Cover Story
Spark Joy By Voting in Tucson Weekly’s 2021 Cannabis Bowl!
High ho, high ho, it’s off to vote we go! With recreational marijuana now on the shelves of many local dispensaries, Tucson Weekly is launching the sixth annual Cannabis Bowl. We’re asking you to tell us your favorite strains, edibles, concentrates and more. Voting will continue through 11:59 on Sunday, March 28. Then we’ll print…
MOVIE ROUNDUP: One of 2020’s Best is Screening in Tucson
This week sees another 2020 buzz-worthy film hitting Tucson, and while it is available to stream on Hulu, seeing this one on a big screen in the out-of-doors would make for a very interesting viewing experience: REVIEW: NOMADLAND NOW SHOWING AT THE LOFT CINEMA AS PART OF THEIR OUTDOOR CINEMA SERIES (ALSO STREAMING ON HULU)…
‘The balance of risk has shifted’: Cancer screenings plunge during pandemic
PHOENIX – Cancer screenings in the U.S. have plunged since the start of the pandemic almost a year ago, prompting health advocates to increase calls for the public to stop postponing these potentially life-saving procedures. More than one-third of adults have failed to receive recommended cancer screenings during the pandemic, according to “Cancer Won’t Wait…
TUSD On Track to Bring Kids Back to Campus After Spring Break But “Teachers Are Not Happy”; Marana and Amphi Also Weighing Changes to On-Campus Options
TUSD remains on track to reopen its schools on Wednesday, March 24, for the first time since it went to remote learning after the March 2020 spring break. But TUSD Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo said teachers remained concerned about vaccination appointments and class sizes, among other issues. “I don’t think it’s any secret that our teachers…
CVS to Offer Free COVID Vaccines In Arizona
Eight CVS pharmacies throughout Arizona are set to begin offering COVID-19 vaccines starting Thursday, however, CVS is not yet announcing which locations. Company officials say this is to avoid “stores from being overwhelmed by those who may seek a vaccination without making an appointment,” but they have confirmed vaccinations will be offered in Pima, Maricopa,…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 24: FDA Says Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Ready for Emergency Use; Rate of New Cases Continues to Slow; Vaccine Limited but Here’s How To Set Up Appointments, COVID Tests
With 1,310 new cases reported today, the total number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases closed in on 812,000 as of Wednesday, Feb. 24, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 142 new cases today, has seen 108,772 of the state’s 811,968 confirmed cases. With 43 new deaths reported today,…
Sedentary and stressed? Get outside to improve health during COVID, experts advise
PHOENIX – Nearly a year of isolation and widespread closures has harmed the mental and physical health of many Americans. But Arizona state parks saw record visitation over parts of 2020 – a positive sign to experts urging people to get moving and get outside as COVID-19 continues to spread. Doctors have long touted the…
Pima Animal Care Center Giving Away Pet Supplies This Saturday
This Saturday, Feb. 27, the Pima Animal Care Center is hosting a pet supply distribution event at Mission Manor Elementary School (600 W. Santa Rosa St.) from 1 to 5 p.m. (or until supplies run out.) Items available will include collars, food, leashes, bowls, treats, toys, pet stairs and cat litter. There will also be some human-related…
‘Fertility Fraud’ Bill Passes Az. Senate, But Victims Say It Falls Short
After hearing the distressing story of a mother desperate to conceive children only to find out the artificial insemination treatments she received were sourced from the very doctor she entrusted to provide her sperm from an anonymous donor, Arizona Sen. Victoria Steele (D-Tucson) decided to use her position of power to help other victims. When…
Want to buy spring training tickets? Four Cactus League teams already sold out
PHOENIX – Going, going, almost gone! Tickets are selling out fast at the Valley’s Cactus League stadiums, where 15 major league teams are based during spring training. With attendance limited this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, seats are scarce. At least four Cactus League teams already are sold out for the spring, including…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 23: Rate of new cases continues to slow; UA allowing more classes; Vaccine supplies limited but here’s how to set up appointments, COVID tests
With 1,884 new cases reported today, the total number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 810,000 as of Tuesday, Feb. 23, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 151 new cases today, has seen 108,630 of the state’s 810,658 confirmed cases. With 148 new deaths reported today, a total…
Pima County’s Free COVID-19 Testing Program Resumes For Now
Pima County’s COVID-19 testing program will continue for at least another week. County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry asked the Pima County Board of Supervisors to consider suspending the county’s free COVID-19 testing program due to a lack of funds from the state, but the county is maintaining the program until at least March 2 following an…
Vaccinated seniors set sights on travel and reunions with family and friends
Lupe Solis’ prayers were answered when she received her second dose of COVID-19 vaccine recently at the State Farm Stadium mass vaccination site in Glendale. Now the 77-year-old is being cautious and patient, waiting to worship in person again at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Mesa. “Prayer takes up a big part of our life,”…
As COVID-19 Conditions Improve, Mitigation Still Needed, Health Experts Say
For the fifth straight week, COVID-19 conditions improved across the state. The week ending Feb. 14 saw a 35% decrease in total COVID-19 cases across the state from the week prior, according to Dr. Joe Gerald, a University of Arizona professor who creates weekly coronavirus epidemiology reports based on Arizona Department of Health Services data.…
UA Allows More Students on Campus, Expands POD Hours
The University of Arizona moved to phase two of its reentry plan Monday with its nearly 8,000 students now able to attend in-person classes of 50 or fewer. From Feb. 12-21, UA administered 15,047 COVID-19 tests and found 20 positive cases for a positivity rating of 0.1%, down from last week’s percent positivity of 0.3%.…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Monday, Feb. 22: Nation’s death toll surpasses 500K, state deaths top 15,500; After vaccine shortage forces cancelations, Pima County expects 33K doses this week; How to set up vaccine appointments, COVID tests
With 1,507 new cases reported today, the total number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 809,000 as of Monday, Feb. 22, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 138 new cases today, has seen 108,479 of the state’s 809,474 confirmed cases. As the national death toll topped a half-million…
Report: Arizona continues to trail other states in higher-ed support
WASHINGTON – Arizona continues to be one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to funding higher education, still reeling from deep budget cuts that were made during the recession, according to a new national report. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities studied state funds from the time of the Great…
Pima County Could Receive 33,000+ Vaccines Next Week
After the initial announcement Pima County would only receive 12,500 COVID-19 vaccines next week, the county health department announced they expect to receive another 4,600 doses. The 17,100 doses of the Moderna vaccine will be coupled with the doses that were delayed this week due to harsh winter weather conditions across the U.S. for a…
Arizona education advocates oppose bill to expand school vouchers
PHOENIX – Public education advocates and leaders of the Arizona School Boards Association’s Black Alliance and Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus gathered at the Arizona State Capitol on Thursday to protest a proposed voucher expansion initiative that they say would further defund public schools. Senate Bill 1452, proposed by Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, would allow all…
Masks off: Bill would allow Arizona businesses to ignore city, county mandates
PHOENIX – A House committee has passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would allow Arizona business owners to decide whether to enforce mask mandates for employees and customers, a move supporters say promotes freedom and critics call a threat to health and safety. “It’s a simple bill – it restores the freedom and the liberties back…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Friday, Feb. 19: Pima County may stop testing after state says it won’t pay; State opens vaccine site at UA, cuts county allotment again; Weather delays vaccine delivery, appointments being canceled
With 1,918 new cases reported today, the total number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 804,116 as of Friday, Feb. 19, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 211 new cases today, has seen 107,793 of the state’s 802,198 confirmed cases. With 145 new deaths reported today, a total…
Debating grading: Arizona bill, executive order will not affect student grades during pandemic
WASHINGTON – The Arizona Department of Education wants to make sure parents understand their kids will be getting letter grades this year – and to drive home the point, the department sent the message in capital letters. Actions taken by the governor and Legislature earlier this week apply to schools but “NOT individual student grade…
Winter Storms, More State Cuts Further Delay Pima’s Vaccination Program
With an already strained vaccine supply, Pima County is seeing delayed COVID-19 vaccine appointments as shipments of doses are slowed due to harsh winter weather conditions across the U.S. The county says the appointments at risk of being delayed include some second dose vaccine appointments at Tucson Medical Center beginning Feb. 18, as well as…
UA Opens as State-Run POD, Appointments Booked Through February
The University of Arizona began operations Thursday as a state-run POD, or point of distribution, after it served as a county-wide vaccination center since mid-January. The state plans to eventually transition the site to operate 24/7 and distribute up to 6,000 vaccines a day. The UA is the third state-run site in Arizona after the…
Tucson songwriter showcase at MSA Annex this weekend
Folk musician David Huckfelt has gathered several notable names from the Tucson music scene to celebrate the release of his new album “Room Enough, Time Enough.” On Saturday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m., Huckfelt will be joined for a “songwriter circle” by XIXA frontman Gabriel Sullivan, blues singer Billy Sedlmayr and Giant Sand founder Howe…
Pima County May Stop Free COVID-19 Testing
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is asking the Pima County Board of Supervisors to suspend county-sponsored COVID-19 testing after notification that the state will not reimburse the county for most of its testing costs. At a special board meeting Friday, Huckelberry said he’ll ask the board to halt free coronavirus testing as of Feb. 22 to…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Thursday, Feb. 18: MHC Healthcare cuts off appointments for Marana, Oro Valley area; Vaccine supplies remain limited but 65+ now eligible; How to sign up for vaccine, COVID test
With 1,143 new cases reported today, the total number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 802,000 as of Thursday, Feb. 18, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County, which reported 181 new cases today, has seen 107,582 of the state’s 802,198 confirmed cases. With 213 new deaths reported today, a total…
Spring Arts 2021: SAACA Announces Spring Artisan Market Season
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance has announced three outdoor art and artisan markets to take place through March and April, with social distancing guidelines in place for each. The Sahuarita Creative Arts Market takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14, at the Sahuarita Municipal Complex, about 30 minutes south of Tucson at 375…
Legendary Local Chef Janos Wilder Launches New Website, Janos Cooks
By this point in the pandemic, it’s safe to say most of us are probably tired of tasting our home cooking and eating out of to-go containers. Tucson’s Godfather of the farm-to-table movement, Janos Wilder, said he developed his new online video series to help household chefs learn restaurant secrets to enhance their everyday meals…
Something In The Darkness: XIXA Solidify Their Sound on Sophomore Album Genesis
Tucson’s XIXA have an expert grasp on the disorienting borderlands they call home. The psychedelic sextet maps the “New Southwest” with their unique fusion of cumbia, desert rock, tejano and gothic aesthetics. And while their debut album Bloodline captured the physical elements of the borderlands, their new album Genesis captures the metaphysical. This is clear…
Danehy: Remedial Math, Civics, Biology Lessons for the Trump Crowd
Editor’s note: At the request of the author, this column has been edited to remove references to Rush Limbaugh in the wake of the radio show host’s death on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Things are getting crazy around here; we need to calm everything down a bit. One thing I think people on both sides of…
While Concert Halls Remain Closed, You Can Find Outdoor Music Around Town
Though few businesses have made it through COVD completely unscathed, music and performing arts continually rank as the industries most affected by the pandemic. Music venues like the Rialto Theatre and 191 Toole have remained closed for in-person concerts for nearly a year now. Luckily for some performers, safer outdoor events are becoming more common,…
Spring Arts 2021: This Spring, Tucson’s Galleries, Museums Offer Art, If Not Parties
Last year around this time I was cheerfully writing about the great upcoming art exhibitions, dance concerts and plays scheduled for the spring: paintings at the UA’s Joseph Gross gallery by a talented young Liberian refugee; a modern dance in Reid Park by the up-and-coming Hawkinsdance troupe; and an Irish play by acclaimed playwright Martin…
Spring Arts 2021: Into Words? Check Out Virtual Festival of Books, Poetry, New Writer In Residence
Although this year’s Tucson Festival of Books will be virtual, there are still plenty of events taking place and dozens of authors hosting digital exhibits on their work. In addition to dozens of new writers, four “festival favorites” are returning this year: Mexican-American poet and novelist Luis Alberto Urrea, crime writer T. Jefferson Parker, mystery…
Impaired Lawmaking: DUI Bill Seeks To Undermine Intent Of Prop 207
In the wake of the passage of Prop 207 legalizing adult-use recreational cannabis, lawmakers are struggling to define what constitutes driving under the influence of the drug. One recent bill, HB 2084 introduced by John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills), seeks to set a blood level limit of 2 nanograms per milliliter to prove impairment, but the…
Spring Arts 2021: The Show Must Go On So Local Theater Troupes Get Creative
On March 13 last year, Arizona Theatre Company debuted The Legend of Georgia McBride at the Temple of Music and Art. Right after that opening night performance, the play closed down. The company has mounted no more in-person plays in Tucson or in Phoenix ever since. Like so many other arts groups, ATC was stopped…
Editor’s Note: Creative Class
This pandemic has been difficult for many people, from restaurant owners to schoolchildren and their parents. But one sector especially hammered is the arts, particularly the performing arts. But as we move into 2021, we are starting to see a rebound, with galleries and museums reopening their doors—typically with COVID restrictions—and theater companies trying creative…
Spring Arts 2021: Spring Rebirth
We’ve missed so much of Tucson’s rich and vibrant arts community over the last year, from opening receptions at small galleries to big parties on the Tucson Museum of Art patio, from productions at the Temple of Music and Art to raucous concerts at the Rialto, Fox or Club Congress. While COVID has taken its toll…
