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

Maricopa County Recorder credits partnerships, tech for primary election's success

Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes speaks to Daily Independent about this year’s primary elections process and his thoughts on how his department, working with partners across local and state government, were able to improve on previous years’ efforts.
HOUSING

Landlords want void of Arizona's eviction ban

PHOENIX — Landlords and mobile home park owners from around the state are asking the Arizona Supreme Court to void an executive order by Gov. Doug Ducey blocking evictions of tenants who do not pay their rent.
GOVERNMENT

Doug Ducey appointed co-chair of Council of Governors

President Donald Trump announced he will designate Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey as co-chair of the Council of Governors, according to a release.
DEVELOPMENT

Just won't quit: Arizona farming families persist as development gobbles up land

The Rayner and Gladden families’ multigenerational Southwest Valley farming operations have weathered just about everything the world has thrown at them for the better part of 100 years, from drought and pests to extreme price swings and two pandemics, but there are two modern threats that are unrelenting — development and water availability.
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.

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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

Crowded house: Steelers backfield eyes consistency in 2020

PITTSBURGH (AP) — James Conner is tired of answering questions about his health. Really tired. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back remains adamant he can thrive in the NFL if he stays on the …

EPL breaks silence on reasons for stalled Newcastle takeover

LONDON (AP) — The consortium which withdrew its bid to buy English club Newcastle declined an offer of independent arbitration into the long-running case after a request for additional information …

ATP adjusts schedule, plans season-end Finals without fans

LONDON (AP) — The Italian Open is shifting to a week earlier than originally planned in September, and the Hamburg European Open -- scrapped in July because of the coronavirus pandemic -- will …

Saluting statue to be removed from Amsterdam Olympic Stadium

AMSTERDAM (AP) — A bronze statute of an athlete saluting with an outstretched arm reminiscent of the gesture made infamous at rallies in Nazi Germany is to be removed from outside Amsterdam's …

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Most recent
Q&A: Greg Hague offers insight into the Phoenix metropolitan luxury housing market

Independent Newsmedia reached out to Realtor Greg Hague to better understand the current state of affairs as all things coronavirus impact the local housing marketplace.

Belarus authorities free detainees amid protesters' pressure

Fear and empathy at LA funeral home serving Black families

Wayfair pulls towel depicting deity after Hindus object

Muslim woman accuses McDonald's franchisee of discrimination

Nation

Minneapolis mayor proposes keeping vacant 100 police jobs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday announced plans to hold open 100 police officer positions next year as part of a hiring freeze to help manage a 2021 budget and as …

Georgia court ponders charges for deputies in stun gun death

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's Supreme Court is deciding whether three sheriff's deputies should be immune from prosecution in the 2017 death of a Black man who authorities repeatedly shot with a stun …

Trump's younger brother, Robert, is hospitalized in New York

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has been hospitalized in New York, according to the White House. The president is expected to visit his 72-year-old …

Ex-FBI lawyer to plead guilty in Durham look at Russia probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI lawyer plans to plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump …

Filing: Kansas prof's prosecution criminalizes job disputes

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The prosecution of a Kansas researcher ensnared in a U.S. government crackdown on Chinese economic espionage and trade secret theft opens the door to criminalizing …

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World

Tiny Lithuania has outsized role as EU faces Belarus crisis

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Lithuania is relatively small by European Union measures, but it is playing an outsized role as protesters in neighboring Belarus face a brutal law enforcement crackdown …

France, Netherlands added to UK's 14-day quarantine list

LONDON (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of British holidaymakers in France face the prospect Friday of having to go into self-isolation for 14 days when they return home after the British government …

Canada U.S border restrictions extended to at least Sept.

TORONTO (AP) — The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month, Canada’s public safety minister said Friday. The statement by Public Safety …

Lebanese have little hope blast probe will lead to truth

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s judicial investigation of the Beirut port explosion started with political wrangling over the naming of a lead investigator, military threats to jail leakers and doubts …

Cambodian politician arrested for comments about border land

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The leader of a little-known Cambodian political party was arrested Friday for comments about the alleged encroachment on the country’s territory by Vietnam, the …

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Entertainment
FILE - Nicholas Braun poses for a portrait to promote the film "Zola" during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25, 2020, in Park City, Utah. Braun, who plays fan favorite Cousin Greg on HBO’s “Succession,” has created a song for the age of COVID. Called “Antibodies,” the song that Braun began writing as almost a joke pretty quickly caught the ear of Atlantic Records. The song and a now-viral music video was released under the label last week. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)

'Succession' star Nicholas Braun writes a virus dating song

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Nicholas Braun, who plays fan favorite Cousin Greg on HBO’s “Succession,” has captured the fraught nature of dating during the pandemic in a catchy new punk song that …
FILE - This June 19, 2019 file photo shows U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue, left, talking to the media with prosecutor Moira Penza outside Brooklyn federal court after NXIVM defendant Keith Raniere was found guilty on all counts, in New York. A judge has set an Oct. 27, 2020 sentencing date for Raniere, leader of an upstate New York self-improvement group who was convicted last year on charges that he turned some of followers into sex slaves. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Sentencing date set for NY self-help guru in sex slave case

NEW YORK (AP) — The leader of a cult-like self-improvement group in upstate New York who was convicted last year on charges that he turned some of his followers into sex slaves will face sentencing …
FILE - In this March 17, 2019 file photo, Dev Patel attends a screening of "Hotel Mumbai" in New York. Quarantine brought opportunities to Patel’s front yard — including a socially distanced birthday party and the chance to narrate new National Geographic show, “India From Above.” (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

Dev Patel celebrates India from his Los Angeles front yard

LONDON (AP) — Quarantine brought opportunities to Dev Patel’s front yard. From a safe distance, the British actor was able to enjoy both his birthday and his relationship with India without …
FILE - In this June 26, 2019 file photo, R&B singer R. Kelly, center, arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court building for an arraignment on sex-related felonies in Chicago. Federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, against three men accused of threatening and intimidating women who have accused Kelly of abuse, including one man suspected of setting fire to a vehicle in Florida. (AP Photo/Amr Alfiky, File)

R. Kelly's manager charged with phone threats to theater

NEW YORK (AP) — R. Kelly's manager has been arrested on charges that he threatened a shooting at a Manhattan theater two years ago, forcing an evacuation and the cancellation of the screening of a …
People arrive at the ticketing area inside Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Federal judge upholds New York's COVID-19 travel quarantine

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A federal judge threw out a lawsuit by an Arizona woman who claimed New York’s 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers from hotspot coronavirus states infringed on her …

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Business

US retail sales regain pre-virus pace but slowdown is likely

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans increased their retail purchases by 1.2% in July, with solid gains in appliances and clothing, restoring sales to their level before the viral pandemic erupted in …

The Latest: Man in 20s is Australia's youngest virus death

SYDNEY — A man in his 20s has become the youngest person to die of the coronavirus in Australia. He was among 14 new deaths and 372 new infections reported by Victoria state health officials …

Asia Today: S. Korea sees virus jump, urges more vigilance

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea reported 103 new virus cases Friday, one of its biggest daily jumps in months, as officials express concerned that infections are getting out of control in …

Miami man pleads guilty of defrauding foreign investors in Vermont’s largest fraud case, over biotechnology plant plan

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Miami man pleads guilty of defrauding foreign investors in Vermont’s largest fraud case, over biotechnology plant plan.

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Travel

After 400 years, Native stories at heart of Mayflower events

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Four hundred years after English colonists landed on Plymouth Rock and upended the lives of her ancestors, Paula Peters is on a quest to recover a small part of what her …

Malaysian economy shrinks 17% in worst contraction on record

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia has reported its economy contracted 17% in the last quarter in its worst downturn since the global financial crisis. The central bank said the real rate of …

The Latest: Bhutan imposes 1st nationwide virus lockdown

THIMPU, Bhutan — The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has imposed its first nationwide lockdown due to a virus infection in a returning traveler who had been released from quarantine. The government …

Alcatraz to reopen after monthslong closure due to pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Alcatraz, the infamous former island prison off San Francisco, will reopen its outdoor areas to the public next week after being closed for five months because of the …

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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

Celebrate National Community Health Center Week with us

National Community Health Center Week celebrates the availability of integrated care to treat physical and behavioral health conditions for people in Arizona and throughout the country regardless of their ability to pay.

Evans: Says need to open up nursing homes

Families are feeling lost and confused as they sit on the outside of nursing homes where their loved one resides. In early March, they were told that due to the pandemic they were not going to be …
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 …

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