When it comes to improving our community and helping people in need, Mesa has no shortage of role models. That’s what makes Susan Carland’s selection for Mesa United Way’s Ross N. Farnsworth Spirit of Mesa Award so special.

SHANGHAI — China's biggest city and financial hub is known for designer boutiques and fine dining. Yet wallet-draining Shanghai also offers activities that cost nothing, from walking on the riverfront Bund to sculpture parks and historic sites. Here are five of them.

Regressive thinkers like Paul Ryan and Harvard economists Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff, who just had their invalid austerity facts exposed by three researchers from UMass, are running scared now. So scared, in fact, that they are talking CRAZY.

The Medicaid expansion plan approved by the Senate late Thursday is pretty much dead on arrival at across the courtyard, House Speaker Andy Tobin said Friday.

A “Celebration of Life” service to honor respected educator and leader among state high school sports circles Art Wagner is scheduled for Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert.

The enigma of Justin Upton was in full display during his recent three-day return to Chase Field.

Wayne Brown spent decades working to improve Mesa, from its arts programs to its financial standing. Under his leadership on the city council and as mayor, the city saw a new spring training facilities built, a new convention center created and the establishment of the Mesa Arts Center.

In an historic move, a group of Republican senators united with Democrats Thursday to approve the plan by Gov. Jan Brewer to sharply expand the state's Medicaid program.

Here is a collection of thoughts and stories from those who've crossed paths (personally or professionally) with former Higley district athletic director Art Wagner, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 15.

A Senate panel approved $82 million in inflation aid for public schools -- and then voted, in essence, never to give back hundreds of millions more that they've shorted schools for the last four years.

It is with a heavy heart that the City of Mesa announces the passing of Mayor Wayne Brown on Tuesday, May 14. Brown served as Mayor from 1996 to 2000. He also served as a Councilmember from 1968 to 1976.

Higley Unified School District athletic director Art Wagner, 43, was found dead near Higley High School Wednesday morning, according to the Gilbert Police Department. Police say the matter is still under investigation, but believe Wagner died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Is the SRP monopoly spending thousands of advertising dollars (consumer electrical power payments) to promote SRP or to promote Mayor Scott Smith’s run for governor?”

School districts in the East Valley are working the numbers to figure how much they will have to pay utilities, pay teachers next year or spend on textbooks.

Debbie Frazier wants her two children to grow up appreciating the outdoors. So she introduced them to hiking before they could walk.

At one time, the community of Gilbert had a great reputation. It had great schools and a proud economic future that led to Gilbert being one of the best communities to live in in the United States.

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board failed to approve Tuesday night future discussion about placing a budget override renewal on the November 2013 ballot.

Saying she's run out of patience, Gov. Jan Brewer will veto any bills sent to her until she sees movement on a new state budget and her pet Medicaid expansion project.

Expect More Arizona, a statewide education advocacy organization dedicated to raising education expectations in Arizona announced four Excellence Tour Spotlight award winners during an event held on Tuesday, including Mesa's Great Hearts Academies. According to a release, "the Phoenix finalists for the Expect More Excellence Tour demonstrate and celebrate what Arizonans are doing today to elevate world-class education in the community."

Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers, Dignity Health Members, each received the Partner for Change award by Practice Greenhealth, an industry leader and nonprofit organization that recognizes healthcare facilities for going above and beyond in keeping and maintaining a “green” workplace.

Facing a recalcitrant Senate president, Gov. Jan Brewer said Monday she is working instead with individual lawmakers in her bid to expand the state's Medicaid program that may need to bypass Andy Biggs.

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t need this.

As “Opponents of Brewer’s Medicaid plan speak out” it rapidly becomes obvious that they are obsessed with forcing their personal, misguided value systems on we citizens.