August 28, 2020

Unemployment fraud, bridging digital divides, Mexican consulate

Plus, a discussion about managing at-home stressors related to remote learning.

With more than a million Arizona residents receiving unemployment insurance and close to $10 billion in claims paid during the pandemic by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Arizona 360 heard from director Michael Wisehart about a push by the department to investigate fraudulent claims.


As many schools opt to keep campuses closed, the decision creates obstacles for families who don’t have the resources to pull off distance learning. Tony Paniagua reports on how the Arizona-based nonprofit Chicanos Por La Causa is stepping in to help students connect to their classrooms remotely.


In addition to technical challenges, at-home learning also carries an array of stressors that can weigh on families. For perspective, Arizona 360 heard from Tricia Haynes, who specializes in behavioral health at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.


Within the last year, Mexico has twice reassigned the top diplomat to its consulate in Tucson. It serves as a pillar for Mexican nationals in Pima and Pinal counties. Lorraine Rivera sat down with Consul Rafael Barceló Durazo to discuss the pandemic’s impact on services and greater relations between Mexico and Arizona.


Despite pandemic-related travel restrictions at the international border with Mexico, Rocky Point reopened its beaches and is welcoming tourists. The move is an effort to boost the popular beach destination’s economy but also resulted in demonstrations in Sonoyta, Mexico, which is along the route from Arizona. KJZZ’s Kendal Blust has covered Rocky Point’s reopening and current travel restrictions. She discussed her reporting with Arizona 360.

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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