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The beans from the velvet mesquite are known as

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Food forests in southern Arizona help combat heat and hunger

By Max Graham for Grist.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Serv…

Arizona is now among the top 10 states with the most electric vehicle registrations. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed EPA rule aims to increase EV sales

In Arizona, four in every 1,000 people have electric cars and a federal rule soon to be finalized could increase those numbers. It is gaining support …

The TeraWatt Charging Centers are located about 150 miles apart, to support the mileage range of commercially available electric trucks. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: AZ's medium-to-heavy-duty EV infrastructure needs to grow

Since Interstate 10 crosses Arizona, experts believe the state is in need of more electric vehicle infrastructure to support the transition to more …

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…

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…

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 …

Joellen Russell says diesel buses emit fumes like formaldehyde and benzene, the same chemicals found in cigarettes. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: AZ's Dirty Energy Negatively Impacts Kids, Federal Dollars Could Help

April is Earth Month, and for many climate scientists and advocates across the world, it's a time to raise environmental awareness. In Arizona…

According to Winslow Mayor Roberta Cano, the median household income in her city is around $40,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Mayor in DC to Discuss City Challenges with Federal Leaders

One Arizona mayor is among the more than 2,800 elected city officials in Washington, D.C., this week for The National League of Cities' Congressional …

Accord to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Maricopa Association of Governments and Pima Association of Governments make up the two most populous areas of the state, accounting for 80% of Arizona's population. (Adobe Stock)

Public Input Needed for AZ's Long-Range Transportation Plan

The Arizona Department of Transportation wants to hear from people across the state as it looks to set priorities for the state's 2050 Long-Range Tran…

A report from the USPS Office of the Inspector General finds while upfront costs for electric vehicles may be greater, the Postal Service would save money over time by deploying more EVs. (eqroy/Adobe Stock)

USPS Boosts Electric Vehicles in New Delivery Fleet to 50%

The U.S. Postal Service is buying nearly 85,000 new vehicles, and estimates about 40% of them will be electric vehicles. That includes 50,000 new …

Arizona and other states are slated to receive billions of federal dollars over the next five years to build a network of electric-vehicle charging stations. (hogoboom/Adobe Stock)

Study: AZ Can Save Billions by Converting to Electric Vehicles by 2035

A new report found by speeding up the timetable to fully adopt electric vehicles, Arizona could reap significant health and economic benefits in the …

As U.S. airlines began to ramp up their schedules after months of inactivity during the pandemic, large numbers of customers began complaining about poor customer service. (dwlphotostock/Adobe Stock)

Report: Complaints Soar as Airlines Cancel Flights, Deny Refunds

PHOENIX -- A new report shows, despite getting billions of dollars from the federal government under the American Rescue Plan, many airlines continue …

A new report from the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund says that while Arizona's towing laws are not the worst in the country, they could do with some improvements. (bluaz/Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ Needs Better Protection for Car Owners Against Predatory Towing

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- If you drive a car or pickup to get around in Arizona, odds are you eventually will have to deal with it being involuntarily …

Under President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, thousands of new workers would be needed to improve bridges and roads, repair water systems and build a clean-energy economy. (jdoms/Adobe Stock)

Biden Climate Plan to Include Roads, Jobs, Clean Energy for AZ, U.S.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- When President Joe Biden hosts a virtual summit on Earth Day, he's not only seeking to engage world powers on environmental issues…

A new report is calling for major changes to America's fossil fuel-based transportation system, which it says pollutes the environment, causes unnecessary deaths, harms the public health, and contributes to climate change. (Flickr)<br />

Report Calls for Major Changes to AZ's, Nation's Transportation System

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- An analysis of the nation's transportation infrastructure calls for policymakers to lay the groundwork now for a sustainable…

Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans have lost their jobs during the pandemic crisis and are facing high electric bills caused by Arizona's scorching summer climate. (RobertKeenan/AdobeStock)

Consumer Groups Seek Help for Jobless AZ Utility Customers

PHOENIX -- Arizona consumer groups want regulated power utilities to use cost savings from lower power demand during the pandemic to provide emergency…

Interstate 10 near downtown Phoenix, also known as the Papago Freeway, is the heaviest-traveled section of road in the state. (Flickr)

Experts Say Lower Fuel-Efficiency Standards Will Cost AZ More

PHOENIX -- After a couple years of wrangling, the Trump administration's policy easing fuel-efficiency standards for new cars has gone into effect…

Auto manufacturers that support a Trump administration plan to relax EPA tailpipe emissions standards could be losing loyal customers, according to a new poll. (Tyler Olsen/Adobe Stock)

Poll: Higher Emissions Change Customers' Views of Automakers

PHOENIX -- Carmakers that support a Trump administration plan to cut Environmental Protection Agency auto-emission standards could be alienating their…

A new report from the Arizona PIRG Education Fund finds that converting to a fleet of electric buses can reduce emissions and lower operating costs. (ProterraCatalyst)<br /><br />

Report Encourages AZ Cities to Convert Bus Fleets to Electric

TUCSON, Ariz. – Many city buses pull away from a stop belching thick, black diesel smoke, leaving those behind them with burning eyes and a …

Scientists estimate that people first started using more resources than the world can produce in the 1970s. (parabol studio/Adobe Stock)

Marking This Year's Ecological Deficit

PHOENIX – This is Earth Overshoot Day, the day of the year that environmental activists say humanity has used up more natural resources than …

A Traffic HAWK (High-intensity Activated crossWalK beacon) installed on a Phoenix street makes crossing the road safer for pedestrians. (City of Phoenix)

Study: Arizona Streets Rank Among Most Dangerous for Pedestrians

PHOENIX – With pedestrian deaths increasing rapidly in recent years, Arizona streets now rank as some of the most dangerous in the country…

The Arizona Corporation Commission could make changes to its Electric Vehicle Policy Implementation Plan, designed to increase the number of electric vehicles on the road and expand the infrastructure to support them. (Adobe Stock)

Panel Studies Ways to Make AZ More Electric-Vehicle Friendly

PHOENIX - The Arizona Corporation Commission is looking to spur an increase in the number of electric vehicles on Arizona roads, despite efforts by …

Engineers say almost 20% of Arizona's 66,000 miles of roads and highways are in poor condition and in need of repairs. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Roads, Bridges, Dams Studied During Infrastructure Week

PHOENIX - After that pothole rattled your teeth on the drive to work this morning, you may be happy to hear that this is Infrastructure Week…

Climate scientists and elected officials are looking for way to reduce the

Studying Ways to Reduce Arizona’s Searing ‘Heat Island’

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Government leaders and climate scientists are looking for ways to mitigate temperatures in the Phoenix area's so-called "heat …

The city of Phoenix has purchased two Nissan Leafs and two Chevy Bolts through a nationwide program aimed at helping cities buy electric vehicles. (Noya Fields/Flickr)

Phoenix Joins Other Cities in Program to Buy Electric Vehicles

PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix has four new electric vehicles in its municipal fleet, and could invest in many more. Phoenix is one of several …

A new analysis shows that when SUVs, pickups and crossovers increased gas mileage 15 percent, sales shot up 70 percent. (Mike Mozart/Flickr)

Consumers Want Better MPG, Despite Fuel Standard Rollbacks

PHOENIX – The Trump administration has proposed rolling back fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles in the United States, but a new report …

More than $500 million in maintenance repairs are needed in Arizona's National Park sites. (Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr)

National Parks Billions Behind in Maintenance

PHOENIX – National Parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Zion, are beloved American visitors sites, but they also face an $11.6 …

Phoenix Police report the city has seen 40 pedestrian deaths so far in 2018, on track to surpass the 56 pedestrian deaths recorded in all of 2017. (Casey Fiesler/Flickr)

To Be a Retirement Destination, AZ Must Improve Pedestrian Safety

PHOENIX - Arizona has a long reputation as a popular state for retirement, and as the Baby Boomer generation ages and people live longer, the state …

Arizona is the most dangerous state in the nation for pedestrians. (mrhayata/Flickr)

Driverless Car Death Highlights Another Issue: AZ Dangerous for Pedestrians

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Arizona's recent self-driving Uber fatality highlights another problem: the state is a dangerous place to walk. Arizona has …

The Department of Energy built an underground facility in Yucca Mountain to determine whether the area was suitable for nuclear waste. (Department of Energy/Flickr)

"Mobile Chernobyl" Could Be Coming to Southwest

PHOENIX – Nuclear waste from Oak Ridge could have a new destination. A bill may come up for a U.S. House vote this month that revives plans to …

Conservation and health advocates warn that Congress is working to gut environmental regulations that protect Arizona's air and water. (mmainco/morguefile)

Conservation Groups Protest Congressional Move to Gut Protections

PHOENIX – Public health and environmental groups warn that low-income Arizonans will be at greater risk for respiratory problems and heart disea…

Getting traffic off the roadways is a key to cutting carbon pollution in major cities, according to a Frontier Group report released by Arizona PIRG. (kichigin/iStockphoto)

Report: Why Wait? Cities Can Cut Carbon Pollution Now

PHOENIX - If you're stuck in traffic and breathing fumes from the car ahead of you, a new report outlines ways to cut carbon emissions from vehicles …

The Census Bureau estimates Arizona gained about 100,000 new residents in 2014-15, most of them moving in from other states. (XiXinXing/iStockphoto)

Census: AZ is Fifth Fastest-Growing State in 2014-15

TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona's population, which has been somewhat stagnant for the past several years, has begun growing again. The U.S. Census Bureau …

A group of environmental organizations is planning to sue the U.S. Corps of Engineers over a permit for a major development near the San Pedro River watershed in southeastern Arizona. (Charlie Schultz/Sierra Club)

Groups Plan Suit Over Permit for San Pedro River Project

BENSON, Ariz. – A coalition of environmental groups says it intends to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a permit for a major …

A new system to track wrong-way drivers will be tested in Phoenix. Credit: Arizona Dept. of Transportation

Phoenix Test Site for New System to Track Wrong-Way Drivers

PHOENIX – Interstate 17 in Phoenix is the deadliest stretch of road in Arizona when it comes to wrong-way crashes, with 26 deaths in the past …

Navajo Generating Station in Page, Ariz., a coal-fired power plant. Credit: EX3N/iStock

Environmental Groups Slam Arizona's Decision to Join Lawsuit Against EPA

PHOENIX - Climate change groups are speaking out against Arizona's participation in a lawsuit to block the "carbon rule" section of President Obama's…

Young people such as those seen here increasingly prefer using public transportation over driving a car. That's the finding of research from the Arizona Public Interest Research Group. Courtesy: Arizona PIRG

Is Arizona's Love Affair With the Car Cooling Off?

PHOENIX – America's love affair with the car may be cooling off in Arizona and across the country. A report from the Arizona Public Interest …

Lack of infrastructure investment causes drivers to pay hundreds more each year in vehicle maintenance and repair costs. Credit: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

Arizonans Paying for Bad Roads, Report Finds

TUCSON, Ariz. - Failing roads in Arizona can cost some drivers up to 586-dollars in extra vehicle repair and maintenance expense each year. That's …

PHOTO: Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission, which creates congressional and legislative districts based on Census Bureau data, has been deemed constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling could have a national impact. Photo credit: U.S. Census Bureau.

Arizona Redistricting Ruling May Have National Impact

PHOENIX – The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Arizona's voter-approved Independent Redistricting Commission could have a national impact…

PHOTO: Lake Mead is at its lowest level in history again this summer. A ProPublica investigation probes some of the political and policy reasons that may be exacerbating the drought. Photo credit: Alicia Burtner, U.S. Geological Survey

ProPublica Investigates Colorado River Water Woes

PHOENIX - The investigative journalism group ProPublica has been taking an in-depth look at the water crisis in the West, in a series that is focused …

PHOTO: Arizona has fewer bridges in need of major repair or upgrading than most states in the union, according to a new report. Photo credit: Arizona Department of Transportation.

Report: Arizona Bridges Among Nation's Best

PHOENIX - Arizona has some bragging rights when it comes to the Grand Canyon State's bridges. Doug Nintzel, spokesma with the state Department of …

PHOTO: As California implements mandatory water restrictions, Arizona officials say despite a 15 year drought, such measures are not likely in the Grand Canyon State. Photo credit: California Department of General Services.

Is AZ Facing Historic Water Restrictions Like CA?

PHOENIX – Despite the years-long drought on the Colorado River, Arizona is not facing the historic mandatory water restrictions being …

PHOTO: Despite the smiles of Arizona and Nevada governors, a new report says the proposal to build an interstate highway connecting Phoenix and Las Vegas would be a waste of taxpayers' money. Photo courtesy Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval's office.

I-11 Proposal, Phoenix to Las Vegas: A "Highway Boondoggle?"

PHOENIX - The $2.5 billion Interstate 11 project, proposed to connect Phoenix and Las Vegas, is not in the best interest of taxpayers, according to a …

PHOTO: A study out this week says Arizonans are driving less and using public transportation more. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Study: Arizonans Driving Less, Favoring Bicycling, Public Transit

PHOENIX - According to a study out this week, Arizonans are driving less in favor of bicycling and utilizing public transportation options, such as …

PHOTO: Governor Brian Sandoval says Nevadans may judge future presidential candidates may be judged by their support for building an Interstate Highway between Las Vegas and Phoenix. Photo courtesy of the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Nevada Governor: Interstate 11 Support May Be Presidential Campaign Issue

PHOENIX - The Governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, is linking a proposed Interstate Highway from Phoenix to Las Vegas to the 2016 presidential …

PHOTO: Arizona's child safety-seat law covers kids up through age 7, but the CDC says these laws are more effective when they cover children through age eight. Photo courtesy CDC.

CDC: Arizona's Child Safety-Seat Law Could Still Be Better

PHOENIX - The CDC says child deaths in car crashes have declined by 43 percent over ten years, but there's still work to do, because in a third of …

PHOTO: Arizona's tourism economy could get a boost in the new year, courtesy of Tesla Motors. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Energy.

Tesla Supercharging Stations May Help AZ Tourism

PHOENIX - Arizona's tourism economy could get a boost in the New Year, courtesy of Tesla Motors. The maker of the popular electric vehicles has …

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AZ: Urban Planning and Transportation