Q&AZ - Questions Our Reporters Have Answered

The Show on KJZZ

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Q&AZ: Why Do APS And SRP Advertise?
When it comes to setting up utilities in a new home, Arizonans don't have much choice because electrical services are determined based on where people live. That led a listener to ask: “Why do APS and SRP need to advertise?”
Jan. 14, 2020
Q&AZ: How Are Superior Court Judges Selected?
A listener wanted to know about Superior Court judges in Arizona and how they’re selected for office. Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Coconino counties use a merit-based system.
Jan. 2, 2020
Q&AZ: Does Snow On The Four Peaks End Up In Our Drinking Water Supply?
Will the snow we’ve seen on Four Peaks this winter eventually end up in our drinking water? A listener asked about it through KJZZ's Q&AZ project. When the Four Peaks east of Phoenix turn white in the winter, it’s not only pretty to look at, it’s also a good sign for our water reserves.
Jan. 2, 2020
Q&AZ: How Did Tonto National Forest Get Its Name?
Through our Q&AZ reporting project, a listener asked how the Tonto National Forest got its name. In short, it’s because the Tonto Basin lies at the forest’s core. But, that still leaves the question: Where did Tonto come from?
Dec. 23, 2019
Q&AZ: Whats the deal with those letters on Arizona mountains?
They adorn hills, mountains and buttes across Arizona. But what’s the deal with those big, white letters on peaks in dozens of Arizona cities and towns? Through our Q&AZ reporting project, a listener asked where the custom came from. It dates back more than 100 years, to a hill in Northern California.
Nov. 29, 2019
Q&AZ: Where Did The Copper State Get Its Copper?
Arizona is known as the Copper State. One listener wanted to know where all of that copper came from. It turns out it all started with a bang.
Nov. 22, 2019
Q&AZ: How Did Tempe Get Its Name?
The city of Phoenix got its name for rising on the ashes of the ancient Hohokam civilization. As part of our Q&Az program, a listener asked how other Valley cities - specifically Tempe - got their names.
Nov. 18, 2019
Q&AZ: Why Is Yuma High Schools Mascot The Criminal?
Through our Q&AZ reporting project, a listener asked KJZZ to explain the story behind Yuma High School’s mascot. As it turns out, despite the connotations associated with their namesake, Yuma’s students, staff and alumni are proud to call themselves criminals.
Nov. 12, 2019
Q&AZ: Arizonas Potential Electoral College Gains
KJZZ listener Enrique reached out to us through our Q&AZ program to ask if Arizona will receive more Electoral College votes after the 2020 census and what impact that will have on our status as a potential swing state.
Nov. 7, 2019
Q&AZ: What Is Serious Mental Illness?
The term "mental illness" covers a wide range of health conditions affecting mood, thinking and behavior. A listener wanted to know: What is "serious mental illness?" How does such a label affect the patient? And who decides?
Oct. 29, 2019
Q&AZ: Who Designs The Artwork Along Arizona Freeways?
As part of our Q&AZ reporting project, listener Stacy Ketcham wanted to know who designs the artwork on Phoenix-area freeways. One Arizona landscape architect brought innovation to his field and beauty to our Arizona highways.
Oct. 29, 2019
Q&AZ: Why doesnt Phoenix have passenger train service?
Phoenix is the largest city in the country without passenger train service. But it wasn’t always that way. Phoenix’s Union Station was a bustling train hub when rail travel peaked around World War II. Today, it sits dormant as Amtrak stopped its service to Phoenix in June 1996.
Oct. 9, 2019
Q&AZ: Why AZ opts out of daylight saving time
When most of the country is told to adjust their clocks this weekend, Arizona doesn’t need to re-set anything. A KJZZ listener asked through our Q&AZ reporting project why doesn’t Arizona participate in daylight saving time.
More Q&AZ questions answered
Oct. 31, 2019
Q&AZ: Is Hitchhiking Illegal In Arizona?
Arizona highways and interstates carry a lot of cars, trucks and motorcycles. What they should never carry, according to Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bart Graves, are hitchhikers. He said it’s considered trespassing but more importantly, it’s a safety issue for pedestrians and drivers.
Sept. 27, 2019
Q&AZ: What Happened To The Railroad Line West Of Phoenix?
The last time an Amtrak train served Phoenix, Bill Clinton was in his first term in the White House. Since then, Phoenix is the largest American city without Amtrak rail service — and remains the largest city in the country without a railroad mainline.
Sept. 23, 2019
Q&AZ: How Did Bucket Of Blood Street Get Its Name?
From Bloody Basin to Skull Valley, Arizona is full of towns, roads and landmarks that bear ominous names. A listener asked how one spooky-sounding street in Holbrook got its label.
Sept. 20, 2019
Q&AZ: What Is Ozone Pollution?
Phoenix has exceeded ozone health standards 32 days since May. A listener wanted to know what ozone is, where it comes from and what harm it can do.
Aug. 23, 2019
Q&AZ: How Many State Parks Does AZ Have?
The U.S. boasted more than 8,500 state parks totaling more than 29,000 square miles as of 2017, according to the National Association of State Park Directors. One listener wanted to know how Arizona’s state parks stack up against the rest of the country.
Aug. 12, 2019
Q&AZ: Why Are Arizona Schools Starting So Early?
KJZZ researched the start dates of the state’s 30 largest school districts, by enrollment, and found that about 77,000 students will already be in school by Aug. 1.
July 31, 2019
Q&AZ: Why Hasnt Public School Tax Credit Increased To Match Private School Credit?
Today, the private school tax credit has ballooned to $2,213 for married couples and $1,107 for people filing individually. In comparison, the public school tax credit has been largely unchanged since 1997. Married couples can now donate up to $400 through the program. Individuals can give $200.
July 22, 2019

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