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Work begins May 13 on I-10 bridges over Gila River
Election 2024
Report: Voters support transparency in private school funding

New Hampshire man sentenced to minimum 56 years on murder, other charges in young daughter's death

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire man convicted of killing his 5-year-old daughter and moving her corpse around for months before disposing of it was sentenced Thursday to a minimum of 56 years …
ARTS

Phoenix youth theater bringing ‘Willy Wonka’ to life this summer

Valley Youth Theatre is bringing the whimsical musical Ronald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka” to its stage this summer in Phoenix.

'Caramelo,' the Brazilian horse stranded on a roof by floods, is rescued after stirring the nation

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — A Brazilian horse nicknamed Caramelo by social media users garnered national attention after a television news helicopter spotted it stranded on a rooftop, presumably …
Valley & State
education

Chandler schools outsource custodial management

The Chandler Unified School District has decided to outsource custodial management on its campuses. The district’s governing board voted 4-0 at its May 8 meeting on a contract that …
BUSINESS

Harbor Freight to open new location in Peoria

Harbor Freight Tools has announced it will be opening a new store in Peoria.
pro-Palestinian protests

ASU scholar on leave after confrontation with woman at pro-Israel rally

Arizona State University officials say a postdoctoral research scholar remains on leave as the school investigates his videotaped confrontation with a hijab-wearing woman at a pro-Israel rally. …
Sentenced

Phoenix man receives consecutive life sentences for murder of 2 in Mesa

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell recently announced the sentencing of 55-year-old Aaron Aldric Thomas to two consecutive natural life sentences for the murder of two people in Mesa. …
Health care

Phoenix hospitals tap interpreters to break down language barriers

PHOENIX – Non-English speakers can face big communication challenges in medical settings: being unable to convey personal information, understand medical jargon and follow treatment …
Education

Richards named Higley USD superintendent after board rescinds Carman contract

Meet the new boss, just the same as the old boss ... except without an interim tag.   The Higley Unified School District Governing Board appointed Sherry Richards as its superintendent for …
Subscriber Exclusive

Surprise mayor candidates square off in forum

Aly Cline highlighted her record as a city councilmember over the last four years, while Kevin Sartor said he hopes voters want a different voice to lead the city of Surprise.
POLICE

1 dead in Chandler officer-involved shooting

A suspect is dead after being shot Wednesday afternoon in a Chandler neighborhood, police said. Chandler officers responded just after 1:30 p.m. May 8 to Carla Vista and Los Feliz drives for …
Government

Arizona Senate moves forward with bill allowing casitas

PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate passed a measure Wednesday that will require all larger cities to allow owners of single-family homes to build at least one attached and one free-standing accessory …

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Opinions with Civility
As Scottsdale and other Arizona cities grapple with the chaos caused by invasion of mini hotels into our residential neighborhoods, the Arizona Legislature now threatens to double the number of short-term rentals (STRs) on single-family lots.
Awhile back there was a notice to change the Vistancia commercial core zoning that would allow different uses than previously allowed.
A judge fined Trump a puny $9,000 for contempt of court during his Manhattan hush money/business crime/election interference trial.
For once, Washington has been grappling with issues nearly as big as those faced by their constituents.
Another reader expresses her concern about the Independent’s civility checklist for opinions, arguing that it can constrain free speech. I respectfully disagree.  There are plenty of …

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Calendar of events
Arizona & National Sports Coverage
Valley sports
Local sports

Diamondbacks look to extend win streak, take on the Reds

The Arizona Diamondbacks will attempt to build upon a three-game win streak with a victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

What will Utah's NHL team be called? Here are 20 options

Ownership of the NHL's team in Utah has given fans 20 choices to vote on for the franchise's new name. Owner Ryan Smith has told The Associated Press the team will be know as Utah something, rather …

Montgomery throws 7 solid innings and Diamondbacks hold off Reds 4-3. Cincy's skid now 7 games.

Jordan Montgomery allowed two runs through seven innings, Eugenio Suárez homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks held on to beat Cincinnati 4-3, extending the Reds skid to a season-high seven. The …

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National sports
The Philadelphia Union have formally announced that they have signed 14-year-old academy prospect Cavan Sullivan to a Homegrown contract that will eventually land him with Manchester City. The …
Manny Margot highlighted a five-run first inning for Minnesota with a three-run double off Seattle ace Logan Gilbert, and the Twins beat the Mariners 11-1 to win their fifth consecutive series. Pablo …
Former Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis was sentenced to 40 months in a federal prison for his participation in a scheme that New York prosecutors said defrauded an insurance plan for …

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Your Nonpartisan Daily News Source
Valley business

LON’s at The Hermosa Inn 'most romantic restaurant' on OpenTable

Hermosa Inn restaurant Lon’s is the driver of property.

LON’s at The Hermosa Inn has received two new accolades from OpenTable. For the fourth consecutive year, LON’s at the Hermosa has been named by OpenTable one of the Top 100 Brunch …

Build-to-rent bonanza: Communities continue to pop up Valley-wide

Sobremesa Villas has built-to-rent properties available now in Surprise and is in the later stages of construction, as seen in this late April photo (Independent Newsmedia/Richard Smith)

As demand for rental properties in the Valley remains acute, the build-to-rent category continues to boom in ways unique to metro Phoenix.

Trader Joe's coming to Chandler

Chandler's planning administrator, Kevin Mayo, points out during a social media video that helping the city land a Trader Joe's was one of his first assignments as a city intern 25 years ago. The city and Trader Joe's both recently confirmed a South Chandler shopping center will have a vacant space occupied within the next few years by the popular specialty grocer.

A Trader Joe’s market is going to be built in a shopping center on the northeast corner of Ocotillo Road and Arizona Avenue in South Chandler. Not many details, including an opening date, …

Housing on Chandler zoning board agendas

This map shows where 76 homes are planned in a housing development called Viviendo. Rezoning and preliminary plan approval for the project is one of a handful of items on the consent agendas for both the Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission’s study session and regular meetings Wednesday, May 1.

​The next steps in approvals for a 76-home housing subdivision are included in an item the Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission is set to address Wednesday. A study session is set for 5 …

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Neighbors

UMOM hosts Rock the Block to end homelessness at Phoenix Zoo on Saturday

UMOM New Day Centers is hosting its Rock the Block to End Homelessness event 6-9 a.m. Saturday at the Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. (Courtesy UMOM)

PHOENIX — UMOM New Day Centers is thrilled to announce its 60th Anniversary Celebration with our Rock the Block event. As UMOM celebrates this significant anniversary, the group invites …

Larry Fitzgerald Jr.’s 14 Annual Fitz’s Supper Club success in Scottsdale

The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation held it’s 14th Annual Fitz’s Supper Club to raise money for breast cancer research and the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation Future Stars Coding Labs at Scottsdale’s Dominick’s Steakhouse April 29.

The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation commemorates another year of achievement at the 14th Annual Fitz’s Supper Club, in collaboration with Dominick’s Steakhouse. This year’s event was …

National Prevention Week May 13-16

National prevention week spotlights substance use prevention May 13-16.

National Prevention Week serves as a vital national public education platform spotlighting the efforts of communities and organizations nationwide committed to raising awareness about substance use …

Scottsdale’s beat the heat outreach program accepting donations

The City of Scottsdale’s beat the heat outreach program is accepting donations like Brita water pitchers and filters and reusable water bottles for homebound residents.

The City of Scottsdale is now taking donations for its beat the heat program. You can bring summer relief to low-income, homebound and isolated seniors by donating to the Beat the Heat outreach …

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Things to do

L.A. actor will join live podcast taping at Sun City West theater

“Scaredycast” podcast hosts, from left, Brian Young, Tony Gautier and Kelsey Dickerson are pictured at their first live show at Ghostlight back in 2022. They’re coming back for a new taping before a live audience on June 15 in Sun City West.

Ghostlight Theatre is taking a one-night pause from its usual busy schedule of plays for a special presentation in June.

Phoenix Symphony to fuse rap, classical music in May concerts

Guest conductor Steve Hackman will lead The Phoenix Symphony in performances this month of “The Resurrection Mixtape.”

With guest conductor Steve Hackman, The Phoenix Symphony is fusing Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur with classical music in a groundbreaking performance this month.

Arizona Opera’s new season to blend classics, expanded recital series

La Bohème opens at Symphony Hall in Phoenix on Jan. 25, 2025.

Arizona Opera has announced its lineup for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Scottsdale Princess offers summer day camp for kids

Day Camp at the Princess for kids 6 through 12 this summer will include activities like Lagoon fishing, mini golf and swimming.

This summer, kids 6-12 will have the opportunity to enjoy day camp at the Princess. The brand new luxury camp experience at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ …

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Obituaries & Memorials

Thomas (Tom) Hiram Smith

Thomas (Tom) Hiram Smith - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather and friend - passed away in his sleep at home in Gold Canyon, Arizona on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Tom was …

Charles Ray Shriver

Charles, 87, of Fountain Hills, Arizona, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Charles, known as “Charlie” to his loved ones, was a beloved …

Lloyd E. Schill

Lloyd, age 92, of Sun City West, Arizona passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, after a long illness. Lloyd was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 24, 1931. He graduated …

Doris Louise Boneham Engle

In Loving Memory of Doris Louise Boneham Engle, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at The Colonnade Assisted …

Suzanne Carol May

Suzanne passed away on April 30, 2024 after suffering a stroke as a complication of heart valve surgery 5 months earlier. Her loving husband of 56 years, John May, was by her side as she left her …

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The Latest News Around The Globe
Nation

Technology crushing human creativity? Apple's 'disturbing' new iPad ad has struck a nerve online

A newly released ad promoting Apple’s new iPad Pro has struck quite a nerve online. The ad shows a hydraulic press crushing just about every creative instrument artists and consumers have used over …

Homeless woman was living inside Michigan rooftop store sign with computer and coffee maker

Contractors curious about an extension cord on the roof of a Michigan grocery store made a startling discovery: A 34-year-old woman was living inside the business sign, with enough space for a …

NCAA removes cap on official recruiting visits in basketball to deal with unlimited transfers

The NCAA has approved a waiver that will allow men’s and women’s basketball programs to pay for unlimited official recruiting visits to help teams deals with roster depletion caused by transfers, …

Supreme Court sides with music producer in copyright case over sample in Flo Rida hit

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court sided with a music producer in a copyright case Thursday, allowing him to seek more than a decade's worth of damages over a sample used in a hit Flo Rida song. …

Despite numbers showing a healthy economy overall, lower-income spenders are showing the strain

NEW YORK (AP) — Cracks are showing in one of the main pillars keeping the economy out of a recession: resilient spending by U.S. households. Consumer goods giants from PepsiCo to Kraft Heinz …

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World

Here's what to know if you are traveling abroad with your dog

The U.S. government has updated its rules for bringing a dog into the country. The regulations apply to all dogs _ whether you are returning from a trip overseas with Rover, visiting the U.S., or …

Militants bomb a girls school in northwestern Pakistan, once a Taliban stronghold. No one was harmed

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) — Militants detonated a bomb at a girls school in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in the country's volatile northwest, badly damaging the structure, …

Hungary and China sign strategic cooperation agreement during visit by Chinese President Xi

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary and China signed a number of new agreements on Thursday to deepen their economic and cultural cooperation during a visit to the Central European country by …

The Taliban warn journalists and experts against cooperating with Afghanistan International TV

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban on Thursday warned journalists and experts against working with Afghanistan International TV, saying they would be committing a crime if they cooperated with …

Ukraine's Zelenskyy says Russia has the initiative in the east but new Western aid is on the way

POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday his country's army is facing “a really difficult situation” in eastern regions where troops are battling to hold at …

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Entertainment
Harvey Weinstein appears in Queens criminal court, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in New York. Harvey Weinstein returned to court in New York City as authorities considered an extradition request from California to serve his sentence for a 2022 rape conviction. The 16-year sentence Weinstein received for raping a woman at a Los Angeles film festival in 2013 had been on ice while he served time in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Harvey Weinstein won't be sent back to California while he awaits New York rape retrial

Harvey Weinstein will remain locked up in New York as a court works out whether he should stay in a city jail while he awaits a retrial in a rape case or be sent back to California to continue …
FILE - Justin Bieber, left, and Hailey Bieber attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala on Sept. 13, 2021, in New York. Justin Bieber and wife Hailey are expecting their first child together. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are expecting a baby

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together. A representative for Hailey Bieber confirmed to The Associated Press that the model is just over six months pregnant. The …
This combination of photos shows Ted Danson, Jon Stewart and Woody Harrelson, who are entering the world of podcasts. Danson and Harrelson have signed up for “Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (Sometimes),” which will be launched June 12 by SiriusXM. Stewart, who returned to Comedy Central's “The Daily Show” earlier this year to host once a week, will do a podcast called “The Weekly Show,” according to Comedy Central. (AP Photo)

Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, Jon Stewart to premiere new podcasts in early June

NEW YORK (AP) — Some stars known for their work onscreen — Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson and Jon Stewart — are entering into the world of podcasts. Danson and Harrelson have signed up for …
FILE - Andy Serkis appears at the BAFTA Nominees Party in London, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)

‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ in development with Andy Serkis to direct and star

Andy Serkis is going back to Middle-earth to play Gollum in two new “Lord of the Rings” films. Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said Thursday that Peter …
FILE - Writer Rod Serling holds the Emmy for best writing of a drama series for his work on "The Twilight Zone," at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on May 16, 1961. (AP Photo, File)

Rarely seen Rod Serling story, "First Squad, First Platoon," draws upon his World War II service

NEW YORK (AP) — In a famous “Twilight Zone” episode from the early 1960s, a bloodthirsty World War II commander stationed in the Philippines finds himself transported into the body of a …

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