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All Class
Celebrating This Year’s Graduating Seniors
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Wednesday, June 3: What We’ve Covered Today
Halfway through the week. Here are the stories we covered today. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 22,223 as of Wednesday, June 3, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. That’s a jump of 973 from yesterday and a total of 2,100 new cases in the last two days. Companies receiving…
Senseless loss of life in the Black community
A message from Pima County Public Library’s Kindred Team… Our team, like so many of you, is sickened, saddened, heartbroken, and angry at the senseless loss of life in the Black community. Our team’s mission is a focused on. To reach, support, and celebrate the Black community. It is also our mission and calling to…
Arizona lawmakers see Trump pledge to deploy troops as a promise – or a threat
PHOENIX – President Donald Trump’s pledge to deploy “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers” to put down protests was seen as either a promise or a threat, depending on which Arizona lawmaker was reacting to his comments. Trump’s comments came in a Rose Garden speech Monday afternoon, as the nation entered its second week…
Tribal leaders, advocates question reopening at Grand Canyon, other parks
PHOENIX – Arizona tribal leaders told House lawmakers Tuesday that moves to reopen national parks are being made without needed health safety measures to protect tribal members or park visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The comments by Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Havasupai Council Member Carletta Tilousi come as the Interior Department is moving…
Mayor Ed Honea: Riots and financial strain a bigger concern than virus
During Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Marana Mayor Ed Honea said he recently spoke on the phone with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who asked how the town was doing. Honea said he told Ducey that Marana used to have a problem “with that virus thing,” but now Marana is dealing with other issues: Potential protests and…
Hundreds of protesters flow into downtown Phoenix
PHOENIX – Waves of protests, rolling across Arizona in the last several days like a tributary in a national unleashing of fury and grief over the deaths of black people at the hands of police, kept flowing on Tuesday night. Hundreds gathered in downtown Phoenix in what has now become a familiar place — Phoenix…
Contractors for Trump’s Controversial $3 Billion Food Aid Program Have Hired a Longtime Lobbyist to Tout Their Work
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Companies receiving taxpayer dollars as part of President Donald Trump’s signature food aid program hired a longtime lobbyist to push back on criticism that the government is relying on unqualified contractors, such as…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Wednesday, June 3: Confirmed Cases Hit 22K; 981 Now Dead After Contracting Virus; AZ Under Curfew To Prevent More Protests, Riots; Virus Is Spreading Through ICE Detention Facilities
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 22,223 as of Wednesday, June 3, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. That’s a jump of 973 from yesterday and a total of 2,100 new cases in the last two days. Pima County had 2,627 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 981 people statewide,…
Claytoonz: Another Antifa Terrorist
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Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Tuesday, June 2: What We’ve Covered Today
Here are the stories we covered today. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 21,250 as of Tuesday, June 2, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Scientists from the University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx space mission have released new findings on the origins of small astronomical bodies based on observation of the…
COVID-19 Cases Present in ICE Detention Facilities
There are more than 26,000 people currently detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities across the United States. Only 2,300 people in that group have been tested for COVID-19, but 1,201 have tested positive. With testing numbers this low and positive cases becoming prevalent, immigration and human rights advocates are reaffirming their push to…
After days of rage, Arizonans speak of their frustrations, fears and hope
PHOENIX – A cry of “I can’t breathe” in Minneapolis has reverberated thousands of miles away in Arizona, where protesters for several days have marched in sorrow and rage – peacefully for the most part, but sometimes clashing with police and looting and vandalizing several businesses in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Arizonans are reacting to and…
Night of relative calm follows curfew order; enforcement uncertain
After days of clashes between protesters and police, Arizona spent a relatively quiet night Sunday under a statewide dusk-to-dawn curfew that was ordered Sunday afternoon by Gov. Doug Ducey. It’s unclear how much impact the 8 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew had on the situation – and it’s unclear how strictly it will be enforced. Response from…
List: Tucson Restaurants Reopening For Dine-In Services
We’ve checked in with more than 100 local restaurants to find out which are now open for dine-in service, which are still only offering take-out, and which are planning on opening in the near future. As plans are rapidly updating, email jeff@tucsonlocalmedia.com or comment on this article if you’d like your restaurant added to the list…
This Treasury Official Is Running the Bailout. It’s Been Great for His Family.
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have become the public faces of the $3 trillion federal coronavirus bailout. Behind the scenes, however, the Treasury’s responsibilities have fallen largely to…
OSIRIS-REx: New Information On Asteroids’ Shapes, Formation
Scientists from the University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx space mission have released new findings about the origins of small astronomical bodies based on observation of the asteroid Bennu. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft launched from the Earth in September 2016 and is planned to return in 2023. The spacecraft, part of a NASA program, will collect rocks and…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Tuesday, June 2: Confirmed Cases Rise to 21K; 941 Now Dead After Contracting Virus; State Under Curfew (But You Can Still Go Out); Courts Reopening
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 21,250 as of Tuesday, June 2, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 2,496 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 941 people statewide, including 191 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases hit…
Claytoonz: Trump Is A Gas Gas Gas
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Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Monday, June 1: What We’ve Covered Today
Here are the stories we covered for you today. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona surpassed 20K as of Monday, June 1, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The secret, absurd world of coronavirus mask traders and middlemen trying to get rich off government money. Several leaders of the African-American community…
Fry’s donates $25,000 to Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Families looking to keep their children fed with the help of local school pantries recently received support in the form of a $25,000 grant from Fry’s Food Stores to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. The funding will support the nonprofit’s 22 school pantry programs, located in eight school districts in two counties. The…
COVID-19 in Arizona: Navajo Nation sees a spike in cases
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World Margarita Challenge, Tucson 23 Festival and more canceled this summer in Tucson
If you were expecting a few summer celebrations this year in the form of Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance’s legendary food and drink fests, prepare to be disappointed. The nonprofit announced the cancelation of the Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival, World Margarita Challenge, Southern Arizona Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge, and a slew of…
Candlelight Vigil for George Floyd 6 P.M. Tonight at The Dunbar Pavilion
Several leaders of the African-American community will be co-hosting a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of George Floyd from 6 to 7:45 p.m. tonight at The Dunbar Pavilion. Floyd was killed during an officer-involved interaction on Monday, May 25 in Minneapolis. “This is a peaceful vigil. It’s about bringing peace and healing,” event organizer and co-sponsor Jahmar…
The Secret, Absurd World of Coronavirus Mask Traders and Middlemen Trying To Get Rich Off Government Money
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. It was 10 p.m. on a Tuesday, and I was watching footage of secret stockpiles of N95 masks, so-called proof-of-life videos sent to me by strangers, when Tim, the juicer salesman, called. “My…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Monday, June 1: Confirmed Cases Top 20K; ER Visits on the Rise; Ducey Enacts 8 p.m. Statewide Curfew in Wake of Rioting; Details on Reopening of Schools Expected Today
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona surpassed 20K as of Monday, June 1, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 2,382 of the state’s 20,123 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 917 people statewide, including 185 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of…
Claytoonz: Space Balls
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Following Last Night’s Riots, Mayor Regina Romero Urges Public to Avoid Downtown Protest Tonight
Following a night of rioting in downtown Tucson, Mayor Regina Romero asked the public to avoid tonight’s scheduled downtown protest. Flanked by Police Chief Chris Magnus and several members of the African-Amerian community during an appearance at City Hall, Romero recommended going to a candlelight vigil set up by Jahmar Anthony with Deejays Against Hunger,…
The Aftermath of Friday Night’s Protest In Downtown Tucson
As downtown Tucson slept off its riotous hangover, an anonymous Black man swept Congress Street in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 30. The sound of synthetic broom bristles corralling glass and debris served as an eerie reminder of the violence that took place at various spots during Friday night’s protest over the officer-involved…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Friday, May 29: What We’ve Covered Today
It’s Friday! Let’s take a look at the stories that we shared today. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona surpassed 18K as of Friday, May 29, with an additional 702 new cases reported yesterday, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. After more than two months closed, Casino Del Sol, Casino of…
Navajo COVID curve flattens, but leaders fear post-holiday spike in cases
PHOENIX – After weeks of grim news as the pandemic tore through the Navajo Nation, the curve of positive COVID-19 cases has begun to flatten, President Jonathan Nez said Thursday. The rate of hospitalizations peaked April 25, Nez reported during a town hall on Facebook Live, nearly a month ahead of the mid-May date projected…
Election 2020: Where the District 2 Board of Supervisor Candidates Stand on Restaurant Regulation and Other COVID-19 Prevention Efforts
The Pima County Board of Supervisors has taken several steps in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Pima County, including voting on March 19 to close down all nonessential businesses, and later when the state reopened the economy, voting to implement and then revise new health regulations for restaurants and bars offering…
Bills seek to limit puberty blockers, other medical treatment for transgender youth
TUCSON – For 17-year-old Fran Howard, receiving medical care has not always been easy. Howard identifies as nonbinary gender queer and uses they/them pronouns. Years ago, Howard began seeking treatment to help transition but found it difficult to find a doctor who respected the decision and Howard’s medical needs. “I felt like I had to…
Temperature checks, no high fives: AIA announces guidelines for high school athletes to return to sports
PHOENIX – Eliminating high fives, coaching in groups of 10 people or less and administering regular temperature checks are among the recommendations the Arizona Interscholastic Association is endorsing for high school athletes as they begin practice for the fall sports season. The AIA, the state’s governing body for high school sports, is following guidelines produced…
Electionland 2020: Trump on Vote by Mail, Poll Worker PPE, Naturalizations and More
This article is part of Electionland, ProPublica’s collaborative reporting project covering problems that prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots during the 2020 elections. Click here to read updates about our voting coverage and more each week. Trump’s Crusade Against Vote by Mail In both his public appearances and on Twitter, President Donald Trump has…
Casino Del Sol reopening facilities June 3
After more than two months closed, Casino Del Sol, Casino of the Sun and Estrella at Casino Del Sol will reopen to the public June 3 at 8 a.m., the Pascua Yaqui Tribe announced this week. The facilities closed March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will reopen under strict safety protocols. “Our top…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Update for Friday, May 29: AZ Cases Top 18K; 885 Now Dead After Contracting Virus; ER Visits Hit a New High; Ducey Says Schools Will Reopen in the Fall; Arizonans Ready To Get Out and About, At Least a Little
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona surpassed 18K as of Thursday, May 28, with an additional 702 new cases reported yesterday, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 2,234 of the state’s 18,465 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 885 people statewide, including 185 in Pima County, according to…
Claytoonz: Safe To Go Out?
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Your Southern AZ COVID-19 PM Update for Thursday, May 28: What We’ve Covered Today
Happy Thursday! We’re trying to stay cool as Arizona heats up, and we hope you are too. Here are the stories we’ve gone over today. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 17,763 as of Thursday, May 28, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. When it comes…
Sundt Foundation donates over $50,000 in Tucson
The Sundt Foundation donated $26,000 to two nonprofits in Southern Arizona working to address increased needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Interfaith Community Services both received $13,000 in funding. “Across Southern Arizona, our community is feeling the effects of COVID-19,” said Sundt Foundation Tucson Board…
Arts Foundation Turns Over Instagram To Local Artists
The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona is continuing to serve as a hub for local creatives during COVID-19 by allowing artists to “take over” their Instagram stories. With access to their platform, artists can share their work, teach the audience about art techniques and display their home studios. The current virtual artist-in-residence is…
Ducey Announces AZ Schools Will Reopen in the Fall
Next, we’re planning ahead to get kids and teachers safely back in the classroom for the start of the fall school year. We’ve worked closely with @Supt_Hoffman, school leaders, teachers, parents and public health experts. More details will be announced next week. 7/ pic.twitter.com/O5rRh61ndM — Doug Ducey (@dougducey) May 28, 2020 Gov. Doug Ducey announced…
Gaslight Music Hall drive-in concert hosting Backroads Country Band and Vinyl Tap!
Are you ready to rock? How about some swing dancing? Luckily, the Gaslight Music Hall has both queued up next month when Backroads Country Band and Vinyl Tap! perform in the drive-in concert series June 10 and 11, respectively. “We have never had Backroads Country Band at the Gaslight Music Hall, but so many of…
Banner Unveils Virtual Waiting Rooms To Help With Social Distancing
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Banner Health launched virtual waiting rooms for its 300 clinics across the country. The virtual waiting rooms are equipped with chatbots from the health technology company LifeLink that assist patients via text-based communication. The normal waiting room experience, which included close proximities of patients, needed to be updated for…
Hidden in the New House Coronavirus Relief Bill: Billions for Defense Contractors
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. When they passed another bill this month to help the tens of millions of Americans left unemployed and hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic, Democrats in the House of Representatives touted the $3 trillion…
New Poll: Arizonans Split on Whether the State Is Reopening Too Quickly But Eager To See Friends, Get the Hell Out of the House
There’s a big partisan divide on whether the state is reopening too quickly, but most Arizonans are ready to get the hell out of their houses, according to a poll out today. Roughly 41 percent of voters surveyed by political consulting firm HighGround say the state is moving “too fast” to reopen and get back…
Here’s How the State’s COVID-19 Funding Shakes Out for the Tucson Metro Area
Gov. Doug Ducey announced yesterday that the state will provide $441 million to local cities, towns and counties that did not receive funding from the federal government’s CARES Act earlier this year. The new AZCares Fund has been established by the governor to distribute these resources based on population data from last year’s Census estimate,…
Cities, counties to get $441 million in direct COVID-19 relief funds
WASHINGTON – Arizona cities and counties will get access to nearly $600 million in COVID-19 relief funding, part of the more than $1.8 billion awarded two months ago to Arizona under the federal CARES Act. Larger jurisdictions received their funds directly from the federal government, but Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday that the remaining cities…
House Democrats Demand Trump Administration Stop Rushing Through Deportations of Migrant Children
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Click here to read their biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Click here to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues.…
Oro Valley testing Fourth of July fireworks Thursday night
Don’t panic if you see fireworks tonight over the Oro Valley sky around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, it’s just the town testing this year’s Fourth of July fireworks display. Unfortunately, this year’s Independence Day won’t include the normal community event and public fanfare residents are used to enjoying due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The good…
District 3 Board of Supes Candidates React to New County Regs and COVID-19 Response
The Pima County Board of Supervisors has taken several steps in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Pima County, including voting on March 19 to close down all nonessential businesses, and later when the state reopened the economy, voting to implement and then revise new health regulations for restaurants and bars offering…
AZ Attorney General’s Office Closes Investigation into Pima County Restaurant Regulations
The Arizona Attorney General’s office is closing the investigation requested by three state lawmakers into whether the Pima County Board of Supervisors violated Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order after approving new regulations to the county’s health code. But the closure was based on a legal technicality, not on the merits of the complaints. In a…
Here’s Where to Celebrate National Burger Day Today!
When it comes to fake national holidays it’s hard to top the one that celebrates charbroiled ground chuck on a toasted sesame bun. National Hamburger Day is upon the Republic and it is every citizen’s duty to devour at least one at every meal today—including breakfast, especially if it’s got a fried egg on top.…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Thursday, May 28: Confirmed Cases in AZ Hit 17,763; Record Number in Hospital; 857 Now Dead After Contracting Virus; AG Closes Case Against Pima County; If You’re Facing Eviction, Today’s Your Chance To Get Help
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona reached 17,763 as of Thursday, May 28, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had 2,167 confirmed cases. The coronavirus had killed 857 people statewide, including 186 in Pima County, according to the report. In Maricopa County, the number of…
Editor’s Note
Pomp and Troubled Circumstance
Hard to Swallow
Pima County supervisors revise emergency regulations for restaurants and bars, again
MMJ: Cloudy Complaints
Cannabis advocates should recognize that even if they don’t think the proposed ballot prop is perfect, it will let people avoid jail time for smoking weed
