Category: State News

PHOENIX (AP) – An Arizona woman who shared her Thanksgiving table seven years ago with a stranger she accidentally texted will be opening up her home again this year to two new strangers. Wanda Dench is teaming up with Airbnb to expand the festivities, and the company said it will make a donation to the relief organization Feeding America. Dench’s tradition began in 2016 with a mistaken text to then-teen Jamal Hinton. She was trying to invite her grandson but didn’t realize he had changed his phone number. Hinton jokingly replied he would like to come and Dench said he…

JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) – A federal appeals court has agreed to give abortion rights advocates a chance to revive their bid to block an Arizona law that makes it a felony for doctors to perform abortions on patients seeking the procedure solely because of a fetal genetic abnormality, such as Down syndrome. In an order issued in early November, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to a lower court to consider the doctors’ request for a court order blocking the law. The appeals court didn’t rule on the merits of the challenge…

JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) – A federal appeals court has agreed to give abortion rights advocates a chance to revive their bid to block an Arizona law that makes it a felony for doctors to perform abortions on patients seeking the procedure solely because of a fetal genetic abnormality, such as Down syndrome. In an order issued in early November, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to a lower court to consider the doctors’ request for a court order blocking the law. The appeals court didn’t rule on the merits of the challenge…

PHOENIX (AP) – Millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funds will go toward bolstering the operation of Arizona elections, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced at the end of October. The Democratic governor said around $2.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act will be earmarked to “support free, fair and secure elections.” Half of the money will pay for a state elections fellowship program, temporary support staff and consultants with election expertise across various counties. Counties that have had significant worker turnover will be the priority. The rest will go to a voter registration database and administration initiatives for the…

PHOENIX (AP) – Millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funds will go toward bolstering the operation of Arizona elections, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced at the end of October. The Democratic governor said around $2.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act will be earmarked to “support free, fair and secure elections.” Half of the money will pay for a state elections fellowship program, temporary support staff and consultants with election expertise across various counties. Counties that have had significant worker turnover will be the priority. The rest will go to a voter registration database and administration initiatives for the…

Volunteers are a Valuable Asset in the Adoption Process ARIZONA – Each November individuals and communities come together to celebrate and bring awareness to adoption and foster care.  For over 20 years, the third Saturday in November has been designated National Adoption Day. It celebrates the child and family in their new forever home.    The Arizona Supreme Court’s Dependent Children’s Services Division facilitates two statewide volunteer programs, the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) and the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), that are dedicated to the well-being of the approximately 10,000 children in Arizona’s foster care system. Comprised of an amazing and dedicated…