The Conduit | Podcast on RSS.com

The Conduit

by Copper Courier

Season 1

Record-Breaking — In a Bad Way

Arizona has once again set a new record for number single-day reporting of residents testing positive for COVID-19, the number of people who have died from the virus, and the number of ICU beds available. Medical workers are now being trained on how to dole out treatment for patients based on their likelihood of survival.

Pre-COVID Problems

School districts have begin releasing their reopening plans for the fall, but some educational leaders are concerned that inequities in the school system that were around before the pandemic aren’t being addressed. Balsz School Board President Channel Powe talks about what she thinks school can do to create a more suitable learning environment.

Six Weeks Til Schools Open

Guidelines for how Arizona school districts can safely reopen for the fall have been released, but at least some parents – and teachers – are questioning how safe it will be. Administrators also wonder how to pay for implementing the changes.

Looking for More

People are starting to look beyond the state’s weekly coronavirus update in search of more information. For thousands of Arizonans, that information is now coming from their county health officials.

Campaigning at Church

President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Arizona as the state health department reports another record-breaking number of cases of the coronavirus. Even though the city of Phoenix has made it a requirement to wear masks at large public gatherings, Rep. Andy Biggs hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll wear one at the rally.

Mask Up, Maricopa

After at least 14 different cities declared their own face covering regulations, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted on a county-wide rule on wearing protective masks while in public.

Where DACA is Headed

The Supreme Court’s decision today on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program means that hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients will not be deported - yet. Immigration attorney Ray Maldanado Ybarra answers some questions about what today’s ruling really means, and what the future of DACA looks like.

Masking, Unmasked

Hundreds of doctors, business owners, elected officials, artists, and public health experts have urged Governor Doug Ducey to institute a mask mandate. Copper Courier Reporter Alicia Barron speaks with Nogales Mayor Arturo Garino about alternative actions the governor could take to help his community.

Navigating Pandemic Unemployment

The Department of Economic Security announced last week that the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation fund provides a 13-week extension of benefits. Copper Courier’s Jessica Swarner spoke with Starcia Harris about her experience trying to get through the department’s complex system.

South in the Southwest

Phoenix Raceway is hosting the 2020 NASCAR Championship Weekend again this November, and following NASCAR’s lead in banning the Confederate flag at the event. Tucson-based driver Alex Bowman was quick to come out in support of the organization’s decision to ban the flag, and joined a handful of other drivers in condemning racial inequality.

1 of 4