Arizona
Arizona Becomes the 31st State With a Rare Disease Advisory Council
New State Council Will Help Shape Health Policies for Arizonans Living with Rare Diseases
PHOENIX, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD®) celebrates a significant milestone for the rare disease community as Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed House Bill 2380 into law, establishing the Arizona Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC).
This legislation, introduced by Representative Alma Hernandez, supported by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD®) and patient organizations from Arizona and across the United States, brings new hope to rare disease patients across the state by ensuring a dedicated body to address their unique healthcare needs.
“The establishment of Arizona’s Rare Disease Advisory Council represents the power of grassroots advocacy and community collaboration,” said NORD Chief Executive Officer Pamela K. Gavin. “From passionate patients and dedicated clinicians to committed lawmakers, Arizonans came together with a unified voice to create meaningful change. NORD is immensely proud to have supported this community-driven initiative. This council will ensure that the unique challenges faced by rare disease patients and families in Arizona are not only heard but addressed through informed policy and dedicated action.”
“I am proud to have been able to work with the stakeholders and those living with rare diseases for the last two years to make this legislation possible,” said Representative Alma Hernandez. “It is time for Arizona to move the needle and find ways to support this community. This committee will allow for new recommendations for lawmakers to better support this community. I look forward to the first convening and the ability to learn from the experts in this field, improve the lives of others, and develop better policies to diagnose and treat Arizonans living with a rare disease.”
With the governor’s signature on May 12, Arizona becomes the 31st state with an RDAC. The council will include dedicated stakeholders from across the rare disease landscape, including physicians and other health care providers, patients, caregivers, researchers, and members of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. The membership of the RDAC will reflect the unique geographical and population of Arizona.
“As both a rare disease patient and a provider for children with medically complex and rare conditions, I’m excited to see Arizonans gain a stronger voice in future policy,” said Melissa Meyer, DNP, a NORD volunteer. “My rare disease didn’t happen to me — it happened for me. It gave me the empathy to better support my patients and the inspiration to teach future nurse practitioners how to advocate. I’m deeply grateful for this journey and hopeful about the impact the RDAC will have.”
Arizona
Pilot Jessica Cox to be inducted into Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless airplane pilot and a leading advocate for disability-led innovation, will be inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame on Friday, May 15, 2026. The induction ceremony, hosted by Rightfooted Foundation International in collaboration with the Pima Air & Space Museum, will take place at the museum from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cox’s recognition honors both her historic achievement in flight and her ongoing work expanding access and opportunity for people without arms. Through her leadership at Rightfooted Foundation International (RFI), Cox has championed mentorship, education and practical innovations that help aspiring pilots and families reimagine what’s possible in aviation and beyond.
“Saying I’m proud of her can’t fully encompass what I feel,” said Patrick Chamberlain, Cox’s husband and RFI’s Inclusive Engineering Director. “Jessica’s induction into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes both what she has accomplished and what she continues to do. She has helped shed light on the many pilots with disabilities in aviation and shown the world that disability does not mean inability.”
The 2026 induction class also honors two military aviators: Frank Schiel Jr., a Phoenix-born Flying Tigers veteran credited with seven enemy aircraft destroyed in World War II, and James K. Johnson, a Phoenix-born U.S. Air Force colonel and Korean War double ace credited with ten aerial victories.
The Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, established in 1985 and housed in the Dorothy Finley Aerospace Gallery at Pima Air & Space Museum, pays tribute to Arizonans who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace history.
Arizona
2026 NFL draft: 3 potential trades back from No. 3 for Arizona Cardinals
Since the Arizona Cardinals want to trade back from the No. 3 picks, here are three deals that could work.
The Arizona Cardinals have the third pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which begins this week on Thursday. All the reports coming out are saying that they want to trade out of the pick to acquire more draft picks.
But what does a trade look like and who could be involved?
The Kansas City Chiefs are involved in talks at some level. ESPN’s Adam Schefter expects trade talks to heat up this week.
NFL teams use a variation of a trade value chart when it comes to draft picks. Now, what a team actually is willing to give up can be influenced by potential competition with other teams, but we can’t count on that.
Here is the general trade value chart teams use.
Here are some potential deals that could be done.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have two first-round picks, which would be appealing to the Cardinals, who reportedly want to make a move for quarterback Ty Simpson, and the 29th pick might be just the spot to get him.
The third overall pick is worth 514 points.
The Chiefs’ picks at No. 9 (387 points) and No. 29 (202 points) together are worth 589.
To make up the difference, the Cardinals could give up No. 65 (78 points) for a total of 592 points.
One deal could be:
- Cardinals receive get No. 9 and No. 29 (589 points)
- Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 65 (592 points)
Another could be:
- Cardinals receive No. 9, No. 29, No. 74 and 2027 third-round pick (653 points + value of future third-round pick, which is 36-78 points)
- Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 34 (689 points)
The Cardinals keep their third-round pick and the Chiefs essentially move back five spots from No. 29.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks but no pick in the second round.
Pick No. 12 is 347 points and No. 20 is 269 for a total of 616.
This deal is close:
- Cardinals receive No. 12, No. 20 (616 points)
- Cowboys receive No. 3, No. 65 (592 points)
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are perhaps a dark horse to move up, although they do not have two first-round picks. They have the No. 8 pick, worth 406 points. Their second-round pick, at No. 42, is worth 142 points.
This deal could work:
- Cardinals receive No. 8, No. 42 (548 points)
- Saints receive No. 3, No. 104 (547 points)
Then the Cardinals could use their two second-round picks to then move back into Round 1 to get Ty Simpson.
They could trade No. 34, No. 42 and No. 65 (395 points) for No. 28, No. 38 and No. 106 (398 total points).
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Arizona
Dust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com
PHOENIX — Breezy winds kicked up a blanket of dust across the Valley on Sunday, and forecasters say more is on the way this week.
Visibility in Phoenix became so bad on Sunday that Sky Harbor airport stopped flights for over an hour
The wind and dust peaked Sunday afternoon and gradually improved into the evening, said Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
“You might’ve seen the mountains a bit obscured in the distance,” Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “A lot of haze in the air.”
By Monday morning, skies had largely cleared and dust levels near the ground had dropped significantly.
Expect more gusty, dusty days this week
The relief may be short-lived.
ADEQ is watching for increased afternoon breezes Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, this time from the west and southwest. Though the winds are expected to be weaker than Sunday’s, Graves said forecasters cannot rule out dust.
“I wouldn’t say windstorm,” Graves said. “I would just say we’ve got some waves coming in. They’re going to increase our afternoon breeziness.”
It’s enough to kick up dry, exposed dirt, which could create pockets of dust. There is a slight chance of broader regional dust transport, Graves said.
It will impact people with asthma, COPD or respiratory conditions the most. Graves advised those with issues to monitor conditions and stay indoors during the dustiest hours.
“If you’re going to be outside, be outside during the times when it’s less dusty or hazy,” Graves said.
Graves noted that spring weather systems typically pass to the north of the Phoenix area, delivering wind and slight temperature drops but little to no rain, a pattern likely to continue.
KTAR News reporter Kellen Shover contributed to this report.
-
Indianapolis, IN33 seconds agoThe Eagle in Indianapolis promotes Kentucky Derby party and catering services
-
Pittsburg, PA7 minutes agoRoad closures begin April 22 around downtown Pittsburgh for NFL Draft
-
Augusta, GA13 minutes ago
James Byron Duncan Obituary April 19, 2026 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors
-
Washington, D.C19 minutes agoHow much you need to earn to be middle class in DC, MD and Virginia
-
Cleveland, OH25 minutes agoCleveland Browns News and Rumors 4/21/26: You’ll Take this Draft Speculation and You’ll Like It
-
Austin, TX31 minutes agoTexas DMV launches authorization system for automated commercial vehicles
-
Alabama37 minutes agoNew Alabama Privacy Law Adds to Compliance Challenges for Businesses | PYMNTS.com
-
Alaska43 minutes agoAlaska’s embattled economic development agency approves $700,000 PR budget