Featured Indicators Data
Tempe Ranks Among the Best Bike-Friendly Cities in the Nation
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
Tempe is a great place for cycling enthusiasts. Based on a ranking system that considers both cycling infrastructure and the vibracy of a city's bike culture, Tempe placed 18th among the nation's top 50 bike-friendly cities, according to Bicycling Magazine. Tempe boasts a new, illuminated bike-pedestrian bridge across Town Lake and encourages bicycle commuting with services like the Bicycle Cellar, a commuter support station. In fact, 3% of Tempe residents are bicycle commuters, among the highest rates in America.
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Arizona Department of Corrections Releases 1,500 Inmates Per Month
Monday, May 14th, 2012
The Arizona Department of Corrections has released over 15,000 inmates in FY 2012 year to date. This is on pace with FY 2011 when a total of 19,055 inmates were released. The sheer volume of inmates returning to our neighborhoods and streets raises important questions about the success rates of prisoner rehabilitation and reentry programs and our ability to minimize recidivism. Nationally, 4 in 10 offenders return to prison within 3 years of their release. According to a recent report by Pew Center on the States, 28% of Arizona inmates released in 2004 returned to prison for new crimes within 3 years and an additional 12% returned for technical violations.
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High Risk of Injury for Jockeys and Horses at Arizona Race Track
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
Turf Paradise race track in Phoenix has one of the highest incidents of "breakdown or signs of injury" in the U.S. according to a recent New York Times investigative report that examines risks posed to jockeys and horses in an industry with lax regulation. Their analysis found 11.3 incidents per 1,000 starts at Turf Paradise, making it the most dangerous track outside of New Mexico. The article explores the grim consequences of illegally pumping race horses full of performance-enhancing drugs or pain killers to mask injury.
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Northern Section of Tempe Ranks 3rd on List of Most Fun, Affordable U.S. Cities
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
With a median home price of only $119,900 and over 265 bars and restaurants, the northern section of Tempe (zip code 85281) ranks 3rd on the Bloomberg Businessweek list of most fun, affordable cities in the U.S.
Scottsdale (zip code 85251) also made the list, placing 4th. Ocean City, MD topped the list and the Ala Moana-Kakaako section of Honolulu placed second.
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73% of Arizona Nonprofits Have Fewer Than 6 months of Operating Reserves
Tuesday, March 6th, 2012
According to a new report by the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, one alarming trend for Arizona’s nonprofit sector is the stress on underlying fiscal stability created by the combination of falling revenues and rising demand. Nearly one-third of Arizona nonprofits operated with a deficit in 2011, a ratio that actually increased from 2010. And 29% expect to end the year in 2012 with a deficit. Half of nonprofits continue to tap financial reserves to maintain their operations and 73% of nonprofits have fewer than 6 months of operating reserves.
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