Pandemic, culture wars revive ‘school choice’ policy push
With memories fresh from pandemic-era school closures and curriculum battles — particularly over how matters of gender and race are taught — legions of parents are trekking to the marble floors of their state Capitols to fight to create education savings accounts, also known as ESAs. Such accounts exist in Arizona and West Virginia, though Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs argues the dollars would be b[...]
ACLU sues city of Phoenix to stop sweeps of homeless camp
The ACLU of Arizona says it is suing the city of Phoenix in order to block resumed sweeps of a huge homeless encampment downtown that they say has displaced people and destroyed identification documents, prescription medications and other belongings.
‘Integrity bulletins’ focus on police misconduct
Providing public information about police misconduct records can be a messy process but bulletins in Arizona and other states aim to keep residents informed of these issues.
Arizona hopes to reduce enormous teacher shortage through mentoring, paid tuition
With schools striving to get back to full swing, districts across Arizona continue to struggle with a severe shortage of teachers and administrators – and it’s the students who suffer most.
Fighting bogus claims a growing priority in election offices
Election officials preparing for the rapidly approaching midterm elections have one more headache: trying to combat misinformation that sows distrust about voting and results while fueling vitriol aimed at rank-and-file election workers.
Will voters escaping to Arizona turn us blue?
I've noticed a curious trend this summer in Phoenix. Moving trucks, dozens of them. Plenty of folks love to move here, but it is unusual to see this many when temperatures are regularly topping 110 degrees. I've also noticed far more cars than I typically do with California, Oregon and Washington license plates.
Arizona projected to gain seat in U.S. House
It's beginning to look like Arizona's going to have a bit more congressional clout after 2022.
Business group asks Congress for protection for marijuana
A group representing marijuana business owners in the West is urging Congress to include language in a government spending bill that would protect pot operations.
Feds providing $50M for Western water-saving projects
The U.S. government will invest nearly $50 million in water conservation and reuse projects in 12 drought-stricken Western states, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced Wednesday.
Giffords to begin 9-state tour on women, guns
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords will begin a nine-state tour in Maine, where she will advocate for tougher gun laws that she says will help protect women and families.
The untold story behind medical marijuana’s success
Despite all the coverage of “medical” marijuana in Arizona, the news media’s own role in promoting this law has gone unreported. Yet it’s an important story.
Notable laws nationally add restrictions to life in 2013
In California, a new law makes it a crime for a dog to pursue a bear or bobcat at any time.
In Illinois, it’s now illegal to sell, trade or distribute shark fins.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has compiled a list of laws around the country that went into effect Jan. 1. Here are others, as described by the NCSL.


















