For nearly two hours on Monday night, stories were shared, laughs were loud and Kleenex was out in full force.

A “Celebration of Life” service to honor respected educator and leader among state high school sports circles Art Wagner is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.

Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

Last year, each at the age of 11, Mesa youths Jagger Eaton and Trey Wood dropped in on the X Games stage as the event’s youngest competitors ever. This year, they’re joined by 12-year-old Alana Smith when they compete next week at X Games Barcelona.

Gov. Jan Brewer said Tuesday that Arizona's precedent-setting 2010 law aimed at illegal immigration helped pave the way for the kind of legislation now being considered in Congress.

Robert Redford does his most compelling work in some time as both actor and director in "The Company You Keep," a tense yet admirably restrained thriller about a fugitive forced out of hiding after 30 years to prove his innocence. Adapted with clarity and intelligence by Lem Dobbs from Neil Gordon's novel, and lent distinguishing heft by its roster of screen veterans, this gripping drama provides an absorbing reflection on the courage and cost of dissent.

WASHINGTON — This may be the year Congress decides what to do about the millions of immigrants living illegally in the U.S. And this may be the week when a bipartisan group of senators makes public details of the overhaul plan it has been negotiating for months.

Nearly 10,500 fans gathered to bid a farewell to the 2013 Major League Baseball Spring Training season Thursday afternoon.

Known as a bulldog with a pedal-to-the-metal approach to prosecuting cases, Deputy Maricopa County Attorney Juan Martinez no doubt stumped Jodi Arias repeatedly throughout his intense cross-examination in her murder trial.

State lawmakers took the first steps Tuesday to letting teachers legally carry weapons in at least some public schools.

The White House has released a list of impacts to Arizona from automatic budget cuts that are set to take hold this week.

After tinkering around awhile, St. Mary's put its foot down and held up another trophy.

WASHINGTON — Uncompromising and politically emboldened, President Barack Obama urged a deeply divided Congress Tuesday night to embrace his plans to use government money to create jobs and strengthen the nation's middle class. He declared Republican ideas for reducing the deficit "even worse" than the unpalatable deals Washington had to stomach during his first term.

IRVINE, Calif. — A $1 million reward for a fugitive ex-police officer wanted in the slayings of three people took authorities to a San Fernando Valley home improvement store but so far prompted no credible leads in the search for Christopher Dorner.

The Highland girls basketball team’s offense was like a faulty faucet Saturday night.

Based on Michael Morpurgo’s childrens book and popularized by Steven Spielberg’s feature film of the same name, “War Horse” follows the fate of a horse named Joey, who is sold into the British army and serves on both sides of the conflict during World War I.

“Seriously, some people need to get a life. The main news stories on national television have been about Te’o’s girlfriend saga and whether or not Beyonce lip synced at the inauguration. Please find something more news worthy to report about!”

In American political culture, we prove we’re concerned about something by spending money on it. Americans are obviously concerned about protecting schools from more mass shootings after Newtown. But in this case, the best response may not be the most expensive.

A big second half for the Red Mountain boys basketball team helped the Lions top its city neighbors.

PHOENIX – Arizona can protect schools and communities from gun violence by making campuses more secure, increasing services for the mentally ill and tightening gun ownership laws, the top Democrat in the state House said Wednesday.

“Oh, the NHL lockout is over. And just when I had almost completely forgotten about hockey...”

Rolando Rhymes fancies himself a Division I prospect once he leaves high school.

So the brightly and oh, yes, neatly wrapped gifts are starting to accumulate under your tree, are they?

The National Rifle Association said Friday it wants armed police officers in every school, raising costs questions from Republican legislators who normally are their natural allies but picking up support of a key Democrat.