BC-AZ--Arizona News Digest, 6:15 pm update, AZ
Good evening. Here's an updated look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up in Arizona.
Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Phoenix bureau at 602-258-8934 or [email protected].
This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date.
All times are Mountain unless specified otherwise. Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.
TOP STORIES:
PRISONERS-HEALTH CARE
PHOENIX — Attorneys trying to renegotiate a legal settlement over the quality of health care in Arizona’s prisons say they’re unable to reach a new deal, leaving it to a judge to decide whether to order more mediation sessions or toss the earlier agreement and schedule a trial. By Jacques Billeaud. SENT: 340 words, AP Photos.
CHINESE RESTAURANT SYNDROME
PHOENIX — A social media campaign backed by a Japanese seasonings company is targeting the persistent idea that Chinese food is packed with MSG and can make you sick. So entrenched is the notion in American culture, it shows up in the dictionary: Merriam-Webster.com lists “Chinese restaurant syndrome" as a real illness that has been around since 1968. But much of the mythology around the idea has been debunked: monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, shows up in many foods from tomatoes to breast milk, and there's no evidence to link it to illness. By Terry Tang. SENT: 870 words, AP Photos.
APS-POLITICAL SPENDING
PHOENIX — The new chief executive of Arizona Public Service said Tuesday the state's largest electric company will not spend money to influence elections for the company's regulators on the Corporation Commission. Jeff Guldner, CEO of APS and its parent company Pinnacle West Capital Corp., made the commitment following growing scrutiny of the company's millions in political spending, which has accelerated over the past decade. By Jonathan J. Cooper. SENT: 560 words.
SEX ED-ARIZONA
PHOENIX — An Arizona Senate committee has delayed consideration of a contentious proposal from a conservative Republican lawmaker that would bar any sexual education instruction for students before 7th grade. Sen. Sylvia Allen's proposal was set for a hearing Tuesday afternoon but was unexpectedly scratched from the agenda of the Education Committee she chairs Monday evening. SENT: 250 words.
LIVESTOCK GRAZING-LAWSUIT
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — An environmental group is suing the federal government to try to keep livestock away from Southwestern waterways that are home to threatened and endangered species. The Center for Biological Diversity filed the lawsuit Monday, alleging the U.S. Forest Service isn't adequately monitoring the land or maintaining fences that would separate domestic cows from rivers and streams in two national forests in western New Mexico and eastern Arizona. By Felicia Fonseca. SENT: 500.
TERACHING VACANCIES INCREASED
TUCSON, Ariz. — Teaching vacancies throughout Arizona have increased by more than 150 positions compared to last year, a report said. The Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association released the report last week saying a quarter of teaching positions in the state are vacant, Arizona Daily Star reported. SENT: 190 words.
IN BRIEF:
— ELECTION 2020-SENATE-ARIZONA: Democratic challenger Mark Kelly has again topped Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally's fundraising in one of the top 2020 Senate races, according to numbers released by both campaigns Tuesday.
— CHILD ABUSE-BABY DEATH: A Phoenix couple are accused of child abuse following the death of a month-old child and the discovery of four other young children in grim conditions in their motel room.
— DRUGS TRADED FOR FOOD STAMPS: State prosecutors say the owners of a Glendale convenience store have been arrested for allegedly selling illegal drugs in exchange for food stamps and cash.
— TEENAGE BOY FATALLY STABBED: Police are searching for a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in west Phoenix.
— MAN SHOOTS EX-GIRLFRIEND-SENTENCING: A Tucson man convicted of wounding his ex-girlfriend and fatally shooting her new boyfriend has been sentenced to 58 years in prison.
— BUCKEYE SHOOTING-SUSPECT ARRESTED: Authorities say a Buckeye man is accused of shooting his girlfriend in a domestic violence incident.
SPORTS:
HKN-SHARKS-COYOTES
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes, tied for first place in the Western Conference, host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. UPCOMING: 600 words, AP Photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. MST.
BKL-WNBA-CBO
NEW YORK — The WNBA and its union announced a tentative eight-year labor deal Tuesday that will allow top players to earn more than $500,000 while the average annual compensation will surpass six figures for the first time. By Doug Feinberg. SENT: 780 words, AP Photos.
BKN-SUNS-HAWKS
ATLANTA — Devin Booker will face Trae Young in a matchup of high-scoring guards when the Phoenix Suns visit the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. By Charles Odum. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP Photos. Game started at 5:30 p.m. MST.
BKN-AROUND THE NBA
The season has reached the halfway mark, and with that it's time to take a look at some statistical trends — including how the league's affinity for the 3-pointer is still going strong, but might finally be reaching a peak. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. SENT: 1,100 words, AP Photos.
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