Woman accused in Phoenix-area bank robberies in 2024 now federally charged
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Federal prosecutors have charged a woman with multiple counts of bank robbery after four incidents within two months in 2024. A grand jury indicted Vanessa Thompson Tuesday. According to court documents, all of the robberies played out in a similar way. Prosecutors say Thompson walked up...
Before the Phoenix morgue arrest, friend says suspect was spiraling
A longtime friend of Fenris Lu says he was worried about Lu’s mental state before his arrest in a disturbing Phoenix medical examiner’s office case. Police say Lu broke into the facility, opened multiple body bags and sexually violated several bodies. Now, the friend is pointing to mental health and addiction as the ca
One person dead after being struck by vehicle in Arizona
ARIZONA — A major road in west Phoenix has reopened after a deadly pedestrian crash early Thursday morning, according to Arizona’s Family. First responders were called to the area near 27th Avenue and Ocotillo Road, just south of Glendale Avenue, around midnight. Detectives kept the road closed for several hours while
‘The Bitboys’ are California dreamin’ after bungled burglary in Scottsdale
Sixty years ago, after recounting the comically disastrous “Sloop John B” voyage, the Beach Boys crooned:. After another calamitous trip, two modern-day beach boys each are begging, “won’t you let me go home?”. Don’t do it, a victim of a bungled home invasion countered. Saying...
‘Super El Niño’ could make Arizona’s already brutal summers even worse, climate scientists warn
Experts say that Arizona this year is likely to see more of the record-breaking heat, deadly flooding and intense wildfires that have marked recent summers — and it could be even worse, thanks to the strong El Niño expected. “It has been one of the biggest weather stories we have seen,” Shel Winkley, a meteorologist [
Mesa couple charged with murder in death of toddler who suffered untreated burns
Two people are facing first-degree murder charges after a 22-month-old toddler in their care died from severe burns that police say went untreated for about 10 days. Alexander Byrne, 21, and 24-year-old Artnesia Baptist, the child’s mother, were arrested on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse likely to cause
Judge declares mistrial in sentencing phase of Ian Mitcham trial
The jury for the sentencing phase of Ian Mitcham's murder trial is deadlocked, and the judge has instructed the jury to go back into deliberations.
What the 60+ acre ‘Medina Station’ development will bring to Mesa
A new mixed-use development is taking shape in Mesa, featuring a Target as the main anchor, along with a Dick's Sporting Goods. The project also includes a row of restaurants.
Guest wins nearly $1.5M jackpot on $15 bet at Chandler-area casino
CHANDLER, AZ (AZFamily) — A casino guest is nearly $1.5 million richer after winning big on a slot machine in the East Valley on Sunday night. A guest at Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ Lone Butte was playing the “Frankenstein” slot machine in the resort’s new Light & Wonder room when the jackpot was triggered on a $15 w
Nick Cordova murder: Gilbert police seek leads six years after businessman was killed
GILBERT, Ariz. - May 27, 2026, marks six years since Nick Cordova, 40, was killed inside his Gilbert air conditioning business. Police say he was on FaceTime with his two kids on May 27, 2020, at around 5:30 p.m., when he was shot and killed near Cooper and Guadalupe roads.

















