Arizona

Some Republicans want to mitigate Arizona abortion ban. Democrats call it backpedaling

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

Some Republicans want to mitigate Arizona abortion ban. Democrats call it backpedaling

A handful of Arizona Republican lawmakers and officials called for action on Tuesday to mitigate the impact of a court decision reinstituting a 160-year-old ban on nearly all abortions in the state.

Former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, called on officials to “address this issue with a policy that is workable and reflective of our electorate.”

Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, called on Republican leaders to immediately repeal the 160-year-old law, saying “the law cannot stand.” Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, also called for a repeal of the law. Both lawmakers favored a ban on abortions after 15 weeks.

The statements, while made in reaction to a shocking court decision that will reverberate for months if not years, were dismissed by Democrats as GOP backpedaling.

The statements come during an election year in which Democrats have sought to make abortion rights a mobilizing issue to get voters to the polls. In addition to driving support for a state constitutional amendment on abortion rights, Democrats hope their policy positions will win favor with voters and tip the scales in competitive races on the ballot.

“Arizonans remember Gov. Doug Ducey and the Republican legislature pushing through a 15-week ban after Donald Trump was able to get Roe overturned,” Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano said in a statement.

“Arizonans will usher in a pro-choice Democratic majority in our legislature, send Joe Biden back to the White House, and once again reject abortion extremism to secure the US House and Senate.”

In 2022, while the U.S. Supreme Court was considering a case that later overturned abortion rights nationally, Arizona GOP lawmakers and Ducey enacted a ban on abortions after 15 weeks. It was more restrictive than what was allowed at the time in the Grand Canyon State, and supporters acknowledged it was a contingency plan to put a more stringent law in place if the U.S. Supreme Court permitted doing so.

Ducey said on social media Tuesday that he signed the 15-week law because it was “thoughtful conservative policy, and an approach to this very sensitive issue that Arizonans can actually agree on.”

“The ruling today is not the outcome I would have preferred, and I call on our elected leaders to heed the will of the people and address this issue with a policy that is workable and reflective of our electorate,” the former governor wrote.

Democrats say GOP backpedaling on Arizona abortion ban

Those words, however, drew the ire of Democrats who noted the 2022 law included language that it did not repeal the pre-statehood ban. The state’s top court relied on that language in upholding the 1864 law on Tuesday, banning abortions at any point in gestation except to save the life of the mother. A person who aids in an abortion can face prison time.

Also noted by Democrats were Ducey’s efforts to expand and pack Arizona’s top court when he was governor. Ducey in 2016 signed a bill to increase the court from five to seven justices — even though the justices opposed the expansion.

In his eight years as governor, Ducey appointed justices to five of the seven seats. The other two, who dissented from the majority decision on Tuesday, were named to the bench by former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, also a Republican.

The Arizona Republic requested an interview with Ducey, but a representative declined, saying Ducey stood by the statement.

At a news conference on Tuesday with female Democratic lawmakers in the state, Sen. Eva Burch, D-Mesa, and Rep. Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, D-Tucson, called out Republican lawmakers as they began releasing statements against the territorial ban.

Stahl-Hamilton specifically called out Gress, who sponsored “fetal personhood” bills in 2023 that would have allowed child support and tax credits to be paid during pregnancy, enhanced domestic violence penalties for people who assault pregnant women, and allowed pregnant women to use HOV lanes. Those bills were either vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs or died in committee.

Gress disputed that those bills gave fetuses personhood rights akin to a separate state law dealing with abortion and shared a 2022 campaign flyer that says he opposes the pre-statehood abortion ban and supports exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

“This is about providing support, financial support and resources for women,” Gress said of his bills. “It’s about empowering women and protecting women. I’ve been pretty consistent in that.”

Shope said the Arizona Supreme Court “ignored our legislative intent” in its ruling. Shope voted in favor of the 15-week law in 2022 and said he would work to repeal the 1864 law.

Burch shut down any idea of compromising with Republicans on ending the territorial ban in favor of the less strict 15-week ban.

“Am I willing to compromise the lives of pregnant people after 15 weeks to have the appearance of being diplomatic?” Burch asked. “Absolutely not.”

Burch made national headlines in March after revealing on the Senate floor that she was pregnant and obtained an abortion because her pregnancy was not viable.

Despite Republicans like Gress and Shope pledging support for the 15-week law instead of the 1864 ban, Burch said she doesn’t expect action from her Republican colleagues.

A bill to repeal the 1864 ban was introduced earlier this year and has made it nowhere in the GOP-majority Legislature. Lawmakers are convening once a week now and will have voting sessions on Wednesday.

“I really appreciate and respect my Republican colleagues; I co-sponsor bills with my Republican colleagues. We agree on some things, and we disagree on others,” Burch said. “Do I think that they are going to now become champions for reproductive health care because of this ruling and their fears about what the political consequences might be?

“Not even then, absolutely not.”

160-year-old law upheld: Abortion in Arizona set to be illegal in nearly all circumstances, state high court rules

Republic reporter Mary Jo Pitzl contributed to this article.

Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669.

Reach reporter Reagan Priest at rpriest@gannett.com.

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for March 1, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for March 1, 2026

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, March 1, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers

6-4-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

01-07-11-18-28

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

12-17-23-31-37-42

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/.

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

Here’s how to give public comment on future Colorado River plans

Published

17 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how to give public comment on future Colorado River plans

PHOENIX — After years of negotiations, Arizona still doesn’t know what its long-term water future will look like, and now the federal government is preparing to step in.

States across the Colorado River Basin have failed to reach a deal on how to share the shrinking river after current operating rules expire in 2026. With no state-led agreement in place, federal officials are moving forward with their own plan, one that could bring steep cuts to Arizona’s water supply.

And for Arizonans, the clock is ticking to weigh in. Public comment remains open until March 2. To submit your comment on what the government should do, send your comments in email to crbpost2026@usbr.gov.

Additional information is available online. The project website can be accessed here, along with links to YouTube videos published by the government, recorded in January and February which walk through of the options available.

Many Arizona leaders have already offered their public comments, which are overwhelmingly negative.

“We were very disappointed with that document,” said Brenda Burman, the Central Arizona Project General Manager “If any of those alternatives were implemented, it would be very difficult, and perhaps devastating for Arizona.”

Arizona’s top Colorado River negotiator, Tom Buschatzke, echoed those concerns.

“None of those alternatives are very good for the state of Arizona,” Buschatzke said. “I’m not seeing how we’re going to break that stalemate.”

Congressman Juan Ciscomani also criticized the proposals, saying the impacts of Colorado River cuts extends into Pinal, and Pima counties.

“That’s not an acceptable solution for us,” Ciscomani said. “We want to play ball, but we want to make sure everyone across the board uses less and becomes more efficient.”

Some of the federal alternatives would reduce Arizona’s Colorado River supply by 40%, 50%, or in the most extreme case up to 70%.

Experts at ASU Kyl Center for Water Policy say part of the problem lies upstream.

“The reason for this current impasse is because the upper basin states have refused to take cuts in their Colorado River use,” said Sarah Porter, the center’s director.

Upper Basin states like Colorado and Utah rely on different water rules than Arizona and other Lower Basin states, complicating negotiations that have dragged on for years.

Arizona has already been living with cuts for several years. Since 2021, the state has faced an 18% reduction in Colorado River water deliveries due to a Tier 1 shortage declaration. Most of those cuts have fallen on Central Arizona Project users, including agriculture and some tribal communities.

Buschatzke argues that pushing Arizona into deeper reductions would violate long-standing Western water law.

“We will be protecting the state of Arizona,” he said. “And if that has to be litigation, it will be litigation.”

That means a lawsuit against the federal government, or upper basin states is now a real possibility if the final plan moves forward unchanged. The state legislature has put $3 million in a state fund for potential litigation on the Colorado River.

After the comment period closes, the federal government is required to review public feedback and issue a formal ‘Record of Decision’, likely sometime this summer. Advocacy groups say public feedback matters.

“I just encourage Arizonans to look at this document, understand what that means for your family, your businesses, and what it means for the future,” said Kyle Roerink of the Great Basin Water Network. “Then figure out if you want to advocate for one scenario over another.”

A new operating plan must be in place by October 1, setting the rules for how the Colorado River will be managed for years to come, and shaping Arizona’s water future in the process.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for Feb. 28, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers

06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning The Pick numbers

09-12-15-25-31-35

Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

6-1-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

07-10-22-30-36

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

08-09-14-17-30-41

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.

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

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:

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.

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

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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