Arizona Denies Liquor License for Stores near Navajo Nation 

State regulators have effectively shut down two liquor stores near the Navajo Nation with their denial of a liquor license transfer.The Arizona State Liquor Board voted unanimously 6-0 Thursday against granting the transfer to George Ryan, who acquired Red Barn Liquor in Sanders and Leeds Liquors in Chambers. Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting says Ryan has failed previously to implement policies to address concerns of nearby residents. Navajo residents say liquor containers and intoxicated people have created problems for those who live or work near the two liquor stores. Whiting also says Ryan has failed to complete the necessary paper work to operate a liquor license. He says the community is not opposed to liquor-oriented businesses but that business owners have a responsibility to conduct themselves responsibly.

Trade Group for Wine Industry Eyes New FDA Calorie Rule  

U.S. winemakers are concerned that a new Food and Drug Administration rule  requiring restaurants to post calorie counts for food and alcohol may become costly for vintners that provide wine to chain restaurants. The trade association that represents 600 U.S. wineries, WineAmerica, has hired  lobbyists from D.C. firm Meyers & Associates in part to press the FDA to allow wineries to provide an estimated range of calories for categories of wine - as opposed to exact calorie counts for each specific wine, which the wine industry says would require costly testing. It costs about $500 per wine to conduct testing for detailed calorie information, said Michael Kaiser, director of public affairs for WineAmerica. "If you're a small winery making 10 wines, it's just another step to take before taking products to market," he said. "It's cost and time." Read more.