The U.S. Senate advanced the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act—bipartisan legislation that strengthens Arizona’s water future and includes $250 million for the Tribal Drinking Water Program that Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema secured. “I am proud to see the Senate come together and pass today’s legislation with bipartisan support. Investing in water resource and infrastructure projects across Arizona strengthens our state’s economy and water future,” … [Read more...] about Senate Advances Water Package Including Sinema-Secured Tribal Water Funding
Local News
Navajo Marine Leads COVID-19 Direct Relief Effort to Successful Completion
For Navajo Marine Colin Tsosie, helping lead the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund’s Chinle distribution team was a way he could help protect his elders and those affected by the pandemic. Since April 2020, Tsosie and his staff of ten have been working long hours, organizing staging areas for food distributions, receiving and packaging food and cleaning supplies, and conducting up to four distributions in one day across the Central Agency region of the Navajo Nation. For all his … [Read more...] about Navajo Marine Leads COVID-19 Direct Relief Effort to Successful Completion
Governor Ducey Bans Vaccine Passports
Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order banning "vaccine passports" and preventing state and local governments from requiring Arizonans to provide their COVID-19 vaccination status to receive service or enter an area. “The residents of our state should not be required by the government to share their private medical information,” said Governor Ducey. “While we strongly recommend all Arizonans get the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not mandated in our state — and it never will be. … [Read more...] about Governor Ducey Bans Vaccine Passports
Cottonwood Hosts 28th Annual Vintage Run Through The Heart of Arizona’s Wine Country on June 12
On Saturday, June 12 at 6 a.m., the City of Cottonwood will be hosting their 28th Annual Vintage Run (formerly known as the Brian Mickelsen Marathon, in honor of one of Cottonwood’s previous city managers). After being canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the run is returning with spaced out start times to promote social distancing and keep everyone safe. This beautiful race offers a ½ marathon, 10K and 2-mile races through the area’s most scenic vistas. “This is a historic event for … [Read more...] about Cottonwood Hosts 28th Annual Vintage Run Through The Heart of Arizona’s Wine Country on June 12
Governor Ducey Signs Historic Tribal-State Gaming Compact Amendment
Governor Doug Ducey today signed historic legislation and an amended tribal-state gaming compact that will modernize gaming in Arizona and provide millions of dollars in revenue for critical state needs. As representatives from the Arizona Legislature and 18 Tribal Nations looked on, Governor Ducey marked the culmination of a multi-year effort to modernize an industry that has become a mainstay of the state’s expanding economy since 1992 and has grown to support more than 38,000 jobs. “I … [Read more...] about Governor Ducey Signs Historic Tribal-State Gaming Compact Amendment
The Navajo & Hopi Families Relief Fund implements Clean Hands Project
The Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund is helping to decrease the further spread of COVID-19 by implementing a Clean Hands Project to distribute hand washing stations to families on the Navajo and Hopi Nations that don’t have access to indoor plumbing or running water. “In the Navajo Nation, 30 percent of homes lack indoor plumbing. Factors such as these contribute to disproportionate numbers of confirmed cases and deaths related to COVID-19 being reported among tribal communities … [Read more...] about The Navajo & Hopi Families Relief Fund implements Clean Hands Project
Sinema Boosting Rural Arizona Jobs, Electric and Broadband Services
Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema reintroduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill with Republican Senator John Hoeven (N.D.) that boosts jobs and expands electricity and broadband access across rural Arizona by allowing rural Arizona electric and telecommunications co-ops to adjust Rural Utilities Service loans. “Allowing rural utility providers to refinance Rural Utilities Service loans helps create jobs and ensures rural Arizona communities can continue accessing electric … [Read more...] about Sinema Boosting Rural Arizona Jobs, Electric and Broadband Services
Survival Skills in Demand
As a series of severe winter storms walloped Texas in February, causing a crippling statewide power crisis that led to shortages of water, food and heat, one woman in her late 60s was texting Cody Lundin from her San Antonio home, thanking him for the life-saving skills she and her husband learned in the Sonoran Desert Daze course they took through his Aboriginal Living Skills School (ALSS). “They got out the sleeping bags that had never been used since the course, were eating a chipped beef … [Read more...] about Survival Skills in Demand
Eugene M. Hughes Leaves Lasting Legacy
The death of former Northern Arizona University President Eugene M. Hughes does not diminish the legacy he leaves behind in the state. Hughes, 86, died March 10, 2021, in Flagstaff. The Nebraska native was born April 3, 1934, in Scottsbluff. Hughes first arrived in Flagstaff in 1970 as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He rapidly advanced and was promoted to Provost of Arts and Sciences. In 1877, he became academic vice president. The Arizona Board of Regents selected Hughes as … [Read more...] about Eugene M. Hughes Leaves Lasting Legacy
Matching Doctors, Pharmacists to Rural Communities
Statistics from the Arizona Department of Health Services show that Arizona is ranked 38th in the nation in the number of primary care providers per 100,000, and an additional 605 primary care physicians are needed to bridge the gap. For more vulnerable populations in the state, such as those in rural, frontier and Native American communities, quality of life takes a heavy hit, as routine check-ups and ongoing care are difficult to obtain. In these communities, the population-to-provider … [Read more...] about Matching Doctors, Pharmacists to Rural Communities