Recent Articles from Alexander Maclean, Cronkite News Service
Seasonal hiring in education helps state unemployment rate remain steady
For the second straight month, seasonal hiring in education kept Arizona's unemployment rate steady, but officials expect job losses to continue, the state Department of Commerce announced Oct. 15. The unemployment rate for September was 9.1 percent, the same as August but up from 6 percent in September 2008.
Researchers: Study suggesting planet near tipping points has special significance for Southwest
A new study suggesting that human activities are nearing or exceeding the boundaries of Earth's ability to sustain life as we know it has special significance in the Southwest, which is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, two Arizona researchers who served as co-authors said Sept. 24.
Valley leaders tout study quantifying impact of tourism downturn
You don't have to work at a resort or sell souvenirs to be hurt by the downturn in Arizona's tourism industry, a group of Valley leaders said Sept. 22. "Do you know a teacher, a police officer, a firefighter, a librarian?" Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said. "They're all dependent on tourism because of the sales and property tax it provides."
Goldwater Institute: Arizona Constitution leaves many other states’ in the dust
The Arizona Constitution rates better than the constitutions of most other states in part because it guards against government seizing private property and putting public dollars toward private ventures, according to a report by a conservative Goldwater Institute.
New UA medical school means more students training in rural areas
FLAGSTAFF - Between working on class projects and studying for exams, medical student Nathalie Petein reports to Native Americans for Community Action Family Health Center at 8:15 a.m. five days a week, treating patients with chronic diabetes, hypertension and other problems. Some days she does the same thing at the county jail.
President’s speech to students prompts complaints from Horne, parents
Barbara Hickman, assistant superintendent of the Flagstaff Unified School District, said the calls started not long after President Barack Obama announced a televised back-to-school address for Sept. 8. She'd received between 10 and 20 calls from parents by the afternoon of Sept. 3, one day after the announcement. Some raised mild concerns and others were much more leery.