In my 55-plus years as a native of Arizona, our state has always been pragmatically independent and conservative. Only lately has the pragmatism been replaced by dogmatic ideology. This ideology has become more hostile and prominent recently and unfortunately was brought to the forefront immediately before the Holy Days leading up to Easter. It is unfortunate that the vitriolic speak that Maricopa County GOP Chairman Mr. LaFaro chose when speaking at a legislative committee was to compare our governor with Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. It is my opinion that supporting Medicaid expansion to 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Level does not amount to equating Gov. Brewer to Judas.

Spurred by the pleas of a widow of a Department of Public Safety officer, Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation Friday to ensure that survivors of fallen police officers and others have taxpayer-provided health insurance for as long as they need.

‘Weather or Not: Art With Atmosphere’ - Weather may not be one of Arizona’s top concerns, but it’s still pretty amazing. Thanks to the new exhibit at Arizona Museum for Youth — which includes artistic representations of wind, rain, sleet, snow, tornado, hurricane, fog and sun, and a hands-on tornado-making activity — your kids can learn all about meteorology and climatology in an interactive environment.

Get in the mood for Valentine’s Day at Mesa’s 2nd Friday Art Walk, where everyone is urged to wear a flapper dress or zoot suit, compete in the dance and costume contest or eat dinner at one of the downtown restaurants.

Legislative District 18 legislators made a commitment to Kyrene parents and teachers that they would fight for all the funding they could for education this year during a “Meet Your Legislators Night” at the Kyrene School District.

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.

Both sides of the aisle remained cautiously optimistic in Arizona as first election results came in Tuesday night.

Candidates for state Legislature in District 18 expressed support for education and uncertainty about health care during a forum Tuesday night.

Five out of seven candidates running in Legislative District 18 have confirmed they will be in attendance for a debate in Tempe on Tuesday.

It is telling by the GOP’s Jeff Dial and Bob Robson’s latest failure of not attending the Clean Elections debate with Democrats Corey Harris and Daren Fisher. They apparently cannot justify their seats and cannot defend their dismal records. Twenty years of Republican control has driven Arizona into fiscal chaos.

The candidates for Legislative District 18 were asked three questions by the Ahwatukee Foothills News. The following are their responses to the first question. Click the "read more" link for each candidate's full response.

Why are you running for office?

Two Democrats and one Independent kept the discussion civil during a Clean Elections debate Tuesday night, though all three brought up issues with their Republican opponents’ policies.

It’s that time of year to get out and enjoy an entire day picking your favorite pumpkin, eating caramel apples, visiting a petting zoo and ending the night with fireworks and a haunted house. Or, to just take stroll through the pumpkin patch to snap a few photos with your family. Either way, the Valley has it all, and this is your one-stop guide for fall festivities in the East Valley.

A look at key Mesa facts and figures

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (GPCC PAC) has added David Livingston and Rep. Amanda Reeve to its list of 34 endorsements in Arizona Legislature races for the Nov. 6 General Election. Livingston and Reeve join the 32 previously-announced candidates. The Chamber PAC has supported business-friendly candidates in local and state races for more than three decades.

There’s no time like summer to live like a tourist in your own town, soaking up a little art, culture and air-conditioning at local museums. It’s even better when you can do it on the cheap.

Senator and Ahwatukee Foothills resident John McComish was recently endorsed by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee among 35 other candidates for the state legislature.

Martin Sepulveda, Republican candidate for Congressional District 9, announced that former Chandler Vice Mayor and current LD 20 Rep. Bob Robson endorsed him for Congress. LD 20 is an integral part of the new district, encompassing Ahwatukee Foothills, part of Tempe and part of Chandler.

Like a lot of kids, Jennifer White grew up with pets.