Explore

Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
New Surprise tool tracks ICE facility updates. How to use it

New Surprise tool tracks ICE facility updates. How to use it

Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor said the city launched a website to provide "verified, factual information" about ICE's plans for a detention center.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Governor Katie Hobbs Considers DOJ Partnership to Combat Healthcare Fraud in Arizona

Governor Katie Hobbs Considers DOJ Partnership to Combat Healthcare Fraud in Arizona

Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona is considering entering a data-sharing partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice to combat healthcare fraud. This consideration follows calls from Arizona Republican lawmakers urging the governor to join other states in sharing publicly available information with the DOJ to identify and prevent fraud in Medicaid and other public benefit programs. The DOJ's National Fraud Enforcement Division has already established such agreements with several states, all led by Republican governors. While Governor Hobbs has not opposed the idea, her administration emphasizes that fighting healthcare fraud has been a priority since her tenure began.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Rep. Alma Hernandez embraces term limits despite Democratic criticism

Rep. Alma Hernandez embraces term limits despite Democratic criticism

Arizona lawmaker Alma Hernandez faces backlash from Democrats for her push to implement congressional term limits.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Senators Propose State-Sponsored Migrant Worker Visa Program

Senators Propose State-Sponsored Migrant Worker Visa Program

Senator John Curtis of Utah, alongside Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, has introduced a bipartisan bill to create a state-sponsored migrant worker visa program. This legislation aims to allow states to manage their own guest-worker programs to address local labor shortages. The proposal mirrors a 2011 Utah initiative that never received federal approval. The bill would enable states to issue visas for temporary workers, with a pathway to legal status for those residing in the U.S. for over a decade. The program includes rigorous federal vetting and compliance measures to prevent visa overstays.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Investigation into Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Nears Conclusion Amid Election Campaign

Investigation into Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Nears Conclusion Amid Election Campaign

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that the criminal investigation into Governor Katie Hobbs' ties to a state contractor is nearing its conclusion. The investigation focuses on allegations that Sunshine Residential Homes, a foster care provider, received preferential treatment after donating $400,000 to Hobbs and the Democratic Party. Mayes indicated that results are expected before the November election, though she did not confirm whether Hobbs would be interviewed as part of the probe. This investigation has become a focal point in the gubernatorial race, with Republican nominee Andy Biggs using it to criticize Hobbs, accusing her of engaging in a 'pay-to-play' scheme.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
John Giles has crossed party lines before. Now he's Katie Hobbs' likely running mate

John Giles has crossed party lines before. Now he's Katie Hobbs' likely running mate

Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, may select former Mesa Mayor John Giles, a moderate Republican, as her running mate.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Arizona Cities Face Colorado River Water Cuts Amid Federal Plans

Arizona Cities Face Colorado River Water Cuts Amid Federal Plans

The federal government is poised to announce significant cutbacks for users of the Colorado River, impacting cities in the Phoenix area. Despite these anticipated reductions, local officials assure that water supplies will remain stable. The Colorado River has been experiencing shortages due to climate change and prolonged drought, prompting various plans to manage demand. The Interior Department has proposed a plan that could reduce water supply for Arizona, California, and Nevada by up to 40%. Arizona officials have criticized the plan, warning of potential economic devastation and urging for a counterproposal to mitigate the impact. Cities in the Phoenix area have been preparing for such scenarios by diversifying water sources, including utilizing underground aquifers and the Salt River. The Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP) has been introduced to facilitate water transfers between cities, ensuring that those with surplus can support those in need.
Nashville Tennessean Nashville Tennessean
Tennessee will follow Congress to make daylight saving time permanent

Tennessee will follow Congress to make daylight saving time permanent

Daylight saving time could soon be coming to an end in Tennessee, should Congress pass one particular bill before November.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Ralph Heap Faces Allegations Over Campaign Sign Funding in Arizona Corporation Commission Race

Ralph Heap Faces Allegations Over Campaign Sign Funding in Arizona Corporation Commission Race

Ralph Heap, a Republican candidate for the Arizona Corporation Commission, is under scrutiny for allegedly failing to report the funding sources for his campaign signs. Heap, who initially ran as a Clean Elections candidate, is accused of not disclosing who paid for hundreds of signs used during the primary election. The Clean Elections Commission requires candidates to adhere to strict funding rules, which Heap allegedly violated by not signing an affidavit confirming accurate financial disclosures. A complaint has been filed by Lisa Everett, a Republican, questioning the legality of Heap's campaign expenditures.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Protesters Occupy 200-Year-Old Tree at US-Mexico Border to Halt Destruction for Wall Construction

Protesters Occupy 200-Year-Old Tree at US-Mexico Border to Halt Destruction for Wall Construction

In Lochiel, Arizona, protesters have initiated a 'tree sit' to prevent the destruction of a 200-year-old cottonwood tree, part of a grove threatened by the construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. The protest, which has grown to include several dozen participants, aims to protect the last remaining ancient cottonwood in the area, referred to by locals as the 'grandmothers.' The tree is situated in a region known for its ecological significance, serving as a vital wildlife corridor. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, one individual was briefly detained but released without charges. The demonstration has garnered national attention, with environmental activists demanding that the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency spare the cottonwoods.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Federal Stopgap Plan Imposes Water Cuts on California Amid Colorado River Dispute

Federal Stopgap Plan Imposes Water Cuts on California Amid Colorado River Dispute

The federal government is set to impose a stopgap plan that will cut California's water supply from the Colorado River by 10% through 2028. This decision comes after states failed to reach a consensus on managing the river's dwindling resources. The cuts, affecting California, Arizona, and Nevada, are part of a broader federal framework to address the ongoing water crisis. The plan highlights the challenges in negotiating water rights among the Colorado River basin states, as major reservoirs reach record low levels. The lack of a long-term agreement leaves California's water suppliers in a state of uncertainty, complicating future planning and infrastructure investments.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Mayes expects Hobbs-Sunshine Residential probe done before election

Mayes expects Hobbs-Sunshine Residential probe done before election

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes expects to finish a criminal probe into Gov. Katie Hobbs' ties to a donor before Election Day.