Anti-smoking forces celebrated two big victories last week. The Washington, D.C., city council took the first step toward banning smoking in bars, restaurants and other indoor places, giving them until January 2007 to become completely smoke-free.

AUGUSTA, Ga. - For the first time in his illustrious 13-year career, Phil Mickelson enters a major championship as — dare we say it? — the favorite. Apparently, winning the Masters last year to snap an 0-for-43 skid in the majors, along with three victories in 2005, will do that for you.

In what’s become a game of political pingpong, the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature late Tuesday sent Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano yet another bill to fund state programs that teach children struggling to learn English.

In what’s become a game of political pingpong, the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature late Tuesday sent Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano yet another bill to fund state programs that teach children struggling to learn English.

In what’s become a game of political pingpong, the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature late Tuesday sent Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano yet another bill to fund state programs that teach children struggling to learn English.

Gov. Janet Napolitano said Monday that the idea of taxpayers bailing out the financial community is not pretty, but the alternative is worse.

If this proves to be the last hurrah for the LPGA at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, and Arizona in general, the tournament that has been held here in the Valley for 38 years certainly went out in style.

When a team is searching for its first win of the season, and the season is half over, sometimes it takes a special play to get it over the hump.

BUSAN, South Korea - A Taiwanese romance has become the island's box office champion this year, a rare victory for Asian film over Hollywood blockbusters.

It's only happened once in the 63 years that the tournament has been played, but Philip Francis is hoping that lightning can strike twice when the AT&T Arizona Open gets under way today at Desert Mountain's Apache Golf Course in Scottsdale.

TEMPE - Jeff Blake wore out the Green Bay Packers on a day of record heat in the desert, then Dexter Jackson sealed it with a clutch interception at the finish.

TEMPE, Ariz. - Jeff Blake wore out the Green Bay Packers on a day of record heat in the desert, then Dexter Jackson sealed it with a clutch interception at the finish.

 Scott Bordow: Some NFL Sundays you want to forget when the alarm rings the next morning. But then there are the Sundays that tease your palate. You see the talent and the hunger and you can’t help but think about the possibilities. The Cardinals’ 24-17 victory over the New York Giants was one of those Sundays.

NEW YORK - Dejected investors sent stocks plunging Thursday, hurtling the Dow Jones industrials down more than 340 points after retailers and the government added to a mountain of bad economic news and devastated hopes for a late-year recovery.

Chances are few people know much about Carlos Franco, the PGA Tour player who is coming to the East Valley next month to do a charity tournament entitled "Beat Carlos Franco.’’

WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer is tough to faze. The unflappable Federer kept blunting Andy Roddick's best and flashing brilliant shots Sunday for a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory and his second straight Wimbledon title.

WASHINGTON — Democrats in the Senate have beat back a GOP filibuster of must-pass legislation that wraps up the bulk of the remaining congressional agenda besides health care.

Chandler City Councilman Dean Anderson presented a check Thursday afternoon to the Chandler National Little League team for $22,150 to help cover parent expenses in traveling to Williamsport, Pa., to watch their sons play for the World Series — but the push to raise funds isn't over yet.

Chandler City Councilman Dean Anderson presented a check Thursday afternoon to the Chandler National Little League team for $22,150 to help cover parent expenses in traveling to Williamsport, Pa., to watch their sons play for the World Series — but the push to raise funds isn't over yet.

Companies that knowingly hire undocumented workers would be slapped with felonies, stiff fines and could even be put out of business under legislation approved Thursday by the House of Representatives.

State senators agreed Wednesday to alter some laws to pave the way for what developers promise will be a rock 'n' roll theme park in Eloy.

Sooner or later, President Bush and the Democratic-run Congress will have to compromise on must-pass legislation. Even “My Way or the Highway” Bush recognizes this.

Someday, a football scientist may be able to explain why the Cardinals soar at home and stink on the road.