KJZZ's Stories You Don't Want to Miss

After multiple extensions, the eviction moratorium order ended in late August and now more Arizonans are now losing their homes. An iconic mural that outlived the building it was designed for now has a new home. “The Phoenix” has landed at the Rental Car Center at Sky Harbor Airport. COVID-19 vaccines for kids are on the way, but will parents participate?  Plus the latest in metro Phoenix, Fronteras Desk and education news.

At least two Phoenix council members describe the police department’s staffing levels as “a crisis.” Since so many people added animals to their families over the past 19 months, attorneys are preparing for a rise in pet custody cases. With the U.S.-Mexico border set to reopen to many fully vaccinated travelers next month, Mexico’s president promised Wednesday to ensure easier access to required vaccination certificates. Plus the latest science, tribal resources, education and metro Phoenix news.

Phoenix students are speaking out against a policy change at Great Hearts Academies charter schools. Almost two years after China reported the first known case of COVID-19, experts still cannot confirm how the pandemic began. The National Labor Relations Board has sided with coffee shop employees at Sky Harbor Airport in a dispute over masks. Plus the latest Valley, Fronteras Desk, and tribal resource news.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has made progressives more than mad. The Democrat’s opposition to raising the minimum wage, changing the filibuster, and the price tag for President Joe Biden’s social spending plan have some groups poised to back a primary challenger in 2024. Even as Arizona’s COVID-19 outbreak shows signs of improvement, the state’s hospitals are approaching capacity. Tuesday, Biden announced his intent to nominate two of Arizona’s own as chairs of the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts. Plus the latest in Fronteras Desk, education, business and metro Phoenix news.

A widely criticized, Republican-led review of the 2020 general election in Maricopa County concluded that Joe Biden received more votes for president than Donald Trump. Arizona publishes less information on its COVID-19 data dashboard than many other states do and experts say a few key changes could provide a valuable public service. Phoenix is trying to hire more people to keep up with demand for rent relief. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, education and metro Phoenix news.

A federal judge Thursday ordered the Biden administration to stop deporting families using a public health policy implemented under former President Donald Trump at the start of the global pandemic. Some Phoenix residents are taking action to reclaim their neighborhood park. A judge hears arguments over Arizona’s mask mandate ban. Plus, the latest in science and metro Phoenix news.

Twenty years after 9/11, America’s longest war has ended. How to educate children during a global pandemic: It’s a question parents, teachers, health experts and politicians around the world have been grappling with for more than a year now. Arizona has set up sports gambling in less than 150 days. Plus the latest in education, science and metro Phoenix news.

The U.S. Justice Department’s power to investigate Phoenix police came from a landmark 1990s crime bill. Phoenix is hosting the 102nd National Convention of the American Legion. Mexican leaders have faced sharp criticism after images showed the country’s immigration officials and national guard crack down on migrants at its southern border. Plus the latest in education, tribal natural resources, science and metro Phoenix news

Four patients have been treated for injuries on as much as 30 percent of their skin after a suspected gas explosion Thursday in Chandler. After two years of debate, Phoenix leaders have unanimously approved the sale of a city-owned lot that houses Arizona’s oldest American Legion Post. Arizona’s COVID-19 outbreak is still widespread and medical experts say cases are rising at an alarming pace among Arizona children. Plus the latest in science, Fronteras Desk and tribal resource news.

At a press conference Wednesday, the Biden administration announced plans to go after states such as Arizona that are trying to block mask mandates at K-12 public schools. Two lawsuits filed against the state of Arizona claim that new laws adopted by Republican legislators as part of the state budget are unconstitutional and unenforceable. Mexico says it will begin accepting Afghan refugees. Plus the latest in business, science, tribal natural resources and metro Phoenix news.