It’s May. Memorial Day and the end of the school year are in sight. Suddenly, you’re thinking about a summer vacation. A little advance planning — and some insider tips — can save you a lot of money. Whether you’re booking airfare, a car rental or a hotel room, there are questions you should ask first.

The Department of Administration reports Arizona’s jobless rate last month was 7.9 percent. That’s the third straight month at that level.

The Arizona Baseball Coaches Association has released its All-State teams for each of the four divisions.Three area players were honored.

Memorial Day symbolizes the start of summer for you and your pet. Before you start planning trips to the beach and summer getaways, keep in mind that it’s important to plan ahead for pet travel and always keep the best interests of your furry, four-legged friends in mind.

Arizona’s economic recovery is flattening out statewide, with job growth outside the Phoenix metro area for this year and next predicted to be anemic.

For the past two years, Desert Vista High School teacher Debra Benedict has seen her students grow in writing, leadership and in their understanding of the issues within education.

Arizona's economic recovery is flattening out statewide, with job growth outside the Phoenix metro area for this year and next predicted to be anemic.

Along with Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Iron Man 3” is one of the rare superhero threequels that doesn’t disappoint. While Jon Favreau remains an executive producer and co-star, he passes on the directorial duties to Shane Black of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Black maintains all the action, humor, and character development that made Faverau’s first two films so enjoyable, while also incorporating his own unique signature. His film continues to raise the stakes and pushes its characters to their critical limits. In addition, “Iron Man 3” makes some hilarious commentary on the media’s role in terrorism with several inspired twist. The result is the darkest of the “Iron Man” trilogy and, ironically, the funniest.

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.

Scrambling to find votes for her Medicaid expansion plan, Gov. Jan Brewer said Thursday she is now willing to approve legislation to stop Planned Parenthood from getting any of the funds.

There are so many reasons for the Legislature to approve Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid that it is hard for me to believe that any elected official would put ideology before the good of their constituents and the state of Arizona.

The adage “truth is stranger than fiction” is proven in “The Lost Wife,” by Alyson Richman. She has succeeded in blending both for an unforgettable reading experience.

Phoenix Conservatory of Music received a three-year $120,000 grant to support its City Music Program from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The Phoenix Conservatory of Music’s City Music Program is a free college preparatory program for grades 4-12.

Domestic violence is a problem that hits all neighborhoods.

Cherokee is a 5-year-old parti-colored purebred Pomeranian. He has a stunning long coat and great teeth. Cherokee is very social and playful, he loves children, is great with other dogs but not cats. He is housebroken, although, he needs a refresher course in potty training. He listens well and is a talker in return. He also great on a leash. Cherokee weighs 10 pounds, is neutered, current on vaccinations and has a microchip.

Homeowners associations are tasked with the unenviable responsibility of maintaining community standards. Personal property appearances, landscape maintenance and dog refuse in common areas fall within their purview; apparently so do banners advertising local businesses.

One arrived before Rudy Valee and the other a year before The Beatles, but together they made beautiful music in nurturing a piece of Ahwatukee that spanned the decades between the roaring ‘20s and this year’s cold winter rains.

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

When it comes to health care, the saying “you get what you pay for” doesn’t always apply. Sometimes, particularly in the realm of end-of-life care, “less is more.”

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona PIRG Education Fund (formerly New Jersey’s and Illinois’ PIRG executive director), fails to mention (“SRP needs to provide vision, advance energy efficiency,” AFN, March 29) that Salt River Project (SRP) meets and exceeds all FERC, NERC, and EPA (FED government agencies) regulations and SRP provides lower utility rates than “regulated utilities” in Arizona.

Wyndsong Designs, an exhibitor at the April 6 and April 20 MACFests in downtown Mesa, is owned and operated by Karin “Kai” Sullivan. She has been a Master Beader, with a focus on spiritual semi-precious wearable art, for more than 30 years. Recently, Kai discovered polymer clay.

As part of their curriculum, Keystone Montessori students in the adolescent program are encouraged to interact with society and make improvements within their community.

While spring has sprung, here in the Valley it is beginning to feel more like summer. And with 100-degree days around the corner, many of us are beginning to think about where we will take refuge from the heat and how high our electric bills will climb.

The state's jobless rate inched down just a bit last month amid weaker than expected showing in retail and health care employment.