The 2013 legislative session began with a unanimous vote in the House and the Senate to appropriate emergency funding for additional Child Protective Services staff. With that vote, lawmakers affirmed child safety as a top priority.

Joss Bates was dropped off at his Ahwatukee home last weekend to find 114 notes hanging around his front yard, displaying quotes, words of comfort, love and encouragement written on them from friends and family.

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

Phoenix police investigators are interested in talking with Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington after an alleged domestic violence incident on Wednesday afternoon.

The number of children being taken into Child Protective Services’ custody continues to escalate each year in Arizona, but the minors are not the only concern. After age 18, college-bound individuals who were essentially raised in the system still need the support — like any young adult — to have a successful future.

Week of March 25 through April 1

When I took office last year, I made three commitments about the city’s budget. I made the commitment to cut wasteful spending and build a smarter government that does more with less. I committed to use our savings and increased revenues from a recovering economy to lower taxes. And I made the commitment not to accelerate any tax cut if the result hurt our public’s safety.

Armando Adrian-López doesn’t farm anymore, but he still looks to the natural world for inspiration and materials, using corn husks, dried flowers and found objects to create fantastical winged and horned creatures.

The only incredible thing about "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" is that way it makes Steve Carell so thoroughly and irreparably unlikable. In a film about magic tricks, this is the most difficult feat of all.

Gov. Jan Brewer recently signed into law the first bill of the 2013 legislative session — an emergency appropriation measure that will allow the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to immediately hire 50 new full-time employees within Child Protective Services (CPS).

It's easy to understand why Hollywood loves doing business with author Nicholas Sparks. His books are huge best-sellers, and several of the films adapted from his novels - "Message in a Bottle," ''The Notebook," and "Dear John" - have achieved impressive box office grosses. The latest Sparks adaptation, "Safe Haven," will probably continue his winning streak, especially with its Valentine's Day opening pegged to lure female fans. A thriller element that has not been present in earlier Sparks movies is designed to draw reluctant male viewers to see the picture, but they won't respond with the same enthusiasm as his core audience of woozy romantics.

State lawmakers are moving to throw a new hurdle in the path of divorced parents who want to move.

Sometimes, something’s so bad you can’t help but watch. Take any number of reality or competition TV shows, or highlight reels of grotesque sports injuries that should make your stomach turn but instead have you rewinding to watch again in slow motion.

State lawmakers took the first steps Wednesday to shoring up the state's overburdened Child Protective Services system.

She’s young, tall-model-slender, beautiful and with a song bird voice. I’ll call her Annie. And, today she sits in jail, serving a lengthy term for her history with drugs. Like so many others, her road to trouble started with alcohol.

United Blood Services has announced an urgent need for donors with O-, A-, B-, AB- and O+ blood types.

Arizona parents may soon no longer have to worry about a child coming home from a carnival with a live goldfish in a bag.

Parting ways with her own Republican Party, Gov. Jan Brewer today proposed expanding Arizona's Medicaid program to take advantage of the federal Affordable Care Act.

Parting ways with her own Republican Party, Gov. Jan Brewer on Monday proposed expanding Arizona’s Medicaid program to take advantage of the federal Affordable Care Act.

As we consider New Year’s resolutions, I gladly share a story of Violet Jerome, a family friend who knew the secrets of keeping the Christmas spirit alive, year-round. Come to think of it, with our nation trapped in moral chaos, her story needs to be shared across the land.

Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development has received a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to continue meeting its mission serving youth who may be homeless or at-risk of homelessness, abuse or neglect.

Close to one out of every eight high schoolers who admitted to smoking marijuana recently say they got it from a medical marijuana cardholder.

People have always speculated about what might or might not happen in 2012, but this past year turned out to be one full of waiting.

The strategy for dealing with a young crime victim at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is kindness combined with a large dose of Sam.

The occupational tools for high school athletic directors do not include a fire extinguisher.