Beat: PP AZ IS SPln

Ducey warned that he expects schools to offer in-person instruction as teachers gain access to vaccines and that schools that lost students could see their funding cut. State leaders around the U.S. are increasingly pushing for schools to reopen this winter — pressuring them, even — as teachers begin to gain access to the vaccine...

Associated Press January 14, 2021 8:00 am MST

Ducey has been steadfast in his opposition to a statewide mask mandate or closings despite repeated calls from hospital leaders to take such steps.  As the U.S. goes through the most lethal phase of the coronavirus outbreak yet, governors and local officials in hard-hit parts of the country are showing little willingness to impose any...

Associated Press January 13, 2021 8:23 am MST

Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said Ducey was ignoring the reality of COVID-19 and its effects on schools.  Schools that have lost students during the pandemic would see their funding cut under a proposal Gov. Doug Ducey outlined Monday in his annual state-of-the-state address, a speech that hardened his longstanding resistance to school and...

Ninety percent of independent venues report they will close permanently in a few months without federal relief, according to a survey of NIVA members. Like music venues around the world, the Paramount ballroom has been forced to endure months of limited work, reduced revenue, and a forced transition to the digital world – no easy...

Lauren Hernandez January 11, 2021 12:54 pm MST

At least two East Valley school districts changed course this week on returning to in-person classes following the holidays. Arizona schools Superintendent Kathy Hoffman asked Gov. Doug Ducey Saturday to return schools to online learning for at least two weeks as officials continue to monitor the severity of community spread of COVID-19 following the holidays....

Lorraine Longhi January 7, 2021 7:09 am MST