The state Senate gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill that would prohibit public money intended for family-planning services from going to organizations that provide abortions. Read more»

Lack of funding for staffing is threatening the Arizona Water Protection Fund, which provides grants to landowners to protect against flooding damage from the Gila River. Read more»

The state Legislatures is weighing three bills that would eliminate some roadblocks in the process of adopting children in Arizona. Read more»

The latest attempt to ban texting while driving in Arizona has reached a dead end at the Legislature. Read more»

With polls showing him trailing front-runner Mitt Romney only slightly in Arizona, Rick Santorum told a Phoenix audience Tuesday that his consistent support of smaller government makes him the best GOP candidate to take on President Obama. Read more»

A House panel endorsed a bill Thursday that would put the brakes on many of the special license plates that allow Arizonans to display support for various causes. Read more»

Years in the making, Arizona’s centennial celebration carried over from the weekend to a day of events that included the release of a special postage stamp and a mass wedding. Read more»

Fumbling for your wallet during a traffic stop could be a thing of the past if a state lawmaker has his way. He's proposed doing away with paper and plastic in favor of a tap on a smartphone. Read more»

A bill introduced into by state Rep. Chester Crandall, R-Heber, would require that all voter-approved statewide measures involving money be returned to the ballot after five fiscal years. If voters reauthorize a measure, it would face another vote after six years. Read more»

While attempts to bar minors from riding unrestrained in pickup truck beds have failed for years at the Legislature, state leaders have three new reasons to act: Three teenagers killed in recent months after being thrown for pickups, a lawmaker said. Read more»

The state House Transportation Committee voted 6-2 on Thursday to endorse HB 2512, authored by Rep. Steve Urie, R–Gilbert, which carries a fine of $50 for those caught texting while driving and $200 if a texting driver is involved in an accident. Read more»

With many of those crossing the border illegally shifting to remote areas in response to stepped-up enforcement, the trash they leave behind is becoming tougher – and riskier – to clean up, said a state agency director. A Rio Rico-area cleanup is set for next weekend. Read more» 2

A state House committee Tuesday narrowly endorsed scrapping a state law that prevents legislators from serving as paid lobbyists at the Capitol for a year after leaving office. Read more»

Leaders of today are reaching out to potential leaders of tomorrow with a DVD explaining to kids how Arizona’s government works. The two-hour video, timed with the state’s centennial, features state lawmakers, Gov. Jan Brewer, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and others. Read more»

The order that candidates will appear on the ballot for the Republican presidential primary in Arizona was set by drawing Tuesday in Phoenix. Read more»