Hard News                                                 Feature/Profile

It's been almost a year since the governor signed the state's controversial illegal immigration law, SB 1070. And since then, some warnings about economic consequences have proven to be correct. But experts and business leaders say things could have been worse.

Arizona faces a budget deficit of $1.5 billion. Gov. Jan Brewer has signed the latest budget into law, with the largest cuts occurring in AHCCCS and education. Lawmakers say the decision did not come easily.

According to recent census figures, the city of Douglas, Ariz., has seen virtually no population growth in the last decade, and businesses have suffered as a result. City officials are working on a plan to revive the downtown business district in hopes of creating jobs.

Cancer rates in Arizona are the lowest in the nation, according to new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts say the rates don't reflect unidentified cases but could be a result of more early-detection due to an increase of cancer treatment centers.

The remote western Arizona community once buzzed with those working in gold mines. Now with gold prices reaching a record $1,500 an ounce, the community may be cashing in once again. A company has announced plans to reopen a mine and hire dozens of people to work in it.

Police chief Jack Harris has been reprimanded after accusations that his department may have falsified kidnapping statistics. Though some Phoenix residents reacted with surprise, others said it wasn't unexpected.

District officials say the economy, an aging population and SB 1070, Arizona's controversial immigration law, account for the loss of 2,400 students this school year and an expected 2,800 more next year. The district may have to cut as many as 150 teaching positions.

Scottsdale's public libraries are popular not only with those seeking books but people looking for work and teens looking to make the best use of summer vacation. But the city's budget deficit is costing more than 20 library jobs, and that will reduce days and hours.

A state lawmaker says Arizona can strike a blow against human smuggling by adding stiff penalties for those convicted of masterminding the rings. His bill would add three to five years to the sentences of those convicted of heading human-smuggling operations.