Nomination picture still muddy going forward
A month after the Arizona Senate formed an extraordinary new committee to vet Gov. Katie Hobbs’ appointments, the picture still looks muddy for the governor’s nominees to lead key agencies.
Committee takes initial steps towards denying students right to use preferred pronoun
State lawmakers took the first steps Wednesday to denying students the right to be referred to by a pronoun that matches their preferred gender. SB 1001, approved by the Senate Education Committee on a 4-3 party line vote, also would put into law that teachers and other school employees may refer to a student by only his or her given name or a nickname "commonly associated with the student's name [...]
Arizona dad seeking answers after son dies in state care
Richard Blodgett, a single father, was jailed on a drug charge when a worker from Arizona's child welfare agency delivered the news: His son was brain dead and on life support — just days after being taken into state custody.
Dept. Of Child Safety under fire
Officials with the state ombudsman and Foster Care Review Board said today the Arizona Department of Child Safety is not providing information through their online database that other offices need, and when the agency does, it is filled with frequent errors and holes.
Babies in recovery as opioid crisis continues
Pregnant with her second child, Clarissa Collins was at her methadone clinic when a woman walked in with a box of doughnuts and a baby doll.
Ducey’s budget proposes funds for new and expanded programs
While nearly half the $12.3 billion is going to K-12 education, the proposed spending plan by Gov. Doug Ducey also carves out dollars for some new and expanded programs and priorities.
Vets, deregulation, corrections, education top Ducey’s 2020 priorities
Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday gave off his sixth State of the State address, reflecting on the last decade and calling to further his universal occupational licensing initiative, trim government and support an economy that grows with Arizona.
Suit challenges legal process of Arizona administrative hearings
A Washington, D.C. organization is challenging the ability of the heads of state agencies in Arizona to discard the conclusions of independent hearing officers.
Ninth Circuit allows lawsuit against DCS to proceed as class-action
The state Department of Child Safety has to defend how it handles the more than 14,000 children in foster care now and all those who will be there in the future.
Lawmaker seeks more oversight of Southwest Key
A Republican lawmaker wants the state to have greater oversight of Southwest Key facilities after the shelters for migrant children were thrust into the national spotlight following reports of sexual abuse at some Arizona shelters.
Ducey proposes pay raises for nearly half of state employees in $11.4 billion budget
Gov. Doug Ducey wants to grant pay raises to nearly half of all state employees, with an emphasis on boosting salaries for law enforcement and corrections officers.
Ducey to keep troops at border despite Trump’s family separation policy
Gov. Doug Ducey won't withdraw National Guard troops from the border even though he objects to President Trump's policy of separating children from their families.