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Nancy Guthrie case fuels true crime frenzy

Experts warn viral speculation could harm the investigation.

News

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.

Rival slates vie for seats on board that sets SRP energy rates

SRP race pits business-backed slate against clean energy team as conservative groups weigh in.

Rival left- and right-leaning slates are battling for seats on the board that sets energy rates and policy for the Salt River Project (SRP).Why it matters: SRP&#x27;s elected district board sets rates and energy policy that affect its 1.1 million Phoenix-area customers. Unlike most Arizona utilities, SRP isn&#x27;t regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Water worries are top of mind for Arizonans, poll shows

An annual poll on conservation in the West shows Arizonans are deeply concerned about water.

Water is a major concern across the American West and nowhere more so than in Arizona, according to a new poll.Why it matters: The numbers from the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Conservation in the West poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" data-vars-content-id="62a19f6d-a299-4a1d-9d3f-01105db3d0db" data-vars-headline="Water worries are top of mind for Arizonans, poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" target="_blank">Conservation in the West poll</a> suggest conservation isn&#x27;t a niche issue — it&#x27;s political bedrock in eight Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.

How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities

A radar-based AI device reduced falls from 20 to three per month at one Mesa facility.

Two years ago, a handful of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="assisted living facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" target="_self">assisted living facilities</a> in metro Phoenix added a new member to the team to help reduce resident falls. His name is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul" data-vars-click-url="https://helpany.com/" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://helpany.com/" target="_blank">Paul</a>, and he&#x27;s an AI-powered motion detector.Why it matters: Falls are among the most serious health risks for senior citizens, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="peer-reviewed" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093636/#CR6" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093636/#CR6" target="_blank">peer-reviewed</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical research" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645780/" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645780/" target="_blank">medical research</a>.

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.

Netflix doc shows Pinal County inmates running their own jail unit

A new season of "Unlocked" follows a self-governing inmate pod in Pinal County.

Public Safety

Pinal County jail inmates learn to take more responsibility — and govern themselves — in the upcoming season of a Netflix docuseries.Why it matters: The program helps inmates build skills they can use after they move on from the jail, Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple told Axios.

Tempe may adopt first Arizona law to stop drink spiking

Tempe could require bars to provide drink spiking tests.

Tempe could soon become the first Arizona city to pass a law to combat drink spiking.Why it matters: The crime is thought to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heavily underreported" data-vars-click-url="https://knomore.org/blogs/news/misconceptions-surrounding-drink-spiking?" data-vars-content-id="28d57f49-e1c6-45f2-9dcd-44df8264f585" data-vars-headline="Tempe may adopt first Arizona law to stop drink spiking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://knomore.org/blogs/news/misconceptions-surrounding-drink-spiking?" target="_blank">heavily underreported</a> and is often <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="associated with sexual assault" data-vars-click-url="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/drink-spiking" data-vars-content-id="28d57f49-e1c6-45f2-9dcd-44df8264f585" data-vars-headline="Tempe may adopt first Arizona law to stop drink spiking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/drink-spiking" target="_blank">associated with sexual assault</a>.

Arizona replaces Silver Alert with expanded SAFE Alert

Arizona's new alert covers missing older adults and people with certain disabilities and health conditions.

The Silver Alert system designed to help find missing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="senior citizens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" data-vars-content-id="989a629c-b843-44c0-b039-9abe76791d49" data-vars-headline="Arizona replaces Silver Alert with expanded SAFE Alert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" target="_self">senior citizens</a> has been replaced with a new, expanded program dubbed the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SAFE Alert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azdps.gov/safe-alerts" data-vars-content-id="989a629c-b843-44c0-b039-9abe76791d49" data-vars-headline="Arizona replaces Silver Alert with expanded SAFE Alert" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azdps.gov/safe-alerts" target="_blank">SAFE Alert</a>, or Seek And Find Alert.Why it matters: The previous alert system had a 98% success rate, with most missing individuals located within 18 hours, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Arizona Republic reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/09/27/as-of-sept-26-there-are-no-more-silver-alerts-in-az/86374572007/" data-vars-content-id="989a629c-b843-44c0-b039-9abe76791d49" data-vars-headline="Arizona replaces Silver Alert with expanded SAFE Alert" 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/2025/09/27/as-of-sept-26-there-are-no-more-silver-alerts-in-az/86374572007/" target="_blank">The Arizona Republic reported</a>.