The Latest
Public information lacking as COVID-19 surges in Arizona classrooms
School districts are required to report COVID-19 infections to county health officials, who in turn must submit data to the state. But the information is seldom relayed back to parents—or the public at large—in a clear and thorough way, an AZCIR analysis has found.
Outbreaks, quarantines and closures: Help AZCIR track COVID-19 in Arizona schools
As state and local officials continue to debate the merits of a statewide ban on school mask mandates, Arizona school districts have reported more than 2,000 confirmed COVID cases since in-person learning started in August. With your help, AZCIR is tracking COVID-19 in Arizona schools. Data updated daily.
EDUCATION
“504 plan” disability protection favors students at Arizona’s wealthier, whiter schools
Shortcomings at the federal, state and school level make securing a 504 plan easier for students with disabilities who attend Arizona schools that are wealthier and whiter. The disparity gives an advantage to families that can spend time and money advocating on their children’s behalf, while potentially limiting equal access to education for low-income students of color.
Elections
State, county policies impact rejected ballot rates in November election
Election officials didn’t count 27,327 ballots cast by Arizona voters in the November election, rejecting more than twice the 10,457 votes that flipped the state for President-elect Joe Biden in what was the closest raw vote margin of any state in the nation. The uncounted votes, which are legally rejected by officials for reasons such as a missing signature, don’t indicate fraud or election irregularities.
Coronavirus
Arizona doctors wary of controversial ivermectin treatment for COVID-19
Experts say absent credible studies, ivermectin is an unproven treatment for COVID-19 and can cause dangerous side effects. The drug is approved by the FDA as an antiparasitic for humans and animals. Now one group is urging Gov. Doug Ducey to make ivermectin immediately available to populations at high risk for COVID-19.
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Health
Sick and Alone
Most of America’s county jails escape lawsuits seeking reforms for inmates with serious mental illness. Now Arizona’s Cochise County has joined hundreds of other small counties innovating ways to keep people with serious mental illness out of their jails. But it comes too late for Adrian Perez, who has spent the past 13 years cycling in and out of jail, and solitary confinement, which only makes him sicker.
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ENVIRONMENT
Law enforcement
Few Joe Arpaio immigrant victims claim unlawful detention compensation
Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio defied a federal court order by allowing his deputies to nab scores of immigrants. President Donald Trump pardoned him. Now the immigrant victims are eligible for compensation. But where are they?
