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Latest election results for Arizona state, national races

Independent Newsmedia has you covered for statewide elections, congressional contests and ballot propositions. This year, the Daily Independent at YourValley.net will host live results for those …
​Amish Shah has won the 1st Congressional District seat, according to estimates from the Associated Press.

Democrat Shah wins Arizona 1st Congressional District race

Democrat Amish Shah has won the 1st Congressional District race in Arizona. The Associated Press reported Shah had outdistanced Republican Jay Feely in the race to fill the vacant seat.  …
Michael Finn will be sworn in as the Peoria mayor in January.

Miller concedes to Finn in Peoria mayoral race

Former Peoria Police Chief Art Miller has conceded the Peoria mayoral race to Councilor Michael Finn.
Early results are coming in for the general elections in Arizona's 8th Legislative District.

Democrats appear to secure victory in Arizona's 8th Legislative District

Democrats appear poised for victory in Arizona's 8th Legislative District in the 2026 midterm elections, which encompasses parts of Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa a nd the entirety of the Salt …
After the assault, the suspect began texting messages threatening to physically harm the victim, burn her house down, burn her car, harm her family, and post a partially nude image of her if she did not have sex with him.

Mesa sexual assault, sextortion case ends with prison time

Raymond Rukonwitz, 35, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman and sextorting her afterward. During the summer of 2024, the Maricopa Community Colleges Police …
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Phoenix Children’s Chorus announces December holiday concerts

Phoenix Children’s Chorus will present four holiday concerts across the Valley Dec. 5-13, featuring seasonal music performed by its youth choirs and guest instrumentalists. All performances begin at 3 p.m.

Republican Mark Lamb wins election to U.S. House in Arizona's 5th Congressional District

Republican Mark Lamb wins election to U.S. House in Arizona's 5th Congressional District.
Peace in the Desert Church is officially combining the North Scottsdale United Methodist Church and Ascension Lutheran Church during its 10 a.m. service Nov. 15.

Scottsdale churches combining

The public is welcome to attend Peace in the Desert Church’s chartering during Sunday worship service 10 a.m. No. 15 at 11735 N. Scottsdale Road, in Scottsdale. The ceremony will formally …
Sarah Leyba grieves as she visits her flooded property in Edith, Colo., Nov. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)

Uninsured and flooded out, a Colorado man worries if life will be normal again

EDITH, Colo. (AP) — Matthew Martinez has lived nearly all of his 60 years in a canyon on the Navajo River and never saw severe floods. Then twice over the last two weeks the river surged …
This undated image provided by Navajo Tours USA on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, shows a rock formation known as the Alien Throne near the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness in northwestern New Mexico. (Kialo Winters/Navajo Tours USA via AP)

Desert icons collapse as southwestern US gets pummeled with rain and flooding

There are stretches of high desert in northwestern New Mexico where Mother Nature has sculpted otherworldly forms using wind, rain and the passage of time. Hefty planks of rock defy gravity as …
Kristie O’Brien, D-Chandler, had enough of a lead in the Arizona Senate District 13 results this week to unofficially declare victory and announce she’s ready to get started.
ELECTIONS 2026

LD13 Senate gap enough for Democrat to start celebrating

While the results posted since Election Day show Kristie O’Brien’s lead in Arizona 13th Legislative District Senate election have shown the gap between her and her opponent shrink and expand slightly, O’Brien has remained in the lead since polls closed.
No experience is necessary to become a Scottsdale Unified School District bus driver.
EDUCATION

SUSD hiring bus drivers

The Scottsdale Unified School District is holding a school bus test drive and hiring event 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Pima Day School parking lot, 8330 E. Osborn Road, in Scottsdale. …
Arizona Democratic House candidate JoAnna Mendoza reacts at an election night event Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Election 2026

Democrat JoAnna Mendoza wins election to U.S. House in Arizona's 6th Congressional District

Democrat JoAnna Mendoza wins election to U.S. House in Arizona's 6th Congressional District.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors votes to approve a new ordinance involving electric bicycles at its meeting on Nov. 4, 2026.
ORDINANCE

Board of Supervisors approves new e-bike policy

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 approved an e-bike ordinance to no opposition during its formal meeting.
Goodyear’s Chalk Art in the Park, seen during the 2025 offering, returns on Nov. 14.
THINGS TO DO

Goodyear Chalk Art in the Park adds new creative attractions

Goodyear’s annual Chalk Art in the Park will introduce two new activities this year, inviting residents to help create a community mural and decorate their own reusable tote bags.
A view of the Three Sisters formation, left, and Mitchell Mesa in Monument Valley at the Navajo Nation reservation, Arizona, Nov. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

For nearly 1,000 years, the mesa in all its forms has been an American icon

Like so much American imagery, mesas lurk in our collective American unconscious from frequent appearances in films and television. Spanish explorers named them mesas, meaning tables, when they came …
Kevin Brozek, community engagement officer at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, speaks to Sun City West residents about scams.
SCAMS

How online scammers target victims and how to protect yourself

Online scams have evolved from basic phishing emails into sophisticated operations that cost consumers billions of dollars each year.
Virginia Bermudez has served in several leadership positions in the Scottsdale Police Department.
FIRST RESPONDERS

Scottsdale PD promotes new deputy director of strategic services

Virginia Bermudez has been promoted to Scottsdale Police Department deputy director of strategic services. Bermudez has been with the City of Scottsdale since 2014 and has served in several …
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs provided a glimpse into her State of the State speech Wednesday night in Phoenix.
SPEECH

Hobbs vows school ‘voucher’ reform when Democrats control Arizona Legislature

PHOENIX - Gov. Katie Hobbs Wednesday night promised to "crack down on the waste, fraud and abuse in the out-of-control ESA entitlement program.'' In her first speech since coasting to reelection …
A professor holds a silicon wafer as students from Rio Salado College participate in a chip making lab at the Arizona State University NanoFab, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Business

Community colleges rush to expand semiconductor training as labor shortage looms US chip industry

Community colleges in Arizona are offering a free, three-month semiconductor crash course that leads to interviews with major tech companies. The program aims to address a looming labor shortage in …
From left, Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Attorney General Kris Mayes, all Democrats, won reelection in Arizona in the 2026 election.
Election 2026

Arizona Democrats, Republicans reflect on power shift after ‘blue wave’

PHOENIX – It was a rough night for Arizona Republicans on Election Day. The top six statewide races are expected to all go blue, and the state Legislature could see a historic shift toward being …
In early results, incumbent Jake Hoffman is leading Democrat Jayme Accalia in the Legislative District 15 senate race.
Election 2026

Update: Hoffman keeps lead in LD 15 senate race

In the latest election results update,  incumbent Republican Rep. Jake Hoffman had widened his lead over Democrat Jayme Accalia in the Legislative District 15 senate race. Hoffman holds …
The 'yes' Proposition 411 vote is leading in early results in San Tan Valley. The proposition will decide whether the new town will raise the budget ceiling.
Election 2026

Update: Prop. 411 'yes' votes maintain lead in San Tan Valley

In San Tan Valley, the "yes" votes continue to maintain the lead on Proposition 411, which will decide whether to raise the town's annual budget ceiling to $850 million. The most current vote tallies …
William E. McGinty, 43, was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on a charge of second degree murder after allegedly shooting someone following of a road rage incident, according to Scottsdale Police.
FIRST RESPONDERS

Man shot in Scottsdale after road rage incident dies

Scottsdale Police officers arrested 43-year-old William E. McGinty in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred 2 p.m. on Nov. 3, near 87th Street and Cactus Road. The shooting occurred …
Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor and council members met at City Hall on Nov. 2 to discuss Wittmann incorporation and annexation pursuits during a work session.
government

Surprise council tackles potential Wittmann annexation in meeting

Pursuing efforts to become incorporated, a group of Wittmann residents now seek Surprise annexation as part of the process, despite maintaining resistance of the notion in the past.
Arizona Department of Transportation crews are working to get State Route 89A reopen after flooding caused major damage along the road to Sedona.
Travel

Highway to Sedona still closed follow massive flooding

State Route 89A remains closed as crews from the Arizona Department of Transportation work to repair the route following massive flooding in central and northern Arizona earlier this week. The …
Inside the Deck Park Tunnel
2 Sessions

ADOT asks for suggestions on I-10 improvements through central Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Transportation is conducting public meetings Nov. 5 and 9 to discuss options to address safety, traffic operations and regional travel growth along Interstate 10 between the …
The Gilbert Police Department released details on two shootings from this year.
Public safety

Gilbert releases details of two fatal police shootings

Gilbert police release findings and video briefings on two fatal officer-involved shootings in August and September, with investigations continuing.
House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos, left, chats Monday with Speaker Steve Montenegro over budget plans during a recent legislative session. De Los Santos likely will be House majority leader when the next session begins as Democrats captured enough votes in the 2026 election to take over both chambers.
Election 2026

Arizona Democrats eye needs, wants as they prepare for legislative majority

PHOENIX — After years in the minority, Democratic lawmakers see the Tuesday election results as a mandate to push forward with all the proposals they could never get heard in the …
Phoenix band Sweet Cherry Syrup performs Nov. 2 during the third round of Alice Cooper’s Proof Is in the Pudding music competition at The Stillery in Goodyear.
Local music

Young musicians take the stage in Goodyear for Alice Cooper competition

Music poured out of The Stillery in Goodyear Nov. 2 as young musicians competed in the third round of Alice Cooper’s 2026 Proof Is in the Pudding music competition.
Arizona Water

Arizona files to join Nevada's lawsuit against federal government over Colorado River water rights

A view of the Hoover Dam at Lake Mead, along the Colorado River.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources on Friday announced it is filing a motion to intervene in Nevada's lawsuit against the federal government over rights to the Colorado River. The Lower …

2026 Preps Football Previews
Calendar of events
Data Driven
Getting more spam calls lately? You’re not alone. Spam calls remain a frustration for Arizona residents, and new federal data show complaints are climbing again after several years of decline. …
Arizona ranks near the bottom nationally in per-student education spending, while just over half of school districts’ operating budgets go directly toward classroom instruction.
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Valley & Arizona Sports Coverage
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Valley business

Vestar acquires north Phoenix development site

A rendering of future development of Black Mountain Village, a development in north Phoenix near Black Mountain Parkway and Deer Valley Road.

Vestar, a nationally recognized leader in the acquisition, development, and operation of high-quality retail, entertainment, and mixed-use destinations, has acquired a 20-acre parcel of land in north Phoenix, the group announced Thursday in a news release.

East Valley city council OKs plan for long-vacant corner

This diagram shows where landscaping would be planted around most of the planned smaller buildings in the Sun Village Fair shopping center at Alma School and Warner roads. A development plan that allows additional retail-pad buildings in the redeveloped shopping center was approved by the Chandler City Council at its Oct. 15 meeting.

When a hearing was held in September on a complicated commercial redevelopment proposal, one Chandler Planning and Zoning commissioner asked what happened to including housing in a mixed-use plan. …

Neighbors

Tempe’s Prop. 424 unpopular in preliminary election results

Tempe City Hall in downtown Tempe.

Tempe’s sales tax proposition in the Nov. 3 election, known to voters as Prop. 424, is unpopular with early voters as “no” votes lead by over 10 percentage points after months of campaigning by …

Nick Mansour leads Treasurer race in early results

Residents wait in line to vote at a polling station in Sun City

Preliminary results for the Arizona’s Treasurers' race are in. According to unofficial results from Maricopa County, Nick Mansour is leading at 8:13 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 with 561,639 votes. …

Things to do

Scottsdale’s Ravenscroft unveils 2027 spring concert season

Concert goers can hear multiple genres of music — such as traditional and contemporary jazz, swing and R&B — During Ravenscroft’s spring 2027 concert season.

The Ravenscroft music venue, 8445 E. Hartford Drive, in Scottsdale, has announced the artists performing in its spring 2027 concert season. Running from January through June, the venue will host …

Phoenix Symphony could resume performances ‘this month’

On Nov. 2, the Phoenix Symphony’s musicians and its board and staff released a joint statement that indicates that talks to possibly resume the organization’s cancelled season continue.

Less than two weeks ago the Phoenix Symphony’s season came to a sudden halt. Now, ongoing talks indicate possible signs for the music to return to the stage.

Obituaries & Memorials: Remembering your loved ones
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Luciano Buzzin

Luciano Buzzin, architect and former AJ Counselman, passed away 10/28/26. Services will be held at St George, date tbd.

Janet Louise (Pfander) Barker

Janet Barker, age 91, passed on October 11, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona. Memorial service in Thornton, CO. on November 21st.
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Mimi Michelle Ohms

Mimi Michelle Ohms passed away on May 4, 2026, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born September 15, 1949, in Palo Alto, California. She attended Woodside High School and …
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Phillip Felker

Phillip Felker, 87, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, peacefully transitioned from this life to the next October 2025 after bravely facing a lengthy illness. Born in Logansport, Indiana, …
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Barry Stephen Kirschner

Our lives are quieter now, but richer for having known Barry Kirschner, who died in his sleep at the age of 71, on August 19th, 2026. He was born March 19th, 1955 at Turner AFB in Albany, Georgia. …
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