Phoenix Bill Aims to Provide $5 Million to Arizona Pre-K Programs

A bill making its way through the Arizona State Legislature aims to help get more young children through pre-kindergarten programs. “House Bill 2015 calls for Arizona to fund high-quality pre-K programs for kids throughout the state who wouldn’t have access otherwise,” Democratic State Rep. Lorenzo Sierra said. If approved, the bill would allocate $45... Read More

Secret Language and Codes Used by Trafficked Kids and Traffickers

The sex trafficking issue continues to linger along with the pandemic in our communities making for a dangerous combination. Detective Jennifer Crawford with the Tucson Police Department’s Sex Trafficking Division knows this all too well. Crawford says they’re currently still investigating cases from last year. While there haven’t been any recent jumps in the... Read More

Harvest Revives Plan to Open Marijuana Dispensary in Paradise Valley

A Tempe-based marijuana company has revived controversial plans to open a dispensary on the upscale corner of Tatum and Shea boulevards. Harvest Health and Recreation, which runs 15 dispensaries in Arizona, submitted a rezoning application to Phoenix in July, withdrew it in August, and reapplied on Dec. 24. The multi-state dispensary operator has three... Read More

St. Mary’s Food Bank Accepting Fruit Tree Donations

It’s been a bountiful winter for backyard fruit-bearing trees in the Valley. The dry and warm weather that the Valley has experienced this winter has propelled Phoenix’s St. Mary’s Food Bank to open its donation drive for citrus early. The food bank announced on Monday that it would accept all fruit donations from now... Read More

Arizona Ranks at No. 5 on UHaul’s List of Top Moving Destinations

Arizona saw a huge jump in the number of people choosing to take a one-way trip and live there in 2020, sending the state into the Top 5 for migration growth. Arizona was No. 5 on U-Haul’s migration growth list, with Tennessee grabbing the top spot, Texas staying at No. 2 and Florida and... Read More

Arizona Real ID Deadline Approaching

Add this to your list of resolutions for 2021: Make an appointment to upgrade your driver’s license or get a travel-compliant Real ID if you want to fly. The implementation of the Real ID Act, passed by Congress after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to standardize the criteria used to issue drivers... Read More

Valentine Day Gift Guide

It is time to start planning for Valentine’s Day! This year shopping may be a bit different.  Instead of spending your day in a mall looking for that perfect gift for your love, stay home, practice social distancing and hop online to find the perfect gift. Here are some options for both him and... Read More

Borders to Mexico and Canada to be Closed into February

The United States’ borders with Mexico and Canada will remain closed for non-essential travel through February 21, the Department of Homeland Security announced this week. The land borders have largely remained closed since March at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air traffic between the countries is still permitted, but significantly curtailed due to... Read More

St. Mary’s Food Needs More Volunteers Due to Demand

St. Mary’s Food Bank is seeking additional volunteers due to a rising number of families in need. The food bank said it has been short on volunteers to help box food donations since the New Year’s holiday. The volunteer shortage after the holiday is typical, but it’s putting a strain on resources given the... Read More

Plan on Loop 101 and Loop 202 Freeway Closures This Weekend

Sections of westbound Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) in north Phoenix and northbound Loop 202 (South Mountain Freeway) are scheduled to be closed this weekend (Jan. 15-18) for improvement projects, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Drivers should allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes while the following weekend freeway restrictions are in... Read More