BC-AZ--Arizona News Digest, 4:30 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This information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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:
FIREFIGHTERS-CANCER
PHOENIX — A group of Arizona lawmakers on Thursday vowed to boost protections for firefighters and other first responders who are diagnosed with a cancer linked to the workplace to address concerns that some cities are denying coverage. Republican Sen. Heather Carter said the bill she's introducing will make clear that cancers listed in a 2017 law must be covered by worker's compensation insurance. The measure announced by Carter, Republican Sen. Paul Boyer and a bipartisan group of lawmakers at a news conference attended by dozens of firefighters will also add two cancers common to women to the list of those presumed to be job-related. By Bob Christie. SENT: 410 words.
PHOENIX AIRPORT-RIDE HAILING
PHOENIX — A new $4 fee on Uber and Lyft rides to and from the Phoenix airport is “very likely” unconstitutional, the state attorney general said Thursday, upping the ante in the showdown that has led the ride-hailing giants to threaten to abandon the airport service. The fees approved by the Phoenix City Council probably violated a 2018 ballot measure prohibiting higher taxes on services, Attorney General Mark Brnovich said. By Jonathan J. Cooper. SENT: 550 words.
INCAPACITATED WOMAN-MEDICAID
PHOENIX — An embattled Phoenix-based health care company has announced it will keep its Medicaid contract under certain conditions after reaching a settlement with a federal agency. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in June issued a public notice saying it would terminate its contract with Hacienda HealthCare amid two cases involving patient safety problems, the Arizona Republic reported Wednesday. SENT: 230 words.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER ARRESTED
PHOENIX — A female Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections officer has been fired and arrested after authorities say she had sex with a male teenage offender now on parole. Officials say another corrections officer on Jan. 5 accused 25-year-old Imarie Waller of having a relationship with the 18-year-old parolee who then told investigators there was a consensual relationship. SENT: 220 words.
US-IMMIGRATION COURTS
LUMPKIN, Ga. — Botched translations, courtrooms packed with children, migrants fending for themselves with no legal representation and cases being postponed to 2023. Associated Press reporters sat in on across immigration courtrooms across the country to chronicle the dysfunction of a system shouldering crushing caseloads and chaos. By Kate Brumback, Deepti Hajela and Amy Taxin. SENT: 3,500 words, AP Photos, AP Video and abridged version.
WITH:
— CENTRAL AMERICA-MIGRANTS: Less-organized migrants, tighter immigration control by Guatemalan authorities and the presence of U.S. advisers have reduced the likelihood that the hundreds of migrants who departed Honduras will form anything like the cohesive procession the term “caravan” now conjures. By Sonia Perez D. SENT: 740 words, AP Photos.
IN BRIEF:
— IMMIGRANT SMUGGLING DEATH: A Phoenix man who rolled his truck during a chase as he tried to escape law enforcement with 11 immigrants on board was sentenced to 6 ½ years in federal prison in the death of one migrant.
— TEEN FATALLY STABBED-SUSPECT ARRESTED: A suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in west Phoenix, authorities said Thursday.
— PINAL COUNTY TRANSPORTATION TAX: An Arizona court ruling Thursday upholds a half-cent sales tax for Pinal County transportation projects, a levy that county voters approved in 2017 but that was later overturned by a trial judge.
— SHERIFF’S RACE-METRO PHOENIX: Republican Joe Arpaio is leading all candidates in the Maricopa County sheriff’s race in fundraising.
— NAVAJO OFFICIAL-FUNERAL: A former Navajo Nation Council delegate is being remembered for his years of public service and inspiration to others.
— IMMIGRATION REPRESENTATION-FRAUD: A Tucson woman faces 18 months in prison on wire fraud convictions in a case involving false claims made in connection with legal representation of people in immigration cases.
SPORTS:
BKN--SUNS-KNICKS
NEW YORK — The Phoenix Suns (16-24) visit the New York Knicks (11-30) in a matchup of two struggling NBA teams. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP Photos. Game starts at 5:30 p.m. MST.
HKN--COYOTES-CANUCKS
VANCOUVER — The Arizona Coyotes, still clinging to first place in the NHL’s Pacific Division, open a two-game road trip by facing the Vancouver Canucks. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP Photos. Game starts at 8 p.m. MST.
BKC--UTAH-ARIZONA
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona (11-5) hosts Utah (10-5) in a Pac-12 men’s basketball game Thursday night. UPCOMING: 500 words, AP Photos. Game starts at 6:30 p.m. MST.
BKC--COLORADO-ARIZONA STATE
TEMPE, Ariz. — No. 20 Colorado travels to face Arizona State on Thursday night. The Buffaloes have won six of their past seven games. By David Brandt. UPCOMING: 650 words, AP Photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. MST.
BKC--NORTHERN ARIZONA-SOUTHERN UTAH
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Northern Arizona (7-7) goes on the road to face Southern Utah (10-5) in men’s basketball action Thursday night. UPCOMING: 150 words. Game starts at 7 p.m. MST.
BKC--GRAND CANYON-CHICAGO STATE
CHICAGO — Grand Canyon (5-11) faces Chicago State (4-15) in a non-conference men’s basketball game Thursday night. UPCOMING: 100 words. Game starts at 6 p.m. MST.
BKC--PAC 12 THIS WEEK
Stanford has been the surprise of the Pac-12 this season, entering this week as the only team without a conference loss. The Cardinal face a tough test with week with road games against UCLA and USC. SENT: 540 words, AP Photos.
HKN--AROUND THE NHL
Firing coaches during the season has been relatively common in the NHL for decades. The volume is nonetheless jaw-dropping in 2019-20 — and there is still half a season to go. Seven coaches have been either fired or forced out. By Tom Canavan. SENT: 1,000 words.
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