Regional

PHOENIX — Federal land-management agencies have agreed to do more to keep cattle from grazing in sensitive habitat for threatened and endangered species in the Verde River watershed, settling a lawsuit filed by environmental groups.

PRESCOTT, Ariz. - More than 1,400 criminal cases in Yavapai County are currently caught in a backlog that County Attorney Sheila Polk said was created by the interruption and suspension of court cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pressure for Dignity Health-Yavapai Regional Medical Center employees to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, or possibly lose their jobs, as of Nov. 1 is off for now, with the deadline extended to Feb. 1, 2022.

Coconino National Forest has announced a proposal to expand mass transit shuttle services at select trailheads in the Sedona area to reduce traffic congestion, overflow parking in residential areas, and improve pedestrian safety.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — On Oct. 10, at approximately 6:20 p.m. Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of three stranded climbers on the Touched by an Angel climbing area in the Sedona area.

To most overlanders, the journey is the goal.

Meteor Crater is offering residents of Arizona’s high country a chance to experience Meteor Crater and Barringer Space Museum for free Oct. 23.

PHOENIX — Federal forest service officials have promised to do more to keep cattle out of more than 140 miles of the Verde River watershed.

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's three state universities will comply with a federal mandates for government contractors and require their employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Dec. 8 unless granted exemptions, officials announced Oct. 15.

The jump in inflation this year reflects higher prices for food and energy and a number of other items from furniture to autos as the pandemic has snarled supply chains and demand has outstripped supply.

COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Arizona remain on a plateau amid a gradual slowing of additional new cases and deaths during the current surge.

On Oct. 13, a jury in Arizona found U.S. Air Force airman Mark Gooch guilty of kidnapping and first-degree murder in Krause's killing.

The position will require a confirmation by Congress for its four-year term

"This may be the easiest thing I've ever done so far as president — I mean it,'' a smiling Biden said at a White House ceremony attended by Democratic lawmakers, tribal leaders and environmentalists.

On Sunday, Oct. 24, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will begin requiring callers in Arizona to use 10-digit dialing for all calls on their phones.

PHOENIX (AP) — A judge in Phoenix on Monday was weighing whether the Legislature's decision to charge the city of Flagstaff $1.1 million this year because city voters raised its minimum wage is legal.

Rodeo queening is a long-standing tradition in the American West, dating to the first rodeo queen who was crowned 111 years ago.

WASHINGTON – Robocalls to Arizonans dropped by more than 3 million in July, to about 84.4 million for the month, as the first phase of a new federal mandate took effect that requires phone companies to implement anti-robocall measures.

After 89 years of serving Arizona and 40 years on the Navajo Nation, Bashas' grocery announced Oct. 1 it has been acquired by Raley’s Holding Company, an independent regional grocer based in California.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The brother of a U.S. Air Force airman on trial in the death of a Mennonite woman testified Sept. 29 that the defendant asked him to remotely scrub information from his cellphone shortly before he was arrested and later charged with kidnapping and murder.

PRESCOTT - Yavapai College has begun the process of launching baccalaureate degrees, more commonly referred to as four-year degrees.

PRESCOTT — A 17-year-old student accused of making an online threat about a school shooting in Bagdad was arrested Sept. 28, officials said.

PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) volunteers answered the call to participate on National CleanUp Day, Sept. 18, by removing more than 150 bags, or 2,053 pounds of trash from alongside Arizona’s highways.

A new state law barring schools from imposing mask mandates on students and staff is unconstitutional, a judge ruled Sept. 27. In a broad decision, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper also voided a host of provisions in laws approved by the legislature and signed by Gov. Doug Ducey in the waning days of the session that all were supposed to take effect Wednesday.

The agency’s projections show a 3 percent chance Lake Powell will hit a level where Glen Canyon Dam that holds it back cannot produce hydropower as early as July 2022 if the region has another dry winter.