Hot Links: Tax Breaks, Meth Labs, and Stink-Free Undies

The city of Phoenix will offer tax breaks to business owners, giving them a two-month amnesty period between April 15 and June 15 to file delinquent taxes without a penalty. The interest rate for delinquent taxes will be cut from six percent to three percent during the amnesty period…Perhaps business…

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice, Ruth McGregor, Announces Retirement

Arizona Supreme Court Justice Ruth McGregor announced today that she would leave office and retire at the end of June to spend more time with her family. McGregor, a 1974 graduate of the Arizona State University College of Law, has a solid reputation in the legal community and a long history of community service…

Michael Christie and the Ongoing Rumble in the Phoenix Symphony

The latest issue of the League of American Orchestras’ trade magazine Symphony features a cover story on Michael Christie, the 34-year-old conductor of the Phoenix Symphony and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. As is the case with most trade magazine stories, the article is flattering in the extreme. So much so, Christie…

Hot Links: Rabies, Stabbings, and the Potty Pyro

Don’t pet the fox with the foaming mouth: Since January 1, 59 animals in Arizona have tested positive for rabies, prompting officials to issue warnings to Arizonans to stay away from wild animals. So far, the rabid animals have exposed 29 domestic animals and seven people to the virus…Speaking of…

March 20 In Blogs: Light Rail, SxSW, Roka Akor and More

We understand that in the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. Worry not! We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times’ blogs. Today’s entries: Valley Fever: Metro Light Rail “Concerned” About Fare Increase’s Impact on Ridership;…

Gun Dealer Case Blown; Goddard Vows, “It’s Not Over By Any Means”

  A case of a Phoenix gun dealer whose sales were allegedly tied to Mexican drug cartels fell apart yesterday after a judge decided the state didn’t have enough evidence. The prosecution of George Iknadosian, (at right), of Glendale, had been heavily promoted to the news media by authorities who wanted to…

Obama Returning to ASU to Give Spring Commencement Address

President Obama is giving Air Force One another workout with his second schlep to the Valley in four months. Obama plans on giving the spring commencement address to about 8,000 Arizona State University students at 7 p.m. on May 13. More people will see the celeb-president than during his visit…

ICE and Janet Napolitano’s Gulag Archipelago for Women

I’ve gotta give a shout out to our sister paper Miami New Times’ Riptide blog for this disturbing post about the medieval health care female immigrant detainees receive in ICE’s countrywide gulag archipelago. In it, reporter Tim Elfrink covers a news conference in Miami where the results of two studies…

Somos America’s Reform Not Raids Powwow Convenes Next Week

How much you wanna bet Sheriff Joe pulls a raid during this meet-up next week of many of the organizers, lawyers, and activists involved in the pro-immigrant movement nationwide? Then again, if something like that happens March 27-28 during Somos America’s Reform Not Raids Summit, maybe they should adjourn to wherever…