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Melissa Ayun, who joined the Tucson Police Department in 2005, says she is grateful for the career opportunities and benefits.

The Buzz: Law enforcement recruiting and shortages in Southern Arizona

How are law enforcement agencies being hit by a shortage of staff and what are they doing to fill open positions with diverse staff?

Garnett Querta fills his water truck from a fire hydrant on the Hualapai reservation Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in Peach Springs, Ariz. The water pulled from the ground here will be piped dozens of miles across the rugged landscape to serve the roughly 600,000 tourists a year who visit the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai reservation in northwestern Arizona — an operation that's the tribe's main source of revenue.

State of unease: Colorado basin tribes without water rights

Hualapai tribal land in northwestern Arizona borders 100 miles of the Colorado River, but the tribe can't draw from it.

Some restaurants opened for dine-in service on Monday, while others said they plan to wait until they feel it's safe for staff and customers.

Arizona's minimum wage set to increase

State law mandates it go up with inflation.

Auditors examine ballots during Maricopa county vote audit

Arizona GOP candidates appeal ruling against hand counts

Lake and Finchem are turning to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Treated wastewater, like this sample in Carson, California, could soon become a bigger part of the West's water portfolio. Cities in the drought-stricken Colorado River basin are putting big money behind project

Water managers see promise in recycling sewage

It could be a solution for the shrinking Colorado River

Lockers at the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office contain belongings recovered alongside migrants who died in the desert. Death investigators use the items to help determine the person’s identity, and return their remains to family.

Migrant deaths declined as encounters rose

Advocates warn against relaxing.

Scientists say sensor testing for COVID-19 can be an improvement over tests performed with nasal swabs or saliva.

Free COVID testing availaible

SonoraQuest labs is offering the service at 50 sites in Arizona.

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver watches the team play against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Dec. 11, 2019. The NBA has suspended Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Robert Sarver for one year, plus fined him $10 million, after an investigation found that he had engaged in what the league called “workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies." The findings of the league's report, published Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, came nearly a year after the NBA asked a law firm to investigate allegations that Sarver had a history of racist, misogynistic and hostile incidents over his nearly two-decade tenure overseeing the franchise.

Suns owner Sarver suspended 1 year, fined $10M after probe

The NBA said he engaged in "workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies."

Lanterns light the sky at the annual Benson Lantern Festival. Sept. 2022

Lanterns fill the sky over Benson

The annual festival is a time of joy and rememberance.

Former Arizona mine inspector Joe Hart dead at 78

He was mine inspector for 15 years.

Vials of naloxone, which can be used to counter the effects of an opioid overdose.

New report shows opioid deaths increased despite state initiatives

Opioid overdose deaths increased by 120% between 2017 to 2021, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

A housing subdivision under construction in Tucson off Silverbell Road. December 2020.

Arizona sees increase in housing permits

Many Western and Sunbelt states topped the list.

The west facade of Old Main on the campus of the University of Arizona. From August, 2019.

UA language and culture programs receive federal grant money

The funds will also improve studies in less commonly taught languages.

Democrat Katie Hobbs says no to Arizona governor debate

She wanted individual interviews.

A worker demonstrates her skills at the Chicago Women in Trades facility. Illinois was one of the top 10 states for union representation last year, at 13.9% of workers, more than 2.5 times Arizona’s rate of 5.4%, despite slow gains in the state.

Union membership in Arizona inches up

The state still trails much of the nation.

The sun sets over Tucson in July 2020, which was the hottest July on record.

Climate tool brings the bad news

Advocates hope that brings good outcomes

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