Tucson spends another $210k on I-10 underpass rocks https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/100124_underpass_rocks/tucson-spends-another-210k-i-10-underpass-rocks/ Updated: The city of Tucson began installation of new landscaping rocks underneath the interstate underpasses at Grant Road, St. Mary's Road, and 22nd Street this week that will cost approximately $305,000. Local activists argue that the rocks are an example of hostility towards the unhoused community, who frequent the space underneath the freeway underpasses in search of shade. #Tucson #Arizona

Brown bananas, crowded ports, empty shelves: What to expect if there’s a dockworkers strike https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/opinion/report/093024_dockworker_strike_op/brown-bananas-crowded-ports-empty-shelves-what-expect-if-theres-dockworkers-strike/ The International Longshoremen’s Association’s six-year contract with the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports will expire on Sept. 30, 2024, at midnight unless the two sides reach an agreement before that deadline. Here's what to expect if there’s a dockworkers strike in the U.S. #Tucson #Arizona

Arizona's clean-energy jobs growing, but GOP says Inflation Reduction Act is wasteful https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/092524_clean_energy_jobs/arizonas-clean-energy-jobs-growing-but-gop-says-inflation-reduction-act-wasteful/ A planned solar-powered cobalt processing facility will break ground next year in Yuma County, one of two dozen projects underway in Arizona catalyzed by the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation championed by Democrats and criticized by Republicans as a waste of taxpayer money. #Tucson #Arizona

Glendale got the Pentagon to help kill an affordable housing bill earlier this year https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/092424_dod_affordable_housing/glendale-got-pentagon-help-kill-affordable-housing-bill-earlier-this-year/ A California congressman who wanted to know why the U.S. Department of Defense lobbied Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to veto a bill aimed at spurring “starter home” construction has finally gotten some answers, but he still isn’t satisfied. #Tucson #Arizona

Health plan floated by JD Vance could weaken ACA protections https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/092024_vance_health_care/health-plan-floated-by-jd-vance-could-weaken-aca-protections/ A health care proposal suggested by Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance could gut a popular Affordable Care Act protection, making it legal for companies to charge more for or deny coverage of expensive medical conditions, including pregnancy. #Tucson #Arizona

Advocates fight for access to elections for voters not fluent in English https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/091424_fractured_language_barriers/advocates-fight-access-elections-voters-not-fluent-english/ As demographics shift, advocates from Las Vegas to Alaska are fighting to make voting accessible for citizens who speak different languages. But challenges remain –from the cost of translating materials to outright resistance to the idea. #Tucson #Arizona

As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/091524_fractured_generation_democracy/as-civic-knowledge-declines-programs-work-engage-young-people-democracy/ With studies showing a decline in civics education and knowledge across the U.S., programs from Arizona to New York are working to engage the next generation in democracy. #Tucson #Arizona

Mother of child brides testifies in Az polygamist sex abuse trial https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/091224_polygamist_abuse/mother-child-brides-testifies-az-polygamist-sex-abuse-trial/ The mother of two underage girls married to religious leader Samuel Rappylee Bateman testified Wednesday in the trial of two Arizona men accused of aiding and participating in Bateman’s child sex abuse ring. #Tucson #Arizona

87,000 Vietnam veterans may qualify for $844 million in benefits. How come nobody told them? https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/090324_agent_orange_va/87000-vietnam-veterans-may-qualify-844-million-benefits-how-come-nobody-told-them/ A spate of new legislation has expanded benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic chemicals in war, but though the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should be the ones notifying veterans when they may be eligible for new benefits, they often don’t. #Tucson #Arizona

Dog bites down 22% in Pima County despite fewer euthanizations at PACC https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/082924_pacc_dog_bites/dog-bites-down-22-pima-county-despite-fewer-euthanizations-pacc/ Dog bites in Pima County have decreased 22 percent in Pima County since 2010, according to a new report from Pima Animal Control Center, despite a dramatic reduction in euthanasia at the shelter. #Tucson #Arizona