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Valley Youth Theatre actors perform “The Little Mermaid Jr.” earlier in 2026.
Arts & Culture
‘Making better people’: How Valley Youth Theatre aims to inspire children and teens
The candidates for Peoria Unified School District participated in a forum discussing issues important to those in the district Oct. 15. From left, candidates Desiree’ Byrne, Melissa Ewing and Heather Rooks.
election 2026
Peoria Unified candidates talk issues at forum
Scottsdale Police arrested 49-year-old Samuel Ellery Sedgwick Oct. 15 for allegedly firing a gun at people.
FIRST RESPONDERS
Man arrested for allegedly shooting at people in Scottsdale
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents sit along a section of the international border wall that runs through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Aug. 22, 2019, in Lukeville. An attorney for the Department of Homeland Security is telling a federal court that a new double-layer border wall does not trespass on the Tohono O’odham Nation
Immigration
Homeland Security attorney says border wall does not trespass on Arizona tribal land
Arizona educator disciplinary cases have more than doubled since 2022, but state officials say expanded oversight, additional investigators and efforts to clear a backlog, rather than a documented surge in misconduct, are driving much of the increase.
Education Solutions
Arizona educator discipline cases surge as state clears backlog
Through layered color, atmosphere and intuitive mark-making, Casey Wakefield’s abstract paintings invite viewers to slow down, look again, and consider their own perspective.

Scottsdale art gallery showing works by Casey Wakefield

Royse Contemporary, 7077 E. Main Street, Suite 6, is showing “Paintings in Perspective,” a solo exhibition by Casey Wakefield Oct. 29 through Nov. 29. This new collection explores the …
Gas prices are seen at the Circle K located at 59th Avenue and Olive Road on Oct. 16, 2026. While the national average remains at record highs, the price of gas in the Valley fell 9 cents a gallon this week according to AAA Arizona.

Gas prices still at record highs despite drop in Valley

Despite the continued volatility in the crude oil market, gas prices dropped 9 cents this week in the Valley according to AAA Arizona.
Musician 1st Class Justin Mendez, from Yonkers, New York, performs with the U.S. Navy Band Commodores at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, in November 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Musician 1st Class Anastasia Bonotto)

Navy jazz ensemble brings free concerts to Phoenix

The U.S. Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble will perform two free concerts Wednesday, Nov. 11, at The Nash in downtown Phoenix. Performances are scheduled for 7 and 9 p.m. as part of the ensemble’s November tour.
Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden performs during the Louder Than Life Music Festival at the Kentucky Expo Center, in Louisville on Sept. 17, 2026.

Iron Maiden bringing 50th anniversary tour to Phoenix

Iron Maiden will bring its 50th anniversary “Run for Your Lives Tour” to Phoenix next spring as part of a newly announced return to North America.
Citing the skyrocketing cost of utility hardware and capital projects as one of a few main factors, the Chandler City Council voted Oct. 15 for preliminary approval of an ordinance and approval of a resolution that will put new rates into effect Jan. 4 of next year.

East Valley city leaders OK 9% water, other utility rate hikes

After speeding up what had recently been a two-year process, the Chandler City Council has decided to raise utility rates for the second time in less than a year. Citing the skyrocketing cost of …
Fountain Hills approved its 5G telecommunications and small cell tower ordinance after five years of effort.
Community News

Fountain Hills Town Council approves 5G, wireless telecommunications ordinances

The Fountain Hills Town Council approved ordinances regulating to small wireless facilities and antennas during its Oct. 6 meeting, closing its five-year process.  The council adopted the …
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.
NEIGHBORS

Scottsdale Firefighter Charities raises over $100K

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 …
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said the Executive Tower at the Capitol was evacuated Thursday afternoon after an envelope containing white powder was discovered.
ELECTIONS

White powder forces evacuation at Arizona Capitol, FBI investigates

The Executive Tower at the Arizona State Capitol was evacuated Thursday afternoon after an envelope containing white powder was opened by a clerk in the office of Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, …
This list shows how many competitors the Chandler Unified district has in the East Valley that are educating the 10,500 students living in the district who don’t attend a CUSD school. An Oct. 7 presentation by the firm Applied Economics was when demographer Rick Brammer said he believes the district enrollment will drop by about 7,500 students over the next 10 years.
EDUCATION

East Valley school district shrink factors moderate, demographer says

Decreasing birth rates, high housing costs and the growth of charter and private schools have all been mentioned and discussed as reasons Chandler Unified and some other Arizona public school …
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 gives $1.25M in grants

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 …
There is no hard evidence that the number of problems involving e-bikes are coming down in Scottsdale, but fire department officials say accidents are on the rise.
COMMUNITY NEWS

Some on Scottsdale City Council believe e-bike problems getting better

E-bikes, which can go as fast as 40 mph., are zipping around Scottsdale creating more havoc than ever these days ... or are they? No one can really offer any hard evidence either way. The …
The warehouse will be to the east of a new fabrication building the Mesa Design Review Board reviewed a couple months ago.
Development

Boeing plans industrial warehouse in Mesa

A 35,000-square-foot industrial warehouse is to be constructed at Boeing north of the northeast corner of North Greenfield Road and East McDowell Road in Mesa. The Mesa Design Review Board …
VALLEY TRAVEL

ADOT limits weekend road work to SR 347 restrictions

Overnight lane restrictions on State Route 347 between the City of Maricopa and Casa Blanca Road are scheduled this weekend for a pavement improvement project, state transportation officials said …
FILE - Colorado Avalanche assistant coach Dave Hakstol looks on from the team box in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Oct. 28, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
ASU Hockey

Arizona State hires veteran NHL coach Dave Hakstol to lead program, Powers announces resignation

Arizona State has hired Dave Hakstol as hockey coach while investigating an outdoor workout incident that left a player on life support. The previous coach, Greg Powers, has stepped down amid the …
Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks at a press conference in January. Hobbs is lashing out at those trying to undermine plans for what some call a “toilet to tap” system of converting waste into drinking water.
Arizona water

Arizona governor critical of those opposing water purification program

SCOTTSDALE — Gov. Katie Hobbs is lashing out at those who are trying to undermine plans for what some call a “toilet to tap” system of converting waste into drinking water. The …
SILENT WITNESS

West Valley PD seeks public help in arson case

The Buckeye Police Department is looking for help identifying two people of interest Buckeye police need your help identifying two people of interest caught on camera moments before an arson …
The logo for OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, appears on a mobile phone, in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Technology

Arizona, 7 states sue AI giant OpenAI, saying its chatbot is hurting children and deceiving adults

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — At least eight states are suing artificial intelligence giant OpenAI, saying the company's popular chatbot model violated state consumer protection laws by hurting children …
ENTERTAINMENT

Free Street Fest returns to Phoenix for Hondo Rodeo

The Hondo Rodeo Fest will return to downtown Phoenix Nov. 13-15 with an expanded free Street Fest outside Chase Field. The outdoor event opens at noon each day and is free and open to the public.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Arizona announced construction on its second fab is completed during its third quarter earnings call early Thursday morning.
BUSINESS

Second Arizona fab construction complete, TSMC says during 3Q report

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Arizona announced construction on its second fab is completed during its third quarter earnings call early Thursday morning.
FILE - Lake Mead is seen on Sept. 3, 2026, in Boulder City, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Mob hit? Las Vegas police plan to release the ID of a man found in a barrel in Lake Mead

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police in Las Vegas are poised to settle a mystery Thursday by publicly revealing the identity of a man whose body was found in a barrel in Lake Mead. The discovery by boaters …
The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a discussion on how technology is affecting businesses operations Oct. 22.
BUSINESS

Scottsdale Chamber hosts discussion on business technology

The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a discussion Oct. 22, by leading organizations across business technology, workforce development and education officials about the forces …
From left, Gilbert Public Schools Chief Technology Officer Jon Castelhano, Chief Operations Officer Albert Dutchover and Business Services Assistant Superintendent Crystal Zachary present the governing board information on how Proposition 320 would affect the district if passed.
2026 Elections

East Valley school board questions Prop 320's fairness, charter school exemption

Gilbert Public Schools board members criticize Proposition 320 for excluding charter schools and overlooking essential student services while supporting accountability.
Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect in an antique store theft is asked to contact the Gilbert Police Department at 480-503-6500 and reference case No. 26-181263.
SEARCH

Thief takes up to $60K in jewelry from East Valley antiques store: PD

Gilbert police are searching for the person suspected of stealing and estimated $50,000-$60,000 in jewelry from Flashback Antiques. Police received a report about 12:15 a.m. Oct. 13 that the …
FILE - A worker walks past the logo of TSMC or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., a Taiwanese multinational semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company, in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Daniel Ceng, File)

Taiwan chipmaker TSMC explores Texas investment to expand production in the US

HONG KONG (AP) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is exploring potential investments in Texas to expand its chip production in the United States, the advanced chipmaker said after posting …
“Mermaid Madonna,” by Victoria Lindley, will be on display at the upcoming “Cryptic Nature” exhibit in Phoenix.
ENTERTAINMENT

Phoenix artist explores nature, spirituality in ‘Cryptic Nature’

Phoenix artist Victoria Lindley will present “Cryptic Nature,” an exhibition of paintings and clay works opening Friday, Dec. 4, at Five15Arts @ Chartreuse on Grand Avenue in Phoenix.

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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 people shopping for a home in Arizona, safety is often part of the calculation before the moving truck ever arrives.
For travelers flying out of Phoenix, getting to the airport may be one of the easier parts of the trip.

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Opinions with Civility

Surprise reader: 2026 isn’t the year for person over party

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

Van Trust starts work on third building at West Valley site

Construction is beginning on Phase II of VT101 by Van Trust Real Estate. This will be the third building at the industrial development off Loop 101 in Glendale.

On Oct. 14 VanTrust Real Estate announced the start of construction of Phase II at VT101, located at 6091 N Ballpark Blvd., adjacent to Glendale's sports and entertainment district. This is the …

West Valley businesses pay it forward with pastries

Proof Bread pastries are displayed alongside Alhambra Credit Union materials Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in Litchfield Park. The credit union sponsored free pastries during Pay It Forward Day, part of Arizona Credit Union Week.

Community spirit came with a flaky crust Oct. 13 as Proof Bread and Alhambra Credit Union teamed up to treat Litchfield Park customers during Pay It Forward Day.

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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

Scottsdale PD to host to trunk-or-treat

The Scottsdale Police Department is hosting a free trunk-or-treat at the Granite Reef Senior Center.

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 …

Over 70 police dogs to show their competition chops at WestWorld of Scottsdale

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.

Over 70 service dogs from 30 police departments in six states will descend on WestWorld of Scottsdale Oct. 24-25. No, it’s not a new fire hydrant expo, but rather the 23rd annual Desert Dog …

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Obituaries & Memorials: Remembering your loved ones
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 …
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 …

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