Arizona

Arizona farmers could face bankruptcy due to federal funding freeze

Published

10 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Arizona farmers could face bankruptcy due to federal funding freeze

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Many American small businesses are in limbo, waiting to see how they’ll be impacted by the escalating trade war and a freeze on federal grants. Dozens of Arizona business owners say they were counting on federal grants to help them expand and improve.

One of them is Rachel Opio, an urban farmer in Phoenix who owns the Little Lighthouse Farm in her backyard. “I’m truly here to steward the land and regenerate the soil while feeding the community real food: nutrient-dense produce,” she said.

She jumped into this venture in 2022 to cope with the loss of her mother. Since then, it’s grown into a business with the help of several federal grants that help her sell produce at affordable prices and make it accessible to people in her community. “Eventually, I plan to do this on a much larger scale and feed way more people than I’m currently feeding,” said Opio.

However, with the funding freeze, her grants to add infrastructure to her farm are on hold. She also planned on tapping into the funds from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to help her start a rural farm this year. “It’s just really unfortunate, you know? It truly is,” said Opio,

Jason Lowry, with the nonprofit Local First Arizona, said more than 70 rural businesses, including farms, in the state applied and were approved for about $15 million through REAP. He explained the program incentivizes businesses to invest in clean energy and efficiency projects by partially reimbursing owners when they buy eco-friendly equipment, which can, at times, cost tens of thousands of dollars.

However, he said those businesses are on the hook for everything. “It could likely cause a chain reaction of bankruptcies across the state and country. And it has left these rural business owners and farmers in a lurch,” said Lowry.

Opio hopes lawmakers will have an answer to undo the freeze fast. “Really think about where your food is going to come from if the farmers can’t afford to grow it,” said Opio.

Arizona’s Family reached out to everyone on the Arizona congressional delegation asking what is being done to help our farmers. Rep. Yassamin Ansari’s team responded and said the Democratic congresswoman was discussing the issue with fellow Democrat Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes during a tele-town hall on social media Wednesday night.

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Arizona

Did ASU basketball make right choice not firing coach Bobby Hurley? Social media reacts

Published

22 hours ago

March 12, 2025

Press Room

Did ASU basketball make right choice not firing coach Bobby Hurley? Social media reacts

Arizona State basketball coach Bobby Hurley, who has coached the Sun Devils for 10 seasons, is expected to be back for an 11th season in 2025-26, according to an ASU basketball program spokesman.

Is ASU basketball making the right move retaining Hurley, who is 168-149 in Tempe, or should the program have fired the head coach?

Social media certainly had thoughts in the aftermath of the news that the Sun Devils were not expected to fire Hurley, news that broke before Arizona State’s 71-66 loss to Kansas State in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday. ASU is 13-19 overall and 4-16 in the Big 12 this season.

How social media reacted to Bobby Hurley remaining with Arizona State:

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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Arizona

Arizona schools chief concerned about federal investigation into ASU

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2025

Press Room

Arizona schools chief concerned about federal investigation into ASU

We sit down with the one and only David Archuleta! The former American Idol star opens up about his journey from a teenage heartthrob to a confident, self-accepting artist. David talks about his career, his struggles with sexuality, and his departure from the Mormon church. It’s a heartfelt and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

Plus, we dive into some juicy wedding drama! 💍💸 Should guests pay for the entire wedding day? Weigh in on this hot topic and hear what others have to say.

And that’s not all! Influencer Juan Gonzalez, known for his epic pranks and generous giveaways, shares how he’s using his platform to give back to the community. From gas station chaos to reverse bank robberies, Juan’s stories are as wild as they are heartwarming.

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Arizona

Judge to allow camera in Lori Vallow Daybell's Arizona trial; defense releases witness list – East Idaho News

Published

2 days ago

March 11, 2025

Press Room

Judge to allow camera in Lori Vallow Daybell's Arizona trial; defense releases witness list – East Idaho News

PHOENIX — A judge will allow a camera in the courtroom during Lori Vallow Daybell’s upcoming trial in Arizona.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Justin Beresky decided during a Tuesday hearing and said one pool camera will be allowed to provide a livestream to media outlets with a possible 1- to 2-minute delay.

Daybell, who is representing herself with legal advisors, expressed concerns over having a camera in the courtroom.

“We want to make sure the cameras aren’t going to be zooming in at any level to our notes or the things that are going to be on our table,” she said. “What has happened before is they just have the camera on my face the entire trial. I think when the judge is speaking, the judge needs to be on the camera. When the state is speaking, they need to be on camera.”

Beresky said he will issue a written order with specific guidelines in the coming days.

Daybell faces two charges of conspiracy to commit murder in connection to her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, and her former nephew-in-law, Brandon Boudreaux. The trials will be held separately, with jury selection in Charles Vallow’s case scheduled to begin at the end of the month.

Beresky explained that 200 potential jurors living in Maricopa County will soon receive electronic questionnaires. The defense and prosecution will review the responses and eliminate jurors who don’t qualify to serve. Additional questionnaires could be sent out if needed and final candidates will be questioned at the courthouse during the first week of April.

According to Beresky, 12 jurors will be picked, with three to four alternates. Opening statements are expected to begin April 7; the trial could last up to six weeks.

Other motions were heard during Tuesday’s hearing, including a request from Daybell for her videotaped interview with detectives after Vallow was killed. She also wants video of police interviewing her daughter, Tylee Ryan, and friend, Melanie Gibb. Prosecuting attorney Treena Kay said those videos had been provided to Daybell, but she would double-check to make sure.

Beresky also discussed a trial date for the charges involving the Boudreaux case, but nothing was finalized. Kay said prosecutors would need around three weeks for that trial.

The hearing on Tuesday comes a few days after Daybell released a list of witnesses she intends to call in the first case, including herself, her sister Summer Shiflet, her brother Adam Cox, and EastIdahoNews.com reporter Nate Eaton. As of Tuesday, Eaton had not been served with a subpoena.

Watch Tuesday’s hearing in the video player below:

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