It's a given at multiplexes these days that despite switch-off-your-cell-phone announcements and the occasional grumbling protest, whatever's onscreen will have to compete with tiny pockets of light from audience members unable to stay off their handhelds. Watching those glow patches come and go during "Disconnect" reinforces the film's position on how desensitized we've become to these technological intrusions. Not that Henry-Alex Rubin's schematic multi-strand drama is at all shy about articulating its themes.

Sounding the alarms before you answer that cry for help

I’ve been a reporter for more than 30 years, and an investigative reporter for nearly 25 of them. As part of the ABC15 Investigators, I focus on consumers who’ve been scammed, cheated or just plain annoyed, usually by someone trying to get their money.

I’ve been a reporter for more than 30 years, and an investigative reporter for nearly 25 of them. As part of the ABC15 Investigators, I focus on consumers who’ve been scammed, cheated or just plain annoyed, usually by someone trying to get their money.

Attorney General Tom Horne is warning Arizona residents to be on the lookout for a mailer that asks for illegal up-front fees to join a national lawsuit.

"By saving frugally, we reap liberty, a golden harvest.” The Spartan King, Agesilaus, spoke those words 24 centuries ago, and they are still true today. Here are some financial goals to consider when choosing your New Year’s Resolutions.

Arizona legislators on Tuesday will review Attorney General Tom Horne’s plan for use of the state’s $6 million share of a multistate settlement with the drug company Johnson & Johnson.

Cyber Monday is a popular day for fast online deals, but it can also be a popular day for quick scams through fraudulent websites.

A day-long conference on homeowners’ rights under the National Mortgage Settlement will be at the Arizona State University Homeowner Advocacy Unit at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on Oct. 19.

A day-long conference on homeowners’ rights under the National Mortgage Settlement will be at the Arizona State University Homeowner Advocacy Unit at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on Oct. 19.

As the son of two immigrants, I watched my parents work incredibly hard. But because of good public schools and federal college aid, I was able to go from a kid whose parents didn’t speak much English to working for President Clinton in the White House and serving my country in uniform in the Navy reserve. That ladder of opportunity that is the bedrock of the American middle class is eroding and Washington isn’t doing enough to save it.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne announced Tuesday that a Maricopa County Superior Court judge has approved an action that has resulted in the closure of a Tempe transmission business for failing to respond to consumer complaints.

Arizona courts cannot order stores that post the wrong prices on items offered for sale to surrender their wrongfully obtained profits, the state Supreme Court ruled last week.

Arizona courts cannot order stores that post the wrong prices on items offered for sale to surrender their wrongfully obtained profits, the state Supreme Court ruled last week.

State lawmakers are planning to raid a mortgage fraud settlement fund to balance the budget.

The Arizona Attorney General's Office is seeking a contempt ruling against Tempe-based Transplant Plus and its principals over a consumer fraud judgment. The attorney general's office alleges that Transplant Plus violated eight judgments a court issued in 2011, including not registering its name with the Arizona Secretary of State and failing to respond to customer complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. Also, the attorney general claims the company violated several orders regarding payments and failing to provide full refunds for defective transmissions.

WASHINGTON -- Declaring the American dream under siege, President Barack Obama delivered a populist challenge Tuesday night to shrink the gap between rich and poor, promising to tax the wealthy more and help jobless Americans get work and hang onto their homes. Seeking re-election and needing results, the president invited Republicans to join him but warned, "I intend to fight."

Text of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, as provided by the White House:

Text of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, as provided by the White House:

Text of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, as provided by the White House:

“I applaud our President’s recess appointment of Mr. Cordray to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau! It’s about time Mr. Obama confronts the Republicans who seek to block his every good move and keep our nation in such desperate straits. Clearly, Republicans — representing the upper 1 percent — want to keep the rest of us at an economic disadvantage while continuing to enrich themselves. Among Mr. Cordray’s responsibilities will be to oversee and regulate payday lenders, who suck the life out of desperate, struggling Americans. Too bad, Republicans, your lie of ‘Congress is in session’ has been finally challenged. If we cannot stop your rich buddies, we will at least slow them down.”

A Sun City West man is out $1,500 after being victimized by the so-called “grandparent scam.” The man, who did not want to be named, received a call Tuesday morning from his “granddaughter,” who was in a Canadian jail and needed to be bailed out.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers to beware of a scam involving emails sent from fake entities that are using the Better Business Bureau’s logo. Consumers have been telling the attorney general they’ve gotten deceptive emails with the BBB logo and the subject line of “Complaint from your customers.” A link or attachment often contains malicious malware, a computer virus that could harm your computer or steal information.

"Yet another friend of Obama's is being investigated for corruption. Was he elected because he said this would not happen under his watch?"