‘In God We Trust’ license plates spark funding furor
PHOENIX – The specialty license plate “In God We Trust” has come under fire because Alliance Defending Freedom, the group behind the plate, is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for its anti-LGBTQ views.
California wildfire death toll rises to 44; Arizona firefighters assisting efforts
LOS ANGELES – Arizona officials plan to send about 150 firefighters and dozens of engines to California to help fight wildfires there. The wildfires sweeping across Southern California have destroyed hundreds of homes, ravaged beloved landmarks and park space and killed at least two people and injured several more.
Unlikely allies back bill to fund $11.6 billion in national parks work
WASHINGTON - Reps. Raul Grijalva and Rob Bishop agree on almost nothing, but the two came together to back a bipartisan bill that could steer billions in federal energy revenues toward a national parks maintenance backlog that reached $11.6 billion last year - $531 million of it in Arizona.
Justices grapple with baker’s right to deny service to same-sex couple
WASHINGTON - Supreme Court justices wrestled Tuesday with the line between art and commerce in the case of a Colorado baker who said making a wedding cake for a same-sex couple would violate his First Amendment rights.
Arizona lawmakers weigh in on case pitting gay rights, religious rights
WASHINGTON - Three Arizona lawmakers were among the scores of House and Senate members who filed a court brief Thursday defending the Colorado cake shop owner who was sued for refusing to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
Arizona among growing number of states to reject voter data request
WASHINGTON - Arizona's decision to deny voter data to a White House panel on election integrity puts it in line with many states, 44 of which had said by Wednesday that they will deny the request in whole or in part.
Chemical attraction: Scottsdale teen in national chemistry competition
WASHINGTON - You might not know which chemical element in the Hope Diamond has the largest molecular mass, but an eighth-grader from Scottsdale does.
Valley leaders reflect on successful run of mega events
PHOENIX -- The Valley can finally exhale. It successfully hosted a Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship and the Final Four. Three mega events in three consecutive years.
Arizona charters sweep top spots in ‘best high schools’ report
WASHINGTON - A U.S. News and World Report ranking of the best high schools in the country gave the top spot to Basis Scottsdale, one of four Basis charter schools in Arizona that finished in the report's top five.
Lollipops teach students what segregation feels like during Black History Month
SCOTTSDALE – Mackenzie Leblanc frowned at her lollipop in disappointment, trying to figure out why students in the group across from her were rewarded with the good lollipops – the ones with bubble gum in the middle – for doing the same exercise she had just completed.
McSally, critics hold dueling town halls, amid claim GOP dodges voters
WASHINGTON - Facing charges that she was dodging constituents, Rep. Martha McSally, R-Tucson, will be at a town hall Thursday - the same day that a group of critics has scheduled a separate town hall that McSally spurned.
State audit: Vocational program for disabled costs more, has less success
PHOENIX – A recent state audit found the state's Vocational Rehabilitation program, which helps thousands of people with physical or mental disabilities prepare for and find work, spends significantly more per person on average than similar programs in other states – about 2.5 times the amount.
