Governor Katie Hobbs announced Arizona has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to continue studying the potential of restarting Amtrak service between Phoenix and Tucson. The federal funding builds on $3.5 million state leaders committed for planning of passenger rail service. “I am thrilled to deliver this critical funding for Arizonans,” said … [More]
Governor’s Bipartisan Water Policy Council Delivers Critical Recommendations to Protect Arizona’s Water Security
The Governor’s Water Policy Council submitted a suite of recommendations to Governor Hobbs to protect the state’s water future and address challenges in urban and rural Arizona. The Council’s submission includes proposals to close loopholes to protect consumers throughout Arizona and improve Arizona’s Assured Water Supply Program to promote sustainable growth and responsible … [More]
Statewide Utilities Provide Grants to Support Economic Development, Operations & Training in Coal Plant Communities
Five organizations serving Arizona communities impacted by the transition away from coal-fired power plants were selected this fall to receive a cumulative total of over $134,000 in economic development grants from the Utilities’ Grant Funding Program. The program provides critical support to communities near impacted coal plants to develop new, sustainable … [More]
Reminder: Holiday Season a Great Time to Get Your Arizona Travel ID
Enhanced identification required at TSA airport checkpoints in 2025
Many things slow down a bit during the holidays, including business at Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offices. That makes this an ideal time to make an appointment to get your Arizona Travel ID. The federal deadline is May 7, 2025, for those who wish to use their state-issued credential for air travel. Without the Arizona … [More]
Military Economic Impact on Arizona Has Tripled since 2000, Says Report
Governor Katie Hobbs announced the release of the updated Military Economic Impact Report, commonly referred to as the Maguire Report. This report, sponsored by the State of Arizona and supported by the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, highlights the significant economic contributions made by Arizona's military bases and National Guard operations to the … [More]
Rio Reimagined Ambassador Selected
Hummingbird Collective to serve as liaison between local partners and the federal government
Helping to protect rivers that connect diverse communities within the Maricopa region. Implementing strategies to revitalize the communities and amenities along the Salt and Gila rivers. Serving as a liaison among local and tribal governments, Arizona State University, and a variety of entities in the Rio Reimagined Partnership with the federal government. Those will be a few … [More]
Governor Hobbs Announces Arizona Families Tax Rebate
Governor Katie Hobbs officially announced the deployment of the Arizona Families Tax Rebate, which will put money back in the pockets of nearly 750,000 Arizona families. The first rebate of its kind, these funds were made possible by Governor Hobbs’ bipartisan budget, which received supermajority support in both chambers. Eligible families will have an opportunity to receive up … [More]
Arizona Selects New Alert System as State Emergency Notification System
Unified alerting system to help keep Arizona communities informed during emergencies
Motorola Solutions announced that the state of Arizona has selected Rave Alert to enable emergency notification and reverse 9-1-1 alerting in its 81 public safety answering points (PSAPs). With the cloud-based tool, each 9-1-1 center in the state can now send mass communications to residents and state employees via email, text message, desktop pop-ups, digital signage, social … [More]
ADOT Adopts 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan
Emphasizes repairing and preserving existing highway infrastructure
Following approval by the State Transportation Board, the Arizona Department of Transportation has adopted the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan providing a blueprint and vision for ADOT’s priorities over the next 25 years. The plan, which is not project-specific, sets transportation investment priorities for ADOT based on anticipated future … [More]
Glendale Partners to Safeguard Residents with Public Safety Alert Program
Everbridge, Inc., the global leader in critical event management and national public warning software solutions, announced that Glendale, Arizona has become the latest U.S. city to launch the Everbridge Mass Notification platform to safeguard residents and visitors during emergencies and large-scale events. Home to State Farm Stadium, which regularly hosts many of … [More]
City of Phoenix Intends to Meet Court Deadline to Address the Area around the Human Services Campus
The City of Phoenix will complete the final steps of a plan to meet a court-ordered deadline to address the area around the Human Services Campus after a Superior Court judge imposed a November 4 deadline to complete “the removal of all tents and other makeshift structures." The City will … [More]
Small Biz Assistance Provides over $1M in Support to Businesses along Light Rail Construction
The Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) along the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub and Northwest Extension Phase II light rail projects has hit a major milestone in delivering more than $1M in grants to small, … [More]
ADOT Expands Network of Adaptive Valley Freeway Ramp Meters
The Arizona Department of Transportation continues to upgrade the Phoenix area’s network of adaptive freeway ramp meters used to improve the flow of traffic, especially during busy rush hours. The improvements have not required the installation of new ramp meters. ADOT has instead used enhanced computer programming to operate the timing of the meters’ alternating green and … [More]
Discrimination in AI Hiring?
Businesses using AI in hiring could be on the hook for discrimination as EEOC cracks down
The use of artificial intelligence in the recruiting and hiring process has seen increased popularity in recent years. Many businesses, seeking to lower hiring costs and also reduce potential claims of discrimination (by taking human discretion out of certain aspects of the hiring process), have turned to AI to handle functions such as locating talent, screening applicants, … [More]
MAG Names New Chief of Staff and New Chief Transportation Officer
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) has named Audra Koester Thomas as its new chief of staff and John Bullen as the agency’s chief transportation officer, following a selection process that included a multi-agency review panel. The two staff members will serve under the direction of Executive Director Ed Zuercher in the newly created MAG roles. “Both Audra and … [More]
Phoenix Awarded $10 Million to Expand Tree Planting Efforts
The United States Forest Service announced that the City of Phoenix was awarded a $10 million grant to support tree planting efforts in heat-vulnerable areas. "This significant award is more than just money for tree planting -- it's an acceleration toward a cleaner, cooler, more equitable Phoenix. Expanding our shade canopy has long been one of my priorities, and as we … [More]
Tempe Council Approves Indigenous Peoples’ Day as City Holiday
The City of Tempe will celebrate Indigenous People’s Day on Oct. 9 this year as a paid City of Tempe holiday. The Tempe City Council approved the holiday at its Sept. 7 Regular Council Meeting. Phoenix, Minneapolis, Denver and many other cities already recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of … [More]
Two New Loop 303 Interchanges Will Help Traffic Flow, Improve Economic Development
Two critical new traffic interchanges are now open at 51st and 43rd avenues along the Loop 303. The interchanges will help address traffic growth prompted by current and planned development, including providing direct access to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract silicon chip manufacturer. Construction of the interchanges was … [More]
