Arizona lawmakers to take up bill on gender-specific places
An Arizona House committee Wednesday is scheduled to take up a bill that would make it a crime to use the wrong bathroom. From Phoenix, KJZZ's Mark Brodie has more. MARK BRODIE: The strike-everything amendment to Senate Bill 1432 would make it a misdemeanor for someone to intentionally go into a bathroom, shower, dressing or locker room of the opposite sex – if that facility has a sign indicating it's single-sex, and the person's birth certificate doesn't specify they're that gender.
Scottsdale still tweaking proposed pedicabs ordinance
The City of Scottsdale is still tweaking its proposed pedicabs ordinance. The public will be able to weigh in on the proposal at Thursday night's community forum. The Scottsdale Transportation Commission will submit recommendations on the proposed pedicab ordinance to the city council for a possible vote in April.
McCain: 'We're working night and day' for immigration bill
Senator John McCain held a town hall meeting at a North Phoenix community center Monday that covered a broad range of topics, but immigration dominated the conversation. Sen. John McCain told people at a townhall meeting Monday he feels hopeful new bipartisan legislation to reform immigration will be ready soon.
Bashas' CEO and Chairman Eddie Basha dies
Eddie Basha, the CEO and Chairman of the Bashas' family-owned grocery store chain in Arizona died yesterday. Basha's family said he had been ill for some time. Basha was an Arizona Board of Regent member for several years and also ran for governor.
Man convicted for Pioneer Hotel fire to be released
A Tucson man who has spent 42 years in prison for the Pioneer Hotel fire that killed 28 people is expected to be released tomorrow as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Louis Taylor was convicted as a teen but has maintained his innocence.
Man convicted of setting Pioneer Hotel fire freed after 42 years
TUCSON, Ariz. — After serving most of his life behind bars, 59-year-old Louis Taylor walked out of the Arizona State Prison in Tucson a free man Tuesday. He was 16 years old when he was convicted of starting a 1970 Tucson hotel fire that killed dozens of people.
Robrt Pela: Review of "Musical of Musicals (The Musical)"
This morning, theatre critic Robrt Pela reviewed Theatre Works' production of "Musical of Musicals (The Musical). "Musical of Musicals (The Musical)" has a beard a mile long. This send-up of Broadway tuners should at this point in the "let's spoof-musical theater game," play like a post-peak retread, an after-thought of irony or a late-to-the-party lesser-than.
'Minority Male Initiative' helps keep men in school
Some call it a national crisis, and studies show that Hispanic and African-American males are more likely to drop out of school than other students. Martine Garcia is the president of the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Minority Male Initiative Group.
Tucson considers cutting public safety pensions
Another Arizona city is looking to cut public pensions costs. The Tucson City Council voted Tuesday to create a task force to find ways to reduce the costs of police and fire pensions. The Arizona Daily Star reports, a decade ago Tucson paid less than $5 million for public-safety pensions, but that amount is expected to reach $42 million next year.
KJZZ Traffic Terms and ArizonaHighway Names & Numbers
Arizona Highway Names & Numbers Map in PDF File from www.az511.comTraffic Terms as heard on the KJZZ News reports.The Stack Interchange The I-17/I-10 Interchange, west of downtown Phoenix—the first major freeway interchange in Phoenix.
Mad dash on tax deadline day
Monday will be very busy for some people who waited until the last minute to file their taxes. It's often a mad dash to gather all the appropriate documents and fill in the blanks. Mennenga Tax and Financial owner Marshall Mennenga says procrastinators generally make the same mistakes.
Sequester amounts to longer lines at Grand Canyon Park entrances this summer
Officials say visitors will see long lines at Grand Canyon National Park entrances this summer because of federal budget cuts. Last month, all national parks were ordered to cut their budgets by 5 percent this year under the federal sequestration program.
Gang of Eight introduces immigration, border security plan
Arizona's two U.S. Senators joined with six of their colleagues Thursday to make a pitch for their comprehensive immigration reform bill. The new federal plan would not outlaw state immigration measures.
Tens of thousands turn out for Pat's Run
Less than a week after the bombing at the Boston Marathon, runners and spectators took to the streets of Tempe Saturday morning, for Pat's Run – honoring former ASU and Cardinals star Pat Tillman.
New study: time spent in nature can boost creative thinking
A recent study finds spending some 'down time' in the great outdoors can improve your creativity and problem-solving ability. Professor David Strayer of the University of Utah said people tested after four days immersed in nature with Outward Bound did dramatically better than people who took similar tests before heading into the woods.
Arizona continues its slow economic recovery
Arizona's economic recovery continues to be slow, but Dennis Hoffman of Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business says there are a number of positive signs.Hoffman says increasing consumer confidence should improve the state's condition.
Restroom to be installed near Slide Rock
State officials have awarded a grant to build a restroom in a popular area north of Sedona that has been shut down in the past because of water quality problems. The Oak Creek Watershed Council has been awarded $253,000 by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to build a restroom near Slide Rock.
Legislature to work three-day weeks, starting this week
The state capitol will be quiet Monday today, as lawmakers take the day off – they're expected to work Tuesdays through Thursdays for a little while.That reflects the fact that there's not a lot left to do this session.
High health care costs put strain on seniors
The Great Recession of 2008 took a toll on older Americans. A report from the AARP Public Policy Institute says the typical senior has seen a lower income and higher expenses. State AARP director David Mitchell says one place that's showing up is in the cost of health care, where seniors are spending an average of $3,100 a year.
Senator Jeff Flake on supporting immigration reform, voting against background checks
Senator Jeff Flake has been criticized by many on the left for his vote against expanded background checks for gun sales. He's also been hit hard by conservatives for being part of the Gang of Eight's efforts on comprehensive immigration reform.