybe it’s because of the deep crow’s feet etched into his russet skin, but Milán “Igor” Hudák’s eyes look a little defiant as he scans the small Hungarian villages through a car window one early evening in March.
Trump rally in Fountain Hills sparks First Amendment discussion
FOUNTAIN HILLS – When protesters blocked the roads leading into a Donald Trump in Arizona in March, the results were predictable. The instigators were arrested, cars were towed and traffic flowed normally.
Families claim they were falsely accused of child neglect or abuse
An activist group claims some families have been falsely accused of child abuse and neglect. State and hospital officials responded they have to balance protecting children with respecting family rights.
