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Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix.
ELECTION 2026
Groups creating safeguards as early voting begins
The Greater Phoenix Chamber has announced Shannon Butler, Executive Director of Government Affairs at CVS Health for the West Region, as the new chair of its Public Affairs Committee.
Business
Greater Phoenix Chamber names Shannon Butler new Public Affairs chair
What goes together better than dogs and country music? Over 70 police dogs and their trainers will join forces with country music stars Kristen Merlin and Kylie Morgan to entertain goers to the 23rd Annual Desert Dog Police Canine Trials and Public Safety Expo at WestWorld of Scottsdale Oct. 24-25.
ENTERTAINMENT
Over 70 police dogs to show their competition chops at WestWorld of Scottsdale
WINNERS
Lottery Scratchers hit for more than $1.1M in Peoria, Apache Junction, Phoenix
A commercial building was damaged in a storm that blew through Tempe on Monday Oct. 13, 2025.
Community
Tempe reflects one year after the destructive microburst
The Scottsdale Police Department is hosting a free trunk-or-treat at the Granite Reef Senior Center.

Scottsdale PD to host to trunk-or-treat

The Scottsdale Police Department will host its fourth annual trunk-or-treat 5 - 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. The free event is open to …
President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump campaigns in Arizona and Montana on 2nd day of Western swing to help boost GOP candidates

LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Donald Trump's midterm roadshow to rally the GOP is stopping Wednesday in swing-state Arizona and a Republican-leaning U.S. House district in Montana. The visits …
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new immunotherapy drug for use by patients with stage 3 colon caner that was studied at the Mayo Clinic.

FDA approves immunotherapy regimen studied by Mayo Clinic

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy for some patients with stage 3 colon cancer following surgery. The treatment is …
A truck crosses a bridge on SR-189 on March 14, 2022.

Hobbs loosens fuel rules for farmers, ranchers

PHOENIX - Gov. Katie Hobbs late Tuesday ordered state officials to temporarily stop enforcing laws that bar farmers and ranchers from using cheaper "red-dye diesel'' in the trucks they use to deliver …
Chief Financial Officer Sharon Rushcamp presented the district's annual financial report to the Higley USD Governing Board.

East Valley district's financial report shows mounting budget pressures, rising maintenance costs

Higley Unified's annual financial report shows declining classroom spending, rising maintenance costs and mounting financial pressure from enrollment losses and reduced override funding.
Destinie Hamby, 17, was last seen on Oct. 11.
Missing

Another teen reported missing in Queen Creek

Police are searching for a teen girl who went missing in Queen Creek on Sunday. The Queen Creek Police Department reports that Destinie Hamby, 17, was last seen at about 1:50 p.m., Oct. 11. Hamby is …
Goodyear leaders and representatives from Baywood Hotel pose with shovels Oct. 12, 2026, during the groundbreaking for an AC Hotel by Marriott at GSQ in downtown Goodyear. The 135-room hotel is expected to open in early 2028.
Development

AC Hotel breaks ground in West Valley city's downtown

Construction began Oct. 12 on a 135-room AC Hotel by Marriott at GSQ in downtown Goodyear, with an opening expected in early 2028.
The suspect pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault, a class three dangerous felony and domestic violence offense, and two counts of child abuse, a class four felony and domestic violence offense.
sentenced

Domestic abuse suspect sentenced for near-fatal stabbing in Mesa

Tyler Riddle, 34, was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison for the violent assault of his girlfriend in Mesa. In August 2025, the Mesa Police Department responded to a call from a …
The Surprise City Council passed development agreements for the Ana Mandara, top, and Vistas Montanas projects in northwest Surprise at its Oct. 6 city council meeting.
Growth

Surprise council signs off on two development agreements in growing northwest area

By passing a pair of development agreements in that northwest area, the Surprise City Council took more steps at growing in a more sensible order.
Mark Finchem and Kari Lake on the floor of the Arizona House in early 2022, before they filed their legal challenge to state laws requiring the use of tabulation machines to count votes.
Legal

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to overturn Lake, Finchem attorney penalties

PHOENIX — The U.S. Supreme Court won’t overturn $122,200 in penalties against an attorney for Kari Lake and Mark Finchem for filing what lower court judges called a “frivolous” challenge to …
The City of Scottsdale has joined a lawsuit claiming firetruck manufacturers, the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association and the private equity firm American Industrial Partners have conspired to create a monopoly in the firetruck industry and hike prices over 100%.
FIRST RESPONDERS

Scottsdale joins Arizona cities in lawsuit against fire truck manufacturers

Scottsdale has joined with seven other Arizona cities and towns suing firetruck manufacturers from around the country, accusing them of monopolizing the industry and killing off any competition. …
Jessica Knight, founder of ChimaSol Journeys
SUPPORT

Cancer support group meets monthly at Joy Bus Diner in Phoenix

ChimaSol Journeys, a Phoenix-based organization created by Jessica Knight, has partnered with The Joy Bus to launch a free monthly cancer support group at The Joy Bus Diner, 10401 N. 32nd St. …
Attorney General Kris Mayes, shown at a press conference earlier this year, filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court against the City of Tolleson over firefighter “exit penalties,” according to a release from the Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday.
LAWSUIT

Arizona Attorney General sues Tolleson over firefighter’s ‘exit penalty’

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court against the City of Tolleson over firefighter “exit penalties,” according to a release from the Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday.
Fans gather at picnic tables outside of Grand Canyon University's Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. GCU host the inaugural Phoenix Corporate Games on Friday, March 19, 2027.
Business

First ever Phoenix Corporate Games to be held at GCU next spring

PHOENIX — The Visit Phoenix Sports & Events Commission and Fiesta Sports Foundation are partnering to launch the inaugural Phoenix Corporate Games, a field-day-style event bringing Greater …
LOTTERY

Latest winners of Powerball drawings sold at East, West Valley stores

Powerball tickets worth $170,000 were sold recently at two stores in Mesa and Goodyear. A ticket for the Oct. 12 drawing, which matched four out of five numbers plus the Powerball and a 3X …
Tempe City Hall in downtown Tempe.
Government

Tempe council to vote on potential license plate reader ban

In a several-month-long attempt to ban automatic license plate reader cameras in Tempe, the city council will make a final decision on where the technology will stand in the city. The first …
Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr. walks off the field after a game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale Sunday, Sept. 20.
Arizona Cardinals

Fans, experts look for blame in Marvin Harrison Jr.’s now-concluded Cardinals tenure

TEMPE – Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Cardinals tenure ended well short of expectations. The team officially announced it had traded the wide receiver to the Houston Texans on Monday, along with a …
Several nearby homes were hit but no one was injured after shots were fired at a short-term rental in the 7300 block of Papago Drive around 3:30 a.m. Oct. 11, according to police.
FIRST RESPONDERS

Shots fired at Scottsdale short-term rental

Scottsdale Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired at a house in the 7300 block of Papago Drive shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. No one was injured in the incident, …
Gilbert was the highest-ranking Arizona city in a new report listing the nation's safest cities for new homeowners. (Facebook)
DATA DRIVEN

Arizona cities named among nation’s safest for new homeowners

For people shopping for a home in Arizona, safety is often part of the calculation before the moving truck ever arrives.
Customers of Arizona Public Service will be receiving a credit on their November bill through the success of the Green Power Partners program.
ENERGY

APS customers to receive bill credit in November

Customers of Arizona Public Service will be receiving a credit on their November bill through the success of the Green Power Partners program.
Nathan Walker will take over the school head position at the International School Arizona next July.
EDUCATION

Scottsdale’s International School of Arizona chooses new head of school

The International School of Arizona Board of Trustees has appointed Nathan Walker as the school’s next head of school, effective July 1, 2027. Walker succeeds Jason Smith, who will continue to …
Jeanne Beasley, Amy Carney and Dr. Jennifer Johnson shared their ideas on what the future of Scottsdale Unified School District should look like Oct. 7 during a forum put on by the Scottsdale Parent Council.
EDUCATION

Three candidates square off in forum on SUSD governing board election

A paralegal, a businesswoman/writer and a career educator who has served as a teacher principal and district superintendent squared off in a candidate forum hosted by the Scottsdale Parent Council …
This map shows the roughly 2.5 miles of the Frye Road Bike Lane project, which will create separated, curb-protected bike lanes along Frye Road from Fairview Street, near Alma School Road, to the canal trail near Cooper Road.
LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Chandler bike lane change is 94% federally funded

The Chandler City Council approved a second change order last month for one of its most ambitious recent non-vehicle road projects. Jason Crampton, the city’s transportation planning manager, …
Mary Prado, left, and two other crisis intervention specialists with the Phoenix Community Assistance Program, which provides mental health specialists to respond to emergency calls instead of or in addition to police, pose for a photo in front of a van.
Mental Health

Phoenix continues to grow mental health emergency response program

Behavioral health specialists are taking more calls than ever in the city of Phoenix, in lieu of police or fire, and the program continues to expand. Phoenix’s Community Assistance Program is …
Parents and students can get a look at kindergarten classes offered by Scottsdale Unified School District Oct. 20 through Nov. 10, depending on the school.
EDUCATION

SUSD invites future families to explore schools at Kindergarten Roundup

Families with children entering kindergarten for the 2027–28 school year are invited to attend Kindergarten Roundup, a series of events hosted at Scottsdale Unified School District elementary …

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Arizona Water

Glendale will discuss water plan specifics at workshop

The lower Colorado River flows through Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1964 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the floodplain between Arizona and California.

For years, the city of Glendale has prepared for a reduction in its water allocation from its Colorado River basin allocation. Now city officials have a specific number to attach to the cutbacks …

Read more about Arizona water

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. …

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Sun Life

The latest issue of Sun Life Magazine pdf eedition

The latest issue of Sun Life Magazine

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Data Driven
For travelers flying out of Phoenix, getting to the airport may be one of the easier parts of the trip.
Arizona is adding people, but the state’s households are not necessarily getting bigger.

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Opinions with Civility

Congress should pass the Major Richard Star Act to keep its promise to combat-injured veterans

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Valley & Arizona Sports Coverage
Your Nonpartisan Daily News Source
Valley business

Time Mission to open first Arizona location in Scottsdale

Players will journey through time in fully themed missions designed to challenge both the mind and body in the Time Mission theme room set to open in late spring or summer of 2027.

Time Mission, an immersive, team-based time-travel adventure experience, is expanding to Arizona with plans to open an approximately 10,000-square-foot venue in Scottsdale, 15745 N. Hayden Road in …

Verrado Marketplace’s dining district set for Oct. 15 debut

A sign marks the entrance to Verrado Marketplace at the northeast corner of Interstate 10 and Verrado Way in Buckeye. The shopping center’s dining and entertainment area, The District, is scheduled to debut Oct. 15.

Verrado Marketplace’s dining and entertainment area, The District, is scheduled to debut Oct. 15, with more businesses expected to open at the Buckeye shopping center before year’s end, according to developer Vestar.

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Neighbors

Scottsdale resident Q&A: Barney Gonzales

Barney Gonzales.

In an effort to create a stronger sense of community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Barney Gonzales’ answers. …

Gigi’s Playhouse in Scottsdale offers those with Down syndrome skills, camaraderie

Gigi’s Playhouse Phoenix member Sofia Ramirez (right) prepares the cash register for a busy day at the achievement center’s cafe.

Chris Mays knows what’s wrong with the world. “The world needs more people with Down syndrome,” said Mays, the executive director of GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, which is actually located …

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Things to do

Grand Canyon tourism slumps after 2025 fire as businesses wait for Congress to speed rebuilding

In this Sept. 19, 2026, photo, the National Park Service Bison All-Hazard Response Crew works near the Phantom Ranch in Grand Canyon National Park as part of the recovery from the Aug. 29 flash flood.

WASHINGTON – A House bill to speed repairs at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim after the huge Dragon Bravo Fire in July 2025 is inching forward. But businesses dependent on tourism are getting …

The Nash marks 14 years of jazz in Phoenix

Phoenix native Lewis Nash, the acclaimed drummer for whom the club is named, will perform Friday, Nov. 6, with The Nash Collective.

The Nash will celebrate its 14th anniversary with three days of jazz Nov. 6-8 at its downtown Phoenix club, bringing together nationally recognized musicians and local performers for concerts and a closing-night jam session.

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Obituaries & Memorials: Remembering your loved ones
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 …
Photo Caption

Marti Alice Murphy

Marti Alice Murphy, 82 recently of Cielito Lindo Assisted Living, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico passed away Tuesday, Sept. 15th where she lived with her husband Douglas Murphy. They had moved there …
Photo Caption

Sally Jo (Lovelace) Brown

Sally Jo (Lovelace) Brown died peacefully at her group home residence in Surprise, Arizona on Sat., Sept. 26, 2026. The former resident of Davenport, Iowa, who had lived most recently in Sun City …
Photo Caption

Shirley Wright Wagner

Shirley Wright Wagner, née Dripps, was born in Oregon on February 10, 1932. She passed away peacefully at home, resting in her favorite chair in the loving arms of family. Shirley lived with an open …

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