Editor’s note: This is part one of a continuing summer series on the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway.

Bill Richardson presents thoughtful perspectives on our national debate regarding gun control (“How is an illusion going to make us safer?,” AFN, March 22).

State Farm, a Fortune 50 company, is hosting a career fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 20 and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 21 at the Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel, 1600 S. 52nd St. in Tempe.

When Jay Mesinger heard about a study seeking Golden Retrievers to help fight canine cancer, he immediately signed up 2-year-old Louie.

At heart Trevor Neider is a teacher.

K. Alan Holcomb, Esq.

Arizona State University researchers have developed a parenting-after-divorce program that has been found to substantially reduce behavior problems, mental health disorders and substance abuse among children whose parents have divorced. They are now offering the program free to divorced or separated parents, as part of a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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

Want to monitor the Legislature in your pajamas?

NEWTOWN, Conn. — A man opened fire Friday inside the Connecticut elementary school where his mother worked as a teacher, killing 26 people, including 20 children, as youngsters cowered in their classrooms and trembled helplessly to the sound of gunfire reverberating through the building.

I recently saw a post on Facebook from a friend who just became certified to foster. It was a letter from her licensing agency thanking her for her decision to foster and explaining the great need that there is now for adults to open their homes to kids in need.

AARP Driver Safety during the month of November will be waiving tuition fees to its classroom course in Arizona and across the country for veterans in recognition of their dedication and commitment to service. The usual cost for taking the course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for nonmembers.

Saturday, Sept. 29

If you’re having a medical emergency, the best thing you can do is get to the nearest hospital.

Mountain Pointe coach Norris Vaughan knows that his team has been through a brutal stretch and to this point has come through unscathed.

Health insurance isn’t the easiest thing to understand. But if you have Medicare, there’s a variety of help resources you can turn to.

No business owner wants to hear that a government agency is coming to inspect their workplace — whether it’s the USDA, the EPA or the IRS. But if there was a government agency that could help save money, improve productivity and increase employee morale — free of charge — businesses just might be interested.

Jeffrey Trzepkowski’s dream is to create and produce his own cartoon show.

Paris • Recessions around the world have pushed a growing number of young people out of education and out of the workforce, according to a report Tuesday that warned of growing danger for “the traditional pathway from school to work or family life.”

Lynn Hennessy has moved her State Farm insurance office to 4645 E. Chandler Blvd., at the southwest corner of 48th Street and Chandler Boulevard in the Kohl’s Center next to Arriba’s. Her contact info will remain the same.

Most of us have learned as we’ve gotten older that life doesn’t always turn out the way we planned. That may be good or bad depending upon the situation, but the one positive is that most of us eventually find a way to rebound; and it never hurts to have someone in our corner to help us get back on track as we experience life’s ups and downs.

The recent heat wave and drought across the upper Midwest have taken a toll on some crops, but the weather has helped make some peppers extra-spicy and other vegetables more flavorful. For diners who want to take advantage of extra-hot peppers, here’s a recipe for jalapeno poppers from Milwaukee chef Dan Jacobs.

Arizona ranks fifth worst overall for conditions for children and families, according to the 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The economic recession has taken a terrible toll on children: conditions worsened in seven of the 16 indicators in Arizona since 2005. Despite the tough economic times, Arizona showed improvement in several key areas, including the teen birthrate and the child death rate.

Retail occupancy rates are on the rise Valley-wide, and vacant storefronts in the East Valley are filling up at an even faster pace.