Southwest

Uintah County School District earns a Moody's Investors Service upgrade to Aa3 from A1 despite signs of volatility in northeastern Utah's energy-based economy.

Phoenix plans to raise $155.2 million for new water projects and lower the interest cost on outstanding debt with a combined $610 million issue.

Pinal County, Ariz. disclosed that it may settle with the Internal Revenue Service to favorably conclude an audit of 2004 Certificates of Participation whose proceeds were used for detention facilities, though the county said it believes there are no tax problems with the COPs.

The Colorado Aeronautical Board will provide only $3 million in airport grants in 2015, a fifth of the amount originally planned, officials said.

Colorado State University President Tony Frank said he now supports plans to build a $195 million stadium on the Fort Collins campus through a combination of donations and revenue bonds.

The Texas Transportation Commission plans to start 2015 with a $1.6 billion refunding of most of the debt issued for the Central Texas Turnpike System.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is seeking a buyer for the Lakeway Regional Medical Center after the Austin area hospital defaulted on a $164 million HUD-guaranteed mortgage.

Arizona has seen seven straight months of revenue running below forecast, according to legislative budget analysts.

New Mexico's dependence on energy revenues and government funding brings a negative outlook to the state's AA-plus rating from Standard & Poor's.

Kansas revenues came in $3.1 million above expectations in November, but the state still faces projected shortfalls of $279 million for this fiscal year and $436 million in the following year.