Over par: Arizona’s golf scene thrives during COVID-19 pandemic
PHOENIX – Even as courses throughout Arizona stayed open, COVID-19 robbed local golfers of some of the smaller delights of a day at the links. For example, pulling the flagstick is a sign that a player is about to accomplish the challenging feat of completing a hole. However, many courses have placed a circular piece…
Ducey Praises Vaccine’s Arrival but Refuses Further Mitigation To Slow COVID-19 Spread
Gov. Doug Ducey praised the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona at a news conference Wednesday as the substantial spread of the virus rages through the state. Ducey said 10 healthcare workers, including the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services Dr. Cara Christ, will be the first people in Arizona to receive…
Yelp-like reviews for social justice? ASU civil rights center seeks ways to target systemic inequality
PHOENIX – Attorney Ehsan Zaffar is leading an initiative to establish a civil rights center at Arizona State University to target inequality in the U.S. To do so, Zaffar envisions a range of products, services and programs – perhaps including Yelp-like reviews of how Arizona companies address social justice issues. “Inequality is the greatest social, political,…
Pima County Health Director Tests Positive for COVID
Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen has tested positive for COVID-19, part of an apparent outbreak within the department. “This just goes to prove that when there is substantial community spread of the virus like we’re experiencing now throughout the county, the virus can get into your homes and places of work any…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Wednesday, Dec. 16: 4848 New cases, 108 New Deaths Reported Today; Hospitals Nearing Capacity; Pima County Under Curfew; First Vaccine Shots Scheduled for Tomorrow
With more than 4,800 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 429,000 as of Wednesday, Dec. 16, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 711 new cases today, has seen 54,957 of the state’s 429,219 confirmed cases. With 108 new deaths reported today, a…
High-stakes races sparked high-dollar giving by Arizona voters in 2020
WASHINGTON – Arizonans were heavily invested in this fall’s elections in more ways than one, donating a total of at least $110 million to support candidates and high-profile ballot initiatives. That was a sharp increase from the $60 million that state voters donated just four years ago. And the increases this year were seen across…
Botanical Gardens’ Luminaria Nights becomes Winter ‘Wanderland’
The annual Luminaria Nights celebration is one of Tucson Botanical Gardens’ largest events. The gardens, illuminated by thousands of paper lanterns, are filled with holiday decorations, local musicians, food and drinks, and even Santa. COVID-19 threatened to entirely remove this beloved event from the calendar. But TBG reworked their plans and are instead hosting “Wanderland,”…
County Instates Mandatory Curfew Restrictions to Combat COVID-19
Pima County’s voluntary curfew has now become mandatory. The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to instate a mandatory 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew throughout the county in an attempt to combat Southern Arizona’s rising number of coronavirus cases. Supervisor Steve Christy and outgoing Supervisor Ally Miller, who attended her last board meeting…
How a small Arizona town saved itself from the COVID-19 food crisis
Ajo, Arizona, is an unincorporated community 110 miles south of Phoenix. It borders the Tohono O’odham Indian Nation, serving as a hub for supplies for some of the 7,500 people who live on the reservation. The Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture is a nonprofit working in agricultural education, culturally appropriate food and economic development. When…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Tuesday, Dec. 15: More Than 4100 New Cases Today; Total Number of AZ Cases Surpasses 424K; Vaccine on the Way; Hospitals Nearing Capacity; Tucson Under Curfew
With more than 4,100 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 424,000 as of Tuesday, Dec. 15, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 798 new cases today, has seen 54,246 of the state’s 424,382 confirmed cases. With 64 new deaths reported today, a…
‘I wanted to do more than hold a sign’: Street medic crew forms out of Black Lives Matter protests
PHOENIX – Three nights after George Floyd suffocated when a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, Black Lives Matter supporters rallied in downtown Phoenix. From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., hundreds of people were on the streets chanting, “What’s his name? George Floyd!” and “Hands up, don’t shoot!”…
Pima County healthcare workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday
Pima County is expected to receive 11,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 Pfizer on Thursday that will go to healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents and staff, the Pima County Health Department announced at a news conference this morning. The vaccine prioritization plan includes three phases with the most high-risk individuals receiving the vaccine first,…
Invisible Chapters: Writing Tucson’s Black community into the stories of libraries, bookstores and publishing
TUCSON – One Saturday morning, a mother and father take their daughter to the public library for the first time. The young girl walks around her parents to look at the librarian at the front desk, gazing at another Black person in a public space that’s usually occupied by white people. “Do you work here?”…
Danehy: Surprising No One, UA Fires Kevin Sumlin After Brutal 70-7 Loss to ASU
Some might say that they knew immediately, when, in Kevin Sumlin’s first game as Arizona football coach, his Wildcats played like dookie. Sloppy and listless, unable to take advantage of late-game opportunities, and having to deal with a suddenly mercurial quarterback who quite obviously had seen his own picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated,…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Monday, Dec. 14: Nearly 12K New Cases Today; Total Number of AZ Cases Soars Past 420K; Pima County Hits 800 deaths; Hospitals Near Capacity; Tucson Under Curfew
With nearly 12,000 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 420,000 as of Monday, Dec. 14, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 1,801 new cases today, has seen 53,448 of the state’s 420,248 confirmed cases. A total of 7,358 Arizonans had died after…
As legal challenges continue to fall, Biden electors set to meet, vote
WASHINGTON – Add one more thing to the list of normal activities that have been upended in 2020 – the job of the state’s presidential electors. What is normally a mundane and largely ceremonial task, often handed out as a reward for loyal party service, has been thrust into the spotlight this year by ongoing…
Movie Roundup: Clooney, Blunt and Rockslides Highlight This Week at the Movies
Films continue to screen indoors, outdoors and on home screens here in the Tucson area as the holiday season rolls on. Plenty of chances to fuel your brains with wholesome, nutritional, mind-enhancing flicks. This week at local theaters: BREAKING SURFACE—streaming at The Loft Cinema A few days after Christmas, half-sisters Ida and Tuva set out…
TUSD Board Member/County Supervisor-Elect Adelita Grijalva Has Tested Positive for COVID-19
TUSD Board member Adelita Grijalva, who just won a seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors last month, announced tonight that she has tested positive for COVID-19. Grijalva revealed in a press release that she had tested positive on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and is now isolating in Tucson. Grijalva said she was asymptomatic and learned…
Hospitals Plead with Public as ICU Space Runs Out, COVID-19 Cases Surge: ‘We Are at a Breaking Point’
The Pima County Health Department discussed the critical nature of COVID-19 throughout the county at a press conference today after it issued a joint letter signed by 26 representatives from the health department, hospitals and fire districts warning residents of disastrous consequences if the spread of the virus continues at its current rate. Hospitals across…
New bill proposes stopping unemployment agencies that make mistakes from demanding money back
State unemployment agencies have been demanding recipients repay thousands of dollars, even if the agency made the mistake and the money’s already been spent. After ProPublica investigated the practice, legislators are trying to end it. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash. and Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., have introduced a bill that would shield unemployed workers from…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Friday, Dec. 11: Nearly 7K New Cases Reported Today; Death Toll Rises by 91; Hospitals Near Capacity; Tucson Under Curfew
With more than nearly 7,000 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 394,000 as of Friday, Dec. 11, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 866 new cases today, has seen 49,637 of the state’s 394,512 confirmed cases. With 91 new deaths reported today,…
Three Arizona tribal leaders on diverse slate of 11 electoral voters
WASHINGTON – In what a former Arizona elector called “a sweet irony,” the slate of 11 Democratic presidential electors who will cast Arizona’s Electoral College votes Monday includes three tribal leaders. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. will join eight…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Thursday, Dec. 10: Nearly 5K New Cases Reported Today; Death Toll Rises by 73; TMC Nurses Ask Public to Take More Precautions; Record Number of People Visit ERs; Tucson Under Curfew
With more than 4,400 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 387,000 as of Thursday, Dec. 10, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 866 new cases today, has seen 48,436 of the state’s 387,529 confirmed cases. With 73 new deaths reported today, a…
House calls: Arizona lawmakers land in COVID-19 quarantine more often
WASHINGTON – Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, said it can be hard to be socially distant when a large part of your job requires being social. From interacting with constituents to boarding planes between D.C. and Arizona to voting on the House floor, Lesko said it’s challenging for members of Congress to limit possible exposure to…
Giving & Tax Guide: Nonprofits face challenges in 2020
It’s no understatement to say that most – if not all – of us can’t wait for the moment we slam the door on 2020. As we move into the new year, hopes rise for vaccines to end the fear and suffering experienced by too many individuals and families and to put us on a…
Giving & Tax Guide: Help local nonprofits survive an unprecedented year
With thousands of nonprofit organizations, Tucson regularly ranks as one of the most charitable cities in the country. Hundreds of these are even locally focused, meaning your contributions can directly feedback into the community. It’s no surprise to learn 2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for the nonprofit sector. With economic downturns, people are…
Giving & Tax Guide: Community Food Bank needs volunteers this holiday season
As the holiday season approaches, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is asking the community to consider volunteering their time to help serve those in need across the Old Pueblo. Executive Director Michael McDonald said he expects the need for their services to increase by 30% during this season as compared to last year’s…
Giving & Tax Guide: Foundation aids local teachers and students
For nearly 40 years, the nonprofit organization known as the Amphi Foundation has raised funds to help students in need throughout the Amphitheater Public School District. Every year, the foundation invests around $250,000 in the district where nearly half of the student population qualifies for free and reduced benefits, creating programs providing resources for student…
Giving & Tax Guide: Support your favorite nonprofit this holiday season, and take advantage of these tax breaks
In 2020, our community faced a challenge unlike anything we’ve faced before. The cumulative impact of the pandemic has affected every corner of our economy and community. As we come to the end of year, we would like to thank all the donors that have stepped up during this difficult time and encourage all of…
Ganja Gift Guide 2020: For the Cardholder on Your List
With just two weeks of shopping left until the Big Day, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And while the stocking stuffers we are highlighting this year can only be purchased by cardholders and can only be given to cardholders (IT’S THE LAW!), these fine products and many more will soon be available…
Editor’s Note: Lend a Helping Hand
The holiday season of giving is upon us. So this week, we’re highlighting the challenges facing Tucson’s large nonprofit community, which helps Southern Arizonans in crucial and diverse ways. We hope you’ll find one that deserves your support—especially since with many of them, you can get a dollar-for-dollar return on your contribution on your state…
Danehy: Tom Mulls Trump’s Crazy Legal Crusade
Fifty years from now, when people look back, they will probably conclude that November of 2020 was one of the most dangerous months in the history of our country. In many ways, it was one of our finest hours. A record number of Americans showed up to vote as a pandemic raged unchecked (and, officially,…
