Arizona

Arizona's biggest homeless services program faces $1.5 million shortfall

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2024

Press Room

Arizona's biggest homeless services program faces .5 million shortfall

Annika Cline/KJZZ

The sleeping area at Central Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) shelter in Phoenix.

The state’s largest emergency shelter program may soon have to cut services to people experiencing homelessness.

Central Arizona Shelter Services, known as CASS, serves the Valley and its biggest shelter is near downtown Phoenix. Thanks to an infusion of federal funds related to the pandemic and recovery, CASS was able to increase its beds from 470 to 650. But, now, cuts could be coming.

“We’ve had a 56% increase in security costs since 2019,” said Lisa Glow, executive director of CASS.

Between its adult shelter near downtown and its family shelter, the nonprofit is facing a $1.5 million shortfall this year. Not only because of higher operating costs, Glow said, but because they didn’t get any of the $40 million in grants from the state’s homeless shelter and services fund.

“We wouldn’t be here if we had had that support from the state but there was huge competition and, you know, a lot of worthy projects.”
— Lisa Glow, executive director, CASS

“We wouldn’t be here if we had had that support from the state but there was huge competition and, you know, a lot of worthy projects,” she said.

Glow and CASS’s board president, Bill Morlan, recently appeared before the Phoenix City Council asking for more money.

“We have every intention of going out to private funders, private fundraisers, foundations, other municipalities,” Morlan said.

Vice Mayor Debra Stark, whose district includes a family shelter operated by CASS, issued a funding call to other cities.

“If you don’t want the shelters in your jurisdiction then help us, because I am very grateful for what they’re doing in Sunnyslope,” she said.

Kathy Ritchie/KJZZ

The intake area at Central Arizona Shelter Services in Phoenix.

In the past three years, Phoenix has earmarked $140 million for homeless outreach, services and shelters. Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington mentioned last year’s court-ordered clean up near downtown, where hundreds of people had been living in tents.

“I think we all can sit here and agree that we pride ourselves in cleaning up the area around “The Zone” making sure we were able to serve more of our unsheltered population and it would be a disservice for us to have to walk that back and not be able to provide service in the scope we have before,” she said.

Councilmembers agreed to increase the city’s contract with CASS, using $169,160 annually from the city’s general fund for potentially five years. But a bigger financial issue beyond homelessness needs to be addressed, warned Councilmember Yassamin Ansari.

“This is, I think, a looming crisis that we all are aware of but maybe the public is not as aware of,” she said.

Phoenix has poured hundreds of millions into various programs, thanks to federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, often called ARPA. Those dollars will disappear by the end of this year.

“And I’m very concerned about what that means for the future of addressing homelessness and so many other amazing programs that our city has been able to start,” Ansari said.

“This is, I think, a looming crisis that we all are aware of but maybe the public is not as aware of.”
— Yassamin Ansari, Phoenix councilmember

City Manager Jeff Barton said homeless services remain at the top of the ARPA spending list.

“As you know, for the past couple of months, we’ve been going through regular and reoccurring exercises to reallocate our ARPA funds to ensure that we maximize those dollars, and to ensure that we spend those dollars where they’re intended to be spent by priority,” Barton said.

Even after getting $400 million in ARPA funds, Phoenix could find itself itself in a situation like CASS: facing a budget shortfall. That’s because the state is changing the way it shares income tax with cities, and Phoenix will get $36 million less in the fiscal year that starts July 1. And, next year, when cities can no longer collect tax on residential rents, Phoenix will be out more than $40 million.

Meanwhile, Glow said CASS is compiling a list of ways to cover its $1.5 million gap.

“So cutting case management, the four case managers, plus client advocates, would reduce our staffing, which would mean those 600 to 650 people would not be staying in all day, they would leave for six to eight hours a day, which is how we used to do things. And there’s some other things, facilities and things we would cut,” she said.

They have until March 30 to come up with the cash.

Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for Dec. 11, 2025

Published

6 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for Dec. 11, 2025

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers

5-2-5

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

08-10-23-28-33

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

04-14-19-36-37-38

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
5 white balls = $1 million.
4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
4 white balls = $100.
3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
3 white balls = $7.
2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arizona

Fruit-flavored cocaine being sold to young people, Arizona official warns

Published

18 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Fruit-flavored cocaine being sold to young people, Arizona official warns

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona’s attorney general is sounding the alarm over a new illegal drug being marketed toward kids and young women.

The Attorney General’s Office says law enforcement agencies in Arizona are seeing an increase of fruit-flavored cocaine in the illegal drug market.

Attorney General Kris Mayes says dealers are marketing the flavored drug toward younger people and women, attempting to lure new users to using cocaine.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is issuing a warning of fruit-flavored cocaine being marketed to young people.(Arizona Attorney General’s Office)

Mayes said the drug is being sold in flavors like piña colada, strawberry, coconut and banana, which may appeal to children. She added that illegal drugs like cocaine often contain the deadly drug fentanyl.

“We want everyone to stay safe and avoid the harms that come from using illegal drugs,” Mayes said.

The warning from the AG’s office comes after a man was sentenced in Pima County last month for selling fruit-flavored cocaine.

A release from Mayes’ office says that on July 17, Jaden Alfredo Covarrubias sold about 1.55 pounds of cocaine to another person after advertising his access to coconut, strawberry and banana flavored forms. Mayes said Covarrubias offered to sell the drugs on social media platforms like WhatsApp.

Jaden Alfredo Covarrubias was setenced to 1.75 years in prison and ordered to pay fines after... — Jaden Alfredo Covarrubias was setenced to 1.75 years in prison and ordered to pay fines after selling fruit-flavored cocaine in Pima County.(Arizona Attorney General’s Office)

Covarrubias was sentenced on Nov. 24 to 1.75 years in prison. He was ordered to pay $4,500 to the State Anti-Racketeering Revolving Fund and $300 for investigative costs to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

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Arizona

Volunteer pilots bring Santa, gifts to Title I schools on Utah-Arizona border

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Volunteer pilots bring Santa, gifts to Title I schools on Utah-Arizona border

COLORADO CITY, Ariz. — Santa Claus traded his sleigh for small planes Wednesday as 20 volunteer pilots from Angel Flight West’s Utah wing flew hundreds of miles to deliver Christmas gifts and school supplies to two Title I schools on the Utah-Arizona border.

The annual “Santa Flight” brought toys, winter coats, backpacks and more than 500 books donated by PBS Utah to about 500 students from Water Canyon Elementary in Hildale, Utah, and Cottonwood Elementary in Colorado City, Arizona. The schools gathered at the Colorado City airport to greet Santa, Mrs. Claus, some elves and the pilots.

“Well, this is just excitement,” said Brad Jolley, principal at Water Canyon Elementary in Hildale. “I mean, you look at the faces of the kids, you see smiles, and just a great opportunity, great atmosphere.”

“This is the first time that our two schools in our valley have come together and done an activity,” said Natalie Hammon, principal at Cottonwood Elementary in Colorado City. “So Santa Flight has really helped us unite our valley and let our two schools work together for a great cause.”

The donations were made possible by community groups and sponsors, including the John C. Kish Foundation, Bank of Utah and the Leavitt Group. Lou Rossi, Utah Wing leader for Angel Flight West, said the effort reflects the generosity of pilots and donors during a tough economic time.

Angel Flight West is best known for providing free air transportation for patients traveling long distances for medical care. Volunteer pilot Steve Booth said the holiday mission is just one way to give back.

“For somebody that might need a four- or five-hour car ride after a cancer treatment, a 45 (-minute) or one-hour flight just makes a huge, huge difference in their life,” Booth said.

The Santa Flight tradition began in 2000 and rotates among rural schools each year.

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.

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