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DAILY INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTERS
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS
NEWS ACROSS THE VALLEY
Valley and State
EDUCATION

Some Arizona districts moving to start in-person learning

PHOENIX (AP) — At few Arizona school districts are moving to begin in-person learning next Monday over the objections of some teachers, a decision applauded by some parents and students.
ENTERTAINMENT

Mesa water park suing over shutdown order

PHOENIX — The owners of a Mesa water park are suing to be allowed to reopen, claiming the policy of Gov. Doug Ducey that keeps it shuttered is discriminatory.

Debate continues over Arizona education tax measure

PHOENIX — A judge has slapped back a bid by a Republican-dominated legislative panel to give voters what he concluded was a biased description of a proposed tax to fund education.
TRAVEL

ADOT announces winners of safety message contest

A mystery person and a husband-and-wife team of a hero hiker and a kindergarten teacher are the winners of the Arizona Department of Transportation's Safety Message Contest.
EDUCATION

Arizona rally favors reopening schools to in-person learning

PHOENIX (AP) — A rally in suppot of reopening Arizona schools for in-person learning amid the coronavirus pandemic drew hundreds of people to the state Capitol.

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First responders
PHOENIX (AP) — A state regulatory panel on Wednesday approved Union Pacific Corp.’s revised plan to rebuild part of a century-old railroad bridge that was damaged in a train derailment and resulting fire.
First-time parents from New Jersey welcomed four new babies into the world June 16 in Phoenix despite the global pandemic and other major health challenges.
A Mesa police officer is in the hospital following a collision along a Valley freeway.

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Top sports story
More sports

NBA sees seven of the eight first-round matchups set

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The NBA playoff bracket is nearly set. Wednesday’s results filled in five of what were the six unknown matchups for Round 1 of the postseason, which starts next …

Voting focus could be legacy for latest wave of NBA activism

NBA players are building on the framework of Colin Kaepernick’s protests during the national anthem that helped raise awareness about police brutality, efforts that have permeated the league since …

Horvat scores twice, Canucks beat Blues 5-2 in series opener

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Bo Horvat scored twice and the Vancouver Canucks beat the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues 5-2 on Wednesday in the opening game of their best-of-seven …

Players kneeling for anthem met with boos before MLS game

There was a smattering of boos when players from FC Dallas and Nashville SC collectively took a knee during the national anthem before their MLS game on Wednesday night in Frisco, Texas. Dallas …

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Most recent
Belarus: Hundreds form 'lines of solidarity' with protesters

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Hundreds of people were back on the streets of Belarus' capital on Thursday morning, protesting for a fifth straight day against an election they say was rigged to extend the …

UK engineers to examine slopes near tracks after derailment

Crews try to tame massive forest fire north of Los Angeles

French Interior minister condemns arson attempt at a mosque

Utility says equipment not to blame for Baltimore explosion

Nation

Asian shares mixed, led by Tokyo gains, after Wall St rally

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Thursday, cheered by the rally on Wall Street that's likely a boon for export-driven regional economies, but investors remained worried about the coronanvirus …

Many more likely sought jobless aid after $600 check ends

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government will provide its latest report Thursday on the pace of layoffs, which have remained stuck at a high level since the viral pandemic erupted five months …

For Americans waiting on virus aid, no new relief in sight

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans counting on emergency from Washington may have to wait until fall. Negotiations over a new virus relief package have all but ended, with the White House and …

Police: 4 people charged after 2 goats found killed

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. (AP) — Four people have been charged after two goats were fatally attacked by dogs and someone wielding a spiked bat and what appeared to be a machete, authorities in Virginia …

Police order crowd to leave amid Portland protests

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police have declared a riot outside a justice center, next to a federal courthouse. Police said Wednesday night that some in the crowd were engaging in criminal activity, …

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World

Greece thanks France for pledge to boost forces in east Med

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's prime minister warmly thanked France Thursday for its pledge to boost its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are closely …

At least 1 person stabbed in Norway, suspect detained

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Police say at least one person has been stabbed in Norway’s second-largest city and a suspect has been detained. Local newspaper Bergens Tidende reported Thursday …

Turkey detains IS suspect planning attack on police

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish police have detained a suspected Islamic State group militant who was allegedly planning to attack a police station, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported …

German coronavirus tests backlog: 900 positive not yet told

BERLIN (AP) — German authorities worked through the night to clear a backlog of coronavirus tests from travelers after it emerged 900 people who were positive for COVID-19 had yet to be …

3 Spaniards dead, 1 missing in Swiss canyoning accident

BERLIN (AP) — Swiss authorities say three Spanish tourists on a canyoning tour have died and one is missing after a heavy storm. Police in the eastern canton (state) of St. Gallen said Thursday …

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Entertainment
In this Aug. 3, 2020 photo, Mickey Guyton is photographed during a remote portrait session with the photographer in New York and subject in Los Angeles. Guyton's EP, "Bridges," is set to be released on Sept. 11. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)

Mickey Guyton is speaking her truth after years of doubt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mickey Guyton is turning a mirror on country music by speaking her truth and reclaiming both her career and identity. Delivering a one-two punch of important songs this …
FILE - In this April 29, 2020 file photo, the AMC sign appears at AMC Burbank 16 movie theater complex in Burbank, Calif. AMC Theaters, the nation’s largest chain, is pushing back its plans to begin reopening theaters by two weeks. The company said Monday that it would open approximately 450 U.S. locations on July 30 and the remaining 150 the following week. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

AMC to offer 15-cent tickets on first day of reopening

NEW YORK (AP) — AMC Theatres, the nation's largest movie theater chain, will reopen in the U.S. on Aug. 20 with retro ticket prices of 15 cents per movie. AMC Entertainment, which owns the …
President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Bob Woodward's new Trump book, 'Rage,' due out next month

WASHINGTON (AP) — Veteran Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward's new book about President Donald Trump is titled “Rage” and will be released Sept. 15, less than two months before Election Day, …
FILE - In this Thursday, July 2, 2020, file photo, cars drive under a sign greeting visitors near the entrance to Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A new television show about the residents and caretakers at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom is being produced by National Geographic and will start streaming in the fall of 2020 on the Disney+. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Actors and Disney World reach deal after virus testing fight

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney World and the union for its actors and singers reached an agreement on Wednesday that will allow them to return to work, more than a month after they said they were …
A man wearing a face mask to protect against the coronavirus sits in front of a mural at a shopping and office complex in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020. Mainland China and semi-autonomous Hong Kong saw declines in their recent outbreaks Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The Latest: Most of Singapore foreign labor cleared of COVID

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s government says most foreign workers can now resume work as their dormitories have been cleared of COVID-19 after months of lockdown and virus testing. People living in …

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Business

German investigators appeal for help finding tech executive

BERLIN (AP) — German investigators are appealing for the public's help in tracking down the former chief operating officer of bankrupt payment company Wirecard who is facing allegations of fraud …

963,000 workers seek US jobless aid as layoffs fall below 1 million for first time in 5 months

WASHINGTON (AP) — 963,000 workers seek US jobless aid as layoffs fall below 1 million for first time in 5 months.

Asia Today: Australia outbreak slows, New Zealand cases grow

SYDNEY (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak centered in Australia's second-largest city showed a decline in new infections Thursday, though the state's leader urged continued vigilance. Victoria …

What No Student Loan Payments Until 2021 Means for You

You don’t have to make another federal student loan payment in 2020. Now is the time, though, to decide what to do before your bill arrives in January 2021. Federal student loan borrowers were …

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Travel

As Hong Kongers seek to emigrate, some simply can’t leave

HONG KONG (AP) — Pamela Lam’s 6-year-old son fell in love with the Hong Kong protest anthem, ‘Glory to Hong Kong’, the first time he heard it, and he loves singing it, at home, in the shower, …

Scottish leader says injuries reported after train derails

LONDON (AP) — Police and paramedics were responding Wednesday to a train derailment in northeast Scotland, where smoke could be seen rising from the site. Officials said there were reports of …

Hank Williams Jr., Marty Stuart to join Country Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Hank Williams Jr., Marty Stuart and songwriter Dean Dillon are the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Announced by the on Wednesday, Williams will join …

Paris Marathon canceled after coronavirus hits travel plans

PARIS (AP) — The Paris Marathon has been canceled because of the coronavirus after repeated attempts to find a new date, organizers said Wednesday. The race was originally due to take place in …

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Things to do

Arizona volunteers sought for Adopt a Highway program

A lot has changed over the last few months, but there is still a need for volunteers to help keep Arizona looking its best.

Arizona arts poised to stage a comeback

With innovative approaches and support from area patrons and other sources, local arts groups are adapting to continue their missions in the community.

Country Thunder postponed until 2021

Fans of Country Thunder will have to wait until 2021 after organizers there canceled this year's event.

Blake Shelton to headline Drive-In concert, July 25

Tickets are on sale for the Blake Shelton Drive In concert experience, featuring special guest singers Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins.

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Valley Voices
President Donald Trump signs an executive order during a news conference at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. [The Associated Press]

Goncalves: Calls for unity during pandemic

I have a question for those people who are very upset President Trump has signed four executive orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Were you upset with President Obama when he signed DACA, …

Five years ago we were boulder busting on US 89A

U.S. 89A, an 87-mile stretch between Bitter Springs to Fredonia in far northern Arizona, provides jaw-dropping views of spectacular vistas amid iconic, rugged landscape. It is known for Jacob Lake, …

Ladera: Must vote to save our Constitution

This is a response to a recent letter (“U.S. banner should not be upside down” Daily Independent, Aug. 5, 2020). If you were so concerned about the health and well-being of the person …

Arizona court gives teachers union tax hike an ‘F’

The Arizona Education Association (AEA) can breathe a sigh of relief — not because state courts just threw the union’s “InvestinEd” near-$1 billion tax hike plan off the ballot for the second time in a row, but because the court’s scathing rebuke dealt only with this one instance of the union’s misinformation playbook.

Thomas: Resident warns widows about policy

A warning to widows and widowers. I married a man in 2012 who lived in Sun City, he added my name to the deed of his home and in 2018 he passed away. This week I received an invoice from …

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