PHOENIX -- Some GOP lawmakers are threatening to torpedo the budget being pushed by their own leaders if $400 million in planned spending is not cut across the board.

Pima Community College Continuing Education, in partnership with SparkFun Electronics, is offering a workshop for educators as part of the SparkFun National Education Tour, a mobile teaching initiative to convey the benefits of electronics education to teachers in every state across the U.S. 

(StatePoint) Whether you’re a technophobe who is reluctant to make new purchases, or you warmly embrace every trend, you may be excited to hear about user-friendly innovations, such as touch screen computers, that can make life easier and more fun:

Marana’s proximity to the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas makes it one of the better-positioned communities in the state. With Interstate 10, the Union Pacific Railroad and two airports within the town’s borders and planning area, Marana has become a hub for people wanting to live or do business in Southern Arizona.

AGENDA

(BPT) - The process of finding employment has quietly undergone an evolution. Job seekers are discovering that many positions are not posted to the public. In fact, the online career guidance resource Quintessential Careers reports that only 15 to 20 percent of available jobs post to newspapers, online job boards or employment agencies.

They roam the remotest corners of the world, scale the highest mountains and descend deep into the Earth.

(NAPSI)--For many high school graduates, the path to a professional career will take them to technical schools and community colleges, where they can be trained for good-paying jobs in as little as two years.

Veteran community college leader Lee D. Lambert today was named chancellor of Pima Community College.

(StatePoint) For families, summertime is all about active fun -- from vacations to ballgames, and fireworks to poolside picnics. But being on-the-go can mean lots of downtime in transit and waiting for activities to start.

The football coaches evidently can’t wait until August for their first showdown of the year.

Gov. Jan Brewer today appointed attorneys Sean Earl Brearcliffe, Michael Joseph Butler and Brenden James Griffin to the Pima County Superior Court.

Throughout his time at Canyon Del Oro High School and in working toward his degree from the University of Arizona, Clark Jewett’s life has slowly been preparing him for this month. On May 17 and 18, his musical will be performed at Fox Theatre.

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.

(BPT) - College students interested in the Navy can focus on their academic careers while eliminating much of the financial burden of paying for school. With more than 160 colleges and universities across the United States offering Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) programs, students have many opportunities to finish a degree without going into overwhelming debt and have a career as a Navy Officer ready and waiting upon graduation.

After forming an exploratory committee to consider running for governor, Sen. Al Melvin, R-District 11, is confident that his bold ideas could lead him to the state’s top position in 2014.

(BPT) - Parents have never been more crunched for time. Balancing work demands with parental duties is complex – 56 percent of working moms and 50 percent of working dads say they find it very or somewhat difficult to balance these responsibilities, according to a 2013 report about modern parenthood from the Pew Research Center. But just because you’re time strapped doesn’t mean you need to stress when it comes time to host after-school activities or weekend gatherings with friends and family. With a few key strategies, even impromptu parties are a snap to pull together.

Several years ago, the idea was hatched to have Canyon Del Oro High School students build a home from a cargo shipping container. Now, after most of the legal hoops have been jumped through and the plans are nearly finalized, physical construction can begin.

THEATER

It is now that time of year, the dreaded (or maybe loved) summer. In Tucson, we will be expecting temperatures well into the one-hundred plus region. We will go through sweltering heat, little to no cloud coverage, and burning winds, now this just seems awful. Many people may think to themselves, “Why would anyone want to do anything out in this heat?” Luckily for those of us who are a little braver to the summer heat, there is plenty fun to be had and entertainment to find. Tucson has a hidden little secret that may take some time for non-natives to realize, we have some of the best outdoor events you could ask for. If you take a drive out to Houghton and I-10, you may be surprised to see a growing figure out in the distance. No, that’s not a mirage; this small oasis of fun is real. Starting April 18 and running until April 28, the Pima County Fair graces us with droves of rides, entertainment, food, and fun for your whole family to enjoy, a place to “Get Your Fun On!” .

 The Marana Unified School District announces the selection of Denise Coronado as principal at MCAT High School.

(BPT) - As existing home sales continue to climb and housing prices increase, remodeling is also on the rise, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Owners of older homes are investing more in home improvement projects that add beauty and value, especially with environmentally friendly products.

Pima Community College has officially responded to a letter from Higher Learning Commission President Sylvia Manning – a letter that called for the college to be placed on probation for failure to adhere to the HLC Criteria for Accreditation. 

In a letter sent last week to the Higher Learning Commission, the staff of Pima Community College is promising to address concerns brought forward by the Commission during an investigation that examined the school’s compliance with Criteria for Accreditation.