Tucson Archives - Tennessee Star

Arizona and Three Other Red States Have Gained All Jobs Back That Were Lost Due to COVID-19

January 22, 2022January 21, 2022 Rachel Alexander

As the economy turns around with the COVID-19 pandemic receding and lockdowns and restrictions fading, some states are recovering better than others. Only Arizona, Texas, Utah, and Idaho, some of the reddest states in the country, have all returned to pre-pandemic job levels.

According to Adam Kamins, director of regional economics at Moody’s Analytics, this is largely due to people wanting to move to those states. “Those four states have experienced persistently strong population growth, which really wasn’t dented by the pandemic,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “More and more people keep coming from expensive coastal cities to places like Dallas and Phoenix, which have a relatively lower cost of living and higher quality of life.”

State Sen. Kelly Townsend Announces Congressional Run in Arizona’s Open New 6th District Seat

January 19, 2022January 18, 2022 Rachel Alexander

State Sen. Kelly Townsend (R-Apache Junction) announced she is running for Arizona’s newly redrawn 6th District Congressional seat, which is an open seat due to Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick declining to run for reelection. The sprawling southeast Arizona rural district runs from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Mogollon Rim and the New Mexico border to Casa Grande. Townsend lives in Apache Junction, in the newly drawn CD 5, about 60 miles from CD 6, but there is no requirement for her to live in the district she runs in, only that she live within the state.

Townsend told Capitol Media Services, “Anybody who knows me knows that my heart has been down in the southern part of the state anyway. That’s where I go for leisure, and that’s where I go to work.” Townsend filed a complaint last year with Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich about Tucson’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. After Brnovich issued an opinion declaring that the mandate was illegal, the city paused it.

People Moving to Red Parts of Arizona, Not Blue Areas Like Tucson

January 5, 2022January 4, 2022 Rachel Alexander

Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the country, ranked No. 6 in 2021 by HomeSnacks. New data from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity reveals that the growth is taking place in red parts of Arizona, not blue strongholds like Tucson — which could mean Arizona is not trending blue.

“The growth is around Maricopa County,” Rep. David Schweikert (R-06-Ariz.) told The Arizona Sun Times. “Maricopa County, which leans Republican, already dominates the state. This will give it even more power.” Currently, 62% of the population lives there.

Arizona Lawmakers Hold Hearing in Pima County Analyzing 2020 Voter Fraud Allegations

December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 Rachel Alexander

Nine Arizona legislators held a hearing Monday in the Democratic stronghold of Pima County and Tucson over persistent rumors of election irregularities, including one anonymous allegation that 35,000 fraudulent votes were added to the final tally.

State Sen. Kelly Townsend (R-Mesa) explained why the Pima County election integrity hearing was necessary.

COVID-19 Mandates Potentially Hurting Staffing Levels at Arizona Hospitals

October 26, 2021October 25, 2021 Cooper Moran

Woman in red sweater, holding hair back and wearing a mask

Newly-imposed COVID-19 mandates could hurt staffing numbers at hospitals throughout the state, according to industry professionals.

The state, which is already suffering a nursing shortage, has witnessed a spread of vaccine mandates in hospitals and other medical facilities.

Legal Issues May Arise as Tucson Ignores Arizona’s ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’ Law

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 Rachel Alexander

The city of Tucson passed a resolution recently declaring that it will defy Arizona’s “Second Amendment Sanctuary” law, which says the state will not comply with federal laws and regulations that violate the Second Amendment. Arizona’s law prohibits the police and sheriffs from enforcing those laws. The state passed the 2nd Amendment Firearm Freedom Act into law in April.

Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik introduced the resolution last month. Democratic Mayor Regina Romero and the City Council unanimously passed the resolution on June 22, which they labeled an emergency.

Nearly 200 Migrants Detained Near Tucson

July 7, 2021July 6, 2021 Cooper Moran

In a span of two days, close to 200 migrants were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in San Miguel and Three Points, a town just 15 miles from Tucson.

The majority of individuals traveling in the groups were unaccompanied minors trekking to the United States from countries such as Guatemala.

Tucson Allocates $500K to Create an Office of Equity

July 4, 2021July 3, 2021 Corinne Murdock

Tucson’s latest budget included a $500,000 allocation for the creation of an Office of Equity to advance social justice and eliminate racism.

Mayor Regina Romero included news of the allocation in an announcement about the budget approval last Monday.

Tucson Pledges Allegiance to Biden Administration on Gun Regulation, Snubs Arizona’s New Second Amendment Protection Law

July 1, 2021June 30, 2021 Corinne Murdock

Tucson will side with the federal government over state law when it comes to gun regulations, according to its city council’s latest resolution.

According to the resolution, passed last Tuesday, states don’t have the right to reject federal law. The city council directed the city manager to continue using city personnel and financial resources to carry out any federal actions or programs regulating guns. It also directed the city attorney to engage in litigation concerning Second Amendment sanctuary laws or proclamations.

Tucson Now Requires New Homes to Have Electric Vehicle Outlets

June 30, 2021July 16, 2021 Corinne Murdock

Tucson will require all new constructions of one- and two-family homes, as well as townhomes, to be outfitted with electric vehicle charging outlets. The Tucson City Council finalized this decision in a unanimous vote during last Tuesday’s regular meeting.

According to the new requirement, Ordinance 11844, each one- to two-family dwelling and townhouse unit should have at least one “EV [Electric Vehicle] Ready Space,” with markers identifying the outlet as such. Builders wouldn’t have to provide any EV Ready Spaces if there aren’t on-site parking spaces.

Tucson Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Sanctuary City Proposal

November 7, 2019November 29, 2019 Admin

In a major defeat for illegal alien advocates, voters in Tucson, Arizona, overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to designate it as the state’s one and only “sanctuary city.”

Cities Reveal Insane Offers They Made in Bid for Amazon HQ

November 18, 2018November 18, 2018 Admin

by Evie Fordham Amazon announced its decision Tuesday to split its second headquarters between Long Island City, New York, and Arlington, Virginia, but by picking those locations the corporation gave up some pretty sweet deals — and unusual offers — from other cities and states. Amazon will get incentives packages of…