Couples, small businesses adjust as Arizona wedding costs top $25,000 mark

PHOENIX — As wedding prices rise in the Valley, Arizona couples and small businesses juggle costs, trends and constantly evolving technology.

Elegant Barn indoor reception area

Number of Latino business owners on rise in Arizona

The number of Latino-owned businesses in Arizona doubled from 2007 to 2015, according to recent data released by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.


Renovations, name change brings a new look and feel to Phoenix Raceway

AVONDALE — Big changes are in the works at Phoenix Raceway. On top of its massive renovation, the track unveiled its announcement of a title shift on Sept. 26. The track has signed ISM Connect as its naming rights partner. The transition to becoming ISM Raceway, effective 2018, is the first time in the track’s history that it has sold such rights.

car

Native Americans’ recovery from recession brings little advancement

WASHINGTON - A decade after the start of the recession, Native American poverty and unemployment was twice as high as the rest of the state and per capita income was less than half, margins that have barely budged since the recession started at the end of 2007.


DJs, dancers, DROPIT: Suns make in-game entertainment priority, too

T-shirt cannons, DJs, dancers. Suns know they must entertain fans with more than just basketball.


Recession created ‘perfect storm’ for sharp rise in student loan debt

WASHINGTON - Arizonans came out of the recession with more than twice the student debt that they carried 10 years ago, as economic forces that came with the recession created a "perfect storm" for rising debt.


Arizonans pay less for funeral services compared to rest of nation

It's cheaper to die in Arizona compared to other states. The national median cost of a funeral, which includes viewing and burial services, is $7,360. But it's about $6,681 here.


‘Unsustainable’ growth gives way to slow recovery on state jobless rate

WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates in Arizona inched down to 4.5 percent in October, falling to the lowest rate since the start of the Great Recession and capping one of the longest recoveries on record in the state.


Arizona-based women-only boxing franchise expands to keep up with fitness trends

Over the past several years, women-only fitness facilities have exploded in popularity. Boxing gyms, such as the Jabz franchise, have played a role in that growth.


Catering to corporate fans priority at Valley sporting events

The Waste Management Phoenix Open and Phoenix International Raceway both have invested large sums of money into new luxury suites and experiences for their corporate fans, and corporate fans in turn invest in sponsorships and hospitality to attract clients.


After reeling with U.S. economy, immigrant remittances rebound

WASHINGTON - The global scale of the Great Recession was reflected in remittances, the money immigrants send to family back home, which dropped from $55 billion to $50 billion in one year.


Fitzgerald autograph among hot sports collectibles in Valley

Owning sports memorabilia allows a fan to not only feel a special connection to a player but also gives them an opportunity to display their loyalty to a player or team.