Northwest Fire District’s governing board approved a contract for Michael J. Brandt to become its fire chief, dropping the “interim” from his current title when the two-year contract kicks in on May 28.

On paper, J.J. Abrams’ 2009 “Star Trek” is one of those movies that should have crashed and burned. A reboot of a beloved franchise with younger, lesser-known actors stepping into the shoes of an iconic cast of characters. The fact that Abrams went on record stating that he was never a huge “Star Trek” fan didn’t bode well either. Against all odds, though, Abrams not only produced a great “Star Trek” picture, but quite possibly the best “Star Trek” ever made. That’s right, even better than “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” 

According to a CNN report, President Barack Obama comes out of what is likely the worst week of his presidency with his approval rating holding steady, according to a new national poll.

According to a CBS report this morning, Irate lawmakers accused the acting IRS commissioner of misleading them about the agency's selective scrutiny of tea party-affiliated groups, demanding to know who was responsible and why no one told Congress.

MR. CARNEY:  Thanks for joining us on this quick trip to New York City.  You heard, obviously, the President today in his press conference with the Prime Minister.  So I hope that you found that helpful and useful, but I am here also to take your questions.  Anybody have anything?

According to a USA Report, investigations are likely after an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) official dropped a bombshell on Friday, saying they singled out the Tea Party and other political organizations during the 2012 election.

(NAPSI)—There’s good news for those who are tired of giving dad a new version of the same old tie for Father’s Day.

(NewsUSA) - After 18 years spent leaping over regulatory hurdles and sputtering in political gridlock, the first genetically modified animal intended for human consumption is one critical step closer to receiving federal approval.

Marana resident Beverly Hall needed no reminder that David, her husband of 34 years, had passed away two weeks prior.

Your editorial, “What can we really do?”, disappointed me for its pessimism. While many people who are discouraged by our political process and remain silent in resignation, that reaction is short-sighted and wrong.

“Creating a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million unauthorized immigrants in this country is essential. The way we treat our friends and neighbors who are undocumented – by creating a mechanism for them to earn citizenship and move out of the shadows – transcends the issue of immigration status. This is a matter of civil and human rights. It is about who we are as a nation. And it goes to the core of our treasured American principle of equal opportunity.” Eric Holder, Attorney General (4/24/2013)

It was interesting to see the response The Explorer got last week after my editorial on what we citizens can really do to reach our elected officials. While I am deeply concerned with seemingly not having a voice unless we have enough money, I am not encouraging any residents to stop trying by any means. I still work to contact my elected officials and I always will, even if at times I feel it seems pointless.

Canyon Del Oro senior Trevor Dickerson wasn’t quite sure what he was getting himself into when he decided to campaign to become the National Western Regional Vice President of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA).

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R – Ariz., visited Basis Oro Valley today to discuss issues affecting Arizonans and the nation.

For the first time in more than 40 years, graduating University of Arizona Wildcats will gather at Arizona Stadium to celebrate their transition from hardworking students to proud alumni.

(StatePoint) With more women rising to top positions in business and government, the topic of women and their capacity for leadership has been all the buzz in the media lately.

Last month my organization, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, launched a statewide campaign to raise awareness of the continuing problem of corporate welfare and special interest handouts being pursued at the state legislature. In particular, we want voters to be informed when their lawmakers are more interested in helping out politically-connected industries and lobbyists than hard-working taxpayers.

Even though Dave Safier writes “Say yes to expanding Medicaid”. On the surface this expansion of Medicaid looks like a no-brainer to many. 200,000+ Arizonans become eligible for coverage; 90 percent of the cost is covered by the feds; the remaining 10% paid through a hospital tax, which is supported by the hospitals who will supposedly see a greatly reduced demand for free services.

This week we had another fake sequester caused cutback. This cut was to Medicare services. The cut is real enough- however, it is not the result of sequestration cuts. The U. S. Government has as much money in the budget today as it had three months ago. The sequester cuts only affect the amount of the increase the government wanted. 

(NewsUSA) - There's something to be said for the media gurus who immerse themselves in the whole industry. Multi-media mogul Armstrong Williams began as a South Carolina high schooler with an aptitude for public speaking and wound up hosting a daily radio show and nationally syndicated TV program, "The Right Side With Armstrong Williams."

After U.S. Senators voted against a bill that would have increased background check requirements, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wrote the following opinion piece for the New York Times on April 17.

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