The Ahwatukee Foothills News is asking its readers to spare what they can to help keep the tiny paper afloat in the Internet age.One problem — its parent company, Freedom Communications, just pulled the plug on one of its other Valley newspapers after declaring bankruptcy but still had the gaul…

The Goldwater Institute released its annual legislative report card today, and as a whole, our legislators earned a big fat “C” when it comes to “protecting freedom.”…

The Phoenix Police Department has just confirmed to New Times that one of its officers accidentally shot himself at the department’s police academy this morning.As the old saying goes, a Phoenix cop “shot himself in the foot.”(Brief pause for laughter.)…

During a healthcare debate in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, Arizona Congressman John Shadegg called in an expert to try and dissuade legislators from voting for the controversial healthcare bill that just narrowly passed in the house. When we say expert, we mean a 7-month-old baby named Maddie…

The Chandler pastor charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl at the Christ Life Church in Tempe has been formally indicted on similar but separate charges in Parma, Ohio.Joshua O’Bannion, 25, was indicted on four counts of sexual battery and three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.The…

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been entirely unhelpful in allowing the media to properly report just about anything regarding the nun murdered in New Mexico over the weekend.Last week the bureau told us the murdered nun’s car was found somewhere in Arizona — two days later it told us…

For about four months, Yuma resident Anthony Avalos was your typical high school student. He went to class, chased some tail, and played basketball. So, when Yuma Union High School District officials found out that Avalos was actually a 22-year-old man, not a 17- or 18-year-old high school senior, it goes…

Can you believe it? Terry Goddard actually made a pivotal decision — sort of. He’s exploring running for governor.The avoid-the-issue attorney general filed paperwork this morning to form an exploratory committee to see if he should officially seek the state’s top office — he’s “tweeting” about it, too.”Today I will file…

A 19-year-old Tucson man awaiting sentencing for a fatal crash got busted driving under the influence — again. After being convicted on October 30 of driving with an illegal drug in his system and leaving the scene after causing a fatal crash, Pima County Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini let Miguel Rodriguez…

Sheriff Joe seems to have mistaken a campaign event for a candidate for sheriff in Orange County, California, for a taping of Def Comedy Jam — Def Comedy Jam with protestors.  …

A candidate for sheriff in Orange County, California, has recruited the help of “America’s [self-proclaimed] toughest sheriff” in his bid to win a June election.This afternoon, Arpaio is in the OC at a fundraiser for one of the county’s candidates for sheriff, Lieutenant Bill Hunt.Arpaio will be speaking on behalf of…

The FBI announced this morning that it has made an arrest in the case of the nun murdered in New Mexico over the weekend — and that’s about it. For some reason, the FBI is not revealing any details about the person arrested, other than the suspect was picked up…

What do you call a dog with two legs? Who cares, it still won’t come when it’s called (badop-ching).Yet the Arizona Humane Society has got itself a 6-week-old female chihuahua that needs a little help.”Rue,” as staffers are calling the pooch, was born with only its two hind legs and…

Big bonuses for execs of failing companies seems to be the common theme in business culture these days, and the East Valley Tribune and its parent company, Freedom Communications, apparently are no exception.The Trib will cease to be after December 31, putting an end to a newspaper that thrived for more than…

Self-help guru and “Spiritual Warrior” James Ray, the focus of a homicide investigation stemming from the deaths of three people in a sweat lodge ceremony near Sedona, has put his house up for sale. Ray was also named in two lawsuits filed last week, both stemming from the sweat tent debacle –…

We’re sure the anticipation has been killing you, but the word around the water cooler is that Governor Jan is expected to announce her candidacy for a full term as governor tonight…

This is the pouting face of 21-year-old Sean Sexton. Tempe police say Sexton was standing outside of a check-cashing store near Southern and Mill avenues October 28 firing an Airsoft rifle at the store’s windows…

Last month, about 10,000 copies of the University of Arizona’s student newspaper were stolen from various newsstands across the university. They were found the next day, dumped in various locations on the outskirts of the campus.You may be wondering “why the hell would anyone steal 10,000 free student newspapers?” If…

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors thinks it may have solved its photo-radar problem. Sorry, they’re not getting rid of the damn things, they’re just going to charge you more if you ignore the ticket, as many often do.After a brief hearing this morning, the board voted to approve an…

Attention Phoenix motorists: When you hit a person with your car, you need to stop.This public-service announcement comes because in less than two weeks, a teenager and a 62-year-old woman were each hit by multiple cars and in each case, only one person stopped…

There are few things in the world more maddening than having your luggage lost when traveling and even fewer things more cathartic than going berserk on the airline representative when he or she tells you it may never be found.Phoenix police yesterday managed to track down more than 1,000 pieces of…