We have defended Wal-Mart when its property rights have been attacked by governments and activists. But the retail behemoth deserves criticism when it uses its immense clout to itself manipulate government. An example of the latter is being advanced by Wal-Mart’s CEO, H. Lee Scott Jr.

After subscribing to the Tribune and its Valley and national competitors for many years, I can honestly say the Tribune, for its size, is proportionately superior in content and the technical online services. The competitor’s $28.50 + tip/month for printed and online service; the Tribune, gratis.

Soha Ghanian is a high school senior at Horizon Community Learning Center in Ahwatukee Foothills. She is one of only three semifinalists representing the state of Arizona in the natural and international Siemens Science Competition. Her winning project involved using neural stem cells to treat EAE, an animal model of multiple sclerosis in transgenic mice.

Registration is open for the 2011 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, a national science research competition for high school students. Registration and submission instructions are available online at www.collegeboard.com/siemens/. The deadline is 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) Oct. 3.

The force is strong with LEGOs, but add “Star Wars” to the bright, plastic building blocks, and their appeal skyrockets to a galaxy far, far away.

What will Arizona’s second century look like? High school seniors who answer that question in an essay or multimedia presentation may win a college scholarship to Arizona State University.

Chandler's Hamilton High School, 3700 S. Arizona Ave., will host the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Arizona Regional Competition 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday.

Aside from breakfast cereal and maybe ice cream, there isn’t much Tyler Whetten won’t douse with hot sauce or salsa. The man is a pepper addict, going through so many jars and bottles of the stuff that he routinely makes his own. The Mesa resident will share his hot and mild salsas Saturday at My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge in Tempe.

The Chandler High School winterguard received first place at Desert Edge High School WinterGuard competition Feb. 21.

Chandler and China are major competitors when it comes to attracting high-dollar technology manufacturing firms like Intel, said Mayor Boyd Dunn.

Scott Winkler looks like a linebacker, his athletic build not diminished by the fact that he is paralyzed from the waist down and is in a wheelchair from an injury he suffered in the Iraq war.

TUCSON - About the only question of any significance facing the Arizona Diamondbacks this spring is how much playing time the returning Eric Byrnes can pry loose in the outfield.