(BPT) - The last few years have brought record destruction from natural disasters. While disasters such as Hurricane Isaac, Superstorm Sandy or the Oklahoma tornadoes are tragic and unavoidable, there is value in being prepared for the challenges Mother Nature throws our way.

1. POLICE NAME SUSPECT IN SANTA MONICA SHOOTINGS

The University of Arizona's Olympic silver medalist high jumper Brigetta Barrett has been named the Pac-12 Conference Woman of the Year for the 2012-13 academic year, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott has announced.

(BPT) - Most Americans over 50 want to stay in their home as they age, but few are making the renovations they need to ensure easy and comfortable living for years to come.

Running the 5,000-meter, Pima Community College sophomore Caleb Herrera recently represented his school at nationals in Hutchinson, Kan. where he finished in 15th place.

(BPT) - After watching the stock market soar to record highs over the first four months of the year, many investors are wondering if they should make changes to their investment portfolios. Perhaps - but not because of what the stock market has done. Investment decisions based on short-term market moves are often short-sighted. A better approach is to stick to a long-term strategy built on proven investment fundamentals, and aligned with your goals and objectives. Here are six simple steps from Thrivent Financial that can help put your financial plan on the right track.

(BPT) - No matter where you are in your life, you have a lot of decisions to make. When to buy your first house? What school to attend? Is it the right time for a job change? As things change in life, those changes influence your financial decisions, too.

(BPT) - Seventy-nine percent of smartphone users have their phones on or near them all but two hours of the day when they’re awake, according to a recent IDC Research report. For many, smartphone use is now a way of life, making it even more important to think carefully before you choose your next one. Today’s market is competitive, and new phones, such as the BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry Q10, are emerging.

(NAPSI)If youre among the nearly 75 percent of menopausal women who suffer from hot flashes,¹ it can be tough to enjoy the sunny weather worrying about a sudden hot flash in summertime. And since hot weather tends to be a common hot flash trigger,² these sudden feelings of warmth can be exacerbated. But, with just a little planning and preparation you can get on the right track to an enjoyable summer.

(BPT) - The economy is starting to turn around, but competition for open jobs remains fierce. For job hunters, the mental and financial stresses mount every day they remain unemployed. To keep job-search momentum high and attitudes positive, it’s important to follow a few simple steps from the experts.

Have you seen it?  Two older fellas meet for morning coffee in a McDonald’s TV commercial.

The Pima Community College track & field teams competed in the ACCAC Conference Meet No. 2 at Glendale Community College on Saturday.

(NAPSI)—Let’s face it, you can have a truly great safari experience no matter where in Africa you go. But in many ways, who you go with is more important than where you go. For me, whether it’s Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, side trips to Zanzibar or Victoria Falls, or gorilla tracking excursions to Rwanda, my choice of tour operator is always the same—Micato Safaris.

The Marana High School track and field team hosted a meet on April 3 against Sabino and Cienega high schools.  

The Pima Community College track & field team competed in the first day of the Puma Outdoor Distance & Multi-Meet at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix on Thursday.

(BPT) - Making it to the job interview stage means your skill set and resume have caught the interest of a potential employer, who now wants to determine if you’ll be a good fit as an employee of a company. Acing the interview is essential if you want to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

The Pima Community College track and field teams competed in the first ACCAC Conference meet of the season on Saturday at Central Arizona College in Coolidge.

Placing in the top 10 in her age group at the USA Track & Fields Nationals competition in past years, freshmen Cayley Hensley, will be a surprising, new threat to competitors as the new track season takes off for high schools in Tucson.

(BPT) - Resolving to reduce clutter and get better organized seems to be a lingering item on many people’s “to-do” lists, yet for many of us, it can be difficult to get started. While organization is an essential tool for navigating our complex modern lives, many people struggle to find their personal style of organization and a system that works within their busy lives at home, at the office or on-the-go. Just as specific organizational needs vary from person to person, so too do organizational styles.

Many Americans dutifully make New Year’s Resolutions, but unfortunately most get  broken or forgotten before too long. So let’s not call these “New Year’s Financial Resolutions.” Instead, here are 13 smart financial steps that you can take to help get and keep your finances on track in 2013:

(NAPSI)—A positive credit history isn’t just nice to have—it’s a must-have in today’s world. Whether you are trying to rent an apartment, set up cell phone service or utilities, or get the best rates on car insurance, knowing the information in your credit report is essential.

(BPT) - Over the past year, Paula Deen and her sons, Bobby and Jamie, have partnered with Novo Nordisk on Diabetes in a New Light(R), a national initiative to help adults find simple ways to manage everyday challenges associated with type 2 diabetes. Through Diabetes in a New Light(R), they have developed delicious diabetes-friendly recipes and visited cities across the country to meet with those with type 2 diabetes. Below, Paula offers an inside look into the changes she’s been making and how her dedication to diabetes management has yielded big results.

Dozens of students from Mesa Verde Elementary School can now say they know what it feels like to hold an Olympic bronze medal.