It used to be when you got a room full of mayors from East Valley cities together a fight might break out. It was like they were maneuvering for the same slice of pie. These days a darn love fest happens when they come together. All they need are flowers in their hair.

Three term state Sen. Al Melvin announced Monday he intends to run for governor this coming year.

“There ain’t nothin’ more powerful than the odor of mendacity!”

A man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend in front of her 2-year-old daughter in a Tempe parking lot is scheduled to be sentenced.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman are teaming up on Oct. 5 to introduce Republican U.S. House candidate Vernon Parker to voters in the southeast Valley portion of the new 9th Congressional District.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said the United States has to bolster ties with Mexico — including recognizing the benefits of migrant labor — or get used to the idea of China setting the international agenda on its own terms.

PEORIA -- Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said the United States has to bolster ties with Mexico -- including recognizing the benefits of migrant labor -- or get used to the idea of China setting the international agenda on its own terms.

Mark Mitchell has been sworn in as the new mayor of Tempe.

Tempe will swear in Mayor-elect Mark Mitchell and three councilmen in a ceremony on July 2 that will be followed by a reception. Mitchell is a 12-year veteran of the City Council who won a narrow election bid against restaurant owner Michael Monti.

The developer of an affordable housing project along the Metro light rail line in Tempe has scaled the development back again as it tries to win over opponents from two historic neighborhoods.

Tempe is considering a $10.5 million bond election this November to help fund the replacement of the rubber dams at Tempe Town Lake.

Tempe will increase its property tax rate next year, but the city expects the typical homeowner will pay about the same tax bill as this year because of falling property values. The City Council agreed on Thursday to continue with a policy that generates the same amount of the secondary property tax revenue for the city every year, even if that means adjusting the rate to compensate for shifting home values.

As the polls closed and ballots were counted, Tempe’s mayoral race paused Tuesday night with a giant question mark. With the race too close to call, and mail-in and other ballots yet to be tallied, candidates Michael Monti and Mark Mitchell would have to wait to see who would replace Hugh Hallman and become the city’s next elected leader.

Tempe voters will elect a new mayor Tuesday following a mudslinging, divisive battle that Michael Monti and Mark Mitchell have waged in their bids for office.

Tempe Leadership is hosting its fifth annual Conversations in Leadership on May 22, featuring outgoing Mayor Hugh Hallman along with the mayor-elect that will have been chosen a week earlier. During the event, Hallman will evaluate his eight years as mayor. And attendees will hear either Michael Monti’s perspective as a business owner or Mark Mitchell’s viewpoint from his time on the City Council. The participants will discuss their roles in leadership along with the past, present and future of Tempe.

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman will participate in the Lodestar Home Run on Sunday at the Phoenix Zoo to bring attention to the issue of homelessness in the Valley. This year’s honorary chair, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is also running. The event starts at 7 a.m.

Tempe is holding its annual Neighborhood Workshop and Awards event on April 28, which includes three free workshops. Mayor Hugh Hallman and the City Council will present awards, including neighbor of the year. The city will hold workshops on what’s happening in downtown, building community through art and 72-hour disaster preparedness.

Leave the car in the garage and hop on your bike for Tempe’s 21st annual Bike to Work Day on Wednesday.

Arizona State University plans to tear down a chunk of Sun Devil Stadium — either in stages or all at once — to replace it with a fabric-covered venue.

Arizona State University plans to tear down a chunk of Sun Devil Stadium — either in stages or all at once — to replace it with a fabric-covered venue.

A developer plans to break ground on a 10-story office tower along Tempe Town Lake this year in what is one of the first major office projects to be built in the East Valley since the recession began four years ago.

Best Buddies Arizona will host their inaugural Friendship Walk to celebrate the relationships that have been cultivated and bring awareness to the lives that are affected every day through the organization.

About 800 people are expected to take part in the inaugural Friendship Walk, scheduled for Saturday, March 31, benefiting best Buddies Arizona.