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Glendale City Council's Conchas faces expulsion vote over SRP election

Glendale City Council member Lupe Conchas faces an expulsion vote over his election to the SRP power board.

News

The Glendale City Council will vote Thursday on whether to expel member Lupe Conchas over his election to the Salt River Project power board last month.The big picture: Glendale&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city charter" data-vars-click-url="https://library.municode.com/az/glendale/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTITHCH_ARTIITHCO_S5QU" data-vars-content-id="f8b7a5ca-d340-4a23-895a-13804d4d0af8" data-vars-headline="Glendale City Council&#x27;s Conchas faces expulsion vote over SRP election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.municode.com/az/glendale/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTITHCH_ARTIITHCO_S5QU" target="_blank">city charter</a> says City Council members can&#x27;t hold other paid public offices except for notary public, National Guard member or military reservist.

Immigration slowdown hits Maricopa County growth

Fewer immigrants meant slower growth across the Valley last year.

Population growth in Maricopa County cooled off significantly last year.<ul><li>A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nosedive in immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/county-population-growth-immigration" data-vars-content-id="16fd15e9-18db-4e01-9fbc-f42cead73383" data-vars-headline="Immigration slowdown hits Maricopa County growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/county-population-growth-immigration" target="_self">nosedive in immigration</a> is almost entirely to blame, per recent census estimates.</li></ul>

Glendale City Council expels Conchas over SRP board position

The Glendale City Council expelled Lupe Conchas over his recent election to the SRP power board.

Lupe Conchas&#x27; new job on the Salt River Project power board cost him his old one on the Glendale City Council.Why it matters: Removing a public official who was duly elected by voters is a drastic move.

Domestic migration fueling Pinal population boom

Pinal was one of America's fastest-growing counties last year, in part due to domestic migration.

To find Arizona&#x27;s next boomtown, look beyond Maricopa County.The big picture: Of the 31,107 residents Arizona gained through domestic migration last year, 21,315 moved to Pinal County.

Phoenix eyes new fireworks restrictions as July 4 approaches

Phoenix may limit where people can use fireworks as the July 4 holiday nears.

With Independence Day nearing, the city of Phoenix may limit where people can set off fireworks.Why it matters: When not used safely, fireworks can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blazes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/glendale-fire-crews-responded-to-three-fireworks-related-fires-in-less-than-12-hours-officials-say" data-vars-content-id="f70c0bfa-a144-4ca2-b660-c05afb30a74b" data-vars-headline="Phoenix eyes new fireworks restrictions as July 4 approaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/glendale-fire-crews-responded-to-three-fireworks-related-fires-in-less-than-12-hours-officials-say" target="_blank">blazes</a> and wildfires resulting in injuries and property damage.

Phoenix violent crime falls from early 2025 levels

Violent crimes decreased in Phoenix earlier this year compared to the same period in 2025.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="e0570c4f-d017-43ef-b94d-cea2d4aaae22" data-vars-headline="Phoenix violent crime falls from early 2025 levels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" target="_self">Violent crime</a> fell in Phoenix in early 2026, putting the city in line with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="other large U.S. cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="e0570c4f-d017-43ef-b94d-cea2d4aaae22" data-vars-headline="Phoenix violent crime falls from early 2025 levels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/violent-crime-us-cities-trump" target="_self">other large U.S. cities</a>.Why it matters: Violent crime fell across major categories during the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025, according to data collected by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major Cities Chiefs Association" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-First-Quarter.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e0570c4f-d017-43ef-b94d-cea2d4aaae22" data-vars-headline="Phoenix violent crime falls from early 2025 levels" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2026-and-2025-First-Quarter.pdf" target="_blank">Major Cities Chiefs Association</a> from 67 major U.S. law enforcement agencies.

Scam texts for fake traffic violations send dozens to courthouse

Dozens of people went to fake court hearings rather than pay fines demanded by a text scam.

More than three dozen people wasted their time but perhaps not their money in a scam over fake traffic fines.State of play: A nationwide scam targeted Maricopa County residents this week with text messages warning of a &quot;final notice&quot; over outstanding violations for unpaid tolls (which we don&#x27;t have in Arizona), parking violations and speeding.

Nancy Guthrie case fuels true crime frenzy

Experts warn viral speculation could harm the investigation.

The disappearance of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="84-year-old Nancy Guthrie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" data-vars-content-id="fbdaecf3-e881-4ecb-bad9-53fa78ef2c6a" data-vars-headline="Nancy Guthrie case fuels true crime frenzy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" target="_self">84-year-old Nancy Guthrie</a>, the mother of prominent NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie, has turned Tucson into America&#x27;s latest true crime obsession.The big picture: True crime — the nonfiction portrayal of real criminal activity — has exploded in popularity in recent decades in the form of social media streams, podcasts, TV series, news programming and more.

Pima County Sheriff's Department stars in A&E's "Desert Law"

The department filmed the series before Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.

The Pima County Sheriff&#x27;s Department is the star of a new law enforcement reality show on A&amp;E called &quot;Desert Law.&quot;Why it matters: The department, which filmed the show last year, is now one of the best-known (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and scrutinized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/23/nancy-guthrie-disappearance-true-crime-frenzy" data-vars-content-id="82801904-7e74-4318-ad2a-4bcf193453b8" data-vars-headline="Pima County Sheriff&#x27;s Department stars in A&amp;E&#x27;s &quot;Desert Law&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/23/nancy-guthrie-disappearance-true-crime-frenzy" target="_self">and scrutinized</a>) law enforcement agencies in the world, as it&#x27;s tasked with solving the disappearance of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nancy Guthrie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" data-vars-content-id="82801904-7e74-4318-ad2a-4bcf193453b8" data-vars-headline="Pima County Sheriff&#x27;s Department stars in A&amp;E&#x27;s &quot;Desert Law&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" target="_self">Nancy Guthrie</a>, the mother of &quot;Today&quot; show co-host Savannah Guthrie.

Surveillance photo released in connection with Nancy Guthrie disappearance

Photos released of suspect in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

This is the first time law enforcement has provided public details on a person of interest.

Politics & Policy

Law enforcement has released surveillance photos of someone they believe may be connected to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/05/nancy-guthrie-missing-update-ransom-reward-fbi" data-vars-content-id="d952271f-cffe-430d-9a45-71aa5b8d3a84" data-vars-headline="Surveillance photo released in connection with Nancy Guthrie disappearance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/05/nancy-guthrie-missing-update-ransom-reward-fbi" target="_self">disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie</a>. Why it matters: This is the first time since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Guthrie went missing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/09/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-search-update" data-vars-content-id="d952271f-cffe-430d-9a45-71aa5b8d3a84" data-vars-headline="Surveillance photo released in connection with Nancy Guthrie disappearance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/09/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-search-update" target="_self">Guthrie went missing</a> more than a week ago that law enforcement has provided public details on a suspect or person of interest.

"An hour of desperation": Savannah Guthrie asks for public's help

The "Today" show co-host says her family is running out of time as the search continues.

&quot;Today&quot; show co-host Savannah Guthrie said her family is at &quot;an hour of desperation&quot; in the search to find her 84-year-old mother, who law enforcement believes was abducted from her Tucson-area home more than a week ago. Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ransom note sent to a television station" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2026/02/09/suspected-final-deadline-for-nancy-guthries-ransom-is-today/88579496007/" data-vars-content-id="965c8e9e-6400-4394-be2f-b6e34c49fcb5" data-vars-headline="&quot;An hour of desperation&quot;: Savannah Guthrie asks for public&#x27;s help" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2026/02/09/suspected-final-deadline-for-nancy-guthries-ransom-is-today/88579496007/" target="_blank">ransom note sent to a television station</a>, which law enforcement has not confirmed as legitimate, set a compliance deadline of 5pm on Monday.

Nancy Guthrie update: Detailed timeline, $50K reward and "imposter" ransom arrest

There's still no suspect or person of interest, law enforcement said.

Law enforcement officials on Thursday provided an updated timeline and new information on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disappearance of Nancy Guthrie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" data-vars-content-id="e1f74c76-0d2c-4e0e-9a42-c7d25eeacba3" data-vars-headline="Nancy Guthrie update: Detailed timeline, $50K reward and &quot;imposter&quot; ransom arrest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" target="_self">disappearance of Nancy Guthrie</a>, the mother of &quot;Today&quot; show co-host Savannah Guthrie. Why it matters: The highly unusual disappearance, which local law enforcement has said it is investigating as a kidnapping or abduction, has captivated the nation.

Savannah Guthrie's mother missing under suspicious circumstances

Authorities say the 84-year-old did not leave on her own as investigators search for answers.

&quot;Today&quot; show co-host Savannah Guthrie&#x27;s mother went missing from her Catalina Foothills home over the weekend under what law enforcement called &quot;suspicious&quot; circumstances.The big picture: Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen Saturday night at her home outside Tucson, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said at a press conference Monday morning.

Gilbert mourns Spring, Arizona's first arson detection dog

Spring, Gilbert and Arizona's first arson detection dog who retired in 2019, has died.

Arizona&#x27;s first arson detection dog has crossed the rainbow bridge, the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/GilbertFireDept/posts/pfbid0PrxsAV1EMVAvsZHcmKiKV5C4CJf2yPzJAixBbDr8Kj7nYLK1XnU35u3wiyV8h5Upl" data-vars-content-id="a40e4941-20c0-4358-81e7-932f2cb3ac1f" data-vars-headline="Gilbert mourns Spring, Arizona&#x27;s first arson detection dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/GilbertFireDept/posts/pfbid0PrxsAV1EMVAvsZHcmKiKV5C4CJf2yPzJAixBbDr8Kj7nYLK1XnU35u3wiyV8h5Upl" target="_blank">announced</a> Monday.State of play: In her seven years of service, Spring helped solve hundreds of arson cases working alongside now-retired fire investigator David Zehring before retiring in 2019.

Public Safety

Phoenix eyes new fireworks restrictions as July 4 approaches

Phoenix violent crime falls from early 2025 levels

Scam texts for fake traffic violations send dozens to courthouse

Nancy Guthrie case fuels true crime frenzy

Pima County Sheriff's Department stars in A&E's "Desert Law"