Macehualli Day Labor Center Director Salvador Reza is in a pinch: Despite valiant fund raising efforts, the 6-year-old day labor center is in imminent danger of closing due to financial woes. The story could easily be the subject of local writer James Garcia’s plays, so it’s only appropriate that the…
We almost forgot about Warren Jeffs when he was thrown in prison to serve two consecutive five-to-life sentences. But his name’s bubbled up again. And, this time, it’s not connected to the rape or forced marriage of underage girls: Warren Jeffs has decided not to eat. Authorities say Jeffs has…
Who reads the AZ Republic? Apparently, the paper isn’t so sure anymore. Which is why the Republic invited a group of Arizona lawmakers to a “test group” two weeks ago hoping to learn whether the paper’s still relevant. According to one of the participating politicians (who would not go on…
A second person has been arrested in a case in which $8,000 was embezzled from Phoenix Girl Scout troop 534. Scottsdale police spokesman Sergeant Mark Clark says cops began to investigate after troop members noticed missing funds in April. Former troop leader Trisha Proud, 29 — also a mother of…
The controversial foreclosure bill written by State Senator Steve Pierce and passed into law by Governor Jan Brewer earlier this month is set to be repealed — if the budget ever gets approved, that is. According to Arizona Association of Realtors spokesman Tom Farley, the repeal of Senate Bill 1271…
Legislators have been busy since we broke the news about a bill passed earlier this month that could be disastrous to homeowners facing foreclosure. State Senator Steve Pierce (R-Prescott) has called for an immediate repeal of the bill he himself wrote in June after meeting yesterday with representatives from Governor…
Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva has asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s office to “mitigate and monitor” the environmental impact of the several-hundred-mile Southwest border wall. The request came in a letter to Napolitano’s office signed by 43 congressman, including Gabrielle Giffords and Ed Pastor, and endorsed by a number of…
Looks like the jury’s still out on what caused the Richardson’s fire two weeks ago, though investigators are getting closer to finding the cause, according to spokesperson Frank Salomon. Phoenix Fire Department Investigator Marika McCue has teamed up with three insurance companies, and expect to issue a report on what…
Cigarettes are bad for you and can cause cancer — even if they’re electronic, according to an FDA report released earlier today. The study analyzed the chemicals contained in the electronic nicotine cartridges from Smoking Everywhere Inc., and NJOY, a Scottsdale-based company. “These tests indicate that these products contained detectable…
When Brandi Sveback and her husband, Chris, bought a house in Mesa six years ago, they had no idea how close the property would come to devastating their plans for the future. A couple with three small children, they just wanted a starter home. Eventually, they intended to save enough…
Here’s an update for those following the nomination of our intrepid algae-to-rocket fuel ASU inventors for the World Technology Award: Looks like scientists Qiang Hu and Milton Sommerfeld fell just short: The energy award was given on Friday to Zhengrong Shi from Suntech Power Holdings Co., for his work on…
Walter Cronkite, famous CBS anchorman known as “the most trusted man in America,” and long-time mentor to Arizona State University School of Journalism students, died today at his New York home. He was 92. The illustrious journalist–after whom the ASU journalism program is named–has been a pivotal figure for the…
A fire broke out at Richardson’s Cuisine of New Mexico restaurant on Bethany Home Road earlier this afternoon, and is still raging as firefighters attempt to put out the blaze. One of the owners reported the fire at 2:02 this afternoon, according to Phoenix Fire Department Spokesman Dorian Jackson. By…
Two scientists at Arizona State University’s polytechnic campus may have found a slimy green alternative to the world’s oil crisis: Algae. No joke. Scientists Qiang Hu and Milton Sommerfeld can convert algae into jet fuel — a discovery that may just land them a World Technology Award tomorrow. By selectively…
Nearly half (48 percent) of 675 physicians polled by a research group believe the H1N1 virus poses some risk for a “catastrophic” global Swine Flu pandemic. The study, done by HCD Research, tracked physicians’ opinions weekly since April and found doctors’ concerns at an all-time high. “Our recent study revealed…
What started as a humanitarian attempt to save lives has denigrated into a he said/she said feud that could land 13 people in jail, or fine them up to $5,000 apiece. The standoff went down Thursday, when volunteers with humanitarian groups No More Deaths and Humane Borders went to Buenas…
The incessant coverage of Michael Jackson’s death and memorial service has reached new heights — now even fast-food chains are cashing in on the action. Carl’s Jr. fast food stores in Arizona are giving out free soda to Michael Jackson impersonators through tomorrow. No joke. So if you’ve been itching…
A recent headline reported that there are now 25,000 homeless children in the Arizona public school system. We wondered — after reading in the Arizona Republic that this number of homeless kids is equivalent to the population of Fountain Hills — shouldn’t Child Protective Services step in? Apparently not. Even…
Earlier this week, a New Times reporter was shocked when a clerk at Justice Court charged her $24 to view a court file. Under Arizona’s public records law, isn’t access to public records free? Not always. The file requested by the New Times reporter would have taken the clerk two…
