News

Flagstaff, AZ – Earth Notes: Leslie Marmon Silko

Traditional stories "aren't just for entertainment. Don't be fooled," wrote Leslie Marmon Silko in her novel Ceremony. "They are all we have to fight off illness and death.

A key figure in Native American literature, Silko made an early mark at age 29 with the publication of Ceremony. Its main character is, like the author, a person of mixed heritage who returns to New Mexico's Laguna Pueblo to find a greater understanding of the world of her ancestors.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – A House panel took took the first steps Monday to permanently
repealing the state property tax.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – The state Parks Board voted this afternoon to close three parks
to save money. But that isn't the end of the cuts.

McFarland Historic State Park in Florence already is closed to
visitors because the building is in disrepair. The board's vote
directed closure of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson
and Jerome Historic State Park, both of which also require
repairs to buildings.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Some new figures show the state could be in line for more than 4
billion dollars in federal stimulus money. But lawmakers and the governor aren't
sure how much the state can afford to take.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – Arizona Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick has been traveling around the first district talking with her constituents about the federal economic stimulus bill that President Obama signed on Wednesday. She stopped by KNAU's studios Feb. 20. During last fall's campaign, Kirkpatrick opposed the Troubled Assets Relief Program but she did vote for the most recent stimulus bill. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales asked Kirkpatrick what was different about this package.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ –
Peace Surplus owner Steve Chatinski is very careful with his money.

CHATINSKI: I watch every penny that comes in and every penny that goes out.

He says he's always been that way since he and his dad opened the outdoor clothing and equipment store in the mid 70s. He says that's why his store is doing alright. Last month Peace was down 20 percent from the previous January but it was their second best January on record.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – Three more state parks have been added to the list of those that could be closed to balance the budget. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer explains.

By Gillian Ferris Kohl

Flagstaff, AZ – Today, President Obama will address a public audience in Mesa. He's expected to discuss the state's budget and foreclosure crisis. Yesterday, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was in Flagstaff doing much the same thing. The governor was on somewhat of a fact-finding mission, surveying Arizona's rural communities for solutions to the budget crisis. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl was able to sit down, briefly, with Governor Brewer yesterday to talk about some of those solutions.

By Howard Fischer

Phoenix, AZ – The Department of Economic Security continues to make cuts in the
services it provides. But some Republican lawmakers are questioning how that list
got prepared.

By Daniel Kraker

Flagstaff, AZ – President Obama unveiled his 75 billion dollar foreclosure prevention plan Wednesday in Mesa. Arizona has been hit especially hard by the housing crunch. And while most of the pain so far has been felt in the Phoenix area, foreclosures are on the rise in northern Arizona. Arizona Public Radio's Daniel Kraker spoke with Devonna McGlaughlin, assistant director of the nonprofit affordable housing group Both Hands.