12 News Phoenix

An internal audit determined that the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office violated the county's procurement procedures when sheriff's administrators agreed last year to purchase a $465,000 bus to transport inmates. Full Story »

Noor Faleh Almaleki just wanted to be a normal American woman. The striking 20-year-old from Iraq, who'd lived in the Valley since she was a young girl, wanted her hair and makeup to be perfect, her clothes to be fashionable. She wanted a job, a degree and a husband of her choosing. Full Story »

A Glendale father's arraignment on charges that he killed his daughter for being too "Westernized" has been delayed again as he remains under suicide watch in a Maricopa County jail, court officials said Monday. Full Story »

Fry's workers hoping to stop their union from calling a strike against the grocery chain will hold a rally Monday morning at 10 a.m. Full Story »

The City of Mesa is falling short in jobs created with federal stimulus money, according to the latest federal data. Mesa is Arizona's third largest city, but ranks 18th in jobs reported on the recovery.gov website, according to analysis by 12 News and The Arizona Republic. Full Story »

Lots of people today can use some help balancing their money. Good news, help is here. The Glendale Public Library is conducting free classes for anyone who wants to attend. Full Story »

Just a few years after Valley police agencies struggled to find enough qualified men and women to fill their officer ranks, many are seeing a spike in applicants. Full Story »

Spend enough time with Eileen Klein and the people who know her and the state Capitol best, and two things become clear: First, the new chief of staff to Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is a rising star. Full Story »

The Internal Revenue Service said it has 3,237 refund checks for Arizona taxpayers worth more than $3.8 million that were returned by the post office because of mailing-address errors. Full Story »

Search for Maricopa County Environmental Services' inspections of Valley food-handling establishments including restaurants, schools and grocery stores. Full Story »

Nine months ago, the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department instituted a "cultural shift" in the way it inspects food establishments by encouraging inspectors to spend more time at restaurants to educate employees about food safety. Full Story »

It’s going to be a warm start to your work week, as strong high pressure remains in control of our weather in the southwest. Above normal highs will continue, and in fact, even near records today and tomorrow. Full Story »

When Adam Toren was growing up he and his brother, Matthew were natural entrepreneurs. Their grandpa always encouraged them to be in charge of their own business. So the two started a few magazines, one being the local North Valley Magazine. Full Story »

"People can live on Social Security if they know how to do it," said Don Abbott, a 70-year-old Phoenix resident who said he's doing just that. He started taking benefits at 62 and remains happy with the decision. But Abbott has an edge that some seniors don't enjoy: He owns his home free and clear. Full Story »

Suppose you opt to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits at an early age and then change your mind. Can you reverse the decision and qualify for larger monthly payments? Full Story »

Americans just can't seem to wait until retirement to tap into their retirement money - and we're not just talking about Social Security recipients. Full Story »

Take your Social Security money early? Or hold out for a bigger monthly stipend? Whether out of necessity or a fear of leaving cash on the table, most Americans aren't waiting until the traditional retirement age of 65 to put that government check in the bank. Full Story »

A 32-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries from a gunshot while driving early Saturday near the Desert Sky Mall in west Phoenix. Full Story »

The federal stimulus directly saved 374 jobs in Mesa’s school district through September, the most education jobs in Arizona. The first installment of state fiscal stabilization funds, totaling $557 million, was divided among Arizona’s public colleges and universities and its public schools. Full Story »

Most of the students at S.T.A.R. Academy are in their classrooms or at lunch on a recent school day. Some are playing on the swings and jungle gym. But the tranquility of the small campus is shattered as a screaming child is carried across the courtyard and into the psychologist's office. Full Story »

Rachael Ramirez sits in a reclining chair and watches her blood leave her body through a tube in her chest. A circular pump pulls the blood from her, cleans it and then pushes it back. Full Story »

State Sen. Russell Pearce served in the Arizona House from 2001 to 2008 and entered the Senate in 2009. Here is an excerpt from an interview with him. Full Story »

At least $1.44 million in state funds for enforcing the employer-sanctions law remains unused. Prosecutors in these nine counties say they haven't used all the money because there have been minimal complaints against businesses. Other counties did not return calls or could not provide information. Full Story »

In 2007, lawmakers passed the Legal Arizona Workers Act in an attempt to stem the tide of illegal immigration by going after employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. Full Story »

Fry's Food Stores has begun advertising for thousands of temporary workers in the event its estimated 13,000 hourly workers in Arizona go on strike Friday. Full Story »