Arizona State News
Breaking news, politics, and in-depth stories from across the Grand Canyon State.
Latest Stories
AI Video of Victim Upends Sentence in East Valley Road-Rage Killing
An Arizona appeals court ordered a new sentencing hearing in a Gilbert-area road-rage shooting after the trial judge relied on an AI-generated video recreating the deceased victim speaking to the court. The manslaughter conviction stands, but the 10-year sentence was vacated.
Arizona Appeals Court Tosses Manslaughter Sentence After AI Video of Dead Victim Played in Court
An Arizona appeals court has ordered a new sentencing for a Chandler man convicted of killing another driver in a 2021 road rage shooting, ruling that an AI-generated video of the deceased victim was unreliable and improperly influenced the judge.
Mesa man's death in police custody ruled a homicide by medical examiner
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the April death of 52-year-old Eric Baker, who died after an arrest by Mesa Police, a homicide. His family has filed a claim seeking $2 million from the City of Mesa.
ASU Student Who Inspired Tempe Police Oversight Board Faces Misdemeanor Charges After Viral Arrest
Eryn Bonner, an Arizona State University student whose July arrest went viral, now faces two misdemeanor charges in Tempe. Her attorney calls the case a political prosecution, while Tempe police say an internal review of the officer's use of force is ongoing.
Scottsdale Unified School District Votes to Close Copper Ridge K-8 and Laguna Prep
The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board voted 3-2 on Tuesday to close the Copper Ridge K-8 and Laguna Elementary campuses by the end of the 2026-27 school year, displacing about 700 students amid declining enrollment and budget pressures.
Arizona Judicial Branch and FBI Investigate Court Data Breach Exposing Millions of Records
The Arizona Judicial Branch and the FBI are investigating a cyberattack that exposed the personal information of more than one million people, including foster care reports and protection orders.
Casa Grande Faces First Test of New Data Center Permitting Rules as 954-Acre Campus Proposal Hits Planning Commission
A 954-acre data center campus proposal near Montgomery Road marks the first official test of Casa Grande's new conditional use permit requirements for data center development, drawing attention over water, energy, and environmental concerns.
Sierra Vista Police Seek Help Identifying Ace Hardware Theft Suspect
Sierra Vista police are asking the public to help identify a suspect accused of stealing more than $400 worth of merchandise across several shoplifting incidents at Ace Hardware.
Kingman Man Arrested in Nearly Decade-Old Murder Case
A 46-year-old Kingman man has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge tied to a December 2016 homicide that had gone unsolved for nearly ten years.
Yuma Doctor Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison for $36.5 Million Medicaid Fraud
Former Yuma physician Irfan Fazil was sentenced Friday to seven and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding the state's Medicaid program of more than $36.5 million to fund a lavish lifestyle including private jets, luxury cars, and gold bars.
Prescott Police Officers Involved in Deadly Shooting During Welfare Check
Two Prescott Police Department officers fired their weapons at a person during a welfare check on Eagle Ridge Road Wednesday evening. The person died at the scene. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is investigating the incident.
Sedona Suspect Faces Trial for 2006 Cold-Case Sexual Assault
After two decades, DNA evidence and fingerprint analysis have linked a 45-year-old man to the alleged kidnapping and rape of a 14-year-old girl in Sedona in 2006. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 12 in Yavapai County Superior Court.
Flagstaff Public Artist Chip Thomas Wins MacArthur 'Genius Grant'
Flagstaff-based public artist Chip Thomas has been named one of 20 MacArthur Fellows for 2026, earning a $800,000 no-strings-attached grant for his large-scale murals on the Navajo Nation and his long career as a physician in the region.
Marana Police Investigate Likely Road Rage Shooting Near Interstate 10 and Ina Road
Marana Police Department is investigating a likely road rage shooting that occurred on Thursday evening near Interstate 10 and Ina Road. A suspect was detained, and the victim was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. It is the second shooting in Marana this week.
Avondale Opens Family Bridge Homes, Offering Transitional Housing to Homeless Families
Avondale has opened a new $3 million transitional housing development, Family Bridge Homes, to help families experiencing homelessness save money, build stability, and work toward permanent housing.
Surprise Police Arrest Man on Multiple Child Sex Crime Charges, Seek Possible Additional Victims
Surprise Police Department arrested 37-year-old Corey Pattakos on multiple child sex crime charges and is actively seeking information about possible additional victims.
Peoria City Council Approves $104 Million Water Deal to Shore Up Long-Term Supply
The Peoria City Council unanimously approved a roughly $104.2 million agreement with Vidler Water Company to secure long-term storage water credits and associated infrastructure, a move aimed at diversifying the city's portfolio as federal cuts to its Colorado River allocation take effect in 2027.
Velma Teague Library Temporarily Moves to Civic Center Annex After Electrical Fire
An electrical fire has closed Glendale's Velma Teague Library, a Murphy Park branch that has served the neighborhood for more than 50 years. The city plans to relocate services to the nearby Civic Center Annex within about 90 days, with repairs to the original building that could cost millions and take up to a year.
Gilbert: Body Found Inside Burned Car in Dirt Lot Behind Strip Mall
An adult was found dead inside a burned car in a dirt lot near Higley and Williams Field roads early Wednesday morning. Gilbert police say there is no evidence of foul play, though the investigation remains ongoing and the victim has not been identified.
Three Hospitalized, Seven Others Treated After Bee Attack at Intel Campus in Chandler
Ten people were stung by bees at the Intel campus in Chandler on Monday morning. Three were hospitalized in stable condition while seven were treated at the scene.