Local & Community News Update

Visitors to the Arizona BookStore at the Student Union Memorial Center are encouraged to look up on their next visit. When they do, they'll be greeted with 22 hanging flags of sky blue, gold, yellow, purple, burnt orange and a range of other colors, all adorned with symbols sacred to the Native Nation that each banner represents. The flags were installed last week above the shopping area directly to the right of the store's main entrance.

University of Arizona Government and Community Relations is partnering with neighborhood associations around campus to distribute 3,000 door hangers with COVID-related public health guidance, general good neighbor principles, and important University contact information.

The Arizona Board of Regents held a special board meeting on August 20 to address several critical items heading into the start of the Fall semester. The primary focus was on various university debt financing options that universities would like to explore to help mitigate the fiscal impact of COVID-19.

This week the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the Invest in Education Act will appear on the November ballot. This action overturned the Maricopa County Superior Court ruling last month that would have prevented the measure from appearing on the ballot because the initiative’s summary did not accurately reflect the Act’s provisions.

When a Phase IV relief package stalled on August 7th, Members returned to their districts while staff have largely remained in DC to continue negotiations to ensure swift passage of a relief bill when Members return in September.

Covid Watch sends exposure alerts without having to collect any personally identifying information from users, protecting their anonymity.

Under the watchful eyes of medical professionals and strength and conditioning coaches, the Arizona Wildcats football team began voluntary summer workouts this week.

The Arizona Board of Regents confirmed the appointments of University of Arizona faculty members Roberta Diaz Brinton, Judith Brown, Peter Chesson, Jeff Greenberg and Connie Woodhouse as Regents Professors.

Along with so many of you, I was sickened by the footage of George Floyd’s horrific death on a Minneapolis, Minnesota street while in police custody this week. Although this took place nearly 2,000 miles from Tucson, it resonates here and across this nation with every person who expects basic human rights and demands equal justice for all. Mr. Floyd’s tragic death stands in stark contrast to these minimal societal expectations, and the senseless and unnecessary taking of his life is both heartbreaking and infuriating.