Hot Links: New Citizens, AIMS, and a Possible Hand Grenade

52 people will become new U.S. citizens today in a naturalization ceremony in Phoenix. The soon-to-be citizens range in age from 20 to 75, and come from countries including Lebanon, the Philipines, and Mexico. As part of the ceremony, which takes place this afternoon at Burton Barr Central Library, Valley teens will sing the national anthem...Navajo lawmakers in Flagstaff voted not to immediately repeal a set of traditional Navajo laws. Delegate Raymond Joe had sought to strike the laws from the books, citing abuse and misinterpretation, but the council voted 48-21 to table the measure so a work session could be held...An illegal immigrant from Mexico has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of sexual assault and kidnapping. Police believe that Elieel Obed Beltran-Rabago, 21, has committed numerous crimes. Both of the suspect's alleged victims are also illegal immigrants...An ADOT employee found a device that looked like a hand grenade on the U.S. 60 interstate near Sossaman early this morning. Explosives experts were called to the scene, and surrounded the object with sandbags, but have not ascertained exactly what the device is...Arizona high school students no longer have to pass the AIMS test to graduate. A new law allows students to substitute their ACT or SAT scores and still receive their diplomas. Some lawmakers view the change as providing equal opportunities for all students to graduate, but Education Association President John Wright says that students who do poorly on the AIMS test are likely to perform poorly on college entrance exams...Police in Australia are trying to discourage drunk driving by threatening to Twitter young people's "embarrassingly boozy breath readings" on stops. They say if Twittering peoples' bad behavior stops even one person from drinking and driving, it will be worth it.  

52 in Valley will become citizens in ceremony today

Effort to repeal traditional Navajo laws tabled