Arizona Republic Some Arizona counties likely will return to the category of "substantial spread" of COVID-19, but officials want to avoid another shutdown, the state's governor and health director said Thursday.Under the state's guidelines, that level of virus spread could trigger restrictions on businesses, but Gov. Doug Ducey said that wouldn't happen barring a dramatic increase.State data shows at least two counties surpassed the state's 'moderate' benchmark of cases per 100,000 individuals for business reopening for one week — Pima and Coconino.On the state's business operations...…Arizona Republic Some Arizona counties likely will return to the category of "substantial spread" of COVID-19, but officials want to avoid another shutdown, the state's governor and health director said Thursday.Under the state's guidelines, that level of virus spread could trigger restrictions on businesses, but Gov. Doug Ducey said that wouldn't happen barring a dramatic increase.State data shows at least two counties surpassed the state's 'moderate' benchmark of cases per 100,000 individuals for business reopening for one week — Pima and Coconino.On the state's business operations...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsA measure that would tax the state's wealthiest residents to raise nearly $1 billion for education is unfit to appear on the November ballot because of "opaque" language in its 100-word summary, a judge ruled Friday.Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury deemed the synopsis for the Invest in Education Act "misleading by its omission of principal provisions" and argued it created a "substantial likelihood of confusion for a reasonable Arizona voter."The decision stems from the same part of the initiative process — the...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsA measure that would tax the state's wealthiest residents to raise nearly $1 billion for education is unfit to appear on the November ballot because of "opaque" language in its 100-word summary, a judge ruled Friday.Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Coury deemed the synopsis for the Invest in Education Act "misleading by its omission of principal provisions" and argued it created a "substantial likelihood of confusion for a reasonable Arizona voter."The decision stems from the same part of the initiative process — the...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsLawyers for Cyber Ninjas, the Florida-based company the Arizona Senate hired to lead a recount of Maricopa County’s 2.1 million general election ballots, are asking a judge to keep secret its procedures for the recount and shut out the public as well as the press from a hearing in which the documents might be discussed.Judge Christopher Coury asked the company on Friday to turn over its plans and procedures amid concerns about the security of the county's ballots and voter privacy.But the company argued on Sunday that filing the documents in court...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsLawyers for Cyber Ninjas, the Florida-based company the Arizona Senate hired to lead a recount of Maricopa County’s 2.1 million general election ballots, are asking a judge to keep secret its procedures for the recount and shut out the public as well as the press from a hearing in which the documents might be discussed.Judge Christopher Coury asked the company on Friday to turn over its plans and procedures amid concerns about the security of the county's ballots and voter privacy.But the company argued on Sunday that filing the documents in court...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsThe first day of an unprecedented recount of every ballot cast by Maricopa County voters during last year's general election almost did not happen Friday.A court battle nearly stopped it. And, as the recount was starting, officials seemed to be figuring out rules and training on the fly. Later, the daily press briefings that were promised were placed on an indefinite hiatus.What was clear is that the 2.1 million ballots the Republican-controlled state Senate obtained through a subpoena are now fully in the custody of a Florida-based company called Cyber...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsThe first day of an unprecedented recount of every ballot cast by Maricopa County voters during last year's general election almost did not happen Friday.A court battle nearly stopped it. And, as the recount was starting, officials seemed to be figuring out rules and training on the fly. Later, the daily press briefings that were promised were placed on an indefinite hiatus.What was clear is that the 2.1 million ballots the Republican-controlled state Senate obtained through a subpoena are now fully in the custody of a Florida-based company called Cyber...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsAn attempt by Republican state senators to hold the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in contempt failed on Monday as lawmakers seek to conduct their own audit of the presidential election results.Breaking with the GOP caucus and casting the crucial vote against the measure, which could have led to the supervisors' arrests, Sen. Paul Boyer said he wanted to give the county and Senate more time to work out their ongoing legal dispute over the Legislature's proposed audit."Today's vote merely provides a little bit more time for us to work together charitably...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsAn attempt by Republican state senators to hold the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in contempt failed on Monday as lawmakers seek to conduct their own audit of the presidential election results.Breaking with the GOP caucus and casting the crucial vote against the measure, which could have led to the supervisors' arrests, Sen. Paul Boyer said he wanted to give the county and Senate more time to work out their ongoing legal dispute over the Legislature's proposed audit."Today's vote merely provides a little bit more time for us to work together charitably...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsRepublicans in the Arizona Senate have escalated their ongoing fight with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over the 2020 election.On Wednesday, they introduced a resolution to hold the board's members in contempt for not turning over — or at least providing access to — ballots along with other records. It's not clear exactly what a contempt finding against the supervisors would result in, though the resolution appears to allow for their arrest.Republican lawmakers are intent on conducting their own audit of the...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsRepublicans in the Arizona Senate have escalated their ongoing fight with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over the 2020 election.On Wednesday, they introduced a resolution to hold the board's members in contempt for not turning over — or at least providing access to — ballots along with other records. It's not clear exactly what a contempt finding against the supervisors would result in, though the resolution appears to allow for their arrest.Republican lawmakers are intent on conducting their own audit of the...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsRepublican state senators have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to force Maricopa County to comply with subpoenas the Arizona Legislature sent local officials last week demanding they turn over copies of every mail-in ballot counted during the election along with a pile of other records. The lawsuit filed by Senate President Karen Fann and Sen. Eddie Farnsworth is just the newest twist in a legal standoff between local officials and legislators, who have said they want to undertake their own audit of Maricopa County’s election, even after a perfect hand count...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsRepublican state senators have filed a lawsuit asking a judge to force Maricopa County to comply with subpoenas the Arizona Legislature sent local officials last week demanding they turn over copies of every mail-in ballot counted during the election along with a pile of other records. The lawsuit filed by Senate President Karen Fann and Sen. Eddie Farnsworth is just the newest twist in a legal standoff between local officials and legislators, who have said they want to undertake their own audit of Maricopa County’s election, even after a perfect hand count...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsA Maricopa County Superior Court judge tossed out a lawsuit on Friday claiming that the county denied one voter the right to cast her ballot and failed to properly process another voter's ballot, dismissing the last election-related case pending in Arizona.Judge Margaret Mahoney did not elaborate on her reasoning for throwing out the case at the end of the hearing but said she would issue an order in writing.Whatever Mahoney decided, the case — involving only two ballots — would not have changed the outcome of the election.But the judge's decision, after a...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsA Maricopa County Superior Court judge tossed out a lawsuit on Friday claiming that the county denied one voter the right to cast her ballot and failed to properly process another voter's ballot, dismissing the last election-related case pending in Arizona.Judge Margaret Mahoney did not elaborate on her reasoning for throwing out the case at the end of the hearing but said she would issue an order in writing.Whatever Mahoney decided, the case — involving only two ballots — would not have changed the outcome of the election.But the judge's decision, after a...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsA federal appeals court has cut off an extension of Arizona’s voter registration deadline, giving residents until Thursday to sign up to cast a ballot in the November election. after two advocacy groups, Mi Familia Vota and Arizona Coalition for Change, filed a lawsuit arguing that the coronavirus pandemic had stymied their plans to register new voters.But state officials and Republicans asked an appeals court to stop the extension, arguing the sudden change has created administrative problems for election officials at the start of early voting and risks...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsA federal appeals court has cut off an extension of Arizona’s voter registration deadline, giving residents until Thursday to sign up to cast a ballot in the November election. after two advocacy groups, Mi Familia Vota and Arizona Coalition for Change, filed a lawsuit arguing that the coronavirus pandemic had stymied their plans to register new voters.But state officials and Republicans asked an appeals court to stop the extension, arguing the sudden change has created administrative problems for election officials at the start of early voting and risks...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey calling on Arizonans to stay home to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.But he cautioned residents against rushing to hoard groceries, noting grocery stores will stay open.And feel free to enjoy the nice spring weather, he said, just stay away from crowds.So, about day-to-day life in Arizona? Here are some answers to questions raised by the action, which takes effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday.A: Yes. Residents may leave their homes to participate in what the state calls "essential functions." The state has deemed grocery stores and many other...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey calling on Arizonans to stay home to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.But he cautioned residents against rushing to hoard groceries, noting grocery stores will stay open.And feel free to enjoy the nice spring weather, he said, just stay away from crowds.So, about day-to-day life in Arizona? Here are some answers to questions raised by the action, which takes effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday.A: Yes. Residents may leave their homes to participate in what the state calls "essential functions." The state has deemed grocery stores and many other...WW…