Joe Duhownik

Phoenix, West Lafayette

Phoenix Reporter at Courthouse News Service

Articles

Conservationists sue to protect rare Nevada toad from proposed mining projects

1 week ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Duhownik

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acknowledged in 2024 that Nevada’s Railroad Valley toad may need to be protected, but it missed the 12-month deadline to make a final determination. TUCSON, Ariz. (CN) — Adding to a long list of lawsuits aimed at stopping federal mining projects, conservationists in a new complaint say the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has missed its deadline to list a rare toad as an endangered species.
9th Circuit revives Az tribal challenge to SunZia energy transmission line

1 week ago | tucsonsentinel.com | Joe Duhownik

Courthouse News Service Southern Arizona tribes will have another chance to challenge the construction of a transmission line through their ancestral homeland after the Ninth Circuit found the trial judge dismissed it based on the wrong standards.
Ninth Circuit revives tribal challenge to energy transmission line

1 week ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Duhownik

If constructed, the SunZia transmission line will carry wind energy 550 miles from New Mexico to California — but also destroy cultural and historical sites across Arizona’s San Pedro Valley. PHOENIX (CN) — Southern Arizona tribes will have another chance to challenge the construction of a transmission line through their ancestral homeland after the Ninth Circuit found the trial judge dismissed it based on the wrong standards.
Phoenix approves billion dollar police budget despite public protest

2 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Duhownik

(CN) — Against strong public opposition, the Phoenix city council voted to add $46 million to the police department’s billion dollar budget on the same day the Department of Justice revoked a probe finding a pattern and practice of civil rights violations. Dozens of Phoenix residents came to the city council meeting Wednesday afternoon to lament the city’s financial support of the police department while it reduces funding for social services like parks and libraries.
Drought-fueled fire still burns through Arizona forest

2 weeks ago | tucsonsentinel.com | Joe Duhownik

Courthouse News Service Climate experts recommend maintaining current drought declarations in Arizona as the largest fire of the year so far still raged on Tuesday near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
Drought-fueled fire still burns through Arizona forest

2 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Duhownik

Fires have already burned more than 38,000 acres in Arizona in 2025, more than double the amount burned by this time last year. (CN) — Climate experts recommend maintaining current drought declarations in Arizona as the largest fire of the year so far still raged on Tuesday near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
Prosecutor fumble forces reboot in Arizona ‘fake electors’ case

2 weeks ago | tucsonsentinel.com | Joe Duhownik

Courthouse News Service After two years of litigation, state prosecutors accusing Arizona Republicans of interfering with the 2020 presidential election will have to start from scratch.
Prosecutor fumble forces reboot in Arizona ‘fake electors’ case

2 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Duhownik

The ruling is a major setback for the Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes and her team, as the political pendulum has since swung in the Republicans’ favor while election fraud claims slowly fizzle from the collective consciousness. PHOENIX (CN) — After two years of litigation, state prosecutors accusing Arizona Republicans of interfering with the 2020 presidential election will have to start from scratch.
Arizona bid to light up political dark money blasted as invasion of privacy

3 weeks ago | tucsonsentinel.com | Joe Duhownik

Courthouse News Service A conservative advocacy group told the Ninth Circuit on Thursday that an Arizona law intended to shed light on dark money in campaign finance violates donor privacy.
Arizona bid to light up political dark money blasted as invasion of privacy

3 weeks ago | courthousenews.com | Joe Duhownik

The conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity says a law requiring disclosure of campaign donations of more than $5,000 violates association and privacy rights, and could out upstream donors unrelated to a political cause. PHOENIX (CN) — A conservative advocacy group told the Ninth Circuit on Thursday that an Arizona law intended to shed light on dark money in campaign finance violates donor privacy.