PHOENIX (AP) ai??i?? A former mining company executive has testified it was fishy that then-Congressman Rick Renzi insisted during a 2005 phone conservation that a proposed exchange involving federal land sought by the executive's company needed to include a particular piece of privately owned property.

The effectiveness of economic development programs has long been hotly debated. Recent events, like the closing of Suntech’s manufacturing facility in Goodyear, have given rise to a new wave of criticism by organizations like the Arizona Tax Research Association, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the Goldwater Institute — most of it unwarranted and unsubstantiated.

Former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas announced in an email today that he will file paperwork to launch a 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

A federal immigration overhaul unveiled Thursday would trump state law but wouldn't necessarily nullify Arizona's first-in-the nation crackdown on illegal immigration, said U.S. Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republic leading the effort to change the nation's immigration policies.

Another Arizona city may consider whether to approve civil unions that could include same-sex couples.

The Gila River Indian Community Tribal Council wants a police probe into Loop 202 freeway signatures.

An Arizona bill to prohibit state agencies from mailing out some government documents in any language but English has cleared an initial hurdle.

Gov. Jan Brewer's attorneys have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to overturn her order denying driver's licenses for young immigrants who have gotten work permits and avoided deportation under a new Obama administration policy.

Arizona's child welfare agency plans to restore most services to children and parents that it says were cut due to a misunderstanding.

Aside from a handful of key votes, U.S. Reps. Ben Quayle and David Schweikert sought to define themselves - without drawing stark contrasts with each other - in a debate Monday between the two up-and-coming Republican freshmen.