Stories - AZPM

Arizona employment numbers ending June 6.

Arizona weekly unemployment continues to rise

More than 100,000 people filed first-time unemployment claims

Jobless claims in Arizona jumped to more than eight times their normal level last week, to 29,000, as the first wave of layoffs from businesses affected by COVID-19 changes hit the state. In a typical week, about 3,500 claims are filed, state officials said.

Unemployment help available on the weekend as Arizona claims continue to rise

The Department of Economic Security has expanded its call center days through the weekend.

Advocates have scrambled to find answers for DACA recipients amid the the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the fate of the program is still up in the air.

As Supreme Court nears decision, thousands of DACA recipients are on the COVID-19 front lines

The court could rule on the future of the Obama-era policy and some 650,000 current recipients in the coming weeks.

A scene from the film "DUSTWUN", written and directed by Genevieve Anderson.

DUSTWUN - A film about life, death & trust on the U.S. / Mexico border.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How Imago Dei Middle School is building community with food; and - can a borderlands hotel that has survived a century endure the COVID-19 pandemic?

Building an impressive resume is one of the skills covered in the employability course.

Pima County employability class moves online

The training helps displaced workers gain job search skills.

More than 470,000 Arizonans have filed for unemployment in the last six weeks. New expanded jobless benefits begin in May, but advocates worry it won’t be enough to offset the massive damage from the coronavirus.

Jobless benefits expand next month, but advocates worry it’s not enough

Economists and advocates say that while the change is welcome – it’s probably too little, and too late.

Arizona distributed $150M in unemployment claims last week

The money included a federal increase in benefits.

UA President Robert Robbins speaks with AZPM, May 2019.

UA president proposes furloughs, pay cuts for 16,000 employees

Robbins says he and senior vice presidents have already taken pay cuts.

Undated image of a woman using a computer at a job connection center in Pima County.

Pima County launches new hotline, website to help displaced workers

Both aim to help people file for unemployment and get connected to job resources.

More than 1,700 workers from a number of unions have been on strike against Asarco copper mining and refining operations in Arizona and Texas for four months now.

Immovable objects: Asarco, striking workers at odds after four months

The strike, which started in October, includes more than 1,700 workers at five Asarco facilities in Texas and Southern Arizona

A restaurant server writes down an order at Rocco's Little Chicago in Tucson.

Economic impacts from Arizona’s $12 minimum wage

UA Eller College of Management economist Juan Pantano weighs in on its effect.

Workers made their demands known at the start of their strike against Asarco by projecting them on to the side of company facility in Hayden. That was Oct. 13, and workers are still on strike three months later, with the two sides apparently not closer to a settlement.

As strike against Asarco enters fourth month, workers remain determined

Workers brought their fight to the state Capitol on Monday, rallying to demand that lawmakers hold foreign companies accountable for their treatment of U.S. workers.