Two Confirmed Dead in Marana Plane Crash

Two people were confirmed dead after two airplanes collided in midair over the Marana Regional Airport yesterday morning. Watch the report here.

The Marana Police Department responded to the scene of the crash around 8:30 a.m., and the National Transportation Safety Board later identified the planes involved as a four-seater Cessna 172S and a two-seater Lancair 360 MK II.

A black column of smoke was seen following the incident. The victims have not been identified, and the airport was shut down while the investigation continued.

The crash is the latest in a string of aircraft accidents to recently make headlines.

Hobbs Vetoes GOP Election Bill

Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday vetoed a Republican-backed bill designed to speed up the state’s ballot-counting process. 

In part, the bill would have attempted to accelerate ballot counting by requiring Arizona voters with early ballots to drop them off by the Friday before Election Day instead of the current deadline of 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Hobbs hinted at a veto as the bill picked up steam, and followed through with that promise when it landed on her desk, saying, “While I too want faster election results, the solution should not needlessly restrict Arizona citizens’ freedom to vote.” 

Mirrored after Florida legislation, House Bill 2703 surfaced as a result of Arizona’s habitually slow counting process during election season.

Bill Would Mandate Local Police Help ICE

A bill that would require local law enforcement to support federal immigration enforcement moved through an Arizona Senate committee days ago.

The Republican-backed Arizona Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Act would allow state-shared revenues to be withheld from cities and towns that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Watch a video report.

Local agencies would be asked to honor an immigration detainer, holding someone for 48 hours after their scheduled release. The bill’s founder, Senate President Warren Petersen, touted support from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association. 

Still, a number of police jurisdictions throughout Arizona, including Pima County and Graham County, declared they have no intention of enforcing ICE efforts.

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➤ Capitol: A proposed bill that would amend the Arizona Constitution to execute prisoners by firing squad instead of lethal injection passed its first hurdle this week. (See Details)

➤ Southern Border: Delays at the Arizona-Mexico border are occurring as the Mexican National Guard has begun inspecting vehicles crossing in and out of Mexico—part of the country’s agreement with President Trump to prevent tariffs from taking effect. (See Video)

➤ Capitol: Arizona lawmakers voted 60-0 to advance legislation that would require health insurance companies to explain within two business days why a patient’s claim was denied. (More)

➤ Nogales: A former Nogales High School softball coach is suing the Rowland Unified School District, alleging he was fired due to medical conditions following a stroke. (See Details)

➤ Scottsdale: The Self Made Training Facility gym will host a free public event from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday to honor one of the gym’s founders who was killed as a result of an attempted robbery in Southern California. (More)

➤ Marana: Construction on the I-10/Orange Grove interchange is complete, featuring wider entrance and exit ramps to enhance safety and reduce delays. (See Video)

➤ Flagstaff: The city council is once again considering a micro-mobility share program that would bring more e-scooters and bike-sharing to the city in hopes of reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. (More)

➤ Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant addressed the trade rumors surrounding him for the first time this week. “You gotta ask the front office about that … I didn’t ask for a trade from Phoenix,” said Durant. (More)

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks will play 29 spring training games with MLB’s experimental Automated Balls and Strikes Challenge system, the most of any MLB team. (More)

➤ Arizona State men’s basketball saw their nightmare stretch continue on Tuesday night as they lost their seventh straight game, 80-65 against No. 5 Houston. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer 

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➤ ParkPHX, a new web-based app, will soon launch in Phoenix to streamline downtown parking. The app allows drivers to find, reserve, and pay for parking. (See Details)

➤ The Scottsdale City Council voted in favor of having its employees return to working in office. Supporters said it will boost efficiency, while dissenters said no such evidence was provided. (More)

➤ Dutch Bros will open a new location in Tucson on the southwest corner of Broadway and Houghton in Montesa Plaza. The vacant 24,024-square-foot plot of land sold last week for $625,000. (More)

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➤ The bobcat population is thriving in southern Arizona, according to a yearslong study. Researchers found the region’s bobcat population shows stable survival rates at 84% and 85% during the second and third years of the study. (More)

➤ The “Slow Poke” bill, which would add a $250 fine for slow left-lane drivers, passed the Arizona House and will now move on to the Senate. The law would only apply to highways and state routes with two lanes. (See Video Report)

➤ Two people were sentenced to three years probation for their part in a scheme to defraud Arizona’s education voucher program. Jadakah Johnson, 21, and Raymond Johnson Jr., 20, created “ghost students” to receive payments.  (More)

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Do you think Arizona needs to find a way to speed up ballot counting? 

1. Yes
2. No
3. No Opinion

Previous Results:

Do you think jail employees should be scanned before entering the facility?

1. Yes: 75%
2. No Opinion: 14%
3. No: 11%

Between 2000 and 2010, Arizona was one of two states with the highest population growth by percentage. Name the other. Hint: It’s one of the five states that borders Arizona. 

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