Three Valley strip clubs are being sued by exotic dancers with the help of a Texas law firm over alleged unpaid tips and wages. The various plaintiffs in the cases are being represented by Kennedy Hodges LLP of Houston, which is engaged in dozens of similar cases across the United…
Don’t expect any apology from Stewart Ferrin. The former Arizona State University police officer regrets nothing about the way he handled the arrest last year of assistant professor Ersula Ore. Not the way he threatened to slam her into his patrol car or how he arrested her for what many…
Governor Doug Ducey has until the end of April 15 to decide the fate of four important bills. Though each is different in its specific intention and scope, when taken together, they depict a Legislature determined to control — and often make money off — every parcel of federal land…
The chances of a successful marijuana-legalization initiative in Arizona for 2016 appear to have diminished due to fighting among two competing political groups. As we reported on March 27, the Marijuana Policy Project of Arizona was surprised by the sudden launch of a competing 2016 campaign by their chairperson, Dr…
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in two cases today that prosecutors can’t ban people on parole or probation from using medical marijuana. Because medical marijuana is a medicine when used under the state’s voter-authorized program, the court stated in its opinions, patients should be allowed to use it — even…
Federal Judge G. Murray Snow recently told Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio that he wanted the sheriff to have some “skin in the game” in regards to an upcoming civil contempt trial of Arpaio and four other current and former MCSO honchos set for April 21-24. But when it comes…
U.S. Senator John McCain will run again for the position he’s held since 1987, telling a local newspaper he has “a lot more to do” for Arizona and the country. Sure he does. And the 78-year-old will likely be reelected, too — in 2010, he kicked Democrat Rodney Glassman’s butt…
A three-judge panel of the Arizona Court of Appeals has declined to halt a pending trial, where accused child molester and ex-Minuteman leader Chris Simcox will be allowed to cross-examine his alleged child victims. After a telephonic hearing held Monday, Judges Margaret Downie, Patricia Norris and Randall Howe refused to…
A new website launched two weeks ago by disgraced Arizona politician Andrew Thomas about the “threat” of ISIS appears to be defunct. Thomas, ignominiously disbarred in April of 2012 after abusing his power as Maricopa County Attorney, last year wasted $750,000 in Clean Elections cash for his failed bid for…
A new reward is being offered in the 1995 case of an Amtrak train that derailed in the desert south of Phoenix, killing one person and injuring 100 more. The FBI and Amtrak announced today that up to $310,000 will be handed out for information leading to the arrest and…
For years, Eric Antuan James has used his life story of going from Missouri gang member to Arizona school principal to motivate kids. Now he’s teaching kids about hypocrisy and betrayal. Last week, James agreed to plead guilty to stealing from an impoverished Indian community school and using the funds…
There’s been no shortage of police brutality videos in Arizona over the years. We’ve compiled some of the most memorable police brutality videos below:…
A new law requiring doctors to tell women that medication-induced abortions can be reversed — a premise most of the health care community refutes — could be in violation of the First Amendment, experts say. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1992, in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, ruled that, in the…
Arizona lawmakers yesterday approved a bill that would prevent the state’s cities and towns from banning or taxing plastic bags. Some states and cities have implemented bans and taxes on the bags to mitigate the waste or other environmental impacts, and it’s been reported recently that such bans are being…
The prestigious Columbia Journalism School is offering a one-sided, two-day training camp about guns next month in Phoenix for select reporters across the country. “Covering Guns and Gun Violence,” hosted by the school’s Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma and funded by ex-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, offers 30…
At the end of the week, we bring you a roundup of visitors to the desert’s own Fourth Avenue Jail. To be considered for our Maricopa County mugshots of the week, get arrested, strike a pose, and we’ll take care of the rest. This week, we find a whole range…
Former Minuteman leader and accused child molester Chris Simcox started his Thursday in Maricopa County Superior Court trying to get Judge Jose Padilla kicked off his case, claiming Padilla favored the prosecution, was a member of La Raza, and therefore was biased against him. Simcox’s request quickly was denied by…
A Phoenix cop won’t be charged in the shooting death of an unarmed black man late last year. Rumain Brisbon was fatally shot at an apartment complex on December 2 after a scuffle with Phoenix Police Officer Mark Rine. Police said the officer thought Brisbon was reaching for a gun…
Against a backdrop of purple and orange-banded clouds, a line of people slowly entered the Men’s Overflow Shelter on Madison Street in downtown Phoenix for the last time. The area was eerily quiet for that time of day. No one shouted, no fights broke out in the street — even…
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has vetoed a bill that would have banned police departments from setting quotas for traffic tickets. Though there have been reports of ticket quotas across the country, the same reports haven’t been coming out of Arizona, which Ducey mentions in his veto explanation. “While quotas for…
Why do so many cholos like the song “I’m Your Puppet” by James & Bobby Purify? Is there something about this song or is it all oldies they like? Aspiring Puppeteer It ain’t just cholos who are down with oldies-but-goodies. Mexican-Americans of all social classes have largely kept alive that…
It was one of those phone calls that, even before you pick it up, you know will bring bad news. Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson woke up to that call from the team doctor in early June 2013. Hudson was nearing the end of a yearlong rehabilitation process for…
