Phoenix Blog

An analysis released Monday by the Office of Management and Budget shows that legal disputes between Maricopa county officials cost taxpayers about $1.1. million in fees. In the past year, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, County Treasurer Charles Hoskins, and the Board of Supervisors have battled in court...Albert Thomas Rogers, the superintendent of a Tucson-area school district, was arrested on charges relating to the sexual exploitation of minors. Rogers had paid for a "tour" in Mexico that allegedly included intimate relations with a teenage boy...Rapper Dwayne Carter, better known as Lil Wayne, will appear in a Yuma court for a hearing related to weapon and drug possession charges. He was arrested at a border checkpoint in January, 2008, and previously pleaded not guilty to all charges...A bill that would have prohibited drivers from sending text messages while driving has been shot down in the Arizona Senate. The Senate also rejected a bill that would make smoking in cars containing minors illegal, but passed a bill calling for booster seats in cars for children ages 5 to 8...The auction date for the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes has been set for August 5, and Chicago Bulls and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf plans to bid for the team, according to his attorney...The College of William & Mary in Virginia is looking for a mascot, and ideas include an asparagus. Teams will be called the Tribe, and the person who suggested asparagus says if served with cheese, the vegetable will match school colors.

County officials spent at least $1.1 million suing each other

Ariz. district superintendent charged in child sex