Briefs
AG’s Office: Hobbs can’t legally shut down online signature portal
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs will be breaking the law if she shuts down the system that allows congressional and legislative candidates to collect signatures online so they can qualify for the ballot, the Attorney General’s Office warned Tuesday. In a letter to Bo Dul, Hobbs’ general counsel and election policy advisor, the Attorney General’s […]
A day early, Arizonans can order free at-home COVID-19 test kits
Arizonans can now receive free at-home COVID-19 tests alongside their online purchase packages, a day earlier than initially planned. Each household can order up to four tests via the U.S. Postal Service website. Last week, the Biden Administration announced it was purchasing 1 billion tests, half of which would be available to order on Jan. […]
Forest Service in ‘paradigm shift’ to use logging, controlled burns to prevent wildfires
The Biden administration will use $3 billion from last year’s infrastructure law to revamp the federal approach to wildfire management, introducing a 10-year plan to deal with the large swaths of the West scientists consider most at risk of destructive blazes. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, announced the new strategy in Phoenix, […]
Online orders for free at-home COVID tests to begin Jan. 19
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Friday launched a new website for Americans to request up to four free COVID-19 tests per household. The administration is buying 1 billion at-home rapid COVID-19 tests, and Americans will be able to begin ordering the tests online on Jan. 19 at COVIDtests.gov. This is part of the administration’s effort […]
Wendy Rogers raises record-breaking $2.5 million for re-election
The most impressive fundraising number in the 2022 election cycle belongs not to a gubernatorial candidate or U.S. Senate hopeful, but to a first-term state senator seeking re-election. Sen. Wendy Rogers, a Flagstaff Republican who has made herself into a national figure by falsely claiming the 2020 election was rigged against former President Donald Trump, […]
With Arizona’s health care system at a breaking point, experts plead for vaccinations, mask use and distancing
As the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread like wildfire in Arizona and shatter previous records in the pandemic, health experts are pleading with people to vaccinate, mask up and socially distance themselves. “You eat a heart healthy diet, you improve your chances of not dying from heart disease by 10 to 15%. The […]
Congressional Black Caucus calls for Senate action on voting rights
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Senate Democrats on Thursday to push for the swift passage of two voting rights bills, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus are applying pressure for action as well. During a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday, caucus Chair Joyce Beatty said that members […]
Kari Lake raises nearly $1.5 million for GOP gubernatorial primary
Buoyed by former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Kari Lake raised nearly $1.5 million since kicking off her campaign in June. Lake, a former Fox 10 anchor, announced her fundraising total on Wednesday, saying she’d received contributions from more than 9,000 people. “We have built a grassroots fundraising machine from scratch, despite the […]
Arizona cannabis sales top $1.2 billion in first 11 months of 2021
Arizona cannabis sales continued on an upward trajectory in 2021, with the Arizona Department of Revenue reporting more than $1.23 billion in combined cannabis sales through the first 11 months of the year. In November, adult-use recreational cannabis sales hit a new peak and crossed $60 million for the first time. Medical sales have fluctuated […]
Interior Department fielding nominations for committee to replace derogatory names
The U.S. Department of the Interior is moving forward on its plan to replace derogatory names of places on federal lands and is seeking nominations for members of the new Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place-Names. This comes nearly two months after Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland declared “squaw” to be a derogatory term […]
Ducey is the first governor in decades to give an eighth State of the State
One of Doug Ducey’s most historically noteworthy achievements may be simply lasting long enough as governor to give an eighth State of the State address, a feat no Arizona governor has accomplished in 36 years. In his speech on Monday, Ducey said he had the “unique privilege” of giving a State of the State speech […]
Theresa Hatathlie sworn in as newest member of the Senate
Less than two hours before the 2022 legislative session began, the Senate welcomed Theresa Hatathlie as its newest member. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors appointed Hatathlie, 52, to fill the District 7 Senate seat vacated last month by Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai, who resigned to take a job with the Biden administration at the U.S. […]