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The architect of some of the toughest laws in the nation aimed at illegal immigrants was ousted from office Tuesday by voters in his Mesa district. Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer reports.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery was named this week as the head of Arizona's new Task Force for Child Protective Services. Governor Jan Brewer called for the creation of the group after the high profile deaths of 16 children under CPS case management within the last year. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl spoke with Bill Montgomery about his new post.

The Tusayan Town Council is scheduled to vote on controversial zoning changes this evening. If passed, those changes would pave the way for a large-scale development at the doorstep to the Grand Canyon National Park. Last week, the new park superintendent joined a growing chorus of critics and asked the town council to postpone its decision. For Arizona Public Radio, Claudine LoMonaco has this report. _______________________________________________________________________

The Flagstaff City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a document that could change-- literally-- the shape of the city. For the past several years, the staff in the Department of Planning has been re-writing the city's zoning code, and they've come up with a final plan For most of us, it won't be the most interesting read, but Roger Eastman tells Arizona Public Radio's Mark Bevis that the document is groundbreaking.

At any given time of day, millions of truck drivers are out cruising the nation's highways. And, that's probably why they've always served as a beacon of hope for hitchhikers. But, it turns out America's truck drivers aren't just picking up stranded humans. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl brings us the story of a convoy of truckers hauling down-on-their-luck dogs across the country to new homes.

The head of Grand Canyon National Park has voiced his opposition to controversial development plans for the tiny town of Tusayan. Arizona Public Radio's Claudine LoMonaco has the story.

The controversy over development plans at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon just got bigger. Arizona Public Radio's Claudine LoMonaco has details.

The U-S House has passed legislation to swap copper-rich land in southeastern Arizona for a large swath of new public lands. Correspondent Matt Laslo reports from Washington that the House also defeated amendments to protect tribal lands in the region.

Tuesday the U-S House moved one step closer to passing a controversial bill that exchanges a copper reserve in southeastern Arizona for new public lands. KNAU Correspondent Matt Laslo reports from Washington.

Navajo Nation Police Lt. Emerson Lee drives his four-wheel drive patrol truck along Indian Route 15. Dormant volcanoes and granite buttes cast long shadows against the red dirt and squatty pine trees.

A bill that would have changed the qualifications for Navajo Supreme Court justices has failed. The Tribal Council voted on the legislation today in Window Rock that would have required all high court judges to hold law degrees. Arizona Public Radio's Shelley Smithson reports.

More than 60 filmmakers are showing films this weekend at the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival. One of them is Pete McBride, a photojournalist from Colorado. His film Chasing Water is a photographic journey following the Colorado River from source to sea. He spoke with Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl about the project.

The Navajo Nation Council is scheduled to meet next week in Window Rock. And one piece of legislation on the agenda, if it passes, could transform the tribal judiciary. The proposal would require Navajo Supreme Court justices to hold degrees in US law The debate raises many questions, but the most fundamental is whether Navajos want their own legal system or one based on American traditions. Arizona Public Radio's Shelley Smithson has the story.

Meteor Crater--Today on Land Lines, we pay a visit to a notable northern Arizona landmark--Meteor Crater. The origin of this very large hole in the ground sparked a controversy between the crater's owner and the geologic establishment of the day. Michael Collier and Rose Houk bring us the story.

Today in Washington Arizona Republicans introduced legislation to open up restricted parts of northern Arizona to uranium mining. Correspondent Matt Laslo reports on the contentious debate.

Arizona's Independent Redistricing Commission continues to make progress on its goal of establishing new legislative districts as required by the constitution every ten years.

Flagstaff's law enforcement community is mourning the loss of its police chief. Fifty-seven year old Brent Cooper died Sunday while on his morning jog.

Arizona's Independent Redistricting Commission has voted 3 to 1 to approve a proposed draft plan to reshuffle Arizona's congressional districts. One Republican voted no and the other abstained.If the draft is approved, it could mean big changes for those members of Arizona's Congressional delegation who plan to run in 2012.KNAU's Mark Bevis spoke with Arizona Public Radio's Howard Fischer about the basics of the plan.

Three California condors were released at the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Saturday. And about 100 people showed up for the event. This was the 17th annual public release of the huge endangered bird by the non-profit Peregrine Fund. KNAU contributor George Hardeen was there and has this report.

Science Friday is one of NPR's most popular shows. It gives listeners an informative and entertaining look at science. Today, the show comes to Flagstaff to help kick off Flagstaff's Festival of Science. Arizona Public Radio's Gillian Ferris Kohl had a chance to talk with Ira Flatow before the show.