In an effort to increase efficiency and turnaround time, the Biology Unit at the Mesa crime lab, which analyzes DNA, switched to an electronic system as of January 2013.

Q: My son’s laptop was stolen from his college dorm during a party and he had the Find My Mac system setup on it, so he was able to track it to an apartment complex nearby. The problem is that the police said that they need more information to go on as they can’t just start knocking on all the apartment doors. What else can we do? — B

It was no surprise a 20-year-old man was arrested over the weekend for stabbing another man at the Country Thunder music festival in Pinal County. News reports tell of an argument escalating into violence. I’d bet excessive and criminal alcohol consumption played a part in this crime.

NEW YORK — Recent high-profile attacks on tourists in India, Brazil, Turkey and Mexico — including rapes — have raised questions about personal safety for overseas travel, especially for women. But frequent travelers and those who work in the industry say a few common-sense precautions can go a long way to ensuring personal safety.

WASHINGTON — This may be the year Congress decides what to do about the millions of immigrants living illegally in the U.S. And this may be the week when a bipartisan group of senators makes public details of the overhaul plan it has been negotiating for months.

Now that the Chicago Cubs have secured a spring-training home in Mesa well into the future, the East Valley will soon welcome to the area the first of possibly many in a long line of Windy City favorites: Portillo’s Hot Dogs.

Q: Is a VPN the safest way to use an unsecured (public) Wi-Fi connection? Are there other ways to stay safe? Are there any free VPNs out there for personal use? — Kevin

Setting bold new standards for digital searches, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that customs agents need "reasonable suspicion'' a crime has occurred before delving into the hidden files on someone's computer.

In a tree along the Salt River, a male bald eagle feeds its two chicks a fish just pulled from the water.

The sequester is giving job seekers the "one-two punch," first in terms of unemployment benefits and second in job training.

Q: I use Microsoft Security Essentials as my “seatbelt” for protection, plus I am as careful as possible. Is this enough or should I get Trend Micro. Not both, right? — Jonathan

Q: Is there an easy way to see if I have a hidden keylogger on my Windows 7 computer before I start doing my taxes? — Don

Q: I’ve heard rumors that there are viruses that can take over your computer and demand a ransom to allow you back in. Can this really happen? — Kris

WASHINGTON — Side by side, leading Democratic and Republican senators pledged Monday to propel far-reaching immigration legislation through the Senate by summer providing a possible path to citizenship for an estimated 11 million people now in the U.S. illegally.

With temperatures finally falling and the holidays near, it’s easy to forget we live in the desert. Reliable water and electricity supplies are the foundations for our thriving metropolitan area.

Q: How do I know if I downloaded the (Facebook Photo Sync) app (by accident)? - Donna

A new report Thursday says the United States is no longer the beacon for illegal immigration that it was when the economy here was expanding rapidly.

Q: Curious what y'all thought about the (Google) Chromebook or if you could point me to a post if you've already covered it. - Cathy

Cyber Monday is a popular day for fast online deals, but it can also be a popular day for quick scams through fraudulent websites.

Q: What is Metadata? And after the scandal of General Petraeus, are our emails private from government agencies? - Jeremy

The state’s top health official said Wednesday there’s a simple, cost-free way to prevent dozens of children from dying each year: Let them sleep alone.

The state's top health official said Wednesday there's a simple, cost-free way to prevent dozens of children from dying each year: Let them sleep alone.

Gov. Jan Brewer is meeting with financial aides Monday to see how much more the state can put into public education.

If you are currently out of the work force or looking for a new job, there are hundreds of employers looking for workers in the Valley. We found these 10 companies and more on Indeed.com , simplyhired.com and jobing.com.