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Tree debris obstructs part of a street as storms caused damage at a local apartment complex, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Hail the size of golf balls pummel parts of Arizona as rare storm moves through the West

PHOENIX (AP) — Hail the size of golf balls and damaging wind gusts pounded northern and central Arizona in a rare storm blowing through, bringing with it tornado risks and possible flash floods. …
This chart shows what a tiny percentage of state sales tax one-time revenue staff believes the city of Chandler will have by fiscal 2031. The city has kicked off its budget cycle and budget surveys are set to be circulated to residents soon.

East Valley city's budget will still have many capital needs in ‘28

When the Chandler City Council wrapped its budget work sessions, briefings and votes in the spring, ahead of the July 1 start of fiscal 2027, there was a lot of spending to recap. While it …
The original Old Main building on the University of Arizona campus is seen Friday, July 31, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Fraternity suspended at University of Arizona after female student reported assault by 2 men

The University of Arizona has suspended a fraternity's activities after a female student alleged two men sexually assaulted her at the fraternity's house in August. The Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter …
Scottsdale Unified School District offers students five separate learning communities to choose from.

SUSD opens enrollment for next school year

Scottsdale Unified School District is opening enrollment for the 2027–28 school year beginning 8 a.m., Monday, Nov. 2. With five distinct learning communities named after the high schools they …
City Councilwomen Solange Whitehead and Jan Dubauskas argued back and forth on how to meet Scottsdale’s future water needs.

Scottsdale City Council members spar over city’s water security

Whether Scottsdale has enough water to sustain itself into the future seems to depend on who you ask. City Councilwomen Solange Whitehead and Jan Dubauskas had two vastly different take aways …
The Majestic Gilbert 8 is still open but the property is going to auction, according to vizzda.com.
Business

Former Alamo Draft House site in East Valley faces sale to satisfy $10M debt

A Gilbert movie theater property operating as Majestic Gilbert 8 has been scheduled for a December trustee sale tied to a $10 million debt notice.
Marisa Lara
MISSING

Search continues for missing teen last seen in Surprise

It has been more than five months since 16-year-old Marisa Lara went missing, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help to locate the teen. …

Election 2026-Arizona-General Election, ADVISORY

Nov. 3 ' Arizona General Election ' Advisory WASHINGTON (AP) — EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arizona general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. …
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West home is shown on March 25, 2019 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Kim Johnson Flodin)
Community

Visitor killed by piece of roof blown off Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home in Arizona

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona desert home of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright remained temporarily closed to the public on Wednesday after a piece of a roof blew off in high winds, killing …
Letters move on a conveyer belt at the Tucson mail sorting facility that has been targeted for closure.
Community

White powder letters sent to Arizona lawmakers reflect surge of political intimidation

WASHINGTON – The powder in a letter sent to Rep. Adelita Grijalva tested negative for anything harmful, an aide to the Tucson Democrat said Tuesday. But that and other suspicious letters sent …
Storms rolled through the Valley in September, and another batch is expected this week.
Weather

Storms expected across Arizona, with potential for flooding, hail, tornadoes

A storm system pushing through Arizona over the next few days is expected to bring heavy rain to northern Arizona and potential flooding to the Phoenix area. The National Weather Service …
Partners That Heal improv actors perform in a patients room.
The Phoenix Theatre Company

Partners That Heal connects dementia patients and family members through improv

When young family members come to visit their relatives at Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus, it can be uncomfortable to interact with a family member who may not recognize …
Lily Hughes, 15, has been located.
Missing

Another missing teen from Queen Creek located

A 15-year-old girl missing from Queen Creek since Oct. 6 has been found. The Queen Creek Police Department reports that Lilly Hughes has been located and is safe. Seven other teens remain …
Sal DiSanto, a planner for the town of Gilbert, presents proposed land development code amendments on data centers to the Gilbert Town Council.
Government

Gilbert delays data center regulations over concerns about smaller facilities

Gilbert Town Council postpones data center zoning regulations until December amid concerns about smaller facilities, water use and changing technology.
The Phoenix Symphony, pictured here with conductor Paolo Bortolameolli, announced Tuesday that it is suspending the remainder of its 2026-27 season following its Nov. 1 performance.
ARTS

Phoenix Symphony to suspend season, lay off musicians

The Phoenix Symphony will suspend the remainder of its 2026-27 season following its Nov. 1 performance, citing a financial shortfall that has left the organization unable to meet its operating obligations.
Support local journalism

We want to make impactful change in our communities

Dear Valued Readers: Thank you for supporting us at Independent Newsmedia through your voluntary pay contributions. We hope you agree that our dedication to covering nonpartisan, community news is …
The Arizona Supreme Court won't make the state look at whether the San Pedro River in southern Arizona needs more oversight from the Department of Water Resources.
Arizona Water

Arizona Supreme Court rejects effort to force review of San Pedro River

PHOENIX — The Arizona Supreme Court won’t force Gov. Katie Hobbs to direct her Department of Water Resources to look at the question of whether there needs to be greater state oversight of water …
The original Old Main building on the University of Arizona campus is seen Friday, July 31, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

University of Arizona student alleges she was sexually assaulted by 2 men at fraternity house

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A sorority member at the University of Arizona has alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house during a night of drinking in late August. The …
A rendering of Museum Square in Scottsdale.
BUSINESS

Developer behind proposed Museum Square files complaint against Scottsdale HOA

A developer behind the proposed Museum Square project in Scottsdale is filing a complaint against an HOA for causing financial and reputational damage via a lengthy legal battle. ARC Scottsdale …
RECKLESS DRIVING

Arizona DPS receives money to crack down on street racing

The Arizona Department of Public Safety has received $42,000 in grant funding from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to support enforcement efforts targeting illegal street and …
ARIZONA LOTTERY

Scratchers ticket worth $250K sold in Apache Junction

A Scratchers ticket worth $250,000 was sold last week in Apache Junction, Arizona Lottery officials announced Monday. The Perfect Gift ticket was purchased at the Pyramid Smoke Shop & Mini …
The candidates for the Pine District Peoria city council race are newcomers Joysaphine Waitman-Powell and Eva Osuna.
Election 2026

Waitman-Powell has money edge over Osuna in Peoria Pine District race

When it comes to raising and spending money for the Pine District Peoria city council race, Joysaphine Waitman-Powell has the edge over Eva Osuna, according to the most recent campaign finance numbers.
Desert Canyon Middle School theater students performed “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” last year.
EDUCATION

Desert Canyon students take theater to the next level

Desert Canyon Middle School used to have a full and thriving theater program for years, but it started to wither when its beloved theater teacher Kelly O’Rourke passed. A few people tried to …
A road sign points to Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, where leaders say AM radio is necessary to cover the vast distances of the nation were more modern infrastructure may be lacking.
Media

Arizona broadcasters back AM frequencies as Congress debates mandate for autos

WASHINGTON – The technology may be more than a century old, but AM radio waves continue to carry safety alerts, news and entertainment in multiple languages across Arizona. Now, national …
Dr. Cal Matsumoto, a MedStar Georgetown University Hospital transplant surgeon, gestures to a chart on the digestive system on March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)

How the US organ transplant system works and what to ask to improve your chances

There are ways patients can try to improve their chances of getting organ transplants. With about 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant list, more organs are needed even as many others go unused …
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

2026 Preps football preview: Ironwood

Ironwood

Ironwood coach Tony Stillings did not have to say much to his current seniors in January, when they gathered for the first time after a 1-9 season in 2025. No one wanted another fall like that. …

Calendar of events
Data Driven
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.
For people shopping for a home in Arizona, safety is often part of the calculation before the moving truck ever arrives.
Opinions with Civility
Valley & Arizona Sports Coverage
Your Nonpartisan Daily News Source
Valley business

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.

Salt Creek Furniture in Scottsdale celebrates 35 years of business

Salt Creek Furniture in Scottsdale is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026.

Salt Creek Furniture in Scottsdale is celebrating 35 years in business in 2026. Founded in 1991, the store had humble beginnings, according to partner Jason Cameron. “Our company got our …

Neighbors

Scottsdale Firefighter Charities raises over $100K

Scottsdale Firefighter Charities raised over $100,000 Sept. 27 for programs like the EVIT Foundation, Scottsdale Community Partners/Human Services, the Scottsdale Food Bank, Jobs for America, the City of Scottsdale youth development program, Scottsdale senior centers, the Together Pink Network, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and the Vista del Camino Community Center.

Scottsdale Firefighter Charities raised more than $100,000, a new record for its annual Behind the Flames fundraiser, as supporters gathered at Mastro’s City Hall Sunday, Sept. 27, to recognize …

Ascension Lutheran Church gives $1.25M in grants

Ascension Lutheran Church is giving $1.25 million in grants before merging with North Scottsdale United Methodist Church to form Peace in the Desert Church.

Ascension Lutheran Church, a Scottsdale-area Lutheran congregation founded in 1952, is giving $1.25 million to 11 Valley nonprofits, the largest single act of community giving in the congregation’s …

Things to do

Ancient Chinese musical treasures coming to Phoenix museum

More than 70 musical instruments and other objects excavated from archaeological sites in China will be featured in a new exhibition opening Nov. 6 at Musical Instrument Museum.

New monument to go on display in front of Western Spirit

“Way of the Wild, 1832” depicts a lone hunter standing tall and confident with his gaze directed into the distance.

A new, eight-foot tall monument called, “Way of the Wild, 1832,” by western artist John Coleman will be installed in front of the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in December. …

Obituaries & Memorials: Remembering your loved ones
Photo Caption

Marie E. Conrad

Marie E. Conrad, age 99 of Sierra Winds Retirement Community, Peoria AZ passed away peacefully on October 15th, 2026. She was born in Canton, Ohio on September 3, 1927, to John M. and Pearl …
Photo Caption

Helene Marie Summers

Helene Marie Summers (nee Tullio), passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2026. She was surrounded by her daughter, Sharon Summers and grandchildren Ashley Wilson and Mark Bousman. Helene, …
Photo Caption

Pauline F. Nelson

Pauline F. Nelson, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 25, 1937, in …
Photo Caption

Maureen A. Ely (nee McCarthy),

Maureen A. Ely (nee McCarthy), age 77, affectionately known as “Renie” and “Mo” of Arlington Heights, IL, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026. Mass will be 11 am Saturday, …
Photo Caption

Ronald W. Fett Sr.

On September 20th, The Lord Called Ron to join Him in Heaven. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Janet, his six children; Debra (Dan), Kevin (Sherry), Tracey (Bob), Brain (Donna), Ken (Candi), Ron …
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