Arizona News

Latest fact-checked coverage from Arizona.

Scottsdale Council Redirects $100M From Water Plan metro Environment SEP 25, 2026

Scottsdale Council Redirects $100M From Water Plan

The Scottsdale City Council moved $100 million from wastewater recycling to new water sources in June 2026. This action canceled a plan to add purified wastewater to the drinking supply by 2027.

Mayes, Petersen Clash on Lawsuits in Arizona Race state Politics SEP 19, 2026

Mayes, Petersen Clash on Lawsuits in Arizona Race

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Senate President Warren Petersen cite opposing legal strategies in their campaigns.

Phoenix Officers Felix, Vasquez Face Assault Charges in 2026 Traffic Stop us Crime SEP 19, 2026

Phoenix Officers Felix, Vasquez Face Assault Charges in 2026 Traffic Stop

Phoenix police officers Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez face assault charges for a 2026 traffic stop in which the female passenger was removed from the vehicle and handcuffed. Felix remains jailed while Vasquez was released before their August 28 court date.

Avondale Police Name Flores Suspect in Backyard Deaths metro Crime SEP 19, 2026

Avondale Police Name Flores Suspect in Backyard Deaths

Avondale police named Matthew Flores a suspect after finding two decomposed remains in a backyard on Thursday. Flores has fled the country while a defense motion for a competency exam delays legal proceedings.

Arizona Supreme Court Shields Clergy From Abuse Reporting state Politics SEP 19, 2026

Arizona Supreme Court Shields Clergy From Abuse Reporting

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled clergy need not report abuse learned in confession. The decision overturns an appeals court and shields religious institutions from liability.

FBI Phoenix Office States Hair Evidence Yields No DNA state Crime SEP 19, 2026

FBI Phoenix Office States Hair Evidence Yields No DNA

The FBI Phoenix office stated on July 30 that hair evidence from Nancy Guthrie's home yielded no DNA. Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed the results but noted blood and other DNA remain under analysis by investigators.

Tucson Police Officer Shoots Suspect After Nine Civilians Wounded in Arizona metro Crime SEP 19, 2026

Tucson Police Officer Shoots Suspect After Nine Civilians Wounded in Arizona

Nine civilians sustained wounds during a shooting on East Congress Street in Tucson, Arizona, at approximately 2 a.m. local time before an officer shot the suspect. The Pima County Sheriff's Office leads a criminal investigation while victims remain hospitalized.

metro Lifestyle SEP 19, 2026

Sheets Dies by Suicide in Arizona

Police confirmed Darrell Sheets died by suicide on April 22 at home in Arizona. Police launched an investigation into alleged cyberbullying after finding a note citing Facebook bullying.

Warshaw Report Alleges Maricopa Sheriff Office Violations metro Crime SEP 19, 2026

Warshaw Report Alleges Maricopa Sheriff Office Violations

Court-appointed monitor Robert Warshaw's report alleges the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office violated court orders. The report concludes leadership interfered in an investigation involving a bureau commander.

state Politics SEP 19, 2026

Arizona Legislature Extends 2026 Session to June 30

The Arizona State Legislature extended its 2026 session from April 25 to June 30. Thirty-one ballot measures have passed one chamber and await action in the other.

Audit Finds Maricopa Sheriff Misallocated 72% of Settlement Funds state Crime SEP 19, 2026

Audit Finds Maricopa Sheriff Misallocated 72% of Settlement Funds

A court-ordered audit finds the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office misallocated nearly 72% of $226 million from a racial-profiling settlement. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan disputes the findings while some county supervisors oppose ending court oversight.

Rex the Giant Tortoise Wanders Phoenix Neighborhood Streets metro Lifestyle SEP 19, 2026

Rex the Giant Tortoise Wanders Phoenix Neighborhood Streets

Rex, a 35-year-old African sulcata tortoise, wandered a Phoenix street and was taken in by neighbors. Garret Beshey is adopting Rex after his previous owner was found following a days-long search.

MG Files Lawsuit For Nonconsensual AI-Generated Sexual Images state Technology SEP 19, 2026

MG Files Lawsuit For Nonconsensual AI-Generated Sexual Images

MG and two others sue AI ModelForge operators for creating AI-generated sexual images of them. MG's attorney says suspects targeted typical social media users with average followings.

Cave Creek Negotiates Water Deals During Proposed CAP Cuts metro Environment SEP 19, 2026

Cave Creek Negotiates Water Deals During Proposed CAP Cuts

Cave Creek seeks water exchange agreements due to federal cuts on Colorado River supplies. The town explores backup options because proposed reductions could exceed 50 percent by 2027.