Category: State News

Wildfire Academy students dig a handline, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Prescott, Ariz. Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil) PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) — It’s shaping up to be a long wildfire season, with Texas already seeing its largest blaze in recorded history and firefighters becoming overwhelmed with recent blazes in Virginia. Just in the first three months of the year, more than 2,669 square miles (6,912 square kilometers) were charred in the United States. That’s…

Arizona state Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, speaks to reporters on the House floor at the Capitol, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Phoenix. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state can enforce its long-dormant law criminalizing all abortions except when a mother’s life is at stake. (AP Photo/Matt York) PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Legislature devolved into shouts of “Shame! Shame!” last week as Republican lawmakers quickly shut down discussion on a proposed repeal of the state’s newly revived 1864 law that criminalizes abortion throughout pregnancy unless a woman’s life is at risk. The state Supreme Court cleared the…

FILE – Hildale, Utah, is pictured sitting at the base of Red Rock Cliff mountains, with its sister city, Colorado City, Ariz., in the foreground on Dec. 16, 2014. On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, a businessman pleaded guilty to conspiring with the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect in the Colorado City-Hildale area to transport underage girls across state lines for sexual activity. The guilty plea by 53-year-old Moroni Johnson marked the first man to be convicted in what authorities say was a scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) PHOENIX (AP) — The leader of…

PHOENIX – Wildlife biologists at Arizona Game and Fish have launched a statewide spring adoption drive to find homes for Sonoran Desert Tortoises that have been abandoned or illegally bred in captivity. Just in time for Earth Month, tortoises have emerged from their winter brumation (slumber period) and need permanent homes before desert temperatures climb. Biologists at Arizona Game and Fish Department cite fewer winter adoption applications submitted this past season, leading to plenty of tortoises available, and are asking for the public’s help. To make this process as easy as possible, adoption applications and instructions on how to build…

PHOENIX – With Tax Day just a few weeks away, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is doing its part to take some of the hassle and stress out of filling out those forms.  MVD’s online portal, azmvdnow.gov, provides a free summary of vehicle license tax and fees paid during 2023 for every vehicle that is registered. “This is the simplest way for customers to get this information for filing their taxes,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “Getting this report just takes a few seconds and it’s much easier than going into each vehicle to collect all your…

PHOENIX – Arizona State Parks and Trails is announcing the winners of its Opt Outside Photo Contest. The agency received more than 1,300 images from more than 500 people during the contest, which ran from November 24, 2023 to January 15, 2024.  The Opt Outside Photo Contest showcased the talent of photographers and the beauty and diversity of Arizona’s more than 30 state parks. The contest invited photographers of all levels to submit their best shots in Arizona’s state parks for the chance to win prizes and recognition in five categories: * Living creatures, spotlighting Arizona plants, animals, and insects * Friendly…