Arizona

Arizona legislation aims to crack down on organized retail crime

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

Arizona legislation aims to crack down on organized retail crime

PHOENIX – Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma hopes that HB 2435 will crack down on the increase in organized retail crime in Arizona.

At a news conference Tuesday at the Capitol, Toma, a Republican who is sponsoring the bill, emphasized “getting tough” and holding criminals accountable.

The legislation, which is headed to the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, sets up harsher sentencing for repeat offenders. In the three sentencing tiers, prison terms would range from three months to 12.5 years in the lowest tier to 2.5 to 35 years in the highest tier.

Organized retail crime refers to individuals and groups stealing merchandise or engaging in fraud as part of a larger criminal enterprise, according to the Arizona Organized Retail Crime Association. The organization aims to share information among law enforcement and businesses.

A spike in the number of retail crimes has businesses and consumers concerned. According to the National Retail Federation, a number of retailers have been affected by organized retail crime and worry about the increase in violence that comes with the planned thefts. NRF’s National Retail Security Survey found the average shrink rate – a retail loss measurement – increased from 1.4% in 2021 to 1.6% in 2022.

Michelle Ahlmer, executive director for the Arizona Retailers Association, speaks in support of HB 2435 at a news conference at the Arizona Capitol on Jan. 30, 2024. (Photo by Mariah Temprendola/Cronkite News)

“We send the message that’s very clear, that in Arizona we’re not going to tolerate this. I would think that most of my colleagues are going to be open to this because, again, we’re not talking about one-off shoplifting here; we’re talking about organized retail theft,” Toma said.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Michelle Ahlmer, executive director for the Arizona Retailers Association, joined Toma at the news conference to tout the benefits of the bill.

The trio said business owners are becoming discouraged with the amount of theft they are experiencing. Ahlmer said having something as inexpensive as toothpaste in a lockbox is what some retailers have resorted to in order to prevent organized retail crime and allow customers to find the items they need. When things are stolen, consumers are less likely to find the things on their shopping list and may have to go to other retailers.

“A community without retail, is not a full community,” Ahlmer said, noting businesses want to make things accessible for customers.

Mitchell said retail cooperation is key to making the bill successful as the crimes grow in frequency and severity.

“One case we just recently prosecuted was sentenced on Friday, where the defendant took $36,000 worth of merchandise from several stores over the course of a few days,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said a huge benefit of the bill is “more leeway in sentencing” for prosecutors.

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Related Topics:arizona businesses consumers crime Featured HB 2435 legislation organizations Phoenix Politics retail Theft

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Arizona

Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

Published

9 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

The No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks (21-7, 11-4 Big 12) visit the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats (26-2, 13-2) Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. ET (ESPN) tip from McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Kansas vs. Arizona odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Kansas got back in the win column on Monday with a 69-56 victory over Houston, covering as a 2.5-point home underdog with the Under (137.5) hitting. G Tre White led all scorers with 23 points while F Bryson Tiller (11 points, 10 rebounds) added a double-double in the much-needed victory after the Jayhawks had dropped 2 of their previous 3.

Arizona has won 3 in a row after taking down Baylor 87-80 on Tuesday, narrowly failing to cover as a 7.5-point road favorite with the Over (154.5) hitting. G Jaden Bradley scored a team-high 25 points, G Brayden Burries added 24, and F Tobe Awaka (10 points, 13 rebounds) added a double-double.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Kansas at Arizona odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 9:40 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Kansas +400 (bet $100 to win $500) | Arizona -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Kansas +9.5 (-110) | Arizona -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Kansas at Arizona picks and predictions

Prediction

Arizona 76, Kansas 69

PASS.

There is minimal value on the Wildcats (-550) to win at home on Saturday against a Jayhawks team that is 5-4 on the road this season.

BET KANSAS +9.5 (-110).

The Jayhawks are 18-10 ATS this season, including 9-3 ATS over their last 12. They are 3-1 ATS over their last 4 on the road, as well, and are coming off a massive win over No. 5 Houston to build momentum heading into another tough contest.

The Wildcats have failed to cover in 4 of their last 5 games, including each of their last 4 as favorites and back-to-back games at home.

With a near double-digit spread, the advantage belongs to the road squad.

BET UNDER 149.5 (-105).

The Wildcats have hit the Under in 7 of their last 10 games, including 3 of their last 4. They have scored 78 or fewer points in 4 of their last 5 games while allowing 68 or fewer in 5 of their last 10, including 2 of their last 3.

The Jayhawks have hit a 19-9 Under record this season and have also hit the Under in 7 of their last 10. They have scored 69 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4 while allowing 75 or fewer in 7 of their last 10.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

21 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

7-7-0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

16-19-20-26-37

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

11-15-24-25-28-30

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
5 white balls = $1 million.
4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
4 white balls = $100.
3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
3 white balls = $7.
2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arizona

Warmer temps increase rattlesnake risks: Arizona Game and Fish

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Warmer temps increase rattlesnake risks: Arizona Game and Fish

article

PHOENIX – Officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department said unseasonably warm temperatures in the state will increase risks for rattlesnake encounters.

What they’re saying:

In a statement released on Feb. 27, the agency said while rattlesnakes are most active in desert areas from March through October, they “may appear earlier in the year as warming temperatures bring them out of winter hibernation.”

“During the spring, it’s common for rattlesnakes to be out during daylight hours,” read a portion of the statement. “As the days become increasingly hot, rattlesnakes tend to move around more at night.”

What you can do:

Officials said there are things people can do to keep themselves safe, including:

Step back and let a rattlesnake move away if you see one on a trail
Be mindful of where you place your feet and hands, because rattlesnakes can easily blend in with their surroundings
Carry a flashlight at night, especially on warmer nights when rattlesnakes can be most active
Clean up yard debris and reduce standing water near homes, in order to avoid attracting rattlesnakes
Stay on marked trails, as rattlesnakes encounters are more likely to occur when a person leaves a marked trail

Game and Fish officials said people should do the following if someone was bitten by a rattlesnake: