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NEWS ACROSS THE VALLEY
Valley and State

Insurance agent who kept premiums gets 2 1/2 years in prison

PHOENIX (AP) — A Buckeye woman who ran an insurance brokerage firm but kept premiums her clients intended to pay for their policies has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in state prison. The Arizona …

Shots fired into home of Yavapai County deputy, no injuries

PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials are searching for a suspect who fired shots into a deputy’s home in Prescott Valley. They said the bullets nearly struck a …

Suspect arrested in north Phoenix crash that killed 2 women

PHOENIX (AP) — A suspect has been arrested in connection with a multi-vehicle accident that left two women dead and three other people injured in north Phoenix, according to police. They said …

Official estimates errors could have cost Trump 103 votes

PHOENIX (AP) — Errors in processing certain ballots could have caused President Donald Trump to lose 103 votes in metro Phoenix, an elections official estimated in court Thursday in a GOP lawsuit …

Medical officials serving Navajo make urgent plea: Stay home

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Medical professionals serving the Navajo Nation made an urgent plea to residents Thursday to stay home as coronavirus cases rise, testing the limits of health care on the …
First responders
At last night’s Queen Creek Town Council meeting, Randy Brice was sworn in as the first chief of police of the Queen Creek Police Department.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office took the following reports of crime in the Queen Creek area from Nov. 26-Dec. 3.
CORDES JUNCTION, Ariz. (AP) — An Ohio woman has been arrested after thousands of fentanyl pills and multiple pounds of cocaine and marijuana were found in the pickup truck she was driving, …
Opinions: Highlighting Valley Voices

Burke: Get your new benefit verification letter online

If you receive a benefit verification letter, sometimes called a “budget letter,” a “benefits letter,” a “proof of income letter,” or a “proof of award letter,” we have good news for you.

Mathewson: Jeopardy! cheat still a laugh for resident

The recent passing of Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has sparked a flood of tributes for him and the game show itself. Former contestants and celebrities who’ve competed there have shared …
Roland Winters

Winters: District 1 Newsletter — December 2020

A big shout out to the residents of this great city we live in.
Chris Buitron

Buitron: In tough times for unemployed, consider franchising

With millions unemployed and numerous industries struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic, some people who are out of work are considering a new career.

Cottrill: Travel agents in trouble

Every business in the country has been impacted by COVID-19 in one way or another. But few sectors have been as hard hit, or face a longer road to recovery, than the travel agency industry. …
More sports

Garza, Nunge lead No. 3 Iowa past Western Illinois, 99-58

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Luka Garza scored 35 points, 30 in the first half, and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 3 Iowa stayed unbeaten with a 99-58 win over Western Illinois on Thursday night. Jack …

No. 8 North Carolina State women beat No. 1 South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Raina Perez made a 3-pointer with 3:07 left that put No. 8 North Carolina State ahead to stay and the Wolfpack ended No. 1 South Carolina's 29-game winning streak with a 54-46 …

Charley Hull takes LPGA Tour lead in chilly North Texas

THE COLONY, Texas (AP) — Charley Hull fought through cold and windy conditions to take the first-round lead Thursday in the LPGA Tour's Volunteers of America Classic. The 24-year-old …

New Queen Latifah drama gets post-Super Bowl debut showcase

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Queen Latifah's upcoming drama series has scored a touchdown. CBS says “The Equalizer” will get the coveted post-Super Bowl slot next February to showcase its …
Nation

Fauci: US may see 'surge upon surge' of virus in weeks ahead

The nation's top infectious disease expert said Sunday that the U.S. may see “surge upon a surge” of the coronavirus over the coming weeks, and he does not expect current recommendations around …

Hawaii seeks to be seen as a remote workplace with a view

HONOLULU (AP) — Software engineer Raymond Berger begins his work day at 5 a.m., before the sun comes up over Hawaii. Rising early is necessary because the company he works for is in New York …
Subscriber Exclusive

Arizona, federal health officials offer holiday safety tips as COVID-19 surges

As federal and local health experts issue warnings and guidance on how to safely celebrate during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, some local residents are considering how the resurgent …

Michigan governor says she has authority for stay-home order

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she has the authority to issue a second stay-at-home order to curb the spiking coronavirus if necessary and called a comment by an adviser to …

NATO, acting US Pentagon chief discuss Afghanistan

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has spoken to the new acting U.S. defense secretary about the alliance’s commitment to stay in Afghanistan as long as necessary, his …
World

Italians told to celebrate Christmas at home to fight virus

MILAN (AP) — Italy recorded a pandemic-high daily death toll Thursday, providing a grim backdrop for Premier Giuseppe Conte’s cheerless announcement of restrictions for the Christmas holidays …

Israel urges citizens to avoid Gulf, cites Iran threat

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government on Thursday urged its citizens to avoid travel to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, citing threats of Iranian attacks. Iran has been threatening to …

Ethiopian forces said to block refugees from entering Sudan

HAMDAYET, Sudan (AP) — Ethiopian forces on Thursday blocked people fleeing the country’s embattled Tigray region from crossing into Sudan at the busiest border crossing point for refugees, …

Azerbaijan says 2,783 troops killed over Nagorno-Karabakh

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Azerbaijan said Thursday it lost nearly 2,800 soldiers in 44 days of fighting with Armenian forces over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, the first time it has …

'Multiple casualties' after explosion at UK warehouse

LONDON (AP) — A local British emergency services department says there have been “multiple casualties” following a large explosion Thursday at a warehouse near the southwest England city of …
Business

Govt accuses Facebook of discriminating against US workers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is accusing Facebook in a lawsuit of discriminating against U.S. workers in favor of foreigners with special visas to fill more than 2,600 high-paying …

Ryanair gives Boeing a boost by ordering 75 more Max jets

Irish budget airline Ryanair said Thursday it is ordering 75 more Boeing 737 Max jets, a boost for Boeing just before its most important plane returns to flying after two deadly crashes. The order …

US plans oil, gas lease sale in Alaska's Arctic refuge

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management plans to hold an oil and gas lease sale in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge next month, weeks before President-elect Joe Biden, who …

New homes break ground near Pioneer Park in Peoria

A 30-acre property in south Peoria had been vacant for a number of years, but is now on track to receive life with a new home community that just broke ground, Dec. 2.

Travel

Nobel laureate says pandemic raising violence, trafficking

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad said the coronavirus pandemic has increased trafficking of women and gender-based violence, leaving the health and safety of women “on …

The Latest: Nobel laureate warns of increased trafficking

UNITED NATIONS — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad says the COVID-19 pandemic has increased trafficking of women and gender-based violence, leaving the health and safety of women “on the …

Coronavirus robs biblical Bethlehem of Christmas cheer

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — The coronavirus has cast a pall over Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, all but shutting down the biblical town revered as Jesus’ birthplace at the height of the …

The Latest: Croatia’s Prime Minister tests positive

ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has tested positive for the new coronavirus. Government spokesman Marko Milic says Plenkovic is feeling fine and will continue to …

Things to do

Free visits with Santa at Merry Main Street in Mesa

Bring the whole family for free visits with Santa 5-9 p.m. on Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at Mesa’s Christmas tree at 1 N. Macdonald. To provide a safe and healthy environment, Santa will …

Ice skating added to Litchfield Park's Christmas in the Park festivities

Christmas in the Park will feature free ice skating in addition to the holiday market, virtual parade and other activities the city has planned for the COVID-compliant annual event Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13 in downtown Litchfield Park.

Fifth Annual Trolls Teddy Bear Run Saturday

The Fifth Annual Trolls Teddy Bear Run, benefiting the Mesa Family Resource Center and Mesa’s first responders, takes place Saturday, Dec. 5, in Gilbert. The entry fee is $10 plus the …

Winter Wonderettes Dec. 10-20 at Zao Theatre

Zao Theatre, 550 S. Ironwood Ave. in Apache Junction, reopens Dec. 10-20 with “The Winter Wonderettes” entertaining at their Harper’s Hardware Christmas party. “The Winter …

Entertainment
This combination photo shows key art for holiday specials, from left, "Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical," airing Dec. 9 on NBC, "Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special," streaming Dec. 4 on Apple TV+, "My Gift: A Christmas Special from Carrie Underwood," premiering Thursday, Dec. 3 on HBO Max, "Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey," streaming on Netflix and "Lego Star Wars Holiday Special," streaming on Disney+. (NBC/Apple/HBO Max/Netflix/Disney + via AP)

Holiday movies, music specials arrive to light a bleak year

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bring on the sentimental holiday rom-coms, the chorus of Christmas music specials and the nostalgia of last century’s animated charmers. We’ll take any and all feel-good …
Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays performs during a one-man high-tech “A Christmas Carol Live” that is being filmed for streaming this month at the empty 3,000-seat United Palace. The one-man show is an example of how many who work in the theater are increasingly defying COVID-19 by refusing to let it stop their art. (Courtesy of A Christmas Carol Live via AP)

Theater uses its creativity to defy pandemic and stage shows

NEW YORK (AP) — There's theater on Broadway. You just have to adjust your sights. More than a hundred blocks north of Manhattan's shuttered theater district but on that same famed thoroughfare, …

MTV Entertainment commits $250 million to diversify reality

LOS ANGELES (AP) — MTV Entertainment Group says it's making a $250 million commitment to spur reality production over the next three years by companies owned and operated by women and people of …

YouTube announces lineup for discussions on racial justice

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mark Cuban, Anthony Anderson and Skylar Diggins-Smith will take part in a series of panel discussions on YouTube that are focused on racial justice. The video-sharing platform …
FILE - Roddy Ricch performs at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019. Ricch, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa each earned six Grammy nominations on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020.  (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)

Roddy Ricch has Apple Music's top album, song of 2020

NEW YORK (AP) — Roddy Ricch is the king of Apple Music: The rapper has the music platform’s most-streamed song and album of the year. Apple announced Thursday that Ricch achieved the feat with …