It’s not often art lovers get to see a work in progress let alone contribute to it, but Arizona Opera gives fans the opportunity to do just that this weekend when they present the first reading of “Riders of the Purple Sage” — an original opera based on Zane Grey’s western novel, set on the Arizona-Utah border.

Gov. Jan Brewer refused Thursday to make Arizona the second state in the nation to declare privately minted gold and silver coins, bars and ingots to be legal tender in the state.

So if you think the lines at the grocery store move slowly now, imagine waiting behind someone who wants to pay with a few chunks of gold.

Tyler Viza has the stuff to be No. 1, but the Desert Vista senior right-hander has something else pushing him to be Thunder’s ace.

Rebuffed in his bid for oversight of Colorado City marshals, Attorney General Tom Horne now wants taxpayer funds for another police agency to patrol the polygamous community.

State lawmakers are close to declaring privately minted gold and silver coins to be legal tender in Arizona.

The decision to postpone college for a year has worked out just fine for Robbie Mathers.

Jorge Carrazco was so good Friday he was pitching backwards.

Lane Change is practicing a new song for its set list, Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.” The manager is coaching the vocalists on the harmonies: “This note needs to be higher.” “This part is too early.” “Let’s start from this part.” Then they start at the recognizable chorus.

Parental custody

Twenty years ago, accountant Sharon Lechter decided to devote her career to financial education and literacy after her oldest son graduated from high school and soon fell into credit card debt.

Brian Brady has all the confidence in his son, Dalton, and the latter credited his father for developing him into one of the best wrestlers the state of Arizona has ever seen.

‘Twas not the winter of everyone’s discontent. At least not for all the basketball players, soccer studs and wrestlers who took their shots, saves and takedowns for glory’s sake and found some.

Ahwatukee Foothills resident Dale Baker has been recognized for her work in the field of science, becoming this year’s recipient of the most prestigious award in the field of science education from the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST).

When the Angels signed former National League MVP Albert Pujols before last season the fan base went berserk.

Forty nonprofit representatives recently discussed tax law amendments and education on fraud and embezzlement, which targeted private organizations in 2012, according to a BeachFleischman PC shareholder.

Desert Vista girls volleyball coach Molly West might have summed up the day the best.

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.

Trader Joe’s

Unemployment rates fell below 7 percent in a majority of U.S. cities in November, evidence that steady job gains are benefiting most parts of the country.

That’s Zach with an H.

Calling it a compromise between extremes, Attorney General Tom Horne on Wednesday proposed training and arming the principal or other top administrator at every public school.

If people vote with their feet, then at least a few people last year saw Arizona as a land of opportunity.