In a week when North Korea posted a homemade video showing the U.S. Capitol building being destroyed by a missile, what more logical response could Hollywood offer than a macho thriller about a Secret Service agent who takes on North Korean terrorists who attack the White House? The first of two similarly themed action dramas set for this year ("White House Down" arrives in June), "Olympus Has Fallen" will put to the test the question of whether American audiences are ready, 12 years after 9-11, to watch, strictly as disposable popcorn entertainment, a film in which the United States and some of its most prominent landmarks are devastated by foreign terrorists.

Still far short of the votes she needs, Gov. Jan Brewer finally gave lawmakers a peek Tuesday at details of her plan to expand the state's Medicaid program in a bid to whip up support.

The state House voted Thursday to slam the door on gun buyback programs — even when the owners specifically ask that their weapons be destroyed.

Gov. Jan Brewer rallied doctors and nurses at the Capitol on Tuesday in her bid to get the necessary votes to expand the state's Medicaid program.

State lawmakers launched what could be considered an end-run of last year's voter rejection of a change in how judges are selected.

State lawmakers are moving to let Arizona businesses refuse to disclose to those who might want to sue them what the company knew about defective products.

Saying it’s none of the government’s business, a House panel voted Wednesday to bar cities, counties and the state from destroying guns that are voluntarily surrendered to them.

Norma Mae White, 82, of Ahwatukee, formerly of Indiana, Pa., passed away on Jan. 29 at St. Andrew’s Village after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born Feb. 16, 1930 in New Bethlehem, Pa., she is predeceased by her husband, A. B. White III, her parents Ernest and Lorena Dinger, and her grandson, Benson Adam White.

A bid to keep students from dropping out of school before they turn 18 faltered Monday amid bipartisan concerns that all it would do is mean more disruptive kids in school.

Gov. Jan Brewer announced the appointment of Edward “Pat” Madden to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Madden has been appointed for a five-year term, effective Jan. 21.

An Ahwatukee Foothills family needs help finding their missing 15-year-old daughter, who ran away on Jan. 9.

The new chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commission signaled Monday that the days of pushing solar and renewable energy over other sources are over.

In what’s been an otherwise tremendous year for movies, 2012 still brought us quite a few stinkers nevertheless. One general question film critics are asked is how they feel when ripping a movie apart. It may sound mean-spirited and arrogant to criticize a movie that a lot of people invested their time and money into. Anybody that has endured the 10 movies listed below however can understand that such criticisms are justified.

It’s that time of year to hand out some honors for the year’s best. So it is without further ado that I bring you the Third Annual Hammer Awards.

A lot of people like to make predictions on what is going to happen. Too few of us take responsibility for their successes and, yes, their failures. Here is what I forecast on December 23, 2011 followed by what actually happened and my report card:

Loss has never come easy for me; be it in cards, a high school sporting event or on a personal level.

Seeking gift ideas for that music lover this holiday season, check out the following box set reviews from The Associated Press:

The Republican Victory Fund (read Steve Pierce, AZ Realtors, and Western Growers) has spent a lot of money to attack Dr. Janie Hydrick, candidate for state senate from Legislative District 18, with three mailers that are completely devoid of facts. All three have the same basic text, and what is her great crime? Why, she’s a member (not the leader) of the Arizona Education Association, much the way your lawyer would be a member of the American Bar Association, or your doctor, the American Medical Association. Every statement on the fliers, except the spelling of Hydrick’s name, is unverified, (and unverifiable, since they’re innuendo, not facts).

Peppered with fun facts and cheeky asides, actor Roger Moore’s book looking back on the golden anniversary of James Bond on screen is a treat for 007 fans. He takes us on a lively spin around the milestones of cinema’s longest-running franchise in “Bond on Bond: Reflections on 50 years of James Bond Movies” (Lyons Press).

Why are you running for office?

As a community organizer I have hosted debates and town halls for more than 30 candidates for elected office and I have not written an editorial about why an elected official should not be reelected, until now.

Looper is a time traveling thriller that reminds us that classic science fiction doesn’t come from quality visuals or the biggest explosions. There’s no denying that “Looper” is an exquisitely crafted picture with some heart pounding action set pieces. But the reason the film warrants such praise is because of its inspired ideas, brilliant execution, and the involving characters we follow along the way. Director and writer Rian Johnson obviously had a clear artistic vision going into this project and never allowed the studio or conventions to stand in his way. His product is one of the slickest and smartest movies about time travel in a long time.

The best Friday night for Jess Pierce calls for her to do nothing more than enjoy the sideline view at every Mountain Pointe football game.

Listening to Pink’s new album, “The Truth About Love” (RCA Records), is like watching a reality show about the ups and downs of her relationship with her husband, motorcycle racer Carey Hart: She’s over him at times, under him at others. There are fights, and makeups, and then more breakups. There are “I hate yous” and “I love yous.” And all of it makes for good listening.