Sales of marijuana in Arizona soared to $1.6 billion in 2021, just one year after recreational pot was legalized in the state, making Arizona second only to California for retail sales that year. Read more»

Ignoring challenges and election critics, Arizona Gov.-elect Katie Hobbs pressed on toward a transition as aides laid out the incoming administration’s priorities and promised she will be “a governor for all Arizonans” - a message seconded by Gov. Doug Ducey. Read more»

A trio of bills affecting water rights and infrastructure for Arizona tribes took a step closer to becoming law Wednesday, a move one official said his tribe has been waiting for since being forced onto the reservation. Read more»

Marchers who ranged from remaining Navajo Code Talkers of World War II to veterans of more recent wars dedicated the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., open since Veterans Day of 2020, though the pandemic delayed the dedication ceremonies. Read more»

Unofficial early returns Tuesday night showed leads for Democrats Ruben Gallego, Greg Stanton and Raúl Grijalva of the 3rd, 4th and 7th Congressional Districts, respectively, in bids to hold their party’s seat majority in the House of Representatives. Read more»

Despite earlier fears that voter intimidation and threats against officials would make it hard to find enough workers run the state’s elections this year, county recorders said they have not had too much difficulty filling those jobs. Read more»

Proposition 129 would amend the Arizona Constitution to require any ballot initiative be limited to one subject, a move supporters say will make the process more accessible for voters and one critics see as another attempt to increase the Legislature’s power at the expense of voters. Read more»

A federal judge could rule as early as Friday on a request to ban groups that have been monitoring Arizona ballot drop boxes, in response to voters who testified Wednesday to feeling intimidated as they cast their ballots. Read more»

Arizona voters approved the Voter Protection Act in 1998 with the goal of making it harder for state lawmakers to undo what citizens approve at the ballot box - but Prop 128 would make it easier for the Legislature to amend voter-approved measures that are found to have legal flaws. Read more»

Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said he plans to step up security at voting locations in the run-up to Election Day, following more reports of individuals – in some cases armed – filming and tailing voters at Arizona ballot drop boxes. Read more»

Election officials reacted swiftly to reported voter intimidation this week at a Mesa ballot drop box - referring the report to the Justice Department and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich - and reassured voters they are working with law enforcement to address such incidents. Read more»

30 Arizona veterans were in Washington last week as part of another Arizona Honor Flight, a charity that flies World War II, Vietnam and Korean War veterans to visit their respective memorials around the capital. Read more»

Arizona local, tribal and labor leaders were at the White House Friday to hear administration officials highlight the billions in recent federal funding - Arizona is set to get $1.9 billion in 2022 - that is coming to states for everything from roads to water to broadband. Read more»

Tribal leaders urged federal lawmakers Wednesday to pass a package of bills that would protect Arizona and other cultural and sacred sites by creating a new tribal cultural areas designation and require Native input on any decisions on those lands. Read more»

Faced with deep cuts to the water supply, and angry that other states are not doing their share, tribes and local governments in Arizona are increasingly talking about backing off earlier offers to give up some water. Read more»