TUCSON
Eddie Bauer store closing
The Eddie Bauer store in the Tucson Mall is closing as of 9 p.m. Saturday. A sign in the window announces that all fixtures must go. Eddie Bauer's corporate offices did not return calls and emails asking why the store is closing and whether the chain plans any other Tucson locations.
ARIZONA
Average gas prices rise
Arizona motorists are paying more at the pump for the second consecutive week.
The average statewide price for regular is $3.12 a gallon, AAA Arizona officials said Thursday. That's nearly 4 cents higher than last week.
Tucson has the lowest average gasoline price in Arizona at $2.94 a gallon, up 3.3 cents since last week.
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This week's national average is $3.32 per gallon, down by almost 3 cents from last week.
State's economy improving, analysts say
PHOENIX - Economists who advise Arizona's independent legislative budget analysts said Thursday that residents may finally have reason to be a little more perky this year, but the economy won't meet Gov. Jan Brewer's expectations.
The state's housing market is on the upswing and job growth has returned, and that means more revenue for the state. That will provide slightly more money for Brewer to spend, but not nearly what she expects, said economists who serve on the Finance Advisory Committee.
For average Arizonans, the state budget battles that will shape up in the coming weeks are but a sideshow. But the message from the economists who advise the Legislature on state revenue forecasts held out hope Thursday that things are getting better.
Staff and wire reports