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Arizona farmers could face bankruptcy due to federal funding freeze

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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,

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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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Woman killed in crash near Lake Pleasant near Peoria

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Woman killed in crash near Lake Pleasant near Peoria


PHOENIX — State Route 74 was closed in both directions near Lake Pleasant in Peoria on Thursday afternoon due to a crash that killed a woman.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) said the highway closed at about 1:15 p.m.

The closure was put into place at Lake Pleasant Parkway for the westbound lanes and 87th Avenue for the eastbound lanes.

ADOT did not say when SR74 is expected to reopen.

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The Peoria Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM that two vehicles collided and a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other details were released.

Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 620620.

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Treacherous rescue in northern Arizona; accidental shooting kills AZ man | Nightly Roundup

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Treacherous rescue in northern Arizona; accidental shooting kills AZ man | Nightly Roundup


Lightning prompts rescue efforts on northern Arizona mountain; accidental shooting leads to death of Arizona man; and more – here’s a look at some of your top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

1. Rescue efforts on northern Arizona mountain

What we know:

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Officials with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office say one person was struck by lightning on Humphrey’s Peak, which is located north of Flagstaff, earlier today.

What we don’t know:

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Officials say a second person may have been struck by lightning, and crews are working to get up the mountain to see if that is the case.

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2. 3 hospitalized following East Valley shooting

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What we know:

Three people are in the hospital following a triple shooting late last night.

Big picture view:

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Mesa Police say officers responded to the scene, which is located near Lindsay Road and University Drive, after someone reported seeing someone running after hearing gunshots in the area. 

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3. Arizona man dies after gun incident

What we know:

An investigation is underway following an accidental shooting that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man.

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Dig deeper:

The incident, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, happened on Oct. 13 at a campground. The victim has been identified as Donald Anthony Stickrath.

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4. Violent store attack caught on camera

What we know:

The Glendale Police Department released a video of a man who it says committed a violent attack at a store and then stole money from the registers.

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What’s next:

The suspect, identified as Gilbert Lara, is accused of kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated assault.

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5. Taking a look at Arizona’s real estate market

Phoenix homes

What we know:

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Experts are weighing on whether it is currently the right time to buy real estate in the Grand Canyon State.

By the numbers:

It has been a rough three years for Arizona real estate. Prices are down nearly seven to eight percent since the peak in July 2022. 

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A look at your weather for tomorrow 

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Arizona women’s health clinics sound alarm over new visa fees for foreign doctors

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Arizona women’s health clinics sound alarm over new visa fees for foreign doctors


PHOENIX (AZFamily) — As Arizona faces a growing shortage of OB-GYNs, a new federal policy could make it even harder for women to access care across the state.

Women’s health provider MomDoc, which operates clinics throughout Arizona, says it may now be forced to pay up to $100,000 per doctor to keep some of its physicians.

The change stems from new guidance under the Trump administration affecting the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers, including doctors in specialty occupations.

Under the revised policy, healthcare providers must now pay a substantial fee to continue sponsoring foreign-trained physicians. “It will impact access to care in Arizona and in other states that are barely making it today,” said Nick Goodman, CEO of MomDoc.

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Currently in Arizona, fewer than 400 OB-GYNs deliver approximately 78,000 babies annually. According to Goodman, a major reason for the shortage is a decades-old freeze on funding for medical residency programs, which has prevented the training of enough new OB-GYNs in the U.S.

To fill the gap, MomDoc and other healthcare providers rely heavily on international doctors. Goodman says roughly 75% of their applicants are H-1B visa holders.

“Healthcare is already a very low-margin business,” Goodman said. “Adding a $100,000 fee makes it go from barely profitable to unprofitable.”

Experts warn the policy could further limit access to care, especially in rural or underserved areas where OB-GYN shortages are already severe.

However, there may be some relief. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently clarified that the fee does not apply to individuals who are already in the U.S. and are changing their visa status. Such as medical residents transitioning to full-time positions, as long as they have received USCIS approval.

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In the meantime, clinics like MomDoc are pursuing fee exemptions, hoping the new rule won’t apply to their current physicians. But Goodman warns that unless the policy is revised or rescinded, it could have lasting consequences.

“When you’re talking about the number of OB-GYN’s practicing in the state going down, which is already happening prior to this fee, it makes it harder and harder for women in Arizona,” he said.

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