Category: Community Stories
As economy toppled, seven Arizona congressmen continued tradition of staff bonuses
By CHRISTINE ROGEL Cronkite News Service PHOENIX — While dealing with the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, seven Arizona members of the U.S. House of Representatives granted around $300,000 in total staff bonuses in late 2008, a Cronkite News Service review found. All but one member, Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, rewarded staff with [...]
Health disparities affect Hispanics
By Johnny Hernandez SAN ANTONIO — “Somebody has to speak the scientific truth about health issues in order to empower people with the information to make good decisions on improving their health,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General and keynote speaker at the 4th Annual ¡Viva Su Salud! Healthcare Summit hosted by St. [...]
‘Know Before You Go,’ officials advise holiday travelers to Mexico
By KRISTA NORSWORTHY PHOENIX — Those heading to Mexico for the holidays can expect longer waits at the border due to stepped up inspections, and federal officials say travelers can make things easier by having legal documents ready and accurately completing customs declarations. “Our job is to prevent threats from coming in here,” said Brian [...]
Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner: 30 years of giving
By Cristina Blackwell SAN ANTONIO — For three decades, the nation’s largest Thanksgiving event of its kind has brought together over 20,000 seniors, families and homeless in San Antonio to provide a free, home-cooked traditional Thanksgiving meal. The Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner invites those in need of a warm holiday meal to celebrate giving thanks [...]
‘I have the best job in the world’; Doctor offers mobile medicine to homeless kids
By CHRISTINE ROGEL PHOENIX – A little girl laughs in an exam room and then, feeling the prick of a needle, buries her face in her mother’s shoulder and cries as she’s vaccinated against the H1N1 flu strain. She and 14 other children might not have been unanimously enthusiastic about the flu clinic Dr. Randy [...]
Tucson lawmaker: Career as artist provides flexibility and perspective for work at Capitol
By ELIZABETH SHELL Cronkite News Service TUCSON — “Life’s too short for beige,” Steve Farley said, standing in his backyard looking at the color palette he’s painted his home: sandy peach, Easter-egg turquoise and a rich purple. State Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, makes a living creating works of art such as a tiled saguaro [...]
“American Dream” becomes nightmare in Texas colonia
By Johnny Hernandez SOUTH TEXAS — It’s kind of interesting and ironic that as you turn off the main highway leading to this subdivision, there’s a sign out there that reads, ‘Welcome to Sweet Water Estates…country living at its best,’ that’s just a farce,” said Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbott at a recent press conference [...]
Nearly two years later, Centennial Scholars proposal going nowhere
By ALEXANDER MacLEAN PHOENIX — In her 2008 State of the State Address, Gov. Janet Napolitano proposed providing, despite the state’s growing economic challenges, free college tuition to Arizona high school students who get good grades, perform community service and stay out of trouble. Dubbed the Centennial Scholars Program, it would have started in 2012, [...]
Cronkite/Eight Poll: Controversy doesn’t hurt Arpaio’s popularity
By IAIN WOESSNER Cronkite News Service PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s immigration sweeps have made him a lightning rod for criticism by interest groups and some public officials, but he’s still popular with the public, according to Cronkite/Eight Poll. Sixty-one percent of Maricopa County voters said they strongly approved or approved of Arpaio’s [...]
Pearce calls for changes to laws governing law officers and illegal immigrants
By TRAVIS GRABOW Cronkite News Service PHOENIX — The only things keeping police from effectively enforcing immigration laws are political decisions by local politicians and police chiefs, a state lawmaker said Wednesday. State Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, speaks at a news conference Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at which he and other officials said they want [...]
