KNAU and Arizona News

By Gillian Ferris Kohl

Grand Canyon, AZ – During the winter, hospitals brace themselves for flu season. But, during the summer, health care workers at Flagstaff Medical Center get ready for what they call "Grand Canyon Season". It's the time of year when the emergency department becomes flooded with people who've gotten sick or injured at the Canyon. It's a phenomenon that's not only hard on visitors, but also on the people who rescue them. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl reports.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling on the fight between Governor Jan
Brewer and legislative leaders has both sides claiming victory.

By Daniel Kraker

Flagstaff, AZ – Northern Arizona University is launching a new four-year degree program at Yavapai College in Prescott Valley. It's part of a larger plan to create more affordable higher education options in Arizona, and boost the number of bachelor degrees awarded.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – The Museum of Northern Arizona is moving its thousands of artifacts in a run down warehouse into a $7 million cushy, state of the art collections building. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales took a tour of the old and new facilities and has this report.

Since the 1950s MNA has housed its Navajo textiles, prehistoric pottery, baskets, jewelry and kachina dolls in an uninsulated, leaking, cinder block building. Robert Breunig directs the museum.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – Governor Jan Brewer would like to eliminate state funding to the Arizona Historical Society over the next five years. She says that gives them time to find private funders. But the society and its museums around the state believe cutting appropriations would lead to their demise. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has the story.

Les Roe who directs the Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff stands next to the bell salvaged from Flagstaff's original school house.

By Laurel Morales

Grand Canyon, AZ – Host intro:
Grand Canyon officials are deciding whether to change the mule ride program at the park. While mules are a historical icon, hikers complain about their impact on the trails. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has the story.

Frank Bush, who goes by "Poncho", prepares a group of park visitors for the day's ride. He demonstrates how to use a whip, or what he calls a "mule motivator."

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – When Northern Arizona University scientist Loretta Mayer set out to cure heart disease in women, she never dreamed her discovery would help solve the world hunger crisis. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has this profile.

Loretta Mayer has a long to do list. She speed walks just about everywhere she goes. She's easy to spot with her spiky white hair.

Mayer recently discovered what many of the great inventors of our time found before her.

By Daniel Kraker

Flagstaff, AZ – The Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from several Arizona Indian tribes that want to block expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort on the San Francisco Peaks, mountains they consider sacred. Without comment yesterday the justices said they won't get involved in the dispute.

By Theresa Bierer

Flagstaff, AZ – Intro) Later this morning, a piece of northern Arizona history will find a new home. It's part of a new display at Lowell Observatory to be unveiled later this morning. Arizona Public Radio's Theresa Bierer has more.

By Daniel Kraker