Changes to remedial education aim to keep students on track and in school

Teaching Arizona’s students is a challenge at every grade level, but perhaps especially so in the nation’s largest community college system. Of recent high school graduates coming into the Maricopa Community Colleges, 40 percent can’t read at a college level, and 30 percent can’t write at a college level.

A lighthearted look at border politics

Immigration reform is a serious issue, but the politics surrounding it can sometimes be humorous. For that perspective, we turn to our resident satirist, and amateur singer, Brian Nissen.

Looming defense cuts have Arizona industry worried

Arizona’s aerospace and defense industry stands to lose big if lawmakers in Washington allow sequestration cuts to start at the end of this week. 

Barber protests closing of Tucson mail processing center

The Morris K. Udall Post Office in Tucson processed outgoing mail for the last time Friday, and U.S. Representative Ron Barber is upset about it. 

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park seeks to improve facilities

After years of budget cuts, officials at the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, north of Payson, are starting to look at repairing and updating facilities. 

Submitting other's early ballots might become a felony

A bill approved Monday in the Arizona Senate, would make it a felony for members of a political group to submit a voter's ballot on their behalf, although a family member could still deliver the vote. 

Discussion of sequester cuts continues between state leaders

Governor Jan Brewer was among several state leaders who met Monday with President Barack Obama to go over the pending sequester budget cuts, due to take effect Friday. 

Qualifications for service animals to be restricted

State lawmakers are moving to narrow the list of animals people can legally claim they need for assistance, and bring wherever they go.

Abuse of fireworks could mean petty offense

The punishment for the abuse of Arizona's fireworks laws would be reduced, under a bill approved by the state House. 

Bill seeking to restrict school isolation rooms wins preliminary approval

The Arizona House has taken the first steps toward restricting the use of isolation rooms, in public schools. 

Census Bureau changes term used to designate race

The Census Bureau is dropping its use of the word "Negro" to describe black Americans in surveys.

Advisory group: dietary supplements not good for healthy women

New recommendations from a government advisory group suggest that healthy older women shouldn't bother with relatively low-dose dietary supplements.  

School turns to longer hours, virtual classes to boost diplomas

According to some federal calculations, Arizona had the highest high school drop-out rate in the country in 2009-2010 school year. And that has education leaders worried about the future for those young people.

Felecia Rotellini files for 2014 Arizona Attorney General bid

With more than a year and a half before Arizonans elect their next attorney general, Felecia Rotellini filed paperwork Monday to run against incumbent Tom Horne.

Camels are part of Arizona history

The Sonoran desert is home to a lot of strange creatures. More than a century ago, one unusual animal in particular roamed the Arizona territory for a short time - they were part of the U.S. Army Camel Corps.

Is it their year? Cubs, 14 other teams kick off spring training in the Valley

Spring training baseball is underway. In Florida and Arizona, teams are taking the field to show fans and foes what they've got. Each team has loyal followers, but arguably the most diehard root for the team from the north side of Chicago.

Released latex balloons a threat to southern Arizona animals

The Univeristy of Arizona study found that helium balloons released in Tucson end up in the Saguaro National Park near Tucson.

Arizona lawmakers to take up school safety measures

State lawmakers this week will take up two proposals dealing with school safety.

Economics and the arts: What's next for Actors Theatre

Phoenix's Actors Theatre has suspended its season, and will be leaving its long-time home.

Yuma's mayor suing the city council

Yuma's mayor is suing the other six members of the City Council and two city officials. KJZZ's Al Macias says the suit is over the mayor’s legal fees stemming from an independent investigation.


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