Deal linked to 3 mental evaluations of boy who killed dad

Arizona Republic (Phoenix) Nov 30, 08 10:33 AM CST
(Newser)
-
An 8-year-old Arizona boy who is accused of shooting his father and a tenant to death is considering a plea deal in the double killing, reports the Arizona Republic . "We would have to decide if that's something in our client's best interest, and it's too early to be able to say that," said the boy's attorney.
More »
Boy swore 1,000th spanking would be last: police

Arizona Republic (Phoenix) Nov 27, 08 2:20 PM CST
(Newser)
-
An 8-year-old Arizona boy charged with murdering his father and a family friend may have kept a written tally of his parents’ spankings, swearing that the 1,000th would be the last, the Arizona Republic reports. Police records say the boy “is believed to have made ledgers and or communicated in the form of writings about his intentions.”
More »
His advisers begin setting up a political action committee

Associated Press Nov 18, 08 7:14 PM CST
(AP)
-
Sen. John McCain, whose presidential bid was snuffed out two weeks ago by Barack Obama, is setting up a political action committee as a first step in running for a fifth term in the Senate. A McCain spokesperson said the 72-year-old Arizona senator decided with his senior advisers tonight to set up the fundraising PAC. The spokesperson spoke anonymously because the decision had not yet been made public.
More »
Investigators still stunned by 8-year-old's killing of his dad and neighbor

New York Times Nov 11, 08 2:40 AM CST
(Newser)
-
An 8-year-old killer methodically stopped and reloaded a .22 caliber rifle at least eight times as he repeatedly shot his own dad and a neighbor, the New York Times reports. Investigators have discovered no motive for the disturbing murders last week. The Arizona boy, who confessed to the shootings, appears to have suffered no physical or sexual trauma.
More »
Police say youth shot his father and another man at home

Arizona Republic (Phoenix) Nov 8, 08 10:27 AM CST
(Newser)
-
An Arizona 8-year-old soon will be charged with the premeditated murder of his father and a boarder at his home, the Arizona Republic reports. The two men were found shot to death at the family residence Wednesday in the small town of St. Johns, and the boy was near the scene. “This is precedent-setting,” the police chief said. “We're going to charge an 8-year-old with two counts of homicide.”
More »
Woman runs mile with animal's jaws clamped into her arm
Daily Courier (Prescott, Ariz.) Nov 6, 08 3:09 PM CST
(Newser)
-
An Arizona woman ran about a mile with a rabid fox’s jaws clamped around her arm, the Prescott Daily Courier reports. A fox attacked Michelle Felicepta, 30, while she was jogging Monday, biting deeply into her arm. Knowing the fox would need to be tested, she ran the mile back to her car, choking the animal still chewing on her arm.
More »
Even Mondale won his home state

Arizona Republic (Phoenix) Oct 29, 08 12:31 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
One Arizona poll indicates that the presidential race is within 2 percentage points in John McCain’s home state, the Arizona Republic reports. McCain leads 46% to 44%, but the 3-point margin of error makes the race a toss-up, according to the Arizona State University poll. Republicans have an edge on Democrats in registered voters in Arizona, but the large pool of independents is going overwhelmingly for Obama.
More »
McCain, Obama declare their love for the outdoors in nature mag

Chicago Tribune Sep 17, 08 5:05 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Barack Obama and John McCain will talk fishing and hunting in the October issue of Field & Stream magazine. (Coincidentally or not, the cover feature implores readers to “Find Your Bull,” the Swamp notes.) In the interview, both candidates profess to be big fans of the outdoors, with McCain recalling fishing and hiking in Arizona, Obama describing spearfishing in Hawaii.
More »
Critics say fence design ignores environment

Associated Press Aug 25, 08 3:51 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Environmentalists say the US border-security fence is to blame for water backups in southwestern Arizona and Mexico, where steel-mesh panels meant to keep illegal immigrants out are getting clogged with flood debris, the AP reports. Critics are focusing their attacks on Homeland Defense Secretary Michael Chertoff, who waived environmental laws three times to meet the year-end deadline for the 670-mile fence.
More »
Voting absences, political conflict may stall huge Solana plan

Politico Jul 30, 08 2:50 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
A plan to construct the world’s largest solar plant in Arizona could be in jeopardy due in part to voting absences and political reluctance by John McCain, Politico reports. The fate of the nearly 2,000-acre plant hinges on energy tax credits that are due to expire—credits funded by increased taxes on business, which McCain is hesitant to support.
More »
Candidate shores up support as shift in demographics pushes home state into play

New York Times Jul 24, 08 7:12 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Al Gore's 2000 loss of Tennessee aside, normally a presidential candidate can expect to win his home state relatively easily. But this month John McCain, a full press retinue in tow, made a campaign stop in Arizona, shaking hands and encouraging volunteers to get out the vote. As the New York Times writes, Arizona's demographics are changing, and McCain's own campaign now lists the state he's served for more than 25 years as one of its battlegrounds.
More »
Libertarian Barr seen into GOP candidate's rightward flank

Washington Independent Jul 11, 08 12:36 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
A new online poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain 42%-39% in the Republican’s home state of Arizona. Libertarian hopeful Bob Barr is playing a sizable spoiler role, the Washington Independent reports, with 7% of Arizona voters giving him their backing—including 16% who call themselves very conservative. (Independent Ralph Nader claims 2%, and 5% are undecided.)
More »
It takes 6,000 workers to keep park visitors safe

NPR Jul 1, 08 6:15 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Every day from before dawn until around midnight, a staff of thousands unites to keep the Grand Canyon in good condition and its 4.4 million annual visitors safe. NPR travels to the iconic destination to see how it works. "I hope that you are not imagining a pony ride at Disneyland," warns a mule manager about the steep trip down the canyon.
More »
Helicopters crash as both near Flagstaff hospital with patients

Associated Press Jun 30, 08 4:50 AM CDT
(AP)
-
Six people were killed yesterday when a medical helicopter ferrying a patient crashed into another chopper with a patient as they headed for the same northern Arizona hospital. Three people in each chopper—including the pilots and the patients—were killed and a nurse was critically injured. An explosion in one of the helicopters after the crash also injured two emergency workers responding to the accident.
More »