Cover Story
New Nipples, New Outlook
There were three tumors, all on the right breast. Once doctors confirmed they were cancerous, Kristyn Bova actually felt a little better: Not knowing was worse than having a diagnosis and a path forward. She didn’t want to risk leaving any cancer behind, so she opted for a full, double mastectomy. “The girls did their…
Local artist participates in national painting project
As the drums ring out the Chinese New Year in a Singapore market, two young women wearing face masks watch the celebration. It’s a scene characteristic of local artist Jacqueline Chanda’s work, which often allows the viewer to construct their own narrative of a scene. “I like to catch these those kind of scenes where…
As Jupiter dazzles in the night sky, new UA research suggests its moons are warming each other
PHOENIX – With a glance toward the southern sky this month, you’ll see Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. With a telescope or good binoculars, you may also see several of Jupiter’s 79 known moons. Four of those moons, Europa, Callisto, Ganymede and Io, are heating up more than scientists thought they should…
New COVID Testing Site Opens Downtown
The Pima County Health Department will be opening a new COVID-19 testing site downtown this Friday, Oct. 16. The new Downtown Tucson Testing Center will be located at 88 E. Broadway Blvd., on the southwest corner of Broadway and Sixth Ave. Testing will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.…
Grijalva: Use of Force Against Protestors at Quitobaquito Springs an “Abhorrent Attempt To Silence Their Voices”
Officials from the Arizona Department of Public Safety used excessive force and tear gas against demonstrators protesting the construction of a border wall at sites considered sacred to the Tohono O’odham Nation, according to a press release from Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s office. The release says Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris confirmed the use of…
Legal sports betting in Arizona still on the back burner in 2020
LOS ANGELES — More than two years after the federal ban on sports betting was lifted, Arizona is one of 28 states that have not passed legislation to legalize gambling on sports in-person or online. A bill that would have legalized land-based sportsbooks, Senate Bill 1525, with exclusive rights going to Native American tribes, was introduced…
UA Researcher Developing FLOWER Device to Detect Cancer, COVID-19
A researcher at the University of Arizona has received a $1.82 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to advance the capabilities of a device that can detect single molecules, such as biomarkers for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19. Biomedical engineering professor Judith Su operates the Little Sensor Lab at UA, the…
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair Canceled
The Fourth Avenue Merchants Association is canceling their annual winter street fair due to a new special event permit application which would leave little time to properly plan the event. New guidelines released by the City of Tucson and Pima County last week state that all special events of 50 people or more held in…
Arizona faces back-to-back court hearings with weeks to Election Day
WASHINGTON – The road to the ballot box in Arizona apparently runs through the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard two cases in just the past two days concerning ballots and voter registration in the state. Late Tuesday night, the court ruled in one of those cases, reversing a lower court order that…
Supreme Court rules Census can stop, giving a ‘bitter pill’ to tribes, advocates
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court Tuesday said the Census Bureau can stop its count of the population, a blow to tribal leaders and local advocates for underrepresented communities in Arizona who said they would be hit hardest by an undercount. The court blocked lower courts that had ordered the bureau to continue counting until Oct.…
COVID-19, faltering economy cited as border numbers plummet for 2020
WASHINGTON – The number of migrants apprehended at the southern border fell sharply in fiscal 2020, a drop analysts attribute in large part to fears of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic havoc left in its wake. Final numbers are set to be released Wednesday at an event with Border Patrol officials in Tucson, but…
Goodbye, Columbus? Arizona celebrates first Indigenous Peoples’ Day
WASHINGTON – Native Americans in Arizona finally celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an official state holiday Monday – but it was a win with an asterisk. After years of advocacy by tribal groups, Gov. Doug Ducey last month signed a proclamation making Oct. 12, 2020, a joint celebration of both Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day,…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Tuesday, Oct. 13: Total AZ Cases Close in on 227K; UA Cases in Decline, More In-Person Classes Starting; Free COVID Tests Available
With 683 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases closed in on 227,000 as of Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had seen 26,516 of the state’s 226,734 confirmed cases. A total of 5,767 Arizonans had died after contracting COVID-19, including 633 deaths…
Hot up ahead: Arizona will have more ‘extreme heat’ days, researchers say
PHOENIX – Arizona will experience more days of extreme heat in the coming decade, according to an Arizona State University study that comes on the heels of the state’s hottest summer on record. But researchers are looking for ways to mitigate a hotter, drier climate. The study, “The motley drivers of heat and cold exposure…
Proposition 207 would legalize recreational marijuana for those 21 or older
With the election just days away, Cronkite News is taking a closer look at some of the measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. Four years after Arizona voters rejected legalizing recreational marijuana, the issue is back, appearing on November’s ballot as Proposition 207. Eleven states have legalized recreational marijuana. Arizona joins three others – Montana,…
With a New Class Starting Tomorrow, Startup Tucson Wants To Teach Entrepreneurs How To Navigate COVID
As the end of the global pandemic continues to lag into the distant future, local businesses are gaming out on how to reach customers effectively yet safely. Startup Tucson, a nonprofit broadly focused on enhancing the Southern Arizona economy through increasing entrepreneur quality, quantity and diversity, has established digital programming to mentor experienced entrepreneurs as…
TUSD Candidates Discuss Returning to the Classroom, Budget Issues, More
With three seats up for grabs on the Tucson Unified School District’s school board, seven new candidates are vying for a chance to govern Tucson’s largest school district. A local watchdog group that critically monitors the district, CARE 4 TUSD, hosted an online forum Thursday night for each candidate to outline their views on issues…
Coronavirus Cases on UA Campus Down; More Classes Can Begin
The University of Arizona will allow students to attend in-person classes of 30 students or fewer this week, UA President Robert C. Robbins said in a news conference Monday, Oct. 12. The change will bring 1,500 more students to campus every week, and classes will continue “if and only if” public health data gauging the…
U.S. Senate: Mark Kelly committed to bipartisanship, investing in Arizona’s future
With the election just days away, Cronkite News is profiling candidates who will be on the Nov. 3 ballot. Read Martha McSally’s interview here. How would you rate Arizona’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and why? At first, the state responded well to the pandemic, said Kelly, who’s seeking public office for the first time.…
U.S. Senate: Martha McSally sets sights on economic comeback
With the election just days away, Cronkite News is profiling candidates who will be on the Nov. 3 ballot. Read Mark Kelly’s interview here. How would you rate Arizona’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and why? McSally touted the Senate measures she has supported, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Monday, Oct. 12: Total AZ Cases Top 226K; Amphi Starts In-Person Classes Today; Free COVID Tests Available
With 475 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 226,000 as of Monday, Oct. 12, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had seen 26,465 of the state’s 226,050 confirmed cases. A total of 5,759 Arizonans had died after contracting COVID-19, including 633 deaths in Pima…
Public Brewhouse Closes After 5 Years
Public Brewhouse enjoyed its final weekend on Oct. 10-11 after more than five years of selling unique craft beers just off of Fourth Avenue. Citing COVID-19 as a primary contributor to their closing, the “nanobrewery” thanks locals for the years of support. While Public Brewhouse offered a wide variety of beers from seasonal stouts to…
Sharpshooters could target Grand Canyon bison by 2021 under herd plan
WASHINGTON – State and federal officials have agreed on a plan that includes bringing in volunteer sharpshooters to cut the number of bison on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Lethal removal has long been discussed as a way to reduce the herd, along with hazing and relocation, but the Sept. 25 agreement between the…
CDC: Masks, business limits helped curb spread of COVID-19 in Arizona
WASHINGTON – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report Friday credited mask mandates and business restrictions for slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Arizona, reversing an early summer spike blamed on an early easing of restrictions. The study, in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, tracked cases in the state from Jan. 22 through…
Suspicious Text Sent To Local Dem Voters Over Mail-In Ballots
As early ballots arrived in mailboxes across Pima County this week, registered Democrats are concerned about a suspicious text alerting voters they’re not registered as permanent mail voters—when in fact, they are. The Pima County Recorder’s Office even issued a warning to not open the text’s link to a Vote.org page on their Twitter account…
Now Stream This: Films Opening at Loft Include One Where Teens Blow Up Real Good
As the election approaches, you are probably watching way too much news and Trump COVID updates. (His little “I’m OK!” videos are great primers for Halloween season!) The Loft Cinema continues to offer great at-home entertainment options, along with the ongoing Open Air Cinema Series. (One of this week’s featured outdoor films is John Carpenter’s…
Climate change likely to keep hammering Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs
The Colorado River’s largest reservoirs are expected to keep struggling over the next five years due to climate change, according to the federal agency that oversees them. The Bureau of Reclamation’s new modeling projections, which include this year’s record-breaking heat and dryness in some parts of the southwestern watershed, show an increasing likelihood of an…
Biden, Harris get on the bus to small businesses in Arizona
PHOENIX – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris, on their first trip to Arizona, dropped by a union hall Thursday and several small businesses they say need federal relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. Their bus tour, which began in Flagstaff, included an outdoor stop at Barrio Cafe, a central Phoenix staple…
Southern AZ COVID-19 AM roundup for Friday, Oct. 9: Total AZ cases top 224K; Amphi starts school on Monday, Oct. 12; CDC report shows that masks work in AZ; More news of the week
With 683 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 224,000 as of Friday, Oct. 9, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pima County had seen 26,287 of the state’s 224,084 confirmed cases. With 3 new deaths today, a total of 5,746 Arizonans had died after contracting COVID-19,…
Pence draws contrasts between Biden, Trump at campaign event in Peoria
PEORIA – With only 26 days until the election and polls consistently showing the Trump campaign trailing in Arizona, Vice President Mike Pence visited a military and tactical gear company Thursday for a “Make America Great Again” campaign event. Pence began by calling his Wednesday night debate with Democrat Kamala Harris a “debate between two…
Now Stream This: Millie Bobby Brown is Officially a Movie Star
Millie Bobby Brown shines as the title character in Enola Holmes, a bubbly, fun detective yarn that gives the little sister of Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill) her own vehicle. Let’s hope it’s the first of many such mysteries. Brown, who has been gloomy in most of her biggest roles thus far (Stranger Things, Godzilla: King…
Driverless Car Service Coming to Phoenix
As of Monday, Oct. 8, tech company Waymo is publicly offering a self-driving car service in the Phoenix area. Waymo—formerly the Google self-driving car project—is opening up their fully driverless car service on their app, which allows Waymo One users to take friends and family along on their rides. Waymo has already been facilitating driverless rides throughout…
Get Your Crescent Ballroom Voter Guide Today!
Although in-person concert venues remain silent during the pandemic, downtown Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom is reverberating with information this election season. Charlie Levy, who opened the popular music venue in 2011, has created a voter guide available on the venue’s website. The guide, “Everything You Need to Know About Voting in 2020: An Easy Guide by…
Your Southern AZ COVID-19 AM Roundup for Thursday, Oct. 8: CDC Report Shows Masks Work in AZ; Hospitalizations Creeping Upward This Week; Total AZ Cases Top 223K
With 863 new cases reported today, the number of Arizona’s confirmed novel coronavirus cases closed in on 223,000 as of Thursday, Oct. 8, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. With 125 new cases today, Pima County had seen 26,217 of the state’s 223,401 confirmed cases. With 10 new deaths today, a total of…
Detention center in Eloy has most COVID-19 cases of any ICE facility
PHOENIX – La Palma Correctional Center, a privately run immigration detention center in Eloy, is facing an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases among immigration detainees. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed the first case of COVID-19 at the La Palma Correctional Center on April 6. On May 30, at least 76 undocumented immigrants tested positive…
City Week
Weekly Picks Tucson Museum of Art. Local staple TMA has reopened. In addition to things like mask requirements and sanitation stations, they’re requiring that you reserve your ticket for a two-hour time slot in advance online. Attendance is limited to 30% of its normal capacity. Come on down to see a variety of art, ranging…
Cancer and COVID-19
When Molly Cassidy dropped a measuring cup in her kitchen this summer, a broken glass shard left a deep, bleeding gash in her hand. Although the cut clearly needed stitches, Cassidy weighed her options for nearly two hours as the wound profusely bled before she decided to go to the doctor’s office — a trip…
Downtown Rebound
Downtown’s Charro Steak and Del Rey’s world was turned upside down last May. At the time, the restaurant was planning to reopen to coincide with Gov. Doug Ducey lifting his executive order that had shut down Arizona’s service industry amid coronavirus concerns. Chef Gary Hickey had just placed a big food order earlier in the…
Pragmatic Harm Reduction
Rick Steves wants to end pot prohibition one state at a time. Therefore, the well-known travel guru has spent the past two decades—and a substantial amount of money—advocating for marijuana laws appearing on state ballots in order to “legalize, tax and regulate” the drug. “One thing I’m very clear about when I’m talking about marijuana…
Editor’s Note: The Cancer Battle
For the last several years, Tucson Weekly and our fellow Tucson Local Media publications have put a special focus on the battle against breast cancer in October. It’s the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Arizona, with Brittney Conklin of the American Cancer Society estimating that more than 5,600 people will be diagnosed with…
Object lessons
This week, the University of Arizona will remain in phase one of their staged plan for reopening but anticipates moving into phase two of the plan next week, UA President Robert C. Robbins said in a news conference Monday, Oct. 5. Phase one allows students to attend essential in-person classes only, but the university plans…
Matter of Record
This November, voters in Pima County will select a new Recorder for the first time since 1992. Current county recorder F. Ann Rodriguez has held the position since she was first elected 28 years ago, but on Nov. 3, voters will decide between Democrat Gabriella Cázares-Kelly and Republican Benny White, two candidates with differing opinions…
Tracking Transmissions
A new study led by the University of Arizona shows the missed opportunities of testing and tracing that may have prevented the virus from ravaging countries the way it has. The study, “The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in Europe and North America,” published in the journal Science, is also the first and only published study to…
Tucson Salvage
At first 29-year-old Jason Duran tolerates the anti-maskers who laugh at him and his mask because he has to. Tolerates right-wing cigar-faced rhetoric because he needs the money and his 26-year-old girlfriend, who is suffering from cancer. Cigars are what he knows, encyclopedically, and he is surrounded by thousands of them, arrayed in pleasing fetishistic…
