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Radio Shack to test Thanksgiving Day shopping in Tucson and Western U.S.

So there you are Thanksgiving Day, getting ready to watch the Macy’s parade or maybe an NFL game. (Really, the Detroit Lions?) Suddenly, you remember you’ve always wanted to move the TV but you never got around to buying the 16-foot cable you needed to do the job. If only it weren’t a holiday.

Contractors won’t intervene; $200 million in downtown construction stays on track

A threatened lawsuit by the Alliance of Construction Trades to stop construction of a new grand entrance to the Tucson Convention Center was called off last week — but not because the trade association didn’t believe it would have succeeded.

Survey finds gap between Tucson and Phoenix airfares is starting to grow

There are indications that it may be getting more expensive to fly from Tucson International Airport as the difference in fares compared to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport grew over the last year. 

Cinemark premieres Imax rival at Century Park Place 20

An “Extreme Digital Cinema” theater — think Imax — opened at Century Park Place 20 last week giving local moviegoers the market’s first large-screen format. Tucson is one of 14 cities, and the only one in Arizona, where Cinemark is introducing what it’s calling XD technology. 

Grupo Mexico board meets to OK Asarco exit plan

Grupo Mexico has called a shareholders meeting for Dec. 4 to seek approval of a restructuring plan to take copper miner Asarco out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a U.S. Federal District Court ruling in favor of the Mexico City-based company.

Tucson unemployment rate rises to 8.3% in October

Tucson’s unemployment rate in October was 8.3 percent, up from 8.1 percent in September, according to the Arizona Department of Commerce. In October 2008, the unemployment rate was 5.7 percent.

Pivirotto to retire from UMC in January

Greg Pivirotto, who has been the president and CEO of University Medical Center for the last 21 years, announced Nov. 19 he will retire effective Jan. 31.

Tucsonans bring home 8 innovation awards

Tucsonans brought home eight of the 15 awards that were handed out Nov. 19 at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix.

Turkey, trimming cost 23.3% less

For as difficult a year as 2009 has been, there is some comfort for consumers finding the total cost for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is 23.3 percent less this year than a year ago, according to a survey by the Arizona Farm Bureau. The total cost for a 16-pound turkey and the trimmings to feed 10 people came out to $40.47, down from $52.81 last year.

Thanksgiving traditions

The traditions of Thanksgiving week. With so much else that might be on your plate, the Insider thought it might be helpful for your busy schedule to offer a preview of what the other news media will be reporting this week and give  some clarifying points before they might gloss over. 

Local First’s Black Friday grows to four block parties

Tucson’s second annual Buy Local Day this year has grown from one to four block party locations, according to Lisette DeMars, membership coordinator for the Tucson chapter of Local First Arizona.

Arizona Shuttle acquires Flagstaff companies

Arizona Shuttle, which provides service between Tucson and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, has expanded into northern Arizona after acquiring two companies in Flagstaff.

Sky Harbor discounts Thanksgiving parking

For Thanksgiving travelers, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is offering a 40 percent discount off the full day rates for parking in any of the terminal garages. That cuts the normal daily rate of $25 to $15 per day.

Art museum staying open longer in December

The Tucson Museum of Art, 140 North Main Ave., will extend its hours to 5 p.m. starting Dec. 1. And, for the month of December only, it will also be open on Mondays.

Arts group relocates to new facility, seeks donations

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance has moved and is now at 7225 N. Oracle Road, Suite 112.

Carondelet gets grant for postpartum disorders

Carondelet Health Network has received a $35,000 grant to help it identify and support mood disorders in pregnant and postpartum women. 

City procurement takes award for 14th time

For the 14th consecutive year, the City of Tucson’s Department of Procurement has received the distinguished Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award. It is one of only six agencies nationwide to do so.

Tucson' county get $7M for homeless programs

Tucson and Pima County will receive almost $7 million in federal stimulus funding for projects targeting the homeless.

UA receives $4.9 million for study of maize genetics

The National Science Foundation granted more than $4.9 million to a project where the University of Arizona is the lead institution to use maize as a model to identify the gene networks that control endosperm development and function during the first eight to 10 days after pollination.

County wants Turkey day grease for recycling

If that grease you’ve been collecting since who knows when just can’t take any more after Thanksgiving Day — and even if it can — Pima County Waste Management is sponsoring a “Save Our Sewers” grease collection and recycling event the day after Thanksgiving.

Planning Center gets state planning award

The Planning Center, 110 S. Church Ave., Suite 6320, was awarded a 2009 State Planning Award in Public Participation by the Arizona chapter of the American Planning Association for its work leading public participation that helped the City of El Mirage develop its general plan.

UA gets $4.35M to study Southwest hydrologic cycles

The University of Arizona will receive a $4.35 million grant over the next five years from the National Science Foundation to establish a “critical zone observatory” to study hydrologic cycles in the Southwest.