Squatters’ Days Numbered

Arizona homeowners just got a powerful new tool to reclaim their property from squatters—and it works fast.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, who in 2024 rejected a squatters’ bill, signed Senate Bill 1426 into law Friday after it cleared the legislature with bipartisan support.

Sponsored by Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, the measure expedites the process for removing unauthorized occupants, cutting the removal time from weeks to days and bypassing the drawn-out civil eviction process.

The law applies when a series of conditions are met: no active lease, no family relationship with the owner, no oral agreement to stay, and no existing lawsuit between the parties, among others.

Berkshire Snaps Up Homebuilder

Scottsdale-based Taylor Morrison agreed to join the Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate this week, with the Warren Buffett-founded investment company set to acquire the homebuilder for $6.8 billion in cash.

The deal is Greg Abel’s first major acquisition since becoming Berkshire CEO earlier this year. Abel called it a reflection of Berkshire’s commitment to “deliver the dream of homeownership to more Americans.”

For Arizona, the deal would put one of metro Phoenix’s most active homebuilders under one of the world’s most powerful corporate umbrellas. Taylor Morrison also operates Yardly, a build-to-rent brand.

The all-cash transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approval. Buffett, now stepping back from daily leadership, praised Abel’s deal-making instincts.

Star Chefs Cooking in Arizona

Arizona’s dining scene has become a magnet for national culinary talent, with celebrity chefs anchoring restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Top Chef alum Richard Blais, Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis, Iron Chef America winner Mark Tarbell, and TV personality and restaurant entrepreneur Lisa Vanderpump are among those with a presence in the state.

Meanwhile, chef Beau MacMillan, who once beat Food Network star Bobby Flay on Iron Chef, advises both Cala Scottsdale and The Americano.

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➤ Phoenix: A Deer Valley school board member apologized for what critics called a Nazi-style salute during a meeting last week, saying she should have found a different way to call the board president a dictator. (More)

➤ Statewide: Republican legislative leaders appealed a court order on school funding, arguing the judge exceeded his authority. (More)

➤ Tucson: The University of Arizona’s ROTC program reports steady enrollment and, nationally, the U.S. Army met its recruiting goal ahead of schedule. (More)

➤ Metro Phoenix: The state Department of Transportation wants Valley drivers to weigh in on planned freeway improvement projects before construction phases advance. (More)

➤ Peoria: A proposal for a 70-foot Verizon cell tower in a Vistancia neighborhood was denied by the city planning commission, with Verizon appealing to the city council. (More)

➤ Phoenix: Records show the Arizona Secretary of State’s office accidentally released addresses and phone numbers of 373 voters in the address confidentiality program before the 2024 election. (More)

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➤ Arizona men’s golf lost to UCLA on Tuesday in the semifinals of the NCAA golf championship in Carlsbad, California. Earlier in the day, the Wildcats won their quarterfinal match against Vanderbilt in extra holes. (More)

➤ Northern Arizona won the Big Sky Conference’s women’s all-sports trophy for an 11th time. (More)

➤ Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa will host a community fan day on Monday for Turkey’s national soccer team, which is using the complex as its training base ahead of the FIFA World Cup. (More)

➤ The father of Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald Jr. died this week at 71, two months before his son’s Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NHL | MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis

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➤ The state attorney general’s office sued MultiPlan and eight major health insurers, alleging they used a shared algorithm to suppress doctor payments and inflate patient costs. (More)

➤ Inc. magazine named 12 Phoenix-area companies to its 2026 Best Workplaces list, recognizing businesses for prioritizing worker wellbeing. (More)

➤ Texas-based convenience store chain Yesway plans to open multiple stores in Arizona starting later this year. (More)

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➤ A bill heading to the governor would let homeowners install pergolas, awnings, and shade sails in their backyards over HOA objections. (More)

➤ More than 350 businesses, restaurants, sports teams, cultural institutions, and community organizations joined in Phoenix’s celebration of 602 Day on Tuesday, an annual event honoring the city’s first area code. (More)

➤ Pop-culture convention Phoenix Fan Fusion returns Friday through Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center, featuring celebrity guests, cosplay, and panels. (More)

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Do you know anyone victimized by squatters?

1. Yes
2. No
3. No response/other

Previous Results:

When was the last time you went bowling?

1. It’s been years: 54%
2. One or two years ago: 16%
3. Childhood: 12%
4. Regular: 9%
5. Other: 9%

How many main area codes are there in Arizona today?

See the answer