Arizona

Arizona’s governor didn’t ‘mysteriously’ step down. She was in DC less than a day and is back now

Published

1 year ago

September 29, 2023

Arizona’s governor didn’t ‘mysteriously’ step down. She was in DC less than a day and is back now

Arizona’s governor was out of the state for a day this week, prompting false claims that she’d abruptly resigned or vanished entirely. Here are the facts:

CLAIM: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has suddenly resigned, leaving the state’s treasurer in charge.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The Democrat, who has been the target of misinformation since taking office this year, was out of state for meetings in Washington for a day, so the state treasurer briefly served as acting governor. Arizona’s constitution calls for the next highest ranking elected official physically in the state to assume the role in the governor’s absence. Hobbs returned to Arizona on Thursday and resumed her duties, including attending an event with President Joe Biden.

THE FACTS: Hobbs’ brief trip on Wednesday was wildly misrepresented on social media and conservative news sites.

Critics and news headlines claimed her absence was “mysterious” or “unexplained,” suggesting the governor disappeared without notice, leaving another state official suddenly running the show.

“She has now stepped down as Arizona governor, and it’s raising questions,” claimed one Facebook user in a widely shared video posted on Thursday.

“BREAKING: Katie Hobbs has resigned from her role as the Governor of Arizona,” read another post on Gettr Thursday.

“Republican State Treasurer Kimberly Yee is currently the Acting Governor,” wrote another user on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter on Wednesday. “The reason is unknown.”

But there’s no great mystery: Hobbs remains governor of the Grand Canyon State. She was away on business for a day, and state law requires that the next highest-ranking statewide office holder assume the role of acting governor in her absence.

Arizona’s secretary of state and state attorney general were also in D.C. for meetings this week, leaving state Treasurer Kimberly Yee as the state’s de facto executive, Hobbs’ spokesperson Christian Slater confirmed.

The usually unremarkable handover gained attention when Yee released a statement Wednesday acknowledging she’d be serving as acting governor from that evening through Thursday morning.

In a jab at the Democratic governor, the Republican said she would “refrain from” filling vacancies in state agency director jobs that the governor hasn’t filled.

Slater confirmed Friday that the governor met with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in D.C. on Wednesday.

Hobbs was back Thursday morning and spoke later that day at the Tempe Center for the Arts, where officials announced the construction of a library honoring the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, of Arizona.

On Friday, Hobbs headed to Flagstaff to speak with the state Board of Regents, according to Slater.

Meanwhile Secretary of State Adrian Fontes returned to Arizona on Friday after meeting with U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, of Arizona, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and White House staff regarding the impact of the looming federal government shutdown on election operations, Paul Smith-Leonard, his spokesperson, said Friday.

State Attorney General Kris Mayes was also back in the state Friday after meeting with officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency on efforts to combat the state’s fentanyl crisis, according to spokesperson Richie Taylor.

She also spoke with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials on the proposed merger between grocery chains Albertsons and Kroger and its potential impact to local food suppliers.

Even after it was clear that the governor was back in Arizona, some social media users baselessly suggested Hobbs would have to be sworn back into office before resuming her duties.

“No,” Slater responded, “there is no grain of truth to that claim.”

___

This is part of AP’s effort to address widely shared misinformation, including work with outside companies and organizations to add factual context to misleading content that is circulating online. Learn more about fact-checking at AP.

Source link

Click to comment

Arizona

Arizona receives mixed lung-cancer ratings from American Lung Association

Published

6 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

Arizona receives mixed lung-cancer ratings from American Lung Association

The American Lung Association released its annual “State of Lung Cancer” report that ranks lung cancer response by state. Arizona ranked above average for rate of new cases; average for early diagnosis; and below average for survival rate, surgical treatment and, lack of treatment and, screening. (File photo by Cronkite News)

PHOENIX – The American Lung Association (ALA) graded Arizona’s lung cancer response as mostly below average Tuesday. The association releases an annual report documenting the success or failure in each state’s response to lung cancer awareness.

“The No. 1 modality (for lung cancer) is going to be smoking,” said Dr. Richard Gillespie, a thoracic surgeon at HonorHealth Heart Care – Heart and Lung Surgery – Shea. “It’s No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, but it’s not the only risk.”

The ALA report follows a criterion that ranks states on six factors. Arizona ranked above average for rate of new cases; average for early diagnosis; and below average for survival rate, surgical treatment, and lack of treatment and screening.

“Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer,” said ALA Senior Director of Advocacy JoAnna Strother. “It is the leading cause of cancer deaths. We’re (ALA) just trying to make more people aware that if they are eligible for screening, that they should definitely talk to their provider.”

Those diagnosed with lung cancer can get treatments or surgeries to help lessen their symptoms.

In Arizona, according to the report, 27.1% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are alive after five years, which is lower than the national average of 28.4%.

The rate of new cases in the state, 42.6 per 100,000, is similar to last year and is significantly lower than the national rate of 53.6 – ranking the state seventh among all others.

This year, the rate of new cases has improved by 19% in Arizona and 15% nationally.

Those at high risk for lung cancer in Arizona include adults between the ages of 50 to 80 who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, are current smokers or quit within the last 15 years. About 14% of those high-risk individuals in the state received screenings for lung cancer – compared to the national rate of 16% – ranking the state at 37th.

“People are very independent out here (in Arizona); they don’t want to be told what to do,” Gillespie said. “I think people haven’t heard about screening for lung cancer. It’s a relatively new modality. We as a community need to really be letting people know that this is something that can reduce their risk of lung cancer.”

According to ALA, lung cancer takes the lives of 361 people a day in the U.S. But within the past 10 years, the lung cancer survival rate has increased by 44%.

“Those who are recent immigrants, those who are in some of the less affluent areas of Phoenix just don’t have access to health care,” Gillespie said. “We want to be a part of outreach (and) make sure that we’re providing tools that people need to be able to take care of themselves.”

Source link

Arizona

Tetairoa McMillan a 2024 Biletnikoff Award semifinalist

Published

14 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

Tetairoa McMillan a 2024 Biletnikoff Award semifinalist

Arizona Wildcats junior Tetairoa McMillan on Tuesday was among 11 players named semifinalists for the 2024 Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to college football’s best pass-catcher.

McMillan is third in the nation with 1,136 receiving yards with Arizona (4-6) still set to visit the TCU Horned Frogs this Saturday and before hosting the rival Arizona State Sun Devils in the regular season finale.

His receiving yards total trails two other finalists: San Jose State receiver Nick Nash (1,282 yards) and Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (1,170).

Also on the list is a player for the Wildcats’ upcoming opponent. TCU’s Jack Bech is sixth in the nation with 982 receiving yards so far this season.

McMillan began the year well-regarded and on the lengthy Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, as well as the Maxwell Award watch list that will be handed out to the nation’s best all-around college player.

The bulk of his production in 2024 has come in two games: a 304-yard performance in the season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 31 and a 202-yard outing on Oct. 26 against West Virginia.

A likely first-round pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound receiver piled up 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Current Arizona Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. won the Biletnikoff trophy last season for his 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior for Ohio State.

LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, who like Harrison were first-round NFL Draft picks, were the other finalists in 2023.

A panel of 600 college football journalists, commentators, announcers, former award winners and former receivers vote for semifinalists, finalists and award winners.

A fan vote accounts for one official vote as well.

Tetairoa McMillan and 10 more 2024 Biletnikoff Award semifinalists

Jack Bech (WR), TCU
Ja’Corey Brooks (WR), Louisville
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE), Bowling Green
Tai Felton (WR), Maryland
Tre Harris (WR), Ole Miss
Travis Hunter (WR), Colorado
Tetairoa McMillan (WR), Arizona
Nick Nash (WR), San Jose State
Xavier Restrepo (WR), Miami
Jeremiah Smith (WR), Ohio State
Ryan Williams (WR), Alabama

Follow @kzimmermanaz

Source link

Arizona

How former Arizona Wildcats fared in Week 11 of NFL season

Published

22 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

How former Arizona Wildcats fared in Week 11 of NFL season

Another week of the NFL season is in the books. Here’s how former Arizona Wildcats fared around the league in Week 11.

Nick Folk, K, Tennessee Titans

Folk made a pair of field goals, including a long of 43 yards, in Tennessee’s 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Folk has 396 career field goals, one shy of 15th all-time.

Christian Roland-Wallace, ST, Kansas City Chiefs

Roland-Wallace played 13 snaps on special teams in Kansas City’s 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Roland-Wallace earned a 66.7 grade, second-best on the Chiefs special teams unit.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, ST, San Francisco 49ers

Flannigan-Fowles played 14 special teams snaps for San Francisco in its 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Flannigan-Fowles’ 63.6 grade on PFF was fourth-best on the 49ers special teams unit.

Jacob Cowing, WR/ST, San Francisco 49ers

Cowing played one offensive snap and two special teams snaps in San Francisco’s loss.

Jordan Morgan, OT, Green Bay Packers

Morgan was placed on the injured reserve on Saturday, meaning he’ll miss at least the next four weeks. Morgan reportedly reaggravated a shoulder injury during practice.

Source link