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Arizona monsoon 2026: Preparing for microbursts, flash floods, and haboobs

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:13:44 -0700

Arizona's monsoon is the ultimate paradox: months of relentless heat shattered in an instant by Mother Nature's fury.

We're breaking down every element of Arizona's seasonal monsoon, including the wind, dust, rain, and heat. This year, the team wanted to hear from the public to test local knowledge of summer storms and try to dispel myths about the monsoon. Later, the annual monsoon outlook will attempt to predict whether 2026 can match last year's late-arriving storm activity.

What is a monsoon?

First, it is important to understand what the monsoon is. When asked if they had been through an Arizona monsoon season yet, one resident replied, "Yes, I have. Those are the scariest things I've ever seen in my life. Be ready for it. Be ready for dust storms. And then behind it comes the rain. Just be ready for it. I love my season when it hits."

The monsoon is a seasonal change in the wind pattern, a change that brings moisture to a typically very dry state. Most of the year, the wind flow is from the west, keeping the region fairly dry with periodic storm systems running past and bringing wet weather. During the summer, attention shifts to the south. Summer heating creates a dome of high pressure over Mexico that begins to shift northward by June. Eventually, the dome settles over the Four Corners region, where it wobbles around the rest of summer.

That location shifts the winds to a more southerly flow, a flow that is perfect for transporting moisture into the state. Winds flow clockwise around high pressure, grabbing upper-level moisture from the Gulf. At the same time, the southwest U.S. and northern Mexico begin to heat up more rapidly than the ocean waters nearby. That hot air rises and a thermal low develops. With counterclockwise motion, this pattern pushes low-level moisture from the Pacific and the Gulf of California toward Arizona. It is this moisture combo that gives the region its best shot at summer storms.

To get an idea of how unpredictable the monsoon can be, look no further than 2025. For the first few months, it felt like another monsoon with abnormally dry conditions across much of central Arizona. But it was the last third of the season that provided the most substantial monsoon moisture. In late August, a massive 5,000-foot-tall, 50-mile-wide wall of dust swallowed the southeastern Phoenix area. It brought lightning, heavy rain, and even some flash flooding.

September storms were even more dangerous. Several people were killed in Globe and Miami after the area received more than two inches of rain in less than an hour, causing massive flooding. The post-monsoon period was also very active, with the remnants of tropical storms Priscilla and Raymond dumping plenty of rain in the first few weeks of October. A supercell tracked south to north through Chandler, Guadalupe, Tempe, and Scottsdale.

What is a microburst?

One of the most destructive elements of the monsoon are microbursts. A microburst forms within a thunderstorm, requiring a powerful updraft. An updraft is created by rising air, which allows the thunderstorm to grow taller and stronger, suspending water droplets, hail, and air. Eventually, the air cools, becoming more dense and too heavy for the updraft to support. This is when the action happens down on the ground. A column of dense air and moisture topples out of the storm, rushing to the ground in a dramatic display that often looks like a bucket of water pouring from the sky.

As the air and rain plummet to the surface, the air already on the ground is forced outward. The air spreads in every direction, creating a wall of damaging winds. Those winds can reach up to 100 miles per hour or stronger, the equivalent of an EF1 tornado. Microbursts are relatively small in scale, typically under 2.5 miles in diameter. But in that footprint, trees and power lines can go down. Roofs might peel off, and sometimes semi-trucks can even flip.

During a recent storm, residents found themselves caught directly in the path. "Okay, so we are in the middle of a haboob," one occupant said. Another person inside the vehicle stated, "I can see out of our headlights and my phone like the best... It's blowing up... can't see anything. We're in the middle of the Haboob. We are in our car."

What is a haboob?

A haboob is another term for a dust storm, and they happen every year in Phoenix, especially during the monsoon. It starts with sunny blue skies and a growing cloud of brown coming up on the horizon. Growing larger and taller as it comes into view, a huge wall of dust races forward until it takes over, turning day into night. Dust storms can be dramatic in Phoenix, with some climbing thousands of feet tall.

In 2025, there were several photo-worthy dust storms that happened as monsoon storms ramped up. The conditions have to be just right. When a strong thunderstorm forms, heavy rain cools the air within the storm, and this cool, dense air quickly sinks to the ground. This is called a downdraft. The downdraft hits the ground and sends cooler air in all directions away from the storm, creating what is known as an outflow boundary.

Outflow boundaries can travel hundreds of miles away from a storm. When strong storms build over the desert or the mountains adjacent to Phoenix, outflow boundaries can travel into the city, picking up loose dust and dirt along the way to form dust storms. Dust storms are common in Phoenix when outflow boundaries travel over the farmland south of the city. These dust storms are considered convective.

Dust storms can also form synoptically, which would be from a larger-scale system like a cold front. Several dust storms occur in Phoenix per year, but up until now, there has not been a way to officially distinguish their intensities. That is where the newest Phoenix dust storm scale comes into the picture.

Thirteen organizations have been collaborating to create the scale, which will go active this year. Any dust storms that occur will be ranked as category one through category five. Dust storms will be ranked after the event happens, similar to the enhanced Fujita scale used for tornadoes.

Dr. Ryan Heintzman, a teaching professor at Arizona State University's School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, is one of 22 individuals involved.

"The purpose of the dust storm scale is to create awareness about the dust events in the Valley, looking at events that happen both during the summer monsoon season, which are usually convective with thunderstorms, or during the kind of shoulder seasons where we get synoptic events like cold fronts," Heinzman said. "And so it's a way for us to categorize that based on dust concentrations in the air when these dust storms come through."

There are also three subcategories that help define the dust storm in more depth: the duration of the event, the widespread nature of the dust, and the wind speeds. All of this information will be measured by 22 sensors across Phoenix.

"The scale is primarily based off of particulate matter concentrations," Heinzman explained. "In particular, it's PM10, which is about five to 10 lengths of the human hair, five to 10 of those pieces of dust is the diameter of a human hair. So they're very small. The primary category one concentration of dust is a thousand micrograms per cubic meter. And then a category five is five times that amount. So 5,000 micrograms per cubic meter of dust."

Micrograms per cubic meter can sound a little complicated, so the scale breaks this down into understandable terms by providing insight into how the intensity of a storm affects the air people breathe. During a category one dust storm, a person inhales about 300 particles of dust in just one breath. Standing outside for an hour during a category one event results in inhaling about 250,000 particles of dust. In a category five storm, one breath sends 2,000 particles of dirt into the lungs, totaling 1.3 million pieces of dust in one hour.

When evaluated like that, heavy dust exposure from dust storms presents clear challenges for the human body. Dr. Frank Lavecchio, an emergency physician at Valleywise Health, explained what happens when people breathe in this amount of dust.

"The body sees that, and they say, we gotta get rid of this dust," Lavecchio said. "And that leads to inflammation. So you get acute inflammation and an acute inflammation attack can lead to an attack of asthma, coughing, crying, we call it, and your nose running. We see based upon emergency department data that when PM10 rises, we see more patients in the emergency department with respiratory complaints, especially those with asthma and COPD. They're more likely to develop pneumonia, they're more likely to develop attacks during that time."

Older individuals, young children with developing lungs, anyone with asthma, chronic lung disease, or heart issues, and outdoor workers face the highest risk from dust exposure. However, across all demographics, there is a higher chance of contracting valley fever during and after dust storms. Residents can mitigate the threats of dust by staying indoors during and after dust storms, monitoring outdoor air quality, and wearing a mask if conditions are unhealthy. Those with asthma should use an inhaler before going outside. It is also important to change home air filters regularly and utilize HEPA filters.

The intense dust storm that occurred on August 25, 2025, was actually only a category two dust storm. Even though it was very tall and dark, the dust only lasted for 10 to 15 minutes before the rain cleared the air. This short-term dust exposure caused the storm to rank low on the scale. The dust storm scale will help residents understand these dust events better, opening the door to future research to benefit society, health, and the environment.

What is flash flooding?

Flash flooding can happen anywhere, from a neighborhood street to a river in the high country. It happens in Arizona during severe thunderstorms when a lot of rain falls in a short time.

In the local arid climate, the ground is parched and solid, making it hard for rapid rainfall to soak in. Instead, especially in mountainous areas, rainfall quickly runs downhill into creeks, rivers, and washes. In a matter of minutes, a normally dry riverbed can turn into a raging stream, overtaking roads, homes, or vehicles.

What's the difference between a watch and a warning?

It does not take much water to become dangerous. About six inches of water can knock a person off their feet. Twelve inches of moving water is enough to lift a small car, and 24 inches of moving water will pick up an SUV or a pickup truck. Furthermore, flash flooding can occur miles away from the storm that caused it, taking drivers and hikers by surprise.

This is why weather experts always alert the public if flash flood watches or warnings are issued.

A watch alerts residents of the potential for life-threatening flooding, while a warning means the flooding is happening or will happen very soon, requiring immediate action. The quickest way to stay safe during flash flooding is to get to higher ground immediately and never cross a flooded road.

Extreme heat relief

While it is well known that Arizona is hot, temperatures feel even hotter in Phoenix due to the heat island effect. This summer, local officials face extreme temperatures that can be dangerous. While the monsoon is most associated with storms, the heat can have the biggest impact on residents. Local officials have outlined nearly two dozen heat response actions to keep residents safe and cool.

A local official noted that members of the city council treat extreme heat with urgency and take an all-hands-on-deck approach. Some of those actions include creating more publicly accessible cool spaces and drinking locations. A heat respite center near Central Avenue and Jackson Street will remain open 24/7 for anyone who needs relief from the summer heat. Additionally, a number of libraries will have extended hours, such as the Cholla Library near the old Metrocenter Mall, which will stay open until 9 p.m. MST.

The city is also reminding hikers about the dangers of hitting the trails this summer on extreme heat days. Camelback and Piestewa Peak trails will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. This policy also applies to certain trails along South Mountain.

The Phoenix Fire Department officials advise hikers to start early or wait until the sun starts to go down, and to always drink plenty of water.

"Please, if you are going to hike, hydrate the night before," a Phoenix Fire official stated. "This is the exact same thing that we tell our firefighters."

The city of Phoenix has also teamed up with a number of nonprofits to help the unsheltered population this summer. Officials are putting a special focus on those battling addiction, since substance abuse is considered a major factor in heat-related fatalities in Phoenix. Each summer, local resource campuses serve around 1,200 people every day. The campuses feature multiple indoor spaces that act as heat relief over the summertime.

>>Map: Maricopa County heat relief network locations

To help protect the elderly population, senior centers around Phoenix will act as hydration and heat relief stations. Financial assistance is also available for seniors or low-income residents struggling with their utility bills. Arizona's attorney general is reminding landlords that AC units must remain in working condition. As part of a new deal with APS, the utility company will stop all disconnections when temperatures reach 95° degrees or hotter, regardless of the time of year.

"No utility operating in this state should be allowed to cut off someone's power on a 99-degree day because of an unpaid bill," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized.

The heat island effect

Living in the desert is hot, but living in Phoenix can be even hotter due to the urban heat island effect. The causes of an urban heat island are all around the metropolitan area. In rural areas, there is often more green space, such as trees and grass. Vegetation plays an important role in controlling temperatures for a few reasons. First, trees provide shade, which naturally keeps the surrounding area cooler. Plus, greenery leads to evapotranspiration, the process of plants and soil releasing water vapor into the air, which absorbs heat and naturally cools the surroundings.

In large cities, asphalt, concrete, metal, and glass work against cooling efforts. Vehicles and businesses emit heat. Asphalt and buildings absorb heat, keeping it at the ground level, and much of that heat is retained at night. While rural communities can effectively cool down after sunset, temperatures run considerably warmer in big cities. This is the urban heat island effect in Phoenix. It functions as a heat bubble that surrounds the city, making daytime and especially nighttime temperatures hotter than they would be without so many roads, vehicles, sidewalks, and buildings.

FOX 10 has crunched the data to figure out what to expect from Mother Nature this summer.

Before presenting the official numbers, residents offered their own predictions.

"Uh, sure," one resident said. "I think it's going to be probably the one or the worst because it's getting hot so fast now, so I think this one that's upcoming is going to a pretty bad one. I hope we get a good one. I hope you get a good one, like I said, I love it when it's windy, storm, thunder, lightning, all kinds. I love it..it is the best, that's what I'm hoping for this year." Another person said, "I predict we will have a monsoon. It will be dusty, rainy, there will be lightning, and I predict that I will take some pictures."

What is an El Niño?

FOX 10 poured through data and tracked the latest models. There are a lot of factors at play when it comes to the monsoon forecast, beginning with El Niño. Currently, weather patterns are shifting into a neutral period, but a transition into an El Niño is forecast for this summer.

An El Niño is a global weather pattern defined by the warming of the ocean surface over the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

While El Niños more commonly impact winter precipitation trends, the team examined historical years that transitioned on roughly the same timing expected this year. The years 1976, 2006, 2009, 2018, and 2023 all met that criteria. The summer of 2015 also caught attention as the beginning of the strongest El Niño on recent record, and 2026 has the potential to become similarly strong or stronger.

Among those historical match years, three ran wetter than average, two ran below average, and one ran near average. As for temperatures, four out of the six analyzed years ran above average. This suggests there is not a clear connection between El Niños and monsoon rain, but it does point toward a hotter-than-normal summer.

Tropical moisture is the next factor. When Pacific systems approach the Southwest, the monsoon pattern is perfectly set up to push moisture over Arizona. In 2025, Hurricane Lorena assisted rain chances in early September, and Tropical Storm Mario's moisture gave the region active weather mid-month. During El Niños, there is an increased risk for Eastern Pacific tropical storm activity, meaning better chances for tropical moisture making its way to Arizona.

2026 Arizona monsoon forecast

The Climate Prediction Center's latest forecast leans toward a wetter-than-normal monsoon with hotter-than-normal temperatures. Global climate models also tend to point toward wetter weather.

Finally, regarding the timing of the season, soil moisture in the Southwest is running below normal following historically low snowpack across the West, including a disappointing showing in Arizona. Combine that with an already warm Pacific Ocean, and there is little stopping the monsoon pattern from taking shape on schedule around late June to early July.

The official FOX 10 forecast calls for warmer-than-average temperatures, which has become a summer staple in a warming climate. As for rain, a near-to-above-average season is forecast due to tropical influence. The second half of the season holds more potential for big storms, but it only takes one system to leave lasting impacts.

Whenever the monsoon strikes, the FOX 10 Weather Center provides coverage on television, fox10phoenix.com, the FREE FOX Local app, YouTube, and TikTok.

2026 Arizona election guide: Learn more about the congressional primaries

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:07:57 -0700

Election season has officially begun in Arizona, as voters in the state will vote in primaries that are scheduled to take place later in July.

Here's what to know about the congressional races in the upcoming primary.

When is Election Day?

The 2026 primary election in Arizona will be held on July 21, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

According to Maricopa County Elections, the primary is on July 21 this year because of a new state law that moves the state's primary permanently to the second to last Tuesday in July.

"Previously, the date of the primary was the first Tuesday in August," Maricopa County officials wrote.

While election day is on July 21 for the primaries, early voting began on June 24.

When is the deadline to register to vote in the primary?

Per the Secretary of State's website, the last day to register to vote in the primary was June 22. It is no longer possible to register to vote in the July primary.

While it is no longer possible to register to vote in the July primary, those eligible can still register to vote in the November general election. Per the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, the last day to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 5.

Can I request a mail-in ballot for this primary?

According to a social media post by Maricopa County Elections, July 10, 2026 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot (called "ballot by mail" by election officials) for the primary.

What are the federal races on the ballot?

Per the Secretary of State's page on the primary, all nine of Arizona's congressional seats are on the ballot.

There are no Senate races in Arizona this time around: the next one is scheduled for 2028.

Congressional District 1

Democratic Party

The four candidates in this primary are Marlene Galán-Woods, Rick McCartney, Amish Shah, and Jonathan Treble.

Two other people, Mark Robert Gordon and Victor Weintraub, are listed as having withdrawn their candidacies.

Libertarian Party

There is only one candidate in this race: Monica Alponte.

Republican Party

There are three candidates in this primary: Joseph Chaplik, Thomas "Jay" Feely IV, and John Trobough.

Green Party and No Labels Party

The only candidates for those two parties' primaries, identified as David Redkey and Christopher Ajluni, respectively, are listed as having withdrawn their candidacies.

Congressional District 2

Democratic Party

There is only one candidate in this race: Jonathan Nez. The other candidate in this race, Eric Descheenie, is listed as a withdrawn candidate.

Libertarian Party

There are two candidates in this race: Alex Flores and Curtis Goodwin. Flores is listed as a write-in candidate.

Republican Party

There is one candidate in this primary: Eli Crane.

Congressional District 3

Democratic Party

There is only one candidate in this primary: Yassamin Ansari.

Green Party

There is only one candidate in this primary: David Redkey, who is listed as a write-in candidate. It should be noted that according to the Green Party's website, Redkey's campaign is listed with an endorsement rating of "actively opposed."

No Labels Party

There is only one candidate in this primary: Alan Aversa.

Republican Party

There is only one candidate in this primary: Nicholas N. Glenn, who is listed as a write-in candidate.

Congressional District 4

Democratic Party

There are two candidates in this primary: Kai Newkirk and Greg Stanton.

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission did a one-on-one interview with Newkirk on May 27, the day a debate was scheduled between him and Stanton. Stanton skipped the debate.

No Labels Party

There are two candidates in this primary: Tisha Benoit and John Fillmore.

Republican Party

Zuhdi Jasser is listed as the only candidate who is still in the primary. The other candidate, Jerone Davison, is listed as "removed."

According to the candidate legal challenges section of the Arizona Secretary of State's website, Davison's candidacy was the subject of a challenge.

Congressional District 5

Democratic Party

There are three candidates for this primary: Brian Hualde, Chris James, and Elizabeth Lee.

A fourth candidate, Blake Bracht, is listed by the Arizona Secretary of State's Office as having withdrawn his candidacy.

A debate between Hualde, James and Lee took place on June 4.

Republican Party

There are two candidates in this primary: Daniel Keenan and Mark Lamb.

Congressional District 6

Democrats, Greens, Libertarians and Republicans are holding primaries for this congressional district, but each primary only has one candidate.

The four candidates are Juan Ciscomani (Republican), Joanna Mendoza (Democrat), Jereme Lance Peters (Libertarian) and Gary Swing (Green, write-in).

The only candidate in the No Labels primary for this district, Iman Bah, is listed as "removed."

Congressional District 7

Republican Daniel Francis Butierez, Sr. is listed as the only candidate in the GOP primary for this district, while Adelita Grijalva is listed as the only candidate in the Democratic primary.

Congressional District 8

Democratic Party

There are two candidates: Raymond "Ray" Keeler and Bernadette Placentia-Greene.

The Citizens Clean Elections Commission conducted a debate between Keeler and Placentia-Greene on June 15.

No Labels Party

The only candidate in the No Labels Party primary for this district, Jessie Martines, is listed as having withdrawn their candidacy.

Republican Party

The only candidate for this primary is Abraham "Abe" Hamadeh.

Congressional District 9

Only the Republicans and Democrats will hold a primary for this district, and each primary has only one candidate: Paul Gosar for the GOP and Danielle "Dani" Sterbinsky for the Democrats.

What about the Senate? Will there be Senate elections in Arizona this year?

There will be no U.S. Senate elections in Arizona, because Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are still in the middle of their respective six-year terms.

Sen. Kelly, who was elected to late Sen. John McCain's remaining term in 2020 and went on to win a term in his own right in 2022, will be up for election in 2028. Meanwhile, Sen. Gallego was elected to his first Senate term in 2024. The next election for his seat will take place in 2030.

What will happen next?

Those who win their primary will take part in the general election, which will take place on Nov. 3.

Whoever wins the November general election will serve a two-year term. Their seats will be up for election in 2028.

2026 Arizona election guide: Here's when the primary will take place

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 17:18:45 -0700

2026 is an election year, and various federal and state offices in Arizona will be up for election, come November.

Before the general election, however, voters will also take part in various primaries. Here's what to know.

When is the primary taking place?

The 2026 primary election in Arizona will be held on July 21, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

Why is it being held on July 21?

According to Maricopa County Elections, the primary is on July 21 this year because of a new state law that moves the state's primary permanently to the second to last Tuesday in July.

"Previously, the date of the primary was the first Tuesday in August," Maricopa County officials wrote.

While election day is on July 21 for the primaries, early voting began on June 24.

Who's running in the primary?

You can check out the candidates for Congress and other statewide offices by clicking on the article links below:

When is the deadline to register to vote in the primary?

Per the Secretary of State's website, the last day to register to vote in the primary was June 22. It is no longer possible to register to vote in the July primary.

The Secretary of State's website also states that those who are protected by the Arizona Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) can register to vote as an ACP Protected Voter, allowing them to "participate in national, state, and local elections without endangering the confidentiality of their real address."

"Participants are strongly encouraged not to register to vote through any process other than through the ACP," read a portion of the website.

Can I request a mail-in ballot for this primary?

According to a social media post by Maricopa County Elections, July 10, 2026 is the last day to request a mail-in ballot (called "ballot by mail" by election officials) for the primary.

It should be noted that on June 24, early ballots were mailed to those who have requested them.

I normally live in Arizona, but I'm currently out-of-state. What should I do?

Election officials in Maricopa County say while official election materials, like ballots, cannot be forwarded by the Post Office due to state law, people can ask the Recorder's Office to have their ballot mailed to a temporary mailing address.

Where can I drop off my ballot for counting?

Per the website Arizona.vote, which is run by the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, voters can mail their voted ballots by 5:00 p.m., seven days before the election date. They can also drop them off at the following locations:

Designated ballot drop boxes
Any early voting location in their county
The county recorder or elections office
Any voting location on Election Day in their county

"Voted ballots must be received no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day," read a portion of the website.

What about voting in person?

All voting locations are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

"You can vote as long as you are in line by 7:00 p.m." read a portion of the website.

Where can I get more voting information that is relevant to my area?

You can get more information on Arizona.vote.

July 4: What's open and closed in the Phoenix area for the Independence Day weekend

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:16:50 -0700

July 4 falls on a Saturday in 2026, but that doesn't mean it won't affect city services or the operating hours of certain stores.

Here's what to know.

City offices and municipal facilities

Buckeye: All city facilities will be closed on July 3.

Casa Grande: City hall, city court, and various other city offices will be closed on July 3, according to their website. The city's two libraries will also be closed on both July 3 and 4. Meanwhile, the city's Community Recreation Center will open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on July 3, and will be closed on July 4.

Chandler: Per a statement released on June 25, the city's administrative offices will be closed on July 3, while the city's four public libraries will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on July 3, and be closed on July 4.

Glendale: On June 29, officials said all city offices will be closed on June 3.

Mesa: City offices are closed on July 3.

Peoria: All city offices are closed, according to the city government's website.

Phoenix: City offices are closed for July 3. City officials also say that all city libraries, except for Cholla, will be closed on July 4.

Tempe: Officials say city administrative offices and most services will be closed on July 3. The city's Customer Relations Center, known as Tempe 311, will be closed on July 3 and 4. Customer Services will be closed on July 3, as well as the municipal court. The city's libraries and cultural centers will also be closed on both July 3 and 4.

Grocery and retail stores

ALDI: Per their website, their stores operate on limited hours for Independence Day. There are 18 ALDI locations in Arizona, and all are located in the Phoenix area.

Costco: All locations in the Phoenix area are closed for Independence Day, according to the company's website.

Fry's: Officials with the grocery store chain say all stores will be open during their regular business hours. Pharmacy and clinic hours, however, may vary.

Home Depot: Stores close at 8:00 p.m. on Independence Day, according to the company's website.

Trader Joe's: Stores are open until 5:00 p.m. on July 4, according to the company's website.

Recycling/trash collection

Avondale: The city's collection schedule shows that recycling and trash are not collected on a Friday this year, which is the day July 3 falls on. Regardless, city officials have said that recycling and trash collection will happen as regularly scheduled for most federal holidays, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Buckeye: The city will collect all trash and recycling as scheduled on Independence Day, as collections are only affected during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. According to a map on the city's website, three areas in the city have Friday collections.

Casa Grande: City officials say trash collection will be affected, with Friday's trash collection set to take place on July 2, and Thursday's trash collection scheduled to take place on July 1. The city's landfill will be closed on both July 3 and 4.

Chandler: The city's Recycling-Solid Waste Collection Center will be closed on both July 3 and 4. Trash and recycling collection will still take place as scheduled.

Glendale: Trash collection will not be affected, according to city officials.

Mesa: Per the city's website, trash and recycling will be collected on all holidays as normal.

Peoria: Trash collections will not be affected, as city officials say they only delay collection by one day for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Phoenix: City officials say Independence Day is one of nine holidays where trash and recycling collection will happen as regularly scheduled. The city's two transfer stations will be closed on July 4, but will remain open during normal business hours on Friday, July 3.

Scottsdale: Recycling and trash collection will still happen as regularly scheduled, according to city officials.

Tempe: The East Valley city does not have trash or recycling collection days that fall on July 3 or July 4 this year. However, the city's website does note that the transfer station they use, which is located north of University Drive and 40th Street, is closed for major holidays. The city's Household Products Collection Center will also be closed on July 3 and 4.

Transportation

According to Valley Metro's website, they will operate on a Sunday schedule for July 3, which means that Light Rail trains will arrive every 20 minutes throughout the day, while the Tempe Streetcar will start their service at around 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., with trains arriving every 20 minutes throughout the day.

The website states there will be no Express or RAPID service on July 3. Customer Service and Fare Support will also be closed on July 3.

For Casa Grande, city officials say their CG LINK transit service will not operate on July 4. It will operate on July 3.

Where can I find a list of Independence Day events?

You can find it on our website.

Buc-ee's 1st Arizona location opening in Goodyear; here's what to know

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:52:12 -0700

The wait is almost over, Arizona! The state's first Buc-ee's location is officially opening next week in Goodyear.

The 74,000-square-foot West Valley travel center, located near Interstate 10 and Bullard Avenue, has 120 fueling stations. The location also offers its signature food items, including Beaver Nuggets, beef jerky and smoked brisket.

In addition to its first Arizona location, Buc-ee's is also opening new travel centers in several other states.

Officials with Buc-ee's say the company has seen strong interest in the new location.

"You're talking 20,000 applicants, 400 to 500 employees now, right? And we're ready. We're ready to include the neighbors and say, 'Come on in," said Randy Pauly, Buc-ee's pitmaster.

Heavy traffic expected for grand opening

The Buc-ee's parking lot is set to open at midnight on June 22. Doors open at 6 a.m., and there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m.

Heavy traffic is expected in the area for the grand opening, with as many as 40,000 vehicles expected to pass through over the week.

Goodyear city officials say all Buc-ee's traffic must use I-10 and exit at Bullard Avenue. When leaving Buc-ee's, drivers will not be able to access westbound I-10 and instead, will be directed to the eastbound lanes.

"Due to anticipated long traffic lines, make sure your car is stocked with plenty of water, snacks and gas," officials said. "While you're making your way though the Buc-ee's traffic route, a podcast will be available to tune into to learn more about what you need to know about getting to Buc-ees, including important safety reminders."

Officials say rideshare and carpooling are encouraged to help reduce traffic congestion.

Linda Jacobs, co-owner of Southwest Specialty Food, whose business sits across the street from the new Buc-ee's, expects traffic delays but believes the development will benefit local businesses.

"I just think having something that's a destination here in Goodyear will bring business to the whole community and to all of Phoenix," Jacobs said.

Jaquarrius Porter, who uses Bullard Avenue for his daily commute, said his usual 10 to 15 minute drive could become much longer once the store opens.

"I'm not really looking forward to this next week or so," Porter said

Porter added that he expects his commute to increase to over an hour come Monday.

"I already told my boss 'Hey, I don't know what to expect Monday, so I'll be at work. I just don't know what time I'll be at work,'" Porter said.

Porter said he plans to visit the new travel center eventually, but not during opening week.

"We wanted to go there for Opening Day until I found out that the parking lot opens at 12:00 at night," Porter said. "So that means that come 6 a.m. is going to be miles away. So I got plans to go sometime next week, two weeks, next month."

Buc-ee's opened in 1982 and the company holds multiple records. Its Luling, Texas store is the largest convenience store in the world at 75,593 square feet and the world’s longest car wash clocks in at 255 feet of conveyor.

MORE: A history of Buc-ee's: 5 things you didn’t know about the popular convenience store chain

For more details on the Buc-ee's grand opening in Goodyear, click here.

Map of the Goodyear Buc-ee's location:

2026 Election: Arizona Congressional District 5 Democratic candidates debate

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:54:21 -0700

The three candidates in the Democratic Party primary for Arizona's 5th Congressional District took part in a debate on June 4.

Here's what to know.

Who's organizing the debate?

Per their website, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission is the official debate sponsor.

What parts of Arizona does the 5th Congressional District cover?

According to the U.S. House of Representatives website, Arizona's 5th Congressional District covers parts of the East Valley, including parts of Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley.

The incumbent lawmaker representing the district is Republican Andy Biggs.

The listing of candidates on the Arizona Secretary of State's website does not show Biggs as a candidate for his current seat. Biggs is, however, one of four GOP candidates for governor.

Who will take part in this debate?

The three candidates who took part in this debate are Brian Hualde, Chris James, and Elizabeth Lee.

The three candidates all came from different backgrounds, but none of them state they have prior experience in government.

On his website, Hualde claims he is a fourth-generation Arizonan who served in the military, while James mentioned his experience in running small business. Lee's website, meanwhile, talked about her growing up in poverty as a child, as well as her career in nursing.

What are the candidates running on?

The three candidates' positions on issues include some common themes, like education, health care, and protecting democracy.

Hualde

On his issues page, Hualde says he supports strong border enforcement, but also supports reallocating resources towards case processing, legal assistance, and community awareness as a way to offer "dignity and direction to those who genuinely want to contribute to this country."

Hualde also says he supports early education, more parental involvement in education, and adequately funding public schools.

James

James listed a number of policy priorities on his campaign website, including increased investment in K-12 education, promoting trade schools and apprenticeships, modernizing Medicare, and strengthening local access to health care by boosting federal grants for critical-access hospitals, community clinics and mobile units.

James also mentioned bipartisanship on his website, stating he will work across the aisle on issues, and "lead with civility and integrity."

Lee

Lee's website states that she will fight for Medicare for All, as well as expanding Medicare to include mental health, dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

According to a 2019 article by the Associated Press, Medicare for All is a plan advocated by some lawmakers, like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, that would replace job-based and individual private health insurance with a government-run plan that guarantees coverage for all with no premiums, deductibles and only minimal copays for certain services.

Other positions advocated by Lee include measures aimed at making housing more affordable, protect Arizona's water allocation from the Colorado River, and securing the border while creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.

What about the Republican debate?

The Republican Party is holding a contested primary for the same race. Per the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, Mark Lamb and Daniel Keenan are in the race.

However, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission website shows that Lamb is not taking part in the debate, but Keenan will.

With Lamb not taking part in the debate, the commission conducted a one-on-one interview with Keenan. This is not the first time a one-on-one interview was conducted with a candidate, as a similar interview was done with Kai Newkirk, who is running against Greg Stanton in the Democratic Congressional District 4 primary.

Watch in Spanish - Ver in Español

When are the primaries?

Primary elections will happen statewide on July 21, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

2026 Election: Democratic candidates for state superintendent take part in debate

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:38:24 -0700

A primary election debate for the office of Arizona's Superintendent of Public Instruction took place on May 13.

Here's what to know.

Who's organizing the debate?

Per their website, the Citizens Clean Elections Commission is the official debate sponsor.

Who took part?

The commission's website stated that the debate on May 13 would only involve Democratic Party candidates Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz.

On his website, Newby describes himself as a "livelong coach, educator, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst." Newby's positions including stopping the expansion of the state's ESA school voucher program, restoring full-day kindergarten, and permanently fixing the state's Aggregate Expenditure Limit rules, which is a school spending cap that voters approved in 1980s by resetting the base year to reflect current costs, and index it to inflation via the ballot box.

Meanwhile, the website for Ruiz describes her as an educator with 35 years of experience, as well as a former president of Glendale Community College. Her listed priorities include transparency reforms to the ESA, listening tours to hear concerns from families, and advocate for increased public school funding at the state legislature.

Why are there no Republican candidates?

The debate involving Republican candidates for the Superintendent post will take place on May 14, according to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Two candidates - Kimberly Yee and incumbent Tom Horne - are scheduled to take part.

When are the primaries?

Primary elections will happen statewide on July 21, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

Nancy Guthrie: 100 days since Savannah Guthrie's mom went missing

Mon, 11 May 2026 06:43:45 -0700

Monday, May 11 marks 100 days since Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared after authorities say she was taken from her home against her will.

Since then, searches for the 84-year-old woman have taken place, but Nancy remains missing.

Here's what to know about the case, which has garnered considerable national and international media attention at times.

What happened?

Officials say Nancy was last seen on the night of Jan. 31.

Per a timeline that was released by the Pima County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 5, Guthrie traveled to a local family's home at around 5:32 p.m. on Jan. 31, and the family dropped Nancy off at her home, located in the area of East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, at 9:48 p.m. the same night.

At around 1:47 a.m. on Feb. 1, a doorbell camera at Nancy's home disconnected. At 2:28 a.m., a pacemaker app shows the pacemaker was disconnected from the phone.

At 12:03 p.m. on Feb. 1, 911 calls were made to PCSD. We had reported earlier that Nancy was reported missing after she failed to show up at church that day. Officers arrived at Nancy's home 12 minutes later, at 12:15 p.m.

Nancy’s disappearance had garnered significant national and international media attention. In addition, a number of alleged ransom notes were also revealed.

Among the media organizations that have received ransom notes or demands related to the case is TMZ. The outlet reported on Feb. 18 that they received a "highly sophisticated" ransom demand involving cryptocurrency. The outlet most recently received a note regarding Nancy on April 6, and the author of that note claiming that they saw Nancy in Mexico.

Since her disappearance, PCSD and the FBI have released footage of Nancy's alleged abductor at her doorstep.

In the images released by PCSD, the alleged abductor was seen masked.

According to reports from the Associated Press, investigators had been hopeful that cameras at the home would turn up some evidence about how she went missing, but the doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday. And while software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, Nancy Guthrie didn't have an active subscription, so none of the footage could be recovered, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos had said.

Savannah issues new plea

On Mother's Day, Savannah posted a tribute to her mother on social media, renewing the call for help in finding her missing mom.

Savannah had stepped away from her hosting duties at the Today show after her mother's disappearance. According to NBC News, she was set to host the network’s coverage at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Savannah returned to her hosting duties on the Today show on April 6.

The Instagram post reads: "mother, daughter, sister, Nonie - we miss you with every breath. We will never stop looking for you. We will never be at peace until we find you.

We need help. Someone knows something that can make the difference. Call 1800CALLFBI. You can be anonymous and the reward remains available.

Please keep praying.
Bring her home."

Case has led to scrutiny of sheriff

Nancy's disappearance and the subsequent media attention placed a spotlight on Pima County’s sheriff, Chris Nanos.

In a February 11 report by the Associated Press, Nanos acknowledged missteps in the case, at the time when the case was in its second week.

On April 7, reports from Tucson area PBS/NPR affiliate AZPM state that the Pima County Board of Supervisors wants Nanos to give sworn testimony on his work history, leadership, and immigration enforcement.

Per AZPM’s report, Nanos has been under scrutiny over his management of Nancy’s search, in addition to other matters that are not related to Nancy’s case. FBI Director Kash Patel also slammed Nanos’ handling of the case in early May, alleging that the FBI was initially kept out of the investigation. The allegation was refuted by PCSD. They are claiming instead that the FBI was "promptly notified" following Nancy’s disappearance.

On May 9, Tucson television station KOLD-TV reported that the Pima County Board of Supervisors will decide on May 12 whether to start a process that could lead to disciplinary action against Nanos, up to and including removal from office. However, one Pima County supervisor conceded in KOLD's report that removal may not be likely.

Savannah Guthrie says her family is offering a $1 million reward for the recovery of Nancy. Anyone with information should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department has also set up a tipline where the community can submit information. An online form is available for tips.

Map of the area where Nancy Guthrie was last seen:

Rent prices dropping across Phoenix metro area: Here's why

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:56:42 -0700

A new report shows the price of rent across the Phoenix area is falling, something that many have been waiting for.

A new Phoenix metro report from Zumper shows rent prices are dropping in nearly every city across the Valley. Their data include the average rent for a one-bedroom in the following Valley cities, and their decline from 2025.

Glendale: Down more than 14%
Phoenix: Down just over 6%
Tempe: Down just over 2%

We asked two renters on what they think about their rent.

"I'm paying like $2,300 a month for a one-bedroom, 700 square feet. Yeah, it's just too much," said Tempe renter Arian Afshar.

"I have it lucky. It's so cheap. I have a two-bedroom, two-story townhome, and it's like $1,100 a month," said one renter in Phoenix.

We asked Mark Stapp of the W.P. Carey Center for Real Estate and Finance at Arizona State University on why rent is falling.

"So coming out of the pandemic, in particular, there was a significant surge in multifamily unit permits issued," said Stapp.

Stapp says a multifamily construction boom in the Valley has led to more available units than renters can absorb.

"Since 2022, we've had over 60,000 new rental units in the Valley ... in the last year, we have about 27,000 new rental units," said Sindy Ready of RE/MAX Excalibur.

It's gotten to the point, Ready says, that landlords are having to get creative to fill the units.

"They'll throw in incentives to make it worth someone's while. There was one complex that was offering a $200 discount on the rent if someone did 17 months instead of 12 months, so they're all just trying to get creative," Ready said.

Experts, however, say the relief for new renters might be short-lived.

"Absorption is going up, so that means occupancy is going up, and it's not going to be long ... you'll get through this year ... going into next year, and rent's going to go back up again," Stapp said.

Arrest made in 1987 stabbing death of NAU student

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:04:11 -0700

Decades after a Northern Arizona University student was stabbed to death, police say a man has been arrested in connection with the murder.

Here's what to know.

What happened?

On March 24, Coconino County officials announced that they have arrested James Arthur Runnels Jr. of Glendale, Arizona in connection with the murder of Ina Claire Langstaff.

According to the statement, Langstaff was found stabbed to death outside of her apartment, which was located in the area of Tucson Avenue and Florence Street, on Nov. 7, 1987. Langstaff was 24 years old when she died.

"At the time, law enforcement conducted numerous witness interviews, but the case remained unsolved for decades," officials wrote.

What do we know about the suspect?

According to investigators, Runnels was living in Flagstaff at the time of Langstaff's murder.

Per Runnels' records with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry, the man had spent time in prison on various occasions.

Per the records, Runnels was sentenced to prison for burglary and attempted 2nd degree murder in June 1990. He was sent to prison again in June 2010 for forgery and aggravated assault. He was again sentenced in May 2018 for unlawful imprisonment and criminal trespass.

ADCRR records also show that during the time he was in prison, Runnels had a number of disciplinary infractions, including:

Striking a person (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993)
Fighting (1995)
Rioting (2000) or participation in a riot (2024)
Disobeying orders (2001)
Promoting prison contraband (2011)
Assault on staff member that did not involve serious injury (2014)
Threatening or intimidating (2022, 2025)
Positive test or refusal of urinalysis (2023)

What led to a break in the case?

Per a separate statement released by Flagstaff Police, the case "has continued to be actively reviewed and investigated" in the years since the investigation began.

According to the county's statement, the city's police department, in coordination with the Coconino County Attorney's Cold Case unit, "received results from additional DNA testing conducted by the Department of Public Safety’s Northern Regional Crime Laboratory, which generated new information relevant to the investigation."

In their statement on the matter, Flagstaff Police said the testing was done through DPS's Northern Region Crime Lab and Bode Technology, whose website lists a Virginia address for their headquarters. The company's "About Us" page states that they offer "state-of-the-art forensic DNA technology."

Neither Coconino County nor Flagstaff Police gave any details as to what sort of DNA tests were used in the case. Police also did not reveal a motive in the murder.

What's next for the suspect?

Per officials, Runnels was indicted by a grand jury in Coconino County on March 19 on a count of first-degree murder. He was arraigned on March 24, where he entered a plea of not guilty. A judge subsequently set a $1 million cash-only bond for Runnels.

"The office remains committed to pursuing justice through a fair, thorough and impartial process—no matter how much time has passed," read a portion of their statement. "The County Attorney’s Office extends its condolences to Ms. Langstaff’s family."

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police at 928-774-1414 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.

Pima County could question Sheriff Chris Nanos: Here's what to know

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:04:04 -0700

Media outlets in Tucson are reporting that the Pima County Board of Supervisors now have questions about the county's sheriff, Chris Nanos.

Here's what to know.

What happened?

Per reports from KOLD-TV, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on March 24 in favor of requiring Sheriff Chris Nanos to submit a sworn statement, with questions being drawn up by the board's attorneys.

Who is Chris Nanos?

According to his biography on the Pima County Sheriff's Department website, Nanos was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and began his law enforcement career in 1976 with the El Paso Police Department.

"He became a member of the Pima County Sheriff's Department in 1984 as a corrections officer and was promoted to deputy the following year, which began the upward trajectory his career would continue to follow," read a portion of the biography.

According to figures from the 2024 election, Nanos won the election by a thin margin over Heather Lappin. Nanos has also received a certain degree of public attention in recent weeks as a result of the ongoing Nancy Guthrie case.

Why are there questions surrounding the sheriff?

Per the agenda for a Pima County Board of Supervisor's meeting on March 24, there are "reported issues concerning Sheriff Nanos' work history and apparent related false statements."

A deposition that was uploaded to the county's website included a copy of Nanos' history card with the El Paso Police Department, which lists a number of disciplinary actions, including suspensions, in connection with various allegations that include:

Violation of department orders (1977, for which he received a written reprimand)
Off-duty conduct involving threats (1978, for which he received a written reprimand)
Gambling while off duty (1979, for which he was suspended for one day)

It should be noted that some of the entries on the attached history card were illegible.

Two entries from July 1982 list that Nanos was accused of insubordination and consistent inefficiency. For both entries, it was stated that Nanos resigned in lieu of termination in August that same year.

KOLD's report states that the Board of Supervisor's decision came after the Pima County Sheriff's Department addressed what was described as "two clerical errors" on Nanos' resume. One of the errors involved when he started working for El Paso Police, while the other error had to do with when he was promoted to the rank of captain with PCSD.

So, what's next for Nanos?

Per KOLD's report, an outside counsel for the Pima County Board of Supervisors will return with a set of questions by April 7.

Curfew issued for San Carlos Apache community: Here's what to know

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:18:51 -0700

Police with the San Carlos Apache Tribe say one of their communities has been placed under curfew.

Here's what to know.

What happened?

According to a statement posted on San Carlos Apache Police Department's social media page on March 14, a temporary curfew was approved by the Tribal Council for the community of Bylas, from March 17 to March 29.

According to an excerpt of the curfew order that was posted by San Carlos Police, the curfew for Bylas will be in effect from 8:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. every day during the aforementioned time period. An exception will be given for essential activities, which include work and health care.

Officials also said there will be "zero tolerance for weapons of any kind."

Where is Bylas?

Bylas is a community located along US 70 within the San Carlos Apache Indian community, about 45 miles to the east of Globe.

Why was a curfew issued for Bylas?

According to a statement we received from San Carlos Apache Police, the decision to place Bylas under curfew was made in response to the murders that have taken place in that area in recent days.

"While all three suspects connected to those incidents have been identified and arrested, the safety of the community remains the highest priority," read a portion of the statement. "The temporary curfew is intended to help stabilize the situation, provide additional time for law enforcement to maintain a strong presence in the area, and give residents reassurance that proactive steps are being taken to protect the community."

"We’re doing something about these violent crimes that are happening. It lets bad guys know that if you do get caught and something does happen, we’re going to put you out there and people are going to see you. You may be on the news," said Ricardo Alvarado with the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

Within the span of seven days, there were three murders in the Bylas area: a shooting, a stabbing, and a domestic violence incident.

On their Facebook page, San Carlos Apache Police mentioned two of the cases.

In a post made on March 7, investigators said that 24-year-old Brandon Hinton was arrested in connection with a shooting near the Bylas Fitness Center a day prior that led to the death of 20-year-old Tashon Gambler.

On March 13, police announced the arrest of another man in connection with a separate murder case. Investigators said the man, identified as Tre Lang, was arrested for his alleged role in the death of 42-year-old Sonny Garcia Sr.

Have there been other notable criminal cases in that community lately?

In September 2025, we reported on the stabbing death of 53-year-old Raymond Preston.

Per our report at the time, Preston was found dead in his home on the reservation on Aug. 23, and on the night prior, Preston reportedly hosted a gathering with friends.

Preston's family believes the murder was a hate crime, as Preston was gay. At the time of the report, Ricardo Alvarado with the San Carlos Apache Police Department said investigators were not ruling it out, but also said there was no evidence at the crime scene showing hateful symbols or sayings.

We caught up with Preton's sister, Jolene Goseyun, on March 17.

"I don’t know why it’s happening in this small town of Bylas," said Goseyun. "We feel sad, we feel frustrated, we feel angry inside. There’s just nobody we can talk to. These investigators here on this reservation – they’re too weak. I don’t want to say it, like, this way, but to me, they are weak."

Tribal officials, however, disagree.

"I think that we’ve opened up a little bit more transparency, and we ask for help, which could mean that people think we’re weak," said Alvarado. "We’re not weak for asking for help. We’re legitimately asking for help to solve crimes, to be able to give victims what they deserve: justice."

Another case that involved a member of the San Carlos Apache tribe is the Emily Pike case.

Pike, who was a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, was reported missing from a Mesa group home on Jan. 27, 2025. Her remains were found a few weeks later outside of Globe in the Gila County area.

The investigation briefly drew national attention when FBI Director Kash Patel visited the family. However, relatives and community members say that initial federal momentum has faded, leaving them frustrated by a lack of progress.

Is murder a problem for Arizona native tribes?

Depending on the tribe, the answer is different.

Figures from the 2023 Indian Country Investigations & Prosecutions report by the U.S. Department of Justice show that for 2023, there were a total of 26 cases of murder or manslaughter in federal case files for Arizona tribes that year, of which one of the cases came from the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

The figures also show that some tribes, like the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Fort McDowell Apache Indian Community, had no cases.

One native tribe in Arizona proposed in 2025 to banish and "dis-enroll" members convicted of violent crimes. The proposal by the Gila River Indian Community came after a series of high-profile violent crimes, including the shooting death of tribal police officer Joshua Briese in 2024.

Submit anonymous tips to the San Carlos Apache Police Department

https://tip411.com/tips/sancarlosazpd/new

Nancy Guthrie: Where things stand as search enters 4th week

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:52:00 -0700

After days with relatively fewer updates on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, another development in the case happened on Feb. 24.

Here's is a look at where things stand currently.

What happened on Feb. 24?

On Tuesday, "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie announced that the family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for the "recovery" of Nancy. Savannah is Nancy's daughter.

"We still believe. We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home. Hope against hope," Savannah said in the video. "She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad and with her beloved brother, Pierce, and with our daddy. And if this is what is to be, then we will accept it. But we need to know where she is. We need her to come home."

When did Nancy Guthrie went missing?

According to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, 84-year-old Nancy was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 at her home near East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue, which is located outside of Tucson.

Officials said Nancy was reported missing on Feb. 1, after family members were notified that she had not shown up for church service.

"Family went to her residence in Tucson, AZ and Nancy was not in the home," the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement. "All her personal belongings, to include her wallet, cell phone and vehicle were still there, but she was nowhere to be found."

"Sheriff [Chris] Nanos has stated that he believes a crime has been committed. At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction," officials with the Pima County Sheriff's Department said on Feb. 2.

Sheriff Nanos has said that Nancy lives alone, and did not have her required daily medication. Meanwhile, a video at Guthrie's home showed blood on the ground outside the front door.

What has happened since Nancy disappeared?

A number of developments have happened since Nancy's disappearance.

The investigation

According to a Feb. 23 article by the Associated Press, officials with PCSD said several hundred people are working on the case, while FBI and other agencies are assisting.

Meanwhile, volunteer search groups have launched their own searches in hopes of cracking the case.

Officials with PCSD said while they appreciate the concern for Nancy, they are also asking people inquiring about volunteering to give investigators space to do their jobs.

Rewards for information

The reward announced by Savannah Guthrie on Feb. 24 is one of a number of rewards being offered for information related to the case.

Besides the reward Guthrie offered, the FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information that leads Nancy and/or the arrest and conviction of those involved. That was increased from the initial reward of $50,000.

On Feb. 16, it was reported that an attorney from the Milwaukee, Wisc. area is offering a separate $100,000 reward for information that lead to an arrest.

The lawyer, Michael Hupy, said he believes the FBI's requirement for personal information could deter people from coming forward.

"She’s an 84-year-old woman and I don’t like the way the investigation and reward is being handled," Hupy said. "I think it could have been done much better.

Ransom or demand notes

On Feb. 6, the AP reported that at least three news organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they have given to investigators, who said they are taking them seriously.

The article also reported that a California man was charged with sending text messages to the Guthrie family seeking bitcoin, after following the case on television. According to our report, the suspect is named Derrick Callella.

"When he said that he had sent text messages, he was trying to see if the family would respond," read a portion of the court documents. "The two text messages have not been linked to the February 2, 2026, ransom demand."

Meanwhile, media outlet TMZ has received multiple notes that demanded money in exchange for the suspect's identity.

Per the outlet, they have received four notes from the same person. Some of the contents from one of the notes were revealed on Feb. 18. In that note, the person demanded $50,000 in bitcoin in return for information regarding the suspect. According to data from Binance.com, one bitcoin was worth around $66,960 at the end of the day on Feb. 18.

On Feb. 18, TMZ reported that they have received "a highly sophisticated demand" involving a cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.

"The email demands a dollar amount similar to the $6 million ransom demand in the previous email we received, days after the kidnapping. This email graphically describes the consequences if the ransom isn't paid," read a portion of TMZ's report.

TMZ's report also states that the new ransom demand e-mail contains a crypto account number that is different from the original, and that the e-mail has been forwarded to the FBI.

Tips

On Feb. 21, we reported that detectives are combing through nearly 20,000 tips.

While the physical search remains centered around Nancy's North Tucson home, investigators say the vast majority of new leads are coming from out of state. Officials are now asking the public to consider the quality of their information before calling the tip line.

"What we’re asking is that you just take a moment before you call and ask yourself: Is this tip viable? Is this tip credible? Is this a tip that investigators may be able to act upon?" said 9-1-1 Dispatch Manager Cecilia Ochoa.

Anyone with information on the case can call the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The agency did warn that people may experience delays when submitting information, due to high call volume.

Arizona bill aims to prevent new parties from using 'independent' in their name

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:39:10 -0700

A political fight is brewing in Arizona, but this time, it's not between Democrats and Republicans.

The two parties, this time, actually agree on one thing, and it’s preventing independents from organizing under a new name.

In 2023, the No Labels Party formed, and in 2025, they decided to change their name to the "Arizona Independent Party."

Since Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes signed off on the name change, there have been three separate lawsuits challenging the party's existence from the Arizona Republicans, Arizona Democrats, and the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

And now, Republican State Sen. TJ Shope has filed SB1609.

According to a factsheet published by the Arizona State Senate's research arm, the bill has provisions which "prohibits a new political party from using certain terms or phrases in its party name, including independent, no party, no preference, unaffiliated, party not designated, decline to state or any similar variations."

The bill also contains an emergency provision, which means it takes effect if and when Governor Katie Hobbs signs the bill.

"I knew when I ran as an independent that it was going to be hard. The parties are going to come after you and they’re going to do things. But this is actually absurd," said candidate for governor Hugh Lytle.

Right now, around 35% of Arizona residents identify as independent. To win an election, they would need to pull voters away from Democrats and Republicans. While the other parties don’t want that, independents want ballot access. Establishing a party means independent candidates would only need to collect 20,000 signatures to get on the ballot, and not the 140,000 required without one.

"Before we started this, before this party came about, you had to have 6,000 signatures to run as a Democrat, 6,000 as a Republican. You had to have 45,000 signatures to run as an independent. That wasn’t an accident. It was done on purpose – to keep out what is now the largest group of voters – independent voters," said Arizona Independent Party Chairman Paul Johnson. "And why do they want to keep them out? Because they want to protect the duopoly, the monopoly. They want to stop real competition."

For some, the argument is that unaffiliated voters want to stay unaffiliated, but come the next election, they may be confused by the name "Arizona Independent Party."

State Sen. Shope has voiced his opinion on the bill.

"People also just write into the line Independent because they don’t wish to be a part of either party, which is part of our voter history in this state for decades. It’s not anything that we’re trying to change," said Shope. "Now those people, who write in independent, who have eschewed both parties, are about to be swallowed up by this organization – which is not independent. It is an actual political party."

Chuck Coughlin disagrees.

"People aren’t going to be confused. You know as an independent voter, you’re either an independent voter or you’re going to join a party. I can join the Arizona Independent Party," said Chuck Coughlin, who is the president of HighGround, Inc. "Both parties don’t want this to happen, because they don’t want any competition, so they don’t want this to be successful."

With Democrats and Republicans in agreement about the Arizona Independent Party, SB 1609 has a good chance of passing. And with Gov. Hobbs looking to keep as much Democrat and independent support in her race against Republican Andy Biggs, she most likely will sign it into law.

If that happens, it will be up to the independents to take their fight to court.

Spring Training 2026: Here's what you need to know about the Cactus League

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:44:50 -0700

Baseball is back! Spring training kicks off Tuesday morning with pitchers and catchers from four Cactus League teams reporting to their respective clubs.

D-backs' offseason moves

After missing the playoffs last season, the Arizona Diamondbacks made some moves in the offseason, acquiring third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals. The D-backs also re-signed fan favorite Merrill Kelly and shut down trade rumors of All-Star Ketel Marte.

Arizona opens the regular season on the road against the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers on March 26. The D-backs' home opener at Chase Field is set for March 30 against the Detroit Tigers.

Which teams play in the Cactus League?

Half of Major League Baseball teams play in the Cactus League, while the remaining half play in Florida's Grapefruit League. The teams playing in the Cactus League are:

Arizona Diamondbacks

The hometown D-backs play their games at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, located in the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. The Diamondbacks played their spring training games in Tucson before moving to the Phoenix area in 2011.

Athletics

Hohokam Stadium is where the Athletics play their spring training games. The Mesa ballpark opened in 1997 and is located near Center Street and Brown Road.

Chicago Cubs

Sloan Park in Mesa is the spring training home of the Cubbies. Located near the Loops 101 and 202, the ballpark opened in 2014.

Chicago White Sox

The ChiSox play ball at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, located near the Loop 101 and Camelback Road. The 13,000-seat baseball complex opened in 2009.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds play at Goodyear Ballpark, located near Yuma Road and Estrella Parkway. The ballpark seats just over 10,000 people and opened in 2009.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians share their spring training facility with the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies share their facility with the Diamondbacks, playing at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals play their games at Surprise Stadium, located near Bullard Avenue and Greenway Road. The stadium opened in 2002 and seats about 10,500 people.

Los Angeles Angels

Tempe Diablo Stadium has been the spring training home of the Angels since 1993. The stadium opened in 1969 and is located just off Interstate 10 on Alameda Drive.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The defending World Series champion Dodgers share Camelback Ranch-Glendale with the White Sox.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers play their spring training games at American Family Fields of Phoenix, which opened in 1998 and is located near 51st Avenue and Indian School Road. The stadium seats about 10,000 people.

San Diego Padres

The Padres play ball at the Peoria Sports Complex. The baseball facility is located near 83rd Avenue and Bell Road.

San Francisco Giants

Scottsdale Stadium is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants. The 12,000-seat ballpark is located near Drinkwater Boulevard and Indian School Road.

Seattle Mariners

Just like the Padres, the Mariners play their spring training games at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Texas Rangers

Sharing their spring training facility with the Royals, the World Series Champion Rangers play ball at Surprise Stadium.

Map of spring training stadiums in Phoenix area

Can't see the map? Click here

Nancy Guthrie: What to know about the woman Arizona authorities are looking for

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:52:09 -0700

A missing person case in Arizona has garnered national attention in recent days, as authorities continue to search for the mother of Savannah Guthrie, who is the host of "Today."

Here's what to know about Nancy Guthrie and her disappearance.

Who is Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old who lives in the Tucson area, is the mother of Savannah Guthrie.

According to a report by NPR on Feb. 3, Guthrie lives alone in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson. Her husband, Charles, died in 1988. She and Charles had three children, including Savannah.

In a post Savannah made on her Instagram, she described her mother as "a woman of deep conviction," as well as "a good and faithful servant."

Who is Savannah Guthrie?

Per her biography on the Today Show's website, Savannah Guthrie is NBC News's Chief Legal Correspondent, as well as the co-anchor of the "Today" show.

According to the bio, Guthrie joined the show in 2011, and has been the co-anchor since 2012. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a journalism degree in 1993, and received the top score on the Arizona Bar Exam in 2002.

In a 2023 segment on the "Today" show, Savannah talked about her mother.

"She always said, ‘When you came, I know my family was complete,’" Savannah recounted.

In the segment, Savannah described Nancy as "noble."

"She's strong. Like, hard iron, granite strong," Savannah said in the segment. "We hard some hard times when I was a child. We lost my dad suddenly and shockingly, and my mom was so strong, and set aside her own grief in many ways, just to be there and make sure we can all move forward together."

So, what happened with Nancy Guthrie?

On Feb. 2, we reported on Nancy's disappearance.

Nancy, per officials with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, was last seen on the evening of Jan. 31 near Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue. She was reported missing Sunday, after someone at a church called a family member to say Nancy wasn’t there.

Per Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Nancy's family members searched her home, and called 911 afterward.

PCSD gave the following timeline for Nancy:

Jan. 31

5:32 p.m. - Nancy traveled to the home of a family member.
9:48 p.m. - The family dropped Nancy off at the home, and the garage door opened
9:50 p.m. - The garage door closed

Feb. 1

1:47 a.m. - Doorbell camera disconnected
2:12 a.m. - Software detects a person on camera. (No video is available, and there is no subscription service)
2:28 a.m. - A pacemaker app detected a disconnect from the phone
11:56 a.m. - Family checks on Nancy
12:03 p.m. - A 911 call as made to PCSD
12:15 p.m. - PCSD arrives on scene

While Nancy is not known to have any illnesses or cognitive issues, but authorities are concerned about her physical health due to limited mobility. Nanos also said that Nancy does not have her medication that she needs daily.

On Feb. 5, the FBI also announced a $50,000 reward for the case. An arrest has also been made in connection with an alleged imposter ransom demand.

What are the authorities doing to find Nancy?

According to reports by the Associated Press, searchers initially used drones and dogs, and were supported by volunteers and Border Patrol. By Monday morning, however, Sheriff Nanos said search crews were pulled back.

"We don’t see this as a search mission so much as it is a crime scene," the sheriff said.

When asked on Feb. 3 whether officials were looking for Nancy alive, Sheriff Nanos said "we hope we are."

In a statement released on Feb. 3, a spokesperson with PCSD addressed a number of questions surrounding the case, including.

Cameras: Nancy's home had several cameras. "Detectives are working with the respective companies to determine the number of cameras and whether any footage is available."
DNA: DNA samples were collected from the home, and they have been confirmed as belonging to Nancy. "At this time, the Sheriff has not confirmed whether those samples were blood. He has stated that he does not want to get into specific details about evidence in order to protect the integrity of the investigation."
Ransom Notes: Per the statement, PCSD is "aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie."
Suspects: No suspects have been named at this time.

In a later statement, PCSD officials said "there is no credible information indicating this was a targeted incident."

On Feb. 3, Tucson television station KOLD reported that they had received one of the alleged ransom notes via e-mail. Per their report, the note included a deadline, and requested a specific amount of money for Nancy's safe return. The e-mail has been sent to PCSD.

Anyone with information should call 911 or (520) 351-4900.

Who is Savannah Guthrie, the TV host whose mother Nancy is missing out of Arizona?

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:21:35 -0700

A missing persons case out of the Tucson area has put the host of a morning television program with Arizona ties in a different kind of spotlight.

Here's what to know about Savannah Guthrie, whose mother, Nancy, is currently the subject of that search effort.

Who is Savannah Guthrie?

Savannah Guthrie is the co-anchor of Today, which is a national morning television program.

According to her bio on the show's website, Savannah joined the show as a co-host of its 3rd hour in 2011, and then became the show's co-anchor in 2012.

The bio states that prior to her time on the Today show, Savannah worked in other reporting roles within the same company.

Savannah also has links to Arizona. According to the University of Arizona, Savannah was born in Melbourne, Australia, and moved to Tucson as a child. She also received a journalism degree from the school in 1993.

Who is Nancy Guthrie?

Nancy Guthrie is an 84-year-old who lives in the Tucson area.

According to a report by NPR on Feb. 3, Guthrie lives alone in the Catalina Foothills area of Tucson. Her husband, Charles, died in 1988. She and Charles had three children, including Savannah.

In a 2023 segment on the "Today" show, Savannah talked about her mother.

"She always said, ‘When you came, I know my family was complete,’" Savannah recounted.

In a separate article published in the same year, Savannah talked about how her mother supported her when Savannah found her first job in journalism.

"My sister and I really felt like we should stick with my mom and not leave her alone," Savannah said in the article. "But when I moved to Butte, Montana, this was it. And it was really hard for me to leave her. That's when she said, 'If you can't leave me, then I didn't do my job right, Savannah,'"

What happened with Nancy?

On Feb. 2, we reported on Nancy's disappearance.

Per Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Nancy's family members searched her home, and called 911 afterward.

"Sheriff Nanos has stated that he believes a crime has been committed. At this point, investigators believe she was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night. Taken against her will includes possible kidnapping or abduction," department officials said on Feb. 2.

"We do in fact have a crime scene, we do in fact have a crime," he said.

Has Savannah spoken out on her mother's disappearance?

In short, yes.

On the night of Feb. 2, Savannah posted a photo with the words "please pray" on her verified Instagram account. The photo came with a post, which reads:

"We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him.

Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.

We need you.

‘He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord,’ a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.

Bring her home."

According to the Associated Press, Savannah hasn't appeared at the anchor's desk, as she has been in Arizona.

Other members of the show, like Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer, have also spoken out about Nancy's disappearance on social media.

What are authorities saying about Savannah's missing mother?

On Feb. 3, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos held a news conference on Nancy's disappearance.

"We have a lot of work in front of us. We have a job to do and we have someone’s life who is in jeopardy," Sheriff Nanos said.

When asked whether officials were looking for Nancy alive, Sheriff Nanos said "we hope we are."

In a statement, a spokesperson with PCSD also listed some additional information surrounding the case:

Cameras: Nancy's home had several cameras. "Detectives are working with the respective companies to determine the number of cameras and whether any footage is available."
DNA: DNA samples were collected from the home, and they have been confirmed as belonging to Nancy. "At this time, the Sheriff has not confirmed whether those samples were blood. He has stated that he does not want to get into specific details about evidence in order to protect the integrity of the investigation."
Ransom Notes: Per the statement, PCSD is "aware of reports circulating about possible ransom note(s) regarding the investigation into Nancy Guthrie."
Suspects: No suspects have been named at this time.

On the issue of ransom notes, Tucson television station KOLD reported on Feb. 3 that they had received one of the alleged notes via e-mail. Per their report, the note included a deadline, and requested a specific amount of money for Nancy's safe return. The e-mail has been sent to PCSD.

In a later statement, PCSD officials said "there is no credible information indicating this was a targeted incident."

Anyone with information should call 911 or (520) 351-4900.

Who will be the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals? Here's a look at the reported candidates

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:09:32 -0700

Following one of the worst seasons in team history, the Arizona Cardinals are searching for their next coach after firing Jonathan Gannon.

The Cardinals fired Gannon on Jan. 5 after finishing the 2025 season with a 3-14 record – the 14 losses are the most losses ever for the team in a single season. The Cardinals lost 14 of their final 15 games, finishing the season on a nine-game losing streak.

From a win-loss perspective, 2025 was the worst season for the Cardinals since they moved to Arizona in 1988.

Gannon was hired by Arizona in 2023 after spending two seasons in Philadelphia as the Eagles defensive coordinator. In three seasons as Cardinals head coach, Gannon posted a 15-36 record.

The good news? The Cardinals hold the third-overall pick in the 2026 draft.

Now that the Cardinals are in the market for another head coach, here's a look at the rumored candidates:

Vance Joseph

The Denver Broncos defensive coordinator is expected to interview for the Cardinals head-coaching job, per multiple reports.

Joseph served under then-Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury as the team's defensive coordinator from 2019-2022. The Broncos are currently the number one overall seed in the AFC and have a first-round bye in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Klint Kubiak

The Cardinals have also put in a request to interview the current Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, per the NFL Network. Kubiak's Seahawks are the top seed in the NFC playoffs and have a first-round bye in the Wild Card round. Kubiak is the son of former NFL head coach, Gary Kubiak.

Anthony Weaver

The Cardinals have requested to interview the current defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, per the NFL Network. Weaver played in the NFL from 2002 to 2008.

Thomas Brown

The Cardinals have put in a request to interview the current passing game coordinator of the New England Patriots, per the NFL Network. The Patriots had an incredible turnaround in 2025, posting a 14-3 record and winning their division for the first time since 2019. The Patriots are the second seed in the AFC playoffs.

Raheem Morris

The former Atlanta Falcons head coach has an interview with the Cardinals next week, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Matt Nagy

The current offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and the former head coach of the Chicago Bears is set to interview with the Cardinals, per the NFL Network.

Matt Burke

The Cardinals have put in a request to interview the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans, according to The Athletic.

Chris Shula

Arizona also hopes to interview the Los Angeles Ram defensive coordinator, per the NFL Network.

Ron Rivera

The Cardinals have interviewed the former Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers head coach, according to The Athletic.

Mike LaFleur

Arizona has interviewed the current Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator for their head-coaching position, the NFL Network reports.

Allison Feldman murder case: Here's what to know about familial DNA

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:53:53 -0700

It has been just over 10 years since a woman was found dead by her boyfriend at her Scottsdale home, and on Nov. 12, trial began for Ian Mitcham, the man who police say murdered Allison Feldman.

Feldman's murder case took years to solve, and Mitcham was only found via familial DNA. Here's what to know about familial DNA, and how in this very case, it caused problems for prosecutors at one point.

Who is Allison Feldman?

Allison Feldman was a 31-year-old who was found dead at her south Scottsdale home in February 2015 by her then-boyfriend.

According to investigators, the boyfriend told police he went to Allison's home to check on her welfare.

"The front door to the house was locked. [The boyfriend] used a key and went inside," investigators wrote.

The boyfriend, per court documents, found Allison dead in a hallway.

Who is Ian Mitcham?

According to court documents related to the case, Mitcham, who is now 50 years old, was arrested on April 10, 2018 in connection with Feldman's murder.

Mitcham had a criminal history, and at the time of his arrest, he was working at a deli, and was living with members of his family.

When Mitcham was arrested, investigators said they have not found a connection between him and Feldman.

How did police find Mitcham?

We reported in 2021 that Mitcham was found via familial DNA.

The familial DNA search happened after Mark Brnovich approved the move during his time as Arizona Attorney General.

A partial DNA profile was developed from the crime scene by investigators, and familial DNA was used to find a partial match to a first-degree relative who was in prison at the time.

What is familial DNA?

Per a flyer released by the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Scientific Analysis Bureau, familial DNA analysis involves "a deliberate search of Arizona Convicted Offender and Arrestee DNA profiles to identify candidates who are potential close biological relatives to an unknowing perpetrator."

The flyer states Arizona is one of 16 states that have active familial DNA programs. Other western U.S. states with similar programs include California, Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming.

Officials note that a "large portion of the familial searching and analysis focuses on the male DNA" passed down through the father's side.

How does familial DNA searching work?

According to a document released by the U.S. Justice Department's Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, it is possible to "conduct an independent search to identify potential relatives of the alleged perpetrator" of a crime when a routine DNA database search reveals that no qualifying person's profile matches that of the crime's perpetrator.

"This search is based on the number of shared genetic characteristics (i.e., alleles) and the rarity of those shared alleles in human populations," read a portion of the document. "A familial search relies on mathematical modeling specific to the DNA database being utilized. This modeling determines whether an observed similarity between two DNA profiles is more likely the result of kinship or mere chance."

What types of cases are eligible for familial DNA searching?

Depending on the state, that answer could be different.

Documents released by the State of New York's Division of Criminal Justice Services listed a number of offenses that are eligible for familial DNA searching, including:

Crimes that present a significant public safety threat
Class A felony offenses, as defined in Penal Law Article 130 (Sex Offenses), Article 135 (Kidnapping, Coercion and Related Offenses), Article 150 (Arson), or Article 490 (Terrorism).
A Penal Law Article 130 (Sex offenses) offense that is defined as a violent felony under Penal Law Section 70.02.
Penal Law Article 125 (Homicide and Related Offenses)

In Arizona, documents provided by the Department of Public Safety's Scientific Analysis Bureau states that written requests for familial search made to the DPS Director must include documentation that verifies the following:

The case involves an active investigation of an unsolved violent crime against a person, or involves an active investigation of an unidentified person.
The case is at least a year old, unless otherwise approved by the DPS Crime Laboratory's Scientific Analysis Administrator.
All other investigative leads have been exhausted, including, if applicable, the elimination of potential consensual sexual partners.
The case, which involves an unsolved violent crime, has significant public safety concerns.
A commitment by the requesting agency to further investigate all leads given by the laboratory if potentially related individuals were identified through the search.

Does familial DNA, by itself, solve crimes?

In the document released by the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, familial DNA searches "simply identify ‘potential’ relatives of an alleged perpetrator."

"A familial DNA search result is only a lead that is then followed up and investigated until a DNA sample of the suspect is obtained and tested," read a portion of the document. "It is those results—those of the suspect—that are generally used in court, not the familial DNA match."

In the same document, officials wrote that "a familial DNA search is not intended to replace traditional investigative efforts, but rather to complement those efforts."

Did familial DNA help with other investigations?

There have been a number of cases, both in Arizona and in other states, where familial DNA played a role in the investigation.

In April 2020, we reported that familial DNA analysis led to the arrest of a man named Tony Tyrone Reed.

Reed, who was 60 at the time of his arrest, was accused of killing 39-year-old Sabrina Rollins in 2016. A familial DNA analysis was conducted in 2019, after a male DNA profile was developed from a sexual assault kit that was sent to the DPS Crime Lab. The familial DNA analysis eventually led detectives to Reed.

In a case that did not directly involve a criminal suspect, we reported in July 2025 that familial DNA was used to identify a previously-unidentified female who was dubbed "Del Ray Jane Doe."

Some of the female's remains were found in a dumpster in an industrial part of Phoenix in June 1984, and according to the DNA Doe Project, the female was initially believed to be 16 to 18 years of age. The familial DNA search allowed investigators to identify her as a 14-year-old named Renee Isabel Nilsson.

An investigation into Nilsson's murder remains ongoing.

Perhaps one of the biggest cases that involved the use of familial DNA is the Bryan Kohberger case.

Kohberger was accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, and he was subsequently arrested in Pennsylvania. Sources with Fox News said genetic genealogy played a part in leading police to Kohberger.

Are there criticisms or controversies involving familial DNA?

Critics of forensic genetic genealogy have focused on the matter of privacy.

"In submitting our DNA for testing, we give away data that exposes not only our own physical and mental health characteristics, but also those of our parents, our grandparents and, as in [Joseph James] DeAngelo’s case, our third cousins — not to mention relatives who haven’t been born yet," read a commentary authored by ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project staff attorney Vera Eidelman, in 2018.

A lawsuit filed by the group Legal Aid Society against the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services in 2018, meanwhile, contended that people of color faced a higher risk of being investigated through familial DNA searching because the majority of DNA information in the state’s databank is from people of color, and that the state did nothing to restrain police overreach or give recourse to people subject to suspicion less searches.

Familial DNA had presented problems in Arizona previously. Specifically, it was the factor in a legal battle involving the Feldman murder case.

In January 2023, a Maricopa County judge threw out the DNA sample that led to Mitcham's arrest.

The judge who made the decision to throw out the sample focused on blood that was collected from Mitcham during one of his prior DUI arrests: at the time, two vials were collected, one of which was used for testing during the course of the DUI investigation, while the other vial was meant to be used for independent testing on Mitcham's behalf, should he so choose.

In his ruling, the judge said Mitcham signed a notice that stated the second vial of blood would be destroyed after 90 days if a testing request was not made. However, that vial of blood was never destroyed, and remained in Scottsdale Police custody until late 2017, when Mitcham became a suspect in Feldman's murder.

"A subsequent analysis of the blood vials generated a DNA profile that matched the profile found at the scene of the crime. Police later obtained a search warrant to collect a buccal swab from Defendant, and the evidence collected pursuant to that warrant matched as well," read a portion of the ruling.

The judge ruled that since Mitcham agreed to the taking and analysis of his blood for drug and alcohol testing, the subsequent DNA analysis exceeded the scope of consent.

Prosecutors appealed the ruling in June 2023, and in August that same year, a state appeals court reversed it. The state Supreme Court heard arguments on the DNA evidence in September 2024, and in December that same year, the state Supreme Court ruled that the DNA evidence can be used.

Per the ruling, while the creation of Mitcham's DNA profile from that second vial of blood was a search that was unreasonable and violated Mitcham's 4th Amendment rights, a legal doctrine called the "inevitable discovery exception" applies because Mitcham pleaded guilty to various charges unrelated to the Feldman murder prior to the evidence suppression hearing, and was subsequently sentenced to prison.

The justices ruled that since Arizona law requires the state's corrections department to take a blood sample from every person convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison for the purposes of DNA profiling, DPS would have inevitably created a DNA profile of Mitcham.

Allison Feldman murder: Here's what to know about the case as Ian Mitcham goes on trial

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:41:15 -0700

It has been just over a decade since an Arizona woman was found dead inside her home, and on Nov. 12, the man who is accused of killing her will stand trial, after weeks of jury selection.

Here's what to know about the Allison Feldman murder case, the suspect, and the legal saga that surrounded the case.

Who is Allison Feldman?

Allison Feldman was a 31-year-old woman who was killed in her home in February 2015.

According to our report on the case in 2021, Feldman moved to Arizona from Minnesota for college, and eventually settled in Scottsdale.

In our previous report, we noted that at the time of Allison's death, she was a new homeowner, had a boyfriend, and had received a promotion at work.

What allegedly happened?

Per court documents related to the case, the murder happened at a home near Pima and Thomas roads.

We previously reported that Allison was found dead on Feb. 18, 2015 by her then-boyfriend. The boyfriend then called police.

"We knew something was wrong," Allison's father, Harley, recounted in 2021. "She hadn't called all day. We hadn't heard from her the night before. Her phone was off. In sales, your phone is never off."

According to investigators, the boyfriend told police he went to Allison's home to check on her welfare.

"The front door to the house was locked. [The boyfriend] used a key and went inside," investigators wrote. "He smelled a strong odor of chlorine or bleach coming from inside the house."

The boyfriend, per the court documents, found Allison dead in a hallway.

Court documents contained graphic details surrounding the case. According to investigators, the victim was found in a state of undress, and the suspect allegedly strangled Allison, beat her, and sexually assaulted her with a beer bottle.

"This case was one of the worst scenes that I've been to," said Scottsdale Police Detective John Heinzelman.

Who is the suspect?

The suspect has been identified as Ian Mitcham.

According to court documents related to the case, Mitcham, who is now 50 years old, was arrested on April 10, 2018. At the time of his arrest, he was working at a deli, and was living with members of his family.

According to our report on Mitcham in 2018, the suspect had a criminal past.

Per records, Mitcham was arrested for misdemeanor DUI in January 2015, one month before Allison was found dead. He was also arrested for aggravated DUI in January 2016.

How was Mitcham identified as the suspect?

We reported in 2021 that Mitcham was found via familial DNA.

The familial DNA search happened after Mark Brnovich approved the move during his time as Arizona Attorney General.

We previously reported that former Arizona State Senator Barbara Leff's connections led to the approval. Allison's mother, Elayne, met Leff and told her about Allison's murder during Elayne's 2016 trip to Israel and Poland with her father.

"In familial DNA, think of that more like casting a net over a large group of family members or what will be called first degree relatives of that unknown DNA profile," Heinzelman explained.

A partial DNA profile was developed from the crime scene by investigators, and familial DNA was used to find a partial match to a first-degree relative who was in prison at the time.

Following Mitcham's arrest, it was discovered that a blood sample taken from him in a prior DUI arrest three years prior was stored as evidence, and this newly-acquired DNA profile matched the one developed from the crime scene.

Learn more about forensic genealogy

What happened from Mitcham's arrest until now?

Long story short, there were years of legal issues that involved the case.

In 2021, we reported that Mitcham's trial was delayed to January 2022, with further delays possible due to the then-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In January 2023, a Maricopa County judge threw out the DNA sample that led to Mitcham's arrest.

The judge ruled that since Mitcham agreed to the taking and analysis of his blood for drug and alcohol testing, the subsequent DNA analysis exceeded the scope of consent.

According to the state Supreme Court ruling, while the 2018 creation of Mitcham's DNA profile from that second vial of blood constituted a search, and that the search was unreasonable and violated Mitcham's 4th Amendment rights, a legal doctrine called the "inevitable discovery exception" applies because prosecutors would have inevitably discovered Mitcham's DNA profile.

The justices, in their ruling, based that on a state law that requires the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry to take a sample of blood or other bodily substances "for purposes of DNA profiling from every person convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison."

The ruling noted that Mitcham pleaded guilty to various charges unrelated to the murder six months prior to an evidence suppression hearing on the Feldman murder case, and was subsequently sentenced to serve time at a state prison.

"Thereafter, ADCRR is required to transmit the sample to DPS, which must extract a DNA profile and enter the results into Arizona's DNA identification and CODIS," read a portion of the state Supreme Court ruling. "If the police had not created a DNA profile from the second vial of blood in 2018, DPS would have done so after [Mitcham's] 2022 felony convictions."

2025 Arizona election guide: Learn more about local ballot measures

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:30:50 -0700

2025 is not a major election year, as no major offices are up for election, except for a special election that was caused by the death of longtime Congressman Raul Grijalva.

However, that doesn't mean Arizonans won't get to vote this year. Here's what to know about the various races.

When is Election Day?

According to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, Election Day for 2025 falls on Nov. 4.

Are there any statewide races this November?

According to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission's website, there are no statewide races or ballot measures this November.

However, voters in 10 of Arizona's 15 counties will get to vote on various ballot measures that are relevant to their area.

What are the measures that will be voted on?

Depending on the county, the number of measures presented to voters will be different. However, documents posted by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission and officials from the various counties show the measures generally relate to taxes, bonds, and changes to city government.

Cochise County

Cochise County Jail District: A measure that aims to implement "a ½ cent, or one-half of one percent (.50 percent) sales tax" for the purpose of constructing and financing county jail facilities.
Naco Elementary School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's Maintenance and Operation (M&O) budget limit by 12% of the revenue control limit, as determined by state law, in order to fund existing programs, for a period of seven years. District officials said the override will help them increase staff salaries, maintain small class sizes, and preserve their full-day kindergarten program.
Wilcox Unified School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 10% of the revenue control limit in order to fund existing programs, for a period of seven years.

Coconino County

Proposition 490: A bond election that seeks the approval of a $100 million capital construction bond for the Coconino County Community College District. The bonds will ber interest at a rate of up to 9% per year, with a maturation date of up to 20 years from the time they are issued. Proceeds from the bond will be used to finance various construction projects.
Proposition 491: A bond election that seeks approval for the Pinewood Fire District to sell up to $1,325,000 in bonds that bear interest at a rate of up to 8% per year, extending for up to 20 years, in order to finance various projects, including the demolition of an existing fire station and the construction of a replacement.

Gila County

Pine-Strawberry Fire District: A bond election that seeks approval for the fire district to sell up to $6 million in bonds that bear interest at a rate of up to 12% per year, with a bond maturation period of up to 20 years. Proceeds will be used to "construct, renovate, improve, equip and furnish fire stations and other District facilities, acquire apparatus, vehicles and equipment," among other purposes.
Town of Payson: According to the town's website, voters will decide on whether the town can sell up to $16 million in bonds that bear interest of up to 6% per year, with a maturation date of up to "25 years from the date of issuance of each series." Proceeds will be used to "construct, improve and acquire" a town aquatic facility, along with other associated expenses.

La Paz County

Parker Unified School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to adopt an M&O budget that exceeds the state-imposed revenue control limit by 10%, or about $1.3 million.

Maricopa County

(NOTE: Due to the sheer number of ballot measures in Maricopa County, we will cover them in a separate section below.)

Navajo County

All measures in the county, as shown on the Citizens Clean Elections Commission's website, involve changes to Holbrook's city charter.

Proposition 438: Aims to allow the city to require the party responsible for new physical development in the city to "provide or furnish any public improvement (or pay a fee) to maintain satisfactory levels of service for the development."
Proposition 439: Aims to remove existing charter language related to the holding of municipal elections in 1995. It will also remove language that requires municipal elections to be held every two years, in odd-numbered years.
Proposition 440: Aims to change the way municipal elections are conducted by electing three council members in one even-numbered year, and electing the remaining three in the next even-numbered year. The measure will also remove provisions regarding city council elections in 1995 and 1997.
Proposition 441: Aims to eliminate the position of treasurer from the city charter.
Proposition 442: Aims to raise the amount of money Holbrook can spend without voter approval, in the form of direct spending, tax concessions, debt, and the value of city-owned land the city may grant or exchange, from $500,000 to $1 million.
Proposition 443: Aims to require the first and second reading for proposed city ordinances and amendments to ordinances be held on separate council meeting dates, as well as requiring the posting of such ordinances to take place at least three working days before first reading.
Proposition 444: Aims to allow the city council to adopt ordinances relating to the nomination of officers and conduct of elections, provided that such ordinances are not in conflict with state law or the city charter.
Proposition 445: Aims to change the date of primary elections in the city by having it take place on the same day as the state's primary election in even-numbered years.
Proposition 446: Aims to require the city's general election to take place in even numbered years, on the same day as the state's general election.
Proposition 447: Aims to repeal a provision that currently requires words that are used in the masculine gender include the feminine form and the gender-neutered form.

Pima County

Proposition 414: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the Tucson Unified School District's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit, for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and a period of six years after that. The override funding will be used for a number of initiatives and projects, including salary increases for all classroom teachers and employees, funding for school counselor positions, and more full-day preschool classrooms, among other things.
Proposition 415: This measure relates to the Flowing Wells Unified School District. It asks voters to approve or deny a bond authorization of $30 million that will be sold in phases through 2030. The bonds will bear interest at a rate of up to 12% per year, with a maturation date of 20 years from the year the bond was issued. Proceeds will be used for a number of projects, including construction or purchase of school buildings, renovation of school buildings, and school grounds improvement, among others.
Proposition 416: This measure asks voters who live within the borders of the Sunnyside Unified School District to either approve or deny a proposed bond issuance of no more than $120 million. The bonds will bear interest of no more than 9%, with a maturation date of up to 20 years following their issuance. Proceeds will be used for a number of projects, including construction or purchase of school buildings, renovation of school buildings, and school grounds improvement, among others.
Proposition 417: A measure that asks voters who live within the City of Tucson to approve or reject a proposal to adopt an updated General Plan for the city. Such plans are required to be updated every 10 years, according to documents.

Pinal County

Proposition 400: According to a unanimously-approved resolution by the J.O. Combs Unified School District, the measure asks voters who live within the district to either approve or deny a bond measure involving the sale of up to $80 million in bonds that bear interest of up to 12% per year, with a maturation date no more than 20 years from the time of issuance. Proceeds will be used for, among other things, school building construction, renovation, purchase of transportation, and improvement to school grounds.
Proposition 401: According to county documents, this measure relates to the Florence Unified School District, and it asks voters to approve or deny a proposed issuance of up to $98 million in bonds. Such bonds will bear interest at a rate of no more than 12% per year, with a maturation period of up to 20 years from the time they are released. Proceeds will be used for a number of projects, including construction or purchase of school buildings, renovation of school buildings, and school grounds improvement, among others.
Proposition 402: Like Proposition 401, this measure relates to the Florence Unified School District. The measure asks voters who live within the district to approve or reject the sale of two land parcels. The first parcel, estimated to be 23.13 acres in size, is located near Hunty Highway and N. Village Lane in San Tan Valley, and the other parcel is estimated to be 34.93 acres. That piece of land is located near N. Spring Valley Parkway and E. Empire Boulevard in Florence.
Proposition 493: The measure asks voters in Apache Junction whether to lengthen the mayor's term of office to four years. Currently, it is two years. If the measure is approved, the change will take place when a new mayoral term starts in January 2027. It should be noted that parts of Apache Junction are in Maricopa County, so Maricopa County voters who live in Apache Junction will also vote on the measure.
Proposition 494: Per the Superstition Fire and Medical District's website, this measure asks voters to approve or reject a bond insurance of up to $33.8 million. The bonds will bear an interest rate of up to 8% per year, and mature no later than 20 years after they are issued. If approved, the bonds will provide funding to "construct, renovate, improve, equip and furnish fire stations and other District facilities," as well as the purchase of vehicles and equipment. It should be noted that the Superstition Fire and Medical District covers parts of Maricopa County, so Maricopa County voters who live within the district will also vote on the measure.
Proposition 496: According to the Pinal County Government, this measure asks voters in Casa Grande to approve or deny a bond issuance of up to $67 million as a way to provide funds to "construct, improve and acquire community, neighborhood, regional and aquatic parks," along with other projects associated with such an endeavor. The bonds will bear up to 8% per year in interest, with a maturation date of up to 25 years from the time they are issued.
Proposition 497: County documents state this measure relates to the Casa Grande Elementary School District, and it asks voters within the district to approve or reject a proposed issuance of up to $48 million in bonds. Such bonds will bear interest at a rate of up to 8% per year, with a maturation date of up to 20 years from the time they are issued. Proceeds will be used for a number of projects, including construction or purchase of school buildings, renovation of school buildings, and school grounds improvement, among others.
Proposition 498: Per county documents, the measure asks voters who live within the borders of the Casa Grande Union High School District to approve or reject a proposed bond issuance of up to $48 million. Such bonds will bear interest at a rate of up to 12% per year, with a maturation date of up to 20 years from the time they are issued. Proceeds will be used for a number of projects, including construction or purchase of school buildings, renovation of school buildings, and school grounds improvement, among others.
Proposition 499: According to the county, this measure asks voters who live within the Superior Unified School District to approve or reject a plan that grants the district permission to exceed its M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit, for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and a period of six years after that. According to the district's board, the override will allow them to continue its full-day kindergarten program, as well as a tuition-free preschool program.

Yavapai County

Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary School District: A measure that asks voters within the district to approve or reject a plan to give the district permission to exceed its M&O budget limit by 10% of the revenue control limit, for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and a period of six years after that. The measure would help fund a number of the district's endeavors, including all-day kindergarten and providing art instruction and physical education (PE) instruction for K-8 students.
Cottonwood-Oak Creek Elementary School District: This measure asks voters within the district to approve or reject a plan to give the district permission to exceed its M&O budget limit by 10% of the revenue control limit, for a period of seven years. The measure, per documents, will help the district maintain current class sizes, along with a number of other programs such as STEM, music, art and sports enrichment opportunities, in addition to maintaining advanced learning programs.
Mingus Union High School District: A measure that asks voters within the district to approve or deny a plan that allows the district to exceed its M&O budget limit by 10% of the revenue control limit, for a period of seven years. The override, per district officials, will allow them to maintain class sizes, as well as allowing them to maintain art, music, theater, sports, and extracurricular programs.
Proposition 485: A measure that asks voters in the City of Prescott to approve a franchise agreement with APS (Arizona Public Service) that allows them to "use city-owned public rights-of-way to construct, operate, and maintain its electric utility" within the city, for a period of 25 years.
Verde Valley Fire District: This measure asks voters within the district to approve or deny the issuance of up to $15.5 million in bonds. Such bonds will bear interest at a rate of up to 8% per year, with a maturation date of up to 30 years from the time the bond was issued. Fire district officials state the bond will help improve their radio communications system. The measure will also help the fire district build a new fire station.

Yuma County

City of San Luis Question 1: A measure seeking approval for the City of San Luis and/or the City of San Luis Facility Development Corporation to sell "all SLFDC's real and personal property known as the San Luis Regional Detention and Support Center."
Crane Elementary School District: Per the district's website, voters are being asked to approve a seven-year override of their District Additional Assistance (DAA) budget. The override in question is $1.5 million or 10% of the district's revenue control limit, whichever is lower. The override will help the district address its school safety, technology, and transportation needs.
Gadsden Elementary School District: Per the Yuma County Superintendents Office, this is a measure that seeks the recall of Luis Marquez and Liliana Arroyo from their posts as members of the district's governing board.
Proposition 434: A measure for voters in San Luis that seeks to require the city's mayor and councilpersons to serve "without compensation, benefits, and/or travel allowances."

What about Maricopa County?

Here's a list of measures voters in various parts of Maricopa County will decide on.

All voters in the County

Proposition 409: A measure that aims to allow the Maricopa County Special Health Care District (otherwise known as Valleywise Health) to issue up to $898 million in bonds, bearing interest of up to 10% per year, with a term of up to 30 years. Proceeds will be used to "expand behavioral health, increase inpatient and emergency room capacity, rebuild and expand community health centers and medical teaching facilities, build a replacement comprehensive health center, and make other infrastructure improvements."

Fire districts and school districts

Arlington Elementary School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by up to 15% of the revenue control limit in order to fund existing programs, for a period of seven years.
Buckeye Elementary School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit in order to fund existing programs, for a period of seven years.
Buckeye Union High School District: A bond election that seeks the approval of a $163 million bond, bearing interest not exceeding 12% per year, for a term of 25 years. Proceeds will be used for various projects, including the purchasing or leasing of school lots, as well as construction of new school buildings and renovating existing ones.
Chandler Unified School District Question 1: A bond election that seeks the approval of a $271.5 million bond, bearing interest not exceeding 8% per year, for a term of up to 20 years. Proceeds will be used for various projects, including the purchasing or leasing of school lots, as well as construction of new school buildings and renovating existing ones.
Chandler Unified School District Question 2: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of six years.
Deer Valley Unified School District Question 1: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of six years.
Deer Valley Unified School District Question 2: A measure that, if approved, would allow the district to sell, lease or exchange a piece of 19.062-acre property located northwest of Happy Valley Road and 83rd Avenue in Peoria. The measure also allows the district to use all or parts of the proceeds from the land transaction to build new school buildings and technology, as well as purchase student transportation, alongside other permitted capital expenditure.
Dysart Unified School District Question 1: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of six years.
Dysart Unified School District Question 2: A bond election that, if approved, would allow the district to issue up to $127 million in bonds, bearing interest not exceeding 8% per year, for a term of up to 20 years. Proceeds will be used for various projects, including school building construction, renovation, purchase or renting of school lots, and purchase of transportation, among other projects.
Fowler Elementary School District: Voters in the district are being asked to approve a seven-year override of their District Additional Assistance (DAA) budget. The override in question is $1.25 million or 10% of the district's revenue control limit, whichever is lower. The override will help the district address needs related to curriculum materials and resources, maintenance, and technology.
Higley Unified School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. Proceeds will be used to help maintain special education programs, increase teacher pay, and support gifted programs and all-day kindergartens, among others.
Isaac Elementary School District Question 1: A measure that asks voters in the district to approve or deny the issuance of up to $10 million in bonds that bear interest of up to 12% per year, with a maturation date of up to 20 years from the date of issuance. District officials say the proceeds will "ensure our students & classrooms are well equipped with up-to-date Furniture & Equipment, Technology, Textbooks, and Instructional Aids."
Isaac Elementary School District Question 2: This measure requests voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. Proceeds, per district officials, will help maintain school health and security programs, as well as help to maintain smaller class sizes.
Kyrene Elementary School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. District officials said proceeds from the override continuation will help the district maintain its current levels of teacher compensation, as well as help efforts to reduce class sizes.
Murphy Elementary School District: Voters in the district are being asked to approve a seven-year override of their District Additional Assistance (DAA) budget, for up to $500,000 or 10% of the district's revenue control limit, whichever is lower.
Nadaburg Unified School District: This measure asks voters within the district to approve or deny a bond issuance of up to $15 million, with proceeds to be used for security and emergency response systems update, purchase of new student transportation, upgraded playground equipment at the district's two elementary schools, and investments in educational technology and infrastructure, alongside other endeavors. The bonds would bear interest at up to 8% per year, with a maturation date of up to 20 years from the date of issuance.
Pendergast Elementary School District: A bond election that, if approved, would allow the district to issue up to $60 million in bonds, bearing interest not exceeding 8% per year, for a term of up to 20 years. Proceeds will be used to address various projects related to safety upgrades, maintenance, transportation equipment, and facilities refurbishment.
Peoria Unified School District: This measure requests voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. Proceeds, per district officials, will help with various efforts, including teacher and staff attraction and retention, enhancing safety and special education programs, and maintain class sizes.
Phoenix Elementary School District Question 1: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. District officials said proceeds from the override continuation will help the district maintain various services, including full-day kindergarten, preschool/early childhood learning, high school transition programs, and other endeavors.
Phoenix Elementary School District Question 2: A measure requesting approval of a seven-year override of their District Additional Assistance (DAA) budget, for up to $3 million or 10% of the district's revenue control limit, whichever is lower.
Phoenix Union High School District Question 1: A measure requesting approval of a seven-year override of their District Additional Assistance (DAA) budget, for up to 21 million or 10% of the district's revenue control limit, whichever is lower.
Phoenix Union High School District Question 2: This measure requests voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. Proceeds, per district officials, will help maintain smaller class sizes, enhance course offerings, and maintain various elective courses.
Proposition 403: This measure affects the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) Technical Education District, and it asks voters within the district to approve or deny the issuance of up to $415 million in bonds. The bonds would bear interest at up to 10% per year, with a maturation date of up to 20 years from the date of issuance. District officials said the bond will help fund various projects, such as the construction of new campuses, upgrades to current facilities, programs expansion, and improvements to administrative infrastructure, including safety and security.
Proposition 406: Like Proposition 403, this measure affects West-MEC. It asks voters to approve or deny the sale, lease, or exchange of three properties. The properties in question include a 29.37-acre piece of land located near 110th Avenue and Glendale, a 2.22-acre property at 5405 N. 99th Avenue in Glendale, and a 2.11-acre property at 5487 N. 99th Avenue in Glendale.
Proposition 407: According to the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority's website, the measure aims to allow them to issue $40.4 million in bonds, bearing interest at up to 9% per year, with a term of up to 20 years. Proceeds will be used on various projects, including the construction and renovation of fire stations, alongside other projects.
Proposition 408: Per AFMA, the measure aims to allow the South County Fire & Medical District to issue up to $23.5 million in bonds, bearing interest of up to 9% per year, with a term of up to 20 years. Proceeds will be used on various projects, including the construction and renovation of fire stations, alongside other projects.
Roosevelt Elementary School District: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. District officials said the override will help them maintain competitive pay, critical services and staff for supporting special education students, and various engineering, STEM, and dual-language programs.
Saddle Mountain Unified School District Question 1: A bond measure that, if approved, would allow the district to issue up to $150 million in bonds, bearing interest not exceeding 10% per year, for a term of up to 20 years. Per officials, the bond proceeds will be used to build new schools, support critical upgrades to present schools, and the purchase of additional school buses.
Saddle Mountain Unified School District Question 2: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years.
Tempe Elementary School District: A bond measure that, if approved, would allow the district to issue up to $196.5 million in bonds, bearing interest not exceeding 10% per year, for a term of up to 20 years. Per officials, $186 million of the bond proceeds will be used for major school renovations that include safety improvements, and $10.5 million of the proceeds will go towards critical maintenance projects for district support facilities.
Tolleson Union High School District Question 1: A bond measure that, if approved, would allow the district to issue up to $125 million in bonds, bearing interest not exceeding 6.75% per year, for a term of up to 20 years. Per officials, the bond proceeds will be used on a variety of endeavors, including safety and security enhancement at schools, building maintenance, replacement of major systems that have outlived their useful lives, and school grounds improvements, among other projects.
Tolleson Union High School District Question 2: A measure requesting voter authorization to exceed the district's M&O budget limit by 15% of the revenue control limit for a period of seven years. The override, per officials, will help support extracurricular activities, athletic and performing visual arts programs, and classroom size management, among other endeavors.

Avondale

Proposition 404: According to documents provided by the City of Avondale, voters there will decide on whether the city can issue up to $68 million in bonds, s, bearing interest of up to 9% per year, with a maturation date of up to 25 years from the date of issuance of each bond series. Proceeds will be used on various city parks, recreation, and library projects.
Proposition 405: Per Avondale city documents, the measure aims to issue $55 million in bonds, with the same conditions as Proposition 404. Proceeds will be used to fund various public safety projects, including facilities for the city's emergency services and for the city's court.

Chandler

Question 1: According to city documents, this is a bond election where voters can either approve or deny a bond issue of up to $158 million, bearing interests of no more than 8% per year, with a maturation period of up to 25 years from the date of issuance. Proceeds from bonds issued under Question 1 will be used to provide funding for "community, neighborhood and regional parks, aquatic centers, arts and cultural centers, recreational facilities, buildings and improvements."
Question 2: City document states this measure asks voters to either approve or deny a bond issue of up to $88 million, with the same conditions as Question 1, for the purpose of providing funding for various public safety-related projects, including the construction of a new city fire station, renovation of existing city fire stations, and acquisition of emergency vehicles, which may include fire engines and ladder trucks.
Question 3: City document states this measure asks voters to either approve or deny a bond issue of up to $46 million, with the same conditions as Question 1, for the purpose of renovating the city's main police station, acquiring technology and radio communication equipment, and acquiring emergency vehicles that may include command and control vehicles and tactical vehicles.
Question 4: City document states this measure asks voters to either approve or deny a bond issue of up to $183 million, with the same conditions as Question 1, for the purpose of funding various street-related projects, such as road repairs, traffic signal improvements, and improvements to city streets and city intersections.
Proposition 410: A Chandler-only measure that, per city documents, asks voters to approve or deny an amendment to the city's charter. The amendment aims to provide clarity regarding the city's term limit for its mayor and councilmembers.
Proposition 411: A Chandler-only measure that, according to city documents, will change the established length of the City Manager's tenure from indefinite to a term that the city council deems appropriate, otherwise referred to as "serve at the pleasure of the council" in the amendment. The amendment will also allow the city council and city manager to agree to a severance pay, instead of setting it to two months' worth of salary.

Glendale

Question 1: According to city documents, the measure asks voters to approve or deny a bond issue of up to $30 million to fund various flood control projects. The bonds would bear interests of up to 8% per year, with a maturation date of up to 25 years from the date of issuance.
Question 2: This measure, per city officials, asks voters to approve or reject a bond issue of up to $35 million for the purpose of funding various projects involving city operations facilities. The bonds would bear interests of up to 8% per year, with a maturation date of up to 25 years from the date of issuance.

Mesa

According to the city's website, voters there will decide on whether to recall Julie Spilsbury from her post as a city councilmember.

That's a lot of stuff to vote on! Am I going to be voting on everything listed above?

Since almost all the ballot measures are specific to particular school districts and municipalities, it is impossible for a certain voter to get a ballot that contains all the measures listed above.

So, what am I going to be voting on?

Your county's election authority will have more information on what you will be voting for this November. You can head to the Arizona Secretary of State's website for a list of county recorder's offices and elections department.

Can I still register to vote for the November election?

According to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office's website, the deadline for registering to vote in the November election was Oct. 6. Therefore, it is no longer possible to register to vote in the upcoming election.

Can I request a ballot by mail?

Per the Citizens Clean Elections Commission's website, you have until Oct. 24 to request a ballot by mail.

SNAP benefits in Arizona will not be issued in November: Here's what to know

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:58:14 -0700

As the federal government shutdown continues, its effects on people's daily lives are starting to show.

In recent days, we have reported on how the shutdown has left federal workers with missed paychecks and airport ground stops due to air traffic controller staffing issues.

On Oct. 27, it was reported that no SNAP benefits will be issued on Nov. 1 as a result of the ongoing shutdown. The Arizona Department of Economic Security has also announced that approved SNAP participants in the state will not receive their November benefits.

Here's what to know about SNAP, how the benefits pause could affect Arizonans in need.

What is SNAP?

According to USDA's website, SNAP stands for "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," and it "provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being."

USDA officials said SNAP received its current name as a result of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, in an effort to fight stigma surrounding the program.

SNAP, per the USDA website, can trace its roots back to 1939, when the first Food Stamp Program began. That program ended in 1943, but a new pilot program was launched in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The pilot program was later made permanent with the passage of the Food Stamp Act in 1964.

How many people receive SNAP benefits in the U.S.? What about for Arizona?

Officials with USDA say that for the 2024 fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024, an average of 41.7 million people receive SNAP benefits per month, which equals to about 12.3% of U.S. residents.

"The share of residents receiving SNAP benefits ranged from as high as 21.2 percent in New Mexico to as low as 4.8 percent in Utah," USDA officials wrote.

As for Arizona, data from DES shows 855,273 people receiving SNAP benefits as of September 2025, including around 508,000 adults and 347,000 children.

"On average, [Nutrition Assistance] households receive approximately $359 each month to purchase groceries for their families," DES officials wrote.

Data also shows that of the over 855,000 people receiving SNAP benefits, about 442,000 of them, or about 51.7% of all program participants, live in Maricopa County.

Meanwhile, figures from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities show that for the 2024 fiscal year, 46% of SNAP participants in Arizona have an income that is at or below 50% of the poverty line, and another 31% have an income that is between 51% to 100% of the poverty line.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services state that for 2025 the federal poverty guideline for people who live in Washington, D.C. and states outside of Alaska and Hawaii, the federal poverty guideline is $26,650 for a household of three.

Why are SNAP benefits not being sent?

As mentioned above, the ongoing federal government shutdown is impacting the distribution of SNAP benefits.

According to reports from the Associated Press, Trump administration officials say funding for SNAP will run out on Friday, Oct. 31. The AP is also reporting that the Trump administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing into November.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has called on the Trump administration to use the contingency fund to provide food assistance for Arizonans.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins, Gov. Hobbs claimed Washington Republicans are using Arizona residents as "political leverage."

Why are state governments not stepping up to fund the SNAP benefits?

According to officials with DES in Arizona, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture has informed state agencies that "SNAP allotments are fully federally funded," and there is "no provision or allowance under current law for States to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed."

In addition, DES officials said they do not have "sufficient funding to backfill the benefit costs which are otherwise covered by the federal government."

It should be noted that Arizona, along with a number of other states, have filed a lawsuit over the benefit suspensions. Also, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has announced a temporary program called "Food Bucks Now" to help keep food on the table.

I receive SNAP benefits. What's going to happen now?

According to DES, they have been instructed by the USDA to "hold the issuance of November 2025 [Nutrition Assistance] benefits."

DES officials, however, also said that people can continue to use the SNAP benefits that were issued to their EBT cards before Nov. 1.

"The authorization or redemption of benefits at eligible retailers is not impacted by the suspension of November [Nutrition Assistance] benefits," a portion of the DES website reads.

I plan to apply for SNAP benefits. Will this affect my application?

DES officials said they will "continue to accept, process, and determine eligibility for all applications."

"Eligibility determinations and certification periods are not affected by the suspension of [Nutrition Assistance] benefits," read a portion of DES's website. "Clients must continue to respond to requests for information from DES as well as report changes to their household circumstances as appropriate."

When will SNAP funding resume?

DES officials said Nutrition Assistance benefits have been suspended "until such time as sufficient federal funding is provided, or until [the USDA Food and Nutrition Service] directs State agencies otherwise."

"USDA has not provided DES with a timeline for when November [Nutrition Assistance] benefits will be available," DES officials wrote.

I need help with getting food. What should I do?

DES officials say people in need of food assistance while their SNAP benefits are delayed can use their Community Service Programs Search Tool to find information on various services, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Separately, St. Mary's Food Bank has a website where people can find food resources in their part of Arizona.

2025 Arizona election guide: Learn more about ballot deadlines

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:39:14 -0700

While 2025 is not a major election year, voters in parts of Arizona will still get to decide on a number of ballot initiatives that will affect their area.

Here's what to know about ballot deadlines, and where voters can return their ballots.

Who will get to vote?

As we mentioned before, not all Arizona voters will get to vote this November, as elections will only take place in 10 of the state's 15 counties.

Per the Citizens Clean Elections Commission's website, the counties include:

Cochise County
Coconino County
Gila County
La Paz County
Maricopa County
Navajo County
Pima County
Pinal County
Yavapai County
Yuma County

Of the 10 counties mentioned above, only two of them — Coconino and Maricopa — will have a county-wide measure.

As for the other eight counties, not everyone there will get to vote, as their measures are specific to certain areas, meaning people outside them will not get to vote.

What's on the ballot?

We have a complete list of all ballot measures in our explainer:

Can I register to vote in the upcoming election?

The voter registration deadline was Oct. 6, per the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Therefore, it is too late to register to vote in this election.

I don't know if I'll get a ballot. What should I do?

You can learn more about whether there's an election in your area this November by going to the voter dashboard on the Citizens Clean Elections Commission's website.

According to information provided by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, early voting began on Oct. 8, while the last day to request a ballot by mail was Oct. 24.

When is the deadline for returning my ballot?

The Arizona Secretary of State's Office provided the following deadlines:

Oct. 28: The last day to mail ballots back
Oct. 31: The last day for early in-person voting

Where can I return my ballot?

Voters in Maricopa and Pima counties can find polling locations on the county government's website:

Meanwhile, voters who live outside the two aforementioned counties can find polling location information on the Arizona Voter Information Portal, which is provided by the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.

When do the polls close on Election Day?

Officials with the Citizens Clean Elections Commission state that polls close at 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. The polling locations will open at 6:00 a.m.

How to watch 2025 World Series: TV Schedule, streaming, game times

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 15:35:24 -0700

The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 World Series.

Keep reading for the complete 2025 World Series schedule and how to watch on TV and stream the games live.

World Series schedule 2025

The World Series will follow the traditional best-of-seven format, beginning Friday, Oct. 24. All games will air on FOX. Games 5, 6 and 7 will be played only if necessary.

All World Series games will be at 5:00 p.m. MST / 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX, Sportsnet TV in Canada and ESPN Radio. FOX pregame coverage begins each day at 4:00 p.m. MST / 7:00 p.m. ET.

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)

Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)

Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)

Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)

Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)*

Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)*

Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1 (5:00 p.m. MST, FOX)*

*If necessary

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2025 World Series?

The 2025 World Series is scheduled to begin on Friday, October 24, 2025.

How can I watch the World Series?

The 2025 World Series will air nationally on FOX. It will also be available on FOXSports.com, the FOX Sports App, FOX One and FOX Deportes.

How many games are in the World Series?

The World Series is a best-of-seven series. The first team to win four games is crowned champion.

Who won the 2024 World Series?

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the 2024 World Series, defeating the New York Yankees four games to one.

Who won the 2024 World Series MVP?

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman earned 2024 World Series MVP honors. Freeman hit four home runs and drove in 12 runs during the series.

Where to find FOX 10 Phoenix

If you’re in the Phoenix area and looking to catch the Fall Classic and related coverage, here’s how you can watch:

FOX 10 Phoenix (KSAZ-TV, channel 10)
FOX ONE app (free 7-day trial)
FOX Sports app (with participating TV provider login)
You can find your local FOX station on livestreaming TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DIRECTV Stream.

*The games will not be streamed on fox10phoenix.com or the FOX Local app.

Looking ahead

The Dodgers will seek to defend their 2024 championship title as they enter the 2025 World Series against the Blue Jays. The team is aiming for its second consecutive championship and eighth overall in franchise history.

How this $3.2 million Israeli campaign will digitally target Arizona Christians with anti-Palestinian ads

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 17:39:21 -0700

In what is being called the "largest Christian church geofencing campaign in U.S. history," a newly-created firm is strategizing a massive digital marketing and outreach campaign on behalf of the Israeli government, and it’s targeting Christian churches and college campuses in four states, including Arizona.

Here's what to know.

What is geofencing?

Geofencing is a virtual perimeter surrounding a physical location, using tech like GPS or Wi-Fi to activate when a device like your smartphone enters or exits the area. That’s how it can be used for marketing ads like this pro-Israeli campaign.

Why are they launching the campaign?

Due to the Israel-Hamas conflict over the past two years, recent polling shows American evangelical support for Israel is on the decline.

According to figures from a poll by the Center for the Study of the U.S. at Tel Aviv University, nearly half of young American evangelicals under 30 (42.2%) support neither Israel nor Palestine, a jump from 25% in 2018. In 2021, 33.8% of young evangelicals conveyed support for Israel, while 24.3% supported Palestinians.

How much does it cost?

This pro-Israeli campaign will cost at least $3.2 million, and the proposal, which is public record, is 86 pages long.

According to a filing under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), officials with San Diego-based "Show Faith By Works, LLC" say the "method of performance" is to carry out Christian outreach through grassroots and digital targeting in the western U.S.

The filing was made in late September 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, and funding is coming from Germany-based Havas Media. The plan is to distribute pro-Israel information online through geofencing.

Per the FARA filing, the costs include:

$50,000 for Graystone HR
$424,961 for grassroots equipment
$1,549,000 for grassroots staff
$685,000 for a targeted media budget
$550,000 for a specialist purchasing budget

The total is just over $3.2 million.

Specialists include pastors and social media influencers with a big impact in Christian spaces. Staff in high-density Christian areas have to be hired and there needs to be a physical staff presence at Christian colleges and churches.

Who is being targeted by the campaign?

The states being targeted are California, Colorado, Nevada and Arizona, and the campaign should be rolling out by December, citing "Christmas messaging." There are additional options for budgeting to target Utah, Wyoming and Texas.

The FARA filing is public record and inside is an exhibit, which is a presentation put together by "Show Faith By Works, LLC." The slides state the goals are to combat low American evangelical Christian approval of Israel and increase awareness of Palestinian ties to Hamas and support for terrorism. The presentation cites "anti-Palestinian state" messaging, which is seemingly at odds with the decades-old goal of a "two-state solution."

The firm wants to hire a pastor for a weekly news podcast, keeping up with developments in Israel and also interviewing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and survivors of the October 7th attacks. The initial plan even has a list of potential Christian celebrities the firm wants to speak on behalf of the campaign, including Chris Pratt, Tim Tebow and Steph Curry, but the firm is reportedly no longer going with the celebrity strategy.

The operation will be headquartered in Riverside, California, with media teams covering states in the western region, including Arizona. There will be a church and college outreach lead, deputy, college coordinator for six campuses, college student for a help desk, and an on-call photographer/videographer.

According to Show Faith By Works, there are 219 Christian megachurches in California, 32 in Colorado, 14 in Nevada, and 38 in Arizona on the list for outreach. Locally, these include Dream City Church, which the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk attended, Calvary PHX and Highlands Church. Show Faith By Works says the targeted Christian population overall is nearly 3.9 million people.

The operation will be headquartered in Riverside, Calif., with media teams covering states in the western region, including Arizona. There will be a church and college outreach lead, deputy, college coordinator for six campuses, college student for a help desk, and an on-call photographer/videographer.

Show Faith By Works reportedly wants to geofence the targeted Christian churches on Sundays, and the Christian college campuses on weekdays. Besides the 38 Arizona churches on the list, there are six colleges, including Grand Canyon University and Arizona Christian University. They want to track attendees and students, targeting them with digital ads.

The plan is also to build and deploy a mobile pro-Israel display with October 7th themes at Christian events. Think of a trailer with a 55-inch touch screen and standing kiosk display. There will be strobe lights, empty tents and scene materials to create an Oct. 7 experience, along with VR headsets. The goal is to bring this experience to different churches and college campuses, showing footage of the IDF.

The estimated impact of this digital campaign for one whole year is a little more than 47 million impressions at the average cost per thousand of $8.40. This is a significant financial investment, and the approach seems high-stakes. The political nature and focus on a specific community can be seen as concerning, especially in terms of ethics.

Students, activists speak out

Mohyeddin Abdulaziz with the Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance says this campaign is outright propaganda and dangerous.

"This is really taking it steps further," he said. "A very invasive, very strong, very cruel targeting and intimidation. It's very intimidating to have your movement, what you listen to, what you know, controlled by one source, which is a foreign country, a foreign state called Israel."

We also asked students at GCU what they think about pro-Israeli information targeting them on a daily basis. Some did not want to go on camera, but one student said that this is the world we live in, and you have to seek out accurate information.

"With all this information coming out, you don’t know what’s real, you don’t know what to believe," said the student, identified only as ‘Kenui’. "I feel like if people are interested, they can find their own perspective and their own point of view of the whole situation and let them believe what they want to believe."

One young man who was visiting the park behind the GCU campus says this pro-Israel strategy feels invasive. When asked what he thinks about the influence, Emmanuel said no one should be controlling social media feeds.

"That’s a place where you go for information and if someone is controlling they might feed you some wrong information and make you think it’s the right information," he said. "My thought on this topic is no one should be controlling you and they should make it illegal to geofence places like this."

According to the firm’s anti-Palestinian messaging, they want to emphasize Hamas as a Palestinian terrorist organization, and that Palestinians elect Hamas’ leadership. However, it’s important to note that no recent public elections have been held in Gaza since the Palestinian legislative election in 2006, nearly 20 years ago. This means only a fraction of Gaza’s current population voted for Hamas.

When asked about the potential for misinformation, Abdulaziz said, "It’s huge."

"That's why Israel is concerned that the American people are now, including Jewish Americans, who are disagreeing with what Israel is doing, who are disagreeing with what Zionism is about, who are disagreeing with weaponizing anti-Semitism against our academic institutions," he said. "So, they need to reverse that. And they need to reverse that by… they don't need that if they know that people support them. So now they're going to do that in a very, very intimidating way."

Project manager Chad Schnitger, a conservative activist based in California who is in charge of Show Faith By Works with a salary of $150,000, declined to be interviewed. He said plans are still settling in after some changes, like deciding not to go with Christian celebrities.

Schnitger says as American evangelical support for Israel declines among young Christians under 30 who don’t remember 9/11 or have witnessed increases in "antisemitic demonstrations" on other American college campuses.

In his email response, he also says:

"We hope that our work over the coming months will help the Christian church make informed opinions about our ally Israel, and all of our materials and exhibits will be vetted by teams of Christian Pastors from different denominations for accuracy and intention. Americans and Christians should be celebrating the recent peace agreement led by President Donald Trump and the safe return of the hostages, but we also need to become more educated about Israel from a historical, biblical, and geographic perspective. We're creating free resources for the American Christian Church and a world-class mobile museum exhibit that we can't wait to show everyone... when we've finished building it. We just started, and I'm a ‘show’ and tell kinda guy, so give me about a month, and I'll drive the mobile exhibit out to you and give you an exclusive tour and interview."

Schnitger says the firm is still in discussions with Christian pastors throughout Arizona who can help in this region, but no one has been hired yet. This is all happening as the country heads into an all-important mid-term election year in 2026. The FARA filing, including the presentation submitted by "Show Faith By Works," is available to the public.