U.S., Arizona life expectancy fell, driven by deaths of younger people
WASHINGTON - After decades of increases, life expectancy in the U.S. ticked down slightly over three recent years, a drop blamed on a rise in "cause-specific" deaths like suicides and drug overdoses. The decline was mirrored in Arizona, but life expectancy remained higher than the national average.
As state looks to redistricting after 2020, painful lessons from 2010
TUCSON - Arizona is one of 18 states where independent panels, instead of lawmakers, draw congressional and legislative lines, but the last redistricting devolved into fights, threats and legal battles that show how high the stakes can be and how hard it is to keep deeply divisive politics out of it.
Minimum wage increase puts Arizona near top; advocates say more needed
WASHINGTON - Arizona's minimum wage rises from $11 to $12 an hour on New Year's Day, a move advocates said is "long overdue" but also a long way from solving the state's poverty issues.Business officials counter that the higher wage will only make jobs more scarce for people looking for work.
FDA’s sudden increase in legal tobacco age catches retailers off-guard
WASHINGTON - Retailers and local leaders said they were "caught with their pants down" by a Food and Drug Administration announcement last week that it had raised the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21.
Native American leaders determined to prevent repeat of last census undercount
PHOENIX – National and local organizations, including the Phoenix Indian Center, are working to ensure a more accurate count for Native Americans in the 2020 census.
Damming the Little Colorado River for power projects is opposed by tribes, environmentalists
PHOENIX – Two hydroelectric storage projects are being proposed for the Little Colorado River and environmental activists as well as the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation, are opposed.
Arizona volunteers plant hope for the future of monarch butterflies
PHOENIX – As part of a 50 year plan to revive the population of migrating monarch butterflies, Arizona Game & Fish Department is working with volunteers and other organizations to plant milkweed to make “waypoints” for the insects.
Justices seem skeptical of death-row inmate’s claim for new hearing
WASHINGTON - Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Wednesday of the notion that Arizona double-murderer James Erin McKinney should get a new sentencing hearing, asking if that would not be a "windfall" for McKinney at the expense of his victims' families.
To ease teacher shortage, pilot program in Tucson offers free tuition, $1,000 a month
TUCSON – The University of Arizona’s “Pathways to Teaching” program helps people who have already taken 60 hours toward a college degree finish studies that will lead to teaching certificates. Supporters say the pilot program is one small step to decrease teacher shortages and increase retention.
Arizona lawmakers split by party, as House OKs next impeachment steps
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers split on party lines Thursday as the House passed a resolution that lays out the framework for the next public phase of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.
Ranked matchup reveals complex position Pac-12 is in with its TV network
PHOENIX – Opportunities are plentiful for the Pac-12 Networks’ future as the conference prepares for 2024, but the path to get there will continue to be challenging.
Arizonans among House Republicans who stormed impeachment hearing
WASHINGTON - Arizona lawmakers were among dozens of Republicans who stormed the House impeachment hearings Wednesday to protest the closed-door meetings and demand that Democrats open the proceedings.
