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Tucson Salvage
Grounded: Are the kids alright?
Mayor Romero Concerned About Reopening Dine-In Service Later This Month
Mayor Regina Romero said she is concerned about local restaurants potentially resuming dine-in service within the month in response to Governor Doug Ducey’s aspirational timeline to reopen eateries in upcoming weeks. “This is about how we prepare restaurant owners and their workers to reopen in a safe way,” Romero said. Gov. Ducey announced an aspirational…
Claytoonz: Where’s Mike Pence?
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AZ Stay-at-Home Order Extended Through May 15 But Some Biz Can Reopen Next Week
Gov. Doug Ducey announced Wednesday that Arizona’s stay-at-home order will extend through May 15 with modifications as the state implements a gradual, “phased” approach to reopening. “These habits we’ve acquired over the last 45 days will not be with us forever, but they will be with us for the time being,” Ducey said. Ducey said…
SBA Giving Small Lenders Special Priority In Processing PPP Applications Today
The Small Business Administration is giving special priority to small lenders with assets under $1 billion dollars today by only processing their clients’ Paycheck Protection Program applications until 8:59 p.m. Tucson time tonight. “In order to ensure special access to the PPP loan program for the smallest lenders and their small business customers, the SBA…
Mayors of Arizona’s Three Largest Cities Ask Ducey to Follow CDC Guidelines on Reopening
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero was joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans in asking Gov. Doug Ducey Wednesday afternoon to follow the Centers for Disease Control guidelines when considering when to re-open. The joint statement was issued less than an hour before Ducey is scheduled to speak at a press conference…
Mayor Romero & Supervisor Valadez: “We Urge Great Caution in Any Relaxation” of Ducey’s Stay-at-Home Order
With Gov. Doug Ducey announcing his plans for modifying Arizona’s Stay-at-Home order at a 3 p.m. presser today, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ramon Valadez say that it’s not yet time to open Arizona. The joint statement: Pima County and the City of Tucson are united in our concern…
What Antibody Studies Can Tell You — and More Importantly, What They Can’t
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. In the past two weeks, researchers across America have begun announcing results from studies showing that there have been many more coronavirus infections in their communities than were previously recorded. Findings have come…
Health Insurers to Investors: We’re Good. Health Insurers to Lawmakers: Please Help.
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Executives at Cigna, the health insurance giant, have signaled to investors that the coronavirus pandemic isn’t hurting the company’s business and might actually be a boon. But that hasn’t stopped the trade group…
One Thing the Pandemic Hasn’t Stopped: Aggressive Medical-Debt Collection
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Darcel Richardson knows she’s fortunate in one sense: She still has her job as a vocational counselor in Baltimore. But despite that, she won’t be able to make her rent payment this month…
Jobless benefits expand next month, but advocates worry it’s not enough
TEMPE – Arizona unemployment benefits will expand next month to cover workers who are not now eligible, to last longer than before and to pay more in weekly benefits to some jobless workers. But economists and advocates say that while the change is welcome – it’s probably too little, and too late. The changes, which…
UA Projects a $250 Million Drop in Revenue Thanks to COVID-19
The UA can expect a $250 million drop in revenue along with a significant drop in new enrollment of both in-state and out-of-state students, according to UA President Robert C. Robbins. Robbins delivered the grim news via an April 29 email to faculty and staff. The UA is predicting: • $250 million loss in revenue…
Despite funds, lawmakers say tribes still shortchanged in COVID-19 aid
TEMPE – Native American tribes have been severely hit by the coronavirus but have received only a fraction of the help they need from the federal government, said lawmakers, who called the impact on businesses and health on reservations “particularly worrisome.” The National Congress of American Indians town hall on the congressional response to COVID-19…
COVID-19 in Arizona: Mayors Will Await Governor’s Lead on Reopening State
PHOENIX – During an online roundtable discussion Tuesday, four Arizona mayors discussed economic challenges facing their cities as they await Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision on reopening the state. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has requested that Ducey allow mayors to be a part of the decision process on whether to extend or keep the stay-at-home order,…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup: Arizona Cases Top 7,200; Death Toll Rises to More than 300; Ducey Decision Looms on Last Day of Stay-at-Home Order
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona topped 7,000 as of Wednesday, April 29, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 1,215 of the state’s 7,202 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 304 people statewide, including 80 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa…
Claytoonz: Butt Bulb
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Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Tuesday, April 28: What We’ve Covered Today
Here’s a roundup of all the news we’ve touched on today: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 6,948 as of Tuesday, April 28, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. The Pima County Health Department will be led by former Assistant U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Theresa Cullen.…
Comcast Provides Free WiFi to Help Students Finish School Year
In mid-March, Comcast responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by promising to not cut its Xfinity internet and mobile services for nonpayment and would begin waiving late fees if customers indicated that they could not pay their bills. Comcast gave unlimited data to all customers, created public WiFi hotspots in business and outdoor locations across the…
“There’s No Such Thing as Returning to Normal”: We Answered Your Questions About Reopening America
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. As some governors prepare to relax social distancing restrictions in their states, ProPublica hosted a digital event on Thursday answering your questions on how to safely leave home, reopen businesses and return to…
Upstart head start: Some challengers better funded than incumbents
TEMPE – The coronavirus had already made 2020 an unusual election year when campaign finance reports added another twist, showing challengers in some congressional races raising far more than the incumbents they hope to unseat. Democratic hopeful Mark Kelly continued to lead all Senate candidates, bringing in $11 million in the first quarter of 2020…
8 Ways to Teach Kids to Manage Money as Coronavirus Keeps Families at Home
With Arizona schools closed indefinitely, children have plenty of time on their hands – and parents are looking for teachable moments. One subject that’s not taught in most schools is money and how to earn it, spend it, share it and save it. Gregg Murset of Scottsdale, a certified financial planner and father of six,…
COVID-19 in Arizona: ‘Testing blitz’ announced to check 60,000 more Arizonans
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Pima County Hires New Health Director, Dr. Theresa Cullen
The Pima County Health Department will be led by former Assistant U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Theresa Cullen on June 7 after county administrator Chuck Huckelberry announced the hiring on Monday. Cullen will replace interim health director Dr. Bob England, who came out of retirement to fill the role until the county replaced Marcy Flanagan, PhD.…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Tuesday, April 28: State’s Confirmed Cases Rise To 6,900; Death Toll Rises to 293
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 6,948 as of Tuesday, April 28, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 1,188 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 293 people statewide, including 76 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of…
Claytoonz: Damn Yankees
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Pima County Postpones Registration for Community Center Summer Camp
Parents hoping to have their children registered for one of Pima County’s summer camp programs will have to wait a while after the department postponed registration at seven of its community centers on Monday. The delay will affect programs at the Catalina, Ellie Towne Flowing Wells, Littletown, Robles Ranch, Arivaca, Drexel Heights, and Picture Rocks…
UA to Begin State-Funded COVID-19 Testing April 30
The University of Arizona will soon begin analyzing hundreds of thousands of blood samples from healthcare workers and first responders to determine COVID-19 exposure this week as part of a $3.5 million partnership with the state. As previously reported by Tucson Local Media, the university was awarded the funding for 250,000 tests. The first phase…
Government Aid Provides Much-Needed Help to Southern Arizona Food Banks
Southern Arizona food banks are receiving much-needed support from both Pima County and Santa Cruz County along with the Arizona National Guard to help serve the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson and Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce Bracker have teamed up to address the needs of not only their respective…
COVID-19 Forces Progress in Reducing County Jail Population
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the county’s ongoing efforts to reduce the Pima County jail population. The average daily population was 1,428 as of last week. Before the pandemic, the jail had an ADP of around 1,900, according to April 25 memo from Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry to the Board of Supervisors. Huckelberry said…
Women’s Foundation Annual Fundraising Event Goes Digital
The Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona had a big fundraising event scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, that was swiftly canceled—along with all the other fun spring events in Tucson—because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But in an effort to still raise money for groups and initiatives that work to improve the quality of life for local…
Tips For Tucson Reminds Us To Tip Our Local Bartender And Server Community!
Want to help out service industry workers across Pima County who are hurting as the governor-mandated shutdown continues? A local barman has made it easy for the public to tip their favorite bartender or server using the interwebs. The group is called Tips for Tucson, hosted by a Facebook page and a google docs spreadsheet.…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 Roundup for Monday, April 27: State’s Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Rise to 6,716; 275 Now Dead After Contracting Virus; Ducey Faces Big Decision on Stay-at-Home Order This Week
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 6,716 as of Monday, April 27, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 1,164 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 275 people statewide, including 76 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of…
Claytoonz: Scarfing Some MAGA
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Claytoonz: Trumpy Bubbles
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School Leaders Say Move to Distance Learning Highlights Digital Divide
TEMPE – The scramble to deliver lessons remotely because of COVID-19 has been a challenge for all schools in the state, but a particularly difficult one for districts on the wrong side of the digital divide, school leaders said this week. While some districts have had a relatively smooth transition, others have found themselves forced…
Congressman Raul Grijalva: Halt Border Wall Construction During COVID-19
Today Congressman Raúl Grijalva joined with a number of border groups to call for a suspension on construction of the border wall during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press conference call, they said the construction only puts vulnerable communities further at risk and all federal resources should be aimed at fighting the pandemic. While President…
SBA To Resume Accepting PPP Loan Applications On Monday
The Small Business Administration will begin accepting Paycheck Protection Program loans next week after President Donald Trump signed a $480 billion relief package into law on Friday, according to a joint statement released by the SBA and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. “The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday,…
Madaras Gallery Keeping Art Alive During Quarantine
If your company thrives on community events and foot traffic, the COVID-19 pandemic basically dammed revenue streams and sent business plans out the window. Such was the case for Madaras Gallery, owned and operated by local artist Diana Madaras, when President Donald Trump delivered his speech at the March 17 Coronavirus Task Force press briefing.…
Millions of People Face Stimulus Check Delays for a Strange Reason: They Are Poor
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Last week, a group of angry and desperate Citi Tax Financial customers gathered outside the company’s storefront in Augusta, Georgia. Millions of Americans had received a big deposit from the IRS in their…
FC Tucson Finalist in 2020 USL eCup Rocket League Tournament
If you’re craving sports right now, you might be surprised to learn that some are still going – in a more virtual format. For instance, NASCAR has gone online to iRacing, Formula 1 had its own virtual Grand Prix, and even boxing fought it out in a video game format. Now, after weeks of bouts…
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Providers Rely on Telehealth During COVID-19
Behavioral health providers will be playing a crucial role as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt daily life. Some have already found that the isolation stemming from social distancing guidelines is causing an increase in depression and anxiety symptoms, and folks who already had mental health or substance abuse issues before the pandemic are facing…
House OKs $484 billion in COVID-19 relief, loans could go out this week
WASHINGTON – Money could start flowing to distressed small businesses as early as this week, after the House overwhelmingly approved a $484 billion measure that refills the exhausted Paycheck Protection Program and adds funds for hospitals and other services. The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act passed 388-5 Thursday during an unusual session…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup: Confirmed Cases in AZ Hit 6,000; 266 Now Dead; New Money for Loans for Small Biz; Stay at Home Some More This Weekend
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 6,045 as of Friday, April 24, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 1,060 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 266 people statewide, including 74 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of…
Claytoonz: Dedicated Firing
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Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Thursday, April 23: What We’ve Covered Today
Good evening all! We’re starting to wind down the stay-at-home work week and head into another Friday, but first, let’s take a look at the stories that we covered today. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 5,769 as of Thursday, April 23, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of…
Board of Supervisors Candidates Split on County Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
With all five seats up for grabs in this year’s election, candidates for the board of Supervisors have a range of opinions on Pima County’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Some support the calls to stay at home and close or limit businesses, while others say that citizens should be free to make their own…
Casino Del Sol providing meals for healthcare professionals and first responders
The culinary staff at Casino Del Sol are staying busy despite the shutdown, preparing lunches for local healthcare professionals across the region. Over the next week, they will deliver approximately 3,000 meals. “Supporting our local community, especially those on the front lines, during this uncertain and difficult time is of the utmost importance to us…
Chamber of Commerce Leaders Urging Businesses to Apply For PPP Despite SBA Not Currently Accepting New Applications
Chamber of Commerce leaders in Pima County are urging business owners who haven’t filed a Paycheck Protection Program loan application with a financial institution to do so immediately ahead of the House of Representatives expected approval of $310 billion in additional funding Thursday. “In light of the potential news that an additional $310 billion will…
Summer Camp Programs Up in the Air During Outbreak Shutdown
Between balancing her work priorities from home and helping raise an 11-year-old, Tucson resident Michelle Ortiz said sending her youngest child to summer camp would be a welcome relief—though she’s not holding her breath. “A summer camp, or anything that would give her the opportunity to be engaged, be stimulated, play with and have social…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Update for Thursday, April 23: 5.7K Confirmed Cases in AZ; 249 Now Dead; UA Football Season Not Likely in Fall; Ducey Lifts Ban on Elective Surgery; County Creates “Back to Business” Task Force
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 5,769 as of Thursday, April 23, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 1,026 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 249 people statewide, including 70 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of…
New Kids on the Auction Block
Local 4-H and Future Farmers members move livestock sale online after Pima County Fair is canceled
MMJ: High Sign
initiative campaigns to request use of electronic signature gathering
Editor’s Note
Muchas Gracias
Southern Arizona COVID-19 Roundup
The COVID-19 stories we covered this week.
The Skinny
Your federal races in Southern Arizona are shaping up.
