KJZZ's Stories You Don't Want to Miss

Demand for COVID-19 vaccines is slowing. Now, Arizona’s health department plans to shut down its seven mass vaccination sites across the state. The arts groups across the Valley have been making plans to serve and entertain residents. As part of its historic celebrations, Mexico has been actively working on the repatriation of archaeological objects — some of them from the U.S. Plus the latest in business, education and metro Phoenix news.

Plans by Republican leaders in the Arizona state Senate to pass a $12.8 billion budget fell apart today on Thursday. The school year is wrapping up but after a year of COVID-19 issues, there is a lot of interest in summer school. Top Mexican environmental officials met with communities affected by a 2014 mining spill in neighboring Sonora, Mexico, this weekend, and now area residents say they’re holding those leaders and the mining company accountable to remedy long-standing impacts of the disaster. Plus the latest in business, science and metro Phoenix news.

Some communities are getting vaccinated in higher numbers than others in Arizona. The Valley’s first major professional sports franchise returns to the postseason this weekend after a decade-long absence. A new study from researchers at Harvard University and the University of Arkansas finds that school vouchers made a difference for some, but not all disadvantaged students. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, science and Valley news.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says COVID-19 vaccines are effective enough that fully vaccinated Americans don’t need face masks anymore in most settings. Snowpack plays a big role in the West’s water supply, but some researchers say that groundwater is equally important — particularly in the Colorado River watershed. And more on the mining worries near Oak Flat. Plus, hear the latest education, Valley, Fronteras Desk and business news.

The derailment of a subway train in Mexico City as a result of a collapsing bridge on Monday night has left at least 23 people dead and more than 70 injured. The Justice Department wants answers from Republican Senate President Karen Fann. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has sent a nearly 20-year-old water rights lawsuit by the Navajo Nation back to a federal courtroom in Arizona, where the case has been thrown out twice before.  Plus the latest in business, science and Valley news.

We share our series called "Biden’s 100-Day Plan" from the Fronteras Desk. Officials involved with a state Senate-ordered review of the 2020 election in Maricopa County still can’t — or won’t — say how much the endeavor costs, and who exactly is paying for it. The debate over wearing masks in schools continues. Plus the latest in Valley news, business, science and tribal resources.

Republican state Sen. Kelly Townsend cast the decisive vote against a bill to purge voters from Arizona’s popular permanent early voting list on principle. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and four councilmembers took their oaths of office Monday. Volunteers and citizen scientists with the Arizona Museum of Natural History have helped discover a new species of plant-eating dinosaur that lived about 79 million years ago. Plus, the latest in education and Fronteras Desk news.

Arizona’s equivalent to a fire engine for responding to cyberattacks has been regularly called to action in Arizona over the past couple of years. A group of women marched through the streets of the Sonora capital Hermosillo on Wednesday to protest what they call a patriarchal system that fails to protect victims from their aggressors. The Navajo Nation has approved a couple of solar projects that will provide electricity to tribal communities. Plus the latest metro Phoenix, education and business news.

One Arizona community near the Grand Canyon has been able to use its isolated location as a defense against the coronavirus. Being positive may not be all it’s cracked up to be. And Sean Miller will no longer be the head coach of the University of Arizona men’s basketball team. Plus the latest in science, Fronteras Desk and business news.

Senate Republicans brought on a familiar face to help negotiate with Maricopa County as they prepare to recount the 2 point 1 million ballots voters cast there in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global shortage of microchips, and to address that, Intel announced it will vastly expand its Arizona-based manufacturing plants, including hiring thousands of new employees. The Department of Interior received input on its oil and gas policy last week. Plus the latest in science, education, Valley, and Fronteras Desk news.