Immigration backers keep pressure on House with rallies, conferences

Phoenix resident Hassan Quiz had passed all the tests toward his dream of being in the military when he ran up against one he couldn’t pass.

Contribution limits vs. free speech

Supreme Court campaign finance case could change Arizona elections

While Arizona’s higher campaign contribution limits hang in the balance, a case before the U.S. Supreme Court might achieve what the state law’s supporters seek – give people the ability to contribute more to their favorite politicians and allow candidates to raise bigger amounts from backers.

Coconino County Jail adding sweat lodge for Native American inmates

Kelvin Long, a Navajo who will serve as cultural adviser for a Native American religious program at the Coconino County Jail, inspects a circular rebar frame that will be covered with blankets to form a sweat lodge.

Visa backlog from shutdown could cause shortage of farm labor

This month’s federal government shutdown caused a backup in seasonal farmworkers’ visa applications that some groups say could lead to a labor shortage during the coming winter vegetable harvest.

Shutdown blues: Arizona reacts to government shutdown

Social media has seen a flurry of reactions to the #shutdown over #Obamacare, the #debtceiling, or whatever lawmakers, pundits and political observers choose to blame for the federal government closing its doors since Oct. 1.

Barton: ‘Fuhrer’ not meant to refer to Hitler

Republican Rep. Brenda Barton issued a statement today saying she never compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler. She said her original Facebook reference to “De Fuhrer” referred to the general German term for “leader,” and not the actual official title of Hitler.

Grijalva among scores arrested at Capitol in immigration rally

Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva was arrested Tuesday with nearly 200 other protesters outside the Capitol after a daylong rally to demand congressional action on comprehensive immigration reform.

Farm bill expired Monday, farmers hope for long-term replacement

The budget was not the only significant legislation that died Monday between a deadlocked House and Senate – the farm bill also expired at midnight, leaving farm programs, crop supports and food stamps up in the air.

Brewer: Mandate delay isn’t worth shutdown

Gov. Jan Brewer said a delay of Obamacare’s individual mandate isn’t worth a federal government shutdown.

Mayor Stanton: Electronic vehicles, sustainability no longer ‘optional nicety’

Committing to preserving the environment, including supporting the use of electric vehicles, is no longer an “optional nicety” for cities, Mayor Greg Stanton said Friday.

Human trafficking recommendations complete

The governor’s Task Force on Human Trafficking wants lawmakers to enact tougher penalties on pimps who sell underage prostitutes and customers who pay them, while easing punishments against child prostitutes and treating them more as victims under the law.

Bigger stakes, smaller crowds

As the national immigration debate rages, enthusiasm in Arizona fades.