Carrie Jung

The LSAT has forever been the choice exam for law school admissions. That's no longer the case at the University of Arizona, and maybe many more schools in the future.

After the housing crisis, demand for rental property boomed. Census data show vacancy rates for rental units reached an all-time low this summer. More people are wanting to rent single family homes.

Formal home addresses can be difficult to find on many Native American reservations. This is problematic, not just when giving directions or receiving packages, but when responding to an emergency.

One of the country's largest copper deposits lies east of Phoenix. But none of that copper has been mined yet. A land swap between the federal government and a private company may change that. Some Native American residents say a holy site is at risk.

The price of copper is down 40 percent from four years ago. Arizona residents from smaller mining towns worry about job losses, but some companies are planning to expand in the state.

Dozens of Navajo communities have passed resolutions banning smoking in government buildings and workplaces this year. But some casino operators worry the measures will drive customers away.

In New Mexico, the cremated remains of the state's deceased indigents often enter a state of limbo. Many spend years on county storage shelves. But country officials are now trying to give these remains a grave, a headstone and a public memorial service.

As the fresh snow falls in New Mexico's ski resorts and mild temperatures welcome visitors into the region, new ski enthusiasts are making their way to the mountain tops. Some ski resorts now offer lessons to people with disabilities, and owners say not only is it a great equalizer, it's also increasing business.