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KNAU's Morning Rundown: Thursday, May 13

Vaccines For Younger Age Group Get The Green Light In AZ

The Arizona Department of Health Services will offer doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to children between 12 and 15 years old — starting today. 

 

The announcement comes after the Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, authorized the vaccine’s use for the youngest age demographic yet. Walk-ins are permitted for the age group at the state’s seven mass vaccination sites  — including one at Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff campus. Nearly 43% of the state’s total population has received at least one dose of vaccine, according to

 

Homicide Reported Near NAU Campus In Flagstaff

Flagstaff Police say they booked a woman into Coconino County Detention Facility after she confessed to shooting and killing a man near Flagstaff’s Urban Trail. Ashley Martin turned herself in at a nearby Wal-Mart; she told police in the early hours of Wednesday morning she fatally shot the man during an argument. It’s the city’s first homicide of 2021, according to an FPD spokesperson.

 

Golden Valley Water Shortage Stretches On, County Anticipates Repairs

An estimated 500 households remain without water in Mohave County after a well failed to pump groundwater in the Golden Valley area. County officials say repairs are now underway The underground system malfunctioned over the weekend, requiring the installation of a new motor. Officials say a contractor will begin work tomorrow, and that the system should be repaired early next week. 

 

The county is continuing to offer limited amounts of bottled water to affected residents at the Golden Valley Fire Training Center. Community members on social media are coordinating to distribute water amid the shortage. 

 

Large-Scale 2 Guns Resort Plan Denied At County Meeting

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has rejected a bid to construct a large-scale resort east of Flagstaff and south of the Navajo Nation. 

 

The decision came after an hours-long public hearing Wednesday night. Property owner John Gunderman had proposed a 700-unit resort with amenities including a water park and drive-in movie theater. The idea drew criticism last year due to its proposed use of teepees and stereotypical depictions of Indigenous peoples. Gunderman said on Wednesday those components would no longer be implemented. 

 

Before officially denying the zoning change, county supervisors questioned fire evacuation plans for the space, and cited the lack of an archeological assessment in the Two Guns area. 

 

Filibuster Protest Moves To Flagstaff

The Arizona Student Association, along with other community organizations, plan to protest a longstanding filibuster practice that allows lawmakers to obstruct or delay legislation by delivering hours-long speeches. The protest is set for next Thursday outside of Flagstaff’s City Hall. 

 

Opponents nationwide are encouraging an end to the legislative practice, citing its use during the civil rights movement. Former President Barack Obama last year publicly opposed the filibuster at the funeral of Rep. John Lewis, calling it a “Jim Crow relic.”

 

Next week’s rally comes as Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema faces pressure to support ending the filibuster; Sinema instead defended the legislative tradition last month, telling the Wall Street Journal, “I don’t think the solution is to erode the rules.”

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