Arizona RepublicView CommentsPresumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden questioned recent praise of Arizona as a national leader in COVID-19 containment Friday, prompting a spirited retort from Gov. Doug Ducey.President Donald Trump and U.S. coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx had during the governor's visit to the White House on Wednesday.Trump called Arizona — a battleground state in the November election — "a model for other states in applying a science-based approach to the decreasing cases and hospitalizations without...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsPresumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden questioned recent praise of Arizona as a national leader in COVID-19 containment Friday, prompting a spirited retort from Gov. Doug Ducey.President Donald Trump and U.S. coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx had during the governor's visit to the White House on Wednesday.Trump called Arizona — a battleground state in the November election — "a model for other states in applying a science-based approach to the decreasing cases and hospitalizations without...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 CommentsGov. Doug Ducey will dispatch National Guard troops to the southern border in response to a recent increase in migrants being apprehended by the Border Patrol, his office announced Tuesday.The Republican leader also in four border counties — Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma — as well as in Maricopa and Pinal."The U.S. Border Patrol is overwhelmed. Local law enforcement and mayors are calling out for help," Ducey said in a video outlining his rationale. "Citizens in our border communities are concerned for their safety, and...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey will dispatch National Guard troops to the southern border in response to a recent increase in migrants being apprehended by the Border Patrol, his office announced Tuesday.The Republican leader also in four border counties — Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma — as well as in Maricopa and Pinal."The U.S. Border Patrol is overwhelmed. Local law enforcement and mayors are calling out for help," Ducey said in a video outlining his rationale. "Citizens in our border communities are concerned for their safety, and...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsCalling its lawsuit challenging 2020 election procedures "groundless" and "disingenuous," a judge has ordered the Arizona Republican Party — and its lawyers — to pay the state thousands of dollars in legal fees.  In his ruling, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah contended the GOP's team acted in "bad faith" when it questioned the process for auditing voting machines and tried to delay certification of election results last November. Instead of living up to the "privileged position in the electoral...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsCalling its lawsuit challenging 2020 election procedures "groundless" and "disingenuous," a judge has ordered the Arizona Republican Party — and its lawyers — to pay the state thousands of dollars in legal fees.  In his ruling, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Hannah contended the GOP's team acted in "bad faith" when it questioned the process for auditing voting machines and tried to delay certification of election results last November. Instead of living up to the "privileged position in the electoral...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 Republic In late May and early June, just weeks before Arizona experienced one of the world’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks, . He noted the increase in confirmed cases was expected, given expanded testing; contrasted Arizona's experience with that of harder-hit states, such as New York and Washington; and for weeks resisted putting more aggressive measures in place. Ducey returned to those themes on Thursday during an afternoon news briefing, warning against “conflating” Arizona’s situation with that of the nation at large as reporters pressed him on...…Arizona Republic In late May and early June, just weeks before Arizona experienced one of the world’s worst COVID-19 outbreaks, . He noted the increase in confirmed cases was expected, given expanded testing; contrasted Arizona's experience with that of harder-hit states, such as New York and Washington; and for weeks resisted putting more aggressive measures in place. Ducey returned to those themes on Thursday during an afternoon news briefing, warning against “conflating” Arizona’s situation with that of the nation at large as reporters pressed him on...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday asked President Trump to formally declare a "major disaster" in Arizona, a move that could mean more federal cash for the state's pandemic response efforts.Arizona already is set to . While that measure is broadly geared toward reviving the economy, the major disaster declaration would specifically support disaster-response efforts implemented by state and local governments.LETTER: If the president approves Ducey's request, funding would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. According...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday asked President Trump to formally declare a "major disaster" in Arizona, a move that could mean more federal cash for the state's pandemic response efforts.Arizona already is set to . While that measure is broadly geared toward reviving the economy, the major disaster declaration would specifically support disaster-response efforts implemented by state and local governments.LETTER: If the president approves Ducey's request, funding would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. According...WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey on Monday accelerated his phased reopening plan for Arizona, saying expanded testing and declines in reported COVID- and flu-like illnesses had provided "a green light to make additional decisions for our first step forward."Barbershops and salons can resume hair, nail, waxing and other services by appointment Friday if they limit occupancy, implement social distancing measures, up sanitation protocols and provide cloth masks to employees, the governor said.On Monday, restaurants and coffee shops can start offering dine-in service....…Arizona RepublicView CommentsGov. Doug Ducey on Monday accelerated his phased reopening plan for Arizona, saying expanded testing and declines in reported COVID- and flu-like illnesses had provided "a green light to make additional decisions for our first step forward."Barbershops and salons can resume hair, nail, waxing and other services by appointment Friday if they limit occupancy, implement social distancing measures, up sanitation protocols and provide cloth masks to employees, the governor said.On Monday, restaurants and coffee shops can start offering dine-in service....WW…

Arizona RepublicView CommentsAfter three nights of turbulent protests against police brutality, Gov. Doug Ducey on Sunday announced a statewide curfew designed to prevent "violent civil disturbances."But the decision — shared abruptly, with few details at first — left many Arizonans confused. Why impose a statewide curfew, if protests have largely been limited to the Phoenix and Tucson areas? What about people who work nights? Does the governor even have the authority to do this? Here's what we've learned so far.The curfew is in effect from the evening of Sunday, May...…Arizona RepublicView CommentsAfter three nights of turbulent protests against police brutality, Gov. Doug Ducey on Sunday announced a statewide curfew designed to prevent "violent civil disturbances."But the decision — shared abruptly, with few details at first — left many Arizonans confused. Why impose a statewide curfew, if protests have largely been limited to the Phoenix and Tucson areas? What about people who work nights? Does the governor even have the authority to do this? Here's what we've learned so far.The curfew is in effect from the evening of Sunday, May...WW…