The state Department of Commerce reported on Thursday that total nonfarm employment rose by half a percent, with 13,200 jobs added in October. Six of the 11 major sectors had job gains, three showed losses and two were flat.

The private sector added 11,400 jobs, mostly in professional and business services, trade, transportation, utilities, and education and health services.

The Department of Commerce says the upcoming holiday season and winter visitors are driving the job increases.

National unemployment is at 10.2 percent, up from 9.8 in September.

Arizona has lost 291,200 jobs lost since the recession began in December 2007.

On the Net'

Arizona Department of Commerce' http'//workforce.az.gov

Majority Republicans came up one vote short on a key budget-balancing bill and legislative leaders then adjourned the special session into next week. That casts doubt on whether spending cuts to help close the state's $2 billion budget shortfall will be approved.

House Minority Leader David Lujan questioned why Brewer called the special session and then went to Texas to attend a Republican governors meeting, when it turns out the session didn't work out as planned.

Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman says she relied on Republican legislative leaders' assurances that they had votes lined up.

The baby's mother, Lindsay Grannis, said the theft makes her feel like she's losing her son all over again.

When the Peoria family returned home Thursday afternoon, they found the garage door wide open and the house ransacked. Robbers stole electronics and a wooden music box from a cabinet.

Inside the box were the ashes of 5-month-old Tyler Ross.

The family said the box has no monetary value for anyone but them and they're willing to make a deal.

If the ashes are returned to any Peoria or Phoenix fire station, the burglars can keep the rest of the stolen items.

Police said they believe the burglars got inside the Grannis' home by using a universal garage door remote.

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Information from' KNXV-TV, http'//www.knxv.com/

Triple-A Arizona officials said Thursday that the current statewide fuel average for regular unleaded gasoline at the pump is $2.600 per gallon, an increase of 1.2 cents from last week.

They say gasoline prices in Arizona are 36 cents higher than last year at this time with Thanksgiving approaching, but 581,000 motorists around the state still are expected to hit the road for the holiday.

The nationwide fuel average this week is at $2.638 per gallon for unleaded, a decrease of 1.2 cents from last week.

Tucson drivers continue to pay the least for fuel in the state with an average of $2.434 per gallon of unleaded, while Flagstaff motorists are paying the most to fill up with an average fuel price of $2.750 per gallon.

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On The Net'

www.AAAAZ.com/news/fuelnews.htm

www.AAA.com/fuelfinder

www.fuelcostcalculator.com

Ronald Hunt, a 56-year-old Los Angeles resident, was sentenced Tuesday to 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay more than $180,000 in restitution, unpaid taxes and fines. He pleaded guilty to two felony counts of fraud.

The state's Franchise Tax Board says Hunt falsely claimed he was disabled for three years and collected almost $150,000 in benefits, while earning about $400,000 in income as an interior designer.

An employee of the insurance company that was paying his benefits saw Hunt on a Home and Garden Television program and reported him to the state Department of Insurance.

The two new northbound lanes between Jomax Road and the Carefree Highway include a carpool lane.

ADOT said the roadway opening is the latest milestone for a $142 million project to add much-needed traffic capacity between Loop 101 and Carefree Highway.

ADOT previously opened two new northbound lanes between Loop 101 and Jomax Road on Nov. 9 and two new southbound lanes between Happy Valley Road and Loop 101 on October 29.

On The Net'

www.valleyfreeways.com.

Police said the adult male victim had crossed the track and apparently stopped to retrieve a dropped item.

Police did not identify the victim because family members hadn't been notified.

The man was hit by a Union Pacific freightliner between the Patagonia Street and North Ocotillo Road crossings.

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Information from' Sierra Vista Herald, http'//www.svherald.com

RV parks have had years of declining visitors.

Mesa RV park operators say winter bookings are up and few are canceling with one park reporting 95 percent occupancy.

Some of the reasons for the turnaround include a stronger Canadian dollar and lower gas prices.

So why the fuss over snowbirds? A study conducted of 300,000 winter visitors in the Phoenix-area six years ago by Arizona State University found they spent about $1 billion on food, entertainment and lodging not to mention paying taxes on gas and liquor.

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Information from' The Arizona Republic, http'//www.azcentral.com

City Manager Kevin Burke says the cuts will likely amount to another $3.1 million.

The cuts would come on top of previous cuts made to address a $13 million budget shortfall earlier this year, resulting in 86 fewer positions than a year ago.

Burke also anticipates drops in local sales and property taxes.

The city manager was skeptical that layoffs could be avoided next year.

Mayor Sara Presler said it's her desire to avoid layoffs at all costs, suggesting cuts in city contracts, delaying some maintenance, as well postponing routine purchases.

Councilman Scott Overton wants all options, including layoffs, explored.

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Information from' Arizona Daily Sun, http'//www.azdailysun.com/

Los Angeles police say 36-year-old Alexandra Kerry was stopped by officers on a Hollywood street at about 12'40 a.m. Thursday and tested for driving under the influence.

Officer Bruce Borihanh says she was booked at the Hollywood police station and was held for about five hours. She was released at about 5'30 a.m. after posting $5,000 bail.

Borihanh didn't immediately have other details.

Alexandra Kerry is the eldest daughter of the Massachusetts senator, the Democrats' 2004 presidential nominee.

She has produced documentaries and has had several small acting roles.

Requests for comment from Alexandra Kerry's agent and John Kerry's office were not immediately returned.

Adam Stoddard was ordered by a judge Wednesday to hold a news conference by Nov. 30 to apologize for his actions or otherwise report to jail by Dec. 1.

But Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says the judge's order would be defied because Stoddard was doing his job.

Maricopa Superior Court Judge Gary Donahoe ruled that Stoddard acted in contempt when he pulled two pieces of handwritten paper out of attorney Joanne Cuccia's file on Oct. 19.

Stoddard testified earlier this month that he saw four words — "going to" ''steal" and "money" — in a document sticking out of the file that led him to believe Cuccia's client posed some sort of security threat.

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Information from' The Arizona Republic, http'//www.azcentral.com

The indictment of Peoria resident Patrick Chorpenning, Sr. was announced by Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard on Thursday.

The 62-year-old was charged with four counts of conflict of interest, one count of fraudulent schemes and practices, two counts of misuse of public monies, and one count of violation of procurement code. All are felonies.

Chorpenning was director of the department from 1999 until problems at the state veterans nursing home led to his resignation in March 2007.

Chorpenning's phone number is unlisted.