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NAVAJO-CODE TALKERS MUSEUM
FLAGSTAFF — As members of an elite group of Navajo Marines approach their 90s, they know there's little time left to tell the story about how they used their native language to confound the Japanese during World War II. Their vision for a venue to tell those stories, including the years in which they kept their role a secret, is closer to reality. Chevron Mining Inc. recently donated 208 acres of land to the association for a museum and veterans center. Keith Little and his fellow Marines want to preserve the Code Talkers legacy that is better known to Navajos but not as well by the rest of the country. And with the recent passing of four Code Talkers within five weeks, including one of the original 29 who helped develop the unbreakable code, there's a greater sense of urgency. By Felicia Fonseca.
AP Photos NMGAL101, 104-106
CHILDREN-SEX ASSAULT
PHOENIX — A 14-year-old boy has been indicted in connection with the rape of an 8-year-old Liberian refugee at a Phoenix apartment complex, authorities said Saturday. Police say four boys, also from Liberia, lured the girl to an empty storage shed July 16 with the promise of chewing gum. Investigators say the boys restrained her and took turns sexually assaulting her. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said a county grand jury indicted the 14-year-old on one count of kidnapping, one count of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
TUITION AID PROGRAM
MESA — A newspaper's investigation shows Arizona's Private School Tuition Tax Credit program has failed to live up to its promise of drawing more minority students into private schools. According to the probe by the East Valley Tribune, the program has fostered a system with no oversight that allows schools to circumvent both the original state law and federal income tax law.
HOUSING-MID-YEAR OUTLOOK
UNDATED — It was — note the past tense — the worst housing recession anyone but survivors of the Great Depression can remember. From the frenzied peak of the real estate boom in 2005-2006 to the recession's trough earlier this year, home resales fell 38 percent and sales of new homes tumbled 76 percent. Construction of homes and apartments skidded 79 percent. And for the first time in more than four decades of record keeping, home prices posted consecutive annual declines. A staggering $4 trillion in home equity was wiped out, and millions of Americans lost their homes through foreclosure. Now take a deep breath and exhale. The worst is over. When you've got bidding wars for foreclosures in places like Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles, it's time to call the bottom. By Adrian Sainz, David Twiddy, Daniel Wagner and Alex Viega.
AP Photos FLAD503, PACK501, CAPS502, OHAB505
REPLACING PILOTS
TUCSON — For as long as Col. Paul Johnson has been in the cockpit, the fighter pilot has been an icon of American military might. Now, after nearly a quarter century in uniform, he's witnessing the beginning of the end of that era. Increasingly, the U.S Air Force is turning to unmanned aircraft to perform work once done exclusively by aviators like Johnson, the wing commander of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. At the highest levels of the Pentagon, plans are under way to reduce the role of warplanes, and rely more heavily on remotely piloted craft. By Carol Ann Alaimo, Arizona Daily Star.
AP Photo of July 30: AZTUS101
Also note:
— BREWER AIDE QUITS — Gov. Jan Brewer's chief budget adviser has announced his retirement. Tom Manos has been Brewer's deputy chief of staff for finance.
— VICTIM IDENTIFIED — Police say they have identified a woman who was found fatally shot outside a Scottsdale home last week.
— PARTY ARRESTS — Phoenix police say they broke up a crew house party early Saturday and made 48 arrests, including one suspect who allegedly assaulted a police officer.
— COMMANDER SUSPENDED — A former SWAT commander of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office has been suspended after numerous complaints accusing the deputy of criminal activity.
— HOOVER DAM BYPASS — Workers are nearing a milestone in construction of a Hoover Dam bypass bridge connecting Nevada and Arizona.
— POST OFFICE CLOSURES — The U.S. Postal Service is studying whether to close the Midtown Station in Tucson and seven other post offices around Arizona as part of a nationwide restructuring.
TOPIC: MUSICAL QUARTERBACK
PHOENIX — Like any good quarterback, Samson Szakacsy can feel the blitz. He knows that as more Arizona State football fans learn about his off-the-field life, a rush to judgment is inevitable. The Pac-10 isn't "High School Musical," so don't pull that Troy Bolton stuff and expect to lead our team. Szakacsy feels the heat coming because of his slashes — musician/fashion columnist/actor — and sidesteps it with the speed that makes him a contender to start this season. By Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic.
AP Photo of July 30: AZPHP101
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