There is an early warning sign that high-demand jobs may be hard to fill when the labor market fully reopens, even with millions of Americans looking for work.

On Jan. 7 the nation watched in horror the breach and sacking of the United States Capitol building by unlawful acts of breaking and entering. The violence witnessed illustrated the vast ideological divide in our country and the enormous need for leadership from the top to heal our nation.

As we pack away our holiday decorations and say goodbye to an unprecedented year, small business owners throughout the world are working harder than ever before to keep their doors open and keep the spirit of entrepreneurship alive.

The idea of maintaining civil discourse when debating public issues of the day is more than lip-service at Independent Newsmedia. At Yourvalley.net, which is powered by the work of local …

As COVID-19 cases climb again around the country, people may be considering skipping visits to the doctor to reduce risk of exposure to the virus. But the decision to delay preventive screenings like …

We don’t want to alarm anyone, but Christmas is a week away. If you still have people to shop for but are running low on ideas, maybe we can help.

Throughout the COVID-19 response, the Arizona Department of Health Services has continually reevaluated how we are collecting, analyzing and presenting COVID-19 data for cases, hospitalizations, and …

As an attorney and retired judge I have always considered the Arizona Constitution to be the highest law of the state, not a set of guidelines. That’s why I am a plaintiff, along with a top …

The 2020-21 flu season is on track to be one of the worst in years, and with COVID-19 still running rampant in Arizona, being infected with both could be dangerous.

Once again, a judge upheld the accuracy of Maricopa County’s election.

Imagine Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye or Litchfield Park in 2003; sprawling farmland and unobstructed mountain views. Think of moving to the Southwest Valley in the heat of summer; this is how my story begins. Within four days of graduating from residency in Detroit, Michigan, I made the cross-country journey with a trailer attached to a U-Haul after deciding to call the Southwest my home.

Arizona seniors deserve to enjoy a future of economic security and prosperity for many years to come — and it’s imperative that we elect political leaders who have what it takes to build …

I am 73 years old. Never in my later years did I think I would open Arizona’s first medical marijuana dispensary, but I did, in 2012.

The most effective way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams.  You should just hang up on any call you’re uncertain of and ignore suspicious emails.  Scammers are always …

Unions like mine have fought long and hard to secure comprehensive, individualized health care benefits for our members. We cannot allow years, and in some cases decades, of progress to be wiped away …

Arizona businesses continue to be affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Particularly hard-hit are those individuals whose business is the ownership and management of rental homes throughout …

As a Black man who has worked in the community behavioral health industry for more than 30 years, I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen the struggles that individuals and family members go …

Valley residents are continuing to work through the slight declining trend of COVID-19, many are still concerned about the safety of themselves and their families.

Temporary grace and an extension of Arizona’s eviction moratorium to Oct. 31 means we have more time to do our literal “home” work, but there’s no free pass or less pressure …

The insanity we’re seeing in the Pacific Northwest would have free reign to spread to the rest of the country under a prospective Biden administration.

On July 12, the Armenian army began an offensive against Azerbaijan in cross-border artillery strikes. Although the offensive was repelled, three Azerbaijani soldiers died. UN SC resolutions …

Why do we have to resort to the Us vs. Them when it comes to a ‘side’ you are on for our country and for the world.   Our world is more complex than the world of yesteryear …

Nursing homes have become ground zero in the coronavirus disease 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, with outbreaks causing high rates of illness and death among vulnerable residents living together in close …

COVID-19 poses extreme obstacles for people who have intellectual disabilities and thrive on routine, familiar activities, and people, such as family and friends. So, with everything going …

This month, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved an incredibly important new affordable housing initiative. With Phoenix being the nation’s fastest growing city, and housing costs …

Back to school is only weeks away. While we may not have a detailed roadmap on what that will look like, we do know that there will be some changes, and it’s time to adapt. Adaptation is a …

When the work van pulled up in front of Arizona Helping Hands, I recognized the company name. I thought my friend Dale was coming to say hi and tour the Arizona Helping Hands facility where we …

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the unrest that has been taking place in some cities, the impact has been felt in every sector of our economy. There has never been a more challenging time for …

This Friday, we celebrate Juneteenth --- a holiday that receives little attention but holds special significance for me as a black man in America this year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 …

During difficult economic times like these, nothing is more valuable than a good job. As an economist, I routinely advise community and business leaders on how to recruit and create more of these …

I met Curtis four years ago. He came to Arizona Helping Hands to receive beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, sports equipment and more to help his family. His daughter’s life had been …

I last wrote a public letter to you six years ago in BKNation. During that time, in 2014, we had just moved to the Phoenix area and I was a recently minted PhD. The world at that time seemed in …

In this unparalleled time where our emotional and physical well-being are threatened, staying healthy and maintaining a normalcy has become increasingly challenging. It’s imperative more …

I’ve had the honor to meet some amazing dads in my work at Arizona Helping Hands. Foster dads don’t have nine months to wrap their heads around the responsibilities of parenting. They …

Who am I? I am a white American man. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father of four, a son, a brother and a servant to our nation as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. I …

Glendale City Council issued a joint statement Monday from the mayor and six council members that the Council has no intention of defunding the police. In the letter, Council members point to the …

We get it. After a couple months of relative seclusion, you’re probably eager to see friends and extended family, enjoy a favorite meal out of the house, and finally get that haircut …

I am in support of the recommendations the citizen’s advisory committee submitted and which subsequently were approved by the school board at the last board meeting. I concur with the recommendation of putting both a bond and an override on the November ballot.

On April 5, WHAM’s Traveling Art Studio, which is used to take art to the communities of the West Valley, was stolen.

In a year with many distractions and stressful events, we must not forget that World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15. Annually, this day highlights the issues of elder abuse and the 10% of …

During this pandemic, we’ve seen our communities step up for one another to help flatten the curve. While we continue to practice social distancing, one of the most impactful civic duties that …

I want to explain how to stop the riots, looting and protests since no one seems to know and no one else is saying it. My son from Nigeria and my Russian/Ukrainian daughter from Ukraine thought it …

The human race has been at war with microscopic pathogens since the dawn of time. The Ten Plagues of Egypt of the Old Testament, the Black Death of the 14th century, malaria, TB, cholera, polio, …

Funding for infrastructure in Arizona has diminished significantly directly due to the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic requires an injection of federal funds to help stabilize state and local economies …

Coronavirus disease 2019 has brought fear and change into the lives of many people, including mine. However, there are things I am doing to help stay resilient during this pandemic using the four …

If you have Medicare and want to be tested for coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, the Trump Administration has good news. Medicare covers tests with no out-of-pocket costs. You can get tested in …

The necessity of quality healthcare coverage has become abundantly clear for many Americans over the recent weeks For the one in 10 Americans now unemployed whose health insurance options were …

When I was in nursing school, I was surprised to learn that “patients have a right to fall.” The concept, then, and now, was based upon a person’s right to choose due to informed …

The coronavirus has shut down or slowed down many businesses throughout the United States, but the essential services provided to children in foster care by Arizona Helping Hands have continued on …

Now that commerce is resuming across Arizona, business owners are entering into uncharted territory taking a risk that customers and employees will catch COVID-19 at the business. If that happens, …

Here in Phoenix our summer months are not known as gardening weather but there’s important work to do in the yard this year --- remove your lawn. You probably already consider this every …

On behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, I’d like to thank all those who work in nursing facilities --- doctors, nurses, food preparers, housekeepers and others --- for …

With more than 80 years of service, the Social Security Administration has helped secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you throughout life’s …

Whenever anyone questions the wisdom of allowing large-scale illegal immigration, the first thing we invariably hear from the open-borders left is that it will outrage Hispanic-Americans. More often …

While the nation’s focus is rightfully on the COVID-19 crisis, another crisis looming for a large group of young people. Dreamers are living a nightmare as they wait for the federal government …

As chair of the Arizona Senate Education Committee, I passionately work toward bettering the education of every child in the state and I fully support Arizona parents and their school choice rights, …

Governor Doug Ducey has again issued a proclamation declaring the month of May to be Foster Care Awareness Month. The governor urges “all citizens to do something positive to improve the …

Older adults, with diminished immune systems due to aging and with pre-existing conditions, are much more vulnerable to COVID-19 than the general population. In-home caregivers can help prevent …

Now that most of us are working and learning from home, you may be noticing that some websites may be a bit slow to load, and you may experience intermittent buffering when streaming video. While …

During these uncertain times, the economic impact of coronavirus-driven cancelations, postponements and shutdowns continues mounting. This is especially daunting for many nonprofit organizations …

Hospital emergency rooms across the Valley are open, and doctors want the public to know that delaying emergency treatment can result in additional health complications, especially in the case of …

Small businesses are the backbone of the Arizona economy and employ over one million Arizonans. These hard-working Arizonans often put everything they have into building their businesses from scratch …

At Medicare, we understand you may have concerns about going to your doctor’s office during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Like so many Americans, our Medicare beneficiaries …

The economic fallout of COVID-19 is huge. Millions of low-wage workers have been laid off, making it virtually impossible to pay the rent or mortgage. This can quickly lead to evictions and …

There is an ongoing conversation about the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to be prepared. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, anyone can get …

Rotarians are “People of Action,” and Rotary clubs and their members throughout Arizona are pitching in to help where needed in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic …

To help keep our communities healthy, the need for social distancing is imperative right now. As such, on March 18, two U.S. senators --- Kevin Cramer and Mark Warner --- introduced a bill known …

Since older Americans are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), I wanted to let you know the steps we’re taking to help our Medicare beneficiaries cope with the …

Colon cancer and rectal cancer; the words create fear in some, disgust in others. The colon and rectum are parts of our bodies we keep private, hidden and secret. Though none of us want to show that …

I find the influx of escapees from the sanctuary state of California to be most lamentable. California immigrants have already ruined neighboring states to the north like Washington and Oregon with …

Area homeowners discuss the impact of new industrial development on their West Valley communities. So, it’s been announced that the Red Bull distribution center being built on Peoria (was …

I have lived here in Arizona a long time and seen a lot of political maneuvering. Mostly bad. Pardon my cynical attitude. The pols here have a chance for more under-handed chicanery. The 2020 …

In March, our nation celebrates Women’s History Month. Today, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our …

Area motorists discuss the opening of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. Read more here. Hubby and I took the 202 to Ikea yesterday. Fabulous road! — Jeanie Graham Campbell Where …

Readers are debating pros and cons of new rules governing the sale of alcoholic beverages in bars and clubs around the Valley. Safe booze Oh good, I feel so much safer now that the state has …

Seven Cactus Cobras made West Valley Preps’ All West Valley football teams, including senior running back Anthony Flores on the first team and senior quarterback Connor Cordts on the second …

The Vista Center for the Arts, formally known as Valley Vista Performing Arts Center, has been rebranded as the regional entertainment venue in Surprise and the West Valley.

Gov. Doug Ducey is proposing that military retirees not be required to pay income taxes on their retired pay. Great idea: It should benefit Arizona.

School districts all over Arizona are challenged today by aging schools and inadequate funds to repair or replace them. This is a major problem for our educators and for the children they …

Attempts to outlaw “dark money” are means to suppress speech (“A light in the dark: The quest to outlaw ‘dark money,’” Page 4). It will allow Jacobin thugs …

As a hospice advocate, I find it troubling that patients at rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers must leave their trusted RHC/FQHC physician when they transition to …

Under current U.S. law, when criminal organizations want to hide their money laundering and financing activities from law enforcement officials, they have the means to do so. The result is the …

You may have heard I got a promotion of sorts; this year, I’ll be leading the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors as Chairman. In many ways, it’s like being the captain of a ship that has already charted a good course.

Christmas cards are being sent around the nation featuring the artwork of Heather Cameron, a resident of Life Care Center of North Glendale, after Ms. Cameron was one of eight winners Life Care …

Glendale Firefighter Kyle Knight and Glendale Officer Ty Nowatzki were honored recently with a life safety award after they saved two men from the second floor of a burning apartment building near …

I should be appalled to hear statements such as that by Terry Goddard, but I have become somewhat inured to hearing the most illogical, indeed, anti-logical, claims being made in our political …

It is now 10:45 a.m. on a Tuesday. Several aircraft have departed from Luke Air Force Base, but it is now very quiet. I know that the noise will resume and it will be often throughout the day and …

There are some big changes on the horizon for education in Maricopa County, if Gov. Ducey’s legislative agenda continues to get a good reception from our state lawmakers. Last week Gov. …

Lately, our airspace over Sun City and Youngtown has been noisier from increased Luke Air Force Base traffic. Luke is supposed to receive more aircraft and increase their training of pilots, …