In a seemingly meager attempt to impress, the Vernon Parker Exploratory Committee issued a press release today about some “interesting” new poll results for the 2010 gubernatorial election.Before reading the release, we thought, “Hey, maybe junior’s got a shot.”Then, we read it and were left scratching our heads, wondering why…
Not even a few deaths can keep “spiritual warrior” James Arthur Ray down. The self-help guru says on his Web site that he plans to continue his work “helping” those seeking whatever snake-oil he happens to be selling at the moment…
Rapper Lil’ Wayne for months has been denying charges that he was in possession of an illegal gun back in 2007 in New York City. Well, with the threat of a January trial, “Lil” has changed his tune. Wayne copped a surprise plea deal yesterday that could keep him off of drug- and gun-toting…
Here’s one from the rumor mill: Russell Pearce (above), the state senator from Mesa who’s led the charge against illegal immigration in Arizona, could be appointed head of the state Department of Public Safety. The Phoenix Business Journal and KTAR (92.3 FM) quote anonymous insiders at the state Capitol who…
As many as 20 players from the Mesa High football team might be suspended for violating team rules and miss Friday’s game against Phoenix Maryvale. Mesa High principal Jim Souder and football coach Kelley Moore confirmed the suspensions, but neither would discuss what the infraction was…Arizona’s unemployment funds are running…
Editor’s note: This is one of a group of individual accounts of racial profiling by Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s forces. The bleeding kept her up all night, drenching her black-and-white-striped jail uniform. Alma Chacón feared her baby would arrive early. Her nightmare had started with a traffic stop a day earlier…
As a teacher, we’ve been exhorted to expand our efforts in closing the achievement gap between majority and minority students (read: Anglos and Mexicans). I teach all my students in the best ways that I can for each individual student, within the constraints of a classroom of 20 or more…
OVAH! EASY It’s a win-win for our city: Downtown Phoenix is losing one place [Modified Arts], a very important place, and Tempe is gaining one place [23 West], which has the potential of being a very important place. However, downtown Phoenix is gaining something, too, which, again, has the potential…
For months, as Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio stockpiled his campaign war chest with thousands of dollars from developers and their representatives, the big question at City Hall was whether he’d use his position on the Council to benefit his donors. But now City Hall is abuzz with a new…
OBAMA’S VICTIMS Next time President Barack Obama comes whistling through Ari-bama, we should greet him with a new ditty: “Hail to the Profiler in Chief.” Because for all the highfalutin speechifying, all the promise of change, Obama has waffled on one thing you’d think would be a top priority for…
Tre Fields, a co-captain of the Carl Hayden Community High School Falcons football team, slipped into that place between consciousness and dreaming. A thought rolled into Tre’s mind and stuck. “We are going to win this game.” The 17-year-old senior lineman was resting in bed at his home near 35th…
In the 24-hour news cycle it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times’ blogs. Today’s entries: Feathered Bastard: Easley’s Fun Shop Sells Out of Illegal Alien Costume. Is the Costume Racist? Nah. Up…
I give the MCSO points for trying. Ever since the sheriff’s office cited a non-existent law and text from a nativist Web site to justify its claim of federal authority after being stripped of 287(g) street power by ICE, the MCSO’s been attempting to walk the conversation backwards and extricate themselves from…
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted today to publicly release a legal analysis that explains why County Attorney Andrew Thomas’ request to hire special prosecutors wasn’t being heard. Click here to read the eight-page analysis, which supports the Supervisors’ decision to leave Thomas’ request off the agenda for today’s meeting…
I dialed up the venerable Phoenix costume and party supply store Easley’s Costumes and Fun Shop to see if they had one of the illegal alien outfits currently causing a stir, and if anyone was raising Cain about it. I spoke with one of the owners Carol Easley, and she…
It’s been 50 days since the Maricopa County Elections and Recorders departments sent County Attorney Andrew Thomas notice of possible crimes by top officials at the Sheriff’s Office.The two county agencies believe several laws have probably been broken by the contributors to the infamous SCA fund, many of whom hold the…
At a meeting to discuss whether or not to fire Lake Havasu City Manager Richard Kaffenberger, a member of the City Council had an interesting excuse for how he handles city finances.He’s “just a little Jewish.”At least that’s what Councilman Lee Barnes told the city council members in a special meeting…
Peoria police are looking for a Glendale man of Iraqi extraction who they say ran his car over his own daughter because she was becoming too “westernized.”…
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, tired of being sued by other elected officials, voted today to limit payment of legal fees in lawsuits between county departments. Nine lawsuits filed by county officials against the county, including eight against the Board of Supervisors, have cost taxpayers more than $2 million in…
Last Friday morning, Channel 3 went to Cesar Chavez High School out in Laveen to air bits of an indoor pep rally for the school’s fine football team. The on-air talent handed her microphone to head Coach Jim Rattay, who tried his best (keep your day job as long as they…
The first survivor to speak out about the “spiritual warrior” sweat lodge retreat that took the lives of three people and injured more than a dozen, is saying that the leader of the retreat, self-help guru James Arthur Ray, pushed people too far.Beverley Bunn, a 44-year-old Texas woman who participated…
Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake is in a new battle on Capitol Hill. He is smack dab in the middle of a rousing game of “who’d ya rather,” sponsored by the folks at TMZ.For anyone who may not be a 17-year-old girl and isn’t familiar with the rules of “who’d ya…
