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Chandler mom accused of spending kids’ public scholarship money on shopping spree
A Chandler woman has been indicted on charges of spending money from a state scholarship program on a Wal-Mart shopping spree and a family planning clinic.
Rep. Petersen wants to scale back Industrial Commission
Rep. Warren Petersen wants to downsize the Industrial Commission of Arizona, saying it has gotten too big in the decades since it expanded past its original mission of overseeing the state’s workers’ compensation system.
U.S. Supreme Court ruling could hamper toxic waste cleanups around Arizona
A ruling Monday from the U.S. Supreme Court could make it harder for state environmental officials to reach settlements with some polluters to clean up hazardous waste sites.
Arizona schools on their own as disputes intensify between board, superintendent
The disputes and lawsuits between them are increasing and the communication diminishing. The board’s staff moved out of the Department of Education building in May. Members of the department’s staff aren’t allowed to attend board meetings except under specific circumstances.
Gowan and Babeu join 1st Congressional District race
The GOP primary in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District is officially a crowd. Speaker of the Arizona House David Gowan and Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu both entered the race today, ending months of exploring by the two and bringing the number of Republicans vying for the nomination to five.
Halls at state Capitol echo with new approaches to school funding
Education funding fever has gripped the Arizona Capitol, and just about everyone has a plan. Republicans spent the week huddling in small groups to discuss the House speaker and Senate president’s four-point education funding plan, while Democrats stood outside the Capitol buildings doing TV interviews to announce and rally public support for their own education funding proposal.
Hundreds of millions of dollars later, child safety programs plagued by the same problems
A decade ago, a team of auditors embedded themselves in the agency charged with protecting Arizona’s children and found that some reports of child abuse or neglect weren’t properly investigated. Other cases lacked the relevant information necessary to ensure children’s safety. Ten years, hundreds of millions of dollars and a new agency later, the problems that plague the Department of Child [...]
12 applicants line up for state Supreme Court opening
Gov. Doug Ducey is getting his first chance to put his imprint on the state's high court. A dozen attorneys and lower court judges have applied to replace Rebecca Berch who is retiring. The Commission on Appellate Court Appointments will meet later this month to winnow down the list and decide who to interview and, ultimately, who to nominate.
Arizona failing to produce enough college graduates to fill critical jobs
Arizona is not producing enough college graduates to fill the high-tech and other professional jobs it will take to finally boost the state out of the basement of personal income, according to a new report released on Oct. 1.
Douglas unveils plan to address teacher shortage, eliminate Common Core
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas unveiled a comprehensive education plan Oct. 1 that includes addressing a teacher shortage by providing financial incentives to teach in underserved areas.
Judge: Child foster care lawsuit can move forward
A federal judge has rejected a bid to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the state of Arizona violated the civil rights of nearly 17,000 foster children. Children's advocacy groups filed the lawsuit in February in U.S. District Court. It claims the state fails to provide needed mental and other health care, and enough foster homes for children removed from their families.
Ducey audit aims to reduce number of boards and commissions
Arizona has more than 200 boards and commissions whose duties range from licensing cosmetologists and dental examiners to promoting research on grain and iceberg lettuce, and Gov. Doug Ducey is looking to trim that number.
