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Lake Powell houseboat fire was accidental, investigators say

Investigators have ruled that a fire that damaged several houseboats on Lake Powell, a popular destination on the Utah-Arizona line, was an accident. The National Park Service said in a statement …
GOVERNMENT

Tucson Democrat guilty of 'disorderly behavior' in ethics committee investigation

PHOENIX — Members of the House Ethics Committee have concluded that Tucson Democrat Stephanie Stahl Hamilton is guilty of “disorderly behavior” for her action in moving and hiding Bibles in the lounge used by lawmakers.

Lawmakers propose to weaken Obama rule requiring airlines to advertise full airfare price

Lawmakers are considering rolling back an Obama-era rule that requires airlines to show the total price of a ticket upfront in advertising, while also tweaking training requirements for airline …
Valley & State

Arizona governor vetoes bill requiring schools to limit transgender students' bathroom access

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation to restrict use of public school restrooms by transgender students. The Democratic governor's veto was among several she made on …
LAW ENFORCEMENT

Chandler Police benefit from more than $2.75M in state budget

Capitol Media Services recently reported dozens of agencies throughout Arizona received shares of earmarked funding included in the state budget bill, signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs in mid-May. …
TRANSPORTATION

State heads to drawing board for Riggs Road, SR 347 interchange upgrade

The state is looking for ideas to improve the Riggs Road traffic interchanges at State Route 347. The Arizona Department of Transportation has launched a study on traffic flow and safety in the …
Roadway and waterline improvements

Old Town Avondale phase 2 improvement construction begins June 19

The City of Avondale will hold an open house meeting for residents to learn more about Phase 2 of waterline and roadway improvements in Old Town Avondale.
Government

Avondale adopts $465M budget

On Monday, the Avondale City Council adopted a budget of approximately $465 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Court

Seven Mile man sentenced to 32 months for assault on police officer

Troy Pete Curtis, 33, of Seven Mile, Arizona, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 32 months in prison.
SCHOOLS

Top Arizona school official says hotline provided 'credible' tips on critical race theory teaching

PHOENIX — The state’s top school official said Thursday a “hotline” he set up two months ago has resulted in credible tips about what he calls “critical race theory” unacceptably being taught in Arizona classrooms.
Manufacturing

KORE Power receives conditional $850M loan from DOE for Buckeye facility

KORE Power Inc. has received a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy for an $850 million loan to help fund its Buckeye facility.

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Calendar of events
Opinions: Highlighting Valley Voices & Encouraging Civility
Betty Janik

Janik: Scottsdale short-term rentals by the numbers

We have come a long way since the 2021 short-term rental working group (which I co-chaired) identified opportunities for Scottsdale to establish and enforce regulations to reduce nuisance short-term …
Beverly Pingerelli

Pingerelli: Arizona Families Tax Rebate benefits taxpaying parents with dependents

The Arizona Families Tax Rebate, driven by the Arizona Freedom Caucus, will benefit taxpaying parents with dependents.

Hegg: Sober living home in Sun City not appropriate

This is to clarify some of the mis-quoted facts in the article (“Unlicensed home facilities face pushback,” Sun City Independent, June 7, 2023) about group homes.
Mayor David D. Ortega

Ortega: House Bill 2561 will be a Trojan horse in Scottsdale

While addressing Rio Verde Foothills residents on Jan. 28, Rep. Kolodin vowed “to break the rock,” referring to a hostile takeover of Scottsdale Water. House Bill 2561 is just that, …
One Step Coyotes is an Arizona-based adaptive hockey team that practices in Peoria.

Embracing inclusion: Breaking barriers, celebrating abilities in hockey

I moved to the Valley from Saint Paul, Minnesota, six years ago. While living there, I was fortunate to experience some of the state’s 11,842 lakes and vibrant sports culture. There are a …
Your Nonpartisan Daily News Source
West Valley

Options in the Valley housing market for first-time buyers can be hard to come by nowadays. Some homebuyers are being pushed out of the market with the median single-family resale home cost of …

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Sun City Posse are teaming up for a back to school drive.
A wrong-way driver crashed into Buckeye Police and Arizona Department of Public Safety vehicles Thursday night, injuring a trooper who was hospitalized, authorities said. The crash occurred June …
Four Arizona residents were sentenced to prison terms in connection with their schemes to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program loans, a federal loan initiative …
Over the last decade or so in Peoria, violent crime has steadily gone up, while property crime has steadily gone down, according to FBI crime statistics.
Phoenix

Haydon Building Corp has promoted four executives to take the company to the next level. They are Joe Malone to executive director, civil division; Heather Marin to director of operations, …

Highlights of Phoenix’s $11.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year include an increased effort to address homelessness, funding big construction projects at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, a …
Phoenix is accepting nominations to honor those who help people with disabilities. The Disabilities Awards and Recognition Event recognizes “ability, advocacy, accessibility and …
With hundreds of vacancies to fill, the Phoenix Police Department is looking to attract new applicants. The question is from where and how much it will cost to reach them? Phoenix City Council …
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the construction of a new affordable housing community in Phoenix.
East Valley

The Board of Visitors announced 42 high school seniors have accepted invitations to be honored as 2024 Flower Girls. These young women will participate in events throughout the school year, …

Make-A-Wish Arizona has appointed Kyle Pottinger from the Phoenix Suns as its incoming board chair, as well as three new leaders to its Board of Directors, totaling 35 individuals. Make-A-Wish …
STARS, a nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities, celebrated its 50th anniversary Fiesta with an event that brought together the community, …
Paradise Valley Town Council has unanimously approved the intermediate special use permit for redevelopment of Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The council voted yes 5-0 on June 8 with Council Members …
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for a 39-year-old man in connection with a sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children investigation. PCSO has obtained …
Arizona & National Sports Coverage
Local sports

Belmont cancels racing, Nationals postpone game due to poor air quality from Canada wildfires

Poor air quality from Canada’s wildfires has cancelled racing at Belmont Park and called off the Washington Nationals home game against Arizona on Thursday. It’s the second straight day the …

Diamondbacks take on the Nationals after Carroll's 4-hit game

The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Washington Nationals after Corbin Carroll had four hits on Wednesday in a 6-2 win over the Nationals.

Sabally's double-double leads Wings over Mercury in Griner's return to Texas

Satou Sabally had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Kalani Brown added 17 points and 15 rebounds, and the Dallas Wings beat the Phoenix Mercury 84-79 in a Texas homecoming for Brittney Griner. Shey Peddy …
National sports

Tokyo wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson balancing 2024 Olympic hopes with WWE training

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson had retired from amateur wrestling and was focused on becoming a World Wrestling Entertainment superstar. But the itch to entertain on the mat never left him. …

Panthers are finding overtime to be the right time in Stanley Cup playoffs

The Florida Panthers all like to argue before overtime on who's going to score the winning goal. They don't really care who individually gets that goal, as long as someone in Panthers colors does. …

A list of the Florida Panthers' dramatic moments in recent weeks

Florida is now 7-0 in overtime in these playoffs after Carter Verhaeghe scored to end OT in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night. No team over the last seven seasons has more playoff OT …

In finally competitive Stanley Cup Final, Vegas may still have edge on Florida

The Stanley Cup Final finally looks like a competitive series. The Florida Panthers assured that by rallying to beat Vegas in overtime in Game 3 and cut the Golden Knights' lead to 2-1. And while it …

Whitnell takes big 2nd-round lead at Scandinavian Mixed; Hewson and Grechi lead women

Dale Whitnell has shot an 11-under 61 to surge into a six-shot lead after the second round of the Scandinavian Mixed event, where women and men play on the same course for one prize fund and trophy. …
Most recent

KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — A university professor who spent 100 days living underwater at a Florida Keys lodge for scuba divers resurfaced Friday and raised his face to the sun for the first time since …

What: The Children’s Learning and Play Festival presented by Scottsdale Unified School District offers the best of both worlds by having fun while learning. The North Hall at Westworld of …
DETROIT (AP) — Starting next year, owners of electric vehicles made by General Motors and Ford will be able to charge their EVs at many of Tesla's charging stations, the largest such network in the …
MADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s chances of getting reelected after a July election have received a potentially important boost following an agreement between more than a …
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tens of thousands of people rallied again in downtown Belgrade on Friday, demanding the resignation of Serbia's populist president and warned of “radicalization” of the …
Hyperlocal News Just For You
Valley business

HALO Animal Rescue hosting Dog Days of Summer adoption event

HALO Animal Rescue is still hoping to find as many dogs their furever homes as possible so they can open up more space to continue to help their shelter partners and community.

Scottsdale Realtor achieves triple crown of coaching

Bret Ceren, associate broker at Platinum Living Realty has received recognition for successfully coaching three Craig Proctor Coaching award winners.

Korean all-you-can-eat barbecue expands to Chandler

A Korean restaurant chain has opened its second Valley location. Gen Korean BBQ House has opened its secnd all-you-can-eat Valley location in Chandler. It’s in the 99 Ranch Market shopping …

CARE 7 receives $25,000 Tempe Diablos grant

Tempe’s CARE 7, led by the Community Health and Human Services Department, has received $25,000 in grant funding from the Tempe Diablos Charities to fund its programs and events that assist crime victims.

Neighbors

Glendale Banner T-Bird physician joins Make-A-Wish board of directors

Rahul Chawla, pediatric intensivist and pediatric emergency room physician at Banner Children’s at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, is a new member of the Make-A-Wish Arizona board of directors.

Cerebral palsy no roadblock for Deer Valley Unified student-athlete

High school senior Jack Florez was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just 2-years old. Today he is a competitive cross country runner at Boulder Creek High School in Anthem within the Deer Valley Unified School District with dreams of continuing his running career in college thanks to hours of physical and occupational therapy at United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona.

Paradise Valley brothers create carpooling app for students, athletes

Sahil Bagai, 12, and his brother Ishan, 15, realized last August that their parents had a real problem on their hands. With Sahil’s school in Scottsdale and Ishan’s in Phoenix …

Q&A: Feeding Matters CEO Jaclyn Pederson

Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Phoenix-based Feeding Matters, is on a mission to help parents navigate what can be a stressful part of raising young kids: meal time. Having a baby or young child who …

Things to do

16th Annual Salt River Pirates event Saturday at Salt River Tubing

The 16th Annual Salt River Pirates event is Saturday, June 10, at Salt River Tubing. Salt River Tubing is open on the Lower Salt River seven days a week, weather and water-flow conditions …

WHAM Teens work on 3D houses in Surprise

The next Teen WHAM art class will be from 3:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday June 14 in WHAM Art Center, 16560 N. Dysart Road, Surprise. Teen WHAM art classes are geared specifically for ages 11 to 16, where …

Free writing workshop Saturday in Mesa

Aspiring writers can get help from a published author to improve their skills at Mesa Public Library. Local author Mark Athitakis is using Mesa Public Library as his public workspace as part of …

Juneteenth 2023: Events planned around the Valley

Communities throughout the Valley will hold Juneteenth celebrations on various days, offering opportunities to enjoy family-friendly events, many of which are free, in recognition of the day symbolizing freedom for those formerly enslaved in America.

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Obituaries & Memorials

Beverly Jean Peterson

Beverly Peterson, age 76, of Hayward, WI passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023 at her home. Beverly Peterson was born July 10, 1946 in Beloit, Wisconsin, daughter of Carl and Hazel (Beck) Brehm. She …

June Grace Roberts

We are sad to announce the passing of our Dear Mother, June Grace Roberts, 86, of Apache Junction, Az. On January 16, 2023. June was born on June 15, 1936 to Joseph and Mary Hickey in The Bronx, …

Charles Fred Stotts

Charles Fred Stotts left his earthly home for his eternal home early on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Brookdale Camino Del Sol in Sun City West, Arizona where he resided for the past 16 months with …

David James Melena

David passed away very peacefully on May 14, 2023 at his home in Sun City AZ in the arms of his wife, at the young age of 92. He had lung cancer for over 3 years. David was born on March 7, 1931 near …

Dave Wekamp

April 2, 1948 – June 1, 2023 Dave Wekamp of Sun City passed away on June 1, 2023, at home surrounded by his wife and family. Dave was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. …
The Latest News Around The Globe
Nation

Ford to bring Mustang back to Le Mans under company rebranding

Ford has planned a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic Mustang muscle car next year under a massive rebranding of Ford Performance that is aimed at bringing the automotive manufacturer …

Boris Johnson rewards allies, and a hairdresser, with honors as critics cry foul

LONDON (AP) — Several dozen allies of former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson received honors from King Charles III on Friday, a list that drew cries of cronyism from opponents of the ousted …

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

Social media users shared a range of false claims this week. Here are the facts: Italy has not launched a “Family Pride Month” as a counterpoint to events celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Videos …

Reparations campaigns get boost from new philanthropic funding

A new philanthropic funding initiative announced Friday will support campaigns for reparations for Black Americans. The Decolonizing Wealth Project is committing $20 million over five years to boost …

James Watt, sharp-tongued and pro-development Interior secretary under Reagan, dies at 85

Reagan administration Interior Secretary James Watt has died at age 85. The sharp-tongued Watt drew frequent criticism from environmentalists over what they saw as pro-development policies that …
World

'All life should be valued': Volunteers rush to save animals after Ukraine dam collapse

KHERSON, Ukraine (AP) — The rescue volunteer holds out his hand, but the dog, stranded on a floating island of debris in a southern Ukrainian city inundated by flooding, is too traumatized to …

White House says Iran is helping Russia build a drone factory east of Moscow for the war in Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran is providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow as the Kremlin looks to lock in a steady supply of weaponry for its ongoing invasion of …

Putin says Russian tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus next month

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow will deploy some of its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus next month, a move that the Belarusian opposition described as an …

Israeli troops fire tear gas to disperse protesters along Lebanon border

KFAR CHOUBA, Lebanon (AP) — Israeli soldiers fired tear gas to disperse scores of protesters who pelted the troops with stones along the border with Lebanon Friday, leaving some Lebanese …

Palestinians say Israeli troops kill man at West Bank checkpoint; Israel says he attacked a soldier

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man at a checkpoint in the occupied West Bank Friday, and the military said the man …
Entertainment

Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra will tour with stops in Europe and Britain to support war effort

NEW YORK (AP) — The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra will tour for the second straight summer, appearing in eight cities in Europe and Britain in support of the nation’s war effort against Russia. …
While indie musician Caroline Rose ostensibly does not use their degree in architecture, they exploited it and their background in theater to design the set for their latest tour. Her latest album about a breakup, "The Art of Forgetting," is out now. (June 8)

Indie artist Caroline Rose is proud of new album’s vulnerability, despite moments of regret

LOS ANGELES (AP) — During a recent performance at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles, indie musician Caroline Rose disappeared from the stage and emerged moments later atop a table in the back of the …
FILE - A spiraling torque from the second century A.D., is displayed as part of the exhibit called The Crimea - Gold and Secrets of the Black Sea, at Allard Pierson historical museum in Amsterdam, on April 4, 2014. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands on Friday June 9, 2023 ordered a trove of historical treasures from Crimea, stored for years at a Dutch museum, to be sent to Ukraine, upholding a lower court ruling that the 300 artifacts were part of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Dutch Supreme Court orders museum artifacts borrowed from Crimea returned to Ukraine

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Supreme Court of the Netherlands on Friday ordered that a Dutch museum's trove of historical treasures from Crimea be sent to Ukraine, upholding a lower court …
David Sedaris attends the PEN America Literary Awards at The Town Hall on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in New York. Sedaris is publishing his first children’s book, a collaboration with Ian Falconer conceived decades ago and finished shortly before the “Olivia” creator died in March. Toon Books, an imprint of Astra Publishing House, announced Thursday that “Pretty Ugly” will be published Feb. 27 next year. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

David Sedaris' first children's book, 'Pretty Ugly,' to be published next February

NEW YORK (AP) — David Sedaris is publishing his first children's book, a collaboration with Ian Falconer conceived decades ago and finished shortly before the “Olivia” creator died in March. …
Hikers along Pima Canyon trailhead at South Mountain

Phoenix adds hours for hiking at 3 city trails

Phoenix has extended summer hours so hikers can take advantage of cooler temperatures and shade along three trails. Extended summer hours are in effect through September at North Mountain Park …