Southwest

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a frequent critic of federal spending, is urging Congress not to cut funding for military bases in the Sunflower State.

The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for its pension disclosure practices, a probe that began in 2010, according to a KPERS spokeswoman and bond documents.

The plight of State Highway 130 outside Austin, Texas, is a stark example of the risks involved in building toll roads in undeveloped areas, according to Fitch Ratings.

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System has crossed the 60% funding threshold for its pension fund with strong investment returns.

The online securities auction site Zions Direct – intent on becoming the "eBay of fixed income" -- is looking for a chance to price its first municipal primary market issue, according to chairman David Hemingway.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said the state will appeal a state district court order to restore $1.6 billion in school funding.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper will leave a decision on statewide oil and gas drilling restrictions to voters instead of calling a special session.

Two former attorneys general for Utah, Mark Shurtleff and John Swallow, took bribes in criminal and civil cases, prosecutors said in charges filed in the state's 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded University Medical Center Corp.'s $330 million of debt to Baa2 and retained a negative outlook as a possible sale of the Tucson, Ariz. hospital develops.

The New Mexico Finance Authority will raise $57 million for its public project revolving loan fund with a competitive sale of revenue bonds.