Stories - AZPM

Lake Havasu City officials said that after steady increases in visitors in recent weeks, numbers soared over Memorial Day weekend, when they encouraged tourists to “be respectful” and follow health safety guidelines.

As holiday crowds packed tourist spots, fears rose of COVID-19 spread

One official called Arizona Memorial Day weekend crowds "off the charts," leading to worries over increased spread of the virus.

Survey: Latino families, businesses say they were left out by CARES Act

The survey found that 48% of Latino households making under $25,000 did not receive any support

Arizona fire officials say they are taking steps to keep crews social distanced, but there will be times in the field when firefighters will have no choice but to be in close proximity.

As if firefighting wasn’t dangerous enough, crews grapple with COVID-19

On top of a challenging fire season, officials also expect difficulties in observing distancing in a job that relies on face-to-face communication.

A man is prepped to give a blood donation to the American Red Cross in Southern Arizona.

As blood donations fell, FDA eased rules to roll up a sleeve and give

An agency official says the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the implementation of changes that were already in the works.

Watchdogs scramble to keep up with COVID-19 scams, fraud

Groups say scammers are getting creative about spreading false information, like fake, miracle COVID-19 cures.

The Canyon Mine, about 15 miles south of the Grand Canyon, was approved in 1986 but has not produced any uranium, its owners say, in part because subsidized competition from foreign countries like China and Russia keeps prices too low.

Plan to ‘revive’ uranium mining called unneeded, unwanted by advocates

Environmentalists fear the removal of regulations on the industry, which they say has yet to address a toxic legacy.

More than 470,000 Arizonans have filed for unemployment in the last six weeks. New expanded jobless benefits begin in May, but advocates worry it won’t be enough to offset the massive damage from the coronavirus.

Jobless benefits expand next month, but advocates worry it’s not enough

Economists and advocates say that while the change is welcome – it’s probably too little, and too late.

President Donald Trump said his executive order suspending some forms of immigration for 60 days is meant to protect jobs for American workers during COVID-19. But experts say it does little more than what has already been done to tighten immigration.

Critics say Trump order on immigration does little but stir up anxiety

Experts said the order does little to expand restrictions in an immigration system that is already shut down in many ways.

Traffic in Phoenix with the city's downtown skyline in the distance.

EPA won’t expand pollutant rule — ‘mistake’ during COVID-19, critics say

The agency said it isn't going to toughen air quality standards, which environmentalists say is "totally backwards."

Coronavirus relief payments start landing in Arizonans’ bank accounts

An estimated 80% of residents in the state will get a payment from the federal government.

Gun sales rose to record levels in March, as COVID-19 fears climbed

Arizona saw more than 80,000 firearm background checks in March, more than doubling February's numbers.

Ducey COVID-19 treatment order splits health officials

An order from the governor walks a fine line on when and how an anti-malarial drug could be dispensed to treat COVID-19.

The Environmental Protection Agency lashed out against critics of its decision to ease enforcement of some reporting requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the policy had been distorted by opponents. But environmental groups were not convinced, saying it creates a “catch me if you can” situation for polluters.

EPA defends plan to ease compliance requirements in face of coronavirus

Environmentalists have repeated charges that the policy creates a "catch me if you can" situation for polluters.

A view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, next to the Kolb Studio, September 2018.

Officials call for Grand Canyon closure to help stem coronavirus spread

A letter to the secretary of the interior says keeping the parks open puts workers and visitors at risk.

An executive order by Gov. Doug Ducey identifies groceries, pharmacies, health care and home care services, gas stations and more as “essential services” that cannot be shuttered by local governments in response to the coronavirus. But it also lists parks, trails, laundries and pawn brokers as essential, raising eyebrows among some mayors.

Mayors ‘flabbergasted’ at list of services Ducey order would protect

Some Arizona mayors questioned why things like golf courses and pawnshops made the list of "essential services" in the executive order.

Jobless claims in Arizona jumped to more than eight times their normal level last week, to 29,000, as the first wave of layoffs from businesses affected by COVID-19 changes hit the state. In a typical week, about 3,500 claims are filed, state officials said.

Arizona jobless claims skyrocket, as coronavirus starts to hit economy

The Department of Economic Security says it's working to get benefits to people, as claims neared almost 30,000 last week.

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