Arizona bail-in: Democrats want DOJ to keep eye on Arizona elections
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s quest to reassert federal scrutiny in states formerly covered by the Voting Rights Act’s preclearance requirement is giving some Arizona lawmakers hope that the state may again find itself in the Department of Justice’s sights.
Process takes ‘too long’
Horne considers legal action in attempt to speed up death penalty cases
The 11 convicted killers Arizona has executed since 2010 spent an average of 22 years on death row. Attorney General Tom Horne thinks that is too long. He also thinks suing the federal government will speed up the process, but others say that a successful lawsuit would bring few or no gains because Arizona lacks crimin[...]Hot topic
State climatologist takes conciliatory stance on global warming
At a rally to raise awareness of climate change, Nancy Selover demonstrated the delicate balance she has to strike as both a political appointee and a scientist.
Last city council election in an odd-numbered year?
At a recent Phoenix City Council District 8 candidate forum in a central Phoenix church, the pews were nearly filled with roughly 80 political junkies getting their fix.
Fighting for your children
More Arizona families face lengthy dependency hearings
Peoria police may not have had enough evidence to support charging Sen. Rick Murphy with molesting two boys in his care, but Child Protective Services believes the latest investigation of the Peoria Republican for sexual abuse allegations is reason enough to take away not just his foster children, but his four adoptive[...]
APS puts plans on hold as talk of deregulation heats up
Arizona Public Service is temporarily halting plans for more than $550 million in investments to secure its power supply after energy regulators opened up the possibility of competition in electric service.
US House OKs bill lowering student loans; some worry about long-term impact
The House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that would retroactively lower interest rates on federal student loans, which doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent after Congress failed to act before July 1.
Arizona court: Law allows suits against hospitals
A new Arizona court decision says lawsuits filed under a state law to protect vulnerable or incapacitated adults from neglect, abuse and exploitation can be filed against hospitals.
Obama to discuss homeownership Tuesday in Phoenix
President Barack Obama has chosen Arizona for the next stop on his middle-class speech tour.
Medicaid referendum faces uncertain future
Organizers of a grassroots conservative effort to refer Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion plan to the ballot are keeping quiet about their progress as they prepare for the final month of their signature-gathering efforts.
Feds, White Mountain Apaches sign ‘historic’ water-rights deal
The federal government and White Mountain Apache tribe signed a “historic” water-rights agreement Tuesday that the two sides said will guarantee water for the tribe and benefit Phoenix water users as well.
Arizona ruling says police can temporarily take guns
A new Arizona court ruling says police can take temporary custody of a person's gun for officer-safety reasons even if the person's contact with police was voluntary.