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Arizona GOP looks to send border enforcement measure to voters

Fiji's ex-leader, Frank Bainimarama, sentenced to prison for interfering in police investigation

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama was sentenced Thursday to a year in prison for interfering in a criminal investigation while he headed the government of …

Yemen's Houthi rebels claim 2 attacks in Gulf of Aden, another unreported in Indian Ocean

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed two missile attacks in the Gulf of Aden on two Panama-flagged container ships that caused no damage. The claims Thursday by Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree come as the …

Europe Day marks 1 month till EU elections. Rise of hard right, wilting of Green Deal are possible

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union marks its annual Europe Day on Thursday, but instead of the humdrum celebrations, all eyes are on the EU elections in a month's time, which portend a steep rise …
Valley & State
HYDRATION CAMPAIGN

United Food Bank launches annual hydration donation campaign as scorching summer approaches Mesa

In advance of another Mesa summer that is expected to bring sweltering heat and intense temperatures, United Food Bank has teamed up with the city of Mesa and various other local organizations to …
INVESTIGATION

Motorcycle rider dies in West Valley collision

Phoenix police detectives are investigating a collision that left a motorcycle rider dead Tuesday night near 91 st Avenue and Osborn Road. Officers arrived at the scene about 7:20 p.m. May 7 to …

Remains found nearly 50 years ago in Arizona identified as a Vietnam veteran from Minnesota

Human remains found nearly 50 years ago in Arizona have been identified as a Vietnam veteran originally from Minnesota. Coconino County Sheriff’s officials say the remains are those of Gerald …

Chandler to vote on reduced budget later this month

The city of Chandler is on track to have a slightly smaller budget next fiscal year than this year, but there remain challenges and unknowns in the coming years regarding city finances, staff said. …
Community

Phoenix Zoo scientists work to save native species

PHOENIX – Tara Harris’ fascination with science began in childhood, eventually forming into her passion for conserving native species. Harris believes animals play vital roles in the …

Bridge being built in northern Arizona almost five years after three children died in Tonto Creek

Nearly five years after three young children died in northern Arizona’s Tonto Creek, Gila County is using a $21 million federal grant to build a bridge over part of the stream. County officials …
Charity

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

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 …
economic development

Residents get first details on feasibility of proposed airpark eyed for Northwest Valley

Residents filled the Peoria city council chamber May 7 to get their first bits of information on an airpark feasibility study intended gauge the market demand for an airpark in the city.
Development

Sales of new homes in San Tan Valley begin

Landsea Homes Corporation has started selling homes at its new community in San Tan Valley, Wildera.   "We are thrilled to unveil our homes at Wildera and introduce a new standard of …

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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

Reds come into matchup against the Diamondbacks on losing streak

The Cincinnati Reds aim to stop a six-game slide when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gallen throws 6 shutout innings, Carroll drives in 5 as Diamondbacks beat listless Reds 6-2

Zac Gallen threw six shutout innings in his first start in 11 days and Corbin Carroll had a three-run homer and five RBIs as the Arizona Diamondbacks dealt the punchless Cincinnati Reds a sixth …

Senators hire Travis Green as coach. Green leaves the Devils after serving in an interim role

The Ottawa Senators have hired Travis Green as coach and signed him to a four-year contract. The team announced the move Tuesday with Green taking over for interim coach Jacques Martin. Green most …

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National sports
Conor Garland broke a tie with 5:34 left and the Vancouver Canucks overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the second-round playoff series. …
Olympic medalist and two-time world champion Shoma Uno of Japan says he is retiring from figure skating. Uno placed fourth in March in the most recent world championships. He announced his decision …
Jalen Brunson returned from a right foot injury to score 24 of his 29 points in the second half, leading the New York Knicks to a 130-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers for a 2-0 lead in the Eastern …

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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

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 …

DUET honors volunteer from Scottsdale

Scottsdale resident Sue Bai was honored by the nonprofit Duet for all the volunteer hours she has put into the organization since 1990.

Duet: Partners In Health & Aging had a Volunteer Appreciation Event on Sunday, April 14 at Church of Beatitudes in Phoenix with over 80 volunteers in attendance. Each year, the celebration …

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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

Union push pits the United Farm Workers against a major California agricultural business

A battle is underway in California between a unit of the Wonderful Co. and United Farm Workers over how a group of workers organized under a recently-enacted labor law. Since the law took effect, …

With inflation soaring, Argentina will start printing 10,000 peso notes

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Prices in Argentina have surged so dramatically in recent months that the government has multiplied the size of its biggest bank note in circulation by five — to …

Houston mayor says police chief is out amid probe into thousands of dropped cases

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s mayor has replaced the city’s police chief, saying Wednesday it was the best thing for a law enforcement agency that’s still under intense scrutiny over why hundreds …

US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The nation’s largest public utility is moving ahead with a plan for a new natural gas plant in Tennessee despite warnings that its environmental review of the project …

Airbnb shares slide on lower revenue forecast despite a doubling of net income

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Airbnb's profit more than doubled last quarter, but management's disappointing revenue forecast sparked a roughly 7% drop in its stock in after-market trading Wednesday. …

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World

Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across the country

Torchbearers are to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of France’ s southern port city of Marseille, one day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for the welcoming ceremony. The …

Russia's celebration of victory in World War II is a key pillar of Putin’s rule

Russia is wrapping itself in patriotic pageantry for Victory Day, a celebration of its defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II that President Vladimir Putin has turned into a pillar of his nearly …

Vatican and Rome enter final dash to 2025 Jubilee with papal bull and around-the-clock construction

The Vatican is crossing a key milestone in the runup to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year. Pope Francis will preside over a ceremony Thursday in …

China criticizes US for ship's passage through Taiwan Strait, weeks before new leader takes office

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s military criticized a U.S. destroyer’s passage through the Taiwan Strait, which occurred less than two weeks before the island's new president takes office and …

Transitional council in Haiti embraces new changes following turmoil as gang violence grips country

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A transitional council tasked with choosing new leaders for Haiti is changing the way it operates in a move that surprised many as gang violence consumes the …

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Entertainment
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 …
Swiss entrant Nemo - one of the favorites to win the Eurovision Song Contest - says they're "honored" to be one of two non-binary contestants this year. (May 6)

Nemo, among the favorites at Eurovision, is finding acceptance onstage and off

LONDON (AP) — No matter whether Nemo wins the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend — which would make them the first nonbinary contestant to take home the crystal microphone — the singer is …
FILE - Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) waves after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The tight end has been cast on FX's "American Horror Story: Grotesquerie" season. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Travis Kelce lines up another TV job joining FX's 'American Horror Story: Grotesquerie' season

Travis Kelce continues to work in the NFL off season. The Super Bowl winner has booked a role on “American Horror Story: Grotesquerie.” Fellow cast member Niecy Nash posted a series of Instagram …
FILE - Travis Scott performs at the Astroworld Music Festival in Houston, Nov. 5, 2021. The start of the first civil trial stemming from the 2021 Astroworld festival, at which 10 people were killed in a crowd surge, has been delayed. Jury selection had been set to begin Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in the wrongful-death lawsuit filed the family of Madison Dubiski, a 23-year-old Houston resident who was killed during the crowd crush at Scott's November 2021 concert. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

9 of 10 wrongful death suits over Astroworld crowd surge have been settled, lawyer says

HOUSTON (AP) — Nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits filed after deadly crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld festival have been settled, including one that was set to go to trial this week, an …
This image released by the Washington National Opera shows a set rendering by Wilson Chin showing one of his designs for a new production of Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot" opening May 11 at the Washington National Opera. (Wilson Chin/Washington National Opera via AP)

Washington Opera offers new ending to Puccini's final work

NEW YORK (AP) — Ever since Giacomo Puccini died without finishing his last opera, “Turandot,” audiences have thrilled to its soaring melodies like “Nessun Dorma,” but also perhaps lamented …

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