LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirty years ago, Dr. Gene Giggleman was a veterinarian who thought chiropractors were quacks. Since then, he says he's straightened out thousands of dogs and cats, not to mention the occasional snake, hamster, gerbil and guinea pig.

What is the job of a rodeo clown? Jump out and distract a raging bull from goring the fallen young fool who tried to ride him. They trick the bull into charging aimlessly about until the ring is cleared and danger averted. Compare these clowns to the ones who write to newspapers with silly analogies and diversions from the issue of universal background checks for gun purchases. What would be the difference?

It’s hard to outgrow that wind-in-your-face freedom that bike riding brings. This weekend’s Great Arizona Bicycle Festival in downtown Mesa seeks to re-capture some of that childlike fun with two days of bike-centric activities along with food, games, and live music.

It’s back! The 35th Annual Cave Creek Fiesta Days Rodeo is gearing up to provide all the Wild West entertainment you could possibly want.

“Old Sparky, new Sparky ... the dude’s about as handsome as Mitch McConnell.”

Enjoy this annual rodeo extravaganza where there’ll be a PRCA rodeo competition, a petting zoo, an RV show, a draft horse show, mutton bustin’ and a whole lot more.

Joe Arpaio is the best sheriff ever in the history of Maricopa County! No, he’s the worst Maricopa County sheriff ever!

Looking for a weekend getaway but don’t want to go far? Head to Wickenburg and take part in the annual cowboy celebration commemorating the city’s mining and ranching heritage.

Looking to occupy kids on winter break or relatives sticking around through New Year’s? The Arizona National Livestock Show, the largest of its kind in the Southwest, according to organizers, and an annual Phoenix tradition since 1948, takes place Dec. 27-31 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds.

As the saying goes, ‘The third time round is a charm,’ and the Queen Creek Roots & Boots Rodeo is gearing up for another exciting event March 7-10. Participants from around the state and across the country are expected to participate. The rodeo will be held at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center located at 20464 E. Riggs Road.

The temperatures are dropping and the thought of being outside is actually pleasant, making it an ideal time to experience Gilbert Days — a four-day extravaganza with a rodeo, carnival, dance and community parade celebrating the town’s western roots.

More than 700 are expected to participate in the annual running of the bulls in Cave Creek.

When principal Ray Mercado arrived at Gilbert Elementary School three years ago, he set about making improvements.

A look at key Gilbert facts and figures

Whether you want to explore a classy art festival or cheer at the ostrich, or even Chihuahua races, the East Valley has it! Let’s take advantage of our Arizona paradise and dance outdoors to live music, indulge during a cook-off, put on our boots for the rodeo and Old West Days, or run foot races.

Arizonans Disappointed With Election Results (ADWER) — an informal coalition which until now was not even named — are back on the ballot this November.

Arizonans Disappointed With Election Results – an informal coalition which until now was not even named – are back on the ballot this November.

A Gilbert man was identified and arrested after stealing a woman's purse while she was loading groceries into her vehicle late Sunday night.

Each year, as forest fires rage across the state, it’s heartbreaking to see thousands of trees consumed by flames. Just a few months ago, the Gladiator Fire blazed through more than 16,000 acres in the Prescott National Forest; and last year, the Wallow Fire destroyed more than 530,000 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, making it the largest forest fire in the state’s history. Unfortunately, many residents lost their homes in both of these fires, and all of us have lost so much that these tranquil forests have to offer.

If you don’t know who Anthony Reynoso, Jr. is, just ask your second-grader.

Cowboys and cowgirls from around the country converge in Prescott Thursday for the 125th annual “World’s Oldest Rodeo,” a popular weekend event that regularly draws more than 30,000 spectators.