Arizona Republic Arizona’s most shocking story today isn’t the fact that an Arizona congressman spoke at a white nationalist conference on Friday night.It isn’t that he then posed for pictures with the event organizer, a guy who lamented the loss of the country’s “white demographic core” and proclaimed the events leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the nation’s Capitol as “awesome.”It’s the silence pouring forth from the Arizona Republican Party that is absolutely stunning.Gosar has long been known for living out there on what used to be the party’s fringe. Used to be.He’s the congressman who...…Arizona Republic Arizona’s most shocking story today isn’t the fact that an Arizona congressman spoke at a white nationalist conference on Friday night.It isn’t that he then posed for pictures with the event organizer, a guy who lamented the loss of the country’s “white demographic core” and proclaimed the events leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the nation’s Capitol as “awesome.”It’s the silence pouring forth from the Arizona Republican Party that is absolutely stunning.Gosar has long been known for living out there on what used to be the party’s fringe. Used to be.He’s the congressman who...WW…

Arizona Republic Plans for a that would combine lodging with an immersive art experience have been canceled.Meow Wolf, an art collective based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, confirmed to The Arizona Republic on Feb. 24 that it would no longer pursue the 400-room hotel project. Meow Wolf specializes in immersive art experiences "that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration," according to its website. The original location, the , was so popular that the company recently opened a similar attraction in Las Vegas and one in Denver is under construction.The...…Arizona Republic Plans for a that would combine lodging with an immersive art experience have been canceled.Meow Wolf, an art collective based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, confirmed to The Arizona Republic on Feb. 24 that it would no longer pursue the 400-room hotel project. Meow Wolf specializes in immersive art experiences "that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration," according to its website. The original location, the , was so popular that the company recently opened a similar attraction in Las Vegas and one in Denver is under construction.The...WW…

Arizona Republic Rep. Paul Gosar spoke Friday night at a Florida event organized by a white nationalist.To make the appearance at the far-right AFPAC, an extremist alternative to the annual CPAC gathering of conservatives, Gosar, R-Ariz., had to skip voting in person on the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that passed the House early Saturday. He had notified the House in writing that he couldn't be physically present in Congress because of the ongoing pandemic.AFPAC stands for the America First Political Action Committee and was put together by Nick Fuentes, an anti-immigration...…Arizona Republic Rep. Paul Gosar spoke Friday night at a Florida event organized by a white nationalist.To make the appearance at the far-right AFPAC, an extremist alternative to the annual CPAC gathering of conservatives, Gosar, R-Ariz., had to skip voting in person on the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that passed the House early Saturday. He had notified the House in writing that he couldn't be physically present in Congress because of the ongoing pandemic.AFPAC stands for the America First Political Action Committee and was put together by Nick Fuentes, an anti-immigration...WW…

Arizona Republic Leave it to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to issue a warning to Democrats and to do so with style.Arizona’s senior senator showed up on Tuesday to preside over the Senate wearing not the usual navy blue blah but a .That she is, to the progressives who expect her to get in line and support including a $15 minimum wage by 2025 in a bill that’s supposed to offer short-term COVID-19 relief.Another view:And to President Joe Biden, who will need her vote if he is to pass immigration reform, or much of anything, in the next two years.And to Arizona conservatives who are still smarting over...…Arizona Republic Leave it to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to issue a warning to Democrats and to do so with style.Arizona’s senior senator showed up on Tuesday to preside over the Senate wearing not the usual navy blue blah but a .That she is, to the progressives who expect her to get in line and support including a $15 minimum wage by 2025 in a bill that’s supposed to offer short-term COVID-19 relief.Another view:And to President Joe Biden, who will need her vote if he is to pass immigration reform, or much of anything, in the next two years.And to Arizona conservatives who are still smarting over...WW…

Arizona Republic Maricopa County will turn over ballots from the November general election to the Arizona Senate and provide the Senate access to its voting machines so it can conduct an audit, after a judge ruling Friday.Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Thomason said that the subpoenas issued by the Arizona Senate are valid. He said he disagreed with the county's arguments that they were unlawful and that the county legally could not hand over the ballots.In response, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers said in a statement Friday afternoon that the county...…Arizona Republic Maricopa County will turn over ballots from the November general election to the Arizona Senate and provide the Senate access to its voting machines so it can conduct an audit, after a judge ruling Friday.Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Thomason said that the subpoenas issued by the Arizona Senate are valid. He said he disagreed with the county's arguments that they were unlawful and that the county legally could not hand over the ballots.In response, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers said in a statement Friday afternoon that the county...WW…

Arizona Republic Former Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard keeps a photo of the as it was in 1925 on his wall, or what he refers to as the "fortuitous combination" of rich soil and water from the Salt River that put Phoenix on the map. Goddard holds on to it to remember how far the city has come, just as leaders past and present did on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday for Phoenix's 140th birthday.Former mayors and current city andtribal leaders celebrated through that lens of reflection — a look back at how that water and soil turned into the fifth largest city in America, and their hopes for...…Arizona Republic Former Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard keeps a photo of the as it was in 1925 on his wall, or what he refers to as the "fortuitous combination" of rich soil and water from the Salt River that put Phoenix on the map. Goddard holds on to it to remember how far the city has come, just as leaders past and present did on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday for Phoenix's 140th birthday.Former mayors and current city andtribal leaders celebrated through that lens of reflection — a look back at how that water and soil turned into the fifth largest city in America, and their hopes for...WW…

Arizona Republic The results of Maricopa County's independent audit of 2020 election results are in.The verdict: The election was sound.Maricopa County on Tuesday released the results of election audits from two independent auditors it hired to verify that voting machines were not hacked, were not connected to the internet and counted votes properly during the 2020 general election.The auditors found that the county used certified equipment and software, no malicious hardware was found on voting machines, the machines were not connected to the internet, and the machines were programmed to...…Arizona Republic The results of Maricopa County's independent audit of 2020 election results are in.The verdict: The election was sound.Maricopa County on Tuesday released the results of election audits from two independent auditors it hired to verify that voting machines were not hacked, were not connected to the internet and counted votes properly during the 2020 general election.The auditors found that the county used certified equipment and software, no malicious hardware was found on voting machines, the machines were not connected to the internet, and the machines were programmed to...WW…

Arizona Republic Dominion Voting System on Monday filed its third $1.3 billion-dollar lawsuit for defamation, this one for spreading outlandish conspiracy theories about how the company rigged the election.Lindell joins Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani on the hot seat.Still warming the bench is Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who rode to rock-star status peddling the lie that America’s election was stolen from President Donald Trump.Who can forget her video — the one with the catchy title: “Dominion Exposed. This video should terrify every American.”I would...…Arizona Republic Dominion Voting System on Monday filed its third $1.3 billion-dollar lawsuit for defamation, this one for spreading outlandish conspiracy theories about how the company rigged the election.Lindell joins Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani on the hot seat.Still warming the bench is Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward, who rode to rock-star status peddling the lie that America’s election was stolen from President Donald Trump.Who can forget her video — the one with the catchy title: “Dominion Exposed. This video should terrify every American.”I would...WW…

Arizona Republic Arizona's largest electric company will pay $24 million for not explaining its rates properly and erroneously directing thousands of customers away from its cheapest plans, Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Monday.Arizona Public Service Co. . Then, the company moved customers to new rate plans if they didn't choose one for themselves.Explaining the new rates .Among other problems, the utility misdirected customers on its website in 2019 with a rate-comparison tool that was meant to show customers which of the new plans would be cheapest for them. That tool instead...…Arizona Republic Arizona's largest electric company will pay $24 million for not explaining its rates properly and erroneously directing thousands of customers away from its cheapest plans, Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Monday.Arizona Public Service Co. . Then, the company moved customers to new rate plans if they didn't choose one for themselves.Explaining the new rates .Among other problems, the utility misdirected customers on its website in 2019 with a rate-comparison tool that was meant to show customers which of the new plans would be cheapest for them. That tool instead...WW…

Arizona Republic Good news for craft beer fans, eight new breweries are bubbling up across metro Phoenix.Six of those breweries are new to the Valley and are in varying states of construction and production. Some have already started selling beer, so look for new cans at local bottle shops. Two established metro Phoenix breweries are also expanding with new locations, bringing their beer to new corners of the Valley. Downtown Phoenix's Roosevelt Row is fast becoming a hub for breweries, and soon beer drinkers will have a few more options throughout the district. North Phoenix and Gilbert...…Arizona Republic Good news for craft beer fans, eight new breweries are bubbling up across metro Phoenix.Six of those breweries are new to the Valley and are in varying states of construction and production. Some have already started selling beer, so look for new cans at local bottle shops. Two established metro Phoenix breweries are also expanding with new locations, bringing their beer to new corners of the Valley. Downtown Phoenix's Roosevelt Row is fast becoming a hub for breweries, and soon beer drinkers will have a few more options throughout the district. North Phoenix and Gilbert...WW…

Arizona Republic The U.S. Supreme Court will not consider Arizona Republican Party leader Kelli Ward's .Nor will justices review Ward's constitutional challenge of the federal "safe harbor" deadline, the cutoff by which states must resolve election disputes to guarantee Congress will count their electors' votes.The court announced its decision Monday without explanation. Ward did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Ward, chair of the state party and an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump, initially filed the lawsuit Maricopa County Superior Court, seeking to have a...…Arizona Republic The U.S. Supreme Court will not consider Arizona Republican Party leader Kelli Ward's .Nor will justices review Ward's constitutional challenge of the federal "safe harbor" deadline, the cutoff by which states must resolve election disputes to guarantee Congress will count their electors' votes.The court announced its decision Monday without explanation. Ward did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Ward, chair of the state party and an avid supporter of former President Donald Trump, initially filed the lawsuit Maricopa County Superior Court, seeking to have a...WW…

Arizona Republic Arizona drivers heading out of town for the weekend wouldn't find road closures on Twitter.Parents curious about teacher conferences couldn't get updates on Facebook.Voters couldn't see updates from their city council representatives on Instagram.All of these actions and more would be prohibited under a bill that passed an initial hurdle at the Arizona Legislature this week, as some lawmakers seek ways to crack down on social media companies that they say have gained too much influence.Senate Bill 1687 from Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, is simple. It prohibits...…Arizona Republic Arizona drivers heading out of town for the weekend wouldn't find road closures on Twitter.Parents curious about teacher conferences couldn't get updates on Facebook.Voters couldn't see updates from their city council representatives on Instagram.All of these actions and more would be prohibited under a bill that passed an initial hurdle at the Arizona Legislature this week, as some lawmakers seek ways to crack down on social media companies that they say have gained too much influence.Senate Bill 1687 from Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, is simple. It prohibits...WW…

Arizona Republic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is chairing a new Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over the U.S. borders and government efficiency, a post that could take on greater importance as President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress push for comprehensive immigration reform.Sinema, D-Ariz., will chair the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management.In a written statement to The Arizona Republic, Sinema said she wants the subcommittee to on issues ranging from border security to improving the functions and...…Arizona Republic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is chairing a new Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over the U.S. borders and government efficiency, a post that could take on greater importance as President Joe Biden and the Democratic-controlled Congress push for comprehensive immigration reform.Sinema, D-Ariz., will chair the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management.In a written statement to The Arizona Republic, Sinema said she wants the subcommittee to on issues ranging from border security to improving the functions and...WW…

Arizona Republic The Arizona Legislature this year could make it easier for women to get birth control pills, patches and rings by letting them skip a trip to the doctor’s office before heading to the pharmacy.  would allow a state Health Services Department physician to issue a standing prescription for certain hormonal contraceptives, meaning women 18 and older would not need to secure individual prescriptions on their own."It eliminates some of the barriers to a very popular, safe and effective medication," bill sponsor Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale told the Senate Health and...…Arizona Republic The Arizona Legislature this year could make it easier for women to get birth control pills, patches and rings by letting them skip a trip to the doctor’s office before heading to the pharmacy.  would allow a state Health Services Department physician to issue a standing prescription for certain hormonal contraceptives, meaning women 18 and older would not need to secure individual prescriptions on their own."It eliminates some of the barriers to a very popular, safe and effective medication," bill sponsor Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale told the Senate Health and...WW…

Arizona Republic Arizona has been in the national political spotlight recently. It was labeled a swing state heading into the 2020 elections and barely turned blue, handing Joe Biden his narrowest victory in November. While this was happening, the state's elected leaders were gathering national attention too. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has entered the final two years of his term. His future afterward is uncertain but could include a return to private life, a run for Congress, or even a White House bid in 2024.In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne...…Arizona Republic Arizona has been in the national political spotlight recently. It was labeled a swing state heading into the 2020 elections and barely turned blue, handing Joe Biden his narrowest victory in November. While this was happening, the state's elected leaders were gathering national attention too. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has entered the final two years of his term. His future afterward is uncertain but could include a return to private life, a run for Congress, or even a White House bid in 2024.In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne...WW…

OPINIONMurad AwawdehOpinion contributor It was a bitterly cold and windy morning when I stepped out of my apartment on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. Donald Trump just finished his  as president of the United States, and the night before he of the first Muslim ban executive order, temporarily or indefinitely banning the entry of immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. Hours later, Customs and Border Patrol agents began stopping people at John F. Kennedy International Airport, some of them deep in the bowels of the terminals, and preparing to send some of them back to their...…OPINIONMurad AwawdehOpinion contributor It was a bitterly cold and windy morning when I stepped out of my apartment on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. Donald Trump just finished his  as president of the United States, and the night before he of the first Muslim ban executive order, temporarily or indefinitely banning the entry of immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. Hours later, Customs and Border Patrol agents began stopping people at John F. Kennedy International Airport, some of them deep in the bowels of the terminals, and preparing to send some of them back to their...WW…

Arizona Republic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly said Arizona's coronavirus vaccine supplies should be moving toward meeting demand, but said he is worried that ultimately too few people will get the drug to help ward off widespread infections."Initially, we had a distribution problem. We had some doses. We couldn't get them in people's arms," Kelly, D-Ariz., told reporters outside Luke Air Force Base, where he had just completed a tour of the facility for the first time as a senator."We've built the distribution system. Now we've got a supply problem. You know what's probably coming next? We're going...…Arizona Republic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly said Arizona's coronavirus vaccine supplies should be moving toward meeting demand, but said he is worried that ultimately too few people will get the drug to help ward off widespread infections."Initially, we had a distribution problem. We had some doses. We couldn't get them in people's arms," Kelly, D-Ariz., told reporters outside Luke Air Force Base, where he had just completed a tour of the facility for the first time as a senator."We've built the distribution system. Now we've got a supply problem. You know what's probably coming next? We're going...WW…

Arizona Republic With nearly 21,000 people working in marijuana dispensaries or affiliated businesses, Arizona ranks No. 4 nationally for jobs in the cannabis industry, according to a report released Tuesday by Leafly.The report was based on employment in 2020, before Arizona launched adult-use marijuana sales in January, so those figures are sure to rise as dispensaries around the state ramp up to meet the new demand from sales to any adult over age 21, not just medical-marijuana patients.Arizona had more than $1 billion in medical-marijuana sales last year, with about 5,600 new jobs...…Arizona Republic With nearly 21,000 people working in marijuana dispensaries or affiliated businesses, Arizona ranks No. 4 nationally for jobs in the cannabis industry, according to a report released Tuesday by Leafly.The report was based on employment in 2020, before Arizona launched adult-use marijuana sales in January, so those figures are sure to rise as dispensaries around the state ramp up to meet the new demand from sales to any adult over age 21, not just medical-marijuana patients.Arizona had more than $1 billion in medical-marijuana sales last year, with about 5,600 new jobs...WW…

Arizona Republic Rep. Debbie Lesko said Hispanics are "very good workers" but implied they are not Americans in comments she made last week during a congressional hearing on vaccine distribution plans.Lesko, R-Ariz., who represents a West Valley congressional district that includes Sun City, said she had compassion for Hispanics, but also equated them with illegal immigrants in a broad statement condemned as insensitive from at least one of her House colleagues."I worked with people that are Hispanic. I mean they're very good workers," Lesko said during the hearing. "You know, we're...…Arizona Republic Rep. Debbie Lesko said Hispanics are "very good workers" but implied they are not Americans in comments she made last week during a congressional hearing on vaccine distribution plans.Lesko, R-Ariz., who represents a West Valley congressional district that includes Sun City, said she had compassion for Hispanics, but also equated them with illegal immigrants in a broad statement condemned as insensitive from at least one of her House colleagues."I worked with people that are Hispanic. I mean they're very good workers," Lesko said during the hearing. "You know, we're...WW…

Arizona Republic Some of Rep. Paul Gosar's siblings are wading deeper into an effort to oust their brother from Congress by putting pressure on the dental associations who have been his most significant financial supporters. On Tuesday, three of his nine siblings appeared in a video for a Democratically aligned group painting Gosar, R-Ariz., as an extremist who helped incite the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that killed five people, including one police officer, and wounded 140 other officers.Now the Gosar siblings, who live outside Arizona and unsuccessfully have urged the state's 4th...…Arizona Republic Some of Rep. Paul Gosar's siblings are wading deeper into an effort to oust their brother from Congress by putting pressure on the dental associations who have been his most significant financial supporters. On Tuesday, three of his nine siblings appeared in a video for a Democratically aligned group painting Gosar, R-Ariz., as an extremist who helped incite the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that killed five people, including one police officer, and wounded 140 other officers.Now the Gosar siblings, who live outside Arizona and unsuccessfully have urged the state's 4th...WW…

Arizona Republic Correction & Clarifications: A previous version of this article misstated the number of Phoenix employees who have had COVID-19. Phoenix is paying its employees $75 if they get vaccinated for COVID-19.Other cities in the Phoenix area — such as Glendale, Peoria and Tempe — are rewarding their employees for receiving the vaccine, as well, either by giving them a discount on their health insurance or giving them wellness points that could add up to a discount on their insurance.Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher said the city created an employee safety awards program that gives...…Arizona Republic Correction & Clarifications: A previous version of this article misstated the number of Phoenix employees who have had COVID-19. Phoenix is paying its employees $75 if they get vaccinated for COVID-19.Other cities in the Phoenix area — such as Glendale, Peoria and Tempe — are rewarding their employees for receiving the vaccine, as well, either by giving them a discount on their health insurance or giving them wellness points that could add up to a discount on their insurance.Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher said the city created an employee safety awards program that gives...WW…

Arizona Republic The Arizona Senate approved a massive expansion of Arizona's school voucher program Monday, just two years after voters decisively repealed a similar expansion of school vouchers to all students. The Senate passed the bill on a 16-14 party-line vote, with all 16 Republicans voting for the measure. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives. Empowerment Scholarship Accounts allow parents eligible to take funds from public schools and spend them on private school. The bill would expand the program, which currently serves only 9,700 students, making it available to...…Arizona Republic The Arizona Senate approved a massive expansion of Arizona's school voucher program Monday, just two years after voters decisively repealed a similar expansion of school vouchers to all students. The Senate passed the bill on a 16-14 party-line vote, with all 16 Republicans voting for the measure. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives. Empowerment Scholarship Accounts allow parents eligible to take funds from public schools and spend them on private school. The bill would expand the program, which currently serves only 9,700 students, making it available to...WW…

Arizona Republic John McCain continues to regularly trend on Twitter even two-and-a-half years after his death.McCain, the six-term U.S. senator from Arizona and the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, started trending again on Twitter Thursday amid a blizzard of tweets comparing him to his close friend, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.Graham drew outrage on the social-media platform for comments criticizing the case House impeachment managers made Wednesday in former President Donald Trump's ongoing Senate trial. "The 'Not Guilty' vote is growing after today. I think most Republicans found...…Arizona Republic John McCain continues to regularly trend on Twitter even two-and-a-half years after his death.McCain, the six-term U.S. senator from Arizona and the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, started trending again on Twitter Thursday amid a blizzard of tweets comparing him to his close friend, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.Graham drew outrage on the social-media platform for comments criticizing the case House impeachment managers made Wednesday in former President Donald Trump's ongoing Senate trial. "The 'Not Guilty' vote is growing after today. I think most Republicans found...WW…

Standing in front of a group of prospective body donors, Garland Shreves grabs the head of a plastic human skeleton model and pops it off the body."We may take this right off the top of your shoulders," he explains to the audience of 16 who have come to Shreves' Phoenix company —  — for a Saturday morning seminar and tour about body donation.Shreves explains to the audience that his company dissects, dismembers and ships body parts all over the world. The body parts aren't for transplant. Body donation businesses aren't about organ transplants.Rather, body donation businesses use the body...…Standing in front of a group of prospective body donors, Garland Shreves grabs the head of a plastic human skeleton model and pops it off the body."We may take this right off the top of your shoulders," he explains to the audience of 16 who have come to Shreves' Phoenix company —  — for a Saturday morning seminar and tour about body donation.Shreves explains to the audience that his company dissects, dismembers and ships body parts all over the world. The body parts aren't for transplant. Body donation businesses aren't about organ transplants.Rather, body donation businesses use the body...WW…

Arizona Republic Editor's note: We're refeaturing this list about why we love Arizona. Please take COVID-19 safety precautions seriously and check restrictions and guidelines before you visit any locations or landmarks.We'll put it simply: Arizona, we love you. But to mark Arizona Statehood Day, we're not just saying we love the Grand Canyon State, we're counting the ways. One hundred and thirty of them.From the beauty of Arizona's three national parks and four national monuments to the state's world-class arts institutions and dining scene, there's no shortage of things to love about this...…Arizona Republic Editor's note: We're refeaturing this list about why we love Arizona. Please take COVID-19 safety precautions seriously and check restrictions and guidelines before you visit any locations or landmarks.We'll put it simply: Arizona, we love you. But to mark Arizona Statehood Day, we're not just saying we love the Grand Canyon State, we're counting the ways. One hundred and thirty of them.From the beauty of Arizona's three national parks and four national monuments to the state's world-class arts institutions and dining scene, there's no shortage of things to love about this...WW…