Arizona News & Current Events | Public News Service

While the number of student loan borrowers aged 62 and older grew by 800,000 from 2017 to 2022, the number of Parent PLUS borrowers grew by only 100,000. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Student loan repayments begin soon; older Americans still struggling

By Jill Barshay for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News…

For decades, Arizona courts interpreted the state Constitution to deny the right to vote to Native Americas as

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Federal judge blocks AZ law that 'disenfranchised' Native voters

A federal judge has blocked a 2022 Arizona law that voting-rights advocates say would have made it harder for some Native Americans to vote. House …

There were eight major insurance companies offering health policies to individuals and families in Arizona during plan year 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 25, 2023

Make smart health coverage choices during open enrollment

The open enrollment period for health insurance can seem daunting to many Arizonans, so experts recommend starting sooner rather than later to do …

Nearly 70% of Arizona voters do not believe that politicians are delivering the results they want, need and deserve, according to Make Elections Fair Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

AZ proposal for open primaries could benefit Independent voters

Arizonans could vote on a proposal next year some advocates said would make politics more equitable in the Grand Canyon State. This week, the Make …

It's estimated there are 6,200 wild burros in the State of Arizona, according to the Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Seeks Public Comment on Wild Burro Management in AZ

The wild burro population in northwest Arizona is about four times the appropriate management level, according to the Bureau of Land Management…

Millennials and 'Gen Zers' will be a majority of potential voters by 2028, according to the Brookings Institution. (Adobe Stock)

VP Harris to Visit NAU to Help Mobilize Young Voters

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff as part of a month-long college tour as the Biden administration…

About one in four rural residents is Black, Indigenous or a person of color, according to a new report from the Rural Democracy Initiative. (Noah Hairston / Adobe Stock)

Report Calls for Sweeping Policy Actions in Rural Arizona, U.S.

A new report highlights policy actions it says could benefit people living in rural Arizona. Sherri Jones, a governing board member for the …

Under the SAVE Plan, a single borrower who makes less than about $15 an hour won't have to make student loan payments, and borrowers earning more could save over $1,000 a year on their payments, according to the U.S. Department of Education. (Damir Khabirov/Adobe Stock)

What AZ Student Borrowers Should Know as Loan Repayment Looms

Many Arizonans will start making payments on their student loans again next month, so it is time for those borrowers to figure out where they stand …

This year, more than 160,000 men will learn they have prostate cancer, according to the American Urological Association. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Doctor Explains What You Need to Know About Prostate Health

The Arizona Department of Health Services said prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form among men. The month of September is about raising …

An estimated 29 million eligible voters live in states at high risk for election denial, according to the report. (Adobe Stock)

Analysis: AZ at Risk for Election Denialism in 2024

Election denialism in Arizona could interfere with the 2024 presidential race. Analysis from the National Election Denial Risk Index shows Arizona …

The 2023 Arizona legislative session was the longest session on record, officially spanning 204 days and finally wrapping up on July 31. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Report Card Released for AZ Legislature, Governor

Grades are in for Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Legislature. The Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club and Chispa Arizona this week …

Among consumers with medical debt, 16% of Black adults report a disproportionate amount of such debt, compared to 9% of white adults, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund. (Adobe Stock)

Medical Bills: Understanding Them and Patient Rights Can Save You Big

Medical care is expensive and continues to get more costly. Many people in Arizona only become aware of this after they get a bill for their care…

Claire Gunderson is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, and the Jemez and Laguna Pueblo of New Mexico. (Charlie Leight/ASU News)

First-Year ASU Student Helps Close Engineering Gender Gap

The percentage of female engineers varies by specialty, but 2021 figures show only 9% of mechanical engineers are women. One Arizona State University …

Consumer Reports says credits of up to $7,500 depend on where the vehicle is made, its price and the buyer's income. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Electric Vehicle Sales Not Slowing Down

Experts say consumer interest and sales of electric vehicles in Arizona and across the country aren't slowing down. Arizona is among the top 10 …

The top inbound city in 2022 was Tucson, Arizona, according to Allied Van Lines. (Adobe Stock)

Is AZ Still a Retirement Haven? Some Say That is Changing

Arizona has long been known as one of the 'retirement friendly states,' in the U.S. for its affordability, but that is changing. Brendon Blake…

Arizona was one of the first five states to start the

Health Experts Warn AZ Children Could Lose Medicaid Coverage

Parents' back-to-school checklist in Arizona might include double-checking to make sure their children still have health insurance. Arizona was one …

Arizona is opening one cooling center and one cooling stop in the Government Mall. The first will be located at 1818 W. Adams St, the second is a portable, cooled shipping container at 1801 W. Madison St. (Ray Redstone/Adobe Stock)

AZ Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Extreme Heat

Last week, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs declared an emergency in response to the intense heat wave being felt around the state. The governor had …

Many Gen Zers have indicated their first step in managing behavioral health challenges was going to TikTok or Reddit for advice from the young people. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Cross-Generational Talk Urged to Tackle Gen Z's Mental-Health Worries

One doctor of behavioral health and licensed professional counselor in Arizona said he has found 'Gen Zers,' those born after 1996, are not only …

In the 2022 legislative session, state lawmakers introduced at least 43 bills that would allow or require what Demos calls

Report: 'Voter Purges' Could Wrongfully Target AZ Voters

Arizona is in litigation over a 2022 law that could allow for what some are calling "draconian purge practices" that lead to more Arizona voters being…

Arizona ranks among the top five states in the nation for the total number of native bird, reptile and mammal species, according to the Arizona Wildlife Federation. (Adobe Stock)

Expert Wants Federal Investments to Help Ecological Health in AZ

Experts across the West have met to discuss the potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act as the one-year anniversary of the piece of legislati…

The new monument's Native American name is Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni, which refers to the ancestral footprints of Indigenous peoples. It is made up of three distinct areas to the south, northeast and northwest of Grand Canyon National Park. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Announces Historic National Monument Near Grand Canyon

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced the designation of a new national monument near the Grand Canyon. The latest move will conserve and …

Desiree Fowler will be formally inducted into her new role during the board's annual conference in December. (AZ School Boards Association)

Arizona School Boards Association Elects First Indigenous President

The Arizona School Boards Association has for the first time in the organization's approximately 80-year history chosen an Indigenous woman to be pres…

Dental Therapists Could Fill Dental-Health 'Gap' in AZ

Since last month, dental therapists can apply for licenses to practice in Arizona, and some believe they'll play a critical role in a state full of …

AZ Joins USDA to Tackle Lack of Competition in Food Industry

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a group of bipartisan state attorneys general to beef up enforcement and prevent anti-trust activity wi…

Arizona state and city leaders and lawmakers tour several cooling centers in Maricopa County. (Kevin Bushaw)

AZ Faith Leaders Call for Better Heat Response

Intense heat is nothing new for Arizona summers, but the state has been enduring a record heat wave for a number of weeks. The Arizona Faith …

In Ward 1, Democratic Council Member Lane Santa Cruz is running against a fellow Democrat, challenger Miguel Ortega. In Ward 2, Council Member Paul Cunningham is up against Lisa Nutt; both are Democrats. (Adobe Stock)

Voter Education Session Ahead of Tucson Municipal Election

Arizona voting-rights groups say municipal elections do not get the voter turnout they deserve. In an effort to get more people engaged, the group Mi …

According to Arizona's Department of Child Safety, nearly 14,000 children are in foster care, but there are only about 3,000 licensed foster families. (Adobe Stock)

Group Wants to Expand Adoption Services in Arizona

One organization wants to help the longest waiting children in Arizona's foster-care system find their way into loving, adoptive family homes…

In a statement, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said,

LGBTQ+ AZ Advocate Reacts to Gov. Hobbs Executive Orders

It's been just over two weeks since Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs issued two-pro LGBTQ+ executive orders which ensure gender-affirming care is covered by …

According to Movement Advancement Project, 52% of the LGBTQ+ population lives in states prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (Adobe Stock)

What the Supreme Court's Decision on Creative Services Could Mean in AZ

It has been less than a week since the United States Supreme Court ruled businesses which provide expressive goods can pick and choose who they want t…

Jacob Moore is the former associate vice president of tribal relations in the Office of Government and Community Affairs. (Charlie Leight/ASU News)

New Leader at Arizona State University for American Indian Affairs

Arizona State University wants to continue fostering and cultivating relationships with tribal nations in the state. It plans to continue to do so …

A number of studies have found that permitting people to use the bathroom that align with their gender identity does not result in increased violence toward women. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Gov. Vetoes Bills Targeting the LGBTQ+ Community, Harm is Still Produced

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a number of bills this past legislative session which targeted the LGBTQ+ community. Jeanne Woodbury, interim …

In Arizona, the state's largest public utilities offer technical assistance to public and private entities seeking to electrify their fleets. (Adobe Stock)

Report Touts Transitioning AZ's Gov't-Fleet Vehicles to Electric

A new report found Arizona could save taxpayers $283 million if state and local governments transition their light-duty fleets to electric vehicles ov…

Earlier this month, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., joined their Senate colleagues to reintroduce the Right to Contraception Act. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed AZ Bill Could Codify Birth Control Access

Days prior to the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned, Gov. Katie Hobbs and Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, announced plans to introduce …

There are an estimated 150 skilled nursing facilities in Arizona, according to AARP Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Sounds Alarm on Abuse, Neglect in AZ Senior Living Facilities

Senior living facilities in Arizona struggle with issues ranging from neglect of residents to violence, staffing shortages and low wages for workers…

According to the Food and Drug Administration, more than 2.5 million high- and middle-school students currently use e-cigarettes, and almost 85% of them used flavored e-cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)

FDA Cracks Down on Vape Products; Experts Say More Action Needed

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced several actions in an effort to crack down on illegal, flavored, disposable vape products which …

The report states only a quarter of American adults are meeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidance for physical activity: getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise and two days of muscle strengthening per week. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Cities Rank Low for Park Access

A new report from the Trust for Public Land looked at the 100 most populated cities around the country, and found those with the highest …

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, child care workers make less than workers in 98% of the nation's other professions, with a median annual pay of just under $29,000. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Arizona Ranks Poorly in Overall Child Well-Being

New data ranks Arizona 39th in the country for overall child well-being. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2023 Kids Count Data Book…

According to the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition, in 2022, outdoor recreation in Arizona, in places like the Grand Canyon region, generated $3.3 billion in wages and salaries. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Tribal Nations, Lawmakers Want New Grand Canyon Nat'l. Monument

President Joe Biden has designated new national monuments in Nevada and Texas - and some in Arizona say it is time to do the same for the Grand Canyon…

According to the Anti-Defamation League, 20% of Americans believe six or more Jewish tropes. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Reveals Nation's First Plan to Combat Antisemitism

As hostility toward Jewish people continues to spike in Arizona and nationally, the Biden administration has issued a National Strategy to Counter …

According to the Mars Veterinary Health study, nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians will be needed to meet the needs of companion animal health care by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Governor Enacts Law Allowing Telemedicine for Pets

In Arizona, telemedicine is now not only available for humans but also for people's beloved animals. Last month Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate …

Arizona State University reports first generation students make up almost 35% of its enrollment. Its Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program has served more than 2,300 parent-student teams. (Hector Pertuz/Adobe Stock)

ASU Outreach Program Helps First-Generation College Students

Navigating college can seem overwhelming for first generation students, but an early outreach program at Arizona State University aims to change it…

The report also found that in 2021, 5.6 million adults ages 65 and older lived in poverty, a 10% increase since 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Ranks 30th for Health Status of Older Adults

Arizona has received an overall rank of 30th in the nation for the health and well-being of older adults in the state. According to the United …

Advocates say the EPA's proposed carbon pollution standards would avert approximately 1,300 premature deaths. (Ralf Broskvar/Adobe Stock)

AZ Leaders Urge Strong Standards to Cut Climate Pollution from Power Plants

Arizona leaders gathered Tuesday in support of the Biden administration's proposed plans to cut climate pollution from fossil-fuel power plants to tac…

According to ALL in Education, climate and environment has been identified as one of nine factors that have the biggest effect on student academic outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Schools Set to Receive Trees Through State Budget Appropriation

Arizona environmental-justice advocates are celebrating some big wins passed through the state budget. One of the provisions, Senate Bill 1689…

According to Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention, starting in late April or May many areas across the state will implement seasonal fire restrictions and then typically rescind them in September or October. (Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock)

Arizona Trail, a 'Lifeline' for Many, Under Threat by Wildfires

The Arizona Trail stretches 800 miles across Arizona, from Mexico to Utah. The trek is considered by many a "lifeline," under threat with fire season …

After receiving her master's degree in Education from Arizona State University, Laura Terech began teaching in a Title I school. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

Former Teacher, Now AZ Lawmaker, Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

It is Teacher Appreciation Week , and one Arizona lawmaker, who is a former elementary school teacher, wants to recognize the important work …

School districts have until Aug. 22 to turn in their applications for this year's Clean School Bus Program. (Moms Clean Air Force)

AZ School District Sees Benefits of Electric Buses, More Funds On Way

This week, one Arizona school district is sharing the local benefits ushered in by the Inflation Reduction Act. Isaac School District in West …

Every 80 seconds, the American Heart Association says, cardiovascular disease kills one woman. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Mom Warns of Signs During American Stroke Month

May is National Stroke Month, and one young Arizona mom wants to share her experience to let Arizonans know stroke can happen to anyone and at any …

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