Category: State News

Platform offers eligible taxpayers a new option to file electronically for free Phoenix – The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is announcing that the much-anticipated Direct File tool — and Arizona’s integrated state filing tool, FileYourStateTaxes — will be officially available for all eligible taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically for free starting March 12. This historic new program will allow eligible taxpayers to file their federal and state returns seamlessly and for free. Starting this week, the platform is in its final testing phase, allowing new users to file their returns 24 hours a day, every day. A message…

In the heartland of America, where fields, pastures, and open ranges stretch as far as the eye can see, there struggle the often overlooked and undervalued farm and ranch workers. These dedicated men and women toil under the scorching sun, enduring grueling hours, and hazardous conditions, all to ensure that our tables brim with fresh groceries. Their contributions often go unnoticed, while their lives are etched by poverty and vulnerability. Introduction to PPEP – NFJP Fortunately, a ray of hope shines for these near invisible heroes: the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). This federally funded program is managed locally at…

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), Division of Problem Gambling (DPG), in collaboration with the National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG), recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. 2024 marks the 21st anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. “Problem gambling is a serious addiction that affects an estimated two percent of adults and five percent of youth in Arizona,” said Katie Hobbs, Arizona Governor. “That is why I have issued a proclamation announcing March 2024 as Arizona Problem Gambling Awareness Month — through education and outreach, we can spread the word and support those in Arizona who may…

Arizona lawmakers are pushing to return social equity licenses for marijuana dispensaries to their original owners, alleging private investors and cannabis corporations used predatory tactics to seize control of nearly all the lucrative licenses.  Senate Bill 1262, introduced by Republican Sen. Sonny Borrelli, seeks to restore power to those the state’s social equity program was actually meant to benefit: people from marginalized communities disproportionately affected by past marijuana convictions. It would also allow the state Attorney General’s Office to investigate and punish entities that exploited those individuals. “What we have here is an injustice that needs to be fixed,” Borrelli,…

For wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor recreationists, there are few sights more thrilling than observing bald eagles raise their young during the nesting season.  But eagle nests and young eagles are sensitive to nearby human activity. Too much disturbance by humans can cause a nest to fail, or result in a premature fledging and injury, or death to an eaglet that can’t fly or defend itself. Bald eagle nestwatchers, people who are stationed at nesting areas near high-use recreation areas to collect behavioral data and educate the public, started monitoring nesting areas Feb. 2. During that first week, they observed multiple…

The Virgin River Campground in the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office area has gone 100% cashless for all campsites at this popular recreation area. “For visitor convenience and to eliminate security issues related to handling and counting cash, we are going to a 100% cashless system through Recreation.gov at the Virgin River Campground,” said Randy Beckstrand, Arizona Strip Assistant Field Manager. There are 18 multi-day camp sites on the upper loop that can be reserved in advance with online payment at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10086109. Visitors may camp up to 14 days at these sites. The upper loop also contains an additional 54 campsites that are available…