Mesa school district inks lease with special needs academy
Smith Junior High School in east Mesa will soon have a roommate. Mesa Public Schools recently inked a 10-year lease agreement with Polaris Academy to occupy space at the middle school campus, effective Jan. 5. The private school teaches children with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. “They’ve been great in...
Life in prison for man convicted of gang-related murder in north Phoenix
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Valley gang member convicted of first-degree murder has been sentenced to life in prison nearly four years after the killing in north Phoenix, prosecutors announced Tuesday. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said Keith McCollough was sentenced to natural life for the murder of Richard...
Arizona Mayor Sparks Outrage After Singling Out Non-White Speakers With “Routine” Location Questions at...
ARIZONA – A viral town hall moment in Fountain Hills is drawing major backlash after a local woman recorded the mayor repeatedly grilling only non-white speakers about where they live — questioning their residency, origins, and eligibility to speak — despite never asking the same of white attendees earlier in the...
Valley couple donates $75K to St. Vincent de Paul
An anonymous Valley couple donated $75,000 to St. Vincent de Paul during the 12News Turkey Tuesday fundraiser.
Illegal cockfighting rings persist across Arizona despite 1998 ban
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Illegal cockfighting continues to surface across Arizona more than 25 years after the state banned the practice, with recent raids highlighting the ongoing criminal activity. “Arizona traditionally was a hotbed of cockfighting. It was one of the last five states to have legal cockfighting,” said...
Questions linger over suspect who attacked girl at Phoenix school
The sex offender accused of attacking a 10-year-old girl at a Phoenix school was a no-show at Tuesday's court hearing as questions remain regarding a plea deal. Abel Gblah waived his appearance right for his court hearing. It comes as victims' advocates are demanding accountability over his plea deal from years ago....
Mesa police arrest longtime activist who says he was observing federal immigration agents
The Mesa Police Department arrested a longtime Valley activist on Tuesday morning as he was documenting federal immigration activities, leading to backlash from protesters and state officials. “Earlier today, we learned that UFCW Local 99 Organizing Director, Martin Hernandez, was detained in Mesa while peacefully...
Bobcats spotted resting on Scottsdale home’s roof
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - A Scottsdale resident captured images of some unexpected guests lounging on her neighbor's roof near the McDowell Mountains. Shawna Hankins, who lives near the base of the mountains, spotted two bobcats using the rooftop as a rest area on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 23. Hankins, a...
40 is the new 30: Phoenix millennials delay homebuying
The typical first-time homebuyer in the U.S. is now 40 — the oldest on record, according to a report by the National Association of Realtors. Why it matters: Homeownership has traditionally been a tool for generational wealth building, but in pricey markets like Phoenix, people are waiting longer to tap into the...
Gilbert Police arrest man accused of killing stepfather with hammer
Gary Sean Crawford, 56, is jailed on charges including first-degree murder in the death of 91-year-old Oscar Casdorph.
