Prosecutor says planned death penalty study not enough
The top prosecutor from the state's second largest county said a planned study of how the death penalty is implemented in Arizona doesn't go far enough.
Democrats eye new Congressional opening
The heavily Democratic Congressional District 3 is seemingly open for takers now that Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-AZ, has announced that he’ll run for Senate. Several Democrats are considering a run, but it’s a big risk. In such a blue district, whichever Democrat wins the primary is almost guaranteed the seat, and there’s no limit on how many primary candidates can run.
Mayes’ attorney: Hamadeh not entitled to his requested do-over of bid to be installed as AG
A lawyer for Kris Mayes says Abe Hamadeh is not entitled to his requested do-over of his legal bid to install him as the state's attorney general.
Judge: women no longer have legal right to abortion due to fetal abnormality at any stage of pregnancy
Women in Arizona no longer have the legal right to an abortion due to a fetal abnormality at any stage of the pregnancy, even if Arizona courts finally conclude the procedure is legal through 15 weeks for no reason at all.
AG withdraws only outstanding motion for death penalty, Hobbs calls for review of execution process
Gov. Katie Hobbs wants an outside review of the state’s death penalty process, arguing the recent executions carried out by the Department of Corrections “have resulted in serious questions about ADCRR’s execution protocols and lack of transparency.”
Hobbs asks court to toss Lake’s latest bid to overturn election
Gov. Katie Hobbs is asking the state Court of Appeals to toss out Kari Lake's latest bid to overturn the 2022 election saying it is based on "mere speculation of election misconduct and conjecture regarding its supposed result.''
Managing rural groundwater use goal of state official
Will new urgency around Arizona’s water woes lead to more action on the decades-old issue? Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said he thinks so, and there’s a few specific things he has in mind for the next few years under new Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Committee takes initial steps towards denying students right to use preferred pronoun
State lawmakers took the first steps Wednesday to denying students the right to be referred to by a pronoun that matches their preferred gender. SB 1001, approved by the Senate Education Committee on a 4-3 party line vote, also would put into law that teachers and other school employees may refer to a student by only his or her given name or a nickname "commonly associated with the student's name [...]
Finchem still seeking donations to pay off his debt in failed bid
Mark Finchem is still trying to raise money this week to pay off what he said is the debt for his failed bid for secretary of state. In a new fundraising email to supporters on Wednesday, Finchem asked people to "donate $25, $50, $100 or more'' to "stand with election integrity'' and "fight the propaganda.'' But it concludes with a disclosure that any money raised will "help pay off campaign debt.[...]
Court allows vote by mail despite GOP’s efforts to kill practice
All Arizonans will continue to be able to vote by mail despite efforts by the state Republican Party to kill the practice. The state Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected arguments by a lawyer for the GOP and Kelli Ward, its chair, that allowing people to vote from their own homes or anywhere other than a polling place violates a constitutional requirement for a secret ballot.
Arizona dad seeking answers after son dies in state care
Richard Blodgett, a single father, was jailed on a drug charge when a worker from Arizona's child welfare agency delivered the news: His son was brain dead and on life support — just days after being taken into state custody.
Hobbs’ leftover inauguration funds can be used on elections
Gov. Katie Hobbs collected nearly $1.5 million in donations from corporations and other special interests to cover the cost of her inauguration.