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Drivers rejoice: Time spent stuck in traffic is down

A new study shows that traffic congestion across the U.S. dropped by 30 percent in 2011 over the previous year.

2010 Census extremely accurate, but Latinos still undercounted

The Census Bureau has just released a survey of the 2010 population count. It showed the census was accurate to 1/100 of 1 percent. That’s about 36,000 people that were overcounted.

Report: Fewer illegal immigration bills introduced so far in 2012 than 2011

A new report finds states introduced and approved fewer bills dealing with illegal immigration during the first quarter of this year than last. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie reports.

Hayden Flour Mill grounds will be open to the public

For the first time in more than a decade, visitors can walk the grounds of one of Tempe’s oldest buildings. The fence around the historic Hayden Flour Mill is coming down and the open space around it will be open to the public.

Border committee meets in Phoenix to address smuggling

Arizona Congressman Ben Quayle says to stop narcotics from flowing across the border, the U.S. government must be as innovative, flexible and nimble as Mexican drug cartels.

Glendale coucil to vote on raising taxes, fees

The Glendale City Council will vote Monday night on how to close a $35 million shortfall in next year’s budget.

McCain: "Looming serious situation" with old air tankers

Arizona Senator John McCain says it shouldn’t be a surprise that Arizona is dealing with wildfires this year. And, he says he’s confident the state will have enough federal resources to deal with this year’s fire season.

McCain calls for campaign finance reform

Arizona Senator John McCain says the U.S. Supreme Court case that led to unlimited independent campaign expenditures will lead to scandals. He also called the court’s decision in the Citizens United case “uninformed.”

Maricopa County treasurer trying to block settlement payment to county supervisor

The Maricopa County Treasurer is trying to block a near-million-dollar payment to Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox.

State agrees to increase mental illness funding, standard of care

Arizona has reached an interim settlement with the plaintiffs in a decades-old lawsuit over how well the state serves the seriously mentally ill.

Mitchell wins Tempe election by 139 votes

Tempe Councilman Mark Mitchell will be the next mayor of Tempe.

Money problems force City of Glendale layoffs

Nearly 50 employees with the City of Glendale are losing their jobs. City leaders say the slow economy and the city’s debt to the National Hockey League forced the cuts.

Arizona unemployment rate down, but new jobs only half the story

Arizona’s unemployment rate dropped four-tenths of a percent in April, to 8.2 percent. But, only about half of that is due to more people finding jobs.

State Rep. Ben Arredondo indicted by DOJ

The U.S. Justice Department has indicted a member of the Arizona House of Representatives. Tempe Democrat Ben Arredondo is accused of five counts, including bribery, fraud and attempted extortion.

Close call in Tempe mayoral race

Votes tallied Tuesday for Tempe Mayor left the city without a declared winner. Mike O’Neil, a pollster with O’Neil Associates, analyzes election results and whether Mark Mitchell can overcome Michael Monti’s slim lead.

Mesa courts university branches

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith explains why Mesa hopes to attract branches from universities across the country. Scott Jaschik of Inside Higher Ed explains why partnerships between cities and university branches are beneficial.

Incentives to draw businesses to Arizona

Last week Gov. Jan Brewer signed HB2815 into law. The bill includes incentives to draw businesses into Arizona in an attempt to boost the economy. Michael Hunter, special advisor on tax policy and reform, and Dennis Hoffman, economist at the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU, discuss tax policy in Arizona.