As the world manages through the coronavirus pandemic, Arizona State University continues its work to discover and develop easier and more widespread COVID-19 testing to assist in managing the virus. In May, researchers at ASU’s Biodesign Institute produced the western United States’ first FDA approved saliva-based COVID-19 test – one of only a handful available in the … [More]

In response to Executive Orders signed August 6, 2020, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) today announced prohibitions on transactions relating to mobile applications (apps) WeChat and TikTok saying, it is to safeguard the national security of the United States. The Administrations states that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has demonstrated the means and motives to use … [More]

Governor Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff today, Friday, September 11th, from sunrise to sunset in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Governor released the following statement: “Nineteen years ago, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the worst terrorist attack on … [More]

The Department of Economic Security (DES) has issued a statement advising Arizona nonprofits that self-insure for unemployment insurance purposes to disregard billing statements requiring full prepayment for unemployment claims until new statements can be issued reflecting Congress-established guidelines removing the full prepayment requirement. Interest on the balances will … [More]

As Arizona prepares for influenza season amid COVID-19, Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order extending the Enhanced Surveillance Advisory for COVID-19 and adding new influenza reporting requirements for health care facilities. Arizona’s Enhanced Surveillance Advisory, established by Executive Order 2020-13 in March, required hospitals, testing laboratories and … [More]

The Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) urges employers to be cautious of phishing and other email scams. Scammers will disguise themselves in an attempt to access and abuse sensitive data such as passwords, usernames, social security numbers, payment, and credit card information. For example, the W-2 form email phishing scam continues to find unsuspecting victims every … [More]

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the disbursement of $646 million in Employment Service Grants to improve the functioning of the nation’s labor markets by providing labor exchange services to all job seekers and helping businesses to meet their hiring needs by referring qualified workers. The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, amended by the Workforce Innovation and … [More]

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $100 million in funding to support state efforts to combat fraud and recover improper payments in the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, including those programs created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. At the same time, the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) … [More]