KNAU and Arizona News

By Daniel Kraker

Flagstaff, AZ – Paul Mobley is a self-described city boy. He's a commercial photographer who's spent his career in the urban jungle of New York City. But for four years he traveled throughout rural America, taking over 30 thousand pictures of more than 200 family farms. The result is his landmark book "American Farmer: The Heart of our Country" - the first portrait collection of modern American farmers ever published.

By Gillian Ferris Kohl

Flagstaff, AZ – One of the most common side effects of some chemotherapy treatments is hair loss. It can be especially devastating for women, particularly when it comes time to shave their hair completely. But, a hair stylist in Flagstaff is trying to make the experience a little less traumatic. Robert Allison runs Salon Called Hope. And it's one of the only private salons in the country that offers free services to cancer patients. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl reports.

Phoenix, AZ – In her speech to a joint session of the state legislature this afternoon, Republican Governor Jan Brewer called for a temporary tax hike to help balance next year's budget. She said one billion dollars in new tax revenue needs to be approved; whether by the legislature, or directly by voters. She also called for more spending cuts, and said Arizona can expect roughly one billion dollars in federal stimulus funds. Here is Governor Brewer's complete speech to the state legislature.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – As Arizona legislators work out a plan for next fiscal year, universities are preparing for big cuts. And that's led to a sometimes fierce debate over which university programs are most essential to students. At Northern Arizona University some have proposed cutting counseling, at a time when those services have never been more in demand. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has this report.

By Theresa Bierer

Flagstaff/Prescott, AZ – It's a quiet afternoon at the Prescott Honda Dealership with a few customers looking at cars. The dealership is still located on Iron Springs road One of the owners, Gary Young, says he's glad they didn't move forward with plans to build a new facility because he says Prescott is feeling the recession.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – Across the country college enrollment numbers are way up. In northern Arizona, Coconino, Mohave and Yavapai community colleges are all experiencing record breaking semesters. School administrators say they attribute their success to the unsuccessful economy, and a new breed of students they call "retrainers." Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales has the story.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ – Arizona Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick has been traveling around the first district talking with her constituents about the federal economic stimulus bill that President Obama signed on Wednesday. She stopped by KNAU's studios Feb. 20. During last fall's campaign, Kirkpatrick opposed the Troubled Assets Relief Program but she did vote for the most recent stimulus bill. Arizona Public Radio's Laurel Morales asked Kirkpatrick what was different about this package.

By Laurel Morales

Flagstaff, AZ –
Peace Surplus owner Steve Chatinski is very careful with his money.

CHATINSKI: I watch every penny that comes in and every penny that goes out.

He says he's always been that way since he and his dad opened the outdoor clothing and equipment store in the mid 70s. He says that's why his store is doing alright. Last month Peace was down 20 percent from the previous January but it was their second best January on record.

By Gillian Ferris Kohl

Flagstaff, AZ – Today, President Obama will address a public audience in Mesa. He's expected to discuss the state's budget and foreclosure crisis. Yesterday, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer was in Flagstaff doing much the same thing. The governor was on somewhat of a fact-finding mission, surveying Arizona's rural communities for solutions to the budget crisis. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl was able to sit down, briefly, with Governor Brewer yesterday to talk about some of those solutions.

By Daniel Kraker

Flagstaff, AZ – President Obama unveiled his 75 billion dollar foreclosure prevention plan Wednesday in Mesa. Arizona has been hit especially hard by the housing crunch. And while most of the pain so far has been felt in the Phoenix area, foreclosures are on the rise in northern Arizona. Arizona Public Radio's Daniel Kraker spoke with Devonna McGlaughlin, assistant director of the nonprofit affordable housing group Both Hands.