East Valley Tribune - State News

Poll shows McCain vulnerable in primary

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:46:50 -0700

A new statewide poll suggests John McCain could get a fight in his bid for another term in the U.S. Senate.

Lawmakers look at new lease on lottery's life

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:23:05 -0700

State lawmakers are already eyeing another special session on the budget next month, including a proposal to ask voters to breathe new life into the Arizona Lottery.

Visa wins legal battle with Tucson firm

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:44:49 -0700

A new court ruling shows that merchants who accept credit card payments for orders they get online need to know exactly what the card company is promising or risk having the money taken back.

New judge assigned in case of St. Johns' boy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:59 -0700

ST. JOHNS — A new judge has been assigned to hear the case of a 9-year-old eastern Arizona boy awaiting sentencing in the shooting death of his father's roommate.

Flake: Obama to take more centrist course

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:50:07 -0700

Congressman Jeff Flake predicts that President Barack Obama's administration will chart a more centrist course as his administration moves forward.

Jobless rate rises despite more working

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:29:00 -0700

A new unemployment report provides mixed news about the state of Arizona's economy. The figures Thursday from the state Department of Commerce show the number of people with jobs rose 13,200 between September and October. Jack York, a senior economist with the agency, credited lots of seasonal hiring with the jump.

Gould, Verschoor won't support budget plan

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:07:11 -0700

Efforts to start plugging the $2 billion hole in the state budget came to a screeching halt Thursday when two Republican lawmakers refused to support the plan.

Commission confirms ouster of legislator

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:51:44 -0700

Arizona's public campaign financing commission has affirmed a judge's decision removing a lawmaker from office for violating campaign finance rules and laws.

Few cancelations reported at winter RV parks

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:43:13 -0700

Winter bookings at recreational vehicle parks in metropolitan Phoenix are up after three years of decline, a sign it may be a good year for the industry that caters to "snowbirds."

Concern over law to deny benefits to illegals

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:26:39 -0700

East Valley officials and leaders say a new law related to checking legal status of residents seeking government benefits is wide open to interpretation, could become a headache and cost taxpayers if it results in frivolous lawsuits.

Senate moves to cut $300M more in spending

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:48:58 -0700

State senators voted to cut nearly $300 million in spending Wednesday in an effort to start dealing with an anticipated $2 billion deficit.

Senate targets unused traveler's checks

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:49:27 -0700

Ignoring a potential lawsuit, state senators voted Wednesday to grab hold of the money from traveler's checks that haven't been used or cashed within three years - 12 years less than now allowed.

Thanksgiving travel expected to mirror 2008

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:30:59 -0700

Arizonans aren't expected to hit the gas any more this Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to last year.

Senate votes to let speculators off hook

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:18:26 -0700

State lawmakers voted Wednesday to restore financial protections to real estate speculators, allowing them to walk away from their bad home investments.

Prosecutors file first employer sanctions case

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:07:29 -0700

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on Wednesday filed the first case under the 2-year-old employer sanctions law that punishes businesses for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

Byrd unseats Hayden as longest-serving congressman

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:57:37 -0700

WASHINGTON — West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd became the longest-serving lawmaker in congressional history Wednesday, a milestone to be marked with a morning of Senate tributes and a special resolution.

NBC's Williams gets Cronkite School award

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:42:42 -0700

NBC newsman Brian Williams received the annual Walter Cronkite Award for his work in journalism on Wednesday.

Treasurer says state needs to borrow cash

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:59:32 -0700

For the first time ever, Arizona needs to borrow money to pay its bills.

Phoenix has lost 25% of its information jobs

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:45:46 -0700

NEW YORK — The New York City comptroller's office says the city has lost nearly 60,000 communications jobs since 2000, including in publishing and broadcasting.

Palo Verde nuclear plant to test warning sirens

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:36:15 -0700

WINTERSBURG — Sirens designed to alert residents who live near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix about radiation emergencies will be tested on Wednesday.