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Some fear former Scottsdale City Councilman David Smith’s lawsuit to sunset the 2004 parks and preserve tax early will eliminate funding for a wildlife overpass over Rio Verde Drive, connecting the north and south halves of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Motion to show cause filed in lawsuit over sunsetting 2004 parks and preserve tax early

The City of Scottsdale has not yet responded to a lawsuit by former Scottsdale City Councilman and City Treasurer David Smith to sunset the parks and preserves sales tax passed in 2004 early. …
Jose Soto-Olguin was sentenced on Sept. 29 after a long-term investigation led to the seizure of 35 kilograms of fentanyl powder and one kilogram of heroin.

Phoenix man sentenced to prison for drug trafficking charges

A Phoenix man was sentenced to seven years in prison after entering a guilty plea for drug trafficking charges, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday in a release.
(from left) Jeanne Beasley, Amy Carney and Dr. Jennifer Johnson have all confirmed they will participate in a Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board candidate forum Oct. 7.

Scottsdale Parent Council to host school board candidate forum

The public is invited to a free Scottsdale Unified School District candidate forum noon, Oct. 7, at the Horizon Community Center, 15444 N. 100th St., in Scottsdale. Only the first 50 members of …
An airplane flies past the air traffic control tower at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Nov. 8, 2025 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Report: Phoenix Sky Harbor ranks among least-stressful airports

For travelers flying out of Phoenix, getting to the airport may be one of the easier parts of the trip.
Kellwood Company recently purchased the 111 W. Monroe St. building in downtown Phoenix to house their new corporate headquarters.

Phoenix commercial real estate market sees drop in both leasing activity and vacancy rate

The Phoenix commercial real estate market saw a year-over-year decrease in leasing activity in the third quarter of 2026 and is down to 1.29 million square feet. The sales volume in the quarter was …
Kids help pack food boxes in Vistancia for families facing food insecurity.
NEIGHBORS

Peoria kids pack meals — and lessons — to fight hunger

Editor's note: This article first appeared in  Sun Life Magazine ,  a Daily Independent publication . Inside Vistancia’s Learning Lounge, bags of canned chicken, rice, pasta, peanut …
The Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children’s 7th Annual Ava’s Treehouse Gala will include cocktails, dinner and entertainment as well as live and silent auctions.
NEIGHBORS

Childhood Cancer fundraiser set for Scottsdale’s Phoenician

The Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children will host its seventh annual Ava’s Treehouse Gala at the Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Nov. 7. The event is the signature fundraising event for …
President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he arrives on Air Force One, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The Latest: Trump agrees to have his super PAC, not taxpayers, pay for his ads

President Donald Trump has responded to a major backlash over taxpayer-funded advertisements glorifying himself. He's agreed to use his super PAC to cover such costs going forward. Trump defended …
Congressman and Republican gubernatorial hopeful Andy Biggs speaks Monday night at the opening of a Taiwan trade office in Phoenix.
Semiconductor Manufacturing

Hobbs, Biggs trade political barbs over Taiwan, TSMC

PHOENIX - With no head-to-head gubernatorial debate happening, Katie Hobbs and Andy Biggs used a trade office opening to talk separately about the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Biggs …
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, left, and Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung unveil the plaque at the opening of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Wufei Yu)

Arizona opens new Taiwan representative office, rejecting warning from China

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and Taiwanese leaders opened an economic and cultural office Monday to aid Taiwanese businesses and citizens in the region, despite pressure from the Chinese …
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before walking to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Washington.
POLITICS

Trump criticizes Maricopa County election officials over error affecting 3,000 ballots

PHOENIX (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday criticized election officials in Maricopa County after about 3,000 ballots were mistakenly mailed early to voters. The miscue, blamed on a …
After sunset the “Gallows, Ghosts & Gunpowder” walking tour in Glendale leads visitors about a mile through the old downtown, using historic buildings and landmarks as the setting for stories about Glendale’s past. Tours begin at 8 p.m. near the street clock at 58th and Glendale avenues.
OUT & ABOUT

10 things every West Valley resident should do this fall

After months of planning our lives around triple-digit temperatures, hunting for shaded parking spaces, and treating the walk from the car to the grocery store as an endurance event, fall has arrived in the Valley.
This 2020 photo shows the 11 GOP electors posing for a group photo after they signed documents claiming the state’s electoral votes should go to Donald Trump. (Courtesy of the Arizona Republican Party)
Legal

Republican ‘fake electors’ fighting to block Arizona AG from filing new charges

PHOENIX — Republicans indicted in the “fake electors” scheme are trying to get an appellate court to block Attorney General Kris Mayes from ever bringing new charges against them. And they …
PCSO has identified the teen found fatally injured on a street in San Tan Valley as 16-year-old Logan Almodova.
Update

PCSO identifies teen fatally injured in San Tan Valley

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has identified the 16-year-old boy who was fatally injured after being hit by a vehicle in San Tan Valley last week. Logan Almodova was found severely injured …
Paradise Valley Police Chief Freeman Carney speaks with members of the Advisory Committee on Public Safety on Oct. 1, in Paradise Valley.
Community News

Paradise Valley police chief defends use of ALPR cameras

Paradise Valley Police Chief Freeman Carney told members of the Advisory Committee on Public Safety on Oct. 1 that he continues to support the town’s use of automated license plate reader cameras. …
Children with autism and their families are welcome to a sensory friendly trunk-or-treat Oct. 24.
NEIGHBORS

Bierman Autism Center to host sensory friendly trunk-or-treat in Scottsdale

Bierman Autism Center, 8444 North 90th Street, Suite 130, in Scottsdale, is hosting a trunk-or-treat — a free, sensory-friendly outdoor event where kids can move through decorated trunks, play …
The new owners of  6301 E. Naumann Drive in Paradise Valley paid $5.2 million for the home on Sept. 18, but plan to just tear it down in order to replace it with a more modern home.
REAL ESTATE

$5.2M Paradise Valley home to be torn down

You know you’re in Paradise Valley when $5.2 million gets you a 6,100-square-foot home you’re just going to tear down anyway. That’s exactly what one buyer invested in when he put down his …
A former Centennial High School student is seeking $7 million in damages alleging he was sexually groomed and exploited by former teacher Haley Beck.
CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Another former student files claim against former Centennial teacher accused of misconduct

A former Centennial High School student has come forward seeking $7 million in damages alleging he was sexually groomed and exploited by former teacher Haley Beck and that Peoria Unified School …
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride pauses on the field during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Arizona Cardinals

NFL suspends official in Cardinals game caught swearing at Trey McBride

The NFL has suspended line judge Jeff Seeman two games for swearing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during the team’s loss to the New York Giants. Seeman was caught on camera cursing at …
Crowds line up to vote inside Surprise City Hall.
Elections

Monday is the last day to register to vote in November's midterm elections

Monday, Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote in Arizona in order to vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Monday. Maricopa County residents can visit …
Tempe Police respond to a shooting.
Law Enforcement

Tempe Police respond to shooting Monday morning

Tempe Police have responded to a shooting just after 12:30 a. m.  on Oct. 5. On Mill Avenue and 5th Street in downtown Tempe, two groups fought. During the fight, a man pulled out a gun and …
Daniel Baldonado, a contract worker for a steel fabrication company, Ironco Enterprises, installs a series of solar panels on the roof of Wells Fargo Arena on Arizona State University's Tempe campus. The installation is just one of dozens of solar panels that have been installed on roofs of ASU's parking structures and buildings.
Environment

Arizona and Hopi could see $181M in Biden-era solar grants after courts reverse Trump EPA

WASHINGTON – Arizona and the Hopi Tribe could regain $181 million for solar projects in low-income communities after two federal judges ruled the Trump administration unlawfully rescinded the …
Patty Talahongva, left, chief programming and engagement officer for the Heard Museum, and former boarding school students Felicita Cromwell Bonito, center, and LouVina Maho, right, speak at American Indian Boarding School Remembrance Day on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.
Community

Former Indian boarding school students describe life amid Heard Museum program

PHOENIX — The Heard Museum’s boarding school exhibit, which debuted more than 25 years ago and describes the experiences of Native Americans in federally operated, off-reservation schools, has …
Prospects from five MLB teams will participate in the Arizona Fall League at Scottsdale Stadium.
ENTERTAINMENT

Old Town hits a home run with Arizona Fall League

Baseball’s future stars are heading to Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, this fall, giving fans a chance to catch rising talent and explore Old Town before or after a game. The Arizona …
The U.S. Capitol is seen Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Top crypto group to pour millions into bipartisan slate of House races after key legislation stalls

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top cryptocurrency campaign organization is unveiling a bipartisan list of House members that it will support in the November midterms, as one of the biggest-spending interest …
Arizona Water

Dry wells in rural Arizona force residents to rely on water haulers

Adam Brice fills up a customer’s water tank with his water hauler on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 in Chino Valley, Ariz.

CHINO VALLEY – The gas-powered motor roars as water hits the near-empty trough, alerting cattle it’s drinking time.  Adam Brice moves from one metal trough to the next with a green …

2026 Preps Football Previews

2026 Preps football preview: Ironwood

Ironwood

Ironwood coach Tony Stillings did not have to say much to his current seniors in January, when they gathered for the first time after a 1-9 season in 2025. No one wanted another fall like that. …

Calendar of events
Data Driven
Arizona is adding people, but the state’s households are not necessarily getting bigger.
Arizona continues to attract new residents, but the state’s growth is creating very different communities for children and families.
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Valley & Arizona Sports Coverage
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Valley business

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess sold

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe located near Highland, California has bought the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has bought the of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe located near Highland, California, according to a …

West Valley city sees home permits drop for fiscal year

Kamarata Ranch is a built-to-rent development on the southwest corner of Happy Valley Road and 147th Avenue.

New residents have not stopped moving to Surprise, but single-family home and commercial permits showed a downward trend in fiscal year 2026.

Neighbors

West Valley community affected by dementia reunited in Glendale

Lynn Graham Bennett, second from right, with her husband Kenneth Bennett, right, speaks to representatives of one of the agencies at the Dementia Frindly Glendale awareness event at the GESD System of Care.

Kenneth Bennett, received an early onset dementia diagnosis about four years ago, from a screening required for a Department of Defense posting. Lynn Graham Bennett, his wife, found herself in …

Scottsdale resident Q&A: Sasha Wellers

Sasha Wellers.

In an effort to create a stronger sense of community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Sasha Wellers’ answers. …

Things to do

Goodyear exhibition invites artists to ‘Make Believe’

Goodyear’s Arts & Culture Coordinator Layne Ruiz stands in the Georgia T. Lord Library exhibition space where public art, like the “Make Believe” exhibit, will be on display starting Oct. 7.

For Sydney Storment, the invitation to “Make Believe” sounded almost as if it had been written for her.

Carly Rae Jepsen bringing 2027 tour to Phoenix

Carly Rae Jepsen will bring her newly announced North American tour to Phoenix next spring.

Obituaries & Memorials: Remembering your loved ones
Photo Caption

Sally Jo (Lovelace) Brown

Sally Jo (Lovelace) Brown died peacefully at her group home residence in Surprise, Arizona on Sat., Sept. 26, 2026. The former resident of Davenport, Iowa, who had lived most recently in Sun City …
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Shirley Wright Wagner

Shirley Wright Wagner, née Dripps, was born in Oregon on February 10, 1932. She passed away peacefully at home, resting in her favorite chair in the loving arms of family. Shirley lived with an open …
Photo Caption

Mary Helen Jones

Mary Helen Jones, 86, passed away on September 20, 2026, in Oshkosh, WI. She was born on December 7, 1939, in Racine, WI to parents, Joseph Edward and Alma Veronica (Goebel) Cumicek. Mary married the …
Photo Caption

Shirley McAllister

Shirley McAllister Dr. Shirley E. Stauber Friend McAllister was born November 12, 1931 in Noel, MO and passed peacefully in her sleep September 12, 2026 in Chandler, AZ at the age of 94. She was …
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Nancy Hoard Glenn

Nancy Hoard Glenn was born on April 14, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Hal and Betty Hoard. Nancy was the great granddaughter of William Dempster Hoard, who was the governor of Wisconsin. Starting …
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