Far West

Fitch Ratings takes a look at the various strategies of dealing with water supply issues among California's five largest urban water utilities.

Alaska has an edge over North Dakota in credit quality because of its exceptional fiscal reserves, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Positive financial developments for California school districts may be offset by numerous pressures, according to Fitch Ratings.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power received across-the-board AA-minus affirmations from the three largest rating agencies ahead of plans to price $450 million in power system revenue bonds.

Marc Hughes joined Mesirow Financial last week after being laid off as head of Municipal Investment Banking for Mitsubishi UFJ Securities in a downsizing of that firm's West Coast long-term municipal bond team.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced the nominations of four people to immediately fill vacancies on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents that resulted from resignations on the 15-member board.

Tom Lockard has been appointed to head operations in California for a real estate start-up after a 30-year career at Stone & Youngberg.

The National Association of Bond Lawyers has renamed its Fundamentals of Municipal Bond Law Seminar scholarship program after the late Frederic "Rick" L. Ballard Jr.

In his last debt affordability report before he retires from public office, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer gives an update on California's financial position and debt issuance plans, including plans to issue $3.9 billion in new general fund supported debt in fiscal 2015.

San Bernardino experienced another setback in its bankruptcy when the police union's president announced that a breakdown has occurred in a tentative agreement with the city.