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Republicans and Democrats in the Arizona House of Representatives are forming a rare alliance aimed at protecting small newspapers and government transparency.

Dozens of public schools would be able to throw out federal education policy regulating academic standards, teacher evaluation requirements and student tracking systems under a measure approved by the Arizona House on Thursday.

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the scene of the horrific shooting that wounded her and killed six people two years ago, urging senators Wednesday to pass background checks for gun purchases in her first public event at the site since the rampage.

One Arizona lawmaker wants to shut down dispensaries that use unclear labels for its food products. Another bill would allow colleges and universities to conduct medical marijuana research. A third would allow county zoning ordinances to apply to marijuana cultivation.

An effort to limit the ability of unions to collect fees directly from the paychecks of employees is a priority for state and national Republicans, the president of the Arizona Senate said Monday.

As national leaders rev up the debate on border security and immigration reform, Arizona Democrats are fighting a losing battle in the Legislature to reopen the discussion on how this border state treats illegal immigrants.

Arizona lawmakers are weighing a trio of public safety measures that would help teachers and police officers identify mentally ill people, while also giving the public more access to guns.