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Tribal boarding schools much improved, but legacy of old schools remains
WASHINGTON – Pope Francis apologized. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland called it a “heartbreaking” part of U.S. history. Congress is considering legislation to atone for the government’s actions. Few dispute that Indian boarding schools led to more than a century of abuse, systematically seizing Indigenous land, separating children from their families, destroying communities and working to […]
Gabby Giffords goes from advocate to White House honoree to, now, film subject
WASHINGTON – It’s been a good month for Gabrielle Giffords. The former Arizona representative-turned-gun-reform-advocate was on hand last month as the most significant gun-control legislation in decades was signed into law. She was honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom last week. And Friday was the official opening of the documentary about her fight back […]
New Museum of the American Latino has first exhibit in Smithsonian space
WASHINGTON – The dusty backpack and sneakers left in the Sonoran Desert by a migrant are displayed right between the multicolored graduation stole and the stylized “tree of life” adorned with images of historic Latino figures. It’s a lot to pack into one exhibit. But “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States” has a big […]
McCain, Giffords to be honored next week with Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON – Arizona icons Gabrielle Giffords and the late John McCain were among the 17 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom announced Friday by the Biden administration. Also in the group is Khizr Khan, a Gold Star father who rose to prominence defending McCain against attacks by then-candidate Donald Trump. Khan said Friday that […]
Arizona again near bottom of states for per pupil spending, Census says
WASHINGTON – Arizona was again among the worst states in the nation for per pupil spending on K-12 education in 2020, a ranking that advocates said was embarrassing but not surprising. The numbers from a recent Census Bureau report said Arizona spent $8,785 per pupil in 2020, ahead of only Utah and Idaho that year. And it […]