Author

Reporter Jerod MacDonald-Evoy joined the Arizona Mirror from the Arizona Republic, where he spent 4 years covering everything from dark money in politics to Catholic priest sexual abuse scandals. He brings strong watchdog sensibilities and creative storytelling skills to the Arizona Mirror.
SRP wants you to have a smart thermostat. Here are the risks.
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 13, 2019
One of Arizona’s largest utilities is encouraging customers to purchase smart thermostats that researchers say are vulnerable to hackers. The Salt River Project, which supplies water and power to more than 1 million people, is offering rebates and a bill credit to customers who buy these devices to control energy use. But security researchers and […]
State didn’t collect $36 million in drug rebates, federal audit finds
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 11, 2019
A federal audit of Arizona’s Health Care Cost Containment System, commonly referred to as AHCCCS, found that the state missed out on $36 million in rebates on drugs over a three year period due in part to not having proper systems in place to look for said rebates.
Bill aimed at marijuana testing, reducing costs becomes law
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 7, 2019
Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law Friday a bill that will make medical marijuana facilities in Arizona test their products and also decrease the cost to be a medical marijuana patient.
Ducey signs bill making Section 8 not count as rent in eviction cases
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 7, 2019
Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday signed a bill that will give landlords the ability to evict tenants who pay their rents with assistance from the federal government’s Section 8 housing voucher program.
Plane that crashed in Gilbert in 2016 brought down by fireworks
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 4, 2019
The National Transportation Safety Board last month released its final report on a plane crash in Gilbert in 2016 in which a small single-engine plane carrying skydivers plummeted into a couple’s home.
Hispanic churches file federal lawsuit against anti-immigrant Arizona ‘patriot’ groups
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy and Laura Gómez - June 4, 2019
A network of small Hispanic churches that for months have welcomed and aided migrant families who have been processed by federal immigration officials on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit against two Arizona anti-immigrant groups.
House GOP leader wants to bar cities from stopping private wall construction
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - June 3, 2019
House Majority Leader Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, is planning to propose legislation next session that would allow for private groups to build a wall along the border on private land, regardless of whether city or county zoning allows such structures.
Ducey to decide fate of bill making Section 8 not count as rent in eviction cases
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - May 29, 2019
Late last week, in the waning days of the legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill that would give landlords the ability to evict tenants who pay their rents with assistance from the federal government’s Section 8 housing voucher program. Rep. Ben Toma, R-Peoria, said previously that he introduced House Bill 2358 at the request of […]
Ducey announces childhood sexual abuse task force
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - May 28, 2019
Gov. Doug Ducey announced that he will create a task force to look into cases of childhood sexual abuse and help guide lawmakers on possible changes to state law that aid victims in Arizona. Ducey made the announcement at the Executive Tower on Monday with Republican Sens. Paul Boyer and Heather Carter at his side […]
Supreme Court: ‘All parts’ of marijuana plant protected by medical marijuana law
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - May 28, 2019
The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that marijuana extracts sold by dispensaries and used by medical marijuana patients are legal and are covered by Arizona’s voter-approved medical marijuana law.
Budget impasse continues in Senate after day of negotiating
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - May 25, 2019
The Arizona Senate stalled on passing the state budget Saturday as a split among Republicans left leaders scrambling, and so far failing, to find the needed votes to pass the $11.8 billion spending plan that has already been approved by the House of Representatives. “We’re sorry we didn’t get more done today,” Senate President Karen […]
AZ House approves budget to force Senate action, despite holdouts
By: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy - May 25, 2019
Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives voted on a state budget deep into the night Friday, approving an $11.8 billion spending plan and sending it to the Senate, where several Republican continue to hold out in search of various policy changes.