KJZZ's Stories You Don't Want to Miss

Flagstaff residents learned Wednesday night that they will be in for a tough weekend from the Tunnel Fire with no evident end. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is slated to testify to the House Judiciary Committee next week about border and immigration issues. Late last month, Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation that would delay gender-affirming surgery until the age of 18. Plus the latest in business, metro Phoenix and education news.

If you want to know what’s going on with the coronavirus pandemic in neighboring Sonora, arguably the best source isn’t the state government, a news outlet or a well-staffed NGO: it’s a single graduate student with a passion for turning big data into clear insight. The Arizona Department of Health Services has stopped reporting some information on COVID-19 hospitalizations. Renewal construction will soon be underway at Quitobaquito Springs — a cherished natural water source at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Plus the latest in business, metro Phoenix and education news.

Lawsuits filed against U-S representatives Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar, as well as state representative Mark Finchem, say their support of and participation in the January 6th attack on the U-S capitol disqualifies them from running for office in 2022. Arizona is set to become one of the most restrictive states in the country for abortion access. The large non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity is starting a new program in Northern Arizona where home prices outpace living wages in a mountain town with few options for home ownership. Plus the latest metro Phoenix, tribal resources, education and Fronteras Desk news.

Earlier this week, Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill that attempts to supersede federal law when it comes to registering voters. Abortion access in Arizona is likely to become much more limited. Title 42 — the pandemic-era restriction on asylum at the border — is expected to end in May, and advocacy organizations that work with asylum seekers say that end-date should come sooner. Plus the latest in metro Phoenix, business, education and Fronteras Desk news.

A Phoenix church wants families of Afghan diplomats brought here before they’re forced back home to risk persecution from the Taliban. The pandemic’s disruptions of daily routines, emotional support networks and vaccination rates have raised concerns in education, physical health and mental wellbeing among young people to crisis levels. The Maricopa County attorney resigned this week and now that decision will have a big impact for the county. Plus the latest in tribal resources, Fronteras Desk and science news.

There’s a new voting proposal to make public every cast ballot in most local and statewide elections. The National Federation of Independent Business has found that nearly half of owners surveyed had openings they could not fill, even though nearly 180 thousand leisure and hospitality workers were hired across the country. And March 16 marks two years since Arizona officials first began closing schools statewide due to COVID-19. Plus the latest metro Phoenix and Fronteras Desk news.

The 2020 U.S. Census count missed Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans at a higher rate than their white counterparts, officials admit. After passing the Arizona Senate, the House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would ban those born male from competing in girl’s sports. Major League Baseball’s 99-day lockout is ending. Plus the latest science, metro Phoenix and Fronteras Desk news.

Governor Doug Ducey dodged questions Wednesday about his prior commitment to now-censured Senator Wendy Rogers.  Federal officials are investigating the shootings of two high-profile Mexican gray wolves just weeks apart in northern Arizona and New Mexico. A federal appeals court has ruled against environmental groups and an Arizona tribe in their bid to keep a uranium mine, near the Grand Canyon, from operating. Plus the latest metro Phoenix, business and science news.

The Phoenix City Council voted to move forward with a plan for the police department to buy and use drones. It’s been six months since the U.S. began evacuating tens of thousands in Afghanistan after the country’s government fell and U.S. troops withdrew. School leaders and teachers had been on edge as a spending cap rule threatened to stop money flowing to schools.  Plus the latest in science, business and metro Phoenix news.

Numbers are falling, but more than 6,000 Arizonans per day are still testing positive for COVID-19. A refugee resettlement group is asking the public to voice support for the Afghan Adjustment Act — legislation that would provide Afghan refugees a pathway to permanent legal status in the United States. And a new approach for medical students is keeping humanity and the arts front and center. Plus the latest business, education and tribal resources news.