Nearly 100 employees from the Tucson VA have applied for deferred resignation or early retirement. It's in response to an offer made by the Trump administration as part of its DOGE initiative to cut the VA workforce by 15%.
The Tucson VA did not confirm the number of employees who have been approved but says that while all employees may apply for these programs, those who provide direct or indirect care to veterans will only be approved in very limited circumstances.
Read the full story on AZPM.org →
How federal cuts impact Arizona
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Amid public sector and SNAP cuts along with higher gas prices and lessening affordability here, The Show checked in with Carla Vargas Jasa, president and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way. -
The declines were felt across the Mountain West. In Idaho, SNAP participation fell nearly 8%. Nevada saw a drop of more than 14%. In Arizona, participation fell by nearly 34%. New Mexico saw a decrease of about 6%, while Wyoming dropped by more than 11%. -
Arizona has now dropped more than 450,000 people from the SNAP program since federal changes went into effect last July. That includes 196,000 children no longer receiving benefits. -
A report from a consumer advocacy organization warns that hundreds of hospitals across the country are at risk of closure or reduced services — including eight in Arizona. -
There’ve been efforts over the years in Arizona to transfer ownership — and control — of federal land to the state. Oftentimes, that’s due at least in part to lawmakers’ not being happy with federal plans for that land.
