Americans are more confident in the U.S. economy than at any point in the past five years, thanks to surging home values, a brighter job market and record-setting stock prices.
Stock averages last month extended the year’s explosive rally.
Further gains in consumer confidence could help the economy withstand the effects of higher taxes and federal spending cuts that kicked in this year. Spending by consumers drives about 70 percent of economic growth.


Students in Kevin Willis’ brief calculus class are learning more than just numbers this year.

Gas prices have risen more than 50 cents in the past month, but AAA of Arizona says the state is still paying less for gas than the rest of the nation.

The Phoenix City Council has given approval for the Phoenix Public Transit Department to buy buses that use compressed natural gas: a big change for Phoenix, which now has the country’s largest liquefied natural gas bus fleet. The new 120 Valley Metro buses will use CNG, which will save the city a net $4 million.

Arizona motorists are paying about the same at the pump as they did last week.

Salt River Project has agreed to purchase one block of the Mesquite Generating Station located in Arlington, Ariz., about 40 miles west of Phoenix. The natural gas-fired power plant, owned by San Diego-based Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, includes two 625-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle generating blocks. SRP is purchasing one of the blocks for $371 million and under the terms of the agreement, will operate the entire facility.

With drivers in California paying more than $5 a gallon for gasoline after a sudden spike in prices, could Arizona motorists be next?

Mountain Pointe girls volleyball coach Fred Mann knew it would set the team back some, but believed the payoff could be a big one.

Desert Vista’s start to the football season is similar to a Ferrari owner suddenly using a low-grade gasoline after only putting high octane fuel in the tank since taking it off the lot.

Feeling trapped under a mountain of student loan debt?

Arizona gas prices, and those across the country, may jump now that fuel production has taken a hit from Tropical Storm Isaac, AAA Arizona reported Monday.

Arizona gas prices, and those across the country, may jump now that fuel production has taken a hit from Tropical Storm Isaac, AAA Arizona reported Monday.

At approximately 13 years old, I started a pre-baseball ritual that put me into a meditative state.

The Tempe Union High School District partnered with Chevron two years ago to facilitate sustainability projects at the seven different high schools around Tempe and Ahwatukee Foothills.

Blazing summer temperatures may be settling in, but the price of price of fuel continues to cool off. Statewide, drivers are paying an average of $3.612 per gallon, a drop of nearly six cents from a week ago. In the East Valley, drivers were paying nearly seven cents less than a week ago, down to $3.559 per gallon.

Blazing summer temperatures may be settling in, but the price of price of fuel continues to cool off. Statewide, drivers are paying an average of $3.612 per gallon, a drop of nearly six cents from a week ago. In the East Valley, drivers were paying nearly seven cents less than a week ago, down to $3.559 per gallon.

A generator manufacturer broke ground Thursday on a warehouse in Tempe that’s expected to be the home of 225 new jobs when the facility opens in early 2013.

It’s an American rite of passage: The family road trip.

It’s an American rite of passage: The family road trip.

Gas prices dropped for the seventh straight week in Arizona last week, just in time for Memorial Day weekend travel.

Gas prices dropped for the seventh straight week in Arizona last week, just in time for Memorial Day weekend travel.

East Valley drivers were paying 3 cents more for gas late last week than a week earlier, according to AAA Arizona, turning over $3.783 per gallon at the pump.

Detroit • More natural gas-powered vehicles will hit the market soon, as rising gasoline prices, booming natural gas production and proposed tax credits make them a more attractive option.

Do you know you’re dying? From the day we’re born — especially after we stop growing — our bodies are continuously deteriorating. Organs don’t do their jobs quite so well, digestive systems can get sluggish, fat is easy to amass and muscle is in short supply with each passing year.