Arizona News & Current Events | Public News Service

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Kelly explains how proposed federal budget cuts would impact AZ

As Republicans in Washington continue to negotiate provisions in President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill, a recent report from the Joint …

Medicaid covered more than 40% of births nationwide and nearly half of all births in rural areas, in 2023. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Report: Medicaid cuts would affect AZ rural maternity care

President Donald Trump is urging some of his colleagues to "not mess with Medicaid," even as hard-liners call for steeper cuts to the health care prog…

Frontier Airlines had the worst ratio of complaints to boarded passengers, according to the report by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. (Adobe Stock)

Flyers fed up with U.S. airlines, complaints soar to new heights

New data show Arizona's two largest airports have fared well for on-time departures and arrivals but the same cannot be said about U.S. airlines in …

Less than 5% of Arizona's population considers themselves Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, according to the United States Census. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation could bring new histories to AZ classrooms

It is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Arizona lawmakers are considering a bill which would require schools to …

As House Republicans examine Medicaid cuts, AZ advocates urge otherwise

U.S. House Republicans are looking to cut Medicaid spending, imposing new restrictions on beneficiaries, and Arizona advocates are urging Congress to …

A push for renewed climate solutions in AZ, across US

Nonprofits, businesses, organizers and leaders have signed a letter calling for more climate solutions in Arizona and around the country. They claim …

As of 2023, half of likely undocumented immigrant adults and one in five lawfully present immigrant adults reported being uninsured, compared with less than one in 10 naturalized citizens and U.S.-born citizen adults, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

AZ hospitals could be required to ask patients about legal status

State lawmakers in Arizona are considering legislation to mandate hospitals to ask patients whether they are in the country legally. Rep. John …

Maricopa, Gila, Pima and Pinal counties all received a letter grade of

AZ has some of nation's dirtiest air. Tailpipe pollution is part of problem

Arizona is ranked as having some of the worst areas for polluted air, according to a new report by the American Lung Association and advocates said …

Poll: AZ Latino voters 'discouraged' after Trump's first 100 days

A new bipartisan poll looks at how Latino voters in Arizona are feeling about President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office - and pollsters descri…

Across the country, an estimated 20% of all Americans age 40 and older who are prescribed medication for a chronic condition get their prescriptions exclusively through the Postal Service. (Adobe Stock)

Report: If USPS is privatized, which AZ communities would pay more?

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have proposed privatizing the United States Postal Service by selling it to a corporation such as FedEx or UPS…

A peaceful May Day demonstration will start at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, and end at the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. Courthouse. (Leonid Andronov/Adobe Stock)

'May Day' AZ protesters rally against Trump administration

Many Arizonans plan to show up at the State Capitol on Thursday, May Day, to protest potential cuts to safety net programs and advocate for public …

Elise Ketcham, communications director for the Arizona Wildlife Federation, said Arizona's ephemeral and intermittent streams are also crucial in diverting water for flood control. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed EPA rule could put Arizona's water resources at stake

Arizona has a unique relationship with water and a proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency could further complicate it. It was only two …

Sharla Fisher (center, above) says her cardiac challenges, which led to her having a pacemaker implanted, opened her eyes to women and heart disease. (Sharla Fisher)

AZ mom shares heart journey to encourage others to prioritize their health

Mother's Day is fast approaching and an Arizona mom wants women of all ages to make sure they are prioritizing their heart health. Nearly 45% of …

More than 66,000 southeastern Arizona drivers pay more than $4,000 a year for gasoline, according to research from the nonprofit Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

How would rolling back EV standards affect AZ drivers?

Next week, Congress is expected to vote on whether to roll back states' authority to set their own clean car and truck standards. Research shows …

Opponents of President Donald Trump's executive order on elections said it could also target Americans living abroad, including military personnel serving overseas. (Adobe Stock)

AZ Secretary of State demands proof of noncitizen voting

Adrian Fontes, Arizona's Secretary of State, argued there is nothing wrong with American elections but some leaders in Washington, D.C., disagree…

In 2022, Arizona ranked among the top five states with the most severe health care staffing shortages, with the demand for specialized nurses projected to increase by 23% by 2025, according to the Arizona Board of Nursing. (Deanna Dent/Arizona State University)

Initiative expected to help AZ reverse nursing shortage

Arizona already faces a critical shortage of nurses and it is projected to get worse. Now, a new initiative at Arizona State University could make …

At Northern Arizona University, 56% of the students are White, and 25% are Hispanic or Latino, according to Data USA. (Josh Biggs/Wikimedia Commons)

AZ universities thread needle to comply with Trump DEI order

Arizona universities are figuring out how to comply with President Donald Trump's order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs - …

Opponents to Arizona's Proposition 314 called it a dangerous law which could fuel vigilantism and unjust policing. (James Steidl/Adobe Stock)

AZ Latino outlets unite to inform communities amid immigration crackdown

Latino media outlets in Arizona are coming together to ensure the Hispanic and Latino communities are informed and educated about their rights amid th…

The U.S. Constitution specifies Congress and the states can set the rules for our elections, not the president. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona voting rights advocates oppose Trump's election order

A number of lawsuits have been filed in opposition to President Donald Trump's executive order which could reshape how U.S. elections are run and the …

The FBI says fraud and scam losses nationwide reported by those age 60 and older topped $3.4 billion in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona legislation targets cryptocurrency scams

Arizona lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent cryptocurrency scams and regulate what are known as "crypto kiosks." Brendon Blake, AARP …

Annual insurance premiums in rural ZIP codes were $3,317 on average in 2024, compared with $3,299 in urban and suburban areas. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Arizonans experience some of the highest insurance premiums

Insurance premiums have gone up a lot and according to a new report, Arizona is one of the states where homeowners are being hit hardest. The …

In 2022, U.S. sales of poultry and eggs totaled $76.5 billion, 14.1% of total U.S. agriculture sales.(Adobe Stock)

Could egg supply and demand be helping avian flu spread?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

Joelly B. Chavez, left, encourages folks to get informed and

AZ students voice concerns about student aid, federal cuts

As Americans wait to see if Congress goes along with President Donald Trump's plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the uncertainty is …

The nation's roadways still face a $684 billion funding gap over the next 10 years, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. (Adobe Stock)

Has infrastructure improved in AZ, US? Not by much

A new report has found some progress has been made to improve the nation's aging infrastructure, but a lot more needs to be done. This week…

Privatization of the USPS requires a Congressional Act that is signed into law by the President. (Matt Gush / Adobe Stock)

Arizona rallies protest possible U.S. Postal Service reforms

Rallies in Tucson and Phoenix are taking place today opposing the Trump administration's potential decision to privatize the U.S. Postal Service…

Federal cuts put election security in jeopardy, AZ Secretary of State takes action

Adrian Fontes, Arizona Secretary of State, said he was not shocked but disappointed when he found out the Trump administration had cut funding for …

When looking for job training, 74% of urban Gen Zers strongly agree or agree that they could access the needed training, compared with 62% of rural Gen Zers, according to Gallup. (Adobe Stock)

Data: Lack of opportunity pushes rural Gen Zers in AZ out of their communities

New research finds that less than half of rural Gen Zers believe they can find a good job in their communities. According to U.S. Census data…

In 2023, human-caused fires accounted for 71% of all fires across the state, on all land jurisdictions, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. (Adobe Stock)

AZ groups file lawsuits to limit effects of Elon Musk's DOGE

The Sierra Club and other partners are suing Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency over the mass firing of federal workers across mult…

Arizona's 13 mostly rural counties are viewed as conservative and Republican-leaning but in Santa Cruz County with a mostly Latino population and Apache County with a mostly Native American population, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans. (Adobe Stock)

Rural, working-class Arizonans feel forgotten. Democrats need to wake up

A coalition of rural, progressive Democratic organizations is urging the new chair of the national party to invest more in rural and working-class …

The likelihood of exposure to H5N1 is higher among people consuming raw, unpasteurized milk from infected animals, although the chance of people contracting H5N1 from consuming raw milk is not clear at this time, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Experts worry as zoonotic disease research is reviewed by Trump admin

By Grey Moran for Sentient.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Nearly one in five Americans has had to evacuate their home during a severe weather event, according to a recent YouGov poll. (Adobe Stock)

AZ group develops guide for keeping important documents safe

This is National Consumer Protection Week, and the Arizona PIRG Education Fund wants people to think about what they can do to protect their valuable …

The longest commute in the nation is located in Mohave County, Arizona, where the citizens of Colorado City-a town of 2,500 people-would need to drive eight hours round trip to reach their designated election office in Kingman, Arizona, according to the Center for American Progress. (Austin Broadbent /Adobe Stock)

GOP backed citizenship voting bill could present challenges to AZ voters

Congress could soon vote on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE Act. Lawmakers say it's designed to keep undocumented immigrants from …

Last September, The Pines Inn and Suites in Cottonwood was able to cover 70% of the business' solar-installation cost with a $32,000 reimbursement from REAP and $23,000 from the renewable energy Investment Tax Credit. (Anna May Cory)

Rural AZ hotel's solar installation in limbo after federal funding freeze

Small businesses in Arizona are feeling the impact of the sudden federal pause on clean-energy grants. One of those businesses is the Pines Inn and …

Arizona currently ranks fifth in the nation for solar generation and 27th for wind generation, according to Environment Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates call for shared vision to bolster nation's energy grid

Arizona is cited in a new report that says to avoid an energy crisis, the U.S. needs to have a shared vision of what a resilient power grid looks …

Pollsters found 89% of Arizonans prefer decisions about public lands, water and wildlife be made by career professionals such as rangers, scientists and firefighters rather than newly appointed officials who come from other industries. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Arizonans show continued support for conservation of public lands

Colorado College's annual Conservation in the West poll has shown strong support from Arizonans for conservation on public lands for 15 years…

Nationwide, about 146 million American citizens do not have passports. About 153 million Americans cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

AZ mandate shows affect SAVE Act could have on voters

Legislation now in Congress could further complicate how Arizonans cast their ballots. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act would require a …

Rural AZ is drying up. Will lawmakers do something about it?

A piece of Arizona legislation, with bipartisan backing, is aiming to bring better oversight and protections of groundwater, across five basins in …

Seasonal affective disorder can begin at any age but it typically starts when a person is between ages 18 and 30, according to the American Psychiatric Association. (Adobe Stock)

Less sunlight, colder AZ temps can take physical, mental toll

Parts of Arizona may be known for their mild winters but the shorter days and colder temperatures can still affect a person's mood and overall health…

In the latest Conservation in the West Poll, 77% of Arizonans say they think more emphasis should be placed on conserving wildlife migration routes than on new development, ranching or oil and gas production. (Adobe Stock)

How could 15-day review of monuments, public lands affect AZ?

New U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has issued a 15-day review of all public lands and national monuments that, until now, have been excluded …

Volunteers with AARP's Fraud Watch Network can help people identify scams, develop steps to avoid fraud as well as come up with an action plan if you have experienced fraud. (Adobe Stock)

AARP AZ cautions people about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is this Friday and AARP Arizona wants to caution Arizonans to be careful with who they are talking to online. The National Retail …

AZ heart attack survivor stresses importance of CPR for Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, and an Arizona heart attack survivor wants more folks to learn CPR - which he said saved his life. Bob Spicer …

The Mexican long-nosed bat could only be differentiated from the lesser long-nosed bat by capturing the species in hand and measuring the bat's third finger, according to Bat Conservation International. (J. Scott Altenbach/Bat Conservation International)

Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona

An endangered bat species has been detected in southeastern Arizona. Researchers say the discovery of the Mexican long-nosed bat in the Grand Canyon …

About 13% of the state's residents were born in another country and 16% of residents are native-born Americans with at least one immigrant parent, according to the American Immigration Council. (Adobe Stock)

Education advocates respond to possible immigration raids in AZ schools

Arizona's largest high school district has stated it will not voluntarily help the Trump administration with its immigration promises by declaring its…

Arizona's overall rate of educational attainment has increased by 20.8 percentage points since 2009. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ above national average for degree attainment among adults

Arizona has made notable progress in increasing the number of working-age adults who hold a degree or credential beyond high school. According to …

More than 54,000 Native American people have no home access to electricity, according to a 2023 report from the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit brings light to tribal lands in Arizona

By Yessenia Funes for Atmos.Broadcast version by Alex Gonzalez for Arizona News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News …

Just 27% of Americans agree automakers care about lowering fuel costs for their customers, according to Consumer Reports. (Adobe Stock)

Arizona drivers prioritize better fuel economy

Spending less money at the gas pump is important for Arizona drivers, according to a new survey. Chris Harto, senior policy analyst for …

Arizona has the largest difference in the share of children covered by Medicaid/CHIP in small towns and rural areas compared to metro areas, according to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Beth Van Trees/Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid plays crucial role in rural Arizona

Rural Arizonans, especially children, are more likely to rely on Medicaid for health coverage compared to people in metro areas, according to a new …

If President-elect Donald Trump's proposals are in effect in 2026, the richest 1% would receive an average tax cut of about $36,300 and the next richest 4% would receive an average tax cut of about $7,200, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)

How could President-elect Trump's tax plan affect Arizonans?

A fiscally conservative advocacy group is pushing for the renewal of President-elect Donald Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Americans for Prosperity …

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