Jessica Swarner, Author at The Copper Courier

Jessica Swarner

Content Producer

is the content producer for The Copper Courier. She is an ASU alumna and previously worked at KTAR News 92.3 FM in Phoenix.

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Economy

Economy Activists Call on Sinema to Support $15 Minimum Wage

Women make up more than two-thirds of workers with tipped jobs, which have a federal minimum wage of $2.13 an hour.

Jessica Swarner April 1, 2021 2:18 pm MST

Transportation

Transportation Tempe’s First New Streetcar Has Arrived—Take a Look

The streetcar will travel three miles with 14 stops along the southwest edges of ASU’s Tempe campus. Tempe’s gearing up to release a new fleet of streetcars—but this new addition to the city’s transit system resembles the light rail more than old-fashioned trolleys. Valley Metro on Monday unveiled the first streetcar vehicle to arrive from...

Jessica Swarner March 24, 2021 12:37 pm MST

Housing

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 07: The Medrano family sits outside their RV on October 07, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. They had narrowly avoided eviction from the RV park earlier in the day. Even for families who have remained healthy from the coronavirus, the indirect effects of the pandemic have been especially tough on America's poor, who often deal with simultaneous crises, even in normal times. In the Medrano family's case, inconsistent work, a string of tragedies and even family separation have combined to push them to the brink of homelessness. This summer Medrano's work as a truck driver was sporadic due to the pandemic economy. Meanwhile, he spent his entire savings on three funerals for family members in less than four months. Causing further family stress, Medrano's wife Ana Cecilia, who had temporary residency status in the U.S. traveled to Mexico in December of 2019 to care for her sick mother, but has since been unable to return to Arizona due to a sealed U.S.-Mexico border. The separation left Hector Medrano to care for their four children, supervising distance learning during the day, while working nights. For families like the Medranos, new federal pandemic assistance, yet to be authorized by Congress, cannot come soon enough. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Housing Pima County Allocates $10M to Help People on the Edge of Losing Their Homes

The money will help renters get access to private legal help, rather than just through the county’s Eviction Prevention Clinics.

Jessica Swarner March 19, 2021 12:54 pm MST

Economy

Economy Arizona Only Pays $240 in Unemployment Per Week. These Two Bills Would Change That.

Arizonans who have been unemployed during the pandemic say the extra $60-$80 is a small amount but still something they would have been grateful for.

Jessica Swarner March 18, 2021 2:35 pm MST

Immigration

Immigration Arizona Resolution Could Allow Undocumented Students to Pay In-State Tuition

Undocumented students currently have to pay 150% of tuition at state universities. A proposed resolution could qualify them for in-state rates.

Jessica Swarner March 10, 2021 4:07 pm MST

LGBTQ

LGBTQ Activists Win Yearslong Battle for Mesa Nondiscrimination Ordinance

“By passing this nondiscrimination policy tonight, you will make it possible for me … to come home and be a part of Mesa’s vibrant future.” Michael Soto, the executive director of Equality Arizona and a transgender man, said he didn’t feel he and his family could live the lives they wanted to in Mesa. But...

Jessica Swarner March 3, 2021 2:59 pm MST

Economy

Economy Phoenix Coffee Shop Proving $15 Minimum Wage Is Possible

“We have had this long-term vision of how coffee can be a career path for individuals.” Adrian Garcia started working at Xanadu Coffee in downtown Phoenix as a barista when the shop opened in October. It was the promise of the $15 minimum wage that first attracted him to the job — something unheard of...

Jessica Swarner February 17, 2021 4:15 pm MST

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