/ Modified mar 5, 2021 11:42 a.m.

Arizona Legislature, Gem Show vendors, new COVID-19 vaccine

Plus, analyzing headlines from Pima County with a journalists roundtable.

An executive order Gov. Doug Ducey issued this week called on schools to offer in-person learning by March 15. Under the order, schools can offer hybrid options. News of the order and its reception at the Arizona Capitol led our discussion with Julia Shumway who covers the State Senate for the Arizona Capitol Times. Shumway also discussed other key issues emerging this legislative session and the pandemic's impact on procedures.


We checked in on issues and local politics in Pima County with analysis from Dan Shearer, editor of the Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun, and Jim Nintzel, executive editor of Tucson Local Media. Topics include the county’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the Pima County Board of Supervisors, a failed effort to recall Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and threats facing politicians.


A number of events that pump millions into Tucson’s economy annually are canceled this year because of the pandemic. Including the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show at the Tucson Convention Center. Tony Paniagua spoke to vendors from out of town who still decided travel to Tucson and set up shop despite the scaled-back showcase.


A year into the pandemic, the economic impacts have been uneven in Tucson. While hospitality and the food and beverage sectors continue to struggle, transportation and logistics industries are seeing growth. That’s according to Barbra Coffee, the city’s director of economic initiatives. She discussed how the city is faring and when she expects it will rebound from the worst effects of the pandemic. Coffee also said businesses seeking information about resources can call the city’s Small Business Assistance Line at (520) 837-4100.


With the arrival of a new COVID-19 vaccine that only requires a single dose, we learned more about how it differs from the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines from Dr. Elizabeth Connick, chief of the University of Arizona College of Medicine’s infectious diseases division.

Arizona 360
Arizona 360 airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on PBS 6 and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on PBS 6 PLUS. See more from Arizona 360.
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