Tucson Politics

  After Vail School District voted to allow an LDS seminary on district property, questions arose about how it’s even allowed, though religious conservatives have pushed to expand release-time programs nationwide, arguing there is no need to separate religion from daily education.

  New York Attorney General Letitia James and 19 other state attorneys general  - including Az Attorney General Kris Mayes - announced they are suing the Trump administration and its Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for gutting the agency’s manpower.

  Carmen Heredia, the director of Arizona’s embattled Medicaid agency resigned this week, just as she was expected to face questions from lawmakers about her handling of a massive fraud scheme that largely targeted Native Americans.

  The trial to determine whether Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby conspired to interfere in the duties of the Secretary of State’s Office when he refused to certify the results of the 2022 election has been pushed back from May to September.

  Gov. Katie Hobbs once again thwarted Republican efforts to facilitate mass deportations in Arizona, vetoing legislation that would have made it easier for federal immigration agents to arrest people while at the same time blocking elected officials from preventing discriminatory actions.

  A 24-year-old Guatemalan woman and her newborn baby were released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Saturday afternoon after public outcry over her detention by federal officials at Tucson Medical Center.

  The decision to punt on next week’s markup comes after some Republicans in swing districts, including Southern Arizona's Juan Ciscomani, warned leadership that they were opposed to significant Medicaid cuts.

  A Pima County Superior Court judge has ruled that Green Valley Justice of the Peace Judge Ray Carroll was right when he declined to dismiss trespassing charges against four protesters who were arrested after blocking traffic near Raytheon in November 2023.

  Tucsonans will soon have to pay for Downtown parking until 7 p.m. and on Saturdays too. The city’s Department of Transportation and Mobility announced Friday the hours for parking meters will change to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday beginning June 2.

  If a resolution from Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy passes, dirtbikes, ATVs, side-by-sides and other off-highway vehicles could have greater access to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the latest in nearly two decades of legal challenges in the recreation area that encompasses Lake Powell.

  The fate of more than 15 million customers’ genetic data remains in limbo after popular DNA testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March. The data is up for sale, prompting attorneys general from more than a dozen states to warn 23andMe users: Delete your data.

  The Trump administration is cutting funds to AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, leaving some Tucson-area community organizations that depend on the program uncertain about their futures.

  Five people have applied to complete the term of retiring Tucson City Councilman Richard Fimbres, which runs through December of this year.

  Five candidates have applied for the chance to be a judge in Pima County’s Justice Court, including former state lawmaker Steve Farley, former Tucson City Council candidate Juan Padres and three attorneys

  Health professionals say mixed messaging from top officials along with widespread misinformation is contributing to declining vaccination rates, particularly in rural counties where health care access is already limited.

  Representatives of Arizona’s hemp industry will file a special action in the Arizona Court of Appeals Wednesday to protect retailers selling delta-9 and other non-marijuana THC products without a marijuana dispensary license.

  The developmentally disabled community, along with lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs, gathered to celebrate the women (and girl) who fought relentlessly to ensure that the people who rely on DDD for vital services weren’t left without.

  Two of Arizona’s top public health officials have resigned rather than face an acrimonious confirmation process at the legislature, where Republicans have used agency director hearings to play hardball politics with Gov. Katie Hobbs and stymie her government.

  A roundup of endorsements in the special election in Arizona's Congressional District 7.

  After days of deliberation, a jury found a former Border Patrol agent guilty of conspiracy for helping smugglers slip vehicles carrying narcotics through the I-19 checkpoint last summer.

  New state Dems Chairman Robert Branscomb picked a fight with U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. He's now on the outs with Gov. Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Other than that, how go the first 100 days?

  New state Dems Chairman Robert Branscomb picked a fight with U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. He's now on the outs with Gov. Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. Other than that, how go the first 100 days?

  In a bid to strengthen animal protection laws, Arizona legislators have reintroduced a bill that clarifies animal cruelty, neglect and mistreatment.

  Republican lawmakers passed legislation that would cost Arizona counties tens of millions of dollars every election year and would force them to attempt to find 4,000 new voting locations, something that county election officials described as impossible.

  A study commissioned by the city of Tucson found that a publicly owned electric power utility is financially feasible, but a Tucson Electric Power spokesperson warned consumers the report is “profoundly flawed.”