KJZZ: Arizona News

A 2nd Chance for Mexican Coffee Growers

news@kjzz.org — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

In Southern Mexico, there's a small village nestled near the slopes of a 13-thousand foot volcano. It's a community that lives and dies on the coffee trade. And in recent years men who once immigrated illegally to the U.S. have come home to rebuild their dreams of growing the colorful, life-giving beans. KJZZ's Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez traveled to Chiapas, and brought back the first of two reports.

Biomimicry Institute @ ASU

news@kjzz.org — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

ASU has become the newest member of the Biomimicry Affiliate Program of the Montana-based Biomimicry Institute. ASU is the only US institution to be awarded this status.

KJZZ's Dennis Lambert visited with ASU Associate Professor and program director for industrial design Prasad Boradkar and Adiran Smith, a Biology Phd Student in the ASU School of Life Science to learn the true nature of Biomimicry.

Here and Now: Impact of Attorney Ads

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Here and Now spoke with Phoenix attorney Pat McGroder and State Bar of Arizona ethics counsel Patricia Sallen about the legal profession advertising and why some view it negatively. The program featured an interview with legal marketing coach Henry Harlow about the other ways in which attorneys can market their services.

AZ Voters to Decide Sales Tax Hike

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Arizona voters will decide this spring whether to temporarily raise their taxes, after the state House of Representatives Thursday approved sending the question to the ballot. But, the House did not take up other measures aimed at cutting into the current fiscal year's deficit. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.

Pela Review: Fuddy Meers

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

KJZZ Commentator and Theatre Critic Robrt Pela reviews Nearly Naked Theatre's production of "Fuddy Meers" which runs through Ferbruary 13th at Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre.

Here and Now: PBS' Paula Kerger

news@kjzz.org — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

KJZZ's Here and Now Host Steve Goldstein spoke with PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger about the challenges facing public television.

Here and Now: Hull, Hamilton

news@kjzz.org — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

KJZZ's Here and Now checked in with James Apperson, Director of the Governor's Office of Economic Recovery to discuss how Arizona is spending its federal stimulus money. Host Steve Goldstein spoke with former Governor Jane Hull and former House Minority Leader Art Hamilton about the art of getting deals done for Arizona at the State Capitol.

Family Continues Slain Father's Work

news@kjzz.org — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Back in October, Marcos Armendariz was murdered in his home office. He was known around Agua Prieta, Mexico, as a man who fought for the poor in court, even though he wasn't a lawyer. His daughter is considering the potentially dangerous decision to carry his dream forward. KJZZ's Peter O'Dowd reports the second of two stories from the Armendariz home.

Family Continues Slain Father's Work

news@kjzz.org — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Ambitious 'Lawyer' Murdered at Work

news@kjzz.org — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Marcos Armendariz was 56 when someone shot him at point-blank range in a small Agua Prieta law office. Now, his family is looking for answers, and the clients he worked for are mourning the loss of a community activist. KJZZ's Peter O'Dowd reports.

AZ House Passes Jobs Bill

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

The state House of Representatives has approved a broad proposal that aims to lower taxes and use other incentives to spur job growth in Arizona. But, the Senate is unlikely to move on the measure quickly. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.

Mexican Consul Praises Detention Reform

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

The Obama Administration says it's ready to change some of the ways it detains illegal immigrants in the United States. The Mexican government says it welcomes the idea. Peter O'Dowd reports.

Detention policies have come under fire after immigration deaths in US-run facilities. The measures would focus on improved access to medical care and more centralized oversight.

Addressing medical care is one improvement Mexico's Deputy Consul in Phoenix, Alfonso Navarro, is happy to see, especially in facilities run by private contractors.

"The main difference in the privately run facilities, sometimes the health issues, the treatment is delayed."

Nine detainees have died in recent years at the privately contracted detention center in Eloy. That's the most in the nation. Officials there say each detainee is given a comprehensive physical exam and has access to excellent medical care.

Deputy Consul Navarro says that when it comes to serious human rights concerns, most of the 1,000 or so Mexican citizens detained in Arizona, are well-taken care of.

"The first question we ask to any inmate is, 'have you been mistreated in anyway?' And the general answer is no."

Still Navarro says the consulate wants reform policies to include better access to its citizens. He also says detainees complain about the quality and the quantity of food they're served.

But he says most problems are resolved quickly because his office is in constant contact with US immigration officials.

Deported Immigrants Face Long Trip Home

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Two women are returned to Mexico, an unfamiliar country to them after living in the U.S. for decades. The story is part of a border series along the Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, line.

Here and Now: Hayworth tests McCain

news@kjzz.org — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Here and Now host Steve Goldstein spoke with former Arizona congressman JD Hayworth about why he quit his radio show to take on fellow Republican John McCain in the 2012 senate primary.

Here and Now: Obama, Ed. Reform

news@kjzz.org — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Here and Now talked to ASU political science professor Matthew Hindman about President Obama's State of the Union speech. The Rodel Foundation's Carol Peck and Karla Phillips, education policy advisor for Governor Jan Brewer discussed Arizona's application for federal 'Race to the Top' funds and how they would be used to help reform education.

Budget, Other Work Continues at Capitol

news@kjzz.org — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

It's a legislative cornucopia at the capitol this week, as lawmakers will debate payday loans, tax cuts and an official state nickname, among other issues. KJZZ's Dennis Lambert and Mark Brodie take a look at the week ahead.

Federal Overhaul of Immigrant Detention

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

In the second of a two-part story, Marcos Najera takes us inside an immigrant detention facility in Eloy. Since 2003, nine people have died in custody there. Now, the Obama administration is taking a closer look at this prison and others like it around the country that hold nearly 400,000 undocumented immigrants annually.

Immigrant Family Questions Detention Death

news@kjzz.org — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

From the Proyecto Frontera series. These days, it's hard to hear the word 'border' and not think of the immigration debate. This year, the Obama Administration wants to change the way undocumented immigrants are treated if they're caught and put it jail. In the first of a two-part story exploring federal plans to overhaul immigrant prisons, KJZZ's Marcos Najera talks with one family who son died inside one of those jails here in Arizona.

Algal BioFuels

news@kjzz.org — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

The University of Arizona, member of The National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts, has received a grant from the US Department of Energy totaling more than $44 million for algal biofuels and bioproducts research & development.

KJZZ's Dennis Lambert spoke with Kimberly Ogden, a UA chemical & environmental engineering professor, who is serving as the principal investigator of the project.

Magdalena Diary: Life on the Border

news@kjzz.org — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Reporters Peter O'Dowd and Marcos Najera begin an occasional series on the US-Mexico border with a trip to Magdalena, Son. The town, known for the burial site of missionary Padre Kino, is an hour south of Nogales, and residents say life there is peaceful. But the ever-present challenges of border life are never far from mind.

Gov. Calls for More Cuts, Revenue

news@kjzz.org — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Gov. Jan Brewer called for more spending cuts, additional revenue and more efficiencies in state government, during her State of the State address Monday afternoon. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports.

Gov. Brewer to Talk Taxes, Economy

news@kjzz.org — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Gov. Jan Brewer will deliver her first State of the State address Monday afternoon at the state capitol, as lawmakers convene for the 2010 regular session. KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports on what legislative leaders would like to hear in the speech, and what the governor may talk about.

"B" Is for Budget at AZ Capitol

news@kjzz.org — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:30:00 +0000

The state legislature will convene Monday for its 2010 regular session. And, as KJZZ's Mark Brodie reports, the state budget and economy will once again be among lawmakers' top concerns.

Vinyl Record Sales Surge

news@kjzz.org — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Sales of vinyl records have risen dramatically in recent years fueled by young listeners.

Infrared Camera Seeks Hidden Art Treasures

news@kjzz.org — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0000

A scientist at the University of Arizona in Tucson has modified a commercial 8-megapixel digital camera to see through layers of paint in artwork. It can potentially find treasures under the orignal canvas.