It's Tuesday, Feb. 15. Start your morning with some of our top headlines:
Winter Weather Advisory Remains In Effect Through Tuesday
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for northeastern Arizona communities — including Kayenta, Chinle, and Show Low, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory remains in effect through Tuesday evening. Winter weather conditions can be expected in parts of Apache County, the NWS reports. Department of Transportation officials say US 60 westbound has reopened after a weather-related closure earlier this morning — though drivers can continue to expect winter-impacted roads. Commuters can find reports and updates on ADOT’s Twitter, website, or by dialing 511.
NWS reported “briefly heavy snow” this morning at 7:40 am, saying residents can expect the showers between Williams and the New Mexico border through 9 am.
Cold overnight temperatures will linger several days after the storm.
Bill Seeking Protection Of Tribal Expression Progresses Through State House
A bill protecting the tribal regalia of students has progressed through the Arizona House of Representatives. HB 2120 says school districts and charter schools in the state cannot prohibit a student from wearing tribal regalia during a graduation ceremony. The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. David Cook, who says former Democratic Rep. Arlando Teller co-sponsored the legislation. The bill passed through a house committee late last week with 11 votes of support and two abstentions, according to the legislature.
Mohave County Veterans’ Home Bill Passes Through State Senate
A bill that seeks to establish a veterans’ home in Mohave County passed through the State Senate late last week and will now progress to the House of Representatives. The legislation would allocate $25 million to the prospective facility. Senate officials say the home would hold about 80 beds, and that veterans’ facilities can provide care to spouses, dependents, and chronically ill veterans. Republican Sen. Sonny Borelli of Lake Havasu City sponsored the bill. Borrelli himself served in the Marines for more than 20 years.
Arizona’s Department of Economic Security identified 802 homeless veterans statewide in 2019. In December, Mohave County officials announced ten veterans received housing through a Kingman-based program; they estimated the Kingman Veteran Villas project will be completed this month.
Ducey Calls For Assessment Of Pandemic “Learning Loss”
Gov. Doug Ducey signed an executive order Monday that seeks to assess “learning loss” among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order calls on the State Board of Education to analyze assessments and other benchmarks while comparing the scores to those of previous years. He also says the Board must study the pandemic’s effect among different student demographics. Ducey’s order says the report must be produced by Nov. 1. The order comes as schools across the state consider reopening processes — including the Flagstaff Unified School District, which has established upcoming calendar dates for a return to in-person classes.
