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A dog walking pedestrian is unable to use one of the walking paths after heavy rains flood the Continental Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Is El Niño making storms and flash floods in the Southwest worse?

A chaotic climate phenomenon called El Niño is intensifying heavy rains and floods in the Southwest. Experts say the natural warming cycle is sizzling Pacific Ocean waters and leaking moisture into …
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Black Theatre Troupe brings ‘Black Nativity’ to Phoenix stage

Black Theatre Troupe will celebrate the holiday season with Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity,” running Nov. 27-Dec. 6 at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in downtown Phoenix.
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E-scooter driver dies in walkway/tunnel crash on Cactus Road

A 41-year-old man died Oct. 30 at the scene of a collision inside a pedestrian walkway/tunnel near 25 th Avenue and Cactus Road, Phoenix police said. Phoenix police and fire department personnel …
Heavy rainfall produced flash flooding and mandatory evacuations in a swath of the Southwest on Sunday. Rain fell nearly nonstop in Flagstaff, Arizona, flooding local roads and overwhelming storm drains.

Floodwaters swamp the Southwest, forcing evacuations and altering some Election Day voting

Some rivers began receding in the flood-weary Southwest on Monday, including in a Colorado tourist town that has to alter its Election Day voting plans, while others were still rising, keeping …
A person drops a vote-by-mail ballot in a secure ballot intake station at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections during early voting in the 2026 midterm elections, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Voters fear the America they've known is slipping away. On that, the left and right agree

The stakes in Tuesday’s elections are so high that Shane Dunn voted for the first time in his life, at age 65. After a career as a cook up and down the East Coast, Dunn moved to the …
A person drops a vote-by-mail ballot in a secure ballot intake station at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections during early voting in the 2026 midterm elections, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Voters fear the America they've known is slipping away. On that, the left and right agree

The stakes in Tuesday’s midterm elections are so high that Shane Dunn voted for the first time in his life, at age 65. After a career as a cook up and down the East Coast, Dunn moved to the …
Dr. Timur Raghib
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How to Prepare for Open Enrollment

Open enrollment is underway, giving families a chance to review their health coverage and choose a plan that best fits their needs. Among the many factors to consider, comprehensive pediatric …
Some Chandler city staff were on hand for the Oct. 12 reading on a proclamation commemorating Cybersecurity Awareness Month. From the left are Chandler Chief Information Officer Sandip Dholakia, Councilmember O.D. Harris, Mitchell Robinson, Michael Padilla, Bryon Sanchez, Brad Thomas, Danny Sargent, Chief Financial Officer Dawn Lang, Erika Huston, Molly Mahai and Mayor Kevin Hartke.
GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY

East Valley city council acknowledges importance of cybersecurity

Chandler staff that are charged with the city’s digital well-being and protection of electronics and software were on hand for the Oct. 12 reading of a proclamation commemorating Cybersecurity …
FILE - Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, July 31, 2023. (Tony Blakeslee/EastIdahoNews.com via AP, Pool, File)

Court hears Lori Vallow Daybell's appeal in Idaho killings of 2 of her children, romantic rival

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Supreme Court is scheduled Monday to hear Lori Vallow Daybell’s appeal of her convictions in that state for killing her two youngest children and conspiring to …
This is an example when SRP releases water from a dam.
Bartlett/Stewart Mountain

East, West Valley roads to close as SRP increases dam water releases

Salt River Project has released approximately 20,000 cubic feet per second – about 150,000 gallons – of water from Bartlett and Stewart Mountain dams on the Salt and Verde rivers to allow the …
In Peoria’s mayoral race, incumbent Michael Finn has the edge over Art Miller in funds raised.

Incumbent has fundraising edge over opponent in Peoria mayoral race

So far this election cycle, Finn has raised $132,997 and Miller has raised $100,602.
Weekend rain has flooded several Arizona highways, state transportation officials said Sunday.
ADOT

I-17 section reopens, 4 highways in Arizona remain closed

PHOENIX – Interstate 17 southbound has reopened at milepost 337 near the Flagstaff airport, state transportation officials said, but weekend rainfall is keeping several highways closed. The …
Pickup trucks are submerged along Highway 160 in South Fork, Colo., on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (South Fork Fire Rescue via AP)

Flash floods trigger evacuations in Arizona and Colorado amid heavy rains in southwest

SEDONA, Ariz. (AP) — Flash flooding prompted mandatory evacuation orders in parts of the Southwest on Sunday as heavy rains in the normally arid region have already brought deadly flooding this …
Troy Holtorf, left, and his 8-year-old son and teammate, Tillman Holtorf, hold a carp in Glendale, Ariz. during the 20-team, 24-hour urban fly-fishing tournament “Valley of the Sun Carp Rally” hosted by AZ Fly Shop on Sept. 19, 2026. They competed as a team “Koi Boy.”
Community

Fly Fishing in Phoenix building bonds beyond the catch

PHOENIX – In canals and streams across Arizona, an enticing commodity lurks below the surface, pursued by fly fishermen with eager but precise minds. But is it really the fish that they’re …
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved the modification of the contract for expansion at the Southwest Regional Justice Center on its consent agenda on Oct. 21.
CONTRACT

Board of Supervisors approves contract modification for Southwest Regional Justice Center expansion

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved the modification of the contract for expansion at the Southwest Regional Justice Center on its consent agenda on Oct. 21.
HOLIDAYS

‘The Arizona Nutcracker’ returns for 3 Phoenix performances

The Madison Center for the Arts and Dance 111, a Phoenix dance school, will present three performances of “The Arizona Nutcracker” Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20, at The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix.
Jim Schmidt, Medicare And You™
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Stay Vigilant This Annual Enrollment: Protect Yourself, Know Your Options, and Never Go It Alone

Welcome back! Last month I promised to show you the red flags of Annual Enrollment, and right on schedule, the phones are ringing. The Annual Enrollment Period runs through December 7th, and any …
Andrea Aker.
NEIGHBORS

Scottsdale resident Q&A: Andrea Aker

In an effort to create a stronger community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Andrea Aker’s answers: Name: …
TRAUMA CENTER

Car hits, seriously injures 3 children in East Valley on Halloween night

A car struck three children on Halloween night at the intersection of Crismon and Ray roads in Mesa, authorities said. The crash occurred just before 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31, and first-responders …
GUNPOINT

Police search for suspect in East Valley kidnapping, sex assault

A woman was kidnapped and sexually assaulted Saturday by a man who had a firearm, Tempe police said. The man approached the woman about 2:30 a.m. Oct. 31 near Rural Road and University Drive and …
Democratic candidate Elizabeth Lee has trailed Republican Mark Lamb significantly in the U.S. House Congressional Arizona District 5 race.
ELECTIONS 2026

Lamb outraises Lee in 3rd quarter, overall in 5th Congressional district

When Elizabeth Lee zoomed ahead in the Arizona Congressional District 5 Democratic primary after polls closed July 21, it wrapped an expensive time in the state party’s politics. But when the …
A delivery driver goes through a flooded road on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Heavy rains expected to bring flooding risk to already saturated parts of the US Southwest

The National Weather Service says heavy rains are expected to bring a threat of flash flooding to already saturated areas of the U.S. Southwest. The rain was expected to start Saturday evening, with …
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Chain-reaction Phoenix crash kills woman, 76, ends in 18-year-old’s arrest

A 76-year-old woman is dead, and an 18-year-old man is under arrest following a multi-vehicle collision in Phoenix, police said. Phoenix police on Friday announced the arrest of Jeffery White, …
Former Cardinals fullback Reagan Maui’a competes in the super heavyweight division of the Arizona State Fair Armwrestling Championship in Phoenix on Oct. 24.
Community

Arm wrestling championships showcase strength of family bonds, community

PHOENIX – As the smell of fried food and hot dogs filled The Hangout entertainment and event area at the Arizona State Fair, arm wrestlers caked their hands in chalk and gathered around tables to …
Annette Burzynski was named 2025 Arizona Queen by TOPS for her weight-loss journey with the nonprofit.
NEIGHBORS

Fountain Hills resident honored by nonprofit for weight-loss journey

Annette Burzynski of Fountain Hills grew up in Poland, but upon moving to the U.S. at age 11, the difference in food caused her weight to grow up to 240 pounds in her adulthood. “My girlfriend …
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 …

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Data Driven
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.
Phoenix is one of the nation’s stronger markets for small-business expansion, but Tucson is facing a more challenging economic outlook, according to a new study comparing 56 major U.S. metropolitan areas.
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Valley business

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. …

Scottsdale-based construction company launches new outreach, giving program

A.R. Mays employees are seen at a recent Child Crisis Arizona Lunch for Love event. A.R. Mays Cares launched with a $200,000 commitment to Child Crisis Arizona over the next five years.

Scottsdale-based A.R. Mays Construction announced the launch of a new outreach and charitable giving program on Tuesday in a release.

Neighbors

Scottsdale Leadership honors local leaders

HonorHealth CEO Todd LaPorte will receive Scottsdale Leadership’s Drinkwater Leadership Award Dec. 11.

Scottsdale Leadership will celebrate the winners of this year’s Spirit of the Community Awards 11 a.m., Dec. 11 at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road., according to a …

Scottsdale resident Q&A: Karen Cahn

Karen Cahn.

In an effort to create a stronger community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Karen Cahn’s answers: Name: …

Things to do

Todd Rundgren brings Damned If I Do Tour to Phoenix

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Todd Rundgren will perform at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Nov. 12 as part of his expanded 2026 Damned If I Do Tour.

Frank Turner brings farewell-to-touring celebration to Phoenix

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls performs on day two of Riot Fest on Sept. 16, 2023, at Douglass Park in Chicago.

British singer-songwriter Frank Turner will perform at The Van Buren in Phoenix on March 24, 2027, as part of his Last Evenings Tour, a 45-date international run preceding an indefinite break from touring.

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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